Sometimes we say we desire to increase in our experience of God, and we long to go deep yet we are stopped or hindered by many factors. One major factor that affects most in experiencing God’s fullness is seen in Acts 10.
Acts 10, our daily reading of the day portrays Cornelius a devout gentile, seeking for more of God. Peter is used as a divine instrument to bring Cornelius and his household into a spirit filled life. Cornelius had requested that Peter would come to visit him in his home and possibly bring the gospel message to him. Peter though willing to be used by God however knew it was against Jewish ritual laws to associate with a gentile. For Peter, the barrier preventing him from experiencing God was his tradition.
Tradition is often very prominent in limiting us from experience God’s power. Peter knew associating with the gentile Cornelius could include visiting his house, eating ungodly food, conversing with unclean people, etc. For him, these acts were forbidden, and his normal inclination would have been not to go at all. Yet God broke through Peter’s mindset via a vision. In this vision God is able to instil a new paradigm, one of inclusiveness in Peter’s psyche. Thus Peter is released to obey God in ministering to the Gentiles and witnessing God’s power at work.
Mindsets, often induced by our culture and traditions are often hard to overcome. For some it might be their church tradition has never experienced God in a certain way. While for others it could be their personality trait tends to be more conservative and thus emotionalism in spirituality is foreign to them. Yet still, others through intellectualism and rationalism legitimize their reasons for not being open to deeper things of the spirit.
Let’s learn from Peter. See how he was challenged by the spirit to deviate from the ways of his fathers. Notice though Peter at first was unwilling, yet through openness, he was persuaded to try a new path. Ask God to give you a new thought, a different vision, let him introduce his paradigms to you, so that you can fully experience God’s best.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Boldness
We could all use a little more boldness to make our witnessing more effective. Our reading over the last couple of days in Acts has stirred me up to seek for more boldness.
Peter and John on the way to the temple were intercepted by a needy 40 year old man who had been crippled for many years. This beggar requested only money, yet due to tremendous boldness, the disciples commanded him to walk in the name of Jesus. And he did! Have you ever wondered what would have happened if that was your or I? Would we have given the man the money he required and walked on? Or would we give him some food, comfort him and then depart when the conversation comes to an uncomfortable lull? Really, think about it. What would you do? I know for me, the first thought would not be to command him to walk. The reason for this would be due to lack of boldness.
Later on, the disciples are accosted by the authority figures who killed Jesus. The political implication of performing such a public miracle could be damaging to the Pharisees. Thus the disciples are put on trial, and in this scene we see more boldness displayed. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times in fear of death, spoke boldly and declared Jesus was the healer and the messiah. What would possess a cowardly disciple to speak boldly in front of murderous political leaders? Boldness. The scriptures show us the source of this boldness in Acts 8 “then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said to them”. The source of course is the precious Holy Spirit. See the Holy Spirit does not just fill us to give us tongues, ultimately he empowers us with his Spirit so we can be bold witnesses for him.
Finally, the disciples are released, and withdraw to their own company. Again look at the context of their prayer in the latter part of Acts 4. They prayed not for the persecution to stop, or people to like them, instead they prayed for more boldness. Boldness to preach, boldness to live, boldness to act, boldness to be witnesses. Friends I believe this is where we live. Our world today is desperately in need of an answer. They need miracles in many different facets of their lives. But they requre someone filled with the Holy Spirit to boldly give them a message they can receive, believe and adhere to. Join me today as I pray and seek for more boldness.
Peter and John on the way to the temple were intercepted by a needy 40 year old man who had been crippled for many years. This beggar requested only money, yet due to tremendous boldness, the disciples commanded him to walk in the name of Jesus. And he did! Have you ever wondered what would have happened if that was your or I? Would we have given the man the money he required and walked on? Or would we give him some food, comfort him and then depart when the conversation comes to an uncomfortable lull? Really, think about it. What would you do? I know for me, the first thought would not be to command him to walk. The reason for this would be due to lack of boldness.
Later on, the disciples are accosted by the authority figures who killed Jesus. The political implication of performing such a public miracle could be damaging to the Pharisees. Thus the disciples are put on trial, and in this scene we see more boldness displayed. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times in fear of death, spoke boldly and declared Jesus was the healer and the messiah. What would possess a cowardly disciple to speak boldly in front of murderous political leaders? Boldness. The scriptures show us the source of this boldness in Acts 8 “then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said to them”. The source of course is the precious Holy Spirit. See the Holy Spirit does not just fill us to give us tongues, ultimately he empowers us with his Spirit so we can be bold witnesses for him.
