Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

In the past few years, a host of studies have emerged claiming that eating dinner as a family can provide serious benefits for children. In 2005, research at Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that the number of children who report having dinner regularly with their families was on the rise—about 58 percent, up from 47 percent in 1998—and that children who experienced family meals were less likely to be tempted by marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. A 2000 survey at Harvard Medical School revealed that nine- to fourteen-year-olds who ate dinner with their families usually consumed greater quantities of healthy fruits and vegetables, and less soda and fast food. They were also more likely to accept new foods their parents offered them and to make healthy food choices on their own. For girls in particular, eating dinner with parents has been shown to correlate with a reduced risk of crash dieting, having distorted body image, or using aggressive weight-loss methods.

(From ‘The Family That Eats Together … Why Family Meals Make for Happier Kids’ by  Divine Caroline, on Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:59pm PST)

In the middle of the attacks that are coming without interruption from and enemy that would like to destroy us with so many diversions, there is a place of comfort and security to be found right at the dinner table. Right in the presence of those assaults that would destroy and divide, there is a refuge and place of hope and confidence, where the challenges of life are disabled for a few moments and the nourishment that is so needed is taken in from the provision of the Father.

I was so blessed in this way in our home growing up. Though we were not without our own tense moments, there was something we always did as a family- sit down together for breakfast and dinner. It wasn’t just going through the drive-through either. The nourishment received there at the table was something that had usually been prepared by the loving and caring hands of my mother. Something very secure and foundational was established with every beckoning to the dining room by the smells of her creations. Love was imparted and the fears that could have opened doors for the enemy’s devises were dispelled by a defense that came by merely sitting down together and establishing the refuge of relationship.

There is this same calling taking place every morning and evening, and especially in the presence of enemies that would divide, dissuade and addict us to destructive paths of unrighteousness. It is a calling to that place at the table where for a few moments all other considerations of life are suspended for the intake of a savory preparation of love and care. The table is always set and awaiting all that will but come and sit down in His presence. There, almost as if by magic, the power of those weapons that would otherwise wreak devastation are disabled and can no longer prosper. A relationship is established there in His presence that causes the once ominous enemy to be reduced to his proper size and removed of all power to be an effective enticement. The return to this place, then, becomes a welcome and necessary event as the hunger rises once again and the enemies continue their assault. The comfort, security and nourishment are available morning, noon, and night at an open dining room and a table that is ever set with the preparations of a welcoming Father.

22 And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:22-23 (ASV)

‘If thou canst!’ – doesn’t have a question mark, but, rather an exclamation mark, indicating a declaration instead of an inquiry.

It’s so easy to go right online and get a list of reviews about just about anything on the market. I recently was searching for a scanner that would convert slides and film into digital files. Several years ago my brother, Scott, and I went on a mission’s trip to Africa, and then spent two months in Europe, riding the trains and staying in hostels. We took several rolls of film, many of which had been developed as slides, and I’d been wanting for some time to get all the pictures organized in way that at least Scott and I could enjoy from time to time. I found that there is a wide range of options for getting this done, from several small little dedicated film/slide scanners to these big professional ones that cost thousands of dollars. I definitely wanted something that would do a great job, but at the same time would have a reasonable price. Advertisements always present just the attributes and features as if each model is the exact product that will be more than what you need. To really find out what they were able to do and their actual performance I spent a great deal of time going to forums and reading reviews that were as simple as one liners and as detailed as whole pages of examples and graphic comparisons.  This was useful in determining the best option for me, but there was something else I discovered- that, while a product was made to function in a way with optimal results, there were always people that thought it wasn’t performing correctly, not based upon its ability to perform, but their ability to operate it. On the review list it seemed there was always someone who flatly declared this was a terrible product that they would not recommend to family and friends. Though in my opinion these scanners are capable of some pretty miraculous transformations, they are completely subject to being configured correctly and operated in the correct manner for which they were designed. I even found with the one I acquired, that my first attempts were without success, until I went through the step-by-step instructions that fixed nothing on the machine, just my ability to operate it.

