Revelation 12:10-11 KJV  (10)  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  (11)  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

He was really feeling rather good about himself, and there was a whole lot to go on. He was riding a new bike he had wanted for so long and had finally received on his recent birthday. He had been worried about a math test he hadn’t studied enough for, but today the tests were returned and somehow there was an “A” on his. Then, that wonderful person that had captured his heart from the first day of school had marked the “yes” box on the note he had sent her indicating that she indeed liked him, too. The sky was bright and things were just looking great.

Until… that kid from right across the ally, the one who was always getting in trouble and finding a way of stirring up trouble, began doing his thing. All the good stuff that had been encouraging in the day became inspiration for his little comments that put a shade on the sun and took the spring out of steps. He gave a very unfavorable association to the bike’s color. He suggested that there must have been cheating going on for a test grade like that. And, that girl was just trying to be nice and didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He had seen her with one of the football players- you know, someone more her style. The thing was, he knew at least two of the comments were untrue- that color was his favorite and way cool, he had not cheated in the least (luck?- maybe, cheating?- no way), and the last one he was pretty sure about. So really the only way the loud mouth could bring him down was to influence his perspective. If the negative view could also become the subject of conversation, he was beaten, not by reality, but just by accusations that created enough doubt for discussion. The battle wasn’t as much over facts as identity, and if his identity and self esteem could be brought down, the facts didn’t matter, he was overcome.

So, as he walked through the door and his mother asked him how the day went, he had a choice of how he would tell it and therefore how it would be for him. There was a lot of really good stuff to tell, but then there was also the other take.

There is some really good stuff going on today. Our Father, on the day of our new birth in Christ has provided for all we need according to His riches in glory. Where we may have uncertainties about our own abilities and aptitude, before the One who really matters our test scores have come back with the perfection of Christ. We can do all things through Him and the strength He provides. The question of our worth and whether or not we are accepted and loved has been settled once and for all by the One who is love. He will never leave us or forsake us, and He has made an eternal mark in the “Yes” box, indicating that He doesn’t just like us, but He is forever committed in His love for us.

So, everything is bright and beautiful, right? Yes, until that old bully starts doing his thing. He’ll use the very things that are true and established in Christ as fuel for his accusing and discouraging comments. He’ll make suggestions that those very provisions that have come from the Father are less than a blessing. His thoughts would turn the cool colors into embarrassment and shame. He will continue to claim that there must be some cheating going on, that all those failures are way too impacting on any possibility of getting a passing score. For the idea of acceptance and love, he will bring doubt that this kind of love is for someone else – someone more attractive and worthy.

No matter the accusations, though, overcoming is the order for the day. By the blood of Jesus our full salvation has been established, for everything we might need, for our righteousness, and for complete acceptance. All that remains is the declaration. Where the words of life are spoken, and where those words describe full redemption in Christ, there will be an experience of that victorious life. However, the purpose of the accusations will only be accomplished if they can find their way into the thoughts and the words of their intended victims. The blood has established a new reality that is only limited by its testimony. As the door closes behind us and we’re asked the condition of our day, it will be as we declare it to be.

1 John 2:28 And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Many people come to the Lord and make a commitment to serve Him based upon the understanding that by doing so, they’re averting eternal damnation and gaining eternal life. There is boldness for this decision and a willingness to identify with new life, and yet the demands of this present life and the necessities of other pursuits cause an opposing boldness to arise- that of boldly choosing work, r & r, family, and leisure over the Father and the body of His Son to whom their salvation has been bound. A claim is made on a personal relationship with the Father while loosely choosing to take or leave those who represent Him. Not wanting to be ‘controlled’ or bound to any person, commitments are boldly abandoned for things that are more important than love for the neighbor that actually validates any love there may be for the Father. Sadly, what seems right to a man will lead him directly to death, (Proverbs 14:12) and boldness rising from what is felt rather than what is imparted from the Father is like the premature departure of a young man from the home of his provision. Productive confidence is displaced by rebellion, which leads inevitably down a path to a dark end.

