Zechariah 4:6-7 KJV
(6)  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
(7)  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Romans 8:4 KJV
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

There is a force and an advantage in sports that’s referred to as the “home-field advantage”. This is when the sheer number of fans and the volume of cheering they produce creates an atmosphere of victory, enabling a team beyond the limitations of their natural ability. Schools often have a ‘Spirit Week’ where pep rallies and decorations attempt to create a conquering spirit in their team prior to a home game. Whether or not they succeed in winning the game, there is definitely an edge given to those players by the infusion of the spirit of victory that inspires and motivates to excellence.

The power of this energy was felt in a recent game between two Texas college football teams. Although one of them was ranked number one in the country, when they began the game at the home field of the lower ranked team there was such an overwhelming force in and around the spirit of the home team that it really didn’t matter how well number one had performed in the past. Where they had executed with precision in every prior game, nothing seemed to go well for them in the face of the victory spirit they were up against. On the other hand, the home team had to do more than just be excited about how great all the cheers declared them to be. They had to actually go out on the field and let that home field advantage be applied to their actions. To actually subdue their opponent it would take a combination of preparation, skill and spirit for there to be an addition for them in the win column. Though the visiting team managed to come back in the second half, the power of the initial rush of team spirit proved enough to secure a win for the home team once again.

It might seem as if we’re in the enemy’s stadium with the crowd noise so loud we can’t hear the quarterback’s voice calling the play, but there is a way for the crowd to be silenced and for the home field advantage to be taken back. “..When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19) We have a significant advantage in the power of the Spirit to be encouraged, strengthened and inspired to rise up to incredible victory and triumph in Him. Where He is allowed to fill and overflow, He will cheer us on and cause that insurmountable mountain to become a plain before us. Then, rather than sitting back wishing things were different, we can rise in the power of the spirit to execute the plays, sling the stone, run through a troop and leap over the wall- actually acting like the victor we’ve been made to be in Christ.

What a gift we’ve been given, to be able to pray in the Spirit and allow this overcoming force to rise, enabling, empowering, and building us up in our most holy faith. May it not be that this incredible gift is left unused and discarded, but may it be that the winning spirit of the home field advantage is taken back in an atmosphere of praise and worship, where negativity and defeat are completely displaced by the cheers of faith and conquering power. Victory is imminent where the Spirit’s standard has been raised in heart’s impressed by His invincibility. Pray on.

John 5:24 KJV
(24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:43 KJV
(43) I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

I saw an episode of Andy Griffith last night, one of those later ones after they went to color and a rare one that I hadn’t yet seen. I actually didn’t get to see the whole thing, but came in on a scene where Aunt Bee and two of her friends were in the middle of a quarrel at a purse stand in Mexico. They were apparently on a trip there together and though lifetime friends, they were discovering how difficult traveling together can be. What made this particular quarrel interesting, though, was the price of this purse they all wanted. While they were bickering about who saw it first, who really wanted it first, and finally who wouldn’t even consider taking it after all this, the price of the purse was going from 70 pesos to 20 pesos. The desperate Mexican vendor was doing his best to make the purse a great deal for whichever lady would disengage from the quarrel and their pride long enough to believe in the bargain of the purse itself. Though they would reconcile their friendships sometime after returning home, the very thing that could have been a great deal for one or all of them turned into a stumbling block in their relationship. The scene ended with the vendor starting up again with another potential buyer and me wondering how anyone could be walking away from such a great deal. If only they could have heard the voice of the purse salesman long enough to believe in the purse value over the intensity of their own conflict.

Trading death for life really doesn’t have any comparable on the bargain table of life. To miss out on condemnation and get in on everlasting life is really the opportunity of a million lifetimes. How could anyone get caught up in disputing over the very bargain itself then and, out of pride and self-centeredness walk away from receiving and living in the fullness of its blessing? If only focus on conflicting circumstances could be averted long enough to hear the Master’s voice and believe in the goodness of His Father, the incredible value offered could be possessed, with price already paid, and direct delivery as part of the deal. Jesus is calling out today with a message of goodness and favor. For all of us, even those who’ve had a lifetime relationship with Him, there will be a choice today to turn away from the distractions of life that would awaken pride and self seeking, and listen intently to the voice of the One proclaiming the value of an eternity. How could anyone pass up a deal like this for the trivial and temporary? Why not believe in Him over any other voice, no matter how persuasive or demanding?

