In Pursuit

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:52:00 +0000

Christians and the News about Bin Laden

Newscasts are consumed with the recent killing of Bin Laden and the television crews quickly broadcast the celebration at the White House. Facebook and Twitter had record posts and the sentiments of many were sheer delight and elation. Others were uncomfortable with such rejoicing over the death of any human, even if he was clearly an evil terrorist. What should be the response of believers?

This is a tough subject. I am certain that I do not have all of the answers but let me offer some things to think about it. At first glance I think there are two distinctions that need to be made.

1. The distinction between God and humanity. God is the judge and we are not.
2. The distinction between personal revenge and civil responsibility. It is not for us to mete out justice but God does have ordained entities, called to carry it out.

These comments are not exhaustive and I am sure there are some holes in my reasoning. But hopefully it will provide a lens through which we can reflect on the events of these last few hours.

God and humanity are distinct. He is perfect and holy and is the judge of all the earth and according to Genesis 18:25, “always does what is right.” Deuteronomy 32:3, 4 says His work is “perfect” and “all of His ways are just.” Psalm 145:17 echoes that when it notes, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.” Jeremiah 50:7 says that the Lord is “the habitation of justice” and Psalm 89:14 declares that “justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne.” We, however, are neither holy nor just and therefore we cannot engage the enterprise of executing judgment.

Personal revenge and civil responsibility are also distinct. Everything God does is just and right. That does not mean we understand it, but it is just, that is in step with His entire character of love, mercy, truth, and righteousness. We, however, are not holy, pure, undefiled, just, or righteous and the list goes on and on. That is why God has not given us the right to execute justice. We are not to avenge evil ourselves. God has instead chosen civil authorities to do that. When someone murders another, it is not right of the relative of that person to get revenge. God does, however, bring that person to justice for their crime but through the entity of civil government. See Romans 12 below.

Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute]you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Clearly, it is not our job to get revenge! But read on in chapter 13 of Romans.

Romans 13:1-4
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Civil authorities are “ministers of God” to execute His justice and bring wrath on those who practice evil. The USA Navy seals did just that this weekend on Osama Bin Laden. Not personal revenge, but they executed, as ministers of God, the justice of God.
By the way,…this is why it is so important that we do not dismiss the Word of God as that upon which we base our laws. If we throw out Scripture, who will determine what is good and evil?

Part of the character and nature of God is that He is just. He should be praised for that and every other attribute of His character, including love, mercy, and truth. He should be praised for who He is. Our praise today, the day after the Bin Laden announcement, should be God-directed and should emerge from hearts that recognize that the God we worship is just and deserving of our praise. We should rejoice in the fact that His truth and righteousness have been clearly manifest. But, we must also do so with reverence and thanksgiving, cognizant that only because we have placed our trust in Christ, who on Calvary took our judgment, are we free from that condemnation and judgment.
Divine justice was served when Bin Laden was executed. Justice was also served when the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus for us. We rejoice in Christ’s death, not because death is lovely, but because His death was an act of a just God who does everything right.
Certainly there is much more but may we at least reflect upon these truths in these difficult and perplexing days.

Pastor Kevin

A Call for Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:11:00 +0000

In the opening proverb of Solomon’s collection of wisdom sayings, a striking and provocative image of wisdom emerges. Wisdom personified, which is revealed as a person, is seen shouting in the streets, lifting her voice in the town square, and crying aloud at the city gate. Wisdom is calling out to the “naïve ones” asking “how long will you love being simple minded?” (Proverbs 1:22) Even more chilling is the prophetic pronouncement leveled at the self-proclaimed, wise scoffer, “because I called you and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your dread comes…” (Proverbs 1:24-26)

This text speaks profoundly to the societal and cultural worldview of many of our leaders. They say that only those who “are bigoted, biased, or can’t think straight” would consider abortion, murder, or same-sex marriage as detrimental to society, and view pornography as a protected right rather than a destructive and perverted degradation of the divine plan for human sexuality. Wisdom has eluded all of society and will laugh as calamity comes.

Closer to home is the folly exercised in the modern church. The preaching of the Word has been exchanged for soft-stepping and ego-driven talks on success and prosperity, sin has been re-defined as weakness, worship has become a spectator sport submitted to Olympic-style judges whose grades are determined by ascetics, style, musical “tightness” and flair, and the call to live as people from another world has been hushed by a push to appear as much like the world as we can to maintain significance or leverage. This is our wisdom! True wisdom will laugh as calamity strikes the foolish church.

Today, like never before, the church needs the wisdom of God in powerful proportion. How may we find wisdom from above to turn us from the path of weak and impotent religion to a path of vibrant and effectual Kingdom living again? Four simple reminders will be helpful.

First, it begins by a return to a sincere and vital relationship with Christ, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning (foundation) of (true) wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). Management guru Steven Covey says “whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.” Unless Christ is firmly established in the center of our lives, divine wisdom will elude us. Intimacy with Christ is the foundation for all true wisdom.

Second, the Word of the Lord will reveal divine wisdom. The Psalmist, speaking of the Law of the Lord, said it “makes wise, the simple” (Psalm 19:7). Relationship with Christ void of a relationship with His Word will leave us still worldly, and lacking in divine wisdom.

