I Know Your Deeds…

You can serve the Lord with all your heart while you neglect seeking Him with all your heart. 

I know this is true, because I’ve done it. Of course, the reason many of us begin serving the Lord with all our heart because we initially start out seeking Him with all our heart. We begin serving because we sought, but over time, our focus slowly shifts from seeking to serving. We unconsciously begin to become more passionate about the work—we become busy for God with all our godly service— and the time we spend in solitude at His feet dwindles….but the work still goes on with gusto. 

Our focus on relationship with the Lord can very easily turn astray into a focus on our work for the Lord. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that to 5 out of the 7 churches in Revelation, Jesus says, “I know your deeds..” but then goes on to explain how they have strayed in their relationship with Him. In Jesus’ first letter to the churches, He says, “I know your works, your labor…you have persevered and labored for My name’s sake…but I have this against you:  you have abandoned your first love” (Rev 2:2-4). And in each subsequent letter where Christ lists what He “has against” each church, we can see that the root of the problem in each, was a lack of singular focus upon passionate pursuit of the Lord Himself. 

I wonder to how many of us the Lord would say the same thing today: “I see your deeds…” I see all your work, I see you serving me with all your heart, but I rarely see you willing to wait and listen at my feet. Truly the Lord has called us to a great work— a work of bringing and discipling the gospel among the nations. But we lose the foundational integrity of that work when we lose focus upon a passionate seeking of the One for Whom we are working. 

Our whole-heart focus must remain on Christ Himself, for it is only the fruit of such devotion which will result in truly acceptable service unto the Lord. 

(Matt 22:36-38) “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

(Matt 10:37) Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

(Col 1:17,18) He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

(Luke 10:38-42) …a woman named Martha welcomed [Jesus] into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made… “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary, only one; for Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Following The One Who Calls

 

Before Elijah could ever be used on Mt. Carmel, he had to learn how to wait on the Lord. 

Elijah’s calling was to be a prophet, and he faithfully served the Lord for a time in that calling. But then there came a time for a deeper work of God in Elijah, so God called him to learn about the agony of wait at Brook Cherith. And if Elijah had been more focused on following his calling than on following the One Who called him, that deeper work would never have been accomplished— a deeper work that was critical for what God intended to do through Elijah on Mt. Carmel. 

As believers in Christ, He calls us and appoints us that we “should go…” (John 15:16). But when we look at Elijah, we see at one point in his service to God, his “go…” was to Brook Cherith. Before God could use Elijah on Mt. Carmel, He had to break Elijah from himself and any attempt he might make at confusing his own will with the Lord’s. The Lord had to teach Elijah the difference between following his calling and following the One Who calls. 

Moses was called to lead Israel out of bondage, but before God told him to “go” confront pharaoh, He led him to “go” learn the agony of wait in the Midian desert. Jesus was called to die for the sins of mankind, but before God told Him to “go” to the cross, He told Him to “go” be stripped of self in the Judean desert. Because there is desire born of human will, and there is desire born of God’s will, and for those who are called and chosen, it is critical for us to learn the difference— we must never assume they are one-in-the-same when it comes to bearing fruit for the Lord.

If our focus is upon following our calling, we may be following our own desire without realizing it. Thus, like Elijah, Moses, and even our Lord Himself, we must be taught the difference between following our perceived calling, or following the One Who calls. 

(Ex 3:1) Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

(1 Kings 17:2) Then a revelation from the LORD came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan.”

(Mark 1:11-13) And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” And immediately the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

(Isaiah 30:18) Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

(Isaiah 25:9) And in that day it will be said, "Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

Comfortable Silence

 

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak… (Eccl 3:1,7)

A friend contacted me yesterday to make sure I was okay. She noticed that I had not been posting devotionals on Facebook for a few weeks and was wondering if everything was alright. I told her that our family had gotten Covid over the holidays, and although the kids’ symptoms were mild, it knocked me and my husband back a few notches, but we’re on the mend now. I also told her that when I got sick, the Lord got quiet, and I went though some rough spiritual warfare, because the devil always likes to kick you when you’re down.  

Although the sickness and spiritual warfare are over and gone, the Lord is still quiet. And one thing I’ve learned about ministry over the years is that when the Lord is silent, I need to be silent too. My simple answer as to why I haven’t been posting devotionals lately, is because the Lord hasn’t been giving me anything to say. I could easily fill the silence with Bible teaching and drive-by comments on biblical topics, but it wouldn’t be Spirit led. It would just be noise…and I think there’s enough of that already without me adding to it. 

And I think that’s something we should all ponder. Can we be comfortable in the Lord’s silences, or do we feel compelled to fill those silences with things we assume He would be pleased with, or things we assume people need? Because I can teach the Bible nine-ways-to-Sunday, but if the Lord isn’t specifically asking me to do that for Him, it’s just wood, hay, and stubble only fit to be burned. I could spend a lifetime filling the Lord’s silences with teachings and comments, but in the end He could still say to me, “It was a work I never asked you to do.” 

Oh Lord, teach us how to wait on You. Teach us the difference between being led by our own soul, and being led by Your Spirit. Teach us the difference between a time to speak, and a time to be silent. 

(Zeph 1:7) Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

(Ps 37:7-9) Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

(1 Cor 3:12,13) If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

Faith In The Valley

“If a man cannot prove his religion in the valley, it is not worth anything.” -Oswald Chambers

We want our anchors in life to be things we can see and touch. We want anchors we can hold onto with our hands. We don’t mind having faith in God as long as we subconsciously have a “Plan B.” Whether it be a trade we can make a good living at, or family members who will take us in, or insurance, or whatever else we subconsciously go through life feeling like we can fall back upon should God ever test our faith the way He allowed Job’s to be tested. But faith in the valley is not like that. 

