The city is a beautiful phenomenon. Much life, rich diversity, industries, hustle and bustle, people interacting in a wide array of ways are all familiar traits of the city. As I sit at a coffee shop in the big apple I can’t help but reflect on the metropolis.
God has much to say concerning the city. A city is often treated as a personality in the Bible. Cities are seen to have a purpose and God given responsibilities that demand accountability. Think about the city in which you live in. What is its God ordained purpose? Why was it built? Where has it succeeded? In what ways has it being derailed from its goal?
Old Testament Jerusalem was a beautiful city situated on the hilltops in a land that was blessed with much abundance. God ordained this city for his ultimate goal – world evangelization. This would happen on 2 levels, naturally through its prosperity, it would signify the crowning achievement of a divinely controlled nation, provoking the nations to seek God. Spiritually it would be the centre of Christianity, disseminating the gospel to the world via the death and resurrection of Christ.
Jerusalem however fell short of its mission in the Old Testament, leading to its destruction. The prophets speak of much factors that led to the fall of Jerusalem, that are strikingly similar to what plagues our cities today. Family instability, abuse, violence, crime, systemic oppression, social injustice, lust for power and religious apathy and pluralism are only a few of the items that indicted Jerusalem.
As we reach our cities for God today, what can we glean from Jerusalem? Which one of the ills facing your city has God burdened you, and what are you doing to change things?
May God empower you as you take on the challenge of healing your city, allowing God to be glorified.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Planted
Once upon a time there was a tall, wide, hefty cedar tree that was admired by all far and wide. Then came an eagle that happened to land on the tree. As it flew away it grasped a branch in its clasp. The twig got planted in a fertile patch of soil by the river. After many days it sprung alive, and another tree was formed. Yet this new tree was weak and feeble and could not withstand much resistance, unlike its parent, it never grew to any significance and was eventually uprooted.
God used this allegory in Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites in their rebellion. As he predicted their fall, his question was “who planted you”? Who planted you is a question of viability and purpose. Except the Lord builds a house they that build, labour in vain. Many like the cedar are planted by accident. Often living life without a true sense of purpose and mission while some who fortune on a cause never fully succeed. Like the newly planted tree they lack the fortitude that undergirds a purpose birthed from the bowels of God.
Who planted you? What is your foundation? Why are you building? Search to answer these questions, hearkening to the voice of God himself. May you be a tall cedar of Lebanon spreading its branches wide, providing shade to many and nesting the birds of the air.
God used this allegory in Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites in their rebellion. As he predicted their fall, his question was “who planted you”? Who planted you is a question of viability and purpose. Except the Lord builds a house they that build, labour in vain. Many like the cedar are planted by accident. Often living life without a true sense of purpose and mission while some who fortune on a cause never fully succeed. Like the newly planted tree they lack the fortitude that undergirds a purpose birthed from the bowels of God.
Who planted you? What is your foundation? Why are you building? Search to answer these questions, hearkening to the voice of God himself. May you be a tall cedar of Lebanon spreading its branches wide, providing shade to many and nesting the birds of the air.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Humility
Moses was a self proclaimed leader over his people. Sensing God might have a leadership calling on his life he takes matters in his own hands, which backfires, as he winds up killing an Egyptian official.
The saying pride goes before a fall is very fitting here, for upon discovery, Moses becomes a fugitive in the desert, living with nomads and shepherding animals.
This transitionary time spent in the desert was approximately 40 years. A lot happens in 40 years. Prior to his fall from grace Moses had been a prince in the court of Pharaoh. Lavish and splendour was what he was accustomed to. The life he now led was totally different. As a shepherd his occupation was considered very insignificant. Shepherds often travelled from place to place, not possessing much, and often dirty and smelly because of their intimate dealings with sheep. It would seem that Moses was cursed, or being punished by God, yet this situation was sovereignly being engineered by God.
It was here in the desert that Moses met with God. As a young prideful individual, he was hardly useful to God. Seasoned through the years through much manual labour and adverse experiences, Moses pride had been replaced with humility. So humble was Moses that at first he rejected God’s call to lead his people from captivity. Having surrendered his life over to God’s control, Moses’ situation changed. He spends the next 40 years, leading his people out of Egypt to the promised land.
You might be in a period of transition in your life, and wondering why things are not as bright as they could be? Maybe like Moses God wants you to release control of your own destiny, and trust his leading. As natural people though, we sometimes are unable to acquire true dependence on God except through trials. For it is often only after much disappointment that God becomes our only option. My advice to you is to thank God for his process of transition. Release the reigns of control to God. Learn the lesson of humility through your current situation, and watch God exalt you to the place he has called you to.