Third, the generosity of the Lord should give us great hope. James, after exhorting readers who lacked wisdom to “ask of God,-” reminded them that God will give to them liberally (James 1:5)! God is a generous giver, His mercy is new daily and never-ending, His grace super-abounds our sin, His faithfulness reaches to the heavens, and His love cannot be quenched. His meting out of wisdom to those who ask also comes in generous portions.

Finally, the reliability of divine wisdom can be trusted because it is anchored in the steadfastness of His character. James further notes that “every good and perfect gift,” including wisdom “cometh from above, from the Father of lights in Whom there is not variableness and shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Contrasted with the celestial lights (sun, moon, stars) over which the faithfulness of God stands firm and there is not even a slight turning in Him, His wisdom therefore is reliable and stands the test of time. May we turn again to Him, rooted in the Word and confident in both His generosity and faithfulness, and express our need and desire to experience His wisdom in a greater dimension than ever before!

The Godly Response of the Accused

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:54:00 +0000

One of the deepest and ugliest inclinations of the human nature is manifest when we are accused either wrongly or rightly. The way we handle such situations says much about our heart, faith, and spiritual maturity.

The life of David reveals beautifully what the godly response to accusation should be. When David was down, chased from his throne by his own disobedient son, his enemies seized the opportunity to further exasperate the reeling king. Shimei, the descendant of Saul and great antagonist of David, opposed David with cursing, accusation, and stone-throwing meant to bring harm. Abishai, David’s servant, sought permission from David to confront and take out Shimei. Not only did David refuse Abishai’s request, he noted the possibility of Shimei being an instrument of Yahweh and in so doing modeled the key characteristics of the godly when accused (2 Samuel 16:5-14).

First, we must retreat from those who only stroke our ego and try to insulate us from the criticism of others. It is comforting to have those like Abishai who have our backs and try to keep us from the accusation of others, but too often, they hinder us from spiritual growth. Second, we must listen to the Lord’s voice, even in our accusers. Perhaps, David thought God was teaching him something. Finally, we must entrust ourselves to the defense of the Lord, allow Him to be our vindication, and rest in the assurance that He is at work in our lives, making us to be like Him!

The Mess Called the Body of Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Life within the church is at times sheer-exhilaration but at other times treacherously problematic. Chuck Swindoll, in addressing the messiness of church life, once mused as he compared it to Noah’s ark, “the stench inside the ark would have been unbearable had it not been for the flood outside.” Church life is at times harsh, messy, and tricky, but the alternative is even less promising.

What makes church life so difficult is us. We are a combination of big-mouth “know-it-alls” like Peter, critical busy-bodies like Martha, passionate but weak-willed dramatics like David, powerful but stubborn like Paul, super-spiritual and position-hungry like James and John, and cynical doubters like Thomas, all thrown together with only one thing in common-we have recognized that we need the grace of God to be saved. Somehow…we are supposed to turn our world upside down for Christ. How in the world will that ever happen?

Paul gives some keys in 1 Corinthians 12 when he unpacks the metaphor of the Body of Christ. Several reminders from this text will be helpful. First, God is given full responsibility for the hodge-podge of people that have been brought together. We didn’t pick this team, He did. We probably shouldn’t question His judgment. Second, every part is different. Hands, feet, elbows, and kneecaps are all important parts but all play vastly differing roles. There are creative geniuses, plodders, relational giants, spiritual-gurus, and methodical wizards that add to this messy thing we call the church. Third, Paul says every part is necessary. Try text messaging without your fingers, balancing your glasses without both ears, or walking straight without your big toes and you will get the picture. We need one another. Four, every body part will have days of honor and days of suffering and like it or not, both the honor and the suffering are to be mutually shared. There is no place to distance ourselves from one another for if we do, we may find ourselves sadly alone when we suffer.

Finally, to ensure that such loneliness and separation do not occur, Paul calls us to “have the same care for one another.” This “care” is a reflection of Christ’s character who calls us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Godly care is not demonstrated by the 3 friends of Job who came along in his pain to point out error, identify fault, and criticize his life. Instead, it is perfectly modeled in the Good Samaritan, shown as the example by Jesus of authentic care. He had compassion, not a critical spirit. He saw the man’s pain as a call to mercy, not a chance to gain advantage. He gave without receiving what the man couldn’t do for himself and risked his own reputation for the healing of the bruised man on the roadside; this is authentic care and that which Scripture calls us to in the Body of Christ.

Just as the Samaritan made sure that the wounded traveler was taken to an inn where he was in a position to find wholeness, we have that responsibility to one another. The Psalmist speaks of the anointing that is poured on the High Priest’s head and drips down to cover every aspect of the body (Psalm 133). We are called to care for one another by keeping the hurting attached to the body so that the healing that flows from Christ’s own head, might flow without hindrance and bring hope and healing to their pain.

Sometimes it’s easy to be spiritual like the Levite and priest and pass by the broken on the roadside, even those in our own church body. However, God has called us to care for one another. May He teach us what authentic care really looks like.

The Leader’s Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:10:00 +0000

The future had looked bright for Israel on their first royal inauguration day. The tall and handsome son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin had been anointed as their first king and hopes were high that soon Israel would emerge as a nation of stature and prestige, reflecting the character of their picturesque leader.

