Author: astherainandsnow

“Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity.” “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Hebrews 5:13-6:1; Philippians 3:12 

We recently visited several schools in areas of Puerto Rico hit hard by Hurricane Maria and a challenging economy. In brilliant contrast to the depressed state of affairs around them, the students shone with joy, hope, delight in life and learning. When asked what they wanted to be, they responded with confidence a news journalist, an engineer, a coder, a physical trainer, an illustrator. They were vibrant with curious exploration, not only aware of their gifts but eagerly honing them. Most were bilingual, one worked calculus, another debate, one Student Council teen prayed over us with the maturity of a seasoned theologian. One little boy, with glasses and years and heart stature much larger than his body, greeted and guided us through hallways with a quiet assurance. When asked about his aspirations, he said calmly I have lots of gifts. We later learned he had been there less than three months, bullied and stagnant at his previous school, now flourishing in the spirited, encouraging environment. Not one child said he wanted to stay on the playground; everyone we met seemed eager to grow, apply what was taught, press on to maturity.

One teacher of a few dozen elementary students in a remote, poor area had her Masters degree and wide opportunities, but said with shining smile she always sought the Lord and knew this was where God had her. Another young couple, proficient and successful in technology disciplines and secular careers, heeded God’s call to lead a church and school, humble to learn all they could and fully committed to the vision of maturing students to make a difference. It is inspiring to imagine what God will do with these living examples for these young ones who were being trained in spiritual discernment entwined with their subject knowledge.

How willingly, and with what measure of gusto, am I pressing on to maturity? What doesn’t grow dies. As days and months go by, it is vital we keep choosing spiritual meat over milk, stretching and moving over sedentariness. Alongside whom do I strive, mutually strengthening souls, sharpening iron with iron? Do I ever say I have read enough, learned enough, know enough? I’ve served my time, it’s another’s turn? Where am I choosing spiritual recess over advanced courses and training? (1 Samuel 23:16; Proverbs 27:17; Acts 14:22)

Lord, please so order my days and choices and growth, that I stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God, and keep moving to help others do the same, to the praise of Your glory. (Colossians 4:12)

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 67:1-2

The Aaronic blessing, tucked into the middle of what is the often overlooked book of Numbers (chock full of census, laws, and complaining), is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that in all things, it is God’s nature to bless. I remember singing this benediction as a young person, in four part harmony, and the mere words, in their power and beauty and consonance, washed over us all in inexplicable blessing, a washing and filling of the Spirit, a lifting of our souls to the heavenlies, every time we sang. The inspired word of God does that, and it is ours to receive with open hands, and to pronounce on others.

I am intrigued by the shining face and countenance of God. Is it a look of understanding and love and merciful acceptance? Is it that indescribable light that Moses sought when he asked God, in intimate conversation, to show him His ways and glory that he might know Him? Is it an anthropomorphism of His personal presence, exuding power, warmth, goodness, and all His name means? “Upon” us implies a covering, a bestowing from above, and I find I long for that covering, that veil, that laying on of the divine on my hard head of flesh. (Exodus 33:13-14,18-20)

If I am so blessed as to receive this anointing, what difference is it making? If in the midst of to-dos and hardships, like in the account of Numbers, God reaches out and offers the light of His face, shouldn’t I necessarily see things with greater depth, understand with clearer insight, love more freely? Shouldn’t I be announcing the glories of God’s mercy and keeping and truth, and spreading profusely His love and light to others? Oh, may His benediction on me not stop here! To whom much is given, much is required, and we are not to hoard His bountiful grace and blessing. When He has shone on our faces, we cannot conceal His deliverance, faithfulness, salvation. Where am I allowing a furrowed brow or sideways glance to hide His goodness and compassion? When are stress and stern shrouding my countenance, stiff and unyielding against His gentle kindness that could be touching another? (Psalm 40:10; Luke 12:48)

O Lord, captivate my heart with the glance of Your eyes. Lift up the light of your face upon me, that from me reflects all that You are with whomever I am, wherever I am.  May I be generous in my blessing on others as You are on me. (Song of Solomon 4:9; Psalm 4:6)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible… By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise… For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” Hebrews 11:1-3,8-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:24 

We toured a small church school in a rough area of Puerto Rico, limited in space for growing interest while vibrant in spirit as the signs on its walls: Fruit de la Vida (fruit of life). Since Hurricane Maria, after which many public schools closed due to damage and families leaving for the States, the government has offered abandoned school buildings to private schools for a minimal charge for a set period of time, and if improvement, care, and maintenance are exhibited, the school can become theirs. We went to the nearby abandoned building they intended to transform, stripped by looters of its AC units, water-damaged from a partly-destroyed roof, doors secured but dented with a lock-picker’s brazen frenzy, and saw piles of black plastic bags stuffed with trash. ‘A group of us came last weekend and cleaned up our garden.’ This indomitable leader’s hope and faith were astounding; (I wanted some). What we saw as lifeless, dusty, decrepit, she saw as teeming with children, a garden, possibilities.

