I’m definitely not a farmer myself, but I did grow up in a part of the country where corn, sugar beets, and wheat covered a great deal of the countryside. And, I did get to work on some of the farms, driving tractor. While it was quite fascinating to watch the machinery work the ground, and though it was necessary to make certain that it was operating correctly from time to time, it was most important that the great majority of the focus be given to where the tractor was going rather than where it had been. Keeping the wheels headed straight down the rows really wasn’t all that difficult to maintain, but if for a second the front wheels were allowed to stray from the true straight line crossing the field, it would create a swerve in the rows that was unacceptable to any legitimate farmer. The days might get long, hot, and dusty, but the attention had to be kept on where the tractor was headed at all times, even during the occasional backward glance. Everything about where you’d been with that tractor would be clearly seen by anyone who might later drive by the field, and where you were looking while driving would be the greatest determining factor as to whether or not you created a success or a mess.

The end of the year is the usual time for retrospect, when experiences of the past year are acknowledged. There is power in this backward glance to maintain an assurance of operability and use those remembered moments for adjustments and lessons learned. However, there is also power in that backward glance if too extended to get completely off course and create an unacceptable past. There is one other power of the past, though, that has been provided for us in Christ, when the future is given significance and hope by the past we’ve been given in Him. Everything we’ve gone through, both good and bad, when taken to the cross can be part of His working all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

There is a significant work for each of us in the kingdom of God, all of which requires a forward focus, with only a backward glance that keeps things in the perspective of the cross. Victory, forgiveness, and especially the overcoming power of love are the lessons to be learned there, resulting in a heightened lively hope of a productive and gratifying life in Him.

Luke 1: 38
38 And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

If anyone had reason to raise the legitimate question of ‘how?’ it could be Zacharias. His wife was past the age of child bearing and he himself was too old to give her a child. Yet, there was a huge significance in his response and its contrast to how Mary responded in a similar angel-encounter. With the priest, the raised question gave immediate reason for his powers of communication to be disabled altogether as long as there was the possibility of anything other than worship to proceed from his mouth. For every moment that doubt or question occupied his lips there was the great possibility the very purpose of God would be hindered by his words. Mary, on the other hand, could have also come up with a list of questions, but before a single objection was a raised, she responded with acceptance and an offering of her own life as an obedient vessel for God’s purpose.

Between the two of them you might choose Zacharias as the probable candidate for a faith response if it required maturity, education, experience and wisdom. Mary, though, probably much less established in the rituals of her religion, was yet more impressed with her God and His ability to do exactly what He declared however improbable that might be. The immediacy of their responses spoke much more about the depth of their heart relationship with their God and it’s importance far above the elevation of mental understanding. Because of Mary’s heart response of immediate acceptance and worship, her place in history was enabled as the mother of the Messiah, while the priest’s response removed him from participation in those special nine months leading to the birth of his son.

Questions may exist and wonder may be strong and prevalent, but there is ever an appropriate response for the one who has entered relationship with the Almighty that elevates that treasured relationship far above any impossibility. Such power resides in the first response to either enable participation in His purpose or complete dumbness and disqualification from involvement in His pursuits. For progress to be made towards His vision and His design there is no place in the least for anything other than words of worship that make the significance of His declaration to be the only consideration. There is a presentation in this day of God’s promise, His declaration and His determination regarding the significant purpose He’s designed for our lives. First response is so important and filling the mouth with exaltations of Him and His greatness will cause the doubts and questions to be squelched and removed from their disabling power. “Be it unto me according to Your Word” will have much greater reward and fulfillment than the forming of any questions or words to the contrary. In God’s realm only the voice of worship will be empowered to speak.

Eph 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

One of the greatest challenges in relationships, whether it be in the home or the workplace is when a request is made for something specific to be done and this request is not performed. It was requested that the dishes be rinsed off and put in the dishwasher, but 4 hours later they were still perched in the sink with their debris intact. A particular task was to have been completed and reported on by noon, but nothing was heard from that person at the end of the day. An appointment was made for a business meeting during lunch, but 30 minutes past the scheduled time, the other party still hasn’t shown up.

While there are still some reliable, dependable individuals to be found, there is a natural tendency developed over a life of interaction with people to assume that if something isn’t obviously taking place right away then nothing is being accomplished and there is no performance of what was expected. Disappointment and frustration set in along with a fracture, however small it may be, in the relationship with that person who failed to perform. From that point on, they can no longer be depended upon and expectations for future performance must be diminished.