Finally, the disciples are released, and withdraw to their own company. Again look at the context of their prayer in the latter part of Acts 4. They prayed not for the persecution to stop, or people to like them, instead they prayed for more boldness. Boldness to preach, boldness to live, boldness to act, boldness to be witnesses. Friends I believe this is where we live. Our world today is desperately in need of an answer. They need miracles in many different facets of their lives. But they requre someone filled with the Holy Spirit to boldly give them a message they can receive, believe and adhere to. Join me today as I pray and seek for more boldness.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The bitterness of rebellion
Have you ever felt like leadership was heading in the right direction? Do you ever get frustrated at the apparent immobility of the engines of hierarchical institutions? Wouldn’t it be great if Pastors and were more selfless and led more like Christ would?
I have often had these questions. And as I read the daily reading of today (Numbers 19-20), I find that I am not alone. In fact these questions are founded in antiquity and surface in the narratives of the wilderness wanderings of the people of God.
Can you imagine following a leader who is outdated? Moses was such a leader. He had lived half his life in a different land and a foreign culture (Midian) than the Israelites. He was old, and was dogmatic about his convictions. Over three million people had to follow such a leader for fourty years. Thus understandably these Israelites had complaints pertaining to Moses’ leadership, I probably would too, wouldn’t you? However, God had a different perspective. In Numbers 16, He challenges the people for their disobedience, and equated their complaint to Moses as rebellion against Himself. Due to this rebellion many died from divine judgement.
For those of us leaders, unfortunately, rebellion also seems easy to succumb to. Granted the Israelites perpetual complaints frustrated Moses in Numbers 20. God told Moses to provide them their much sought after water by speaking to the rock. Moses however in frustration at the people neglected to decree God’s word to the rock. Instead he strikes it with his rod to induce the miraculous flow of water. Due to this disobedience, Moses is judged guilty by God and forfeits the right to ever enter the promised land in his lifetime. As I survey this from a leader’s perspective, I must confess that I am bewildered. Why would God fault Moses for striking the rock? Afterwards at other times, Moses had been instructed to use his rod to perform miracles. Couldn’t Moses exercise initiative and do things his own way? Why is God so “micro”? As I meditate on these thoughts, I become convinced that God’s ways are not our way. Thus, we just need to reverently submit and follow him. Moses’ ultimate indictment was that he was found rebellious. Interestingly enough, this was the very thing that he faulted the Israelites for.
May we as followers submit to Godly leadership and in humility follow our Paul’s as they follow Christ. And may leaders in the kingdom be found even more humble, and demonstrate radical-immediate obedience to the utterances of a holy God.
I have often had these questions. And as I read the daily reading of today (Numbers 19-20), I find that I am not alone. In fact these questions are founded in antiquity and surface in the narratives of the wilderness wanderings of the people of God.
Can you imagine following a leader who is outdated? Moses was such a leader. He had lived half his life in a different land and a foreign culture (Midian) than the Israelites. He was old, and was dogmatic about his convictions. Over three million people had to follow such a leader for fourty years. Thus understandably these Israelites had complaints pertaining to Moses’ leadership, I probably would too, wouldn’t you? However, God had a different perspective. In Numbers 16, He challenges the people for their disobedience, and equated their complaint to Moses as rebellion against Himself. Due to this rebellion many died from divine judgement.
For those of us leaders, unfortunately, rebellion also seems easy to succumb to. Granted the Israelites perpetual complaints frustrated Moses in Numbers 20. God told Moses to provide them their much sought after water by speaking to the rock. Moses however in frustration at the people neglected to decree God’s word to the rock. Instead he strikes it with his rod to induce the miraculous flow of water. Due to this disobedience, Moses is judged guilty by God and forfeits the right to ever enter the promised land in his lifetime. As I survey this from a leader’s perspective, I must confess that I am bewildered. Why would God fault Moses for striking the rock? Afterwards at other times, Moses had been instructed to use his rod to perform miracles. Couldn’t Moses exercise initiative and do things his own way? Why is God so “micro”? As I meditate on these thoughts, I become convinced that God’s ways are not our way. Thus, we just need to reverently submit and follow him. Moses’ ultimate indictment was that he was found rebellious. Interestingly enough, this was the very thing that he faulted the Israelites for.
