Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. (Acts 10:4 NIV)

Schedules, pressing needs, high priorities, tiring tasks and pressures seem to so effectively prohibit the pursuit of God or commitment to service in His kingdom. How often is the reason given for a missed opportunity for service or participation a problem with fitting it in with other more important job and family related events? There is, however, a certain type of person the Father is looking to use for a great purpose, and this person is not the one who has completely cleared their schedule of any other encumbering conflicts. It’s not the one who finally has all the kids out of the house and is free from the need to work or volunteer in the community. God seems to be very interested in utilizing someone who already has enough going on in their life, but has somehow chosen to raise the priority of their God, not just on the Sabbath, but on every day of the week.

Here was a man involved in the military, who had several friends and family members, and who surely was already seemingly overextended in his Daytimer activities throughout the day. For him, though, God had risen in his passion and priority above everything else to not just be someone who was barely fit into his busy schedule, but rather the One around whom everything else was scheduled. Possibly his involvement in the military gave him an advantage in this, but implementing a lifestyle of prayer and giving was seemingly driven by an intense reverence and love for God that was more than just obligation. This was the heart and this was the person already busy, already occupied, but precisely through whom there would be a great demonstration of God’s love and compassion to those outside of the Jewish culture. He would receive the Holy Spirit and be an example through the ages of a purpose in Christ that had not been known before. He had come to be the Savior of the world and everyone in it, not just the Chosen of Israel.

With a coming year bringing focus to schedules and the planning of goals and pursuits, there is an opportunity for the One who truly is our life to be the One around whom all other events are planned. The Father is continually looking for those through whom He will show HImself strong and they will be those ones already occupied with significance, yet convinced enough of God’s significance to plan times of prayer and service first. There is a world in need of change and there are so many carrying that change in their hearts who will surely be given the opportunity and direction for involvement in this change. It will require, though, a track record and verification of His lordship in a life that proves this continually and consistently, even when other things are pressing.

2 Corinthians 11: 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. (NIV)

Just beyond the checkout as we were leaving the store, there was a display of guitars, drums, keyboards, amplifiers, microphones, along with strings and other related items. There were neat little packages like a guitar and amplifier set or a keyboard with demos and lessons. By appearances these musical instruments were just as legitimate as any and would be more than sufficient for learning to play and enjoy performing music. What also made them particularly appealing were their packaging and price. They had snappy marketing with pictures on boxes that showed some famous artist playing what looked like this instrument, while the price was highlighted as being an incredible deal for such a wonderful value. For the person who had tinkered with the idea of taking up an instrument, this would appear to be just the deal, and there are probably a large number of them sold to casually aspiring musicians. It is easy enough to pacify the urge with not too much risk.

These successfully marketed instruments would appear to have all the same requirements of an instrument- strings, keys, drum heads, etc., and they might even look the same or even better, but for someone who will end up producing real music that is expressive and gratifying to someone beside the one plucking or pounding away, there will eventually be a discovery of an instrument that may have all those same ingredients, but is put together in a way that is quite different. The materials used are of a much greater quality and the methods employed to construct them demonstrate artistry and craftsmanship that greatly enhance and project the expressive efforts of the player. It might be possible to learn the motions and the theories of music on the cheap imitations, but to really experience the joy of greater musical expression there will need to be an introduction to a ‘real’ instrument. They might not be presented with nearly the same sparkle, but, oh my, the sounds they will produce.

The gospel of Jesus is a truth that is made up of the best materials and a craftsmanship that is unequalled. It is a simple message of hope, healing, provision, and salvation that is really capable of transforming the experience of life all by itself. While there is more than enough power in its simplicity, there are versions presented in snappy marketing packages in an effort to make it acceptable to the masses, the tinkerers and the casual passers-by. It may appear that there are all the same ingredients with a greatly reduced risk and price, and while it might be possible to start making some noise with these deals, if the gospel is to ever be truly expressed in a life, there will need to be an introduction to the ‘real’ instrument that will come with a much higher cost and commitment of time. The programs may be impressive and the personalities engaging, but until there is an old life given up for the new, until all of life is an expression of worship to the Master, then a sound might be made, but it never is really music. Once the true rhythms and melodies are produced in a transformed life, though, it will no longer be easy enough to put up with what the packaging promises.

