Year: 2017

I melt in your presence

I fail you daily. 

You are faithful and true. 

—–
I play the fool.

You are wise and correct me. 

—–
If they follow me they will stumble. 

If they follow you they will live.

 —–

Let me find my rest in the arms of your mercy. 

Let me die to self and you come live in me. 

Cover me with your annointing.

Do not let them see me, 

Do not let my enemies see that their worst accusations against me fall short of this mountain of sinfulness that you cast into the sea, that you will not count against me, 

for your names sake. 

—–
For you are holy. 

And I fall lowly. 

—–

But you lift me up, 

to places I dare not go on my own, 

But with you, I soar as on eagles wings,

With you, what was once crooked is now straight,

It is true that you are making all things new. 

Because you are reconciling all things to you. 

—–
Oh for that day, 

That perfect day, 

When I might lay it all at your feet, 

Not in part but in whole, 

And you might exchange my worthless ashes,

For an audience with the King of Kings, 

Where I might fall down as though dead, 

To feel your reassuring touch,

To look into your face, 

To see past fiery eyes 

and sword filled mouth

To know the breath of my love,

To celebrate the most high God,

Who has shone His glory, 

Even upon a mere man like me, 

To prove He is sufficient, 

To demonstrate He is powerful, 

And mighty to save those who love Him.

To save those who not only call upon His name with their lips, 

But who long to serve Him and walk in His will. 

—–
LORD,

only you can make straight

What you once made crooked. 

So I praise your holy name, 

I lay down my life, 

And I lift up my hands,

And I sing from the mountaintops, 

“Our God is an awesome God, worthy to be praised! He is merciful and mighty! 

None can stand in His presence under their own power, 

Yet we enter boldly into the throne room of grace, 

For our help does not come from man, 

Nor does it come from the world, 

Nor does it come from scholarly learning. 

No, our help comes from the LORD!
And who is mighty enough to oppose Him? 

All who oppose Him will be laid to shame! 

They will be laid low. 

Even as low as we have been laid in our finding our hope in Christ alone the cornerstone. 

—–
Fear the LORD our God,

For it is in this fear that your hope is found, that wisdom is laid hold to even mere men, even wretched sinners who realize their plight. 
Turn to Him,

Look upon Christ Jesus, 

Believe and be saved! 

Walk renewed, 

And do not turn back. 

Keep your eyes on the hope of glory, 

No matter how blinding the light, 

For it is here, 

As the rebellious child is chastened, 

As the dross is burned away, 

As the fiery trials prove productive, 

As the pressure reveals the gems that were once hidden deep below the surface, 

His children are born to new life, 

And His glory shines radiant, 

Like the many stars in the sky, 

Shining forth with the light of not their own source, 

But light from the source of life itself,

Imparted to them on His behalf, 

And for His glory forevermore.

He is Close

A few verses from Proverbs 8 stand out to me this morning. Looking at the chapter in whole — 

Verses 1-11 seem to cry out, reminding us to listen, reminding us that wisdom is not far away from us if we will listen. 

My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. – Proverbs 8:9 NLT 

They remind us that God is not hidden from us, but He has revealed Himself to us. They remind us that His way is not hidden or secret, but is available to all who will listen. 

—–

Verses 12-16 tell us about wisdom being the source of discernment and justice.  

All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. – Proverbs 8:13 NLT

They speak of Truth and reveal clearly that it comes from God, not from the works of men – that in fact, it is God that establishes even kingdoms and rulers. 

—–

Verses 17 – 21 are like a welcoming promise followed by a sweet embrace. 

I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. – Proverbs 8:17‭, ‬21 NLT

They point out that the treasures spoken of are more precious than the most valuable “things” in this world – they speak of a Kingdom that is greater than where the foolish and wicked dwell. They speak of a Kingdom that is not hidden from us,  but that many cannot see because they have no interest in it. 

—–

Verses 22 – 31 introduce us more personally and intimately to the master of the house who is inviting us in (the messenger, the guide who will be leading us along the way on this journey into wisdom). 

The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. – Proverbs 8:22‭, ‬30 NLT

They speak to us of Wisdom, of God’s will and purpose and laws that govern things that are unseen and spiritual as well as those that are physical and seen.
—–

Verses 32 – 36 invite us to spend time together daily,  even to abide with and have fellowship with our newly found friend. 

