February 11, 2025

There is Peace for Us!

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27

“Peace,” it is quietness, rest for the soul, a ceasing of the disturbances that will lead us into what the psalmist called “cast down,” or as we know it today, depressed, brought low, or simply just disturbed in our inner life (Psalm 42:5). Jesus offers us, not just peace, but his peace! Now, what sort of peace does Jesus have?

The reality of life is that we all face the sort of real-world troubles that bring disturbance, distress, and doubt to our soul. The psalmist had to deal with abandonment and betrayal (Psalm 42:1-4). Jesus knows about that. By the time we spoke John 14:27 the betrayal had happened and the abandonment of the other eleven would soon follow. The disturbances can be sorrow, grief, pressures that come financially, relationally, professionally, or physically; whatever it is, Jesus promised us his quietness of soul, his promise of prosperity in life. It is a peace anchored in confidence in God. Jesus trusted the Father, all the way to the cross, through the agony of physical torment and spiritual abandonment, yet he endured by fixing his heart on the joy on the other side, and he knew there was another side to it (Hebrews 12:2).

We too must endure some things in this life. Grief, loss, betrayal, pressures, and even persecutions to some degree as we choose to live godly in Christ, yet, in all of this we have his peace to sustain us and strengthen us, to actually enable us to redeem the troubles and use them as a means to strengthen our faith, stand up and declare, “My heart is not troubled, I am not afraid!”

Paul knew that Timothy was going to face so many trials as a pastor of the church in Ephesus, and he wrote him letters to not only instruct him but to encourage him. The opening verses of 2 Timothy 1 are a rallying cry to the younger man to not be discouraged, not be cast down over the adversities and afflictions of ministry, but rather that he should “stir up the gift of God” which was in him, as Paul says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:6-7).

To “stir up” means, do not let the gift of God, a courageous spirit, love for others, and peace of mind just settle in you where it becomes of no use. Keep it stoked! Do so by your unfeigned faith (v.5), by joining in the fellowship of the afflictions (aka, don’t go it alone, v., and to embrace the high and holy calling that leads us there (v.9). Oh, there is so much to explore in these verses! But, in the end, our aim here is to enter the peace that Jesus has given, whether it be in our ministry, our vocation, or our living life in a troubled and chaotic world.

February 07, 2025

Seek Your Selah!

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. – Psalm 84:4

This passage and many like it are filled with the language and spirit of “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). As we have been called to seek stillness, we must see the need to seek the Selah.

Selah means to pause with purpose. I imagine in this modern era we all use the “Pause” button on our remotes or on our phones more and more. The age of streaming has not eliminated the need to get refills, run to check on the food in the oven, or answer a phone call from a friend (though admittedly that one is happening less and less in the age of text and emoji). Yet, even when you think about why we pause in most scenarios, it is because we need to hurry to do something “real quick” and then we can get back to whatever we were watching, listening to, etc.

Selah originates from a Hebrew word which means “to hang up,” for the purpose of weighing, considering. It is to suspend something so that it might be evaluated. And so, the psalmist, having written something very important adds at the end of the verse or section, “Selah,” or “Now, pause here, hold this in your mind, roll it  over and around, taste it, chew on it, think about it, sort out what is being said here because you really need to take hold of this for your life!”

Selah means to pause for prayer. There is no real “selah” that does not lead us to prayer. If we will set aside the time to be still with the word of God, we will always find our way to prayer. Selah redirects our soul to God, pulling us out of the busyness, the irritations, the distractions, or even the sorrows of life. We meet God in selah.

Today, where and when will you find your selah? It will need to be sought purposefully; it will not just happen. Our day will come in like a lion and go out like a runaway horse unless we pull up and say, “Ok, enough is enough, I need some ‘Selah!’” And then we go off, away from everyone and everything, for a pause to ponder, pray, and be present to our own soul and to God. In there, somewhere will be the chance to find out that He is still God, and you do not have to be.

February 06, 2025

Pray to Love, Love to Pray!

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. – Psalm 116:1-2

Love of God and prayer cannot be separated. At first reading, it seems the writer is expressing a lesser love, meaning, “I love God because of what I get from him.” I call that lesser love, not because it is bad, but because it is not the highest form of love. We genuinely love, in the agape sense, by what we offer to another, not by what we receive. Yet, for the children of God it cannot be overlooked that the possibility of love, the chance to offer God anything, comes only because he initiated, it begins with him, as John wrote, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

There is more than the reciprocating love offered here. Yes, he, I, you may love God from the place of gratitude, being thankful for what he has done for us (in this case, specifically, that he has heard our prayers), but then he goes on to say, “therefore will I call upon him as long as I live,” and I do not believe that is a sort of sanctimonious greed, as in, “I’m going to keep on praying and asking God for things because he just keeps giving me what I want!”

I believe the psalmist is going to keep on praying and calling on God because he has learned that this is what God wants from him. In other words, prayer is the offering, prayer is love of God, prayer is saying, “God, I trust you, I offer you all that I am.” This is what God wants. How often in scripture do we find this truth?

Psalm 50:14-15, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Matthew 7:7-11, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

The truth is, we pray because of who God is, and as we pray, we love him by honoring him, trusting him, and offering to him our whole soul. In turn, he does hear, he does answer, he does show us who he is and what he does…

“Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee” (Psalm 116:4-7).

Pray to love God, love God to pray!

February 03, 2025

 Love and Faith Lead to Stillness Before Jesus!

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. – Mark 7:25-28

The vision of “Be still and know that I am God,” continues to work in my heart and mind (hopefully even finding its way into my body as I learn to apply it). I find myself asking each morning, “Lord, how can I ‘be still and know’ you today?” Then, I read this story of this Greek woman, a Gentile, coming to Jesus to plead for her daughter and I see again what it is to be still.

She had no rights, she had no claim on Jesus, she was the outsider in this scenario, but she comes, moved by love for her daughter and faith in Jesus. She could do nothing, and she knew it. How is it that this outsider demonstrated more “be still and know” than I often have? I think I have an answer, it is not comforting, but I hope it is correcting, and that is, that I often think of and act on all the things I can do. I pour my energy into the problem, I pray, but I trust in my praying to change things more than I trust the One to whom I pray. I reason, I go to battle, I spend a lot of time and energy fretting over the issue. Not her.

