16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
James 3:16-18 (ASV)

AM radio, at least down here in Texas, is very different on Saturdays than it is during the week. Almost every station has a gardening show, where they are talking about where to plant this at just the right time and how to treat this particular symptom with just the correct chemical or nutrient. I’ll admit, I have yet to listen to more than a few minutes of any of these shows, but I’ll also have to admit that my reputation as a gardener hasn’t been something that has concerned me all that much. I mean, how hard can it be? Just dig a hole, put the seed or already grown plant in the hole, soak it with water, and shazaam!- you have a lovely garden, right? Well, apparently not. There is much that is built in to the potential of the seed. It is indeed waiting for the right environment and the right nutrients, but in order to actually produce healthy fruit, it is going to require just the right understanding and care- hence the hours of talk time devoted to this end on Saturdays. There may be a need for shade, protection from hungry animals and insects, and removal of the weeds that are competing for its resources. Especially when young, the plant will require just the right environment in order to grow to a producing maturity.

There is wisdom being presented on a continual basis that is quite often disregarded while other more interesting subjects are selected. I mean, how hard can it be after all, this way of life in Christ? Don’t tell me I have to take the time to discover just how much care is necessary if any fruit is to be expected. I’ll just do what I think is right, you know, dig a hole, put the seed in, pour some water and be done with it while I tend to more important matters like who said what to who and how that made me feel.

There is a great potential for righteous fruit production in the seed we’ve been given in Christ. There is something very unique and special about this seed, though, that might require a discussion about its required environment. It is a ‘peace’ seed that doesn’t survive in an atmosphere of jealousy and strife, but requires the water of the Spirit and the removal of all weeds of discourse that would deprive it of its nutrients. To press on towards any expectation of abundance apart from the care of this peace seed is to engage in a wisdom that cannot produce any fruit, but only sickly, empty branches. Rather than switching over to more ‘juicy’ subjects, it will be way more than worth the moments spent tuned in to the wisdom that comes from above, and allowing the words spoken there to transform our gardening life. In peace the fruit is sure to be sweet.

34 Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Matt 10:34 (ASV)

Though maybe not as prominent today as when I was growing up in the 70s, there are still bumper stickers declaring that there should be ‘Peace, not War’. While Jesus is the Prince of Peace and there really is no peace without Him, it’s interesting that He makes this claim of not sending peace, but war. It seems that where the greatest peace would be known, there will have to be contention for it. Where a new nation is to be born that is free from the bondage of a taxing and religion constraining government there will have to be a revolution with sacrificed lives. Where it is believed that true peace for everyone requires the deliverance of those who have been bound in slavery, there will have to be countless lives given on the battlefield. When peace gained is being challenged by regimes that are on a mission to undermine it, there must be a willingness to go anywhere in the world with the intent to storm beaches, drop bombs, and gain victory at the cost of however many lives it takes to preserve and protect this most valuable acquisition. When the Prince of Peace is known to be the only true way to an inner peace that none can compromise or take away, there must be a willingness to contend for Him with anything and anyone that rises to divert commitment to Him in the slightest of ways. Even those that are dearest to the heart must not give reason to avoid a battle that becomes necessary to preserve the Prince’s place in the heart.

Peace does not come without contention and the greatest challenge to real peace that quiets the streets is the thought projected on the bumper sticker- that there can be peace without war. Whatever can persuade you to roll over for promised ‘peace’ is the very thing that will eventually remove true peace altogether. The real pursuit of peace will require battle gear and the ‘eye of the tiger’, not just a mamby-pamby walking of the path with least resistance. The greatest peace is not found in avoiding the storm, but going right through it with an unshakeable presence. Ephesians refers to the ‘feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace’ as part of the battle attire required to defend against the attacks of a relentless enemy. There will be a daily threat against a peace won by the blood of the Lamb and only where there is a willingness to fight for it will there be any presence of it. Through the battles that are sure to come this day as threats to our relationship with the Prince, may no war be conceded or avoided for the illusion of peace. May real triumph and real victory establish His presence as a peace that passes understanding through every storm, conflict and contention that arises.

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:3 (KJV)

14 But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Gal 6:14-16 (ASV)

On the University of Denver campus where I went to school for four years, there were two main cross streets, University and Evans. As there were classes conducted in each of the four quadrants they created, crossing them was something that took place several times a day. Because time was often limited in between classes and also because I just didn’t want to walk all the way down to the crosswalk, I became quite the ‘frogger’ (from that old video game where you try to get the frog across the busy street without getting squashed).

