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.

Where there is great mental deftness, there is great potential for production and technical advancement. For all the accumulation of knowledge, however, there is no capacity to actually do what is right where there is no heart after God. Regimes and kingdoms through the ages have attempted governance using various methods from dictator to republic. To win an election or to be born into royalty does not directly result in a person who is capable of right decisions. When it comes to right and wrong, the mind might be helpful, but the heart will be the compass. Where there has been exposure of that heart to the Holy One it will be possible for a right choice to be made, but where evil has been harbored to the exclusion of His face, there will be no opportunity for righteous wisdom to preside. Out of the heart will flow the direction of the mind’s focus and the mouth’s declarations and directives. Try as they may, the administration that separates itself from the acknowledgement of the presence of God, is the one that will be attempting the building of a house on sand. Only the heart can bring the stability that is a foundational requisite and only in a passionate pursuit of God’s face can there be any wisdom displayed from a heart secured in Him.

For some reason there is a persistent determination in men to rise above the archaic ‘simplicity’ of those who have followed in the ways of their Creator. No matter the overall success resulting from founders who established order at the inspiration of the Spirit, minds tend to follow a path that leads away from a God-exposed heart. Somehow philosophies arise that determine it is better to trust in man than in God. It is better to be taken care of by a king, a dictator, or a government than to diligently put your trust in God. Rather than reaching for those God given abilities inside and drawing from the value they will produce, there is great incentive established to rely totally on the benevolence of an establishment that has no counsel from the One who designed us for a righteous end. To validate and somehow cover all the bases, the documentation for their proclamations accumulates to excessive size that makes it beyond comprehension or compliance. The way of the right, however, will require much less clarification and cover-up as His ways go directly to a solution that requires no repairs.

Where there has been a dimming of hearts to the clarity of God’s face, where tenderness to the presence of Jesus has never been or has waned, may there be an exposure that captures the heart. May there be a revelation of glory that surpasses the limitations of mental strategies and brings an introduction of the heart to the only place where right choices can be made. In us and in them may the way be found that leads upward towards the light of righteousness with its ever-fruitful end.

Luke 10:21 ASV In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

If only you could control everyone with whom your child comes in contact. As soon as there is any interaction with others at school, on the playground, or at friends’ houses, there is an opportunity for them to begin seeing things from a different point of view. They may seem to be wonderful little creatures with happy faces and pure motives and actions until, magically, there is some objectionable word used or some errant behavior displayed that was never there until they were around ‘Judy’ or ‘Johnny’. Their perceptions, how they see life, and their ability to do right have everything to do with who they’re seeing. The choice of friends will have everything to do with the choice of right and wrong.

I had this friend who lived in the house right across the alley from us in Castle Rock. He was a charming young man whom I looked up to and from whom I was a given a perspective that was quite different from that which I’d been given in our home. He showed me how to emulate smoking with the smoke from matches. I went with his family to the pool hall on Main Street. (just wasn’t the type of place we would normally frequent) From him I also learned how to fail at putting out a fire in the vacant lot next to the church and how to hide while the Fire Department put the fire out. I’m sure there were additional words, attitudes, and behaviors that were shown to me as a result of the moments spent with the neighbor boy, and I’m sure there were a great many of them that would never have been learned if my Dad had been there with us. Somehow his presence always seemed to make things look much different. It still does.

So what is it about babes that qualifies them to see certain things that cannot be seen by the ‘wise and understanding’, and how is it that Jesus directed in Matthew 18:3 for us to become as little children? It would seem that acquiring wisdom and understanding were the reasons for partaking of the fruit in the garden and the only way Adam and Eve could have come up with this notion was by hanging out with the neighborhood snake. What took them from their childlike innocence and stripped them of their ability to behold God in His glory had everything to do with who they were beholding. Even though God knew what they were up to and could see their actions and the motives of their hearts, somehow their focus on the serpent and his enticing words caused them to lose sight of their Father’s face. Their ability to choose correctly was greatly altered by their newfound maturity and they completely lost sight of the higher ways of God’s heart. If somehow they could have kept His image before them their encounter with temptation would have left them no less innocent and still completely childlike.