There is really no problem with boldness. Even those who would seem to be shy and withdrawn have boldness towards something or someone in their life. Who to hang out with, what movies will be seen, what employment will be chosen, how to spend leisure time, what to consume, and where to live are some decisions made by everyone that are bold representations of the will.  Where there is a challenge to these ‘free’ choices, a strong resistance rises up as words and actions become bold declarations of independence from outside influence in these areas.

It is wonderful that we’ve been called to freedom in Christ, but the freedom we’ve been given is a freedom from the dominance of ungodliness and worldly passions, not from any outside influence. We’ve been given access to the place where the Father dwells and have the freedom to abide in Him. To abide in Him, though, doesn’t mean we get to move in with all our druthers and assume that just because He accepts us as we are that we get to stay that way. To abide in Him is to give up all the old for a new way of living that is totally influenced not only by the Father, but also by the body of Christ. Abiding in Him is taking that old boldness to declare independence and replacing it with boldness in humility and submission one to another in love. It’s in this atmosphere that the Father is pleased and His provision is enabled. It is here that confidence towards Him is established as His law of love is embraced and identified with. It is here that shame is replaced by confidence and assurance that not only our hearts, but also our actions have become acceptable unto Him.

To know and live in the eternal life provided for us in Christ develops boldness, but the very boldness displayed in independent choices will actually displace and disable any boldness we may have when we stand before Him face to face. It’s in losing one’s own life that eternal life is obtained, and it is in leaving all that old stuff outside that abiding in Him takes place. Much better it is to let go of those bold selfish declarations for a confident advance to His presence with a heart free from proven independence from His influence.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

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

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

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

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

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

11 For this reason, you are ever in our prayers, that you may seem to our God such as may have a part in his purpose and that by his power he will make all his good purpose, and the work of faith, complete;
12 So that glory may be given to the name of our Lord Jesus through you, and you may have glory in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thess 1:11-12 (BBE)

I was with a friend this last weekend whose son wrestles at a local high school and has already won many matches at meets across the state. While this friend of mine is indeed an engaged parent as you would expect, his engagement far exceeds that of most parents. He himself was a championship wrestler and has spent much time, energy, and heart imparting everything he knows to his son. At the matches, the coaches actually let him get on the edge of the mat to assist in coaching his son with insight that exceeds that of the coaches. The son has moves, strategies, and strength as a result of his Dad’s investment in him that gives him a significant advantage over all his opponents.  The father, also, is finding his greatest joy and fulfilled purpose in the successes of his son. For all guests at his home there is an invitation to see videos of his son’s victories and also experience the glory that has come to him through his son. Any of his personal greatness is magnified several times as it is manifested in the one who represents all that he has to give from a proud and loving heart.  His thoughts and his conversations are continually on his son and there will be nothing withheld from enabling him to pursue his totally fulfilled potential.

There is a Redeemer who never ceases to talk about us and revel in the replays of our successes. As great of a champion as He is, the glory that would be given to His name comes through those into whom He has invested everything. He is full of wisdom, strategies, moves and strength that equip his sons and daughters with way more than a significant advantage, and every point won is a reflection of an impartation of His nature and His insight. That Jesus will triumph and reign is without question, but the wonder of His method for victory is that it will come through His loved ones as His work and purpose are directly connected to those in whom He lives.

Given His strength and His victorious nature it is our privilege to take the mat with the preparation of His Word and the conditioning of His Spirit. He will also be there right on the side of the mat, ever encouraging, directing, and coaching us all the way through the challenges of a formidable foe to the triumph over him. There is incredible glory in the name of Jesus and it is our privilege and our incredible honor for that Name to be glorified through us as His purpose and His work is the completion of our greatest potential.

John 14:10-13 KJV  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  (11)  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.  (12)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  (13)  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

They had come with priceless instruments badly in need of repair that could only be entrusted to the hands of the old master luthier, the one who had, throughout his long life, set himself apart from all others in his ability to create and repair the finest of musical instruments. His name alone carried a reputation of the one who could take a few pieces of rough cut wood and with unmatched skill produce the most beautiful and best sounding tool for musical production. For the damaged or broken instrument that had sadly developed cracks or buzzes he was also known for bringing it to a condition that was even better than when it was new. They came with great expectation of meeting the old man and placing their prized possessions in his loving hands or commissioning a new creation from him.