There was really an art to timing the four lanes of traffic so you could at least make it past the first two lanes to the middle where you could then slide through the next gap in traffic and make it intact to the other side. As I am able to sit here and write about it now, I obviously avoided the dangers involved in this practice, but it doesn’t mean that it was a peaceful stroll, no matter how good I thought I could do it. With vehicles hundreds of times my size zipping past at 30-40 miles an hour there was usually a bit of an adrenaline rush by the time I made it across, which often required breaking into a run.

All the while this extremely dangerous route was being chosen, there was waiting just a few extra feet down the sidewalk a lane designated for me and a light ready to stop all traffic for my safe passage. The walk across the street in the legal and safe way, which I did take from time to time, was definitely the peaceful choice, one that required very little acknowledgement of those dangerous objects that had been brought to a halt by the light.

In Christ a walkway has been made that will completely transform those busy and dangerous crossings that continually require our passage. Instead of having to focus intently upon each of the potentially damaging obstacles in our way, and rather than having to go through a heart spike with each narrow miss, God has provided a way for our walk to be a peaceful one, free of concern about those fast-moving ‘mountains of destruction’. His light will bring them to a complete stop. This way, though, is one that acknowledges in no way those fleshly elements that were once so important. Peaceful and safe passage only comes by uncompromised dependence upon the walkway of the Spirit. It might take a few more steps to get to the light and possibly a small wait, but there will be no concern for the dangers that come with every step as long as the abilities, accomplishments, and limited identifying elements of the flesh are given up for the Spirit-walk. In Christ we can be freed to walk confidently and securely in the way that requires us to only step out in faith that the Light will protect our passage. No other characteristic in us is required and in fact any focus on the flesh will only remove us from the protection of the walkway. In His timing it will be clear when to move and when to stop so that His Spirit alone can control the flow of all potential threats.

Anxiety, worry, stress, and heart attacks can be removed altogether from our walk today if we will but leave the insistence on our own crossing ability for the protection of the Light. We might otherwise survive, but peaceful passage will only take place in the Cross-walk.

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Romans 8:4 (KJV)

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:16 (KJV)

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:24-25 (KJV)

Romans 5:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,(in believing) so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(NIV)

Hope happens. It’s not something to seek after itself, but it’s more of an inevitable indicator that something else is being sought after.

I remember arriving on the University of Denver campus for the start of my freshman year. In search of a college where I could actually get a degree studying classical guitar, I had discovered the program at DU and was thankfully accepted as a student in their Lamont School of Music. I was determined to make it through the 4 years and do my very best to excel in all the required courses. From the start I was excited about the incredible opportunity before me and the possibility of success at the end of the coming 4 years.

Though I was able to complete the goal and make it through to the end, it wasn’t without significant challenges to the belief that I could actually climb this mountain. As I look back on it, one of the greatest challenges took place that first week on campus. My dorm roommate and I were both invited to join the Lambda Chi fraternity. After going to some of their events, however, I was unable to feel confident that the lifestyle there at the fraternity would enable me to accomplish my goal and achieve my purpose for being at the university. It seemed to me that there was a great diversion of focus there that would keep me from doing what it would take to be successful, and as I considered the invitation there wasn’t an accompanying joy and peace with the thought. Though there was promise of good times and brotherhood in the frat house, there wasn’t strengthened hope for my desired end.
There would be additional challenges on a daily basis to making it through to the goal, and I found that just having a goal really wasn’t enough. It was believing and acting on the program laid out before me that would take me to that goal. Every semester had certain prerequisites and required courses that were essential to meeting the degree essentials, and I discovered that with each fulfilled requisite I was filled with a sense of joy and peace resulting in renewed hope that inspired and motivated me further towards my goal. On the other hand, I found that failure to really believe in and take seriously the course material before me would tend to result in a degree of failure that greatly undermined the joy and peace that was so essential for my much needed hope of success. The vision of my desired end (hope) was directly connected to how full of joy and peace I was, and this was based totally on my respect, honor and action with regard to the curriculum’s demands. As my trust in the program’s process affected my lifestyle and time spent, so hope formed around my goal.