However, their hopes were dashed and their dreams quickly faded as Saul’s poor choices, foolish presumptuousness, and undisciplined character proved fatal to his leadership and Israel’s future. A new king, according to Samuel the prophet, would rise to the throne and breathe new hope and promise, a greater and brighter future than the Benjamite star could ever offer. This new leader of God’s people was unassuming; the youngest child of Jesse, known for an ambition that was greater than his sense of royalty, and a tender of his father’s sheep. But one thing he possessed that others did not was a heart after God.

His heart after God recognized divine destiny. His Psalms reveal his conviction that God shaped him in his mother’s womb with a purpose in mind. His encounters with the lion and bear and the showdown with Goliath were all part of God’s destined creation.

His heart after God was honest. His prayers pulled no punches and hid no conviction; if he was angry, he said it, if he was afraid, he confessed it. Always however, God was invited to search the inner recesses of his heart and show him his frailty and sin.

His heart after God was tender. As a shepherd, he knew the work of leading gently the wayward sheep and the importance of shaping them while they were hurting. David allowed God to shape his heart in pain.

Finally, his heart after God was intensely aware of God’s working in his life and His inescapable presence. He knew that creation revealed His handiwork that the heavens declared His glory, and that even in the depths of the earth, he could not be shaken. He was always aware of God at work.

Leadership certainly demands skill and competence. It necessitates great attentiveness and ongoing learning but more than anything, it calls for a heart after God. A heart that recognizes God’s destiny, demonstrates integrity, submits to loving correction, and looks for God’s activity. You may lead others without all the skill you think you need, but without the heart after God, you will never lead others to higher ground!

The Faith of the Called

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Luke 5:1-11

The life of faith is inherently a journey if our faith is at all living. That reality is seen quite clearly in Peter’s life as a whole and unveiled quite dramatically when one looks microscopically at his call.

Peter’s faith journey began with a simple and unrefined curiosity regarding the things of the kingdom explained by Jesus as He taught the multitudes from Peter’s boat. That curiosity, still untested, became cynicism when the Master bid Peter to change the location of his nets to have a better chance at success. This cynicism sprung from a proud heart who thought he knew best how to master his own profession. Soon the cynicism melted into fear when the Master’s suggestions yielded a miraculous catch of fish. The fear gave way to unreserved abandonment when Peter recognized that Jesus was inviting him to enjoin His heart and mission. Peter forsook and followed the One whom moments before he had asked to depart.

Where do we find ourselves on our faith journey? Many that we minister to are either curious or cynical and need desperately to encounter the power of Christ to bring meaning, vitality, and hope into their mundane life circumstances. Many, like Peter, are gripped by fear and paralyzed by the presence of the One who makes them fall prostrate in fear. But God is calling us to push beyond the curiosity, the cynicism, and fear and press on to a deeper and more meaningful faith; a faith that is manifest by a total abandonment of all that we possess and hold dear. May we answer that call to be fishers of men.

The Portion for the Lonely Leader

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:46:00 +0000

From the Devotion Book An Uncovered Life

Scripture Reading: Psalm 73:26

There is a reality that often befalls those whose greatest desire is to please God, whose fondest hope is to know Christ, and whose life call is to serve the people for whom Jesus died. That reality is many times characterized by the unfair criticism of others, the cynical questioning of personal motives, the surprising abandonment of those thought to be friends, and a profound loneliness that threatens to overwhelm the one striving to draw close to God. Sadly, after twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, I can attest to the fact that these realities are far too often the rule rather than the exception. If however, we explore the truth of Scripture, we will find that this has been the case for those who are in active pursuit of God since the dawning of time.

Abraham certainly understood this reality. Though wealthy and by many, well respected, he longed for an heir-a son that he could call his own and with whom he could share life. Decade after decade passed and still this great father of faith continued childless and his faith-filled longing for the companionship of a son remained unfulfilled. Likewise, consider the Levites, that special and uniquely equipped Hebrew tribe called to lead the chosen people of God into the divine presence through song, praise, and sacrificial worship. Yet the Levites were outsiders, owned no land of their own, and found themselves lacking fellowship
with other tribes of Israel. Their call was special, their responsibility great, but their sacrifice was significant. Or what about David? He was a daringly brave warrior, anointed king, passionate worshipper, and a man after God’s own heart. Yet one mis-step and David quickly found himself on the outside looking in, despised by his enemies, ostracized by his friends, betrayed by his family, and left to
experience perpetual loneliness. He was the fallen, forgotten, criticized, and ridiculed man of God who had unfortunately had his humanity exposed. Abraham, the Levites, and David had much in common. All were called to great and unique tasks, specially gifted, and deeply human. And, because of their call and often as a result of their exposed humanity, they were forgotten and left alone, misunderstood, wrongly criticized, and in most cases without one to whom they could turn. Many today, resonate with this description and feel the sting of such overwhelming loneliness. What Abraham, the Levites, and David all found however, was that while their human relationships often suffered as a result of their unique calls, a beautifully fulfilling intimacy with the God who had called them was available. When Abraham sought desperately for an heir to be his companion, God’s response was “I am your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:2). While the Levites had no land to call their own, God promised, “The Lord shall be your inheritance” (Deuteronomy 10:9). And David, though forgotten by his friends and family, lifted his voice in exuberant praise and exclaimed, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) Portion (cheleq) in the Hebrew, means “allotment, share, sufficiency.” Though David’s flesh would fail him and his friends forsake him, still the Lord was his portion, his “more than enough.”