She “heard of him and came and fell at his feet.” Surrender. Be still and know! She makes it look so easy, and I think that for her, it must have been. Again, she had no claim, she was not offended to be compared to a dog begging for crumbs because she saw herself as nothing, all she saw was love for her daughter and faith in this man Jesus. And of course, Jesus sees her heart of love and faith and he delivers her daughter from this evil spirit which had tormented her and brought such grief and pain to this family.

“Oh God, increase our faith!” I want to learn to truly be still and know God in all the hard things in my life. I want to learn to stop doing all I can do about my trouble and hoping God will meet me in my best efforts and plans and rather learn to bring all of it to him and see what he will do. It is a reality that at times we might just be concerned that God will not do for us what we want. If we could only come to the place of truly knowing that whatever he does, or does not, will be what is needed.

January 31, 2024

Be Still and...Pray!

Be still, and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10

Each day I am seeing more clearly why this passage has been given to us to spend this year (and beyond) reflecting and abiding in and discerning and doing (or not doing) out of. The more sensitive the soul of the disciple becomes to the atmosphere and indicators of strife around him or her, the more this counsel of God is needed. And I want to implore you to ask daily, “Lord Jesus, how can, practically, in my life right now, learn to be still and know God more?”

We are a people far too worked up about things. Often, we are really spun up over lesser things to the neglect of the important. Jesus called out the religious zealots of his day on this, they were, he said, tithing on the tiniest herbs and proud of it, and yet, they had no discernment, mercy, or faith to offer. They were “blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:23-24). Even as I write this a half dozen examples of how we modern Christians do this comes to mind. Really, what is the important stuff in our life?

If we are honest, would we have to admit that while we like to say, “God, Bible, Church, Jesus,” the reality of our daily life testifies that we are far more intrigued, invested, and incited by our property, shopping, vacation, retirement, sports, politics, the usual suspects.

It may read like it, but I am not throwing stones. I am more calling out the naked emperor of our day, the Laodicean Church age, which sees itself as being God’s precious, all the while, Jesus is outside the door knocking, with the counsel that the church is poor, blind, naked, and nauseating (Revelation 3:14-21). But here is the thing. You and I, our local assemblies, we do not have to be this way, we can choose to “Be still and know God!”

It is a redirection, a refocus issue. You might even say, it is a re-education issue. What have we been taught, after all? I am a pastor, and I have been preaching and teaching in the church in various roles for nearly 30 years. I believe I have earned the place to call it out. The leaders have failed to set the example of what it means to “be still and know God.”

I just read the review of a report (courtesy of churchanswers.com) from a few years back which, in summary, states that 84% of pastors in the US say that they “work 40 or more hours per week…35% are working 60 or more hours every week.” Yet, when those hours are broken down, half of them are given to prepare sermons and doing counseling, visiting, providing services for the members. About 15 hours of administration. Do the math, we are up to nearly 35 of the 40 hours, or 45 of the 60 hour guys. Ok, when asked about how many hours a week they spend in prayer, the average….5 hours in prayer.

This is precisely the opposite of “be still and know God.” Now, to my pastor friends, we must change this. We cannot lead or teach others to do what we ourselves are not doing. Would to God that all of us would learn to flip these numbers! If we spent 15-25 hours a week in prayer, how much more effective would 5-10 hours of counseling, visiting, and sermon prep become? And there would be plenty of time still left over to have a meeting or two, do lunch with some of the people, and get plenty of rest at night!

January 30, 2025

What...How...Why?

Be still, and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10

What does this mean?

How do I let go of the things which I am responsible for?

How can I take hold of things which are not in my heart but are being pushed toward me by others?

Can I do this?

I want to wait patiently, but I feel pressured to perform. There is only one point that matters, one True North, and that is You Lord. Why can we not find a united pursuit of You? Why all the agendas? Why all the complaints? Why all the clinging to what we want and how we want it?

We are weak, we are stubborn.

We do not know you as we should.

Forgive us Lord, and in your mercy come and get us. Bring the change we need, even if it is not what we think we want.

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen

January 29,2025

The Person I Am Becoming!

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

It is almost frightening to think of how easily we can turn a gracious invitation from God into a legalistic order. This sentence from Paul is not about restriction, it is about my life becoming more and more centered in God, lived for and with God, as the source of my freedom (the context of Christian liberty is in the chapter) and as the strength for my self-denial, which, as it turns out, is one of my greatest gifts to my brethren (see not only 1 Corinthians 10, but also Romans 14).

Yet, it is very true that this passage is calling me to a higher level of devotion, and that involves my decisions made each day which, in the end, produce the sort of man I am becoming. Dallas Willard often said, “What God gets out of your life is not all that you did for him, but it is the sort of person you become.” When I consider my eating, drinking, and whatsoever I am doing in a given day, I need to think about what those choices are, in turn, producing in me as a life, as a person. Am I pleased with the person I am becoming? Often, I am not. Still, the desire within me to become the sort of person God deserves is growing.

Peter had something very important to say about this. He wrote that, considering how all of this world and it’s ways and offerings are temporary and to be dissolved by fire, the “manner of persons (we) ought to be (is a people livening) in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening (by our living and looking) the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:10-14).

This passage from Peter tells me that to become the person God deserves and that I need, my life must be defined as one which is:

1) Consecrated to God – To live and do all things as unto Him (again, 1 Corinthians 10:31).

2) Filled with God – “in all…godliness,” one who reflects the character of God (2 Peter 1:3-4).

3) Looking for God – not distracted by the world’s things, but by the promise of Christs’ coming!

What I know is this, that right now, I am not content with the measure to which I am living up to this, and I want to become more conscientious of how my choices are producing a final person in the end. I am confident in God’s mercy and grace towards me, and in that I know I can learn to live worthily of God’s calling on my life.

My heart longs to become more like Christ; more God-centered, God-conscious, and God-concentrated. I must not surrender my soul to the “wrong person, the one I do not want to become, but I must give all diligence to become the sort of person God has saved me to be in Jesus Christ.

January 28, 2025

Content with Irrelevance!

NOTE: This edition of The Pastor Minute is dedicated in particular to my fellow pastors out there, current and former, most of whom have stood in the office longer than I have and who have experienced these things in so many ways. May God give you the grace to continue!



Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? – Galatians 4:15-16

If he were here, I think Paul would agree that in his younger years as a follower of Jesus he carried a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He was argumentative, confrontational, and not always with his best heart leading the way. Yet, always, he was acting, moving, speaking, doing, from a zeal for the One who had saved him by his great mercy and grace. Paul was, in so many ways, jealous for Jesus. Of course, as he grew, he was tempered and became more and more the wise, measured, discerning, apostle we now know him to have been.