Upon arriving at the door of his little shop, however, they were met with great disappointment. Rather than the image of the old man behind the counter, there stood a young boy not yet fully grown. The master had been called away for an extended far away visit and would not be able to actually touch their instruments with his own hands. He had, however, left his grandson in his stead to carry on his business. A hand written notice hung on the wall behind the counter signed by the maestro himself indicating his full trust in the young man that stood before them. He asked that they trust their treasures in his hands just as if it were the master himself. How could they do this, though? It was impossible to believe that the experience and skill of the master that had been proven through a lifetime could begin to be emulated in such a young man.

Though what they saw appeared to be just a immature and inexperienced young man, what could not been seen was all the old man had put into him. From the time he could just begin playing with toys, there was a hammer in his hand as he helped Poppy in his shop. Every trick, every method, every application of the tools to the wood had been seen thousands of times and he himself had done all of them himself on instruments that had already been ‘touched’ by the master. Many left right away, not willing to leave their treasures in the hands of the young man, but for those who trusted the words of the master there was a discovery that, while in a different body, the master, with all of his skill and ability, indeed was in his grandson. All of the work that would come from the young man’s hands would directly represent and validate the work and the word of the master himself. The name placed on the work would remain the same and would in fact grow in fame as it became magnified through the grandson.

For those who have spent time in the shop with the Master, for those who have seen Him work, listened to His voice, and applied their own hands to what they’ve seen, there is a residence of the Master within. His works will come out and it will be His name and His reputation that is magnified and propagated. Though outward appearances may indicate otherwise, He has hand-written a note stating very clearly the investment that’s been made in his offspring and the confidence He has in their ability to do His works and even greater. As those works are produced, belief will be the result in the Master Himself as His life and His ability are transmitted through the hands of those who have lived in His presence and learned to emulate His love and work of creation and restoration.

John 5:19-20 KJV  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  (20)  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Deuteronomy 28:14 KJV  And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

It’s a wonderful feeling to drive off the lot in a brand new vehicle with the fresh smells, everything working and untouched paint job and interior. There is often a sense of pride along with a temptation to notice your reflection in store windows as you pass by. Of course the true passion for this machine has much to do with whether or not it was the actual model, color and specs that you really wanted and not just something you had to get by with.

Now most if not all new vehicles come with an owner’s manual that includes something called a maintenance schedule. This schedule is basically a long list of things that should be checked and maintained at various intervals of time or miles. It clearly specifies that for the vehicle to perform at the level for which it was designed certain fluids must be changed and certain adjustments made at specific times. I recently took my Jeep into a local garage for an oil change where I got into a discussion with the owner about how important the maintenance schedule really is. He informed me that from his experience those vehicles that were maintained by their owners according to the schedule lasted much longer with much fewer complications. While his statements made an impression, they were also validated by a recent story about a lady that is over 90 years old herself and still driving a car she purchased in 1964. With over 557,000 miles her ‘chariot’ is still running well and she attributes it to detailed adherence to the maintenance schedule along with lifetime warranty replacement parts. She says that through the years her car and the way she has maintained it has been the key to her personal freedom as she has been able to remain independent, mobile and productive on her own. While there surely must have been an initial pride when she drove off the lot, this passion seems to only have grown through the years, this reflected in the care that has never been compromised.

We’ve been given the keys to a brand new life in Christ and in Him there is an immediate appreciation for the fresh new smells and perspectives. This life doesn’t have to get old or worn out in the least, though, if there will just be careful attention given to the maintenance schedule in the glove box. Words of direction and guidance have been spoken by our Designer and Creator that are guaranteed to keep us out of the shop if those words will just be embraced as part of a passion that disallows any compromise of care.

