What Have We Learned?

As we hear Texas lawmakers ensuring religious freedoms, and those opposing them by fear tactics, I thought what have we learned?

We have learned the certainty of Amendments mean very little.  They have become like many good things in this world… uncertain.  The Constitution, a great document created by the founding fathers- is and was to ensure freedoms to those in living in America. 

John Adams, our second president, said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Has it become inadequate?  And if so why is it inadequate? What does it say about the condition of America?

 

We have learned the Amendments have to be continually re-enforced as “this” group and “that” group act like termites attacking and gnawing away at the pillars that upholds an American civil society.   What are these pillars?   Glad you asked….

George Washington, General of the Revolutionary Army, First President of the United States of America, Father of our nation, wrote "Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society."

Proverbs says “A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!” 29:18

Just as there is peace and order in our life when we seek and trust in God so it true when a nation seeks and trusts God.  

Peace and order come from God who gives wisdom but if you are against God, how are you going to receive sustaining peace and order that come from true wisdom? You are not.

 

When one excludes the divine truths of the bible, in their own life and the in governing policies of the people- you have no law and no law to protect it’s people and the rights of its people.

James Wilson, U. S. Supreme Court Justice and Signer of the Constitution wrote: "Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is divine. . . . Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other."

We have learned we have to make laws in our states to assure certain religious freedoms and protection.  And we have learned we have to make more laws to bolster and reinforce those laws.

We are society of two peoples, while one people puts up a stone to build a wall to protect another is there to take down that same stone.

This country is divided.   

Jesus says, “A kingdom at war with itself will collapse.  A home divided against itself is doomed.”  Mark 3:24-25

“Wisdom shouts in the streets.  She cries out in the public square.  She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall.  “You simpletons!”  She cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How will you mockers relish your mocking?  How long will you fools fight the facts?  Come here and listen to me!  I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.”  Proverbs 1:20-23

They will never have wisdom if they never turn to God.  For God is the one who gives it.

“For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.  He is a shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.  He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.”  Proverbs 2:6-8

We have learned to be passionate over words, that were once just taken for granted, but this passion is misplaced if not in God.

As I thought of these things in some quiet time with the Lord, I heard a thought of a whisper…

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

And in this word came like a flood that nourished my soul.

And we have learned nothing sustaining… until we have a relationship with our LORD Jesus Christ!

Affections

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A backpack loaded down and full of essentials… water bottles, and few nature bars close at hand and up the trail our hiking boots took us into massive green blanket of the forest where the monotony of switchbacks is rewarded with an eye full of natural wonders.   I can still see those crisp clear mirroring lakes, trickling streams, thundering waterfalls, roaring snow melt rivers and slow moving creeks filled with pacing mountain trout.  I still can see those green grassy inclines planted on the cliffs at the edge of the forests.  How the massive trees below looked so small.   I can see the curious squirrels looking for handouts and the whistling rock badgers playing hide and seek in the boulders.   I still can see the eagles soaring in the quiet air and the camp robber birds sitting and flying from the sparse hardy wind blown trees amongst the snow covered slopes of the mighty mountain.   I remember hiking through the mist and above clouds where the peaks got to see the last moments of evening sunlight.   It felt like it was just us and mountain.   Oh how I enjoyed hiking the mountains of the Cascades.

Of course there were those not so fun hiking trips as well.  Those times where the cold blowing rains were relentless and we were trenched to the bone, where my aching tired muscles yearned for soft bed and hot shower, where our bug repellent seemed to attract the mosquitoes then keep them away and we were more or less chased off the mountain by the swarming blood suckers.

During such trips my thoughts would rewind on what landmarks I saw along the path towards the beginning of the trip…  a fallen tree, a bridge, salmon berry bushes, a boulder, a stump, an exposed root, a sign, an abandoned mine, another switchback… “How far was that from the trailhead?” I would think.   

When we start paying “more attention” to the growing darkness and evil in the world we too can become tired and discouraged.  We begin taking more then just “tabs” on the “happenings” of world but we begin saying to ourselves, “There is another landmark Jesus spoke… now how much further was that to the trailhead so we Christians can go home?   This “happening”…. where does that fit in to the relation of Christ’s return?