The life of leadership may be heavy and lonely. It may grow even more wearisome when we expose our humanity and the grace with which we have handled others is not extended to us. Nevertheless, still He is our exceedingly great reward, our inheritance, our portion forever and with that assurance, we can rest, knowing that we are never alone.

The Imperishable Prize

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:56:00 +0000

From the Devotion Book An Uncovered Life

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

My first “Black Friday” shopping experience was the last place I expected to glean spiritual insight. However, the almost comical behavior of so many in pursuit of their merchandise bargain stirred in me some rather sobering reflections. Up by 3:00 a.m. and strategically positioned in the Target parking lot by 3:45 a.m., I was immediately struck by the nearly endless sea of shoppers, many who had camped out all night, wrapped around the Target complex anxiously awaiting for the store doors to be unlocked at 4:00 a.m. When the doors flung open, the race was on. The frenzied crowd rushed through the entrance, serious shoppers filled the aisles, and within just minutes, some emerged again to the parking lot with their prize in hand! Mission accomplished!

Certainly, the tenacity of these folks is commendable. Their persistence in tracking down the best deals in town, their creative strategies that send one team member to the check-out line while another moves to the electronics and they scope out the toys, and their enduring willingness to brave the elements, forsake sleep, and do whatever necessary to seize their opportunity is worthy of applause. Yet, the reality is that they do it all for a “perishable” prize.

Should not we who are seeking an “imperishable” prize, the high privilege of an intimate relationship with the creator of the universe and the King of all humanity, be even more diligent in our pursuit of this “inheritance that will never fade” and is “reserved in heaven” for us? While this quest does not necessitate standing for hours in line, braving the brutal elements, or sleep deprivation, it still demands determination, discipline, and sacrifice. Without these commitments, the glory of the prize will remain forever elusive.

We must first be determined to press beyond past failures, broken promises, dismantled dreams, and repeated setbacks. There must be in us a steady resolve to “press on toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Likewise, a life of disciplined behavior, surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, is an essential ingredient of the sincere follower of Christ. In addition, sacrifice must mark the lives of those whose eyes remain focused on the spiritual prize, laying down even the good, to gain the best.

It seems that the greatest need for those of us who aspire to know Christ better is a commitment to the long haul. Gaining the imperishable prize is not a mere event and is more than a blip in time driven by short-term energy reserves or a rush of adrenaline. Instead, it is a life-long race, a pursuit that requires endurance, patience, and an uncanny, unwavering, and tenacious fortitude, which maintains focus on the prize despite the many distractions. If we by faith refuse to shrink back, we may lay hold of our imperishable prize, know more fully His glory, experience more powerfully His love, and reflect more genuinely His character.

Traveling Light

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:27:00 +0000

From the Devotion Book An Uncovered Life

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-14

Our culture today glorifies accumulation, exalts growth, and encourages, at almost any cost, the amassing of resources. When asked what entails the American dream, 61% of Americans said that financial security was their most sought after passion. Oddly, the pursuit of wealth and prosperity has become a favorite topic of many Christian authors, preachers, and consultants. Odd, because Scripture makes clear that the Kingdom of God, and not earthly possessions, is to be the ultimate pursuit of God’s people.

Within this societal context, the admonition of Paul to the Philippians seems even more out of step with conventional wisdom. The apostle makes clear that less, not more, is actually preferable on the journey of faith. “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14). Paul calls the passionate follower of Christ to lay things down rather than accumulate, and in so doing one may have assurance that the eternal prize may be gained. Rather than accruing more baggage, we should cast several things aside.

First, we should get rid of the guilt of past failures. Those things are not only behind us but if we have confessed them, Christ has covered and washed them in His blood and they now find a resting place in the sea of forgetfulness. Sadly, many believers today find forward progress difficult because of the weight of guilt that has built up over the years of their spiritual pilgrimage. This need not be case for the child of God.

Second, we should lay aside our tendency to bask in the glory of previous accomplishments and keep our eyes fully focused on the pursuit of His holiness. Often the relished memories of past victories and the trophies of spiritual achievement become excessive weight that hinder our faithful running of the spiritual race. Paul warned the believer of this trap and encouraged them to travel light.

Finally, we must put off the burdensome baggage of peer watching that robs far too many Christians of the spiritual vitality needed to press toward the prize. Often believers engage the practice of analyzing the holiness and passion of others. Their pre-occupation with the spiritual pursuits of fellow believers, too frequently, stalls their own progress. The weight of such judgmental arrogance serves only to hinder the hope of genuinely attaining knowledge of the wonder of Christ’s presence.

Less is better when it comes to spiritual development. There is much to lay aside so that the object of our spiritual pursuit may remain clearly in view as we press on toward the prize. Wallowing in defeats of the past, for some, seems somehow spiritual. Rehearsing victories of the days gone by can provide temporary satisfaction and judging others serves to bolster our own egos and mask our own inadequacies. However, each of these practices will most assuredly hinder the hope of knowing Jesus better. We must forget what is behind and intently focus upon and pursue the goal of personal intimacy with Christ.