For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord . But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death. – Proverbs 8:35‭-‬36 NLT

They speak of people either finding favor in this friend that they have found, or that those who hate wisdom prove that they love death.  

—–

Isn’t this the truth of the Gospel? Jesus Christ is not hidden from the world. Is there any man foolish enough to deny the wisdom of His teaching or the blameless and selfless nature of His life’s example? Can’t we see that He is both discerning and just? Can’t we see that He welcomes all to enter into a new life of wisdom and turn away from a foolish life ruled by sin and worldliness that accounts for nothing and that leads to death? Can’t we see that it is a daily, close, personal relationship that overflows into every area of our life – not just an occasional, empty religious practice? 

He isn’t hidden from you — love the LORD, and hate evil. Live with Him, and He will live with you. May the LORD bless you and keep you. May He lead you upon the path, and all will see Him finish the work that He has begun in His people,  because as He declared on the cross,  “It is finished.” And the empty tomb and the filled vessels testify to His victory,  today and forevermore! Amen.

Will we feast, or be led to the slaughter? 

As we enter into Spring and Summer, many of us men who have blood still flowing through our veins will face the prospect of women wearing increasingly revealing clothes that might distract our eyes away from our intended purpose. And I’m sure the same can be said for women,  but as a man,  I can only speak from my own perspective.

I bring this up because Jesus Christ taught:

“But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28 NLT

What a fallen and adulterous world we live in. We live in a world that glorifies promiscuity and sexual immorality on television constantly – selling us the idea that this idea of “free love”, an idea that trading in a true, committed love for the sensuality of many lists “won’t kill you”. The enemy is still selling the same old enticing lies that he told to Eve, and so many are still biting into the forbidden fruit all over again. 

So what do we do to resist the temptation that lies all about in front of our eyes,  assaulting our ears, right at the ends of our finger tips, within grasp of our mouse clicks and distracted gaze?

Let’s see what some key verses in Proverbs 7 has for us this morning:

Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. 

I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 

So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.

Proverbs 7:1‭-‬2‭, ‬5‭, ‬7‭-‬11‭, ‬21‭-‬27 NLT

If you are foolish enough to read all of this and say, “But I’ve accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, and I’ve been baptized,  and I go to church, so my sin doesn’t matter anymore. That’s all old testament stuff.” I’d like to remind you that the New Testament tells us multiple times that we must not let sin rule over us, and that someone still ruled by sin is proving they are a slave to their true master, no matter how they cry out, “Lord, Lord”. And it tells us multiple times that people living sexually immoral lives shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God.

So I encourage you to repent,  to set your eyes and your thoughts upon what is good  and perfect, and seek the holy life of walking In Christ as a born again Child of God. Do not settle for the trap of what you think might be acceptable and forgivable, because you know that it isn’t profitable for God’s Kingdom,  and because you know that it is sin. 

Does it seem burdensome for you to have to give up your sinful ways and serve the Lord? Then you should at least be honest with yourself about who it is you have chosen in your heart to serve. You should at least ask yourself whether or not you truly believe not only “ABOUT Jesus Christ crucified and risen” but if you believe the very teaching that His resurrection verified and validated as being the Word of God.

I encourage all of us to turn away from the wield today and turn to God, to His way, truth, and life, to accept the Word of God as our authority,  to submit to God, to decide to follow Him, to lay down our old lives of sin and to walk in a new way. We are not to be those giving empty lip service to God. We are not to be the hypocrites,  but the student followers of the suffering servant who proved Himself King of Kings. We are not to live powerless against sin and temptation, but to live our lives as a living testimony of victory over evil as we resist and it flees from us – as we shine light on sin and death, crying out from the watchtowers both, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (so that captives hear and know that it is time to awaken and be set free) — and,  “I bring Good News of Christ, dead,  buried,  and raised to life, victorious over death and sin as the first of many who will believe and receive life themselves!” (So that many might believe and be changed by the breath of new life).

Don’t just hear the cries and remain dead bones in the grave of your fallen life. Believe and live. Receive the breath of life. Stand and walk in a new way. See your chains have fallen away, the ground is shaken and the prison walls have crumbled. You are prisoner no more if you will come back to your Father’s house,  children of God.

Those who have ears to hear, listen to the celebration meal that has been laid before you. Amen.