He had been sufficiently warned of the harm that would befall him if he continued to follow the path he was on. You would really think someone as spiritually discerning as Paul would be able to adequately heed the warning of this impending danger. After all, wouldn’t the purpose of revealing this bit of information also include the directive that he should avoid it? Paul’s response, though, would indicate that awareness of coming danger has nothing to do with altering a directive already in place. Until there was a change of destination from the Spirit, forecasts, no matter how ominous, could not be accepted as a legitimate redirection. He was ready to follow His Master’s example of obedience, even if it meant going all the way to death. He had come to clearly understand that Jesus’ greatest achievement was the obedience that took Him to the cross. He had known what was coming, but didn’t allow this knowledge to alter His course and its ultimate impact on His fulfilled purpose in us.

We are understandably created to be ‘avoiders of danger’. This is quite often essential to our survival as we thankfully avoid any perceived threat and seek the path of the least peril. From our first breath there is great care given to making sure air is breathed, food is eaten, and pain is averted. At first this is the task of the parent, but increasing with maturity is this survival instinct that determines the path of life based upon a powerful drive to survive. You just don’t cross the street in front of an oncoming truck, step off tall buildings, get too close to fires, or antagonize the local monster- you know, things that will obviously bring certain damage and pain.

As entrance is made into the kingdom as new creatures in Christ, there is a wonderful revelation of an abundant and secure life that is provided for us in Him. Gifts have been given to us that will bring direction, encouragement and warning for our betterment and protection. As this knowledge is coupled together with our ever-present survival obsession, it would seem that any time revelation is provided, especially through a gift of the Spirit, that its purpose is to provide direction. While a revelation of impending persecution or difficulty could come with additional instructions, until those additions are in place, prior instructions will not be adjusted. Rather than just avoiding conflict and perilous battles there is an option we have to experience the victory and significance that only comes when the battle is engaged as an obedient soldier. Instead of instilling fear and the onset of the Jonah run-away syndrome, a quiet confidence will rise with each step made towards the giant rather than away from him. It may hurt a bit and it may not seem fair or just to human perception, but the wisdom and understanding of the Father will always yield the triumph that is only discovered in conflict. God is ready to accomplish so much through our obedience to step into the fray rather than run away.

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

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

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

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

Mark 16:9 Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved. (ASV)

Did you ever just not believe? It’s so good to be great at believing, but to be honest sometimes the ole believer just dysfunctions. I’m so glad that when it does, it doesn’t totally disable your identity, your position, your possibilities or your future.

Everybody talks about Thomas and how he refused to believe until he could actually touch the wounds and prove for himself that Jesus was alive. It seems, though, from this passage, that Thomas wasn’t alone, at least in his doubting, because it says here that ‘they’ disbelieved. And, it doesn’t say that two or three believed, but just Thomas was the lone doubter. All the guys there at the announcement had a major brain hurdle. Although Jesus had clearly stated what He was up to, either they were thinking about lunch or they thought He was talking about something more pre-death, because they really weren’t anticipating this amazing turn of events. They were also probably overwhelmed with grief and not thinking clearly and Jesus was probably wearing a different tunic and cologne, and – ok, they could have had a very long list of reasons, but bottom line is, without faith (belief) you just don’t have the capacity to please God, and they, for whatever reason were without it (Hebrews 11). As a result they were without peace of mind or any certainty about how to proceed from this point.

How incredible it must have been, then, when they were together in a closed room, and Jesus comes right through the wall to join them. Not only were they shown probably the coolest miracle yet, but they were also confronted with their own doubt’s exposure.  Their meal with Him is also more exposure of this doubt as Jesus actually gets after them a bit for their inability to believe before seeing. So then, when they were feeling like they had just blown it, He begins to tell them what they are going to do, and it has nothing to do with being put out to pasture for their failure. It’s like their favor- repelling doubt was overlooked for something else that was much more powerful- Jesus belief in them.

Disbelief has a way of putting a label on the brain and becoming an identity. Some people are bold and almost take pride in proclaiming their disbelief in something that Jesus came and gave His life in order to provide. Others might not make an audible proclamation, but there in the heart is a semblance of difficulty in swallowing the whole bite. In both cases Jesus displays a love and understanding that is just as impressive as the walk-through-wall thing. Rather than holding any of this failure against us, He just takes the opportunity of intimacy to replace the doubt with a display of Himself and the lack of hope or purpose with a clear vision of where we are going in our life as one of His very own. His view is never a backward disabling one, but forward and enabling. No matter where we find ourselves on the faith ladder, He sees us complete in Him, without doubt and totally qualified to heal, cast out and do all the stuff that requires only the special qualification of our intimacy with Him.