We toured another school that had already refurbished part of an abandoned campus, now bustling with vibrant teachers and smiling children for almost a year. Freshly painted classrooms boasted elementary artwork and cheery signs, walkways were lined with garden plots of sunflowers, corn, and tomatoes. I was riveted by a tidy row of black trash bags, lined up in the sun, bulging not with trash but with new seedlings sprouting in dirt.

How do I look at life’s challenges? The black bags at each school triggered the choices offered. Do I spend my time stuffing my bags with whine and blame, collecting critical scraps on others, trashing the atmosphere around me? Or do I see opportunity to clean up, open doors, refresh my life and zeal? When I see damage and decay from sin storms, do I languish and complain in helplessness, or look in faith to the One Who makes all things new? Do I coddle bad habits or genuinely repent and set to work planting life and bearing fruit that brings nourishment and beauty to others? These people trusted the faithfulness of God, and I can too. (Revelation 21:5)

Faithful Father, thank You for inspiring me through faithful heroes and black bags. Keep me ready for every good work of faith, putting desolation of days and mind and heart behind, and striving ahead with You Who called me to bear much fruit. (John 15:16; Philippians 3:13; Titus 3:3,8,14)

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:11-14

Paul’s instructions to Titus are cogent and specific. The solid unshakable basis for Christian behavior is that the grace of God has appeared, saving us, redeeming our former way of life into new and vibrant life, and the impetus for diligence in the present is the anticipation and blessed hope for the glory of God and Jesus when He returns. Armed with these realities, how are we to live? As those in active training for godliness, practicing renouncement of worldly passions, and instead exercising self-control and upright choices and activities. We are being made pure. Think rinsing a garment over and over, then shaping and wearing it, or an object being sanded and scrubbed in order to shine.

I found myself recently nagged with irritation and snippiness, fighting in my mind against nasty foxes of criticism, swoons of self-righteousness and wanting my own way. This morning I took time to thank God specifically for making me miserable in that behavior, convicting me of sin, leading me to cry out in repentance, and changing my attitude. He really does this! It can be a relentless battle at times as the flesh picks and pesters, but He is faithful to keep alert our holy desire when it comes under attack, to stir the embers of zeal when they flag and fizzle. He comes alongside to align our passions aright and give godly unction for the present ungodly age. Allelujah!

How zealously am I coming in line with this training, this regular discipline of taking up of good works over self-indulgences? Do I languish and yield to spiritual sloth, giving in to my weak flesh with flimsy excuses or comparisons, or do I take seriously that my Savior will return, and prepare to meet Him as I would to greet another loved one? Am I so armed with the hope of Christ that He fuels and ignites how I love, serve, see and empathize with others, spend my time and resources? Am I willing to shrug off selfishness and lift the weight of servanthood, to go the distance for His kingdom when I would rather not, then get up and do it again?

“While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” “Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith… so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” 1 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:1-3

Exalted Perfecter of my faith, keep me pressing on now, training in the righteousness in which I will one day behold and bow before You.

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation…  And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest.'” Leviticus 23:26-28,31-32

The Day of Atonement, when the High Priest entered behind the veil to present a sacrifice of atonement for all the people, was for the ‘recipient’ of that offering’s accomplishment a day of rest. All the bloody work was borne by the unblemished lamb, performed by the Priest, the Mediator, and those for whom it was effective were justly pronounced, without any effort of their own, atoned for. All that was needed was not theirs to do; it was for them to rest, and to receive.

Subversive to our natural inclination to do something and earn a reward, we cannot contribute to our atonement; our salvation rests (and we can rest!) fully in the finished work of Christ. It’s His work. For many, this is too ‘easy’ to be adequate so it is too hard to rest in. We want to be good enough, either without the need for atonement at all, or to make some kind of recompense or restitution ourselves. But the truth is, none of us is good enough, all have fallen short, and only Jesus can atone for our sin by His perfect sacrifice. We are justified because His death on our behalf fulfilled the justice we deserve. We must never forget His gift of redemption pictured on the day of Atonement, nor neglect the great salvation His once-for-all offering of Himself has accomplished for us. Rather, we can rest fully in this work that is His and has been finished, free to love and serve without fear and with great abandon. (Psalm 14:1,3; Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews 2:3;5:9;7:27;9:12-14,26)

What works am I grasping, or wont to busy myself with, that need to be laid at the beautiful altar of sacrifice, to be covered with His blood? When will I surrender my effort in order to to rest in my Savior’s, which He completely and perfectly finished? (John 19:30)

“Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.                                             Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling;                                                        Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.”  Augustus Toplady  ~1776 