An Uncovered Life-Monday, January 10

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:51:00 +0000

An Uncovered Life (By Pastor Kevin Holt)

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

19th century American pastor and author of the Christmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillip Brooks, once noted in a Lenten sermon that fasting is “an expression of repentance and uncovers the life to God.” That statement struck me in a profound way. Exactly what does it mean to have one’s life uncovered or exposed before God?

I suppose as a first step to answering that question it would be good to be reminded of what precisely it does not mean. It does not mean that there are aspects of the life of the unrepentant or the carnal believer that remain hidden from God. He indeed is the One who tries the very reins of men’s hearts, knows every thought that originates in their minds, and is aware of every word spoken before it is even formed on their tongues. A sudden awareness of that which was previously unknown of the human heart cannot be what Brooks had in mind. Rather, I believe, he is describing in the notion of “an uncovered heart,” the open invitation of the life to the moving and working of the Spirit of God. Fasting is indeed just that, the spreading of the welcome mat to the One who stands at our heart’s door, knocking and longing to enter.

When the life is uncovered and God is invited to enter through fasting, great opportunities and powerful possibilities emerge. Past hurts, deep disappointments, painful scars, and buried memories which when uncovered, bring to the surface hidden emotions, destructive bitterness, and crippling wounds, find healing in God’s presence.

In addition, the uncovering of our life to the Spirit of God causes the potential for greatness to arise. Only when the walls of self-indulgence, self-love, and self-preservation are removed can the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead have full sway to embolden, empower, and enliven the feeble efforts to achieve excellence carried out by those whose hearts remain insulated from the work of God. A life uncovered in the presence of God bursts with unlimited potential.

Likewise, the life uncovered before the Spirit of God is a life that becomes more beautifully transformed into the likeness of Christ. When through fasting we uncover ourselves to God’s marvelous work, our hearts, previously conformed to our own fleshly and selfish desires and the alluring magnetism of a sensual world, become instead tenderly handled by the Spirit’s gentleness and divinely fashioned into the likeness of our Savior. Hearts safely kept from tender vulnerability may remain fortified against the hurt that others can inflict, but will also tragically remain beyond the reach of the gentle Spirit who desires to bring holy transformation.

Fasting is crucial in the life of the believer. It demands an uncovering of our lives to God. It is in that uncovering that broken hearts are made whole, divine potential is realized, and the character of Christ is produced in us.

Gifts Given to Our Father

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 02:52:00 +0000

Editor's Note: This devotion, written by Pastor Kevin, was originally posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. It was recently accepted for publication in The Pentecostal Evangel, the official weekly magazine of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. The Evangel boasts an average weekly circulation of approximately 200,000 worldwide and publishes inspirational features that focus on contemporary issues, biblical instruction and devotional guides, Christian news, and conversation pieces. Gifts Given to Our Father will be published during the month of December, 2011.

James 1:17 says “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” God is a great gift giver. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

I have always tried to be a good gift giver as a father too. Planning just right, arranging the Christmas morning array of gifts around the room with just the right lighting and just the right spacing so as to catch the wonder and breath of the kids as they stumble in on Christmas morning wiping the sleep from their eyes, only to find that their wishes had become reality. After the order of my grandparents and then my parents, I have tried to make my kids’ dreams become reality. My grandma and grandpa running down the Toss Across game that I had asked for on Christmas Eve in Louisville may be my fondest Christmas memory of gift-giving. As parents we know how to give good gifts to our children.

But, even more does our Heavenly Father know how to shower us with loving-kindness, mercy, and most of all the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is so generous in His giving, loving in His expression, and committed to meeting every need according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. But can we give gifts to our Father? Oh certainly we can give our tithe and offerings, our acts of service, and faithful devotion. These are clearly appropriate and no doubt touch the heart of the Father. But might there be more? I think so and yet it may seem insignificant to many.

I believe the greatest gifts we give to the Father are those moments when no one else knows, and when even our consciousness may not be directed toward giving to Him. Still then, the abundance of our heart flows out in expressions of worship and love and we give a thrill to the heart of our Father.

My kids were oblivious to it but I overheard them singing and playing worship music from my office beneath the room where they were practicing. There were times they would stop and start to get things just right as you would in any rehearsal but there were some stretches when they just sang from their hearts. “Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, and here I am to say that you’re my God. You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.” They were only rehearsing, but I had my ear inclined and they were giving me a gift. A Sunday afternoon, two preacher’s kids defying the stereotype and lifting their hearts in worship to Jesus. My cheeks were warm and wet as you can only imagine. What a gift they had given to me.

I can’t help but wonder if we might give the greatest gifts to our Father in those moments when we don’t even know He’s watching. And from our hearts we sing, or whistle, or reflect on His beauty, love, and awesome grace. I think He may just incline His ear toward us, listen to our songs, and maybe wipe a tear from His cheek as well.