We all must grow in grace, no one is excepted. Yet, as I read Paul’s letter to the Galatians, and I see the conflict in his own soul as it relates to the conflict found in the church, I can identify with the struggle. Paul watched a people who had been so excited to receive the message he preached in the beginning, but who now were drifting back to the old, ineffectual, tired, enslaving message he had found them in.

Paul felt rejected. A minister who stands before people and bares his very soul, is subject to the interpretations and judgments of however many are present and watching and listening to him. The minister must pray, and must grow in grace, so that he can become more like Jesus, living in the identity the Father has given him, and refusing the pride that wants to rise in his soul and sabotage any good he can be doing.

Of course, Paul was not wrong when he challenged the Galatians to consider what they were doing. He loved them, he had given them his heart and soul in ministering, teaching, and praying for them. He had not changed the message, he had only taken it deeper, inviting them to grow in their faith, but clearly there were some who did not want that. They preferred the ministers who were “stirring,” “exciting,” who could give them that old time feeling again. How soon they would slip back into the comfortable place, refusing to realize they were not being served by those ministers, but rather, they were being used by them (4:17).

What I am learning, though slowly and perhaps somewhat stubbornly, is that in our own time, to be true ministers of the gospel of Jesus, we are going to have to become content with being irrelevant. If we are driven by a desire to be recognized, affirmed, and accomplished in the eyes of people, then we will only achieve a shallow success, not unlike those characters in movies who so fascinate the minds of the people who think, “Oh, he/she is such an awesome person!” But if they were to meet in real life, perhaps it would be not so awesome.

However, if we can be content to live in the identity that God, our Father, has given us in Christ, which may very well mean that we are more familiar with the path of “despised and rejected” (Isaiah 53:3) and “without honor,” (Mark 6:4) then in the long run we will have obeyed God’s calling on us, and the body of work we enter eternity with will be, not piles of wood, hay, and stubble, but a treasury of gold, silver, and precious stones for the glory of our Savior. This was, in the end, what Paul was after, and what must be our aim in ministry, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you…” (4:18). And we will need to do it again, and again, and again, until our time is done, for the sake of His church.

January 27, 2025

Hit the Mercy Button!

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. – Psalm 57:1

This is one of the psalms which, in the title, gives us the occasion of its writing. David, in his persecution under Saul, hides in the cave. Which cave? Somewhere in En-gedi, most likely. This is a man in a lot of trouble and likely feeling more than a bit overwhelmed. Is it his fault? When do we not shoulder some responsibility in our difficulties? But largely it may be understood that David is under the relentless envy and rage of Saul. If his enemy’s have their way, it is certain death and a complete slander of David’s reputation.

Now, we all face those times in life where the troubles are heavy, relentless, and we begin to feel overwhelmed. Likely, for most of us it will not involve running for our lives from a jealous king…

O, wait, that is precisely what it is! Satan, though not a king, is the prince of this world, and he is through and through jealous, envious, and hateful toward God and all who are the Lord’s. So, there is that truth. Back to the matter hand though. What will we do when the pressure gets too much to handle?

You have heard the expression, “Hit the eject button?” It means, get out, pull out of the situation, leave it behind, save yourself. If you are a jet pilot and you are hit, that makes sense. But when it comes to life and the charge God has given us, we cannot just eject and walk away. I am thinking of marriages, parenting, vocations God called us to, mission fields God placed us in, ministries God has equipped us to do; we cannot just say, “Forget it, it’s not worth it. They aren’t treating me fair and right. I am out!” There is another way, and David has shown us in this psalm.

Let’s call it “Hit the Mercy button!” His prayer begins, “O God, be merciful unto me!” And friends, there is not a more powerful, biblical, ancient prayer than this one. All the way to the story Jesus tells in Luke 18, of the publican, humbling himself before God, smiting his chest and saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:3). Thank God for his mercy! His loving-kindness! That God would look upon us, see our great need, and would bend down from heaven and show us favor in our troubled times, no greater help could we receive!



David knew this prayer worked, that God had offered this to him, he had prayed this prayer many times. So much so that his confidence came as he prayed, “God shall send forth his mercy” (v.3). And now, his heart was fixed, resolved, strong, encouraged (v.7), and his worship and confidence returned. In the end, the mercy of God is greater than any trouble we face. We just need to humble ourselves in our trials and ask for it by faith. God cares for you, bring your cares to him (1 Peter 5:7).

January 24, 2025

Keep the Right Focus as the End Draws Near!

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: – 2 Thessalonians 2-3

It is obvious that what Jesus emphasized in terms of end times and eschatology, is that it should be the focus of those who follow him to make sure they are ready for what is coming, ready for both the trouble of the times and his soon and sudden return. Paul is doing the same thing, notice what he is calling for in the church as it relates to the soon to come “Day of the Lord” …

“Be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,” and “Let no man deceive you.” He is writing to inform, encourage, and equip this church, and us, to guard against two things:

1) Anxiety – best expressed as Fear and Uncertainty

2) Deception – best expressed as Seduction and Distraction

Both tactics are used by the wicked one to lure Christians into a spiritual impotence whereby the great falling away is easier. Meaning those not anchored in true faith in Christ will be pulled into something very spiritual but not gospel, or will simply walk away from faith, church, and God completely (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:1-4; 1 John 2:18-19).

I want to make the case that knowing Christ is coming again should be a major focus of our heart and mind, but not because of the cool mysteries surrounding all this end times stuff, but as an anchor point for our soul in this cultural storm that is growing. The anchor which comes by the knowledge of and the holding of the truth before our minds that Christ is coming again should be a major motivation for our godly living in this hour! (See 2 Peter 3:10-12). One thing I know will happen on that day of judgment is the Great Reckoning (see Romans 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:8-10).

I am just not convinced Jesus will that I knew the order of last things, and whether or not I was right about who the antichrist was and if I got the rapture timing perfectly aligned, but based on all that Jesus said and that Paul wrote, here three things to consider as we remember Jesus is coming:

1. The Eyes of Jesus – In that day we will look upon him and he will look upon us, and I want you to think about what that moment will be like for a few seconds and then tell me what is important in life. Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see his face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

2. The Endowment of Grace – To the modern Christian the Biblical teaching on eternal rewards has been lost or designated as unimportant in a false humility sort of way. “I don’t deserve anything, just a cabin by the river where I can see him walking by will be more than I deserve.” Friends, rewards matter! They are the manifest token of the reality of our true devotion and faithfulness to Christ. I want to have a pile of them, and so do you! The rewards we receive reveal the love we hold and lived out of for him (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 9:24).