Mark 16:14 And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (ASV)

Psalms 34:2 KJV  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

So why is it that the humble are the ones getting all glad about someone else boasting in the Lord? Why should it make any difference to them at all? Could it be that they get their inspiration for gladness from the fulfilled purpose in someone else, and that a boast that is made in Lord is recognized as one that is declaring the provision, empowerment, and complete salvation that has come at the hand of the Almighty? Rather than needing to look in the mirror in order to find something to be glad about, it would seem that the humble person is inspired, humbled, encouraged and made glad when they hear of how another has been raised to life in Christ. It is, in fact, this very others focus that establishes their humility and ultimately their gladness in life.

While there is a strong tendency to be driven to excellence in pursuit of one’s own happiness, there is a much more substantial and reliable pursuit in the quest for excellence that has its purpose in lifting as many others to their best and their own boasting in the Lord. As long as the vision of others is only downward, their successes will bring jealousy and depression, while in humility there is fodder for thoughts of celebration at the exaltation of another who has found their hope in Christ. Great motivation is also obtained for becoming all you can be in order to be in a position to lift them ever higher.

There is a path to unlimited gladness under the feet of the humble– those who have their focus lifted up– on the Master and on others.

11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false: 12 So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in evil. 2 Thess 2:11-12 (BBE)

Why, it was a common truth. You know, something quite obviously without question. Although the scientific journals confirmed it to be true, it was one of those things so incontestable that even the simplest person should be able to accept its validity. To even voice another possibility was to put oneself in danger of ridicule and derision. You could tell by just looking that the world was flat, and because of this reality you had better not allow yourself to venture too far towards wherever the edge might be. Because of the earth’s state you had better not even think about acting in a way that might refute this undeniable truth.
There were those in the land, however, who found the acceptance of this ‘axiom’ to be quite uncomfortable and impossible. Their passion for discovering truth had moved beyond the limitations of ‘common’ knowledge to embrace the possibilities of the truth that might bring with it an incredible amount of freedom and expansion. The more they allowed themselves to embrace what was so unpopular, the more they began to discover that what had been thought to be self-evident by the masses was not truth at all, but simply a confining falsehood. To break from the restraints imposed by this misperception, there would have to be a break from the associations that nurtured its fallacy. Instead of allowing their movements to be limited by the ‘common’ knowledge, there would have to be action attached to the newly discovered reality no matter how risky it might seem to be. Until this concept moved beyond the realm of thought to the realm of action, there would yet be service to the lie of the earth’s flatness, and the riches and beauty just waiting beyond what had thought to be the edge would remain untouched and unseen.
Though we have risen, though we’ve attained, and though there has been movement beyond the dangers of the ‘brink’, there are still ways and truths that are higher than what might have been established as self-evident. While it may appear that the ways of God and the walk of love are ‘flat’ and confining, in reality they bring with them a whole new world of beauty, riches, and pleasures forevermore. For true liberty to be known, however, there will have to be an adjustment of the associations that nurture the truth and challenge the falsehoods. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and the only way to really know the truth is to know Him. Beyond exposure to the truth in Christ, however, there has to be a voyage made that challenges the borders established in the lie. Until there is adventure associated with His truth, there is no faith in it and no possibility of experiencing not only the promise of pleasure on the other side, but also the continual fulfillment of faith’s movements towards it. To remain on these shores might appear to be safe and the most comfortable, but a departure towards the perfect realm of love will be release from pleasures that restrain and destroy for pleasures that thrill and fulfill.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-32 (KJV)

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:20 (KJV) 20

It’s a bit of a wonder to me why someone would spend an extreme amount of money for a vehicle made to perform at speeds that are way above the legal limit. What good would there be in knowing what it is capable of while you’re just cruising down the road at the posted rate of speed, never really utilizing the car’s incredible power and performance? Though it might look most impressive in power and beauty, until the full range of speed is experienced and the handling is put to the test, it might as well be a low end gutless car that’s just getting you from one place to the next. For its potential to be something more than an imagination or a warm fuzzy source of pride, that machine will need to be taken where there are no restrictions, where it can be driven to its limits and beyond. Until then it is just a waste of technology, craftsmanship and money.

An incredible price has been paid for the Lamborghini (Maserati, Corvette, Lexus, whatever your dream car) that’s parked in our hearts. While it will get us down to the grocery store and across town to the mall, there is power in this gift that far exceeds our greatest imagination. In order really experience this power, though, we’re going to have to get beyond the restrictions, legalism, self-consciousness, and religion that would keep us functioning on the level of a puddle jumper. Once we get out there to the free and open road, there will also be a need for some bravery, a willingness to open it up and discover just how thrilling the ride can be when the power is applied to its full potential.