Proverbs 8:34-36 KJV
(34)  Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
(35)  For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
(36)  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

So, according to this passage, just failing to pursue wisdom or actively seeking it out is the same as sinning against or hating it.

I had this friend who, when I first met him appeared to be somewhat of a classy guy- you know, someone who you might see in a shiny sports car with a fresh detail and a smooth sounding and well cared-for engine. It was a little bit revealing then when I finally came upon him together with the car he actually drove. It was an older Honda sedan minus hub caps and plus a layer of film and bird droppings. I immediately began to try and resolve this somehow with my first impression, considering that maybe the car first of all had to be parked under a heavily bird populated tree at his work place, or maybe he was just driving it as a borrowed car while his real possession was being worked on. The more I discovered about his relationship with his car, however, I came to feel that he just really didn’t care that much for it- maybe even hated it a bit. Surely anyone that cared the least for their vehicle would give it a scrub down once in a while and do something about that loose muffler and rumbly engine. Maybe with time and a few scratches here and there the passion had worn off to the point of neglect, but without question, the love just wasn’t there now whether or not it had ever been.

Now, this is quite different from the obvious affection expressed for the cars of my neighbor across the street. His cars aren’t the latest models or the fanciest, but he faithfully gives them a detailed bath at least once a week. It’s not just a squirt with the hose, either, but a real soap and water, towel down and tire dressing that gives you the impression his cars really mean something to him. What is also interesting about the love shown to his vehicles is that it directly reflects on his own well being and character. The consistency and faithfulness towards his cars is just a part what contributes to the quality of life and fulfillment that he seems to experience as a whole. His care in this one area is just a reflection of the love and appreciation he apparently has for life itself. From the time he first took possession, whether the car was brand new or second hand, it had never become an object of obvious neglect defining hate. His care of and pursuit of its maintenance had never diminished in the least, and it, as a result continues to provide him with a well running and beautiful means of transportation.

We’ve come into possession of a vehicle that will take us through the most difficult terrain of life to a prosperous and victorious destination. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says that in Christ we’ve been given what is also referred to here in Proverbs, wisdom. Like the car in the driveway, however, our feelings toward this wisdom will be directly reflected in how actively we pursue its care. How often does this treasure of such incredible potential get neglected and covered up with built up grime and road debris without just a little TLC from a caring hand? While it will produce blessing for the one who listens to its warnings and directives, there will only be trouble and breakdown for the soul that ignores its needs and leaves untended its requirements. Why not experience the fullness of life and development of character that is inevitable in the care and love of wisdom? Hate for it will require no effort at all, but will be declared by its obvious neglect, while love for it will equally be declared by the blessing and beauty it will bring to all of life in the favor of the Lord.

Psalms 27:13-14 KJV
(13)  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

It reminds me of the Price Is Right game, where there is an opportunity to make a choice that will potentially impact your life. It’s your choice. Three doors are waiting to be chosen and behind each one there is a completely different set of possibilities. For the one who chooses wisely there will be a song to be sung somewhat like David’s here in the 27th Psalm, while choosing the other options will result in a much less favorable outcome.

This is similar to me because belief is a choice, the result of our decision to align our emotions and passions behind a particular option. We are presented each day with a large list of optional beliefs, one of which is to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. To dwell on Him, believing in His goodness and His mercy, will result in a strengthened and renewed spirit, while any other option that excludes Jesus will eventually result in a weakened and fainting state of being. While there may be much evidence to verify an alternate belief, for the one who has found their life in Christ, a place will always exist in the heart where belief in Him has come to stay. As the other options come loudly barging in to cast doubt upon the real source of life in Christ, there will always be this secret place of refuge to which the heart may escape and be renewed once again by choosing Him as its belief. Completely subject to the power of our choice, behind each belief door that opens to Him is an entrance into life’s abundance and salvation’s fulfillment.

Much more that singing some songs and reading a few scriptures, our time together is a joint choice of believing to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Where there may be a feeling of weakness or despair, where an enemy may have come to dislodge and cause havoc and defeat, there is an opportunity to greatly alter our future by choosing to see something far superior and much more fulfilling. Rather than vigorously embracing belief in those old bothersome pests, we set our sights on the Author and the Finisher of our faith, choosing to wait on and believe in Him.

Romans 2:7 KJV
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Patience is a funny thing. It’s not something that you necessarily just have or don’t have, because it really depends upon the activity for which it is needed. It lives or dies based upon care and passion.