My father tells of the person watching a true master producing music on their instrument:

“I would give anything to play like that,” is proclaimed.

To which there is the reply, “They did.”

James 1:3 (WEY) Be assured that the testing of your faith leads to power of endurance.

Why bother? Why not just sit back, enjoy a Big Mac or Krispy Kreme donut and watch the Andy Griffith marathon? When those challenges come along that cause your heart to fail and your vision to blur, why not just head for the hills and put an end to the pain by giving up and covering it up?

I love watching those long distance races in the Olympics, runners who, on purpose, submit themselves to what looks to be a very painful and never-ending experience. It’s most incredible to observe the pace that they maintain, not for just a few minutes, but for hours. They speed up steep hills and endure heat and other obstacles that would, in just a small amount, cause most people to be gasping for breath and searching for a nice place to lie down. Even more than just the street marathons, the extreme races are beyond comprehension, where they run for even greater distances over mountain trails and impossible courses. These people, on purpose and by their own choosing, maintain a very practiced and disciplined action of moving their body in a certain manner that has promise of carrying them through the unbearable challenges of the race to the finish line. Since there is only one victor, there is also the understanding that all but the one are enduring all this for the sake of crossing the line, but not necessarily taking the trophy home. Especially those towards the end, it would seem to be an ever-increasing challenge, knowing that many would cross that line before them. Just completing the course must become the focus and the prize itself, no matter in what position. The motion is maintained, no matter the pain or position, and it faithfully carries them ever closer to their hoped for destination. As difficult and painful as pressing on may be, the only thing that will keep them from arriving there is quitting or stopping that disciplined movement that they’ve developed and practiced for so long.

Upon acceptance of Christ as Lord in our lives, we were accepting forgiveness, blessing, and newness of life in Him, but we were also putting on a numbered jersey and entering into a race, the course of which would not just last for a few moments here and there, but actually for a lifetime. There was an action and a disciplined faith movement we were shown in His Word that, if maintained, had great promise of taking us across the finish line with joy and celebration. As steep, long, painful, hot, and impossible the course’s obstacles, the only way failure is assured is when that faith action is given up for an escape to something that might require much less effort or endurance. Rather than despising and avoiding those challenges, they become the very means by which the reward will come and the reason for the presentation of the faith movement given to us by our Father. That action of running with faith’s confession and striding with its love and righteousness is something that must be maintained above anything else, and it is this very action that we will be most tempted to give up on. There will definitely be many other options our own reasoning and emotional response will use to get us off course and going down some dead-end trail. Steady and disciplined keeping to the way the Master has shown us, however, is the only way that prized destination will be reached and its line crossed, no matter the position.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Joshua 9:13-14 MKJV
(13)  And these wineskins which we filled were new. And, see, they are torn. And these clothes and shoes of ours have become old because of the very long journey.
(14)  And they received the men because of their provisions, and did not ask at the mouth of Jehovah.

As years pass, each with its own set of victories, challenges and failures, there is a tendency and a temptation to move into the next with an assumption that the details and choices are obvious enough, that we can make the decisions quite on our own. These ‘Chosen of God’ should have been able to see through the deception of those they were to have conquered. They, as much as anyone, should have been able to sense that these men were not from a distant country but were wanting to be received and assimilated rather than dominated and destroyed. By simply making this critical decision on their own and failing to ‘ask at the mouth of Jehovah’, they were committed to a relationship that became a weight and a hindrance.