We have a promise or goal that has been set before us in Christ of a completed program of overcoming success. Like Jesus, though, and the joy set before Him, there is endurance of course requirements that will reveal just how great is our belief in the process. Just having the goal of even heaven itself will not be enough. It will require a belief and trust in the program of righteousness set before us in the Word to take us through to our desired end. With each completed act of obedience with an attitude of worship, our God of hope will fill us with joy and peace, along with an overflow of inspiring and motivating hope. Passionate pursuit of God’s way will place us far from the disabling and destructive oppression and terror of sin’s failure, and we’ll be enabled to overcome every obstacle and course requirement with excellence.
Where there is a lack of hope along with a dimmed vision of the promise in Christ, there is an indicator that trust in the God of hope may have been diverted or challenged somewhere along the way. Great confidence and surety will directly follow each commitment to His way, His words, His thoughts, and His actions, and no matter the severity of the circumstance or storm, there is a steadfast hope that can remain or be renewed when trust’s demonstration results in a filling of joy and peace from our God of hope. It will be worth so very much more than any social club, or earthly diversion of any kind, to enter into the ultimate joy of the Lord having obtained our goal, fulfilled our purpose, and set foot into the blessed eternal hope of knowing Him face to face.

Proverbs 16:3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
 

Zechariah 8:5  And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
:6  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the sun was just getting ready to go to bed along the southern horizon as I stopped by a friend’s house to pick up Haylie. She had spent a few days there while Kim and I were out of town, so it was taking her a little while to get her things together. Haydn, Hunter and I had the windows down and were just enjoying the peaceful evening as we waited in the driveway. I had noticed some kids on bikes while pulling into the neighborhood and had slowed and waited for them as I entered Haylie’s friend’s driveway. It isn’t really a cul-de-sac, but this quiet street is driven mostly by those who live there or know those who do, so it has a very secure and peaceful atmosphere.

While a mother kept a close watch from the house next door, three of the kids I had noticed on the way down the street were riding their bikes and scooter along the sidewalk and street. They were playing with a recycle container that was waiting for pick up along the curb, and had accidentally discovered the loud noise that could be made when they ran their bikes into it, causing the empty containers inside to clang together. Each time one of them would take their turn at crashing into the container, there would be an eruption of laughter and praise for the one who had caused the noise.

In the middle of a world full of great chaos and despair, most of which is far too dangerous for children to freely play right out in the streets, we were presented with this scene of purely innocent joy, peace and security. I had initially experienced a judgemental feeling, like, “How could a responsible parent allow their children to be playing right out in the open like this?”, but after a few moments I felt myself getting caught up in the serenity of the moment with great appreciation for quality of life that was being enjoyed before our eyes.

How wonderfully marvelous had become this moment, when, for a few minutes, I together with my boys were suspended from the conflicts and pressures of normal living to observe and taste of the wonderful experience that life can be. Then, upon reading this passage from Zechariah, it became clear in yet another way that God also has a passion and appreciation for those things that would be marvelous to us. Not, necessarily the things that would be driven by our flesh that eventually come with the baggage of sorrow, but those things that result in pure joy and exuberance of living are things that bring great fulfillment to the One who’s provided everything for their existence. These are the very times that He desperately wants for us, and He is continually nudging us their way and leading us beside still waters where they may not only be observed, but experienced.

To lives that are easily caught up in the rat race and conflicts of day-to-day living, with its financial pressures and emotional stresses, there is ever a secluded street in the kingdom of God, where He invites us to steal away, slow down, and view that which is truly marvelous and glorious- life as He provides and intends it to be. Far from oppression, terror and fear, inspiring continual eruptions of joy and gladness inspired laughter, these, above even some of His most magnificent creations are considered by Him to be marvelous and most precious. There is in this day an opportunity to escape to this place in Him, to see and know that no matter the intensity of the world’s storms, there is a refuge in Him where all inhibitions and restrictions give way to the spontaneous and thrilling joyful life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Zephaniah 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Colossians 1:27 Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple.

It’s just an old, rough cut log cabin in the woods, much like so many other cabins throughout this part of the country. It was built before there was electricity or running water, and the floor is just bare dirt. It might be fun to camp out in for a night, but actually living there would be pretty much out of the question for the typical present day family. Yet there is something incredibly interesting and special about this little place. It has a certain glory about it that has nothing to do with its structure or furnishings. What makes it glorious and set apart from even multi-million dollar homes is the fact that one of the people who actually lived in this humble abode is a former President of the United States. Because of the man who made this his abode so long ago, it will be cared for and preserved in its original state. Although he would move on to other and more elaborate homes, there is something that will forever be a part of this humble structure, the glory of the one who had lived there.