My experience with video games is miniscule compared with that of my children, and especially that of my two sons. The first video game I can remember was the pong game where you would move this little virtual paddle up and down to meet a moving dot or ball. It didn’t take a great deal of skill, but we did find ourselves playing it for what my parents probably thought were long periods of time. I then played the Donky Kong game with the tumbling barrels for a while when I was traveling with my sister and her family, sometimes staying up till all hours of the night trying to get that crazy monkey through the highest level. This pretty much makes up the bulk of my gaming experience, though we did get a game for our oldest son when he was quite young, thinking that we would get to learn it ourselves. Before I could really get any learning time on it, though, Haydn had already taken possession of it, quickly surpassing my best efforts. It was an immediate passion for him and he became quite skillful at a variety of games, playing them for however many hours it took to master the highest levels. Many times I attempted playing, but most of the time it quickly became something for which I had very little patience. I just couldn’t seem to care about it or desire its mastery enough to devote the time needed to learn all the lever motions and game specific commands. Though I enjoy being with my sons, I just do not have the patience for the games- usually just end up falling asleep while watching them play.

So, my sons have this ability (patience) to spend countless hours battling a virtual enemy while I can’t even make it through the first phase. They, on the other hand, have no patience for the thing that has occupied the bulk of my skill acquisition- classical guitar playing. When I first started learning, every lesson or piece my teacher would give me to practice would become an obsession for me. I would practice it carefully, measure by measure until it was mastered and then proceed to something beyond what he had given me. The passion I had for producing music with this beautiful instrument was something for which time and difficulty were only part of the process, something for which I definitely had the patience. I would eventually learn more involved and intricate pieces that would require extended periods of time to memorize, but its required patience really wasn’t an issue for me; it was my passion. I eventually discovered, however, that I could not force my sons to expend the same effort and discipline into the guitar as I did. Their patience was active for the games, not the guitar, while mine was visa versa.

Patience is also a requirement that goes right along with experiencing the life of abundance and blessing that is ours in Christ. There will be a need for continuing in well doing or walking in righteousness, something that for some might be like my gaming patience or my sons’ guitar practicing patience. Where the doing isn’t well, though, and the walk isn’t righteous, there is but a need for patience and the passion that drives and motivates it. It might be possible to inspire this passion through motivational stories and talks of promised blessing, but the real patience enabling passion that will inspire continuance through the hardest game and the most difficult piece is Jesus Himself. Acquired in times of worship of and fellowship with Him this passion and desire to please Him will transform any prolonged well doing into a privileged time in serving Him- an act of worship. For the one who has discovered the adventure and exhilaration of life in Christ, patience is a non-issue, just a part of the honored process.

James 1:2-4 KJV
(2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Isaiah 14:24-27 KJV
(24)  The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
(25)  That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
(26)  This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
(27)  For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

There has been an incredible amount of attention given to the declared intended purpose of two men in recent months. To have listened much at all to revelations about their character, vision for this country, and ability to lead us out of some present difficult times to a better way was to have been drawn into a deep conviction that only one of them should be chosen (or neither of them). My experience with similar contests of the past is that this sets a large group of people up for a great deal of disappointment clouded in fear over where our country will end up in the hands of the dreaded opponent. But also, for the remaining bunch who are sent into soaring realms of ecstasy over what they see as the necessary victory of their hero there is an ascent to a very precipitous position from which they will some day surely find themselves falling. For both camps that have placed their hopes and dreams in the success of their candidate, there is an inevitable realization that the ‘one’ they’ve chosen has or will let them down. Whether failing to win out in popularity or successfully implementing their promised improvement without scandal or accidental mishap, there is one surety for all who’ve experienced this, our most recent ‘most important and historical’ election- disappointment and unfulfilled purpose. To have lost a contest is especially unnerving, but the real contest is only beginning for the ‘victor’. There has never been one in our past who has failed to fail in some way, bringing great disappointment to all those who once rejoiced and believed in the hope of his proclaimed purpose.

There is something of great comfort and solace for each and every one of us, though, both for now and in the coming months and years. There really is One who’s purpose is to provide exactly what is needed for deliverance, provision, and freedom, and while words of human contestants can be just that- words with no real ability to fulfill, we have a father who’s Word will never return void, who will accomplish all He has spoken without failure or disappointment. It may appear that one view or one human plan has won out over another, but our God has purposed a purpose that is being accomplished even now through all the characters involved, both ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. While consideration of His purpose has not been top priority in recent political discussions, other than the obligatory “God bless America”, it is exactly His purpose that is working through each one of the characters involved, and it will be His purpose that is ultimately accomplished. Each and every office holder with their declared purpose is really just a part of what God will use to accomplish His purpose. If He’s got something in mind, no one will stand in His way or come close to disannulling His purpose.