My Father, thank You for the unblemished Lamb of God Who has taken away my sin. May I ever rejoice in Your finished work, and so live in the freedom and joy and rest it brings that others want to know You and receive it also. (John 1:29)

 

 

 

“I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.” “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” Proverbs 4:11; Philippians 4:9; 1 Timothy 4:15; 2 Timothy 1:5 

I rode my bike this cool morning, pumping legs up, down, up, down, slicing thin and fast through filtered light and bird song. I thought back to decades ago when my father helped me onto a new bike, no training wheels, gave a gentle push, and I rode four houses down to the end of our dead-end street, then fell when I tried to turn. I loved the euphoria of balance and moving air and gliding smoothly along the road, but needed to learn how to manage gravel and speed and changing direction. All soon became second nature.

Isn’t this like our journey of faith, with our heavenly Father, upon the gift of salvation, giving gentle nudges in the right direction and letting us learn how to maneuver life with Him? He equips us with everything needed- a new heart and the indwelling Spirit- and we learn to set a course, to move ahead and balance, to navigate difficulties. We learn from riding in a pack, drawing on the strength of fellowship and the experience and rhythm of those who have gone before, and we also learn how to listen singularly to God’s clear voice when we strive alone, completely dependent on Him.

The longer we travel in the Christian life, the greater our confidence in our unchanging God grows, and the more this ability to ride becomes ingrained. Sometimes struggling against strong headwinds, sometimes exhilarated by joy, we now by habit steadily pedal in the unchanging strength of God Who leads the way.

But there is danger in a learned practice that becomes rote. We must beware the too-easy cadence that lulls us to spiritual sleep, the pleasant distractions that blind us to hazards, the windy passions that veer us off-course. We must be wary of auto-pilot: of work without zeal, words without sincerity, service without heart, worship with no true honor of the Worthy One. Are there areas where I am going through the motions, or have ceased to move at all? Have I gotten in a rut, afraid to venture out of my comfort with a skill long-honed but lying dormant? Is there another I should be riding alongside for mutual encouragement, to help navigate the way and resist the wind?

Lord, help me continue stable and steadfast in faith, and watchful and thankful in prayer. May I be diligent to ride through life as You have called and taught me to do, practicing love, virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, for the sake of Your glory and excellence. (Colossians 1:23; 4:2; 2 Peter 1:3-10)

 

“If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them,..  I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you… I will make my dwelling among you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.” “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” Leviticus 26:3,9,11-13; Psalm 90:1

What a promise! The LORD on high, Covenant God, pledges to make His dwelling, His “tabernacle,” among His people, to be with them forever. This people, whom He had chosen and set apart, freed from slavery to be His, would never stand or fight or move alone; His presence would ever abide with them as their identity, their power, their shield, their guide. As He laid out their law and pledged to bring them into the promised land and settle them, this vow must have secured them with immense hope. Their God Who had been faithful thus far would be in the generations ahead. He would take up permanent residence in their midst.

 

And on this side of the cross, we carry the same but distinct promise: His Spirit resides in the temple of our bodies, our hearts, uniting us with Him mysteriously and forever. I love the thought of ‘hosting’ my Lord as my permanent houseguest resident, sometimes in conversation with me, sometimes quiet, always near. I can sense His Presence and movement even when I cannot see Him; I know His fragrance, His peace, His tender care, His awareness of all that goes on. He is always available, and always a gentleman. Wherever I am planted, He is here. (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

“A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! O Jesus, best beloved! I live with Thee: My heart is stilled beneath love’s canopy, Its sure abiding place where’er I am.
A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! My heart has found its everlasting home, The Holiest of All is opened wide, And I may enter and be satisfied.
A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! No fabled shrine, but deep reality! Thou saidst it should be so when at Thy call I rose and followed gladly, leaving all.
A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! All joyfully I pitch my tent with Thee; Or ready still to journey at Thy word– In Thee I live and move, most blessed Lord.”  ~ E. May Grimes

What difference is it making, day by day, that my Jesus dwells with me and I with Him? What evidence is there in my demeanor, my outlook, my expectations and desires that He is near, loving, speaking, counseling me? Are my words seasoned with grace because I have conversed with Him, my hands gentle and plans others-centered because He has held mine and energized them for His work?

Father, Dwelling Place, I rest in Thee. May the abode I prepare for You each day honor You and show forth Your glory. Thank You that because of Jesus, I will dwell in Your house forever. (Psalm 23:6)

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” “‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’” “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Proverbs 27:1, Luke 12:19-20, James 4:13-14, Matthew 6:34.