This developed tendency to assume a failure to perform is something that will be lost in a true relationship with our Father God. Though periods of time may pass when activity appears to have ceased, there can be a continual assurance that He has never discontinued the project He’s begun in us. He will never fail to show up, He’ll never fail to clean things up, and His commitment to completion is as solid and dependable as the sun’s rising. With Him there is an ever-increasing level of confidence and hopefulness rather than disappointment and second guessing. Completing what He’s begun in us will never be lowered in His priorities. It will never grind to a halt due to difficulty or struggle we may have. It is not directly connected to our performance, but it is, however, specifically connected to our choice to give Him access and be in Christ along with all this means for His progressive work in us.

Today, right here and right now, the great God of creation is performing in us all that we will allow. How great our confidence should be in His presence this day.

Milestone syndrome: getting too consumed with accomplishments and achievements and weariness to press on.

Though I didn’t actually grow up in the mountains of Colorado, my parents did, so we frequently got to visit our grandparents in Buena Vista, right next to the continental divide. (Alas, I still don’t live in the mountains of Colorado, but my parents have built a beautiful home just over the pass from their home town to which we now go as frequently as possible.) My Dad, having grown up tramping all over the mountainside, either fishing or in pursuit of Elk or some other game, was quite developed in his physical ability to climb, while also possessing some critical wisdom and understanding about the best way to finally make it to the top. From an early age I was taken along with Him on some of these adventures that for me were much about just trying to keep up with him and somehow make it to wherever he had set as a goal. Though it was incredibly beautiful with clear mountain air and drinks from clear cold streams, after awhile my greatest focus would be upon that next rise in the trail, hoping that it would be the last. There would be several times along the trail that we might take a break for a few moments, but there was something Dad would not let me do at any of those intermediary arrivals- sit down. I imagine there could be several reasons for standing through those times, but for me I can remember that it kept my legs from cooling down too much, but it also kept me from even thinking about giving up and allowing this temporary achievement to be the end of the trail. There was something so much more significant to which we were pressing and no matter the view from that spot and no matter how far we had already climbed we were about something much higher and he wouldn’t allow our bodies or our minds to let half way be enough. Of all my complaining and of all the hikes we went on, some of which were several miles, I don’t recall us ever failing to reach our intended destination. We never sat down, never rested too long at any point along the way, and were never satisfied until the peak was reached.

There will most certainly be things we apprehend along the way, and there will definitely be noteworthy achievements that mark our path, but as long as we’re trekking this earth we will never have reason to sit down and let half way be enough. After a particularly difficult section of the trail with a slippery, steep grade it may be quite tempting to let weariness dictate and resolution set in, but when the heart is beating the fastest and air is being sucked the most there will be a need to keep standing with an eye ever on the final goal. Getting stopped anywhere along the way or letting anything on this earth become the arrival, destination or goal will inhibit any progress towards the real destination of purpose in Christ. The only significance of any milestone in life will be that it is a place to stand as we get set to press on again over the next rise and through the next meadow or ravine. I’m thankful that while we remain at our Father’s side He will keep us from sitting, ever encouraging us about what lies ahead, and as long as we’re following Him, there will be no doubt about arriving; it will ever be before us as a surety and hope.

I recently heard someone giving a passionate description of a baseball that had been signed for them by a professional player they considered to be the best ever. Not only did this baseball have the name of the player, but it also had a small note that included this person’s name. Some of the letters of their names were the same, and this was described as so special that right there on that baseball was a similarity between the two. What was particularly most impacting, though, was that, for one moment in time, this famous person had actually thought of him. He seemed to be somewhat overwhelmed by the concept that he could really have been in the thoughts of this idolized famous athlete.

While reading Matthew’s account of this, another fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus’ life, it occurred to me just how special these people from Zabulon were. Long ago the most famous person ever actually had them in His thoughts as He inspired His prophet to write a short note about them. Then, the fulfillment of this prophecy would be the presence of His flesh and blood, His very own son. More than an afterthought or just a spontaneous reaction to circumstances, it was so much in His thoughts that He had planned for and put it into motion long ago. In this note was also much more than a similarity of letters; there was a connection of hearts in a commitment that was so sure and established in its original declaration it was already in the past tense. There is an incredible sense that for these people living in obscure place in the world where very of the masses would even know they existed, the Creator of the Universe, their heavenly Father, was not only thinking about them at the time of writing, but was eternally committed to thinking on and bringing the light of His promise.