If there is anything in our technologically advanced world that is impressive in its capabilities, there is a Miracle Worker who is capable of feats that are greater than all of man’s concerted and collected creations. In Him is the ability and power to not just make existing parts work together in amazing ways, but to actually create the ones who design and produce these machines. When approaching Him about what He might be able to do, there will never be a question of His ability, just a statement of needed operation. If there is only belief, nothing will function in an unsatisfactory manner, nothing will be impossible, and no one will leave disappointed. To read the reviews in the world today regarding the performance of our God, there will always be the ones who would not recommend Him to family friends, but in every case, the failure is always on the part of the operator, because where there is only simple operator belief, with Him all things are possible.

14 For we have, all alike, become sharers with Christ, if we really hold our first confidence firm to the End;
Heb 3:14 (WEY)

Almost sounds like financial counsel- if you just hold these shares through all the difficult times there will be a great payoff in the end. How sad it will be, however, if, after all the hard times and diligent persistence, it just gets to be too much and the opportunity of a lifetime is given up for the shallow promise of another holding. As wonderful as it might be to have held those priceless notes, all of their value is completely time-related, so that their only true moment of worth is when they mature. Until that moment they may be traded or sold, but compared to the treasure they represent at the end, all these other options are but miniscule fractions.

At the initial moment of salvation, when a new name is written down in glory and a new birth into the kingdom inspires angels’ rejoicing, there is within the grasp of the new convert a treasure of life that has infinite promise of return. It has an immediate impact on life as it touches every aspect of living with its healing, strength, provision and hope.  When it has its greatest worth, however, is when it is held confidently all the way till its maturity as life here on earth comes to an end. All the way up to that point it may be sold or traded for other shares, and, sadly, this is too often the case, where the advertisements of earthly investments effectively diminish its appreciation and loosen its grip. At the end those other things may be held in large volumes, but they will have 0 worth at the very moment when only shares in Christ are of any value whatsoever. To have let go of sharing with Him for owning the temporal things of this life would be most tragic.

So how is sharing with Him maintained and held with confidence all the way to the end? How are the odds defied and the enemy’s enticements overcome so that the greatest return on an investment can truly be realized? As He is continually magnified and allowed to occupy the thoughts and passions of the heart, as the treasure of Jesus is held higher than other shiny trinkets by an ever-present praise and humility in worship, there will be a firewall raised to resist any of the dangerous invaders of the heart. Rather than just adding the Lord to the other elements in life and trying to maintain Him like another holding in the investment portfolio, He must become the one possession under which every other element resides. Where pressure is felt to become anxious about family, occupation, finances, society, etc., there is an opportunity to release those cares into the possession of the Greater One, trusting Him with the very things that were attempting to displace Him. In allowing them to decrease in value and perspective next to Him, there is an appropriate adjustment of priorities that maintains confidence in Him through the greatest of challenges and the most trying storms. Instead of abandoning the embrace of Him for another resident of the heart, the steady choice of Him above all others will make the relationship with Him more and more stable, unshakeable to the end.

There will be a return, there will be a great reward, and there will be a sure thing of priceless an eternal value if the confidence in Him will but be held in a worship life, unmovable to the end.

13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Heb 1:13-14 (KJV)

Though I’ve not grown up in a position of royalty, where being born into the royal family comes with a whole entourage of servants to assist in every aspect of daily life, there has been a taste of what this might be like on some of the trips I’ve been privileged to take. Other countries have house servants who are constantly on call to relieve you of overexertion of any kind, while nice hotels have concierges who are quite insistent upon taking your load, providing you with transportation, directing you towards destinations of interest or need, and generally meeting any need you might have as if it really were their pleasure to do so. While it may be good to have enough independence so that you can make it just fine in the absence of any of these helpers, there is a definite relief and release to be productive and enjoy your stay when these things are taken care of for you. Especially in certain areas of the Orient, the honor bestowed upon you by the bowing and the gladness to serve not only enhances your stay, but also elevates a sense of self-worth and confidence in this person that is being given so much respect.