Our Lord Jesus Who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Who knows the beginning and the end of all things, has some good words for us about tomorrow: leave it. Do not boast about it, do not put too much stock in it, do not put off until it what needs be done today, do not so over-plan for it that you leave no room for God’s plans, and do not worry about it. (Hebrews 13:8)

And what are we to be about today? Jim Elliot said, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” We are called today to make the most of our time, bear fruit in every good work, build others up in the faith, gain a heart of wisdom so we can be wise toward outsiders and those who need advice and encouragement. We are not to grow weary in doing the good God planned for us and made us to do; we are not to be busy-bodies. While we are to have an eye for eternity as our hope, that eye to the future should not fear, fret, wander, or gloat, but focus on today that the Lord has given as His gift, in which to be glad and rejoice. We are to invest actively this day in loving, honoring, extending hospitality, praying, serving needs, and storing up not security and delights for tomorrow, but eternal treasures in heaven. (Psalm 90:12; 118:24; Matthew 6:19-20; Romans 12:9-13; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10; 4:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:11)

Am I making these my industry? Do I have a healthy view of tomorrow and a focused employment today? “Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” “Choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” How willingly, energetically, zealously, am I putting my hands to work today for my Master? (Deuteronomy 4:39; Joshua 24:15; Romans 12:11)

Gracious all-knowing God, help me order my days aright, understanding the times and being fully present in the now for all You have for me. I trust in You, my times are in Your hands, and I offer my hands for Your honorable and glorious use. (1 Chronicles 12:32; Psalm 31:14-15; 50:23; Isaiah 33:6)

 

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall arrange it from evening to morning before the Lord regularly. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. He shall arrange the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold before the Lord regularly.'” Leviticus 24:1-4

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” “You shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life… in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.” Matthew 5:14,16; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2:15-16

I watched in sad horror at the images on the screen of the magnificent, centuries-old Notre Dame burning, stricken at the ruin of such a lovely masterpiece of sacred architecture, sadder still at the sense of worship lost to the burn of worldliness. When God instructed Moses to keep lamps burning continually in the tabernacle, He was reminding them that His constant flaming presence in their worship, their lives, required maintenance and commitment. Our LORD does not change in His holiness and glory, yet we can easily crowd Him out by building edifices to ourselves and other things we value more than Him, and His light gets snuffed out, the outstanding steeple rising high to the sky, pointing us to heaven, falls to get lost in the sea of our horizontal culture.

Many cathedrals today are hollow repositories for relics and wonder and tourist observation, but no true worship. Their lofty arches, domes, spires designed to raise our sights and affections, their very cross shape to unite us toward the altar, hold beauty that today feeds curiosity and spectating more than inspiring humility and gratitude. The spirit has burned out and vacated the premises, and we are left to bear God’s light. But that is a high and happy calling we should be eager to obey.

If God’s light has shone in my heart, giving me understanding and the joy of salvation, and my body is His temple, my assignment His ambassador, where and how am I shining? What holy light do I bring to conversation and deliberation, to the church on Sunday mornings, and the workplace during the week? Where am I being the church, the arms and hands of Christ, to my world, standing out like a steeple among low-faced living, limited aspirations, meaningless occupation of time? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18,20)

Lord, as Your light-bearer, let me shine so bright that I bear Your flame in every room, connection, effort, and show You off. Keep my heart ever before Your altar, and Your light burning with Your glory in and through me wherever I am.

 

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Do not turn to idols: I am the Lord your God. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings. You shall leave them for the poor and the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind: I am the Lord. You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the old man: I am the Lord. You shall do no wrong in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have just balances: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:2-4, 9-18, 32,35-36

God commands Moses to tell the Israelites to be holy, for the LORD their God is holy, then  proceeds to list an array of everyday situations that require holiness, each ending with “I am the LORD.” Hearing this refrain over and over plants its truth and truths deep in our motivations and psyche until it is obvious this remembrance is what God wants at the fore in how we see life and everything we do. Because I am Who I am, consider your work and others and station in life through the lens of my covenant relationship with you. I am the LORD. Be holy. Respect your parents, worship my way, treat others with generosity, equity, grace, respect, love… because I am the LORD. I am LORD over your parents, your devotion, your means of making a living, the poor among you, your tongue and hands, your judgment and conversations and relationships, your business dealings. Everything.

If God’s civil law included all these specifics, how are they translating to me and my everythings today? What difference would it make if when I first arise, I said, “You are the LORD,” and before I choose what to eat and what to read, “You are the LORD”? What might change if, when planning my schedule and contacts with others, and before I spend money and give advice, I said, “You are the LORD”? Not only will my focus and accountability be to Jesus rather than to self, but I will be reminded that He is the Sovereign in control and I am not. He is my Source and ‘raison d’etre.’ He is infinite, and all I plan and do is a drop in a bucket of His grand and providential scheme, all I determine myself is subservient to His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Father, may my ongoing refrain be “You are the LORD,” my highest aim be to make that obvious in everything I do. (Colossians 3:17)