I’m so grateful that there is a way back to the innocence, that there is a rebirth that makes the Father’s face and His presence and His ways visible to even those of us who have left physical childhood long ago. In seeking His face early, in keeping it continually before the eyes, there is an awakening of those eyes to those things that will only be seen by those who are His babes, His children. When the neighborhood faces rise with propositions of various considerations, the pure fixation on the face of the Father will preserve the purity and innocence provided in redemption and keep the eyes clear to what He desires to reveal to His children.

It’s almost magical what can be done with multi-media, lights, sound and action. That’s pretty much what we’re looking for these days, too – or so we’re told. The best use of all these will surely make the best impression and fulfill the great commission most effectively. Our culture is geared to the high tech and will never show up to a place where this appetite is not met.

Ok, they show up, but for what? What happens when there is another need other than that entertainment hunger, like healing, deliverance, restored relationships, or finances? For this woman that Jesus met she might have been impressed with a band they could have put together or maybe a nice banner show, but the real heart starter and belief transformer was the demonstration of a power beyond any earthly planning or human creativity. There was a display of His power to meet her right at the point of her heart’s breaking with a remedy. You might wonder how many brainstorming sessions Jesus had with His disciples about ministry growth and how to keep them coming back, but it would seem that these supernatural manifestations of His power alone provided the necessary drawing power of a heart connection to someone who could meet them at their greatest needs.

There are marketing firms and training sessions, along with books of ‘fishing’ methods and organizational leadership, but for all the preparation of man there is but one presentation that will truly turn a heart from a path to destruction. Only when there is an encounter with a superior power that exists specifically for their good and for their salvation, will there be a true conversion of the heart. Mental agreement and gratified flesh may produce a popular social gathering, but all the ‘successful’ plans for expansion and exposure will ultimately be rendered superfluous and insignificant if, upon arrival at the gathering there is never a life-transforming encounter with the Worker of Miracles.

Each gift is so precious and useful in bringing relevance of the Gospel’s message to a tech culture in need of an eternal heavenly impression. In all who have experienced the breath of life and its supernatural transformation there is great potential to reveal to a needy world just how real and pertinent our God truly is. There is an anointing and flow of the same power that raised Jesus Himself from the grave that is residing in all who have embraced His offer of life. Through gifts of music, art, governance and proclamation, there will be a wide variety of means for His power to be demonstrated, but when these gifts are utilized and when the people show, may they encounter the One who provided those gifts and may much more than just their minds and flesh be impressed by each gift’s display. It will be Jesus’ glory and His touch that bring the changes each heart is longing for. Through all that is said and all that is done, may what He did be the subject of conversations. Where He is exposed in His power and might, there will be an irresistible draw to His love and His light.

There was a time a few months ago when a man or woman showing up on the porch was not a welcome sight for the owner of most homes. A severe storm had passed through and following that storm had been a barrage of repair salesmen, intent on profiting from the storm’s damage. Unless this person was expected as the result of a request made on the phone, there wasn’t a willingness to accept another sales pitch from someone who would not take ‘no’ for an answer. No matter how flashy the flyer and how flowery the promise, there was just an expression of suspicion rather than acceptance on the face of the would-be customer. If, however, enough conversation could be made and a foot could get through the front door, an opportunity would be made for the owner to find out if their needs could really be met. The longer the stay with the owner actually offering water or some food, the greater the reception and more sure was the probability of a sale. Until the door was opened, though, and an invitation made, it wouldn’t really matter how great the company or their offer of restoration, their representative would just be taking a walk to the next house on the street.

