I feel like the Lord is highlighting a message of great importance in this time: the message is BEHOLDING HIM. I have for many years resonated with this call to behold the Lord. In my college years (1995-1999), the Lord showed me part of my calling in Him was to be a watchman. The word “Watching” in the Scriptures, means to stay awake, be alert and aware, be closely observant, and vigilant. A watchman can be described as one who keeps awake and aware to warn people of coming danger. Although, I wholeheartedly agree that this is part of the watchman’s role in the body of Christ, I believe the primary occupation of a watchman in the body of Christ should be seeking the Lord, gazing on Him, looking for Him. We should be desiring to know what He looks like. We should be asking what He is doing. I read an article years ago by David Wilkerson that articulated this desire in my heart: https://worldchallenge.org/newsletter/ministry-beholding-his-face (Here is a sermon with the same title, also by David Wilkerson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91XRVnc0RMY ) Speaking of 2 Corinthians 3, Wilkerson talks about being transformed as we behold Jesus. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. The truth of this transformation is impacting as we consider that we actually become like that which we behold (or worship). If we behold and worship Jesus we become more Christ-like. If we spend our days with our primary affections on the idols of money, people, or self, we will become greedy, lustful, covetous, and self-centered. Beholding the Lord is not looking at a physical picture of Jesus for hours. It’s actually gazing at who He is through the truth of the Scripture. Seeking His face is learning more about Him, studying His character, seeking His desires, wanting to do what He wants you to do. David Wilkerson’s article defines the ministry of beholding His face as “focused, devoted worship.” He defines gazing on Him as: “we ‘fix our eyes’ this way, determined to see God's glory in the face of Christ. We're to shut ourselves in the holy of holies, with but one obsession: to gaze so intently, and to commune with such devotion, that we're changed.” At our last Lampstand meeting in June, I talked about the Ministry of Beholding Him, referring to this David Wilkerson article. I also referenced Revelation 4 and the open door we have that gives us access to the Lord. Later, on June 25th, I shared at Rio de Vida, a Hispanic congregation in Mooresville, NC where our good friend, Luis Sosa, pastors. I spoke again about beholding the Lord and being transformed. One night since that time I had a dream I was about to speak at a conference on “Beholding the Lord.” In the dream the Lord directed me to share Psalm 27:4 first and how David was one who beheld the Lord. One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. Around the same time, Julie also had a dream in which she was standing on a very high platform and was speaking about “seeking the Lord” and it was connected to living holy and set apart. Then this past Sunday, our associate pastor, Bill Hauck shared a word about “beholding the Lord” being our occupation. He also shared out of Psalm 27:4. So, what is the Lord saying in all of this? Although this is a ministry for every believer (2 Corinthians 4:1), I know he is highlighting “BEHOLDING HIM” specifically to us in this season. And, it’s brilliant. With all we are facing as a family—the activities, the challenges and pressures and decisions—IT IS WISDOM TO TAKE TIME AND LOOK AT HIM. With all the events that are occurring so rapidly in our region and nation, IT IS WISDOM TO TAKE TIME TO GAZE ON HIM. With all of the news that comes from around the world with reports that grieve and trouble us—IT IS WISDOM TO TAKE TIME TO BEHOLD JESUS. It is exhilarating to know He is speaking to us, that He cares about us, and that He has a strategy that is not overwhelming. It’s simple, yet so difficult to actually place this ministry of seeking the Lord as a priority. But, it is so worth it! As the Lord is directing us, know He wants to direct you too. Maybe He is using this to encourage you to SEEK HIS FACE! Psalm 27:4 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