It’s a bit like those suspense movies where you as the viewer have knowledge of what lies behind the door the character is about to open. It doesn’t matter how much you yell at the screen, unless there is this miraculous transformation of reality that provides for interaction with the story and the script, Harrison Ford is just going to have to deal with the consequences of his own decisions. Not too distant would also be the desire of a parent to protect their offspring from the pitfalls and stumbling blocks that are oh, so obvious. Relationships and enticements that have a clear and definite result are yet chosen by those children desiring independence and the ability to make their own choices. If they could only realize and appreciate that a simple question about even the most obvious issues would help them avert a disappointment or fall, there might be much more interaction with ‘out-of-it’ parents.

Really quite incredible is that a reality transformation has actually been made by God, that we as the actors in our own little life dramas can lift our heads to the One who sees behind every door and inquire of His wisdom with regard to every aspect of life. Though people and things may appear to be legitimate enough, we don’t have to rely upon our own limited perspective. There is, rather, this powerful ability we have in Christ for the One who knows the end from the beginning to help us avoid the relationships and commitments that would define and inhibit who we’ve really been made to be in Him. A simple call to the ultimate Tech Support will help us avoid some significant corruption in our operating system.

It would seem that God must have indeed been ‘yelling at the screen’ at different junctures in life, that He would have loved to help divert a destructive course and liberate the conquering potential in us. Rather than blundering into what lies ahead now, with an errant assumption of the obvious, it would be most sensible to let every choice, every commitment be one that is affected by the counsel of Jehovah. Much better than an insistence on independence will be a requirement of God’s wisdom at every juncture, no matter how apparent the evidence. He’ll bring protection and provision only as He is asked and included in the decisions. The commitment to relationship with Him will disallow any others with uncertain and possibly destructive and divergent ends.

Isa 46:10 MSG
(10)  From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, ‘I’m in this for the long haul, I’ll do exactly what I set out to do,’

Jer 33:3 MSG
(3)  ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ISV
(4)  Love is always patient, Love is always kind, Love is never envious Or vaunted up with pride. Nor is she conceited,
(5)  And never is she rude, Never does she think of self Or ever get annoyed. She never is resentful,
(6)  Is never glad with sin, But always glad to side with truth, Whene’er the truth should win.
(7)  She bears up under everything, Believes the best in all, There is no limit to her hope, And never will she fall.
(8)  Love never fails. Now if there are prophecies, they will be done away with. If there are tongues, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will be done away with.

The only way the finish line will not be crossed, the only way victory will be averted is if somehow and in some way quitting is imposed, whether willingly or otherwise. From death to a mere choice to take another, less resistant route there is a challenge to completion that is very real and effective against those who are susceptible, against those whose focus has become diverted from the prize. Where passion and purpose has been fixed upon the reward, however, there is nothing, including death that can separate them from the success of a love eternal.

There is a cartoon character that keeps coming to mind as I’ve thought on this never-quitting attitude of love. Wonderful Pepe LePew, the undauntable French skunk, whose passions have become ignited over a cat that has by some misfortune come to look like a skunk, doesn’t know how to even consider stopping the pursuit of his new found love. Though continually rejected and made to endure endless physical trials and mauling, his unfailing response is to bounce along after his ‘love’ and produce incredible optimism in the face of impossible opposition. He says things like, ’She thinks that by running away from me she is going to make herself more attractive to me- How right she is.’, ‘Oh well, there are other fish in the sea—- if you like fish.’ and ‘You know, most men  would get discouraged about love. Fortunately for her I am not like most men.’ Rather than become discouraged by resistance, he is inspired ever more to press on to acquire his prize.

Quitting will always be an option that is the most popular and readily chosen, but for the one who isn’t ‘like most men’, there is a reward that looms large in the sights, prohibiting even the consideration of a terminated quest. Though there may be a seemingly endless barrage of rejection, abuse, maltreatment, neglect, exploitation or just temptation to give up trying to walk the path of righteousness in pursuit of a unique eternal purpose, there will ever be a victorious option in the love of God. There will ever be a way to rise from the dust and ashes with a word of faith and optimism that reflects a heart ensconced in this never failing nature of love that bears all, believes the best and has no limit. The thought of giving up or quitting will become a fleeting one as the nature of God is acquired in His presence and His eternal optimism produces faith responses where woe, worry and despair were once heard.