Something really quite incredible had been presented to Manoah’s wife. She would bear a child that would be a Nazarite, someone who God would use to deliver Israel from their enemies. Though this person that showed up on the porch appeared to be a man of God, the couple was unsure of who he really was until they invited him into their home, asked to prepare a meal for him, and then offered a burnt sacrifice to the Lord. It was then that something happened that would displace their doubt. The man ascended up into the sky with the smoke from the sacrifice. Where there had been doubt and skepticism, there now was fear and consternation about their own position and the seriousness and severity of their messenger’s charge.

It is understandable how an expression of suspicion may cloud the face of one being presented with the promise of restoration, abundance, and unimaginable upgrades from yet another person showing up on the porch. While there may have been disappointments and discouragements in the past, however, with the true messenger of God there will be an opportunity to discover legitimacy and validity if there will just be an opening of the door and an offering of sacrifice made before God in the presence of the messenger. Where words of truth have been spoken and there is need to follow the direction given, the image of the messenger himself will be lost in the offering of the sacrifice as God Himself receives the focus and it is His glory that remains when the messenger has departed. God will ensure that He is well represented with validating demonstration of His power if there will just be a heart opened and a sacrifice of worship given up to Him in an honorable reception.

So it’s actually possible, after having experienced a clouded and diverted conscience, to obtain a true heart that is confident in approaching the throne of grace. No matter how deep the engraving of sin on the heart, and no matter how strong its hold, there is a shower, a washing, a sprinkling that will transform it from the tarnished and unpresentable to the clean, clothed and acceptable. While there is a progression in transgression that will take the originally innocent to a place where once there would have never even been a consideration, there is also transformation in Jesus that will take that same heart and make it new and untarnished.  There is no claim that can be made on the heart that cannot be reversed and removed under the cleansing stream of His blood.

For those who have fallen in the mud and for the ones who have become covered in grease there is a need to confidently enter in to the shower room with an assurance that the only way their condition will be permanent is to avoid the purification of its water. While there may be a natural tendency to become self-conscious, letting the substance that has covered become an identity and reason to stay away and avoid exposure, condemnation will never be a part of the cleansing process, only restoration and purification. Why stay away from the place where the blemishes will be removed when there is only acceptance and understanding waiting there?

No matter the stain, no matter the blot, there is a way to a cleansed and true heart in the presence of the Father today. There is no need to attempt a self-cleansing in order to be somehow presentable before Him as the only way to real purity and righteousness is allowing the sprinkling of Jesus blood to wash all. There are open and accepting arms just waiting to receive all who will but draw nigh with confidence and faith in His incredible mercy and love. He will never fail to forgive, cleanse, renew, restore and save to the uttermost every one who takes their place with full assurance in Him.

It’s incredible how much effort and expense it put into ensuring that a name is exposed to a potential market. I was recently watching a winter x-games competition on television and couldn’t help but notice the Taco Bell name displayed on the wall directly behind the skateboarders as they prepared to go down the slope. Then, again, a tennis match had a large GE strategically placed right behind the players. Just a logo itself is also a means of exposing a name as Apple frequently does in flashing the lit up apple on the back of laptops in movies. I’ve often wondered how effective this name exposure is, though, in actually getting someone to go beyond just recognizing the name to actually knowing what that name represents. I did go to Taco Bell yesterday and ordered a couple tacos, but I’m not certain that it was because of that ad on the wall of the x-games. I am quite sure, however, that the vast majority of commercials to which I’m exposed never bring me to the point of trusting enough in what they represent to give up hard earned cash to acquire them.

While there is this continual effort to persuade us to go beyond just recognizing a brand name to actually knowing and trusting that name, there is One who really got all of this started, and He, more than any other, has gone all out with name exposure. While Taco Bell occupied a space on the wall, the name of God was displayed in everything around it- the snow, the stars in the sky, and the incredible ability of the snowboarders to ride a board down the slope, executing amazingly creative maneuvers. He, from the beginning of time has been all about lights, formations and beings that go beyond imagination and are available to be seen even more than the endless barrage of commercials in the world around us. While all are exposed to the display of His name, though, how often are those displays recognized for what they really are and who they truly represent? How often do those displays really cause their observers to go beyond just seeing them to knowing their Maker? The signs on the walls may look nice and have a well-designed logo or emblem, but what they represent will be totally useless until He is first recognized, and then trusted enough to go beyond mere observance to experience.

