1 Thess 2:13 (ASV)

“If only God would speak to me.” “I’m going to get off by myself so I can maybe hear from God about my life.” “It’s been so long since I’ve heard God speak to me.”

There is such a need to hear directly from the source of life, from the one with the prescription for the healing, the direction, and the wisdom for life. When it comes to issues in the body, a doctor’s visit can be arranged, where someone with a degree can spend a few seconds poking on this and shining a light on that to come up with the ‘answer’ for what ails you. What good would it do, however, to go to the doctor’s appointment, get a written prescription with detailed instructions and somehow disregard the doctor’s words as irrelevant to your condition, still longing somehow to ‘get’ the answer from someone who ‘really’ knows? Or what good would it do to hear the solution and yet feel that the remedy is just as readily discoverable on one’s own. Until truth is received as such no solution or direction will make the least difference. Until there is confidence in the source as if it were totally legitimate, it’s truth can never work its work, make a change, and bring an answer to a life situation.

I believe it is possible to hear directly from God every time there is an encounter with one of His servants. Whether or not His words make any difference, however, has everything to do with the degree to which they are received as truth. So often there are those who are yet longing for the answer to their predicament right after the prescription has been given to them directly from God through one of His children. Maybe because it isn’t written on the wall, spoken with a mysterious audible voice, or delivered from someone with an impressive reputation, the ‘answer’ is disregarded and rendered ineffective. Maybe there is an insistence that the ‘real’ answer must come independent from any other member of the body- you know, directly from God.

Paul was unceasingly grateful for the reception that was given to his words by the Thessalonians. The truth he proclaimed wasn’t restricted by disregard and disrespect for the vessel that was speaking it, but his words were rather taken for what they actually were, the heart and the voice of God, providing the exact words of life that they desired and required. They weren’t still wondering if God was ever going to speak to them, and they weren’t hoping to still somehow have a ‘real’ encounter with God. Every time they heard the voice of the servant they received it as the voice and the solution of their God. Whether from an established ministry or from that child of God next door, there is a word being spoken from the heart of God that, if received as from Him, will bring the prescription for life that is just what is needed.

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.

To have an encounter with someone that is truly great can make a significant life-changing impression, but what makes the encounter even more powerful is when that person changes the way you see yourself and the possibilities for your own life. For this woman at the well there was an immediate offer of water that would cause her to never thirst again. She would then discover that this offer came even while Jesus was aware of her present sinful condition, having had several different husbands and presently living with a man out of wedlock. She became convinced by Jesus’ words that He indeed was the Christ, but what would change her life forever wasn’t just her brush with fame; it was the complete change He brought to the way she would see herself from that day onward. No longer was she just someone who had failed at every relationship and become labeled forever as someone quite far from what a worshiper might be. She herself had conversed with the Christ and from Him she had received validation for who she was and of what she was capable. She had been accepted and respected for who she was in spite of her past sins and present depraved state. She could now see herself as a worshiper of Christ and because of that vision her place at His side was made possible.

It is so great to magnify and exalt our awesome God of power and might and to be overwhelmed and impressed by Him above everything else in life. For that impression to really begin to impact and transform, however, it will need to change how we see ourselves. While a life may or may not be in a depraved state like that of the woman at the well, there will need to be a change of identity and self perspective in order to ever assume the role of a worshiper for which each of us has been formed. Earthly patterns of thinking and a self image formed over years of living in a culture and atmosphere of worldly dominance will completely disable the unlimited potential that has been placed inside with the life that is ours in Christ. For every moment that is driven by worship, though, there is an opportunity for Jesus to make us aware that the spring of living water is actually coming from inside of us, welling up to everlasting life. We are able, each one, to worship the Father in spirit and in truth as we see ourselves as the worshiper we are in Jesus.

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.