Wherever Christ has been invited to live, wherever He has made His abode, there is something very wonderful that takes place in that structure. It takes on the glory of its inhabitant. While He will surely make renovations and improvements, the defining significance and glory will always be Christ himself. From the moment He arrives, His new home is given equal status and honor with every other place He’s been given access. It’s really no longer about the appearance, size, or beauty of the structure; it’s about the One who’s chosen to spend His time there. Whether located in a gated community or on the other side of the tracks, security and confidence come not from the status of the neighborhood, but from the presence of the King who’s making His home there. His royalty makes this place His palace. His dominance and power makes this place His fortress, and His wealth makes this place His store house.

While great significance is given to the place where the VIP has been, the place where He is actually living brings with it a forward focus that far exceeds any past fixation. Monuments and plaques may be placed to honor His past activities, but the hope of His yet to be experienced glory will always lift the gaze from where He has been to His next anticipated movement, speech, or touch. If there has been a glory found in moments He has already occupied this place, how much greater is the wonder of what His presence has yet to impart. It is actually this expectation and honor that continually welcomes and enables His tenure. The sharing of His glory is directly associated with Him being the One who is glorified. He will ever glorify the place of His abode, but this is an ongoing process that He alone can conduct. The glory of the abode will ever be dependent upon its Occupant.

Particularly during this time of year there is a forward focus as resolutions are made and goals are established for the coming year. How enhanced is that forward look for the one who is no longer limited in expectation by appearances or locations, but is given great hope and confidence in the glory of the coming days because of the One who has chosen to live, move and breath in him/her. Christ will accomplish great and mighty things in the coming year, and He will do so in and through the place where He’s living. There will certainly be a sharing in the inevitable glory of His great works where His honor and praise have welcomed His presence- His occupancy.

Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid. Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a little child will tend them.
:7 Cow and bear will graze the same pasture, their calves and cubs grow up together, and the lion eat straw like the ox.
:8 The nursing child will crawl over rattlesnake dens, the toddler stick his hand down the hole of a serpent.
:9 Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on my holy mountain. The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide.

What you know it pretty important, but who you know is a whole other level of significance altogether. It’s good to memorize and drill and study and cram, but more effective than any of those in actually moving towards becoming productive with that knowledge and being motivated to acquiring more, is an experience with the author of the book. To ‘hang out’ with someone is to be affected and transformed by who they are, to be influenced by them in preferences and perspectives, and to actually take on their identity. You can usually tell which of their friends a child has just been playing with based upon their attitude, their passion, and the image they’re attempting to portray. They’re affected by their most frequented friendships in how they dress, choice of pastimes, and perspectives on scholastic and career accomplishments.

There are many in our world today who’s knowledge of God has led them to believe that He must be removed from our publicly funded educational process and governmental functions. Of all the dangerous influences in our society, the one knowledge that is most offensive and to be most kept from innocent little minds is any awareness about the One who created them in His image. This, after all, could forever damage their vulnerable little hearts and keep them from making all the important decisions in life completely free from influence by the One who wrote the book. They would make us believe that to ‘offend’ in the least by exposure to the slightest God reference would be so much worse than even the destruction of life before its chance to take its first breathe.

Perception of life and establishing the ability to live it to its fullest, (which should be the goal and purpose of education and government), have obviously been limited to the ‘what you know’ category when it comes to God involvement. There may be a level to which we can rise within this limited realm of awareness, but getting to an ultimate objective of peace and productivity will require the very knowledge that is being presented as ‘dangerous’. Until the Inspiration, the Motivation, and the Introduction to real life is allowed to influence by more than merely an amendment to be ostracized, there can be no arrival at the lofty educational and governmental goals that only a ‘hang out’ knowledge of Him can bring.

