Heart Soul and Might

We’re having our third boy in a couple months, but the pregnancy and development process will never cease to amaze me. We’re at 22 weeks now and counting… Our little guy now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. His skin will continue to appear wrinkled until he gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his head and body is now visible. His lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath his gum line! His eyes are now developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and his pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

It’s unbelievable to me that our little buddy probably looks close to this picture on the right.

Psalm 139:13-16

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.^[a]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to take a sabbatical over the next month, with grateful thanks going to the elder board at Fellowship where I serve. Besides a fairly lengthy reading list (there’s no chance I’ll ever get through all the books I brought on this sabbatical!), my primary goal is to rest. And after just the first few days of this sabbatical, I’m learning that I need to learn how to rest. I’ve spent myself considerably over the first eight years of helping start this church, and I’m looking forward to the next season of ministry… so, I’m praying that I’ll be able to adequately rest during this time and come back to ministry refreshed and rejuvenated. I’m finding, however, that I’m just not very good at resting. Slowing down. Unplugging. Part of it is my overactive brain. Part of it is my desire to always be growing, learning, accomplishing…

Eating the bread of anxious toil
In my time in the Word, I’ve recently come across a couple passages that speak to this issue. The first is Psalm 127:2

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for He gives to His beloved sleep.”

Part of the pattern I’ve developed over the last few years is staying up late…mostly doing “good” things like reading, working, communicating, writing… (Although until recently getting rid of everything but the very basic cable, I’m ashamed to say t.v. took up too much of my time - especially during Survivor, American Idol and 24!) And, the time I most connect with God is very early in the morning, before the boys wake up… so I haven’t been getting great sleep for quite a while. According to Psalm 127:2, this is not a good thing! I will say that in the last year, I’ve entered into a season where I’m eating less of the bread of “anxious toil”, but I’m certainly not above that. I’ve eaten enough of that bread to supply an entire bakery! Solomon, the psalmist, says this is in vain. Ouch.

So, it’s on this sabbatical that I’m trying to develop new habits and patterns that will a) help me get better sleep, which come to find out is a Biblical concept!, and b) truly learn how to rest. What this means for me: STOP the drive to check email. Stop thinking about work. Enjoy down time. Understand that while working through my reading list is good, if it is not restful, I’m actually hindering God’s work on my soul…

What does it look like for you?

One thing to keep in mind is that, according to Psalm 127, sleep is actually a gift! I often think of sleep as that non-productive waste of good hours that could be used for better things like reading God’s word or prayer, or family time, or study, or writing… What an unbiblical way to look at God’s gift! “He gives to His beloved sleep.” Lord, help me rest in this.

The Good Portion
Another passage - maybe even more significant is Luke 10:38-42. Jesus is welcomed by Martha into her home, and begins to teach. While Martha is busy serving, her sister Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His teaching. Verse 40 says something very interesting. It doesn’t simply say that Martha was busy serving her guests. It says “But Martha was distracted with much serving.” I think the writer is making a point here. Serving is good. But this kind of serving was distracting Martha from something much better. We find out what in the coming verses. Martha says to Jesus “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” Martha is bugged that she’s the only one serving. Mary is obviously not doing anything productive. She’s just sitting there listening. What kind of helper is she anyway?

I love Jesus’ response: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus doesn’t want us to be anxious. Troubled. Distracted. He wants us to sit at his feet. He says that Mary has chosen the “good portion”. Other translations say she has chosen what is “better.” What is it that is better? It’s spending time with Jesus. Yes, there is a time for work. There is a time for serving. There is a time for doing. But there is also a time for rest. There is a time to just sit with Jesus. It is good for the soul and is the “one thing” that is “necessary.”

One of the phrases that jumps out at me in this passages is Jesus’ words to Martha - that she is distracted by “many things.” This can also be my temptation. I like to get my hands in a lot of pots. Or irons in a lot of fires. Whatever analogy works best for being very active. And the way my mind works, I can tend to “be anxious and troubled about many things” in the same way as Martha. That’s why I need to be proactive and intentional about taking some “Mary time” to sit at the feet of Jesus. I try to be disciplined about this but it doesn’t come naturally or easy by any stretch.