Jesus words in Matthew 24 are referenced more frequently in our mind, are they not?

BUT we must be careful about this “OVER FOCUSING”….

For this negative focus is like putting a noose around your neck and just waiting for the floor to drop from under you.   This negative focus puts us in compromising positions and can even cause us to sin because we aren’t living in the hope of our salvation.  We, who are in Christ, have been set free from this life but focusing too much on the evil and darkness of the world can keep our soul captive and make us unproductive in Christ. 

For our life is not based on the temporal things of this world but on the eternal.

“Set your affections on the things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

I won’t pretend and say the things that we are seeing and are hearing aren’t disturbing but God is reminding me to set my affections on him not this world.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and is certain we can carrying nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Many sorrows hath the wicked; but he that confideth in Jehovah, love-kindness shall encompass him.” Psalm 32:10

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

So as we continue to see the gathering of vultures, remember it's a journey and we are only passing through.
God has equipped us for such a journey.

May God reminds us daily....

Pursue who we are in Christ.

Live a godly life by being thankful towards God.

Live by faith by focusing on the things, which are eternal.

Love by abiding in His love.

Have perseverance through hope in God’s faithfulness and our salvation in Him.

Live in gentleness and humbleness by living in reverence for God.

"The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD.  The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 29:19

 “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”  Hebrews 13:21

For the Battle is Not Yours, but God's Pt.8

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2 CHRONICLES 20

THIS BATTLE series, that began a few weeks ago, started with a passage God showed me in 2 Chronicles 20.  

This journey has brought me to a new understanding about the concept of the battles in life.  Battles are not about us “having it out” with the situations in life.  Battles are not about us and what we can muster using our intellectual faith.

They aren't about us wrestling God.

They aren't about us wrestling Satan. 

Battles are to show us where our focus is and where it needs to be.   Battles are to show us, even though a lot can be said and done, God is still in control.

   God uses the battles in life to show us his love and faithfulness.  Battles are about Him coming to our rescue. 

Battles help us discover a greater love in God then we had previously, a love that humbles us to the core and brings thanksgiving in the form of tears. 

 Battles are not to harden us but soften us so we absorb more of who God wants to be in our life.  And this love of God makes it so we can touch other people’s life.

I tried to imagine what might have happened that day in 2 Chronicles 20 when the dark news arrived.

Like a scene from the opening of a movie… The orange sun slowly paints the sky as it ascends an old Middle East landscape.   All is peaceful until the camera bears down on something in the distance.   The score turns heavy and dark in tone as we see a rider riding a white horse at breakneck speed.   The horse heavily drinks the morning air with its flared nostrils as its hooves thunder upon the white ground in great stride.   Its robed rider has the expression of trepidation yet determination.   Perspiration soaks the animal’s fur.   Through outlaying villages and into city streets there is no shouting as if he, the rider, is some Paul Revere but the pair’s speed and silence alone are deafening to everyone they pass. 

Husbands look at their wives and wives seeing the concerned expression of their husbands, have the urge to suddenly bring their children close.

The dust of the man’s horse can be seen trailing a line to the great palace of the King of Judah.   

We aren’t told in the bible how King Jehoshaphat receives the alarming news… but we do know his reaction. 

When King Jehoshaphat hears that a mighty army of Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites have declared war on him and are marching toward Judah and Jerusalem, King Jehoshaphat does NOT:

Call his men to arms….

Or fortify his defenses….

or come up with military strategies….

or make military alliances….

or gather the people up to take refuge in the hills….

BUT instead the king sought the LORD for guidance.  2 Chronicles 20:3

When we hear alarming or difficult news what do we tend to do first?

Do we seek the LORD first?  Do we seek the LORD knowing we are God’s responsibility? Do we seek the LORD,  knowing he knows how to address the situation?  Do we seek the LORD for comfort, peace, assurance not just for answers?

I find when we don’t seek the LORD in the battles of life we:

We become “self” centered instead of “God” centered.

We start to fret, we become overwhelmed, apprehensive, dispassionate about life, we let emotions get the best of us, we easily get irritated with others, our imaginations get ahead or the best of us, we become discouraged, have anxiety, and become fearful.