At every turn and on all sides the name of God will be displayed throughout this day. Rather than just sailing past them without notice, there will be an opportunity to be one of those who have soared through the air, sat down at the table and felt the touch of His spirit. In giving up everything to His care (much more than just some hard-earned cash) there will be a sweetness in the trusting that passes understanding and instills an unshakeable peace. With every exposure there will be a chance to let that representation of God’s name be more than just recognition of His handiwork, but inspiration to worship, glorify, experience and know that name that is above every other name. Every movement and every step can bring further awareness of Jesus’ presence and the incredible greatness of all that is His name. Rather than being influenced by all the billboards constructed by our foes and giving our trust to their message, there will be an opportunity to be consumed with the God signs that completely surround them. Seeking Him alone will, without fail, be rewarded with the experience of His presence.

Psalms 19:1 KJV
(1) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Where real fear has been instilled and where it has risen to dominate other emotions, it will constrain, correct, and enable. Also, where fear of one entity may have once reigned, an introduction to a greater and more overwhelming force can bring liberation from the restraints of that former bondage.

For some reason there were those that had let other motivations and desires dim the reality of just who they were dealing with when they chose to mislead and deceive. Driven by fears of both rejection and loss, Ananias and Sapphira chose to pacify both fears by misrepresenting their offering. With no regard at all for the One to whom their gift was really being given, they instead sought to impress their fellow church members and still retain what their hearts feared losing. While the consequences of their choices would be tragic, a great fear came on those that observed their demise, and with this fear an awareness of the Almighty, removing the influence of any other condemning and debilitating fear. The demonstration of God’s power and might that followed this fear was made possible by hearts that became more concerned about pleasing their Father than pacifying their friends or fortunes.

Other forces in life will persistently attempt to rise in prominence with the restraining and dominating fear of not pleasing or pacifying their passions. In praise and worship, however, there is an opportunity to observe the incredibly overwhelming power of our holy Father, and become completely and totally liberated from any former restraints of fear. In the atmosphere where a holy fear of God dominates all others, there will be an outpouring of His Spirit that will bring down walls, destroy giants and move mountains that once seemed so ominous and impenetrable. Today in His presence may fear of our most Holy Father rise above any other and may this fear enable an incredible demonstration of His heart to deliver, transform and provide.

(5)  Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
(6)  Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
(7)  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Where there is a trusting heart, there is a rejoicing one, and where the works of the Lord are regarded in praise, there is not only escape from destruction, but also building up from the Lord.

Several years ago there was a businessman that chose to run on an independent ticket for the presidency. He was a very short man with a bit of an odd appearance that might be considered unattractive, and an annoying, nasally voice. At first sight and sound he definitely, at least for me, didn’t provide an impression that would make me want to trust him to clean my car, let alone lead my country. It wasn’t until you began to be interested in what he had already managed to accomplish that this impression could be altered. He had been very successful at running his companies and had developed some strong opinions of how the country should be run, but his biggest challenge was getting people to be impressed enough with those things to get past his appearance. He did manage to do this for a large number of people, however- those that most regarded his accomplishments and embraced him as their candidate. Most people, on the other hand, weren’t familiar enough with his qualifications or else didn’t really understand or relate to them. Their hearts were never turned by who he really was.