The tendency is to feel alone, not thought of, obscure, and ill-considered.  Ok, maybe this isn’t a continual obsession, but the reality of how much we are actually in the loving thoughts of our Father is never fully realized and just as these people probably weren’t even aware that there was a fulfillment of God’s note going on in the presence of Jesus, so there is rarely an awareness of how very near is the movement of God’s promise towards us. He, with His thoughts specifically on each one of us, has long ago made declarations of encounters with us that He is bringing to pass even this day. His love and His light is shining right into the otherwise obscurity of our world to dispel darkness and surround with comfort and love. More than just common letters in our names, He has given us His own name for an identity that will forever remove insignificance as it establishes us as royalty by His side. He saw and is seeing right into the world that is ours and has prepared for our rising with the presence of Jesus. What a privilege it will be throughout this day to acknowledge and honor this Light with a receptive and transformed heart of worship.

Privileged information- stuff that has been hidden for quite some time, this is what causes the ears to perk up and attention to be given.

I recently met a man who began to inform me of his special heritage that had given him access to information going way beyond just the simple tidbits the rest of us are privy to. Because of his elevated knowledge and experience he was able to discern the validity of others and to see into the spirit realm through eyes that had a special understanding. As he communicated the significance of his status and related stories to illustrate it, there was a definite sense that I was expected to respect and have a heightened sense of interest in all that he could show me. It was somewhat interesting and I wouldn’t mind hearing more at some time, but as he spoke it became apparent to me that the most important mystery of all was yet to be fully discovered by him. While there is an endless amount of interesting anecdotes and wealth of information yet to be unearthed, there is but one finding that will be of any sustaining value or usefulness. Until it is has been revealed to the specially initiated, all other information will be rendered meaningless, as there really is no ascension above the understanding of what’s been done for us in Christ.

While information alone will puff up and cause some to feel that they’ve arrived at a plane above the rest of us, it’s interesting that everyone is brought to the unsurpassed level with the simple understanding and acceptance of Christ’s residence in their heart. The quest may go on from there to know more, but it will never go up from there. This is the only understanding that brings real hope and inspiration for living and the power to be victorious and unafraid in every circumstance. With this privileged understanding there is also a desire for the lifting of others to that same place of hope rather than to rise above them in judgment and importance. As His presence is fully realized there will also be evidence in the fruit that is born in life. Where there had been bondage and servitude to sin and the dictates of the flesh, there will be a display of righteousness and the fulfilled and productive life it yields. There will also be an outlook on the future that is filled with anticipation for what God’s glory will bring over whatever the world may threaten.

There is a lifting of the head and there is ascension of the spirit for this day. There is so much to know and so many things to be seen and experienced. This, though, is the opportunity for everyone, no matter their past experience or spiritual superiority. It really requires no special heritage or cultural upbringing to be at an unsurpassed level in Christ, where all discoveries from here gain their significance in Him. He is the lifter and it is in Christ that our life, no matter who we are or what we’ve done, is given eternal significance in the kingdom of God.

Psalms 3:3 KJV
(3)  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

There are two times in the work day that are most significant for anyone working outside- dawn and dusk. The early morning has an incredible freshness and anticipation as the sun is just getting ready to rise on the Eastern horizon. Like the rebooted computer, there is a fresh start with a new day and renewed energy and vision. Work that has been withheld due to the darkness can begin or resume as the sun’s first rays begin to shine on the work area. As that same sun comes to the end of it’s journey at day’s end, however, there is a certain uncompromised finality to any work that had been enabled by its illumination. While there are lighted areas where labor may continue beyond the sun’s setting, the majority of construction and outdoor maintenance work takes place in the light of day, when it is most safe, efficient and functional to work effectively.

There is ‘God’ work that is just waiting for the light of the Son to shine so that His illumination may enable the work that can only be accomplished in His presence. It’s an incredibly defining moment when a condition that has been endured for some time comes into the light of day and the Redeemer who has committed Himself to our total and complete salvation and wholeness is given access to our workspace. While analysis could go on as to why this work has remained undone up to this point, the work of the day will only be inhibited if the power of the former darkness is allowed to shadow the Son’s present light. To attempt discovery of fault and who might be to blame for the condition in the first place is to only remain in the realm of uncertainty where the true answer and solution is concealed in the night. While there may be some validity to the source, the Solution is so much more powerful and affective if He will only be magnified above the reason(s) for the malady and allowed to administer His brightness.