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Recently, a good friend and I were talking about emotions and how they affect our lives. He shared some thoughts from St. Ignatius of Loyola. “Saint Ignatius of Loyola 1491-1556 was a Spanish Basque priest and theologian, who founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).” He spoke about thoughts and emotions in His third person autobiography “From experience he knew that some thoughts left him sad while others made him happy, and little by little he came to perceive the different spirits that were moving him; one coming from the devil, the other coming from God.” This discovery has been described by different people in different ways. One source I found very helpful was an article discussing Ignatius’s thoughts: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/introduction-to-discernment-of-spirits “The feelings stirred up by good and evil spirits are called “consolation” and “desolation” in the language of Ignatian spirituality. Spiritual consolation is an experience of being so on fire with God’s love that we feel impelled to praise, love, and serve God and help others as best as we can. Spiritual consolation encourages and facilitates a deep sense of gratitude for God’s faithfulness, mercy, and companionship in our life. In consolation, we feel more alive and connected to others. Spiritual desolation, in contrast, is an experience of the soul in heavy darkness or turmoil. We are assaulted by all sorts of doubts, bombarded by temptations, and mired in self-preoccupations. We are excessively restless and anxious and feel cut off from others. Such feelings, in Ignatius’s words, “move one toward lack of faith and leave one without hope and without love.” As I have pondered this, I have found this description of desolation and consolation very helpful for my own processing of feelings. I have often described to people when I am struggling in different circumstances and situations that the greater struggle is with the emotions and feelings I am having rather than my actual thoughts (although the thoughts are always attached to emotions I have). I will admit that I have more of a melancholy personality. I don’t see that as all negative. There is often a battle to not be led by, overly influenced by, or controlled by EMOTIONS. Yet, I find that I am able to overcome obstacles to obedience by strong feelings of love for the Lord and for people. I see the difference of feelings and thoughts of desolation. Hopelessness, anxiety, abandonment, rejection, fear, etc. are all feelings/thoughts that make sick our souls and lead to spiritual death. Sometimes, I can attribute these negative feelings to evil spirits. It is certainly the enemy who wants to accuse us and make us believe his lies. At other times I believe it is just our unenlightened human thoughts that are not renewed by God’s truth. In contrast I have seen the Holy Spirit, the only true Spirit of Consolation, bring enlightenment of the truth and encouragement to my soul. He ministers to us that we are not without hope of salvation in Jesus. He highlights that Jesus is a loving Shepherd to guide and direct us, and give us hope for a future in Him. We need not fear or be anxious about anything because He cares for our needs, guides us into all truth, and comforts us. We are not abandoned or rejected because for those who know Him, we have been accepted into His presence, adopted as sons, and prepared to be a bride for the King of all kings. These are my conclusions as I have been meditating on desolation and consolation. I want to reject the feelings of desolation that the enemy would use to lie to me and cause me to miss the mark. I also want to embrace the Holy Spirit, the spirit of consolation; I want to be more committed to the word which will ground me in the truth about who God is and how He sees me. I want to stand ever more firmly against the lies of the enemy and believe the truth, having my mind and subsequently my emotions transformed. I look forward to the consolation that God will bring to my soul and the hope in the midst of any darkness I face. I pray for all those reading this that you would have the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your lives, drawing strength and truth from His majesty and presence. Romans 12:2 NKJV And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. John 16:13 NKJV However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 14:16-18 NKJV 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Romans 15: 15-17 NKJV 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Recently, I got so excited about some yard work. Yes, I was overjoyed actually; and not by just the results, but by the process. Let me give you a little background before I share the source of my joy. In 6th grade, I had Ms. Mann as a science teacher. She was one of my favorite teachers that year. If my memory serves me correctly, she had a spring homework project/assignment for us in which we located a bud on a tree or bush that was just beginning to bud. We were to tie a piece of yarn near one bud and then draw that bud weekly and see the transformation as the bud opened. I chose to chart the growth of a lilac bud. That small assignment impacted me in a great way. It was amazing to see the beauty of that bud unfold. It is also when I was encouraged about my drawing skills and it was an assignment that I really enjoyed doing. Fast-forward to Spring 2016. When I was walking around our 2.5 acres in Piney Flats, TN (so thankful for our home and property), I saw something that caught my eye. Whether it was a small purple bloom peeking out of the