May we as followers submit to Godly leadership and in humility follow our Paul’s as they follow Christ. And may leaders in the kingdom be found even more humble, and demonstrate radical-immediate obedience to the utterances of a holy God.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
When your world gets shaken.
The tabernacle was the centre of the Jewish community in ancient Israel. It was here that God disseminated his blessing for the community. All of life was orchestrated around the rhythm of the tabernacle (which later became the temple). Whether it was festivals, daily sacrifices, Sabbath worship, or community events, the tabernacle or the temple was one of the most significant emblems of Jewish identity.
Two of our readings today both concentrate on the tabernacle-temple, yet from opposite sides. Numbers 18 is contextualized in the period of Jewish history where the tabernacle was indeed the centre of the Jewish community. God regulates the worship, care, and protocol pertaining to the tabernacle. Of such import is the tabernacle, that sentence of death is issued to those who would misappropriate the tabernacle of God.
The evolution of the tabernacle results ultimately in the building of the temple by Solomon in 1 Kings. This temple though a fixed structure still bore the same significance for the Jewish people.
Our second reading in Psalms depicts what happens when a nation loses their identity. The context of Psalm 74 is the demise of Jerusalem, particularly the destruction of Solomon’s temple by the Babylonian empire.
No longer would Israel have the divine dwelling among them. Worship of Yahweh would cease, as the Israelites were carried far away into strange lands. The feasts, holy days, and religious pomp such a key part of their lives for centuries was abruptly ended. In utter despair, the Psalmist cries out, “why have you rejected us forever oh God?” For them, their world was truly shaken.
Has your world ever crumbled around you? Have things ( even Godly things) that you hold dear become memories of the past? Do you feel God has not been faithful to his promises? Undeniably these were the sentiments of the Jews as they languished in captivity. Yet, the Psalmist offers hope in times of duress. This hope is seen in remembrance of the covenant keeping nature of God. He remembers God keeps his covenants, and challenges the Holy one of Israel to rise up and defend their cause. Such prayers by the Psalmist, along with penitent supplication of a nation in Israel, did ultimately cause the Lord to restore the captive to their beloved city, and a new temple.
Thus, Psalm 74 teaches us that God keeps covenants. Our covenant with Him as New Testament believers of course is rooted in Christ via his blood sacrifice. We are reminded in Hebrews that this covenant is far better than the old. Yes your world may have crumbled, but remember God keeps covenants, and he promises hope, restoring stability to the shaken foundations of your circumstances.
Two of our readings today both concentrate on the tabernacle-temple, yet from opposite sides. Numbers 18 is contextualized in the period of Jewish history where the tabernacle was indeed the centre of the Jewish community. God regulates the worship, care, and protocol pertaining to the tabernacle. Of such import is the tabernacle, that sentence of death is issued to those who would misappropriate the tabernacle of God.
The evolution of the tabernacle results ultimately in the building of the temple by Solomon in 1 Kings. This temple though a fixed structure still bore the same significance for the Jewish people.
Our second reading in Psalms depicts what happens when a nation loses their identity. The context of Psalm 74 is the demise of Jerusalem, particularly the destruction of Solomon’s temple by the Babylonian empire.
No longer would Israel have the divine dwelling among them. Worship of Yahweh would cease, as the Israelites were carried far away into strange lands. The feasts, holy days, and religious pomp such a key part of their lives for centuries was abruptly ended. In utter despair, the Psalmist cries out, “why have you rejected us forever oh God?” For them, their world was truly shaken.
Has your world ever crumbled around you? Have things ( even Godly things) that you hold dear become memories of the past? Do you feel God has not been faithful to his promises? Undeniably these were the sentiments of the Jews as they languished in captivity. Yet, the Psalmist offers hope in times of duress. This hope is seen in remembrance of the covenant keeping nature of God. He remembers God keeps his covenants, and challenges the Holy one of Israel to rise up and defend their cause. Such prayers by the Psalmist, along with penitent supplication of a nation in Israel, did ultimately cause the Lord to restore the captive to their beloved city, and a new temple.
Thus, Psalm 74 teaches us that God keeps covenants. Our covenant with Him as New Testament believers of course is rooted in Christ via his blood sacrifice. We are reminded in Hebrews that this covenant is far better than the old. Yes your world may have crumbled, but remember God keeps covenants, and he promises hope, restoring stability to the shaken foundations of your circumstances.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The majesty of Christ
We have been reading Revelation for the past two weeks, and I haven’t yet written a blog regarding this often misunderstood book.