All right, I know God isn’t a small little man with a squeaky voice, but there is an issue, it seems, today with acknowledging His works and allowing this to affect the condition of the heart. For some it may be their perception has been a bit skewed by what they’ve seen in one of His followers, while others may have a difficult time with resolving circumstances regarding His existence. Some have just never even heard the news of the gospel. For those of us, though, who have tasted of His goodness and heard of His incredible works, there is no reason for anything other than a heart that is rejoicing and a resulting song of praise. Even in the direst of circumstances there will be more than enough reason for the heart to defy their normal response by rejoicing, if it will but spend some time regarding the incredible greatness of our God. Where the heart is overwhelmed, though, and oppression has set in, the inferior deeds and abilities of the frightening or challenging opposition must have gained precedence in praise. The mouth will have given more time and focus to regarding the wicked and their deeds than the far greater resume of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Today is a day of victory, preservation and building up in the presence of the Lord. Where He’s regarded and praise occupies the mouth this will most certainly be the case. If anything other than this victory starts to raise its little ugly head with a squeaky little voice, disregarding it and displacing it with regard for the Almighty will return the heart once again to the much preferred state of rejoicing and encouragement. Why even acknowledge the inferior?  He is great and greatly to be praised.

(1)  <To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.> 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.

(4)  Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

(5)  They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

Our home has two levels, with the bedrooms on the upper level and the living, dining, and office areas below. There are many times when communication is necessary with one of the kids up in their room, but I’ve found that no level of shouting will produce a response. (of course there’s the temptation to think maybe you’re just being ignored) It can actually be quite frustrating when you’re occupied with something that’s really important- like maybe catching the end of Andy Griffith or a Broncos game- and you get no answer from yelling that threatens to damage your vocal folds. Somehow walls and floor levels are doing their job, creating separation and privacy and the ability for our precious ones to have their own ’space’. They’re usually occupied with their own focus, which often includes some kind of media with its own volume and visual distraction from the ‘important’ communication they should be heeding. I’ve found that the best way to avoid the frustration on both my part and theirs is to just take the time and effort to climb the stairs, open the door to where they are, ask them to turn down the volume level and speak to them face to face in a normal speaking voice. It’s not that they don’t want or care to hear me, it’s just that there’s so much separation between us that communication is impossible.

I find it interesting that David, the man after God’s own heart, spews forth these expressions of communication frustrations with God. The opening statements of this Psalm would seem to just bring further despair to the heart of one going through a similar time in their relationship with God. -”If David, the giant killer, couldn’t manage to get God’s ear, how in the world will I?” It would seem, though, that maybe David had a similar issue with God as I’ve had with my kids- there were just too many levels, walls and distractions that had risen to separate and disable communication. While further shouting and mental anguish would do nothing to resolve the problem, there was something David began to do that changed everything. Instead of just remaining in his anguished state of discouragement, David got up off the couch and began to mount the stairs to the holy place where God was waiting. His focus began to change from his predicament and pitiful situation to the One who is holy and inhabits the praises of Israel. He began to experience a door opening and distracting volume levels going down and visual distractions becoming dim as He drew close to God in praise and worship. It was true that there had been no apparent response from his Father, but this wasn’t because God wasn’t ready, willing and able to do far above what could be imagined or thought. It was just because too much had disabled communication by way of barriers and diverted focus. To rehearse the problem and the failure would be the same as just staying downstairs, while rehearsing the known goodness and mercy of God was just like walking right up to Him where a face to face talk could take place. David had come to know just how important it was to have God’s ear, and he also learned the power of praise and it’s transforming impact on communication. From a despairing, hopeless failure he could consistently rise to a place of victory and overcoming power as God became big once more and old things were left behind in the other room and His nearness eliminated all distractions.

He’ll hear, He’ll respond, He’ll bless and He’ll restore with the simple effort taken to move from that separation to His holy place of refuge and peace. The frustration doesn’t have to continue and prevail, if we’ll just go up and take our seat at His side in heavenly places by letting praise, adoration and worship occupy our hearts. Right there before Him the smallest whisper will be heard.

Psalms 22:23-24 KJV

(23)  Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

(24)  For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

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