brush, or me actually recognizing the leaves, I found a lilac bush almost completely overgrown with honeysuckle. Right then, I had a desire to free that lilac bush but as the way things often happen, my spring and summer were taken up with other projects and responsibilities. Fast-forward to a couple of weeks ago, the end of February 2017. We have had unusual whether here at the end of winter/early spring in East Tennessee. Much is budding and coming up out of the ground. We have had some crazy warm days as well as crazy cold days. On one of the warm days, I decided to tackle the honeysuckle and free the lilac bush. My kids got the job of clean up, so they were not as excited as dad was. But as I hacked away at that bush I began to see more and more buds of that scraggly lilac bush; buds, like I had drawn so long ago in 6th grade. My heart got more and more exuberant. Not only did I see the buds, I knew what was to come from those buds. I anticipated the beauty. I got the bulk of the honeysuckle off of the bush and then I notice that honeysuckle wrapped itself around long branches of lilac. The lilac was doing everything it could in years past to reach for sun as it was being strangled by the vine. I unwrapped each branch trying not to break the lilac branches. As I was clearing around the lilac, my kids kept commenting on me hacking away at the honeysuckle. They are fond of the honeysuckle smell and opening the blooms for a drop of the nectar. I seemed to get more adamantly opposed to honeysuckle and got more determined to expel it from that area. When the bush was finally free, it didn’t look full and it did look odd because much of the bush was naked branches without buds but it was beautiful to me. I kept asking the kids, “Isn’t it beautiful?” Later, I asked the same of my wife. They didn’t seem to share the same enthusiasm. It was beautiful to me and there was delight in my heart about it. You see, something in addition to the anticipation of beauty was stirring in my heart. There was a lesson in it for me! The Lord was trying to teach me tenderly and I was encouraged. In Matthew 13, it records Jesus sharing the parable of the sower. He teaches about the word of God. Specifically in that parable, He shares about the seed falling among thorns, “the thorns sprang up and choked them.” (Matthew 13:7). He explains the meaning in verse 22. “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” Luke describe it this way, “ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” (Luke 8:14) And Mark records it this way: “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-18-19). So from these 3 passages, what chokes out the word are as follows: Cares of the world Cares of life Deceitfulness of riches Pleasures of life Desires for other things Well, the Lord was helping me see though the freeing of the lilac bush, that there are things choking out the word in my own life. Just as the honeysuckle was wrapping itself around the lilac, hindering its growth, this list is doing the same in my life with the word of God. I want that lilac bush to come to full bloom and beauty. The Lord wants the word to grow in good soil and bear much fruit and become mature. With each hacking of honeysuckle I was seeing the lilac’s potential but also “what could be” in my life if I let God deal with the spiritual honeysuckle (the list above). The hard part is that I, and really all of us all are fond of the things that compile this list, whether we want to admit it or not. There are things that concern us that choke out the word. What are we anxious about? Does it really matter in the long run? Do the things we are anxious over or our anxiety help us in our spiritual journey? Do we care for our own comforts, wants, pursuits more than we value His word flourishing in our hearts? Do we spend too much time thinking about money? Where we will spend it? How much we have or do not have? How we think it may bring us satisfaction? Do we pursue our own pleasures to the detriment of our life in God? Is the pursuit of pleasure an idol in our lives? Do we desire things others have too much? Are we living covetously and describing it as pursuit of noble “achievement”? Just as my kids look so fondly on the honeysuckle and its pleasures, do we love the things of this life, even though they choke our life flow just as the honeysuckle was choking out what could be, choking out the buried splendor of a mature full-blossomed, lilac bush. Are our affections in the right place? Do we think fondly of the “chokers,” which are hindering our growth? I got so excited to see that free lilac bush, not only for purple blooms but I saw that God wants the same for me, to be free from that which weighs me down and chokes out the word. I may look scraggly for a while but thanks to my 6th grade science teacher and my own experience, and faith in Christ, I know that as I let Him deal with the list of “chokers” I will produce lots