One of the great habits we’ve gotten into with our worship and arts staff team is taking a monthly “listening day” based on this passage. Some call it a day of spiritual refreshment. It’s required for everyone. No cell phones, no computers, no work, no coming into the office. Just getting with Jesus and spending time at his feet. I would encourage everyone to do something like this on a regular basis. Of course, it doesn’t replace daily time with the Lord. That is absolutely essential. But, a day a month that is extended and focused on being quiet and hearing the voice of Jesus. It is one of the best things we have done as a team - and it is a sweet thing at our staff meetings when we share how the Lord has led us and spoken to us individually and uniquely during these times.

There are many things to do. There is much to accomplish for the sake of the Gospel… But according to Jesus, only one thing is necessary…

This morning, I came to another one of my favorite passages where Paul conveys the immeasurable worth of reading, studying and meditating on the treasures we find in the Word of God. Colossians 3:16-17:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

What does it mean to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…?” It is living and active - life-giving and powerful… and in order for it to “dwell richly”, we must read it, cherish it, know it. And if it dwells in our hearts and our minds, it will guide us when we need to call on its wisdom and direction into the counsel of God’s will for our lives - that we may “stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God” as Paul says later in Colossians 4:12.

I read this familiar passage this morning in my time in the Word:

“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35

The context is kind of funny to me, because after many miracles (feeding the 5,000, feeding the 4,000, sending out demons,  healing the deaf and mute, …) in which Christ proved His deity and yet displayed ultimate humility, His disciples are found arguing about who is the greatest. And when Jesus asked them (rhetorically, of course!) what they were arguing about, they were silent. They had to be embarrassed. They got caught! And then, he turns their human logic on its head… If you want to be first, you must be last. What?!? But this is so contrary to our natural human nature! That’s the point. That’s a common theme in seeking to live as Christ did.

In a culture where image and position is seen as the ultimate goal, it’s truly countercultural to be a servant. To be others focused. To set “self” aside for the sake of others. But if we want to exhibit the mind of Christ, this is a non-negotiable. Unless we’re a servant, our pious attempts at being good don’t mean much. What does it look like to be last in your world? What changes do you need to make to become a servant? I mean, truly… a servant. Not lip service…
I can think of SO many things that need to change in my world.

This morning, once again I came to one of my favorites psalms - and had a sweet time in the Word meditating on a psalm that I think of probably more often than most. Some of my favorite verses in Psalm 91 are:

91:1 “He who dwells in teh shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

91:4 “He will cover you with His pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.”

91:5 “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”

91:11 “For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” (I pray that over Heidi and the boys often…)

But this morning, while I did spend time meditating on some those favorites, the Lord had me spend more time ruminating on His promises for me in vv. 14-16. Those verses start out with this:

91:14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will…”

I asked myself, What does it mean…what does it look like to hold fast to God in love? Does this describe my life? Does this describe how I approach my relationship with my God? What is the intended meaning of “hold fast?” To better clarify what is meant here, I went back up to verse 9 to see a kind of parallel in the same chapter. The author says “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place - the Most High, who is my refuge…” and then lists a number of things that will happen because of this.

So, one way to “hold fast to God in love” is to make Him my dwelling place. My place of refuge. The first place I go when I need shelter from what the world brings. Rather than finding my satisfaction in other things, places or people - in love, I hold fast to my Lord and rest in Him. And here is what came over me like cool refreshing water from the purest stream of grace… A list of promises available to those who make the Lord their dwelling place, and who hold fast to God in love:

I will DELIVER him.

I will PROTECT him.

I will ANSWER him.

I will BE WITH him in trouble.

I will RESCUE him.

I will HONOR him.

I will SATISFY him with long life.

I will SHOW HIM my salvation.

These are the promises of God to those who have an intimate, personal relationship with the Father. They are promises, not wishes. They aren’t chances… God takes pleasure in delivering, protecting, answering, rescuing, honoring, satisfying and showing… For those of you who see God as punitive or arbitrary, or unloving or one who is always just waiting for us to trip up so He can unleash His wrath… Read Psalm 91. He is a God who is FOR His people. He wants us to succeed, to be blessed, to be satisfied… only in Him.