There is a place and a time when the lion will lay down with the lamb and the child will be free from any fears or inhibitions to accomplish his/her fulfilled purpose. This place and time will always be waiting, though, on the other side of a knowledge that only God’s very presence can bring. It will only come by the kind of knowledge that fills places and worlds with an overwhelming influence of greatness. Only when all, like children, are allowed go ‘play’ with God, to be affected in perception, passion, preference, image, inspiration, and motivation by hanging out with Him will there be the kind of world that the word ‘peaceful’ would rightly describe. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and it will be by His influence and exposure to His perfection alone that progress will be made towards His designed place of peace and productivity.

While there is a time to come when Jesus will reign over all hearts and therefore governments, there is an influence that He can bring right here and right now. When included in every moment and allowed to cover the whole of our life as the water covers the sea, God awareness will bring peace to homes and confidence and security to every area of our life, no matter the circumstances and no matter how great the opposition. As He is allowed to participate in areas of life that even we as Christians have disallowed Him, He will faithfully bring His eternal life of fulfilled purpose and blessing. Knowledge of Him is so much more than just knowing about Him, it’s being completely transformed by an experience with Him that is deeply personal and all inclusive. In this kind of knowing Him there is a peace that will far surpass any other understanding and a life that will never want for fulfillment.

(Psalms 84:4)  How happy are those who reside in Your house, who praise You continually. Selah
:5  Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
:6  As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings.
:7  They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion.

We pulled into town with our truck full of belongings, stored everything for a few weeks till our house was ready, and then finally moved in to what would be our residence for a while. We learned where all the important and essential stores were located (like Home Depot, Guitar Center, and Starbucks). The people were wonderful and we spent the next few years getting to know many of them quite well. Our employment was established and a house was acquired with big trees and yard. It would appear that this, indeed, was our home.

But this, like prior and present locations, never could truly be our real home. I still have this notion that, because I grew up in Colorado, my home is up there somewhere after you cross the Colorado line. This, though, is no different than any of my other landings, it’s just been the temporary residence of a pilgrim. It is so tempting to somehow get attached to a place to the point of making it part of your identity. While this will probably always be somewhat true as where we’ve been makes a contribution to our perceptions, there is but one place that will successfully define who we are and where we’re from. Once we’ve been made citizens of the eternal kingdom, it doesn’t matter where we lay our head or place our things, there is this undeniable feeling that everything is just temporary. We’ll just be here for a little while, even if it’s the rest of our life.

What I really like about the awareness of our pilgrimage, though, is that everything that might otherwise appear so significant and important is given true perspective. It’s just another of many passing elements as we continually make progress to our eternal home. As the seriousness of each circumstance is given its true perspective, every reason for sadness or discouragement is stripped of its significance and the power of our heritage replaces those emotions with happiness producing strength that cannot be taken by anyone or anything. Instead of having the conditions dictate our mood, we are instead empowered to bring spring water to our valley and cover wherever we land with blessings.

We are truly pilgrims, but the strength of this reality will only be found by those who truly set their hearts on this understanding, letting it be a source of ever progressing strength. We may have pulled into town for a little while, but while here there will be a provision through us and blessing to this place and its people. I don’t know about you, but it makes me a bit happy just thinking about it.

Psa 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

I remember the good old days, when I could just stuff myself with about everything on the table and still feel like I had room for more. I traveled a couple summers with a group that, while there wasn’t much pay, did provide an abundance of meals. I would order really large portions and then help some of the others with their leftovers. During that time in my life all that food had somewhere to go and my metabolism would pretty much burn it up and take care of it. With the passage of time, however, I’ve found that not only am I unable to eat nearly as much, but now the food that I do eat doesn’t seem to know how to take off after I’ve enjoyed it. It just wants to hang around to add itself to my middle self.

There is something else I’ve noticed throughout my daily experience with food, though- that one of the best ways to diminish and extinguish the hunger of a famished belly is to fill it up. In fact, whether I am able to eat large volumes or the lesser requirements of today, there is no better way to ruin my appetite than to get completely full. Once the full meter is starting to read a little above half way, everything, including those wonderful desserts starts to lose its appeal, and the very morsels that normally would look and sound so inviting, can be left right there on the plate. Where the tank is already full, it doesn’t matter how you attempt to fill it up again, there just isn’t any room left.