One clear theme in Revelation is the awesome nature of Christ. Revelation, filled with many images, bizarre symbols and cryptic sequences of numerical events may confuse the interpreter. While one struggles to navigate through Revelation, the definite sense of Christ’s glory must not be lost.
Jesus appears to the apostle John in a way which holds tremendous meaning for the Bible enthusiast. He appears as the son of man, or the ancient of Days already foreseen in the book of Daniel (Daniel 7). His hair is white look wool depicting his antiquity. This of course indicates that Jesus is the historic creator of the world, who is eternal, and forever existing. The vision further describes Jesus eyes to be burning like fire. This speaks of God’s consuming fire of holiness, full of purity, yet powerful enough to consume iniquity. The fiery eyes are typical of the angelic vision Daniel had. (Daniel 10:6). As the Lord speaks, John hears the sound of many waters, indicating the awesome authority his voice commands. This reminds us of Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 1:28. Other stirring visual details are given, such as the bronze feet, the pure white linen robe, the golden lampstands and the sunshine glistening face.
As I write these words, I am immensely overwhelmed at the picture of God these images conjure in my mind. John was awestruck as the majesty of Christ was revealed to him. His only response was to fall down as one dead in deep reverence of the awesome Christ. Careful study of the Old Testament manifestations of the presence of God causes one to truly appreciate John’s vision of Christ. While these images are overpowering, one could only imagine what it would have been like to actually see Christ.
Would you like to see Christ? I mean really have a vision of him? I know I would. Well why don’t you start with Hebrews 12:14, where we are told that living holy lives is prerequisite to seeing God. Holiness is rooted in an acute awareness of the majesty of God. Study out these details of Christ, and get an understanding of how grand and majestic he really is. Let this consciousness drive you to an increased desire to be more like God. As you do, you will naturally become more holy, and sin will become more and more distasteful to you. Maybe you won’t have a literal vision, but I guarantee you that as you seriously consider these things, and put them into practice God will be more real to you than ever before, and you will truly experience the rich presence of the majestic Christ.
One clear theme in Revelation is the awesome nature of Christ. Revelation, filled with many images, bizarre symbols and cryptic sequences of numerical events may confuse the interpreter. While one struggles to navigate through Revelation, the definite sense of Christ’s glory must not be lost.
Jesus appears to the apostle John in a way which holds tremendous meaning for the Bible enthusiast. He appears as the son of man, or the ancient of Days already foreseen in the book of Daniel (Daniel 7). His hair is white look wool depicting his antiquity. This of course indicates that Jesus is the historic creator of the world, who is eternal, and forever existing. The vision further describes Jesus eyes to be burning like fire. This speaks of God’s consuming fire of holiness, full of purity, yet powerful enough to consume iniquity. The fiery eyes are typical of the angelic vision Daniel had. (Daniel 10:6). As the Lord speaks, John hears the sound of many waters, indicating the awesome authority his voice commands. This reminds us of Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 1:28. Other stirring visual details are given, such as the bronze feet, the pure white linen robe, the golden lampstands and the sunshine glistening face.
As I write these words, I am immensely overwhelmed at the picture of God these images conjure in my mind. John was awestruck as the majesty of Christ was revealed to him. His only response was to fall down as one dead in deep reverence of the awesome Christ. Careful study of the Old Testament manifestations of the presence of God causes one to truly appreciate John’s vision of Christ. While these images are overpowering, one could only imagine what it would have been like to actually see Christ.
Would you like to see Christ? I mean really have a vision of him? I know I would. Well why don’t you start with Hebrews 12:14, where we are told that living holy lives is prerequisite to seeing God. Holiness is rooted in an acute awareness of the majesty of God. Study out these details of Christ, and get an understanding of how grand and majestic he really is. Let this consciousness drive you to an increased desire to be more like God. As you do, you will naturally become more holy, and sin will become more and more distasteful to you. Maybe you won’t have a literal vision, but I guarantee you that as you seriously consider these things, and put them into practice God will be more real to you than ever before, and you will truly experience the rich presence of the majestic Christ.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Order in Numbers
The reading of today (Numbers 2) depicts a systematic ordering of the placement of each tribe of Israel in respect to the tabernacle. At the command of the Lord, the positioning of each tribe is mapped out. In this mapping scheme, the Tabernacle (or Tent of meeting) is featured in the centre of the Israelite camp, indicating God’s central presence and importance in the affairs of the Israelites. Immediately surrounding the tabernacle (on all sides) is the tribe of Levi, which include the Priests. Finally all the 12 tribes are positioned (in clusters of 3) beyond the Levites and Priests in order of importance, beginning with Judah at the east side of the Tabernacle (see www.youthrevolution.ca/Bible Reading/IsraeliteCampingChart.jpg).