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

I think it’s rather interesting that once Samuel did get to him, David was also described as an attractive young man. So it doesn’t necessarily mean there will be an unattractive outward appearance just because the heart looks good to God. In fact, the more comely the countenance of the heart, there will be a direct affect upon the outward appearance.

There is, though, an impression of our appearance that directly affects our qualifications in the kingdom, and while it would be easily and correctly assumed that God’s impression of that appearance is most important, there is someone else who is also essential in the casting of this inward look– each one of us. Before it will ever be possible to stand in the office of the anointing God has placed on our lives, there will have to be an adjustment of just how we look at ourselves. Though we might not feel too confident in the way God is looking at us, much assurance can be received that He is actually thinking and seeing incredible beauty and potential greatness in the creation He has formed and those to whom He is continuing to apply His masterly touch. In fact, if it were only fully known just how highly He looks upon us and how greatly He admires what He sees, there would be a large expansion of boldness and self-confidence in approaching His throne where grace is found.

A proud look is assuredly one that God detests completely (Proverbs 16:16-17), but any advance into the secret place will still require an inward glance that produces a sense of assurance, and this assurance will need to be developed and nurtured by the very words God has used to describe His impression of us. For every aspect of our life that is in need of a makeover, there is a place of promise in Christ that will transform our less than presentable image to that of His. In our driven quest for the fulfilled life of unwavering worship there will be no progress beyond our ability to acquire ‘the look’, where we confidently see ourselves as our Father does, totally complete and wonderfully attractive in Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ASV(13)  But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

It would seem that nothing in our world today has any permanence or dependability. The companies and businesses that had once been part of our nation’s foundation and stability are falling apart and being bought out by foreign entities. Several years ago I went through the process of getting my securities license in order to sell mutual funds. A strong point in the presentation process for selling many of these products was their history of weathering financial hard times, that they would be there through any difficulties and owning their stock would mean long term growth and security. The car companies were part of this group and it would have never been considered that these rocks of the American economy could not be there at least in our lifetime. Yet, this last week Chrysler has been purchased by Fiat and General Motors is also close to bankruptcy. The indestructible rocks are apparently crumbling under a storm that exposes and attacks a vulnerability that was really there all the time, and while there are other entities that would be still appear secure, nothing in our world today is exempt from this vulnerability. The ground is moving and all things built on these worldly elements are obviously shifting and revealing the weakness of their foundation.

To this atmosphere of uncertainty and fear there is this wonderful word that comes to bring hope of something substantial- ‘abideth’. While there is erosion and removal of all other elements, a rock that is made of an indestructible substance will weather the greatest storm and ‘abide’, remain, and still be something on which you can build a structure throughout a lifetime and beyond. Knowing the true nature of a natural substance beneath the surface is something that can be studied and determined by involved seismic testing and historical reference. There is likewise a proving that has taken place since the beginning of time- storms that have raged and regimes that have been overthrown- and through the greatest of these tests there has been these three elements that have remained after all others have washed away- faith, hope and love. For the one who has established their foundation on the bed-rock, the unshakeable and the immovable, there is great confidence and peace no matter how greatly the storm rages. Sleep can be sweet and rest complete at the very time when the ground is shaking and the thunder is ominous, because there is a knowing that when all else has been beaten down and washed away, there will still ‘abide’ this secure foundation.

There will be an end to all of this. Much will be proven for what it really is and there will be no doubt as to what the true rock is and what has just been sold as secure, but with much vulnerability. Though the shaking is inevitable there is a place of perfect peace for us on the Rock of Ages and as long as the building that takes place in our lives today is a building on faith, hope, and love, there can be an unwavering confidence in the eternal existence and dependability of the One who will abide forever and our permanence in Him.

Matthew 9:10-12 KJV
(10)  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
(11)  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
(12)  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

It’s so wonderful how Jesus’ holiness and perfection didn’t keep Him from those He came to save. While He was part of the temple elite who normally separated themselves from the riff raff, the ‘ungodly’ and the ‘unacceptable’, there was something about Jesus that drew those to Him who may have never or rarely set foot in a place of worship. Instead of repelling them with a judgmental air, there must have been an incredible acceptance and understanding felt from Him by those who were used to rejection and condemnation.