While our God is able and more than willing to do ‘exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think’, He’s not going to take off without us. The power that’s rumbling on the inside even now is just waiting for our foot on the accelerator. Actually, it will be the Word we are willing and obedient to boldly speak that will get us out of the garage and the side streets and out onto the open Autobahn. May this day be a day of daring departure from the ho-hum to the high performance demonstration of the Holy Spirit as He is designed and purposed to perform. No longer held back by our thoughts or hesitant prayers, He will do incredible things in and through us as He moves with beautiful heavenly precision.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psalms 51:10-13 (KJV)

My son recently participated in a football league run by an ex-pro football player. Many teams make up the league, which covers a very large part of Austin and the surrounding area, but the team Hunter got to play on was actually coached for a while by the owner. Though he has a great deal of accomplishments and renown, he is very friendly, and on a few occasions I got to talk with him at some length about his experiences in life as an athlete and businessman. He expressed a great deal of appreciation for the opportunity that was his, but also everything that had been a part of making a success from that opportunity with regard to hard work, diligence, attitude, and perseverance. You could definitely tell that there was a high level of satisfaction and fulfillment with his self-perception as a result of his achievements. What was particularly impressive, though, was the degree to which this self –confidence motivated him in doing much more that just hanging up pictures and feeling proud of his past. He was taking all he had learned about developing himself and using it to provide opportunity to hundreds of other young men. The transformation he had experienced through his own diligence is something he is now committed to seeing take place in those he would mentor. His life will continue to have purpose and fulfillment because of the degree to which his own life has been changed.

I love this passage from Psalms that so wonderfully projects the cleaned, righteous, fellowshipping, joyful, and free image that David so greatly desired for himself. For most of his childhood this was probably what he saw when he looked inside, someone who’s heart was in faithful pursuit of His God. Though a diversion marred this image for a season, there was an understanding in David that a return to that unblemished state was yet possible. It’s interesting, though, that the motivation for experiencing his own cleansing included in large part the desire to open his own mouth and impart to others the great opportunity he had experienced. For those, it seems, who experience the greatness for which they were created, there is a desire to share it, to become a ‘makeover agent’ themselves.

John 5:26-27 KJV For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; (27) And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

There is an incredible impartation of life from a father to a son or daughter, and beyond the mere act of conception, an ongoing transfer of this life will complete the role of fatherhood.

What an amazing privilege, honor, and responsibility it is for a man to enable another living being to enter into the world. To live here on earth is to be empowered to influence and affect this environment and atmosphere with unique God-crafted gifts and talents. A father not only makes possible the introduction of this life into the earth, but, through a lifetime has great potential in contributing to the fulfillment of his child’s designed purpose. It was the entrance into the world as a man that enabled Jesus to ‘execute judgment’, and while it would seem that coming to earth for Him was a significantly lowered state, it was actually the position required for redemption’s fulfillment. Though born the Son of God, the discovery of who He was and His ultimate purpose came from time spent with His Father. His entrance into the world as a son of man put Him in a qualifying position, but it was the fathering He received through a lifetime that brought fulfillment to that position’s purpose.

This role of fatherhood, while being severely challenged by our culture today, is one to be increasingly honored of those who have made the commitment of their life to giving of themselves way beyond a single moment in time. To be greatly honored also are those who have taken on this role, adopting those in need of the fathering that will enable them in their life’s purpose. Each precious heart that has successfully survived many challenges to live and breath on this earth is meant to discover the purpose for which they were created. How great is the father’s part and bringing this to pass and how greatly we honor today those who are giving of the life in them to enable and equip the lives they are fathering.

Exodus 33:16-17 KJV(16) For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.(17) And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

There is this incredible favor just waiting and wanting to be given from a mother who loves and cares for her child. While her love may compel her to continue in acts of love, the greatest values she has to bestow are gained not when circumstances demand attention be given to her, but when there is an active search made for the things that will please her. What is found by this selfless search is an empowering favor that will not be affected by any of the otherwise dominating circumstances of life. Just knowing the touch of a mother may be a thing of significance, but being touched by her overflow of grace and favor is something that will transform and redirect a life that’s in need of positive change. This flow from her very heart can in fact be much more valuable than any other earthly thing that can be experienced or possessed. From her grace there is an ability gained to be confident and self assured in advancing to a fulfilled purpose.

While there is such incredible value to be gained from the finding of a mother’s grace, there is oftentimes still less than a majority of children that will be grateful and appreciative enough for the treasure in her to seek it out and really dig for it. Other diversions and distractions in friends, trends and familiarity can dim the vision for the value in her and disable any attempts to be found in her grace’s possession.

The benefit that far outweighs all the rest in this discovery of a mother’s grace is the ability to just be with her and communicate to her in a loving atmosphere. There is really nothing better than this, and if there is incredible truth in this relationship with a mother, so is there a correlation to the much greater and more powerful discovery of God’s favor. While it is ever resident within a God who is full of mercy, only those who desire and insist on knowing Him will take the time and effort to leave other pursuits for the discovery of His wonderful and amazing grace. Today there is an opportunity to be found in that precious place that is ours at His side.

John 9:3-5 KJV
(3) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
(4) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
(5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

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.