We tend to come up with our own ways to solve the problem.   We make poor decisions because of internal or external pressures.

We forget to be thankful for all God is and does for us.  We don’t remember what God’s word says and speaks to our heart.  

We start to blame God for our circumstances instead of seeing God as THE WAY out of the entanglements of our circumstances.  We forget God wants the best of us.   We forget he is there just ahead of us, behind us, standing with us, in us and even carrying us. We forget the enemy uses such circumstances to try to separate us from God.   The enemy uses what we see, hear, think, to manipulate us.   

We tend to focus more on the solution then on God and when the solution doesn’t come right away we become discouraged because we aren’t living in God’s peace and love but our own understanding.  Our requests become greater then the knowing assurance of God's love. 

We forget to “Rejoice IN the Lord always.”  We need to remember to be surrendered IN the Lord’s love. 

His love enables us to never give up, never lose faith, always stay hopeful and endure through every circumstance. (Note: 1 Corinthians 13:7)      

NEXT the bible stays King Jehoshaphat orders everyone to fast and pray and they all (men, women and children) came together to Jerusalem to the new courtyard of the Temple of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4

Do we call others for prayer when it comes to guidance, assurance, peace, grace, healing from the Lord? Do we call on the members of our household in prayer?  Do we petition our brothers and sisters in Christ for prayer?

Think what happens when we settle down into prayer, does it not have a calming effect in our lives as we focus, submit, turn, relinquish and wait upon the Lord for his leading?

It is assuring, when we don’t know what is to come -to know we have God to not just guide us but be with us every step of the way.  

Can you imagine how prayer quieted the fears of people as they too focused on the LORD?

Listen to how Jehoshaphat prayed out loud in courtyard of the temple.  Think about the state of his mind and why he prayed such a prayer out loud.  First he started with the attributes of God.  

“O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven.  You are the ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.  You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”  2 Chronicles 20:6

Do we remember… do we think on… the magnificence of God, especially in the times of uncertainty?  He is our certainty. 

He then followed with the things God had done.

“O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived?   And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?  Your people settled here and built this Temple for you.  They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored.  We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’” 2 Chronicles 20:7-9

What was he trying to do for his people and himself as he prayed?

Do we remember and reflect on what God has done in our life, our family members lives and those we know?  Do we share what God has done and speak out those things in our prayers.

It is not profitable for the soul to remember the greatness of God and His love and faithfulness for us?  Is it not beneficial to remember God’s promises?

Let’s exercise this for a moment:  Write down or think the things God is to you.  (These things should be genuine felt in our heart not just recited from some intellectual recall.  You know this because God has shown you it is true.)   God is my caretaker.  God is my Father. God is my faithful friend.  God is my comforter.  God is my peace.  God is my transformer- He transforms me.  God prepares the day for me.  God gave me a way when there was no way.

The King Jehoshaphat then relinquished his concerns to God.  

 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir are doing.  You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them.  Now see how they reward us!  For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance.  O our God, won’t you stop them?...” 2 Chronicles 20:10-12

Ever in the midst of the battles of life compare your present troubles next to God’s promises and they don’t seem to line up.  That is what is happening to King Jehoshaphat.  What is happening isn’t matching up with what God has said.  He can’t understand why this seems to be allowed to happen.  So he speaks it out.

King Jehoshaphat then ends his prayer with this….

“We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us.  We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

I am continually reminded that there are times when I don’t know what is going to happen.  I don’t know what to do.  But by God’s grace and his provisional care and his assurance not in myself but in him, I can do all things set before me. Christ is with me.  

How good it is to relinquishing our concerns to God…

How good it is to relinquish our weaknesses and shortcomings to God…

How good it is to admit our dependence and trust in God…

CONT. Pt 9

Finding Certainty in Uncertainty

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

You, like myself, have probably found nothing is certain in this world.   The fact of uncertainty, in any type of situation, can make one feel nauseous and uneasy. 
 

I suppose there are some who can give an arrogant nod and ignore uncertainty for a little while … but not for long.   Yes they too will have to look at uncertainty in the face and become bewildered by all its complexities, complexities that make the thoughts and imaginations of the mind restless in the solitude of a quiet hour.