But often we make it harder on ourselves than we should. Instead of finding our satisfaction in God alone and truly holding fast to Him, we try to operate independently, in our own strength. We rely on ourselves. Our natural abilities. Our instincts… When, if we will humble ourselves and make Him our dwelling place, holding fast to Him in love, we have all of these promises, and their corresponding benefits - at our finger tips to enjoy and find great satisfaction.

I need His deliverance.

I need His protection.

I need to hear His voice.

I need Him to be near me - especially when it seems He’s the farthest away.

There are times when I am so low, I desperately need Him to rescue me.

I must find my satisfaction only in Him. Whether its a long or a short life, that I would be satisfied only in knowing Christ and pleasing my God. Too often, I am satisfied by far less than God wants to give me in Himself, and I need to learn a difficult lesson.

O God, will you teach us what it means to “hold fast” to You in love and show us what it feels like to experience all that you offer to those who abide in You, dwell closely to You, hold fast to You and You alone. Satisfy us and show us Your salvation…

I read Psalm 52 this morning and was struck by what David says in verse 8:

“But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.”

What is this about a green olive tree?

Here’s the context of this psalm: Saul is pursuing David, trying to kill him and David comes to Nob to the home of the priest, Ahimelech. (1 Samuel 21) David’s life is in jeopardy - Saul is jealous of David and has all his men on the hunt. So, David pens this psalm.

The first 7 verses are undoubtedly David’s description of Saul: whose “tongue plots destruction” (v.2), who “loves evil more than good” (v.3), and who “loves all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.” (v.4) In other words, Saul isn’t a very good guy in David’s book - and David predicts that “God will break you down forever…” and “uproot you from the land of the living.”(v.5) Even though David’s life is at stake, he doesn’t see much of a future for Saul’s either.

Then, in verse 8, David pulls out the “green olive tree” analogy. In the face of all this turmoil and uncertainty, what is David getting at?

After reading this, I did a little research on olive trees. Did you know that an olive tree’s life expectancy is around 500 years? In fact, one of the sources I read says that Olive trees “are also tenacious, easily sprouting back even when chopped to the ground.” They are able to grow pretty well even in the face of gross abuse and neglect - although, to bear good fruit, they do require pruning.

I think I’m beginning to see what David is getting at here. Even in the face of such destructive and life-threatening circumstances, David’s faith is resilient. He has a tenacious trust in his God - not based on his circumstances, but based on who God is.

And he sees himself not as merely an olive tree, but as a green one. One that IS being watered and cared for. One that IS able to bear fruit - good fruit. He says - even in these dire circumstances - “I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” It didn’t look good for David at the time he wrote this psalm - he had a king coming after him with his army. But his trust and his faith apparently didn’t waiver.

Your life may not be in jeopardy due to a persistent predator, but we all get hit with stuff. Stuff that isn’t fair, that doesn’t make sense, that shouldn’t be happening to me…

Be the “green olive tree”. See yourself as the resilient and faithful one with a tenacious trust in your Almighty, powerful and trustworthy God. Be the green olive tree that, even in the face of great trials and even persecutions, is bearing good fruit. Not based in who you are, or how strong you think you might be - but based in who God is. Because, He IS faithful and strong on your behalf.

HT: “Green Olive Tree” poster by John Park

The following is the ”Bible Study” I submitted to coincide with the release of “In The Cross Alone I Glory” on Worshiptogether.com. Both the song and the Bible Study can be downloaded here for free starting Tuesday, March 7. I’ll update the link when it goes online. It is my prayer that this will be an encouragement to you as you grow in what it means to glory in the cross of Christ.

In the Cross Alone I Glory  

The world bombards us almost constantly with messages that compel us toward success, stuff, status and image-consciousness causing a real battle with our values. When the world wins the battle, we will often find that what we most highly value in life is “self.” And when self wins, we tend to order our world around what makes us feel good  – our possessions, the accolades we do or don’t receive, the position we seek to attain, the recognition we crave… because all of these things, if not brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, can feed the ugliness of “self” that stands in stark contrast to the abundant, Spirit-filled life God wants for each of us.