The saying pride goes before a fall is very fitting here, for upon discovery, Moses becomes a fugitive in the desert, living with nomads and shepherding animals.
This transitionary time spent in the desert was approximately 40 years. A lot happens in 40 years. Prior to his fall from grace Moses had been a prince in the court of Pharaoh. Lavish and splendour was what he was accustomed to. The life he now led was totally different. As a shepherd his occupation was considered very insignificant. Shepherds often travelled from place to place, not possessing much, and often dirty and smelly because of their intimate dealings with sheep. It would seem that Moses was cursed, or being punished by God, yet this situation was sovereignly being engineered by God.
It was here in the desert that Moses met with God. As a young prideful individual, he was hardly useful to God. Seasoned through the years through much manual labour and adverse experiences, Moses pride had been replaced with humility. So humble was Moses that at first he rejected God’s call to lead his people from captivity. Having surrendered his life over to God’s control, Moses’ situation changed. He spends the next 40 years, leading his people out of Egypt to the promised land.
You might be in a period of transition in your life, and wondering why things are not as bright as they could be? Maybe like Moses God wants you to release control of your own destiny, and trust his leading. As natural people though, we sometimes are unable to acquire true dependence on God except through trials. For it is often only after much disappointment that God becomes our only option. My advice to you is to thank God for his process of transition. Release the reigns of control to God. Learn the lesson of humility through your current situation, and watch God exalt you to the place he has called you to.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Unorthodox faith
Have you ever believed in something completely unconventional? Studies in human nature reveal that we are products of our environment, creatures of habit and culturally bound. Thus it is quite rare to find a person embrace a faith or concept foreign to their pre-existing understanding.
Jesus message was unconventional. His teaching unapproved by the religious bosses of his day had a strange appeal to the masses. There was a man who believed in Jesus. Blind since birth, yet a religious adherent, his fate changed upon meeting Jesus. As he regained his eyesight from Christ’s touch, he knew whom he could put his trust in. Yet his belief in Christ was disapproved of by the Pharisees who were the religious authority of his day.
Organized religion can often be a stumbling block to faith in Christ. The Pharisees had to much to lose if they turned to Jesus. Today, our church leaders often suffer from the same fear. Some hold on to reigns of control by teaching biblical truth that promote denominational stance or by discouraging questioning of church taught doctrines. Like the Pharisees of old they monitor the intake of the spiritual diet of the masses, and all too often with mixed motives.
Eventually this new adherent of Christ was kicked out of the synagogue. His crime - belief in the unorthodoxy of Christ’s teaching.
Have you put Christ in a box? Do you expect him to move only in a way that has been prescribed for you? If you are then you are short-changing yourself. Scripture says all things are possible to him who believes, and with God all things are possible. God is a god of possibilities, and he wants us to simply believe. Are you burdened by unsaved friends? Have you lost hope concerning that intricate situation? Do you still believe there could be justice and social equality for the oppressed? Jesus answered Jairus whose daughter had died with those few powerful words “Have no fear. Just believe”.
The masses longed to believe in Christ because he preached hope with authority. Many were touched, many were saved, but only a few really believed in him. This was evidenced by the fact that he was deserted in his passion. As products of our environment, unorthodoxy of faith is rare. Yet that is what is required to follow Christ. I challenge you to love God, be passionate about your convictions, believe in the impossible, and take little steps. As you do, expect things to be unconventionally different for he rewards those who diligently and faithfully seek, trust and believe in him.
Jesus message was unconventional. His teaching unapproved by the religious bosses of his day had a strange appeal to the masses. There was a man who believed in Jesus. Blind since birth, yet a religious adherent, his fate changed upon meeting Jesus. As he regained his eyesight from Christ’s touch, he knew whom he could put his trust in. Yet his belief in Christ was disapproved of by the Pharisees who were the religious authority of his day.
Organized religion can often be a stumbling block to faith in Christ. The Pharisees had to much to lose if they turned to Jesus. Today, our church leaders often suffer from the same fear. Some hold on to reigns of control by teaching biblical truth that promote denominational stance or by discouraging questioning of church taught doctrines. Like the Pharisees of old they monitor the intake of the spiritual diet of the masses, and all too often with mixed motives.