A few observations are necessitated by this intricate ordering of the tribes. Firstly, the holiest tribe is placed next to the tabernacle. And within that tribe, the holiest clan, the priests are positioned at the entrance to the tabernacle on the east side. As you may remember, the Levites showed themselves loyal by not worshipping idols at Mt. Sinai, and thus the Lord promised they would be set apart (Exodus 32). Secondly, the priests are placed at the east end of the tabernacle. This position, being the entrance to the tabernacle courtyard would have been very important, as the priests could determine who was allowed into the tabernacle to offer sacrifices to God. Finally the ordering of the tribes was also important. Judah being the most important tribe, in that Jesus and David were from Judah had the privilege of being positioned next to the priests.
This order ruled their lives as they journeyed in the desert for the next 39 years. Whenever the cloud lifted off the tabernacle, the journey continued. The Israelites would retain the same positioning with respect to the tabernacle as they travelled for days on end. When the cloud by day (or fire by night) stopped, the tribes would set up camp, maintaining the order that God prescribed. Thus they were efficient, maintained uniformity and operated as a fluid mechanism towards their divinely appointed destiny: Canaan.
What is one to make of all these details? Essentially the point is that we need to trust the sovereignty of God, and value our position in life before we can achieve our own destiny. In 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, God makes it clear that he gives gifts to those he chooses, simply because of divine will and for his sometimes unknown purpose. Thus God knows where he wants us to be positioned in life, and he prepares us and equips us accordingly with temperaments, personalities and gifting needed to fulfill our divinely appointed purpose. Since God knows the master plan, our job is trust his divine ordering. When we compare ourselves to others, envy positions and gifts, or put undue guilt and pressure on ourselves, we move out of God’s order, and we are in danger of being out of order. Have you ever tried to use a bank machine and the sign said out of order, or worse still a washroom in times of emergency? How frustrating!!! Similarly when we don’t value where God puts us and we function out of our own inner desires we end up being frustrated, and find ourselves out of order, unable to be of true help to those around us.
A few observations are necessitated by this intricate ordering of the tribes. Firstly, the holiest tribe is placed next to the tabernacle. And within that tribe, the holiest clan, the priests are positioned at the entrance to the tabernacle on the east side. As you may remember, the Levites showed themselves loyal by not worshipping idols at Mt. Sinai, and thus the Lord promised they would be set apart (Exodus 32). Secondly, the priests are placed at the east end of the tabernacle. This position, being the entrance to the tabernacle courtyard would have been very important, as the priests could determine who was allowed into the tabernacle to offer sacrifices to God. Finally the ordering of the tribes was also important. Judah being the most important tribe, in that Jesus and David were from Judah had the privilege of being positioned next to the priests.
This order ruled their lives as they journeyed in the desert for the next 39 years. Whenever the cloud lifted off the tabernacle, the journey continued. The Israelites would retain the same positioning with respect to the tabernacle as they travelled for days on end. When the cloud by day (or fire by night) stopped, the tribes would set up camp, maintaining the order that God prescribed. Thus they were efficient, maintained uniformity and operated as a fluid mechanism towards their divinely appointed destiny: Canaan.
What is one to make of all these details? Essentially the point is that we need to trust the sovereignty of God, and value our position in life before we can achieve our own destiny. In 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, God makes it clear that he gives gifts to those he chooses, simply because of divine will and for his sometimes unknown purpose. Thus God knows where he wants us to be positioned in life, and he prepares us and equips us accordingly with temperaments, personalities and gifting needed to fulfill our divinely appointed purpose. Since God knows the master plan, our job is trust his divine ordering. When we compare ourselves to others, envy positions and gifts, or put undue guilt and pressure on ourselves, we move out of God’s order, and we are in danger of being out of order. Have you ever tried to use a bank machine and the sign said out of order, or worse still a washroom in times of emergency? How frustrating!!! Similarly when we don’t value where God puts us and we function out of our own inner desires we end up being frustrated, and find ourselves out of order, unable to be of true help to those around us.
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