This is why I wrote the song “In The Cross Alone I Glory.” I don’t know about you, but I fight this battle daily, and I need a prayer I can pray during those times when my flesh desires attention or recognition. Those times when I need to remember what is really important in life. I need to ask myself often “What is it that I glory in – Christ and His work on the cross on my behalf - or myself?” That’s a question we all need to ask.

I know I’m not alone in this battle – because so many of Paul’s words in the New Testament speak to his struggle in the same areas – and where he went to find LIFE. So much of this song’s lyrics are taken right from Paul’s words, especially in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Philippians.This song’s title is taken primarily from Galatians 6:14 where Paul says: 

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” 

The context here at the end of Galatians 6 is those “works” that we might boast in for giving us a greater standing in the eyes of God. Something that we “do” to gain God’s approval – or even closer to this context, to gain the approval of those around us. However, Paul says very clearly that none of these works (in this case, circumcision) counts for anything, but only the work Christ performed for us on the cross. Paul will not boast, or “glory” in, anything but the Cross of Christ: the forgiveness, mercy and grace we received when Christ died for our sins.

Is there something in your life that is causing you to glory in something other than the cross of Christ? Take a moment to think about what it might be.  Write it down.

Now, confess it to the Lord - and claim the prayer of this song’s chorus over your relationship with the Lord:

“In the cross alone I glory
Nothing of my own to give
Only that which Christ has offered
For my soul that I may live.” 

The cross meant death to Christ, but it means LIFE to us. I have nothing of my own to give Him. The only thing I have of any value to give to the Lord is my redeemed and dependent life, bought by the blood of Christ on the cross! And in living out this truth, we find the abundant life that He desires to give each of us.   The first verse lyric says this: 

“In the cross alone I glory
Recognition laying down
Greatest treasures count as worthless
Standing next to heaven’s crowns.” 

Read Philippians 3:7-11.

In verses 2-6, Paul sets up the case for why he might be able to boast, or glory, in who he is and what he’s done. But in vv. 7-8, He says:

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

The crowns we will receive when we get to heaven will far surpass anything we could ever receive on this earth, so why not live with that perspective right now? The problem many of us have is that we live for ourselves today and forget that God has something much greater planned for us (both now and in the future) if we will only live with an eternal perspective.

Is there an “earthly treasure” you are valuing more highly than the heavenly crown that awaits you? Is there something you need to lay down at the foot of the cross - recognition, status, or accolades of any kind? They only pale in comparison to the rewards that await you for living a faithful life that glories only in the cross of Christ.   Just a few verses further in Philippians, we see where the song’s second verse comes from.

Read Philippians 3:12-14.

The song says this: 

“In the cross alone I glory
Ever reaching for the prize
Pressing on and laying hold of
That for which my Savior died” 

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul gives us a picture of someone reaching for a prize – motivated by the prize – ordering his world around the prize. This prize – “that for which my Savior died” - is eternal life with Christ and rewards for how we’ve lived on this earth. This prize is found in Christ, brought about by His claiming victory over death, pride, sin and self at the Cross. Ask yourself this question: “Am I living like I’m reaching for the prize?”

Philippians 2:15-17 provides the backdrop for the song’s third verse.  Read those three verses.

The song says this: 

“In the cross alone I glory
Holding fast the Word of Life
Toiling not in vain but being
Poured out as a sacrifice” 

What does this mean to you? What does it mean to hold fast to the Word of Life? What does “holding fast the Word of Life” look like in your life? In my life, it means saturating my life with God’s Word – daily taking in His beautiful, life-giving words – so that my every word, thought and decision would be filtered through the objective truth and life-source of Scripture. Then, I can know that my toiling will not be in vain. All of life then has meaning, because the meaning is found in living out God’s will in my life.

If you don’t already, find time every day to get into God’s Word. Whether you are a morning person or a night owl, find time to hold fast the Word of Life and you will find it will come back to you when you most need it.

All the glory belongs to God. We should never seek to take any for ourselves – it was never meant for us in the first place. The sooner we realize that, and live it out in our daily lives, the sooner we will experience the abundant life God wants for each of us… focusing and centering our world on nothing but Christ and the work He accomplished on our behalf on the cross.