Till there is a ‘thing’ and until there is a trial, there is nothing to conquer, nothing to be victorious over. While for some the attack or the difficulty may bring cause for depression and defeat, for the conqueror and for the winner it is only another foe to be overcome and another reason to be glad. Instead of worry and concern, there is inspiration and excitement about the coming victory celebration. This perception of imminent triumph is actually what enables the stance necessary for the conquest. Until there is an expectation of victory there can be no advance and no domination of the enemy no matter how great the potential and how small the foe.

With each attack and through each conflict there is actually a qualification taking place for the one that chooses to remain on the side of the Victor. Though David could have reacted to the attacks of the bear and the lion as some kind of judgment or bad fortune, He instead responded with the victorious nature that had come on him from long nights spent with his Maker and his God. His choice of trust in God through those smaller attacks caused him to be uniquely qualified to stand before the giant Goliath. There was, for him, an incredible confidence instilled by the attacks he had already experienced that enabled and qualified him to stand before the ‘invincible’ adversary with full confidence and excitement about what was about to talk place by the hand of his God.

It may seem that according to circumstances we’re being put through an inordinate amount of life difficulty. It may seem that things are unfair, that we’ve been wrongly dealt bad experiences. For all those, however, who choose to put their trust and their hope in God, no matter how much they’ve messed up or chosen wrongly, there is an incredible reason to be glad and rejoice. God will take everything that our enemy has used for evil in our lives and turn it to His glory. We’ll indeed more than conquer through Him!

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.

There is this perception held by those participating in certain objectionable activities that it is just something they are choosing to do, that it really has no repercussions on anyone else or themselves for that matter. This deception allows them to engage in service to a variety of passions ‘just for the fun of it’. After all, it’s just about having a little fun that won’t hurt anyone anyway.

Another activity is taking place, however, in conjunction with that chosen behavior. An inscription is being made on the heart, the very core that defines who that person is. What is being etched there is a proclamation or statement of the true belief and commitment of that heart. While it may be that there are other deep rooted beliefs, at the moment the heart’s conscience is given to a certain behavior, a pen is documenting the belief that has taken precedence for the moment. With consistently repeated actions, that inscription will come to define the character of the heart to the point of long lasting and irreversible commitment. Sin is not just a choice for pleasure, but a choice of belief in what will bring the most gratification. With time its claim on the heart creates the trap from which it is most difficult to gain freedom.

For this heart that has become covered in the pen’s inscriptions there is an opportunity to experience the impossible– for that heart to become wiped completely clean and set free to serve the only true God. With every choice to seek after and follow Him there will be a removal of that old inscription and old bondage. Where the heart had once been defined by gods of the world it had chosen, it will actually be transformed and empowered to do what is right. Though otherwise permanent and irreparable, those deep rooted definitions will lose their claims in the cleansing flood of Jesus’ blood. In worship of Him, a new and dominating script of redemption will replace and redefine the very nature of the heart.

There is so much going on in the world around us today that exemplifies something we’re quite conditioned to in life– people are never quite what or who you think they are. Professional athletes that were regarded among the very best and political leaders, along with business chiefs are being shown to be something other than what they appeared to be. There is something about each one of these revelations, though, – that the one being found out probably wasn’t always that way, but he/she had changed somewhere along the line. Because of performance pressures or temptations of power, there had been a compromise of the person they once were to this individual that really doesn’t represent the legitimate person living on the inside.

While this is being demonstrated in stardom, though, it is really taking place with most relationships that are part of our personal experience. A valentine before marriage is found to be quite different once the ring is on the finger. Friends that were once quite near are shown to be less than interested in loyalty or commitment. Employers and businesses can be less than upfront or simply found to be something other than they initially were thought to be. There is a natural distrust in these relationships, that especially given certain actions on your part, they will change and become different in their treatment and honor of you.

To this world of changing faces, though, comes One that never has and never will change. He is the Rock that is forever sure and unchanging. Though He is given plenty of reasons to completely disown us, our worst transgression will have no impact whatsoever on His position or attitude towards us. His response will always be one of love, one that is completely unaffected by us in our ever changing ways. What is so great about this position and condition of His is that whenever we do experience  His love, we are transformed into His likeness, which includes this immoveable attitude of love, where you really get what you see and see what you get. In worship today, may this transformation occur and our way become, “Change?-Not!”.