Looking only at the uncertainty for its uncertainty brings anxiety, depression, fear and doubt.  It is to live constantly in valley of death.  It overloads the circuits, causing all kinds of havoc in the soul and even in those who surround that soul.

Uncertainty cannot be treated with peppering doses of self-will or self-assurances. 

 “The wise are cautious and avoid danger, fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” Proverbs 14:16

I have found self-confidence or self made assurances only leads to foolishness and turns off the power of God’s grace from working effectively in our life.  BUT there is something powerful and wonderful that happens when we humble ourselves and patiently live in God's grace and that grace girds us, directs our thought life, encourages us and builds us up in the uncertainty of life.

^{2 Corinthians 12:8} Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

I never thought this before but in a strange way, uncertainty can be an ally or a fertilizer to our christian well being and understanding BUT for it to work for our benefit we must have faith in God- our faithful and gracious heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit).

"For without faith it is impossible to please Him for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

  

In addition to having uncertainty being necessary in the Christian’s life,  I have also found insecurity in self is a benefit because of WHOM we have to turn to and trust in.  I have to unplug all the things "I think" I know of myself and look to my Creator who created me and knows me better then I know myself. It's not the assurance and confidence in myself but in God that enables and empowers me to live as a Christian in a unchristian world full of uncertainty.

Uncertainty brings forth the buds of faith that causes a tree to flower, not when it is just easy but in those early spring days where temperatures float just above freezing and the wind blows strong.  The conditional factor of the flowers surviving and bearing satisfying fruit will be if the tree turns to and trusts in God, it’s keeper, or not.

Standing in uncertainty in a task that God has ordained and has asked of you is like standing at the foot of a large mountain and looking at the entire mountain, hesitant to take a step and overwhelmed by all that has to be accomplished.  Instead of staring at the entire mountain of uncertainty we must proceed up the mountain one step at a time with God's willing unchanging, loving faithful help.

Uncertainty allows the rubber to meet the road.  It’s forces the mechanics of our ways of control to cease and allows the Spirit of God to have control seeing it’s not in our capabilities and our abilities’ but in God doing the work in us.   It’s where we start to realize the "constant" reality that we were made for the Spirit of God to drive us not for us to drive us.  That is what we were made for and that is why we belong to God not to ourselves.

“… Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 4:11

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

^{Mathew 16:25 “}If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

“God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.  So God has given both his promise and his oath.  These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.  Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:17-19

Just look at the figures in the bible… did they not all face some kind of uncertainty in their life?  Look at Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, David, Esther, Job, Jeremiah, Daniel, John, Peter, Paul, Luke and even our Lord Jesus Christ who faced all the same testings that uncertainty brings.
 

^{Hebrews 4:15} This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Uncertainty brings about an understanding that God truly determines our footsteps and makes and prepares the way before us.   Uncertainty is the opportunity and place we can learn a lot about God then if we faced no uncertainty in life or ignored uncertainty all together.

David Wilkerson said, "When God calls us to any specific work, he has already made provision for everything we need to accomplish it."

“I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way.  I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them.  Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

^{Deuteronomy 31:8} Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.   I will be found by you,"says the LORD.  Jeremiah 29:11-14 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
 

Uncertainty and walking through the fire of uncertainty and seeing how God brings us out of the events of uncertainty - bringing about a great sense of gratitude and thankfulness towards God as we become abundantly aware how much he loves and cares for us.  In fact we are greatly humbled by the reality of this fact and sometimes brought to speechless in our thankfulness towards God.  Without these experiences of uncertainty we would probably not see all that God does in all those unnerving and sometimes intimidating situations.  We would not understand what it truly means to walk by faith.

“God’s way is perfect.  All the LORD’S promises prove true.   He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.    For who is God except the LORD?  Who but our God is a solid rock?  God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”  Psalm 18:30-33

Romans 8:29-31  ^“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. ³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

   

In uncertainty we learn:

1.     The certainty of God’s grace.

2.     The certainty that God is our strength.
3.   The certainty God doing a faithful work for us and in us.

4.     The certainty that God truly determines our footsteps.

5.     The certainty of how much God really loves us.