3. The Encouragement of Sanctification – Knowing that when he comes, I am going to be made complete does not incentivize me to sit back and coast, it moves me to dig deep and press toward the mark! And it keeps me trusting in God’s transforming grace and not letting me stay cast down in the reality of my unfinished struggles (1 John 3:2-3).

January 23, 2025

"The End is Near!" What Should We Do?

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means… - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

I want to be very dogmatic here, concerning the coming of Christ. I want to dig my heels in and declare what I know to be absolutely true, indisputable by anyone I know, and here it is; when it comes to the end and the order and manner in which it all unfolds, there is simply a lot we do not know. There, I said it.

When I read these passages like 1 and 2 Thessalonians, the Olivet Discourses, things in Daniel and Revelation, I just have to say, “Lord, there is so much we just do not know.” That reality, then, brings me back to this, it seems God is more concerned with us paying attention to and acting on what we clearly do know. So, what is that? We have quite a bit of scripture, even just focusing on the New Testament writers, but above all these, I begin with Jesus. What did Jesus emphasize in terms of how his followers should view and plan for the end of the world and his coming again?

There are three passages I would refer you to which represent very well the collective teaching of Jesus on the subject. I do not say they point out everything he tells us, just that these reflect the bottom line, what he wants us to be most focused on. Note these passages, the key words, and the summary point from each:

1. Learn to Live in Anticipation of His Return – “Watch therefore: for ye know not the hour your Lord doth come…therefore be ye also ready” (Matthew 24:42-44) – Watch and be ready! That is the order to live in Hope! To develop our whole soul into “loving his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). This will mean, little by little, as we go along, learning to let go of this world which has had such an attachment to us. And so…

2. Safeguard your Soul Against the World! – “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares…Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36). The enticements and allurements and substitute idols to trust in the world will get stronger, louder, and greater in number. Until we break free from living as people who trust in the world to inform us, direct us, supply us, and pleasure us, we will not learn to live in hope of his return.

3. Strengthen Your Spiritual Life with Prayer as the Foundation - “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33). There is nothing more often repeated by Jesus in regard to end times for his followers than this, “Watch and pray.” This is the summons to deeper spiritual life, and living in the shallows of religious activity will not be enough in the final days and hours. “Pray” to Jesus means more than a word of prayer, or “lets pray really quick before we go do whatever we have already decided to do. No, prayer is life in the Jesus way. We will be swept up by the world, not safeguarded against it, if we do not develop our soul in a deeper place with God. As I get closer to God, through Christ, I am less interested in the world’s offerings (systems, social structures, ideologies, programs, etc.).

January 22, 2025

Making Progress Begins with "Be!"

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. – Ephesians 5:1-2

Paul has already said, “be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (4:23-24), and he has given some understanding on what that new man looks like, and it is certainly a new creature! This new man or new woman will speak truthfully with others (more than just not lying, it is about integrity from the heart to be earnest and transparent), will be generous, gracious, forgiving, and tenderhearted. What does all this mean? It comes next.

“Be followers of God,” that is, imitate God like little children imitate their fathers, with devotion, affection, and a sincere desire to be like them. To which he then summarizes it by saying, “walk in love, as Christ loved us.” Insert right here, “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.” Why is it not easy? From our hearts, do we not want this so badly? We do. And yet, we fail, far too often. Remember, our goal is progress, not perfection.

You see, perfection will take care of itself. When we finish, when we reach the end of our pilgrimage and see Christ, he will complete us. But for now, as it occurred to me again this morning, God has “given us all things which pertain to life and godliness,” but the “giving all diligence (to) add to your faith,” that is up to us (2 Peter 1:3-5). Of course, he helps us, but we must make the choices.

Did you fail in some way yesterday? I am with you. Today, we recover and resume our obedience. I choose to do what it takes to become the man I know God has called me to be. “Be-Know-Do” These are three important words. Think of these as Character, Competence, and Conduct. All of which, to make progress, must be centered in God, sought in Christ, aided by the Spirit.

Now, let’s nail down the priority. Take notice of how often Paul uses these three words in Ephesians; “Be” (35), “Know” (5), “Do” (3). Do you see the emphasis? Yet, for most of us, our experience of “being discipled” was centered around either knowledge or performance, with little to no emphasis on who we were becoming. Ask the average Christian how they are following Jesus and what will you hear? “I go to church, read the Bible, give, teach Sunday Schol.” The emphasis is on do, followed by know, or believing the right things (doctrine, creed, etc.).

Even in the business world or community at large, what is the emphasis? People meet and they ask what, “What do you do?” The order of importance seems to be what you do, what you know, and then who you are. This is a model that needs to be turned around! Being is not possible without knowing and doing, but being is primary!

January 21, 2025

Making Progress Means Putting Some Things Off!

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. – Ephesians 4:22-24

Here is the way to progress, at least, it is one of the ways the Bible teaches us to make progress, by way of a continual putting off and putting on. We must, as the old man, the old ways of the flesh are identified, take them off, pull them off, remove them and discard them. You will know them by their quality of being “corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” What is costing your spiritual development, withering your soul (corrupting)? Where do you find yourself turning again and again for self-pleasing but coming up empty (deceitful lusts)? Whatever and wherever, put it off!

We need to see the ways of the old man as like a filthy garment, defiled and defiling, affecting us and those around us. The vermin, the smell, the sight of it being enough to cause others to be kept at a distance and us trying to cleverly conceal it with rags of religion. No one is fooled for long, certainly not our Father in heaven, who wants to profoundly change us, help us. But we often refuse to let go of the dirty garments because we have come to believe that they will, in fact, prove useful…

Lying, wrath, thievery, indecent talk (slander, filth, demeaning), bitterness, resentment, arguments, malice; all these things which cause us to give place to the devil (4:27) and grieve the Holy Spirits work and influence in us (4:30).

To make progress means that today, not tomorrow, and not just right now, but from now forward, I am going to pull off that old dirty garment which I know I have been clothed in, and which God has been convicting me of. I am going to take it off, put it away for good. I will find other dirty garments to deal with, remember, perfection is not the issue right now, I simply want to make progress.