The greatest victories come from the greatest challenges and without a significant opponent, there is no glory to the conqueror. There is a reason, then, that can be given for the existence of any hardship, trial or sickness – it is merely another opportunity for the undefeated Victor to be glorified. As this is made clear in the radiance of His presence, then He becomes the focus of the conversation and to give Him glory can be the reason for any condition, although other reasons may have also contributed.

Within each of us on a moment by moment basis is an opportunity for the works of God to be manifested and for His glory to rise above any other. Where Jesus is shining and His glory is illuminating all areas of our hearts, it is day time, the time for the work of the Father to continue towards completion. His brightness is for restoration and righteousness rather than for condemnation, and His will be an atmosphere of heavenly production in the building up of the kingdom in us. For every opposition that comes our way in our bodies, relationships, occupations, finances, etc. there is a very specific reason that can be given – that the works of God may be manifest in us. As long as His light is revealed and unconcealed there can be great expectation of His manifested work.

2 Peter 1:19 KJV
(19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Ephesians 2:10 KJV
(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I really enjoy math and I think it has a lot to do with the math teachers I had throughout school; that is until I came to the teacher of my Calculus class in college. What I enjoy about math is when you’re given all the resources, formulas, methods, etc. necessary to solve problems you are given. It’s like a puzzle- all the pieces are there, and if you’ll just apply them correctly a solution will result. The problem with my college professor was that I always felt I was being asked something for which I had never been given the necessary solving resources; I wasn’t equipped for the solution. I would spend all night attempting to solve a problem he had never prepared me for, and though I did possibly have those necessary elements I didn’t feel that I could approach him for a demonstration of how to utilize them. I came to believe that I just didn’t have what it took, that what I had in the way of knowledge and understanding would never be enough to complete his course no matter how many questions I tried to answer.

How often are we presented with a faith stretching question that may initially bring a sense of desperation, that maybe we’re ill equipped for the solution. However, like Philip and Andrew, it can be known that the apparent natural limited resources, rather than being a restrictive barrier, can become a means for a miracle when presented to the Master. It’s interesting that they even bothered to list what was available, knowing how small it was in comparison to the need. I believe, though, that with God there is a faith move that is merely seeing that all available resources, no matter how small, are enough in the hands of the Master. The right answer then, the answer of faith, is the offering to Him of whatever is available, no matter how small.

A character on a television series from a few years ago had this approach to the challenges before him. MacGyver was continually placed in a predicament for which he was ill-equipped with what would be considered by most to be adequate resources. He had a different way of looking at things, however. Instead of looking around and maybe finding nothing powerful or big enough to help him, he would instead find even the smallest of items that he would use to facilitate his escape or accomplish his impossible mission. Things as small as a paper clip were seen as significant and essential to overcoming the challenges before him. His eye was always seeing normal, ordinary and insignificant items as the ingredients for deliverance rather than the reasons for failure. His experience had shown him that there was always hope as long as there was anything at all within reach. For every question presented by his impossible pop quizzes of life, he had an eye that was inspired by the challenges to make whatever was available his means for success and victory.

For those who have found themselves in the company of Jesus for any period of time, there is a change in perceptions. The eye goes through a transformation to become much like that of MacGyver. Whenever a test question arises the eye begins to immediately look around for available resources to place in the hand of the Master. Rather than despairing like those who are without hope of deliverance, it becomes a natural and immediate response that no matter how small, the things right now within reach will be more than enough for God to accomplish His purpose in our deliverance. Water is enough for a wine shortage, a staff is enough for delivering a nation, a boy’s lunch is enough to feed a multitude, and a small smooth stone is enough to down a giant.

Rather than being shaken by the size of any mountain or challenge before us at any time, there is an opportunity to have the right response to the question it presents. There will always be something available to us that no matter its size will be more than sufficient for the task in the hands of the Master. Mountains will be moved by mere words and financial terrors will be dissuaded by the presentation of whatever’s left within reach. Just lifting it up to Him will be the right miracle-producing response.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 KJV
(27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
(28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Mark 10:27 KJV
(27)  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

On the day of victory, when the walls come tumbling down, the only ones left out of owning the victory will be those that chose not to shout. While it would be God who would get the glory and Joshua the fame, this 20th verse doesn’t refer to either of them; it says that the ‘people went up into the city’ while referring to the ‘people’ and what ‘they’ did 5 times. The preparation and the power may have come from God, but the direct participation in the triumph was that of every person that lifted their voice.