There is an aroma of God’s presence to be spread wherever we go. For some it will be the fragrance of life while in others it will produce rejection and persecution as it means death to them. (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) Once set on the course of life in Christ, however, there need not be any turning from its perfect way of liberty no matter its reception. Given a mission and a purpose in Him, there need not be the slightest consideration of the opposition as the nature of love elevates the allure of the prize far above any resistance. May the undaunted pursuit continue today in an attitude of unfailing and unstoppable love.

Galatians 6:9 KJV
(9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Psa 112:7  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Psalms 27:1 KJV

(1)  <A Psalm of David.> The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

There is a huge difference between ‘the’ and ‘my’. The application of whatever ‘the’ is completely changes once it becomes ‘my’. A commitment of the soul by the conversion of the word brings life changing identity with the mere claim of possession.

I have a friend with whom I’ve recently engaged in discussions about the current presidential campaign. As he has expounded upon the virtues of the candidate he favors- all the reasons why he’s quite convinced this man will win- there was initially just the presentation of why he liked the guy. My thoughts on some of the issues seemed to bring some weight to his consideration as it appeared his heart was still leaning and not yet committed. My last encounter with this individual, however, revealed another step he has taken in his commitment to the candidate; he referred to him as ‘my man’. No longer was he just an individual that had garnered my friend’s passing favor, the nominee had become, at least to a certain extent, an identity, a very part of his own self image. His defense of this man and his positions had become more than just contention for the candidate, it had become self defense. What was interesting about this for me was once possession had been taken of this personality, is seemed that whatever that personality came up with, no matter how much it might have originally contradicted my friend’s heart or own convictions, was the ‘gospel’, the way things should and would be. Where before there had been open consideration of an opposing thought or conviction, with the possession willingness came to even forfeit the relationship we had developed for the sake of this new identity. The candidate hadn’t changed. He was the same man he was before he even began his campaign. A transformation most definitely came to my friend, however, when whoever this man is went from ‘the’ to ‘my’.

I love how David refers to God in this Psalm. It’s like He’s telling someone about a contender for his world that has gone from just a being out there with some pretty incredibly attributes to a Being right in here who has become David’s own possession, his own identity. God, for David, had definitely gone through a huge transformation in his perspective as David laid claim on God’s characteristics. While always ‘the’ light and ‘the’ salvation, if He had just existed in the ‘the’ realm for David, there could also be a coexisting identity of fear. To merely know about the elements of God’s characteristics would retain the possibility of a fear response to life’s threats. When qualities of God were given the ‘my’ conversion, however, when they were no longer just items displayed in a window, but purchased and owned possessions, God defense became self defense, and fear could no longer remain. Any opposing threats or even sounds, rather than given any consideration at all, were put into the realm of the absurd and annoyance. They could no longer even be acknowledged as viable threats.

‘The’ Light is shining bright today with more than sufficient salvation for every aspect of life. Where fear and consternation are dominating, though, ‘the’ Light has not gone through a ‘my’ conversion. For with the possession and embrace of the Light evidenced by a verbal declaration there will be an identity with its source that will remove anything and anyone as a legitimate motivation for fear. In worship there will be more than just an observation of His brightness, but there will be an embrace and identity with it that resists with great aversion any opposing consideration. The heart opened and receptive to the flood of this Light will be established in its righteousness- a position far from any terror or oppression that an enemy might pose. For this day and every one to follow, may there be a ‘my’ conversion that lays claim on the complete wholeness and salvation that has been bought and paid for by Jesus’ precious blood. It’s no longer just for observation- it’s to be possessed.