Nothing Separates From His Love

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:13:00 +0000

The NASV renders Psalm 37:23 and 24 in this manner, “the steps of a man are established by the Lord and He delights in his way. When he falls he will not be hurled head long, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” Such verses arouse in us all sorts of inquiry and speculation. On one hand, if God is ordering all of my steps, what role do I play? Why should I stress the choices or seek to do that which is pleasing? Conversely, can God really be blamed for my “mis-steps”, the deliberate choices to please self, bypass the right, and go my own way? Is that really God’s plan? What of the pain, the hardship, the stress, the loneliness, the grief, and loss? Are they too, objects to be laid at His feet and written off as Divine disinterest? At the heart of this issue lies the theological land mine of Divine Sovereignty (God makes all the plans) and human free will (I have a role to play). Two statements may help bring clarity to this issue.

Divine Sovereignty includes both a foreknowledge of all events, human decision, and subsequent dilemmas but is committed to the freedom of the human will. In other words, God does indeed allow us to exercise our will and choose our path, but His Divine knowledge knows what path we will take, and though disapproving or disheartened by our choice, the act of His sovereignty insists on free will. This leads to a second point of clarification.

Divine Sovereignty allows us to make choices and pursue paths that are not God’s best, but Divine Love establishes our steps along the way. The picture of establishing our steps portrays God trying to make certain that our paths, however crooked, difficult, or misguided they may be, are as safe for passing as possible. He provides instructions, pointers, warnings, and companions to assist us, even when we make the wrong choice. From the perverted picture of an angry God lurking along the path ready to strike down the wayward traveler with plagues and befalling trial, David knows God to be the One who even tries to make his wrong choices work out for his benefit. He establishes OUR STEPS. He allows us to choose them, and then He works to establish them. And when we fall, because we will fall when left to our own humanity, we will not be hurled headlong because the Lord is the One who holds our hand.

Psalm 103:7 says that God “made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.” It is again a sign of spiritual immaturity to reduce God to His acts, acts of blessing or judgment, acts of reward or imposing penalty. We must know Him in His ways. One of His ways is to love us like a father loves his children, and even when the path being walked is not wise, He runs ahead and clears and prepares the path and when we fall, He picks us up! This is the God from whose love we cannot be separated.

I Know in Whom I have Believed

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:43:00 +0000

Knowing God intimately is an absolute and essential ingredient to a fervent and effective prayer life. Far too many believers today struggle to pray and that struggle seems to be fostered by a failure to know the God they approach in prayer. Paul told Timothy that he knew in whom he had believed and was confident in His ability (2 Timothy 1:12). David in his great prayer of confidence in Psalm 17 called upon a God who he knew would uphold his steps and keep him from stumbling, listen to him and hear him when he called, show His lovingkindness, keep him as the apple of His eye, and hide him under the shadow of His wings. He knew in whom he believed. Today, what we need is not more prayer to an unknown God, but confident prayer directed toward a God that we have come to know personally.

What Do People Say About Us?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:49:00 +0000

When Paul wrote to the church at Rome, he commended them because their faith was known and spoken of throughout the whole world. Theirs was no secret faith. They were not merely Christian in name or by association, nor did they merely adhere to a code, creed, or a set of values. They had faith that acted so prevalently that people talked about it everywhere.

What do people say about us? They may know what we believe or profess; they may know our vision, our mission, or stated values. They may hear of our gifts or talents, programs or ministries. But do they know us by our faith? Does our faith make them talk? Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the absence of things not seen. Is it so clear that our hope is focused on the unseen and that all activity and works demonstrated allegiance to a world and God not yet seen, or do we more clearly portray allegiance to a seen entity?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:49:00 +0000

Ruling Our Own Spirits

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:32:00 +0000

When Paul instructed the Ephesian believers to “make every effort to keep the unity of the faith and bond of peace”, he was tipping off his biased concern, and possibly expressing his own personal weakness. At least I hope so because it gives me some hope. Keeping peace with others is hard work. It was for Paul and he failed quite frequently. It is easy to see the weaknesses, flaws, and self-centeredness of others unleash a tirade of unhealthy and unkind words that serve only to exasperate the divide or to cower in a smug or arrogant seclusion; keeping the difficult person at arms length. Both responses, however, are equally wrong and reveal an inability on our part to rule our own spirit or emotions. The use of sharp and condescending words is my most trying struggle and continues to expose to me my own difficulty in ruling my spirit.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” In other words, I put myself at risk for other enemy attacks if I cannot rule my own spirit or emotions. This is most difficult when it comes to relationships.

To keep the unity of faith, we must rule our own spirits. Actually, we must daily yield our spirits to His if we are to have any hope at all. As Paul said, only when we crucify the flesh, through the spirit, can we hope to rule over our spirits and succeed in the relational call to unity.

Simeon-Maintaining Expectancy

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:06:00 +0000

One of the great secondary stories to emerge from the birth narratives regarding Jesus is the account of Simeon, the elderly gentleman of Jerusalem, who had longed for and expected to see the Messiah in his day. Luke describes him as a man who was “righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel.” No doubt his skin was warm from years in the desert sun, his body feeble, eyebrows and beard thickened and white, and his hands trembling. Still he believed that God would fulfill His promise. And God would not disappoint. Simeon would in fact, see, hold, embrace, and bless the Christ child. He was able to maintain his expectancy against all odds. At least four characteristics of Simeon give insight into his tremendous faith.