Although there has been a needed return to the ‘real’ world, where the royal treatment is but a fond memory, I believe there is an understanding to be obtained from those experiences that brings to light the provision of service that is part of our salvation’s inheritance. The natural world may be free from the constant care of a willing servant, but our Father, the King, has made sure that in the very real world of the spirit, there is a group of servants ready to carry our load, point us in the right direction, and minister to every need of our spirit. In this new realm that is ours in Christ, we’re made to be kings and priests (Revelations 1:6), and with this royal identification there is an opportunity to take advantage of the concierge service of heaven. There is always an option to ignore the servants and just do it all yourself, but how much more enjoyable is the stay when you just let them do what they’re there for and focus on the purpose of your tenure? How much greater will be our progress towards the fulfillment of our purpose in Christ if the provision of service by ministering spirits is utilized and maximized? Just like it was a bit of an adjustment for me to let someone carry my luggage or arrange for my transportation, there is an adjustment in the spirit where those things that might have formerly been carried are released to the ones who specialize in gladly caring for all of those needs.

There is a provision already made for today, and an opportunity to take advantage of this service that is part of our abundant life in Christ. There are powerful ministering spirits awaiting the words of faith that will direct them to do what they are commissioned to do for us, the heirs of salvation.  May this increasingly become our way of royal living that never requires a return to that old way of self-dependence and burden bearing.

3 He being an emanation of God’s glory and stamp of his substance, and upholding the universe by the utterances of his power, after by himself making purification of our sins, has taken his seat on the right hand of the Majesty on High.
Heb 1:3 (MontgomeryNT)

Had to work on our PT Cruiser this week. The wheel bearings were shot and were making a roar that increased with pitch and intensity as you accelerated. After checking around as to what my options were, I ended up removing the pieces they were attached to, and looking for a shop with a special tool needed to free them from those pieces. After checking at a couple different places with high prices, I happened to remember a place on the way to Hunter’s school that was on a side street. I pulled in to the sand covered parking lot with large puddles of water from the rain that was coming down, and proceeded to find out if they could help me. They didn’t have a nice reception area like the other places I’d gone to, just a few large open bay doors with several men working on vehicles. Not knowing exactly where to go, I went on through one of the doors on the side and proceeded to look around for some help. These guys were really focused on their work and I found myself feeling as if I might be out of place until one of the uniformed workers let me know that I would need to talk to ‘him’, pointing to a somewhat older gentleman who also appeared to be ignoring me. I took the man’s direction and approached ‘him’ with an element of uncertainty. Instead of consulting with a computer and having to ask someone else who ‘knew more’, he just took his time, sort of squinted one eye, and told me a price that was half that of any other shop. While all the other men in the shop might have adequately told me something having to do with the bearing repair, if I really wanted to get to the bottom of the matter I would have to talk to the ‘boss’, the owner, and the only one who could really provide the answer and directive to get the job done. I discovered that it was by the word of this one man’s power that the shop successfully existed to provide excellence in service.

Oftentimes there’s a roar going on in our lives that seems to just get louder and more obnoxious the further we go down the road. Something has become worn and in need of repair that can only be done at the shop with the right tool. When you do find that place, it will be one that might have several people intent on their work who may be friendly and capable enough themselves, but who will always refer you to ‘Him’. It may initially appear that He’s not all that interested in helping, until there is a bold approach made to him and a face to face discussion as to what the problem is and what is needed for its restoration. There may be many others with possible solutions, but when it comes right down to it, there is only one ‘Him’ who upholds everything with ‘His’ utterance or His word. Wise counsel may come from elsewhere, but when you really want to get the job done correctly and at the right price, you’ll have to go to the One who’s words created all and sustains all with the expressions of His power.

This day may be in need of adjustments or repair. There may be issues that have been just building over time. I’m so thankful for Jesus and the way He has made right to the throne of grace where help can always be found. With boldness and great confidence we can advance to that throne where the job will get done who was the original Creator and who is right now the only one upholding all things by the word of His power. It may even seem that He is just ignoring and not really interested in helping, but as soon as an advance is made, there is always a discovery that He is the only one with an answer that doesn’t require reference resources. He is the one who will look you right in the eye and reveal the exact solution and provide the means to get the job done right.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:19-20 (KJV)

This last week something took place right down the road from us that destroyed a building, but shook the nation. Everybody’s been talking about it since in the news and on the talk shows. A disgruntled man flew his plane right into the side of a building that held offices for the IRS. The building is right on the main highway going into Austin from Cedar Park, so on my way home from work that day I drove right past it. The whole side of the building was burned and the complete structure seemed to be damaged in some way. Though I’d seen several photos of terrorist attacks and war images from other parts of the world, it was really strange and somewhat unnerving to see this scene right here in our own country so far away from those ‘troubled’ places.