Psalms 126:5-6 KJV
(5)  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
(6)  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

So what makes this seed so precious? You would think that any seed put in the ground would just produce. That’s what seeds do after all, right? Yet there is something passionately connected to this seed that causes it to bring much more than just another harvest. At the time when resources are diminishing, with the meal storage getting dangerously low, taking what is obviously needed for nourishment and putting it in a place that doesn’t have any guarantee of return would seem to be foolhardy and irresponsible. The greater the risk, the greater will be the difficulty and anguish of heart. When the storage is overflowing, taking a portion of it to sow again is hardly thought of and its harvest is taken in as a matter of course. For the seed, though, that might be the last hope for continued existence, it won’t just be thrown haphazardly into the air. It will be placed carefully into well turned soil, fertilized, watered and weeded, and when the great effort given to its growth is rewarded with harvest, it will produce more than just seed. There will be an overwhelming abundance of joy, relief and gratitude. The more treasured the seed, the more it will bring inspiration and motivation to the heart of the one that can affect its success. It has become incredibly valuable and precious because it appears to be the last of its kind that has promise of increase and hope for abundance. It is precious because it will commit every moment of its possessor to insuring its success.

For both financial and emotional storage there is increased value that comes with diminished supply and carrying the seed to a field of hope becomes a tearful experience. In Christ, though, there is great doubt removing possibility in applying the promises in His Word to every situation, sowing those few dollars into the right soil, and investing precious time and energy in what might not bring an obvious immediate result. Embracing the passion of the heart with each carefully placed seed will also mean caring for it through its maturity, watering and nourishing it with prayer and care for it and its soil. Those precious dollars will be given into a carefully considered ministry that is subsequently lifted up in prayer, positive confession of the Word, and personal commitment of precious time. That emotional life situation with a wayward loved one, career decision, relational and social challenges, personal strongholds or addictions, or physical ailments will require something other than just expended worry and fret. While it would seem that the situation requires any remaining strength to figure it out and do what is necessary to resolve it, there is an opportunity to take the precious seed to that field of hope, that place of redemption in Christ, where choosing to be strong means taking on His strength. As time and energy is given to casting cares on Him and trusting in His promises, there is an assurance that joy will replace sorrow as righteousness prevails.

There is precious seed in our possession and bearing it to the field of hope in Christ may produce tears of sorrow, but as this passion is given to the care of that seed, as faith’s efforts are applied according to what the Father has spoken, one can have secure knowledge that a celebration is inevitable with the seed’s increase and harvest. No matter how difficult or challenging, it is the right choice and the only one with a future in Him.

Zechariah 9:12  Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

With the experience of loss there is a disabling desperation that threatens to disrupt any possibility of progress in life, with all purpose for living apparently gone forever. The passing of a loved companion, the terminal prognosis of a medical exam, the loss of occupation, the devaluation or loss of investments, the severing of lifelong relationships, the apparent chronic failure of personal ventures…. can bring a loss of breath and dimming of the very motivation that would give reason for waking to another day- hope.

For every traveler, though, who seems to have lost all to the domination and destruction of a barren desert, an oasis exists like a stronghold against the depravity of loss. For the one who has tasted of its spring, there is a bondage to its refuge that refuses to be drawn away to the barrenness. When all else seems to have been burned up in the scorching sun, there is a place under the Tree of Life where protection has been found in a shade that is an eternal barrier against hope’s threats. To venture beyond its sustaining shadow is no longer a consideration for the one who has become a prisoner to its sustenance, and no matter how great the loss of all other sources, the Fountain of life will never be given up for hopelessness. The greater the loss, the greater the possibility as the Source of that fountain has promised not only continued existence, but an existence that is provided with a double return of all that has been lost. With every moment in His presence and every drink from His spring there is a further renewed vision of a future full of possibilities that will completely overwhelm any loss. Where desperation and loss would impose their domination, there can be a willful entry to the stronghold of hope where the magnitude of God’s glory gives eternal perspective to the reality of His provision over any deficiency.