So many of our passions and life decisions are driven by a need for relief and security and a desire to succeed and be productive. In choosing a candidate, hope is placed upon how he can affect this, how his touch will mend, restore and bless, but the only touch that will successfully remove the yoke that is felt in any society is the anointing of Almighty God. The choice for well placed hope in Him will never result in disillusionment whether a chosen human leader has failed to win office or the ‘victorious history maker’ is discovering how difficult it is to keep every single promise. Hope in Him never has cause for dimming or questioning of the decision to choose His way, and for the one fortunate enough to have made Him their choice, their candidate, their hero, there is no failure here on earth that will dislodge the confident assurance that God’s purpose is coming to pass, no matter how circumstances might declare otherwise. No matter who fills an office in our government there is only One who fills the office of our hope, and prayers can go out in faith to Him for all the fallible ones, knowing that they will be most useful in fulfilling His purpose.

Isaiah 10:27 KJV
(27)  And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Romans 8:28 KJV
(28)  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

John 4:9-10 KJV
(9)  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
(10)  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

There are so many reasons for a breakdown of communication. Based upon status, career choice, family name, race, sports team affiliation, religion, or which side of town you live on, there can be a distaste for dealing with someone of a differing orientation. It’s like there is a continual categorization of people we encounter based upon their appearance and a preconceived stereotype we’ve developed by life’s influences. Having not even met someone of a certain group, there can be a specific reaction towards them based upon a specific bias. A child’s parent will refuse to even acknowledge the parent of a child from an opposing team, while the devotee to one political candidate will end a friendship with someone favoring the opposing candidate. Getting past these barriers can be most difficult even when there is an incredibly great potential for the relationship.
Our experience with the Father can be plagued with a similar challenge as our perception of Him can be negatively influenced by what has taken place in another’s life or just our own life’s circumstances. As He approaches with a request for us to give to Him out of our life’s resource, there can be a reticence to make this sacrifice until there is a revelation of just who this really is to whom we’re speaking. In worship there is an opportunity for this to take place as a song, a scripture and a prayer make way for Him to be magnified in our sights and experienced as the faithful good God that He has been and will always be. If it can only be known what He wants to pour into our life, our reticence will be transformed into prayers of faith for the living water that will come from Him in a time of communion free of distorted barriers or misperceptions. There is a way today past the wall to the water.

James 1:23-25 KJV
(23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
(24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
(25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

What could be better than liberty and the blessed and prosperous deeds that come from living in it? Why would anyone even consider letting their eyes drift the slightest to gander on anything else? And yet, this is exactly what is done as eyes that were once fixed on freedom and liberty are distracted in their gaze to behold something that is packaged up so nice and pretty, but is really just a debilitating trap. Liberty yields blessed and prosperity producing acts as long as it is the focus, while the allure of a blessing without working for it is really just a fixation on well disguised bondage. Once the heart is given in its gaze to this facade, it will yield itself to a life that insists on a right to something for which the required work has never been expended. This eventually leads to an ending of blessing at all as what is seen as the source for relief and promotion is really just the chains for restricting bondage.

The Venus Fly Trap looks like an abundant source of blessed nectar to the insect in search of an easy meal, but as soon as it lands within the wide open and receptive leaves of the plant it finds itself sealed off immediately from the freedom it once knew. Sponges living in the ocean depths similarly have an attractive and nonthreatening appearance, but for the small creature that is lured close to them there is a complete loss of liberty and life as they become hooked or stuck to the organism that eventually sucks their life from them. The society that is drawn in by the enticing allure of security and care provided by a ‘benevolent’ and ‘understanding’ government is a society that will eventually find itself in the clutches of a restricting force that will extract its very life substance and productivity. To be drawn at any time from an insistent and persistent gaze upon liberty and its active pursuit is to discover the tragedy of that enticement’s great expense- the loss of freedom’s life.

Liberty for our nation has been bought with the blood of thousands of men on the battle field, while liberty for our souls has been bought and paid for by the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What heartbreak for either to be given up and sacrificed for any well dressed image of something better. This day has great potential in the productive purpose for which we were created, and only in the continual gaze upon the law of liberty that makes us who we really are will this be realized. To turn away to embrace a pretense of any alternative experiment will only compromise the complete and total liberty that enables, empowers, inspires and motivates us as the free. May liberty be where we remain in this and in every coming day as we gaze on into its perfect law.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (ISV)
But thanks be to God! He always leads us triumphantly in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of knowing him.