It is obvious from the manifesto he wrote on a web site and from the destruction he left behind that his man was definitely in to something of a very extreme nature that took him to a most tragic and terrible end. As people have come forward, though, people who knew him as friends and band members (he played bass in a rock band), there seems to have been no indication from his normal actions just how deeply he was into some very disturbing and dangerous stuff. He was an even-tempered, normal guy, it seemed to them, and they never had reason for alarm or concern. Yet, it was this very man who had not spoken a word to them about it for so long, who ultimately made a very loud and dramatic statement dictated by exactly what he had been in to all along. It may have been concealed successfully for some time, but eventually it was inevitable that all would be revealed. Thankfully, the purpose of his ill-intended mission was thwarted in a great way with a very minimal amount of human damage. I believe the grace and mercy of God was directly opposing the wickedness that had overcome and driven him that day. There were those who were into another force that, although there was significant collateral damage, preserved them to demonstrate His superiority and power.

It has been interesting to get the takes of different voices in the media as to the nature of the man that committed this act of servitude to an evil mindset. They mostly consider him to be a ‘nut-job’, just some crazy person who had lost control altogether. He is just a man who sadly stepped away from the normal world the rest of us live in out of frustration and extreme anger, something that is very far from what anyone else might fall into. In reality, though, the whole of society is so much closer to that man than they could ever know. The passage above from I John 5 clearly states that the whole world lies in wickedness, that unless one has gotten in to Christ, they are in to something that cannot have a good end. There may be an extended period when it is difficult for even those close to them know what’s going on, but as long as what they’re in to is not Him, there is continual progress being made towards destruction and an eternal tragedy.

To the question of whether or not one can be moral without God, there is a stated answer that each life will inevitably make. It may be possible to cover it up with smiles and ‘moral’ actions for some time, but if what you’re in to is not Him, it cannot be right and it cannot be true, and it cannot forever be concealed. It will some day be shown for what it really is- wicked. I’m so glad that there can be renewed confidence in the face of the events that would shake the world. It is possible to know that what you’re in to is so far removed from the world’s instability. To be in Christ is to be in to the truth that will set completely free from the tragic destiny of any life that is out of Him. To be in to Him is to be clothed in righteousness and established upon an eternal Rock of truth. A life that is in to Him is a life that will ultimately make a statement of His love, mercy and faithfulness that can never be found ‘in’ any other pursuit.

13 Then He went up the hill; and those whom He Himself chose He called, and they came to Him.
Mark 3:13 (WEY)

19 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.
John 5:19-21 (ASV)

I really didn’t realize what was going on at the time, because often I failed to regard what Mom and Dad were doing as all that significant. Growing up, they were making Godly choices, though, with regard to every aspect of our lives- the way we dressed, talked, spent our money, ate, had fun and worshiped God. While there were certain overall choices that were not left up to us (where we would live, whether or not we would go to church, how we treated each other), there were many things, like toys to play with, books to read, and friends to hang out with, that they let us choose on our own, within reason. Though many areas of choice were left to us, there were always examples being lived out before us in the lives of our parents that greatly influenced our perspective and ultimate choices in all of these areas. Whenever any life choice is being made even to this day, there is an internal reference being made to what Mom or Dad would do in that situation. Though the choices are completely mine, there are very few areas that haven’t been touched in some way by what was and is being seen in my parents.

Something that has also been so precious with regard to my parents through the years is their complete support and encouragement of major choices I’ve made. Though I’m sure they’ve not been without some very strong feelings about where I’ve gone and what I’ve done, they’ve never dictated to me exactly what it was I should do. They just continued to live out an example before me. My successes and failures haven’t been due to their dictation, but theirs has always been a great example of the way to a righteous and Godly life.