Now, along with the putting off, if we are to truly make progress, we will have to do some putting on. This must happen simultaneously, putting off my flesh, putting on Jesus. More on that to come

January 20, 2025

What Happened? Seek Progress, Not Perfection!

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

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, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. – Ephesians 3:14-21

The surrounding context is important to fully appreciate what Paul is asking here in this amazing and powerful prayer. He has just described the great purpose and work of the church in the world, to display the wonderful wisdom of God’s plan of redemption! That when the world looks at the church, they see the glorious salvation of God. So much so that even the angelic beings study the church to understand this mystery (3:10).

Thus, he prays, “For this cause,” that the church would receive the strength of the Spirit, that the church would be indwelt completely by Christ, at the heart level of every member of the body, and that each one, and the collective whole, would be rooted and anchored in the love of Christ, ever learning more and more just how vast and deep that love of Christ is, and in so doing, that the church would come to be filled with the fullness of God beyond what they could ever imagine!

Amazing, right? And perhaps a little mystifying. For just a moment we need to take an honest look at the state of the church and ask, “What has happened?” I am simply asking you to think about this. Does the church, as you know it, magnify the glory of God so that the angels pause and study what is happening there to learn of the deep, deep love of Jesus and the incomprehensible glory of God? What happened?

The beginning of the answer is found in the next part, in Ephesians 4. Here, based on the purpose and calling of the church, and the prayer for the church, he now calls on the church to live up to God’s calling and the prayer he has prayed by “walk(ing) worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” or, in other words, “Live your life in such a way as to live up to God’s calling.” And here is where we meet with the present reality. Very often we are not living this way, but rather we are living up to the opportunities, possibilities, and standards of the world around us. We live more like people who are out to get theirs, and not like people who are here to reflect God’s glory.

A practice of Jesus comes to mind, how he would often stand off to the side and observe. No doubt, discerning the motives and intents of the heart of people in their actions based on God’s purposes. If we do that, what would we say about the modern practices and ways of life in the modern church? Honestly, if we are challenged to consider how we are doing based on Ephesians 4, would we even be able to discern the reality, or have we become so comfortable with the shallow, self-serving definitions of things like holiness, greediness, kindness, and forgiveness that we would read this passage and think we are nailing it?

This reads awfully negative, I know. But we are going somewhere. My theme is this, we are not to worry over perfection, but we need to get serious about progress!

January 17, 2025

So, What's the Plan?

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ – Ephesians 3:8-9

“So, what’s the plan?” We ask each other this question a lot around the house, around work, when we are planning for a vacation or a big event of any kind. We mean, what are we doing, and how are we going to get it done? “What’s the plan?” We also do much better with forming a plan if we remember to ask, “Why are we doing it?”

Does God have a plan? Of course, we know he does, he always has. The Bible reveals this to us and it is often referred to as a mystery. For so long it was a mystery, and men and angels alike wondered, “What is the plan?” They certainly could not understand all the things God was doing, permitting, and why so often it seemed ages pass with no intervention from God.

As the course of history unfolded through the ages, Eden, the flood, Abraham, Israel, the Red Sea, on and on it went, all the while it was a mystery, “What is God doing?” Do not forget, we have the benefit of living in this age, looking back with the revelation given to us in the New Testament, but what was it like for the ancient saints of Israel?

Jesus called it “the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11), and Paul wrote to the Romans that this mystery had been “kept secret since the world began” (Romans16:25), and Peter tells us that “the angels desire to look into” this thing God was doing (1 Peter 1:12). So, what was the plan? There is not a better text on this than Paul’s explanation to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:8-12). In summary, Paul says…

“This is the plan! The proclamation of God’s immeasurable, inexhaustible grace found in the unsearchable, incalculable riches of Christ, who came to reveal the great mystery, God’s plan of redemption, which is brought to fulness in Jesus, and now opens our understanding to all God was doing all along! And in the church the fulness of this is made clear, so much so that the angels of heaven can now see what God was doing when they look at the saints and they see men and women, accepted in Christ, dare to boldly approach God and walk in fellowship with him.”

This was the plan from the beginning. Nothing caught God by surprise, even the sin and rejection of man, yet, he was willing to endure the process to fulfill the ultimate purpose, a redeemed body of saints who will rise in Christ and be made perfect in him, who will then love God fully and forever, and bring glory to him throughout eternity as he lavishes them with his everlasting love. Oh yes, the angels are quite interested!

January 16, 2025

Help, My Soul is Offline!

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. – Psalm 130:5-6

Some mornings we wake up and prayer and time with God is just smooth and lovely as a clear spring day! It just feels like warmth of sunshine, rich blue sky laced with wispy clouds, and birds singing in stereo kind of morning prayer! But that is not always how it happens. Other mornings it seems like there is insurmountable distance between us and God. Why? How does that happen?

Those are good questions worthy of exploring, but let it suffice for now to say that there are many reasons we experiencing distancing and it is not always simply us, there are effects on the soul that come from other people, from the work of evil spirits, and the realities of living in a world that is like a sinking ship, upside down and taking on water, and it is really hard to climb stairwells in those conditions, in which, even if you did, going up means hitting the bottom. Well, just think about it.

What I want to offer you is this analogy which can help us remember that though there are mornings we feel distant from God we can close the gap with time, patience, and trust. To me it feels sometimes like my soul is offline. Do you know what I mean? Of course, that is terminology that would have made no sense in the pre-internet days, but we get it today. To be offline means that my computer, device, whatever it may be, is not connected to the internet. I am getting nothing, no signal, no response. And sometimes that is how the soul feels, it is offline with God.

We live in the age of “always on-line” (mostly), where we have mobile networks, cable, etc., but do you remember the days of dial up? It sounds almost prehistoric now, but we had to connect through the phone line, and it took sooooo long! Like maybe 30 seconds! Impossibly long! Right? I think dial up gives us a better analogy of the soul being offline. What we had to do was redial and wait. Maybe check the line, is it plugged in? Redial, and wait. In the end, with time, patience, and trust, the signal comes, we are back online!

I truly believe the soul can get clouded up, connection gets weak, but God will come for those who wait patiently for him. His intent is not to punish us because we got offline somehow, but he does want to guide us into a proper realignment of our soul. The posture of the soul matters. Sometimes we just need to linger before God and wait. Getting there may require some confession. Getting there will certainly require listening. God, dear friends, is in no hurry. He is only interested in our holiness.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).