O, that this song, this prayer, would be true for each of us, Father. May we glory only in the cross of Christ, laying our very lives at Your feet and reflecting all glory and honor to the One who alone is worthy.
  

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear
though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved
into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

I love this psalm. Such a comfort and confidence in God’s strength, providence and protection no matter what the world brings. He is a sweet refuge where we can find rest, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.

Sometimes, though, He can feel so distant and seemingly uninvolved in what we’re going through. But, here the psalmist not only says that He is a help - he takes it a step further. A “very present” help in trouble. He is near. He is close by. He is not distant. He is not uninvolved. His Spirit is always with us, leading, guiding and protecting us as we seek Him. He is everywhere present, and no matter where we go, He is always with us. “Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7-10)

And, we have His holy Word - God’s divine revelation - to show us His character and lead us into all truth. And as we meditate on and memorize His Word, we can always have it with us no matter what our circumstances bring.

The result? “Therefore we will not fear…” (v. 2) With God as our help and our refuge, there is no need to fear. No need for anxiety, stress or worry. God is a very present help not only to protect us from danger, but also to confidently bring us through any situation in which we find ourselves for His glory. We need to always remember that He takes pleasure in fulfilling His purposes for us and we need simply to trust in Him. (Psalm 138:8)

Is there something in your life where you need to trust that God is very present? He is always near. Run to Him as your refuge and simply trust Him.

I came to Psalm 45 this morning. The whole Psalm is beautiful and full of richness, but the Lord had me camp out on verse 1:

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” Psalm 45:1 (ESV)

This verse captures me every time I read it. It is so refreshing and so convicting at the same time. The psalmist - one of the sons of Korah - was in a good place when he penned these words. We don’t know the exact “theme” he refers to, but from the words of the rest of this psalm, it is evident that he was in a place of rest, trust and peace with his God.

My first observation is that this “pleasing theme” comes from an overflow. The overflow from a heart that is trusting in God for protection, fulfillment and satisfaction - living in truth, meekness and righteousness (v.4). In order for something to overflow from one’s heart, the heart must already be full. It’s not enough for us to work to fill our hearts with the things of God, but we need to live in such a way that we allow God to fill us. No amount of our effort will fill our hearts in the way that our infinitely loving and gracious God longs to fill our hearts if we allow Him. And as we live in this way, allowing Him to fill us and supply us with all that He offers, our life will overflow with a “pleasing theme.”

Does your life overflow with a pleasing theme? I pray that mine does more than it doesn’t, but this verse is convicting also, because too often I’m afraid the theme of my heart isn’t as pleasing as it should be. That is when I operate in my own strength. When I neglect trusting in God’s providential hand and instead trust my own way. When I become self-focused and allow the world to revolve around my needs, my wants, my rights… as opposed to God’s goodness and glory. My heart’s theme will naturally lean toward pride, bitterness and self-love if I don’t continually seek to clothe myself with Christ and live in the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Oh, that these fruits would mark the theme with which my heart overflows!

My favorite part of the verse is the last third: “…my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” So much of our heart’s theme will flow out of our mouth by way of our tongue. What is the posture of a “ready scribe?” I picture myself with pen in hand, fresh white piece of paper awaiting its text, eyes fixed with anticipation on the one who will speak and give life-giving the words I will write. A “ready scribe” is not aimlessly doodling, scribbling or even writing down his own thoughts, distracted from his task. He is focused, intent on writing down only what his subject will dictate.

Here, the psalmist says our tongue is like the pen in the hand of this “ready scribe.” Does this describe my tongue? I would like to think so, but I fear that far too often, my tongue is not ready. The words of my tongue flow from a heart that is not awaiting the words of my Father, but is instead speaking from a position of self. But, if my heart’s theme is pleasing to the Father, my tongue should at ALL TIMES be ready to speak words of love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness - building up and edifying, not tearing down. Not condescending. Not positioning. Not gratifying self. Not biting or bitter. But beautiful words, full of grace written from the pen of a ready scribe - listening to the Father and speaking the words of the Spirit.

May our heart’s theme be a pleasing theme to You, O gracious Lord. May the words of our mouth and the mediation of our heart be a pleasant aroma up to Your throne.