Eventually this new adherent of Christ was kicked out of the synagogue. His crime - belief in the unorthodoxy of Christ’s teaching.
Have you put Christ in a box? Do you expect him to move only in a way that has been prescribed for you? If you are then you are short-changing yourself. Scripture says all things are possible to him who believes, and with God all things are possible. God is a god of possibilities, and he wants us to simply believe. Are you burdened by unsaved friends? Have you lost hope concerning that intricate situation? Do you still believe there could be justice and social equality for the oppressed? Jesus answered Jairus whose daughter had died with those few powerful words “Have no fear. Just believe”.
The masses longed to believe in Christ because he preached hope with authority. Many were touched, many were saved, but only a few really believed in him. This was evidenced by the fact that he was deserted in his passion. As products of our environment, unorthodoxy of faith is rare. Yet that is what is required to follow Christ. I challenge you to love God, be passionate about your convictions, believe in the impossible, and take little steps. As you do, expect things to be unconventionally different for he rewards those who diligently and faithfully seek, trust and believe in him.
Signficance
“No one who wants to be a public figure acts in secret”. These were the challenging words that Jesus disciples posed to him as he declined the invitation to publicly display his supernatural abilities. Surely Jesus wanted people to know he was the messiah that would come to redeem Israel from the torment of the Roman tyranny. Wasn’t Jesus here to stay? Wouldn’t he be crowned the king of the Jews? When would he release thunderbolts from heaven to silence the Roman enemy? All these questions and probably more would have been foremost in the minds of the Jews.
Jesus in his typical counter-culture way declined to satisfy their wish. He would stay in obscurity for a prolonged period of time, neglecting the opportunity of broadcasting his message. For Jesus, his message would be best received, not by spectacular, crowd-grabbing miracles, but by an unorthodox humility, requiring insignificance and death to self.
We are told in Philippians that Jesus found his significance in obedience to the father. This obedience ultimately resulted in his subjugation of his flesh leading to his incarnation, and crucifixion. Can you imagine? Jesus who is God, existing in a blissful euphoria in eternity chose to become one with fallen humanity. Why would he do this? Could it be that he was exemplifying the secret to humanity’s plague
Think about it. What caused sin, the fall of man, and the plethora of problems we face in our world today. It all resulted from pride. Humanity via Adam and Eve longed to elevate itself beyond God’s prescribed order. This pride so rooted in our makeup is typified by our desire to constantly elevate ourselves. Thus Jesus response to his disciples was strategic and intentional. In essence by avoiding man’s approval, he was asking them the question of the ages, “what determines your significance?”
What determines your significance? Is it you? Is it what others say about you? Could it be accolades, achievements and rewards of this life? What makes you feel good about yourself? Is it rooted in pride?
By acting in secret, Jesus teaches us not to desire to be famous, popular, rich or important. After all, he didn’t. We are meant to find our significance in Him. See Jesus found his significance in his identity. He knew who he was. Do you know who your are? He was the son of God. One with the father. Already elevated, already famous, popular and rich in the eyes of God. In 50, 80, 100, years, when we are all translated to the next life, what would really matter is what should drive us today. Strive to know God’s opinion of you. Anchor your significance in God, and crucify your fleshly demands. This won’t be a momentous victory, but God will keep you consistent as you stay committed to his purposes. Escape the short-lived significance of this world, withdraw from the crowds, and pursue your relationship with God, who thinks the world of you.
Jesus in his typical counter-culture way declined to satisfy their wish. He would stay in obscurity for a prolonged period of time, neglecting the opportunity of broadcasting his message. For Jesus, his message would be best received, not by spectacular, crowd-grabbing miracles, but by an unorthodox humility, requiring insignificance and death to self.
We are told in Philippians that Jesus found his significance in obedience to the father. This obedience ultimately resulted in his subjugation of his flesh leading to his incarnation, and crucifixion. Can you imagine? Jesus who is God, existing in a blissful euphoria in eternity chose to become one with fallen humanity. Why would he do this? Could it be that he was exemplifying the secret to humanity’s plague
Think about it. What caused sin, the fall of man, and the plethora of problems we face in our world today. It all resulted from pride. Humanity via Adam and Eve longed to elevate itself beyond God’s prescribed order. This pride so rooted in our makeup is typified by our desire to constantly elevate ourselves. Thus Jesus response to his disciples was strategic and intentional. In essence by avoiding man’s approval, he was asking them the question of the ages, “what determines your significance?”