First, Simeon was not disillusioned by the delay; the writer of Proverbs reminds us that hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. It is so easy to give up on the promise given to us by God, and become disillusioned by the delay. Simeon did not. Neither was Simeon influenced by the culture. Jerusalem, by that time, had become cold and lifeless, gripped by a form of godlessness, void of power and hope of a future deliverance. Simeon however stood untainted in that cultural godlessness. Such tenacious commitment to godliness in a perverse culture must mark the people of God today! He also refused to settle for less that what he had been promised. His was the promise of seeing the Messiah and nothing else would do. Unfortunately, we often settle for less than God’s best. Finally, he was not paralyzed by a lack of personal fulfillment. The promise delayed but he kept being faithful. How many today have given up hope and abandoned their spiritual post because their lives lack fulfillment? Simeon refused to be paralyzed by his lack of fulfillment and ultimately embraced the Christ child.

God has given each of us promises and a hope of what lies ahead. We must not become disillusioned by the delay, tainted by the doubt around us, willing to settle for less, or paralyzed by the lack of personal fulfillment. Someday we will embrace our promises and be so glad we maintained our expectations.

Nothing Compares

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:50:00 +0000

One of my favorite sections of Scripture is the Pastoral Epistles. I find in these three letters, great strength, practical advice, and powerful truth to keep me through difficult times in ministry. The letters of Paul to Timothy, most specifically, are my greatest resource for pastoral encouragement and motivation. Every verse seems to ooze with comfort, hope, and wisdom and none more so than the text before us.

This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
we shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Here, Paul gives a series of one-to-one comparisons that leave the reader challenged to be loyal to the cause of Christ and to faithful ministry.

If we died with Him, we shall live with Him. Paul clearly has the picture in mind of the believer who has died with Christ in baptism and as a result, been resurrected to a new and glorious life of victory.

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. Here Paul is instructing the believer that trials and persecution will come, but if we endure, a great prize awaits us.

In addition, negatively, if we deny Him, or when persecution comes our way, or we are ashamed of Him, He will as Jesus said, deny us.

Each of these has a one-to-one, direct correlation. Dying is met with life, enduring with victory, and human denial with divine denial. However, one comparison is left, and it is much different.

If we are faithless, the divine response does not correlate. Instead, He remains faithful! He cannot deny Himself, that is His own nature, and that nature, despite our weaknesses, doubts, questions, and failures, cannot and will not change. He remains faithful.

What hope it gives us! Nothing compares to Him! Our failure is no match for His grace, our weakness cowers in the presence of His power, and our faithlessness is overcome and overwhelmed by the God, whose faithfulness reaches to the heavens!

A Call for Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:44:00 +0000

“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

In the opening Proverb of Solomon’s written collection, a striking, and provocative image of wisdom emerges. Wisdom personified, shouts in the streets, lifts her voice in the town square, and cries aloud at the city gate. Wisdom calls out to the “naïve ones” asking “how long will you love being simple minded?” (Proverbs 1:22). Even more chilling is the prophetic pronouncement leveled at the self-proclaimed, wise scoffer. “Because I called you and you refused,” shouts wisdom, “and I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your dread comes…” (Proverbs 1:24-26).

This text speaks profoundly to the societal and cultural posture of many in political leadership today. Only those, it seems, who are bigoted, biased, or incapable of thinking straight would dare consider abortion, murder, or same-sex marriage as detrimental to our society or pornography as a destructive and perverted degradation of the divine plan for human sexuality rather than a protected right. Wisdom has managed to elude much of our society and ultimately will laugh as calamity comes.

Closer to home, however, is the folly displayed in the typical church today. The preaching of God’s Word has been exchanged, in many cases, for soft-stepping and ego-driven talks on success and prosperity. Sin has been re-defined as acceptable weakness. Worship has become a spectator sport played out before Olympic-style judges, disguised as parishioners, whose scores are determined by ambiance, style, musical “tightness”, and flair. And, the call to live as people from another world has been hijacked by a push to appear as worldly as possible in order to maintain significant relevance within a lost world. That we call wisdom, but true wisdom laughs as calamity continues to befall the foolish church.

Today, like never before, the church needs the wisdom of God in extraordinary proportions. How may we find the wisdom from above to turn us from the point of weak and impotent religion and move us back on the path toward vibrant and effective Kingdom living again? Four simple reminders will be helpful in answering this most important question.

First, we must begin with a return to sincere and vital relationship with Christ. It is still true that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning (foundation) of (true) wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). Time management guru Stephen Covey said, “Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.” Unless Christ is firmly established in the center of our lives, divine wisdom will escape us. Intimacy with Christ is the foundation of true wisdom.

Second, the Word of the Lord will reveal divine wisdom. The psalmist, speaking of the Law of the Lord, said that it was able to “make wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). Relationship with Christ, void of a relationship with His Word, will leave us still woefully lacking in divine wisdom.

Third, the generosity of the Lord should give us great hope. James, after exhorting readers who lacked wisdom, to “ask of God”, reminded them that God will give to them liberally (James 1:5)! God is a generous Creator. His mercy is new every morning and never-ending, His grace is super-abounding, His faithfulness reaches to the heavens, and His love cannot be quenched. His meting out of wisdom to those who ask also comes in generous portions.