January 15, 2025

Are We Constrained or Compulsive?

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. – 2 Corinthians 5:14=15

This is a healthy check up on the soul, to ask myself this question, when it comes to my labor for the Lord, my practice of faith, and my ministry to others, am I compelled or am I compulsive?

These may seem to be very similar motives, yet there is a significant difference between the two. To be compelled is to say, “I have no choice, I must do this, it is why I am here, it is what God has fit me to do.” To be compulsive is to say, “Well, I know I should do this, it is the right thing to do, and I want to please God, and I want to make people happy.” Can you detect the difference?

Paul laid this out clearly in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly (compelled by my life in God), I have a reward: but if against my will (compulsively because I ought to do it), a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”

Either way, the gospel is preached, in our case the ministry is done, the faithful attendance has been completed, but to do what we do as compelled by Christs’ love, to be so moved by our walk with Him that we could do no other, that is better, and with that there is a reward, which Paul says is that we can offer our ministry to others without requirements laid on them (1 Corinthians 9:18). I will not need to be constantly affirmed, recognized, convinced, or compensated; I can freely serve others as unto the Lord himself.

It is also worth noting, that life and ministry done out of a compelling by the love of Christ is so much easier on the soul. When we are constantly going, doing, acting out of compulsion, because we feel we ought to, we become, and remain, worn down. We lose our focus, we lose our joy, and the very life which is offered in the easy yoke of Christ, becomes a burdensome yoke of self-inflicted obligation.

Henri Nouwen captured this so well in his book, The Way of the Heart (1981). He wrote, “Just look for a moment at our daily routine. In general we are very busy people…meetings to attend…visits to make…services to lead…days and weeks filled with engagements…There is seldom a period in which we do not know what to do, and we move through life in such a distracted way that we do not even take the time and rest to wonder if any of the things we think, say, or do are worth thinking, saying, or doing.”

I can do a lot by my own skill, talent, strength, and initiative, but it is always going to be true that whatever I can accomplish without God is, in the end, nothing. Jesus said so (John 15:5). I want to be better at getting comfortable with not knowing what to do and just turning that into space and time for God to fill.

January 14, 2025

Choose the Company of the Uncomfortable!

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: - Hebrews 10:24

Some people are easy to be around, they require little of us, they keep things casual and surface level, you can just be there and at the appointed time leave, no trouble at all. Other people are difficult to be around. It is safe to say, everyone you know falls into one or the other of those categories.

Now there are varying degrees of difficulty from occasion to occasion, but these difficult people are just not easy to be around. That is for one of two reasons, they are either the type of soul that drains you, or they are the type that demands something out of you. Let’s just leave the Drainers be for the time and think about the Demanders.

This passage from Hebrews calls on us to become Demanding Souls! How so? Not in selfish, run over others with my needs, kind of ways, but as “considering one another” we are to “provoke unto love and to good works.” Now, this word provoke is not casual, not easy, not surface level. It literally means, to incite to good and to dispute, if need be, in anger! So uncomfortable is it not? In fact, you could replace it with the phrase, “contend with one another” and it would be correct. The root of the Greek word here means “to sharpen alongside.” So, think of Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

To be clear, it is not that these Demanding Souls are literally barking out orders and expecting you to jump, in fact, they may be very quiet, meek souls. The demand comes from who they are, and being around them calls us out, their character, their conviction, their capacity to live life from the heart, it just will not allow us to settle. We get around them and their living from the heart calls out the better part of us, challenging us to step up, and to become who we are made to be in Christ. Point of fact, Jesus himself is the ultimate example of what I mean. You cannot be around Jesus and not feel the draw to become more. Add to the list biblical characters such as Mary (any of them), David, Paul, and I am sure Esther as well.

Now, we can respond to these people in one of two ways, either run and hide or engage and learn. I have done both in my time. Even as I write this, I am feeing some regret over not engaging with certain men I have known over the years who, to be honest, intimidated me and so I kept some distance. I cannot go back and change those particulars, but, I have certainly become better at engaging over the years. The truth is, I want to be around people whose spirit and character demand something out of me. I want to be close to the uncomfortable ones.

Here is the secret your enemy does not want you to know, those demanding souls, those people you try to avoid because they call out something more in you, they are really good souls, and as you get to know them by being with them, you will discover a treasure of truth, love, and strength that, if tapped into, will encourage and strengthen your own soul. There is iron in you friend, but it will dull and rust without other iron to sharpen it. Reject timidity and approach the demanding souls in your life. The truth is, they need you as much as you need them.

January 13, 2025

A Practical Exercise in Solitude: How to Take a Drink!

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. – Isaiah 12:3

Here is a promise from God, and we are granted the permission, that we will and can draw water for the soul from the wells of salvation. To drink deeply, to be satisfied, to be refreshed in all the goodness of the Lord. Pause. How are you doing with that?

I woke this morning with my mind swirling with thoughts and my soul trying to juggle a myriad of emotions. Enter solitude, a quiet and private place to sit and wait until the dust of the inner man settles. As the thoughts begin to slow and the focus comes, I recognize disappointment as a big part of what is affecting me. I can name some ways I am experiencing disappointment, but the thought then comes, and I can only credit the Spirit, “I can still choose joy, and choose to be hopeful in God.” A rescue! A drink from the wells of salvation!

The exercise that followed was not planned, it just developed. I began to walk through the three principles of “The Way of Holiness” (It is, in the ministry of the church, our pastoral focus, including our conference, podcast, teaching, etc.). It became a Spirit led counseling session. It broke me through the fog of the morning, brought me to some resolution, and freed me to move into a healthy time of prayer and scripture. What follows is how I journaled this out, along with some clarifying words and phrases in parenthesis. I offer it to you, if it seems appropriate.

"1. Slow my Pace – Even now I feel the push to make something happen. Too much provision creates haste and hurry to try to use and consume it all. Having more than I should makes me try to take it all in. That is stressful and stress leads to bad choices and wasted opportunities. (So… a key word comes to mind…)

Reduce! – minimize, focus on the few things well! (Which leads to…)

2. Shrink my World – Where have I opened the borders of my soul too carelessly? My life (soul) only has so much capacity, so I need to be wiser in how I fill the spaces. (So…)

Forego! – there are things I cannot do, there are griefs I need to let go of. Forgiveness, self-denial. Why is it so hard to get right what I know is true? (Which leads to…)

3. Shepherd my Heart – To do this well, my first effort is to truly follow Jesus now, today. When I stray, I must repent right away. Every practice (spiritual discipline) I can do well, will help me to stay focused on His way. Often, it is the choice not to do, go, or partake that will help most. Yet, again, limited capacity, so what practices are truly helping? (So…)

Discern! – to know what the right choice is. To train my soul to choose the good and reject the evil (that which is harmful in any form). Thoughts – Feelings – Actions, all processed in prayerfulness."