In pursuit of a God who is wisdom and holds all of creation in His hand, it can seem like He should dictate to us our every move and every choice. I found it interesting, though, in these two passages about Jesus, that the choice of who he would hang out with and to whom He would give life was totally up to Him. I had always understood what Jesus said here to mean that He would somehow get His direction for every move by what He got directly from His Father for that moment. It clearly says, though, that Jesus confidently made choices according to His own will after observing how His Father made choices. I believe the Father was completely in support of every choice made by Jesus according to His own will, and in fact the final act of Jesus with regard to His death on the cross was even left up to Him. There was an overriding purpose, but the details were left up to Him, although He could do nothing without being influenced by the incredible example of His Father. Though choices were His alone, their success had everything to do with His exposure to what He saw so consistently in the One He passionately loved.

There are so many choices to be made. Every day is full of decisions that will determine our success or failure in life. Though there will be times when the overall purpose for our life in Christ may necessitate something that we wouldn’t necessarily like, most of the time there can be great confidence in knowing our choices are supported and encouraged by the One who knows our every move. Rather than dictating every move to us, He wants to be the example of wisdom that is ever before us to be observed and emulated. The sounds produced by the student musician’s movements and expression will always be his alone, but how much greater their opportunity for beauty when there has been intense instruction from and observation of the virtuoso. So our way can be in ‘like manner’ as His, bringing glory to and directly reflecting the One who has been our great and ever-present example.

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Tim 3:1 (KJV)

There is great power in this news. For the wise and equipped there is motivation and inspiration for preparation. On the other hand, for the skeptic caught up in the pleasures and goings on of this life, there will only be despair, loss and servitude. In the peril is an opportunity like none other for either an abundant victorious harvest or an overwhelming defeat and loss of freedom.

37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Gen 41:37-39 (KJV)

Responding only to dreams that were said to be messages from God, Pharaoh took the news of a coming drought to heart and spent the next seven years in preparing as Joseph counseled him. Because of this response to a simple warning supported by nothing more than a nightmare, Egypt was equipped to not only survive, but to prosper beyond what any could have imagined. By simply acknowledging the communication of God and acting for an extended period of time (without further confirmation of that initial contact) as if it were true, preservation was enabled and the potential destructive power of the perilous time was turned into a time of increase and expansion. Long before the first dry summer, the wisdom and action of a God-impressed man turned peril into prosperity.

Even before Pharaoh’s dream, though, Joseph’s wisdom and understanding equipped him in a relationship with God to recognize and interpret His communication. It was all those years of preparation, from the moment of his brothers’ rejection as a boy until he stood before Pharaoh at 30 years of age that enabled Joseph to deliver a nation. It was his faithfulness in daily prayer before his God that equipped him to hear and respond to the voice of the One with the answer. Much action was subsequently necessary, but Joseph had long before understood the power of impending peril to either destroy or promote. Every time he had kept his face towards his God in the middle of apparent loss he had found preservation and provision there.

It seems that there is a natural tendency for the seriousness of the preparation to follow the first raindrop or the first summer with the lack of one. Though Noah preached for years about what was to come, it wasn’t until the doors were closed that those who had heard him decided to act on his warning. If Pharaoh had waited until the dryness of a summer to heed Joseph’s counsel it would have been too late. Though there is more than ample warning coming to America and the world of a coming peril, there is still a reticence to enter the arc before the doors close. For those, though, who have done something other than despair in the challenges of life, for the ones who have set their face towards God, there will not only be a refuge found there in Him, but an opportunity to make His goodness available to all who will but come to Him before it’s too late.

Worship and prayer are optional until what they have prepared is the only salvation.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1 Peter 4:7 (KJV)

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 2 Tim 1:9-10 (KJV)

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 2 Tim 1:14 (KJV)

Of all that’s been given to you, what do you still keep around? Why are certain things singled out to be kept, and in what condition are they kept?

I tend to have great difficulty parting with little items that were given by certain people who have held a significant place in my life. Though I may never really use them, there is a tendency to keep them in a drawer or at least in a box in the attic. So many things that, while good themselves, are really kept around because of sentimental reasons rather than practical ones. Though they may never be unearthed for years, there is a connection to the heart that disallows them getting the trip to Goodwill.