Malachi 3:6 KJV
(6)  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

We had this great wood shop in high school, and I was fortunate enough to take a woodworking class and learn how to build things from rough cut lumber. We could pretty much make anything we chose, and I ended up making a footstool, a waterbed frame and a red oak cradle. The last one was quite an industrious undertaking– for me anyway. I had come up with this idea for a cradle because of my sister’s recent pregnancy and I chose plans that included raised panels and several turned pins for around the top. There was limited time to take lumber that had no uniform or finished surfaces and produce a functional, smooth, and completed cradle. Although it was close, because there was progress made on it every day, and because I had access to the right tools, the wood that had been sitting in the storage room, because of my idea, was transformed by my hands into a beautiful piece of furniture that has been used by many of my relatives and now sits in our living room.
There was a time when we were just a rough piece of wood lacking uniformity and structure. There was an idea, though, in the mind of the Master to take what we once were and craft something really quite special for a specific need. Much would have to be cut away, drilled and turned. As His plans involved an extended process, He would require daily access to our parts with His special tools and resources in order to complete His project. While it would be the wood that would be presented as a finished work, at no point in the process was the wood responsible for anything other than responding to the touch of the Master’s hand.
It’s His work from concept to finish, and as long as given continual access to our hearts and lives, the only thing impeding His progress will be a lack of response to His presence and His touch. May there be an overwhelming response of worship in our hearts an lives today as the One who is the great Finisher takes what He has authored on another step towards completion.

After nine + months and 24 hours of labor our firstborn son was finally making his way into the world. As his head first crowned and then was introduced to fresh air, he didn’t wait for the bottom swat to take his first breath and begin declaring his feelings to the world. Before he was even completely delivered we were blessed with the sound of his heart’s expression and the demonstration of God’s incredible excellent handiwork. This sound made an immediate direct connection to our hearts that has grown ever more precious through the years with the addition of language and song. There was something, though, about those first few months before words could express thoughts, desires, refusals and agreements that his voice could still communicate. We began to learn by his voice whether he was hungry, needed changed or was just happy. Unhindered or influenced by the limitations of language or any of the emotions that have since come with his life experience, there was a very pure and honest expression of exactly what was wanted and expected. In this uncompromised and uncorrupted communication of his heart or spirit was a demonstration of the sound of praise, where the likeness of His heavenly Father was best expressed and the strength of his spirit knew no fear or inhibition.

There is a sound that repels an enemy and withstands the advances of an advancing foe. It is that sound that rises up directly from the spirit as Haydn’s infant voice, unhindered by fear or uncertainty, to boldly declare, without veil, the exact intentions and desires of the heart. Where the Word gives substance to this expression, there is an ability to amplify and implement the very heart of God in declaring his purpose, an ability that has been taken on and possessed in meditation and in worship. As in that moment when life in Christ was in its first moments, when there was an invincible ability to believe and declare things that were quite extraordinary, it is possible for every day to be a renewal and rebirth into that same incredible place where all the cares of life are cast off and nothing is too difficult for our caring Father. This sound is a praise sound where an overcoming God full of power and glory comes to dwell. While the words may be right, though, and while the mind may be filled with ingested phrases, it will only be those eruptions that, childlike, come directly and purely from the spirit that are given enemy destroying significance.

The oncoming enemies of this day can be met with an expression that is praise. It won’t be by power of by might, but it will be by the Spirit residing in babe praise that their intentions will be quelled. Like eagles, there can be a return to youth, where all is new and everything seems small and doable far below restored wings. An eruption of pure and unhindered praise will take us to a place where needs are met, mouths are fed, bodies are healed, and minds are at peace. There, in stillness and rest, the salvation of the Lord will be seen.

Mark 10:15 KJV
(15)  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Matthew 21:16 KJV
(16)  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?