This exercise of the soul which came out of the practice of Solitude, is not unusual. It was a fresh way, but the Holy Spirit will lead us in these alignments of the soul if we come, honestly, patiently, and thirstily to the wells of salvation!

January 10, 2025

Do Not Settle into the Slide! (Originally published on 06 March 2024)

Prologue:



I am coming late today to a Pastor Minute post, due to a busy day with very good things. But as I arrive home on this snow day this re-publication seems fitting, after my slide through a stop sign and nearly into the street corner, because of the snow.

I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. – Job 12:4-5

Job is hurting, his family has been devastated, his life’s work is in a crumbled-up heap, and his spirit is so low he cannot see much of a future, despair is his vision now. Then, add on these friends, these opinionated, self-righteous, non-praying friends. Oh, they mean well, but their “theology” is poor, their understanding is non-existent, and all because their spiritual life is, well, circumstantial and conditional. Yes, “miserable comforters” indeed (Job 16:2).

Yet, take note of this phrase Job uses, “He that is ready to slip with his feet.” Job compares his condition to someone who has about to slide, and outside of playground fun, sliding is rarely a condition of good. It takes me back to the Tetons a few years ago. We had reached the summit of Middle Teton, over 13,000 feet! But as climbers and mountaineers often say, it is the descent which can be the most dangerous. We were carefully making our way down a snow covered, very steep slope with a narrow passage to the saddle between two peaks. Any shift to the left, one misplaced step, and it was a fast slide to a drop off that ended with a collision into a pile of boulders.

Sure enough, one of our team slipped and began the slide. I remember it vividly, everything is like a flash and yet slow, painfully detailed. I remember yelling, “Dig in! Dig in!” Trying to will him into jabbing his trekking poles into the snow to slow his descent. It must be done right, or you simply lose your poles. It is to brake, slow you, not suddenly halt you; timing and angle are everything. What I am sure of is this, if he settled into the slide his life was about to change forever, or end on this side of eternity. Praise to the Lord, he did get dug in and he did stop. We got off that mountain alive, with only a few more challenges along the way! But we made it, he made it, because he did not settle into the slide.

Job was that way. He must have felt done, finished, wiped out, and yet, he never quit. It is the story of grace, of God upholding, pouring into his man. It always is. If we make it, we make it by grace. This is the thing; we can make it! Even if we are ready to slip or already in the slide, do not yield to it, do not settle for it. We must dig in! Where? How?

David said this, “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:30-31). It seems that his counsel would be this, change your speaking, change your thinking; get your wounded self out of the lead and let God take over. Get the word of God, his promises, his truth, his faithfulness, into your way of looking and hearing and interpreting. David knew the power of God’s truth and faithfulness to make his steps sure. “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip’ (2 Samuel 22:37).

So, friends, where do you feel the slide starting? Where are you beginning to give up and say, “I no longer care. What will be will be”? Others may be speaking into that, even unknowingly, like Jobs friends, but the bigger voice we are yielding to must not be misguided friends, disgruntled enemies, nor our own depleted soul. We must hear Him! Dig in, do not settle into the slide. You will rise.

January 09, 2025

Keep Your Eyes on the King!

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof…Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. - Psalm 97:1, 10-12

“Eyes on me.” I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the Lord say this to me in various ways over the last few years. I cannot imagine how many times he has said it when I did not even hear because I was too distracted, too amped up, too in a hurry to fix whatever problem was in front of me, and so I missed the solution he was offering.

My reflections in Psalm 97 this morning were, admittedly, more application than exposition, but I went to bed and awoke with that sense of soul struggle, that wrestling with a lot of the ‘why’ and ‘how could this possibly be our reality’ type questions. I allowed my mind to drift into a focus on people, to include my own weak self. Praise the Lord for the scriptures and the Spirit which call our hearts back to the focus they desperately require, that is, seeing the King!

This psalm celebrates the greatness and glory of our King (vv.1-9) and then highlights the benefits enjoyed by those who truly love him in a deep and true way (vv.10-12). This is why we must expose our hearts to the scriptures in soul saturating doses, so we do not forget, so we are not overwhelmed by the struggles that naturally come to us in a fallen world. We must keep “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Friends, it is rather easy, in this present world, and especially in our modern culture, both in society at large and in the church, to become disoriented and confused about where one stands. We must know in our hearts that we truly love God and desire to do what pleases him, because in our mind we will often find ourselves battling doubts, regrets, and discouragement because of what we see, hear, and feel coming against us. We too easily misunderstand and prejudge one another. We all take the hits and too often we are a part of dishing them out unjustly.

So, disoriented and confused, remember, there is one constant point of reference; always, always, always come back to the King! “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). We turn the eyes of the heart upon Jesus and let the doubts, fears, stresses, and accusations all grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace!

January 08, 2025

An Anchor Point for Your Soul!

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. – Hebrews 6:18-20

The anchor of the soul is the hope set before us; the question is, where and how are we connected with this hope? We need an anchor point for our soul. What is going to keep your soul from drifting or doubting through 2025? We can be sure that more than enough trouble will come our way. We can be certain that the world is going to become more chaotic, disturbing, and unholy than ever before. What then, will keep you anchored?

Anchor points are means of security, steadiness, and strength. In terms of heights, whether climbing or construction, anchor points are used to tie off to prevent dropping. In terms of boats, anchor points are used on harbors or shores to keep the vessel from drifting. In archery, anchor points are used by archers to position their draw hand against their face to steady their aim, they prevent destabilizing.

We are living in a very uncertain, potentially discouraging, and socially destabilizing time. It seems that we are headed not toward better times, but toward some serious reaping of what we have sown. I cannot but think of Jesus’ warning, how that in the last days we will see “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). But just before that he gave this directive to the disciples, and we need to be thinking on this ourselves, more than ever, “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).