What a marvelous bondage, what a glorious incarceration is this barrier of hope that would disallow any escape to the destruction of our promised abundance in Christ. Like the tether attached to my young brother’s britches on our trip to the Grand Canyon, we will not be allowed to fall into the chasm of hopelessness as long as we commit ourselves to the realm of His presence and its ever sustaining and protecting hope. With a magnified vision of the double over any tragic loss, there is a secured stronghold to which we can turn this day with confidence of a future and a hope in the promise of life in Christ.

Isaiah 59:19  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Psalms 16:8  I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
:9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

     I recently saw a woman on a talk show who had been injured by shrapnel in her skull. A large portion of it had been removed for an extended period of time while swelling and other issues in the brain could recover from the trauma of her injury. They actually showed a picture of her that had been taken during that period. The whole right side of her head was sunken in.

     The young woman was asked about the difficulty of her recovery, and her response was that there had been excruciating pain, and a loss of learned skills like talking, reading, and writing. Her recovery had taken several months as the piece of removed skull was reattached and she endured extensive therapy that was seemingly endless in its difficulty and longevity.

     Though her experience was unimaginable, at the end of it all she was sitting right there before a TV camera with a beautiful countenance, charming personality, and obvious gratitude for the miracle she had experienced in her life. What would have happened, though, if she had cried “Uncle” at any point of the recovery period and refused to endure the embarrassment and pain any longer? She would have avoided the immediate difficulty, but she would have never acquired the prize of full recovery.

     What are we willing to endure for the sake of the prize? How much does eternal life in Christ mean to us and what will we endure with tenacity to live in it? If we’ll but hold on to our profession of faith and simply refuse to say “Uncle”, there really is a faithful miracle Worker who has promised complete recovery and victory every time.

  Nehemiah 6:9  They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, “They’ll give up; they’ll never finish it.” I prayed, “Give me strength.”

Hebrews 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Psa 126:6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Doubtless- maybe not due to the belief in the planter of the seed. For him there is a great deal of anguish, concern, and even possible doubt. He is having to choose between holding on to the remaining seed, which has become increasingly precious with the passing of time and the increase in its usage, and the opportunity before him of that seed becoming multiplied. There is definitely risk involved as the possibility of losing everything rises as a magnified image and a heart wrenching perception. Here is the deciding factor, though, that propels him to the field with his valuable possession. While he needs the remaining seed for his own survival as a food substance, to just consume it would definitely insure that he would run out altogether at some point. On the other hand, though risky, there is the possibility of being sustained for a greatly increased amount of time by giving up what seems so valuable at the moment. The consternation in planting is certainly due to an element of doubt or concern on the part of the planter regarding the success of this venture and the possibility of disaster.

Doubtless- now here is where the assurance is based upon something that goes beyond the limitations of the planter’s belief. As soon as the seed is given up and allowed to enter the process for which it was designed, there is absolutely no doubt that when it is cared for with water and fertilizer it will be transformed into a sprouting plant that will one day produce many, many more seeds. This is something that is definite and without possibility of doubt. It’s a fact of nature and a process that has been proven for so very long. This change will take place without a doubt as long as there is enough conviction (even in the presence of various doubts) for the actions of sowing and caring for the seed to be taken.

Doubtless- there is also a transformation of emotion and facial and verbal expression as the seeds of sorrow and worry also go through a process of change with the emergence of the increased value of the precious planted seed. This is something that has been taken care of by the One who designed and set this all in motion in the first place. With Him there is no shadow of turning or possibility of faltering. For Him to apply His unwavering success to our seed, He only requires enough belief for the actions to be taken that will allow His process to be placed in motion. He will take what we once thought was ours and make it into so much more, and we’ll just be left with the rejoicing and the wonder of how we could have ever doubted in the first place.