There are other items that may have been received as gifts, but are also directly connected to a life purpose. They are kept around, but not necessarily in a long-forgotten place under the bed or in the closet. They are in a place where they are frequently seen or where they are quickly and easily accessed. I remember one such item like this was a digital metronome I received from my parents when I was studying the guitar in college. I had been using an old mechanical one that never quite kept an even click going. One side of the pendulum’s swing was slightly shorter than the other, making it a bit of a challenge to practice scales evenly. This new digital version, however, came with a flashing light, an audible click, an A-440 pitch, a simple knob to adjust the tempo, and a perfectly timed click. I was so thrilled with this gift and it became a companion of mine through many hours of practice, partly because it was a gift from my parents, but very specifically because it was a part of my life’s purpose. I still have it around, although my children’s use of it has moved it to various places in the home. Whenever it is seen or used it still represents not only an expression of love from my parents, but a direct contribution to a developed purpose in me. Because of this, there is a strong passion for its preservation.

Of all the incredible things of eternal value that are simply gifts of love to us from the Father, which ones are readily accessed and which ones are under a pile of other, yet to be discarded items in the attic? While all of them are good and of incredible significance, it would seem that the requirements of sentimentality and practicality would hold true for them as well. The greater the relationship with the One who gave them and the more they apply to life’s purpose, the more they will not only exist within our possession somewhere, but actually receive use on a regular basis. Partaking of what He has provided and fulfilling a purpose with the right tools will have everything to do with passionate pursuit of His presence and the purpose that is only found in identification with Christ. Otherwise, no matter how ‘good’ they are all the time, they will be somewhere hidden behind something and no more than a casual remembrance and part of an impractical accumulation of stuff. A worship life will reveal so much goodness that was there all along, but just required a priority elevation found only in pursuit of the Father’s face.

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Psalms 22:1-3 (KJV)
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Psalms 22:25-26 (KJV)

Kim and I recently attended a ministry time for pastors at an established and effectively producing church. We got there a little early and had the opportunity to be a part of a prayer time and meet the senior pastor of the church. What made this event particularly significant for me was that several things had occurred on the way to the event that directly challenged our resolve to go on. Because of some very personal and devastating attacks, we were greatly tempted to just turn around and forget the whole thing. There was reason to question the validity of our most precious possession as threats to His presence became magnified, causing a feeling of great solitude and separation. Even with these things heavy upon our minds and hearts, however, we determined to go ahead and make our way to the gathering.

It was the question from the pastor upon our initial greeting that awoke something inside and brought an opening for light once again. He asked us how we were doing. Now, for us at that particular moment, there was a battle of thoughts to determine exactly what a truthful response should be. Right at the front of the mind was a long list of reasons for despair and discouragement, which should have honestly rendered a sorrowful and negative response. Confronted by this question, though, there was this shifting of the mind from those things to the favor side of our circumstances. The question from a brother in Christ brought a return to the answer and provision side of our circumstances. Though we would go on to relate some of our most challenging considerations, there were words of encouragement from him (and from us) that elevated the ever-present solution in Christ above the isolating effect of the fearful thoughts.

We would go on to gain much valuable information from the sessions that would follow, but in that gathering there was something else that took place even though there wasn’t a single song sung or note played- worship. The name of the Lord was raised and His presence was acknowledged above the dominance of circumstances. This was something that took place as a direct result of our coming together with other believers, where we were compelled to abandon the lonely place for the warmth of His loving favor. We weren’t just being hypocrites that were pretending something around others that wasn’t real somewhere else. We were letting what was real in the congregation affect the illusion of defeat the enemy was using to take our victory and make our God seem far away. Together with others He was seen as near once again.

Alone and apart from the body, there will be great opportunities to abandon the vows, to give up on the commitments, and to lose sight of the One who has done so much to be right there next to us and before us. But, in the congregation of those who fear Him, there will be an opportunity for humility to rise with the lifted praise and for the light of His presence to remove the darkness, revealing the good that was there all along. Something that might not have been possible alone will become inevitable in the sanctuary as the song of despair is transformed into the song of triumph and victory.