This is another way of saying what Hebrews tells us, by your hope, secure your soul! Now, back to the question, how are we connected to hope? Hebrews 6 tells us of God’s character and integrity, that we hope in His promise. My encouragement to you is that an anchor for your soul will be found in the word of God. It would be wise for each of us to ask God for an anchor point. Not just the Bible as a whole, but a specific passage which God would give us for the year that we can anchor our soul in, no matter what may come.

God gave me mine on New Years Eve. As I was in prayer that morning the words of Psalm 25 came to my heart to pray, “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul” (25:1). Every day since, I have been praying that portion of scripture, specifically Psalm 25:1-5, and it has truly become an anchor point for me, and I have no doubt it will be for this year.

When you have this anchor point of God’s promise, or a prayer in scripture, as you stay with it each day you can do at least three healthy things for your soul through this anchor point:

1) Meditate in it. Learn more from it as you stay with it day by day.

2) Memorize it. Take it slowly, just digest it a line at a time, let it become part of you.

3) Pray Through it. Scripture guides prayer. See how the Spirit meets you there.

January 07, 2025

Keeping the Vision!

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. – John 2:11

Here is the first miracle Jesus had done and the impact of it is declared, the faith of the disciples was increased! There are so many things to bring out of this passage. For example, the disciples were following him before the miracles began. Miracles are not the basis for faithfulness, truth is.

Yet, the point to make today is this, Jesus “manifested forth his glory,” which means he did what he did not only to meet the need of the occasion, but so that his disciples could see him do it. Literally, he rendered apparent his glory! It was available to be seen by those whose eyes were on him. And that is such an indispensable attribute of discipleship. Keep the attention on Jesus!

In all the reading I did this morning, (see Psalm 46; Isaiah 52:3-6; Revelation 2:1-7), this was a consistent theme, “Eyes on Him!” We are either focused on Christ as our vision or we are distracted, drifting, and eventually, dimmed in terms of shining his light in the world (again, see the above references). So, what do we do?

Friends, we must give ourselves to this priority, that we keep our hearts centered on God, our minds focused on God, our bodies employed for God, and our relationships built around God. Christ is the way! We pray for this focused vision, to see His glory, and to be taken with it so that our all belongs to Him!

Bonus Prayer from The Valley of Vision, a Collection of Puritan Prayers:

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.



Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty,

thy glory in my valley.

January 06, 2025

The Attraction of Jesus!

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. – Matthew 12:18-21

The first few days of the New Year are in the books, as they say. How has it gone so far? I know, it is early to be asking, certainly to be expecting to have a good answer, but still, while it may be too early to expect great successes, it is always the right time to adjust and make improvements.

The questions posed in church yesterday included:

1. What spiritual practices of 2024 proved most helpful in your life with God and of which you plan to continue putting into practice this year?

2. What new practice(s) or approach are you feeling led to apply/follow in the New Year to help you grow in Christlikeness?

3. Have you received any specific guidance from the Lord for the New Year? As in “Advance words?” A certain passage of scripture to focus on? Etc.?

Here is something to consider, if you are not sure about the above, you can absolutely, with confidence, ask God! Jesus told us to consider this, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:11-13). And a little later he says, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32).

Now, just a word about the bottom line. What are we after? For all our spiritual practices come to one end, that we become increasingly like the Lord Jesus! Christlikeness is our goal, our motive, and anything short of that will simply be religious hogwash.

As I read Psalm 72 (read it as of Jesus), a Psalm David wrote for Solomon, but which ultimately is reflective of the true King, and as I read in Matthew 12 of the description of who Jesus would be and what he would be like, here is my bottom line…

As a disciple, and collectively as a church, what will win others to God? In the end, it is not our programs, our personal convictions, our statement of faith, nor our strong stances on issues which will bring people to God. What we must have is the character and attractiveness of Jesus.

January 03, 2025

He is Worthy of It All!

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. – Psalm 111:1-4

This psalm reminds us that The Way includes a wholehearted approach to life in, with, and before God. Praise God with the whole heart! The life we are given is a life to be lived with wholeheartedness. We should really learn what that means. I am sure there is so much more to understand about wholeheartedness. It must at least mean this, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:30). All for the glory of God!

The true warrior fights with the whole heart!

The true king leads with the whole heart!

The true man loves with the whole heart!

The true minister serves with the whole heart!

The true disciple follows with the whole heart!

Yes, it is easier said than done. Thank God when we have those moments where we know, by his grace, that we are in all the way, giving all we have, vision is locked, the will is fixed, and all we are giving is for the glory of God! Oh, to live that way always!

He is worthy of our all! Nothing less than wholeheartedness is right when it comes to life with, in and before God.

All our Affection for Him!

All our Attention on Him!

All our Allegiance to Him!

See who he is by what he does, and you will know he is worthy of it all (Psalm 11:2-9).

Be all we can be for all he has done, knowing he is worthy of it all (Psalm 111:10).

“All the saints and angels

They bow before Your throne.

All the elders cast their crowns

Before the Lamb of God and sing

You're worthy of it all

You're worthy of it all

For from You are all things

And to You are all things

You deserve the glory!”

- “Worthy of it All” written by David Brymer, performed by CeCe Winans

January 01, 2025

All Things New!

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. – Revelation 21:5

I know, the passage has direct interpretation for the end, when the Lord comes and truly makes all things new. But this morning, as we rise to a new day and new year, it seems fitting to embrace the promise of regeneration, or renewal, which is not only what Jesus does, it is who he is! He is Life! He is True and Faithful!

Everything today feels like a clean slate; the white paper (or screen as I type), the first page of a new journal, and lingering over that, not wanting to rush words, but waiting for them. “All things new!”

I can only speak for myself, but this arrival of 2025 feels the most like a fresh start of any in my recent experience. Maybe that is partly because of the resistance that has fought its arrival, right up until the final day of 2024. I know for sure that it is because there is a season of my life I want to put behind, and yet, there are priceless lessons from this past season which are now, and will continue to, inform and enrich this new season.

Last night, as a family, we were sitting around the table playing games, waiting to ring in the New Year, when an unexpected storm swept in. Thunder, lightning, serious rain, and, of all things, hail! It was not a long storm, but it was real and powerful. This morning, I walked out on the porch to watch the sun rising beyond the tree line and I remembered the storm last night. Why? Because the morning was so clear, crisp, and beautiful. The storm swept through, but it cleared the way for this amazing renewal that came with the morning.

He was in it all.

Never forget that.

He will be with us to the end. All things will be made new.