Faith in the valley means that you are surrounded by impossible mountains that rise up around you on every side. Faith in the valley means that you cannot see anything around you but your valley and those mountains— mountains that loom in your face, mocking any attempt you make to see past them. It’s just you,  the valley, the mountains, and no “Plan B.” And that is the place where faith is either proven or put to death. 

Jesus plainly instructs us, “Do not worry about your life…” but sometimes I do. There is a piece of me that has a bad habit of playing a mental chess game of practical survival, come worst-case-scenario. “What would I do if… “  I do this because my flesh likes anchors it can see and touch and hold onto with my hands, even though my spirit knows and understands that God is sovereign and trustworthy in all things. 

Oh Lord, expose the things in our lives we have placed our trust in other than You, so that we may walk in perfect obedience to Your instructions, “Do not worry about your life…” even in our darkest valley. Even when there’s no “Plan B.”

(Matt 6:25-33) Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?…will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?…Therefore do not be anxious,…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

(1 Peter 5:7) Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

(Psalm 145:13-16) Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Fences

I went for another walk last night.

I wanted to walk to the bridge over our pond, but I took the long way around. I chuckled to myself as I thought how “taking the long route”

was definitely symbolic of my own life. As I got nearer to the pond, I also got nearer to the barn gate between me and the pond. I could see the pond, I could see where I wanted to be, but there was a fence there, between me and the place I was trying get to.

When I got to the gate, I stood there for a minute, my heart heavy with the thought of how many souls are just like this in their spiritual life. They see the bridge, they see that place of freedom, but they just keep standing at the gate. They just keep building fences. Last night, as I climbed over the barn gate, I wondered why I stood at my own spiritual gate for so long before realizing that just because fences don’t move, doesn’t mean that we can’t. I wondered why it took me so long to realize that all those fences between me and spiritual freedom weren’t put there by God, but by me. 

When Jesus began His ministry, both religious and political people saw Him as dangerous. Jesus was dangerous to fence builders and fence maintainers, because Jesus came to remind people of the Father’s heart— a Father Who desires for His children to be free. Jesus came to give mankind greater revelation to words written on scrolls—  to explain to us their deeper meaning, and to fulfill them. 

He came to set the captives free— whether captive to sin, or captive to religion, or even captive to themselves— for Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. 

(John 10:9,10) I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

(John 8:24,31-36) “That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”.. So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

(1 Tim 2:3-7) This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth…

Jesus Marveled

Jesus marveled. Imagine being the person who caused Jesus to marvel? 

In Matthew Chapter 8, we are given the account of a Roman centurion’s encounter with Jesus Christ. The centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. But when Jesus agrees to go to the centurion’s house to heal the servant, the centurion replies, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” 

The centurion explains to Jesus that he understands how authority works, and he not only recognized, but also had utter trust in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And we are told, “..when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’” Brothers and sisters, Jesus said this “to.. those.. following.. Him.” He said this to His disciples. He said no one in all of Israel had demonstrated such faith. Let’s think about that for a minute.

I think this encounter has far deeper implications than what I usually see it used to teach (i.e. miraculous healing, demonic deliverance). This encounter with the centurion was after Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, when many were “amazed at His teaching” and “large crowds followed Him.” Many followed Jesus and were amazed at His teaching, many saw His miracles (Matt 5:23-25), but by our Lord’s own words, none of those people—alas, even His own disciples up to that time— possessed a faith so utter and so complete in His Lordship, in which He could marvel. 

Oh Lord, open our eyes to any blindness within us so that it may be said of us: “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

(Luke 18:7,8) Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?

(1 Peter 1:7-9) [Trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(Matt 7:21-23) Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

(John 6:40) For this is the will of my Father: Everyone who sees [beholds, perpetually gazes upon for the purpose of analyzing and comprehending, experiences in a way that leads to discernment] The Son and trusts [relies upon, entrusts themselves to, places confidence in, abides in] Him shall have eternal life, and I shall raise him in the last day. 

Never Alone

I went for a walk last night, out to the bridge over our pond. 

As I met with the Lord and contemplated many things, I looked out and saw one of our ducks alone out on the water. I thought to myself, “Lord, sometimes I feel like that.” Sometimes I feel like I’m alone in the water, just paddling around by myself, trying to understand this great, big world. Trying to understand how it all fits together, and where I fit in all of it. 

Sometimes I feel the weight of smallness, as I gaze around at the whole of creation that seems to swallow me up. Sometimes I feel wary about the seeming encroaching dusk and fading light. I think to myself, “It’s coming, and there is absolutely nothing that any of us can do to stop it. Because the sun must set, and the dark night come, before we rise on the wings of the dawn.”

As I looked at the solitary duck and contemplated all my deep thoughts, I suddenly realized the duck was not alone at all. I suddenly noticed the duck’s reflection in the water and as I looked, I could now see two ducks instead of just one. And I thought to myself, “Oh Lord, that is like us! We are never alone when we are a reflection of You.” Where we are, there He is also. Always. 

And that is what I want to share with you today. Those who reflect the image of the Lord are never alone. Where we are, there He is also. Always. 

(Psalm 139:8-10) If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.

(Heb 13:5,6) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

(John 14:1-6) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. And you know the way to the place I am going." “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”