You know when you’re talking to a true fan of a team when they refer to that team as ‘we’. ‘We need to get a new couch’, ‘we just drafted (or recruited) the top player in the nation’, ‘we really crushed them’, etc. makes it sound like they are directly involved with the management and performance of the team. They know just how the plays should have been called and which players should have been used and when. Though they have never sweated a drop of sweat on the practice field, drawn up a single play or spoken personally with any player or coach, it’s as if they are an integral part of the organization, that the team just wouldn’t be able to make it somehow without their input.

While it may seem to be a bit overstated, the involvement of this fan along with many more like him/her is, in fact, an essential part of the team’s existence. While the players and coaches provide the skill, practice and strategy, without the shouts from the fans there would be little incentive. If no one really cared, if it wasn’t for a purpose, why bother?
The whole purpose in the falling of Jericho’s walls was so the people could enter the city victoriously. This incredible miracle would have been quite meaningless without the involvement of each one of them, and therefore they were all equal in possession of its triumph. They may just shown up for the parade and the shout, but the victory was nonetheless theirs.

There is a victory, a triumph, an advance and an occupation awaiting all those who will but lift their voice in the shout of praise. The preparation, the power, and the skill are all provided by our Great Performer. It will be Him that gets all the glory and the fame, but He has chosen us to be His purpose and fellow conquerors. As walls fall and His glory floods the earth, He has made it possible for any who will but join in the praise to participate in His conquering force and own a part of His triumph. What a great time to leave the onlookers and become a part of the ’we’ bunch, letting everything about  our Victor touch who we are.

It seems that this may be one of the greatest challenges in relationships- wondering what the other person is thinking. Maybe they’ve acted in a certain way or not at all, prompting an interpretation of those actions or lack thereof. As life has passed by with a few speed bumps along the way, there is reason for wariness and caution because of past betrayals or abandonments. If they are not heard from for a while it might seem that something is wrong and that person has been set off in some manner towards you. Sometimes there may have even been some failure on your own part that has compromised your confidence towards that person- something was said about them, or maybe negative thoughts or attitudes have been harbored. Insecurity has many resources to draw from and often utilizes them well in disrupting otherwise potentially valuable and rewarding relationships.

It’s interesting that this passage from Psalms takes place in the middle of this beautiful exposition of an intimate relationship with a faithful, loving and protecting Father. David was one who had much reason to be insecure with his relationships, having had close friends and confidants turn their backs and betray him. Though obviously inspired by God’s ever-present involvement in his life, the reality of life pokes its head in for a breather in an otherwise uplifting expression. This, however, did reveal just how fragile and vulnerable we are and how even the ‘man after God’s heart’ had moments of wondering.

I had a recent phone conversation with a friend whom I’ve not seen in several years. We had our rewarding and inspiring words as usual, but then at the end we spoke about the infrequency of our interaction. We each expressed that, though there may not be any peeps heard from the other, appreciation, honor and respect had not diminished in the least. In fact, the renewed communication after an extended lapse actually served to instill confidence in our relationship- that though there may be silence for some time, this doesn’t rightfully indicate a loss of respect or value in the other’s heart or mind. All that will ever be needed is a phone call for the voice to be heard and the confirmation and assurance possessed that our friendship has no fractures. 

So, was it necessary for this prayer to go up in order for God to stick around? Was He headed out the door with a need to get away from such an unfavorable person? I believe that this prayer was a necessary one, but it was necessary for the movement of David towards God more than God towards David. In David’s prayer was a passionate fixation on the One that He knew to be his necessity, his hope and his salvation. There may have been a resident insecurity and concern that God would somehow depart and leave him as others had, but in the request for God to not turn away in anger, there was actually a phone call made to a friend who could never be lost to a transgression or failure. By lifting up His voice to God, there was communication renewed and an avenue through which God could speak and impart His heart of love once more.

He has promised to never leave or forsake. For various reasons it may be perceived that He has and we have to go it alone without our Salvation. All it takes, though is that necessary call, the one that will instill and further establish His faithfulness once more.

James 4:7-10
(7)  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(8)  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
(9)  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
(10)  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.