There are certain people that, if followed will always lead to a victory, to the goal achieved- to triumph. Now, the way to that victory may have some pretty difficult terrain, but if the leader is only followed, one can be quite certain that success is inevitable.

When my brother and I set out to climb mount Kilimanjaro several years ago, we were assigned a porter, or guide. The trail to the top of the mountain started in jungle-like landscape and extended over 20 miles up the huge mountain, most of it above timberline. We might have been able to eventually find our way to the top, but we could have also very easily lost our way altogether as there were many forks along the path. There was also the fact that most of the way was up, which meant difficult. In fact, the last portion was almost straight up over volcanic gravel. Without the direction and encouragement of our experienced porter, we definitely might have chosen a more horizontal option, maybe even just stretched out for a little r & r. We did make it to the top, however, which was inevitable as long as we kept following our faithful leader. At any point along the way, when the going got extremely difficult we could also be most grateful for the comfort in knowing that every step in the footsteps of our leader was a step towards our goal.

Our Redeemer has already won an incredible victory, and He’s done it on our behalf. He is headed even now towards a summit that is far above the clouds overlooking all that might have been so difficult to ascend. For all who will but follow, there can be so much gratitude for the fact that no matter how difficult the terrain, every step is taking us ever closer to the ultimate triumph in Him. In fact ever step that follows His leading is a step that is itself victorious. Through rejection, persecution, discouragement, and an incredible amount of opposition, if we’ll not take any alternate route and just never quit following, triumph is a continual possession. He’s always leading us there.

Zechariah 13:9 KJV
(9) And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

There was a time in our not too distant past when discovering gold in the mountains of the West caused a great rush of those seeking to become rich. While some were successful, there were far more that ended up putting a lot of effort into a venture that yielded very little value. It took more than just an eye for the shiny to obtain the substance of worth, and while many rocks out there that might appear to be pretty, they would never be able to stand the test of fire. Many novices were taken in by a substance call iron pyrite. It was quickly and readily seen lying in river bottoms where it could be collected in large amounts. I remember an episode of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ where Laura and Jonah spend a great deal of time and effort collecting a large cache of this from a stream, while carefully trying to preserve the secrecy of their discovery. They finally loaded it all up on a cart and took it with great excitement and anticipation to the bank to deposit for what they expected to be an incredible price. At first glance, however, the banker knew that their ‘treasure’ was worth no more than the sand from which it had been extracted. While their efforts had been notable, their lack of understanding and wisdom with regard to gold had left them with no value at all for their piled up ‘treasure’. They had learned the difficult lesson that it would not necessarily be the bright and noticed that would test positive in the fire, but more often the less obvious and even possibly dull in appearance.

All around us, surely more today than at any time in history, there is an extreme amount of enticing and shining ‘gold’ on display. It is most impressive to look at, and there is even a certain amount of gratification in wearing it around. The vast majority of this gold, however, is ‘fool’s gold’, the kind that will be melted off when the heat of life is applied. Showing up in the form of sharply discounted consumer items, dressed up and well spoken leadership or companionship, mood and perception altering substances, engaging means of entertainment such as movies, sports and video games, and status enhancing occupations, they sparkle and compel to come experience and possess the treasure they appear to be. There is, though, a time coming that will reveal their true substance, when the temperature rises and they are proven to be real or not. All the time and effort devoted to their promise of fulfillment will be shown to be of real value or of no worth at all. In the end it won’t just be those who’ve been able to notice and obtain the shiny and sparkly stuff that are going to remain prosperous. It will be those who have learned to be drawn to what might not initially flash the most or bang the loudest, but last the most in the blaze of the fire.

Today we’re all on a prospecting venture that will either yield a pure, heat resistant substance before the refiner’s fire or meaningless run-off. The more the real is known the more quickly the ‘fool’s’ stuff will be discarded as wisdom and understanding guide towards the way of eternal prosperity and treasure in Christ. The time and effort given to acquiring the gift of life in Him may displace many of those meaningless shiny items that used to occupy our past, but when all else has been burned up or melted off, pure and enhanced in value will remain all that has been stored up in Him. The way we’ve chosen today will be proven in the end- pure or shiny junk?

Job 23:10 KJV
(10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.