of blossoms or fruit as the parable of the sower describes. So Lord, deal with the “chokers.” Free us so the word can have full potential in our lives. Plant your seeds in the good soil of our hearts and let them grow, bearing fruit and producing “some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty” (Matthew 13:23). I don’t want to be guilty of reading the word without coming to the Lord while I read the Bible. By coming to Him, I mean connecting with Him, talking to Him while I read the verses. In John 5:39-40 Jesus has a message for the Jewish leaders 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (Emphasis Mine) OHHHHH! What this verse describes is lifeless religion with no connection, no conversation with the Lord in the study of His Holy word. It’s a warning for us to not be like this; reading and studying to gain head knowledge without also experientially knowing Him! He warns them that what they are doing is missing the mark. They are missing HIM! I have recently revisited a resource by Mike Bickle at the International House of Prayer that I was impacted by about 15 years ago. It is a simple study on Journaling: How to “Pray-Read” the Scripture. It is an exhortation to talk to the Lord as you read through the Bible. You pray passages from the Scripture back to the Lord. Mike Bickle gives instruction about what do when you encounter two categories of truth. First, truths that exhort you to believe and secondly, truths that exhort you to obey. I. When you come to truths exhorting you to believe: A. Take time to actually thank Jesus for the specific truth you are reading B. Ask Him to reveal His truths to you in a greater way. II. When you come to truths exhorting you to obey: A. Commit yourself to obey what the passage describes. B. Ask the Lord to empower you to obey the Scriptures. He encourages you to journal by writing down the prayers to God. Here is an example of this if I were reading through Colossians 1:15-18: 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. I see it is a Scripture exhorting me to obey. I could take a moment and thank Him for the truth found in this Scripture, specifically verse 16. “Thank you Lord that you have created all things. ‘All things’ includes me and my family, also my church family. You have created the beauty we see every day. The rolling hills and beautiful scenery. It is all created for you. I am created for you. Thank you for your creation. Thank you for creating me.” It is helpful to remember the Lord is present with us and wants to engage with us. We can slow down and be patient as we thank Him. The Holy Spirit can use this to tenderize our hearts by simple declarations of thanksgiving. I can take the same Scripture and ask Him to give me greater understanding of His truth. “Lord, help me to see and understand this passage in a greater way. Open the eyes of my heart (Ephesians 1:17-18). What does it mean that all things were created through you and for you? What does that show me about the world around me? What does that show me about myself? My purpose? What does it mean for you to be preeminent?” By doing this the Holy Spirit will cause our insight to gradually increase. Another example would be coming to a Scripture that exhorts me to obey like 1 Peter 5:8-9: 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 I commit myself to obey the truths here. “Lord, I commit that I will walk sober. Help me to be calm and collected in my spirit. Help me to be vigilant, observant and watchful, understanding that the enemy is at work. Help me to be faithful to resist the enemy, to make choices for the Lord. Help me to hold fast to truth, to read and study the truth.” It matters that we tell Him the intent of our heart. It is helpful for our resolve and will bring strength to our obedience. I can also ask for Him to help me accomplish this commitment. Ask the Lord to empower you to do what He asks. When you ask of Him, He will answer. We find ourselves growing in grace over time. These simple applications of prayer while we read the word are huge. It helps us engage with the Lord and “come to Him” Jesus talked about sending Holy Spirit and that He is the Helper sent from the Father that will testify of Himself (John 15:26) and that He (Holy Spirit) will guide you into all truth, speaking what He hears and telling us things to come (John 16:13). What a dynamic time awaits us in the word as we come connecting to the Lord, talking and conversing with Him, receiving help from Holy Spirit! It should encourage us to dive deep and talk often. In Song of Songs 2:14 the Bridegroom is saying to His bride. “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.” Jesus wants to hear our voice. What fuel for our quiet times! What encouragement for our Bible reading! He wants to hear me and I want to hear Him. |
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November 2020
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