What determines your significance? Is it you? Is it what others say about you? Could it be accolades, achievements and rewards of this life? What makes you feel good about yourself? Is it rooted in pride?
By acting in secret, Jesus teaches us not to desire to be famous, popular, rich or important. After all, he didn’t. We are meant to find our significance in Him. See Jesus found his significance in his identity. He knew who he was. Do you know who your are? He was the son of God. One with the father. Already elevated, already famous, popular and rich in the eyes of God. In 50, 80, 100, years, when we are all translated to the next life, what would really matter is what should drive us today. Strive to know God’s opinion of you. Anchor your significance in God, and crucify your fleshly demands. This won’t be a momentous victory, but God will keep you consistent as you stay committed to his purposes. Escape the short-lived significance of this world, withdraw from the crowds, and pursue your relationship with God, who thinks the world of you.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Waiting for direction
Jeremiah a charismatic prophet of the Lord was bound by the spirit. Often he is found not willing to relay his unpopular message. However out of sheer obedience to God he delivers the oracle without fail to God’s people. So dependent on the Lord was Jeremiah, that if God did not speak he would not act.
In Jeremiah 42, a situation enfolds, where God’s people need direction. Upon inquiring of Jeremiah, they found he did not have God’s answer. Yet Jeremiah persisted in God’s presence waiting for God’s word. Ten days later, the word came, and he delivered a prophetic message to the people of Judah.
How important is God’s word to you? I mean receiving direction from the spirit of God, and then acting boldly. Jeremiah would not proceed until he heard. Unfortunately it took ten days for this to happen. The prolonged uncertainty must have been a bit trying for him. I wonder what he was doing for those ten days. I imagine he was seeking God and praying. Possibly fasting, worshipping, sitting, stationary, simply waiting for God’s presence.
Most people I know would act differently than Jeremiah. In our frenzied pace consumer centric culture people are often impatient when hearing from God. We seem to often act to quickly, devoid of the spirit of God, even justifying our decisions biblically, yet not clearly sure of the direction of God. Jeremiah could have given his best biblical advice, but yet didn’t. He relied on the Spirit’s fresh direction. Do you have a key decision to make? I know you probably have considered many reasonable options, such as best case scenarios, peoples’ opinions, etc. My question for you though is have you heard the word of the Lord? Do you truly feel his peace internally about your course of action? How do you know God has spoken? Did you persist in waiting?
God promised to pour out his spirit in these last days upon his people. He desires for us his people to be spirit led. I believe like Jeremiah, God will speak prophetically to you, giving you the direction, and the wisdom you need. However you must position yourself to determinedly wait on God’s presence. This might mean you may have to pray extensively for a season, delay a decision, and possibly choose a course of action that might be unpopular. Be rest assured, if you have heard from the spirit, your course of action will have God’s approval.
In Jeremiah 42, a situation enfolds, where God’s people need direction. Upon inquiring of Jeremiah, they found he did not have God’s answer. Yet Jeremiah persisted in God’s presence waiting for God’s word. Ten days later, the word came, and he delivered a prophetic message to the people of Judah.
How important is God’s word to you? I mean receiving direction from the spirit of God, and then acting boldly. Jeremiah would not proceed until he heard. Unfortunately it took ten days for this to happen. The prolonged uncertainty must have been a bit trying for him. I wonder what he was doing for those ten days. I imagine he was seeking God and praying. Possibly fasting, worshipping, sitting, stationary, simply waiting for God’s presence.
Most people I know would act differently than Jeremiah. In our frenzied pace consumer centric culture people are often impatient when hearing from God. We seem to often act to quickly, devoid of the spirit of God, even justifying our decisions biblically, yet not clearly sure of the direction of God. Jeremiah could have given his best biblical advice, but yet didn’t. He relied on the Spirit’s fresh direction. Do you have a key decision to make? I know you probably have considered many reasonable options, such as best case scenarios, peoples’ opinions, etc. My question for you though is have you heard the word of the Lord? Do you truly feel his peace internally about your course of action? How do you know God has spoken? Did you persist in waiting?
God promised to pour out his spirit in these last days upon his people. He desires for us his people to be spirit led. I believe like Jeremiah, God will speak prophetically to you, giving you the direction, and the wisdom you need. However you must position yourself to determinedly wait on God’s presence. This might mean you may have to pray extensively for a season, delay a decision, and possibly choose a course of action that might be unpopular. Be rest assured, if you have heard from the spirit, your course of action will have God’s approval.
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