I believe that quite often in our opportunity to savor the sweetness of God’s word, it is setting on the plate before those who are already quite full. Though intentions might be to eat of it and allow it to nourish the body, other thoughts and other expressions are already filling the mind and the heart with meaningless cares of this life. God’s very words of life are often left without even really being touched because of the harmful fast food that is already occupying every square inch of the stomach. In addition to the inner gratification the Word could have brought to the heart and soul, there is also a lost opportunity to really savor the Word by letting it occupy the mouth as it is spoken as well. This opportunity is often also disallowed because of the junk that is already abiding in that place. Good water and bad water don’t come out of the same cistern and where the mouth is already full of death’s words it will ever be most difficult to enjoy and savor the most succulent and wonderful preparations at the Father’s table.

For the Word of God to ever really be enjoyed and ingested as intended, there will have to be a hunger and a thirst for it, and for this famished state to ever exist, there will need to be a removal or deprivation of those other things that have so long occupied the mouth and the spiritual belly. In the quiet times and the secret place, far removed from the continual partaking of the world’s damaging concoctions, it will become more and more possible for the Word to become the delicious desire as referred to by the psalmist in this passage. When there is no longer a dominance of the meaningless, an appetite for the most nourishing and savory morsels of the Word will begin to look, smell, and taste so much better than any other portion. In quietness the soul will take on its need for sustenance, and as this need is gratified by the Word of God, the most incredible and wonderful fruit will begin to occupy the inner belly and the mouth itself with savory words of life.

There may be a need this day for interaction with those around us, and we may be required to ingest the substance that presses in from family, friends, and occupation, but there will ever be this refuge available in Christ, where, no matter the magnitude of worldly provision, the mouth and belly can be enjoyably filled with the preparations of the Father. As this place is accessed and His daily bread eaten, we will increasingly find that it is easy and natural to leave that other junk on the plate. Where its look and taste once appeared to be so inviting, the world will no longer be acceptable. We’ll already be way more than full with the very thing that will again be our hunger and passion tomorrow.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Did you ever just feel tossed? You know, when it seems like you are being pushed from many different directions? You are almost desperate for direction and a sense of knowing what to do, and the very One that you’ve chosen to follow appears to be so far away? There is a great need for action, but pressures from differing sources are asserting their force to go opposing directions? This would most certainly be an inspiring moment, but an inspiration of anxiety, worry, frustration and despair- not at all something call joy.

Yet, this is what is most necessary in this time, especially, because there is a required strength to be steadfast against that tossing that only exists in the joy of the Lord. It is most reasonable to verify all those other emotions based upon the very real despairing circumstances, but for the one who has looked to the Author and Finisher of our faith, there is also a very reasonable response of joy. By sweetly trusting in what is already known in Him, one can begin to understand what is really taking place in the storm of opposing forces. There is an opportunity unique to this moment for the development of patience in a relationship with the One from whom all blessings flow. Choosing His way of holiness and purity, simply heeding what He has already said is wisdom itself. Each resisted challenge to this choice is therefore an added reason to be glad and joyful, knowing that needed perfection and endurance is being developed each time- we’re actually making progress.

The simple faith of a child is so wonderful and precious, when there is simple belief without any consideration of the magnitude of the request. How complicated things become, though, and how potentially destructive are those persistent waves that may appear to be increasingly formidable? There is a way back to the perfect childlike simplicity, though, when each challenge, each potential tossing becomes an added reason to be glad and joyful. Stripped of all its faith disrupting power, the very temptation whose purpose was destruction can be part of a perfecting force of faith itself. So that in the time of requesting anything of the Father, because of the multitude of perfecting moments where joy empowered patience has been able to work, unwavering faith will arise that will stand fast against any temptation to waver. Those pesky temptations to falter from true dependence on Jesus will be the very reason for our possession of everything we need in Him. The patience they’ve produced will yield wisdom’s actions of faith.

God is continually at work to complete what He’s begun. What are we to do in the mean time? This is the quandary of the tossed and the joy inspiration for the patient. Though death precede reception of the promise, joy’s strength and love’s peace can prevail throughout every moment of the waiting as the true life of God rises in gravity and power over every single opposition. Faith knows that in God it’s already done – all we’re to do?- trust, depend, be glad, be joyful. All other direction follows this simple choice to follow His way. Trying to get to the answer through reasoning or any other means will only produce sea sickness from the constant tossing.

There is life and rest and joy and peace right here and right now, and especially in the time of apparent difficulty. In His presence is fullness of joy, patience, faith and wanting for nothing- it’s just another reason to be glad.

Psalms 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.