Associations are so important, and you’ll be known by those with whom you choose to associate. This is such an essential understanding, especially for children today. If there is a choice to hang out with those who despise school, watch bad movies, and use profane language, that will be how they are known, and that will also eventually be who they are. This was surely a part of the difficulty the religious critics were having with Jesus. If He was such a great leader, how could He allow His identity to be tainted by those from the other side of the tracks? How could He compromise His holiness and religious perfection by the uncleanness of worldly associations?

While it was unavoidable for Jesus to be noticed for His hanging out with the publicans and sinners, there was, however, another association taking place. For each one of those condemned sinners who were bound in a self image of failure and bondage to sin, their lives were given a whole new perspective after having sat down to eat with the Master. Association in reverse was lifting them from a lifelong label of evil to one of righteousness and acceptance. After all, the Master, Jesus Himself had allowed them to sit right down next to Him and talk to Him as if they were someone of significance. He, in the power of His own identity was allowing them to be associated with His goodness rather than being lowered to their badness.

In the world that will surround us today there is a need among those who may have avoided places of worship. They are in great need of a new association with the Great Physician. Rather than rejection and a cold shoulder, they require a place at the table and a loving voice of acceptance. Rather than imposing their badness through this interaction, there is a desire for an association change of theirs for His. This will require a great assurance of who we are and the true purpose of Jesus in us. There will be brushes with the ‘unclean’, but each and every one of them are looking for an opportunity to be associated with who we are in Christ. If they are truly condemned and living as sinners, their only real hope is an association change and that will only come by hanging out with who you are as an uncompromising but incredibly accepting and loving member of the body of Christ.

Worship is more than a song and a temple identity. It is fulfilling the Father’s heart purpose in touching those who may have been formerly untouchable with the loving balm that will heal and transform their lives.

Genesis 3:6-7 KJV
(6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
(7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

How much time is consumed with making sure we’re all covered up, and at what point does this consummation conceive and grow to an obsession?

There is a certain member of our family (the name is withheld for reasons of domestic unity) that at a young age didn’t seem to be at all aware that nakedness might be an issue. By just running fast enough it was thought that nothing would be seen and there would be dashes through the front yard and living room at times when guests were visiting. Thankfully modesty set in and the flashes were subdued, but there was something precious about that period when clothing was optional, because for the years that have followed taking care of self in all the ways that are necessary has become a necessary obsession for that family member and all of us who are living in public. That period of time when all was provided for of what might be considered a part and necessity of living was short lived. Self consciousness took over where total abandonment once reigned and the need to conceal, please, improve and instruct became a self responsibility where it had once been a total dependency.

It’s interesting that the three things listed as reasons for partaking of the fruit (good for food, pleasant to the eyes, desired to make wise) were all things that were surely being provided by God in the garden. They had an ample supply of food that was good to eat, an abundance of beautiful plants and animals, and the best instruction from God, their Father. Somehow, though, in a world where total abandonment had reigned and clothing was optional, self consciousness took over when they chose to take on the responsibility of providing these things on their own. With this self- obsession came a separation from the provision that had come from their Father and the total responsibility of caring for what He had once completely cared for. By choosing to disregard the instruction and provision of their Father, they chose to do it themselves, thus taking on self-consciousness over God-consciousness.

I believe this is what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of becoming like a child- that there must be a loss of self in a realm of abandonment to the provision of God, that responsibility for obtaining all those things that are needed to cover us, fill us and inform us must be given over to Him. It’s like Jesus came to take us back to the garden, where there was complete and total God consciousness with no need to hold anything back from His complete care. This, then, is our opportunity and our privilege this day- to remove all and release all to the all seeing and all knowing of our Father, to all that we could desire and require to come directly from Him. Rather than taking the burden and the responsibility ourselves and spending endless hours and energy trying to produce them ourselves, we can work under His direction and counsel following His way and totally released from concern or worry. Where there may seem to be no way or where another way may present itself, there can be an assurance and confidence in a consciousness that has been removed from self and given completely to God.