Finally, the reliability of divine wisdom can be trusted because it is anchored in the steadfastness of God’s character. James noted further, that “every good and perfect gift cometh down from heaven, from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Contrasted with the celestial lights (sun, moon, stars) which are in constant motion and ever shifting and over which He wields authority, the faithfulness of God stands firm and without even a momentary hint of turning or changing. His wisdom therefore, is reliable and stands the test of time.

True wisdom is found in relationship with Christ, revealed in His Word, manifested through His generosity, and never, ever fails. May we turn again to Him, root ourselves deeply in His Word, and enjoy the marvelous benefits of his abundant and faithful wisdom.

How Great Thou Art

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:50:00 +0000

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 is nothing short of and nothing less than a desperate plea for the unimaginable, the unthinkable, the impossible. It is a cry for God to empower the believer with strength to meet EVERY challenge. It is a petition for God to engage the follower of Christ in an intimacy with Himself that fills EVERY longing and to provide a revelation of His love that is so deep that he is able to love EVERYONE, even those who have opposed or even hated Him. It is asking God to offer a limitless supply of His divine presence, glory, and power so that the seeker is filled with all the fullness of God. It is for all practical purposes, a prayer that would be impossible to answer.

But Paul clarifies his intention and nullifies the impossibility when he describes the divine recipient of this prayer as “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” and as the One to whom belongs “all glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” It is a prayer that points us squarely in the direction of a GREAT GOD!

He is great because He can do the impossible, produce the unimaginable, and cause the unthinkable to emerge. His greatness was displayed in the act of creation when He made something out of nothing. That greatness was further displayed as the seemingly impenetrable foes of God’s people were destroyed repeatedly. The waters of the Red Sea and the mighty walls of Jericho were no match for His greatness. His greatness found its fullest revelation in the manifestation of the never-before-known and unfathomable love of God which was declared by Himself becoming flesh, bearing our sin, submitting to the cruelty of Calvary’s cross, and thwarting the plan of the devil by bursting forth victorious from the tomb. He is great because He can do the impossible.

He is great because He channels that unthinkable power through frail and incompetent humanity. That’s why Paul said in his prayer of He who is able to “do exceedingly abundantly above all we think or ask” that He does this “according to the power that works in us.” That’s right. He does the impossible through us. It was 300 weak and cowardly men with only trumpets and pitchers that sent the vast Midianite army packing when HIS power worked through them. Five loaves and two fish fed 5,000 when a little boy let the Master work through him.
Three thousand people were saved when a rugged and often crude fisherman yielded to the power of the life-giving Spirit. He is great because His power works through us.

And, He is great, as Paul says, because His glory is housed and apparent in this thing we call the church. “To Him be glory in the church” is the prayer of the apostle. How amazing! A bunch of imperfect, off-key, grumpy, and often cantankerous church folk can get together and lift their voices, and HE SHOWS UP! A struggling preacher, with limited vocabulary and trembling hands, can open his mouth and read words of Scripture and the binding shackles of sin fall off and people’s hearts are set free. Untrained, but sincere believers, kneel beside a wounded and broken soul, share their pain, join in their tears, and the unexplainable peace of God that passes understanding fills that broken heart. This is the greatness of God and this is His glory manifest in the church.

Paul adds one last thing in his prayer. One last reminder. That greatness revealed in His power to do the impossible, use the incapable, and fill the unacceptable is not limited to some time in the past or some historically fixed point of days gone by. “His glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus to ALL GENERATIONS!” It hasn’t stopped. His greatness marches on. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will keep demonstrating the impossible, keep using the incapable, and keep filling the unacceptable. We have a rich heritage but an even greater destiny because of the greatness of our God!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Great Task and High Privilege of the Church

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:04:00 +0000

(Based on 1 Timothy 2:1-7)

It seems that we sorely neglect our responsibility and subsequently fail to utilize fully our potential power and capability in prayer. In Paul’s first letter to his young protégé Timothy, he instructs him to exhort the believers in the church at Ephesus to “pray for all men” because it is the divine desire that “all men be saved.” This desire meant enough to God that He sent His Son to give His life as a voluntary “ransom for all.” Striking and even puzzling is the reality that an infinitely holy and ultimately powerful God calls upon the prayers of feeble and frail humanity to hasten the realization of His desire, which is the salvation of all men.

For the church to fail in the enterprise of prayer is to disregard our greatest call, silence our greatest force, and treat with contempt the greatest sacrifice ever known since the beginning of time, namely the voluntary giving of Christ’s own life on Calvary’s cross. Let us take seriously this call to pray for all men and fervently engage this marvelous privilege.

Simple Things Move The Heart of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:22:00 +0000

How often do we find ourselves jockeying for position, seeking to impress God, and win His favor? Worse yet, do we merely seek to do the big “spiritual things” not for His favor at all but for our own sense of self-worth? The moving sermon, the impressive ministry, the grandiose title that signals our importance to our peers and establishes our place in the humanly constructed pecking order that we all too often fail to remember God has turned upside down. “The last shall be first, you know?”

However, an honest look at the Gospels quickly and clearly reminds us that none of our self-conceived ideas of greatness impress a God who has measured the heavens with the span of His hand or placed the mountains in scales and weighed them. If God wants to be impressed, He certainly will not turn to the paltry attempts of humanity to meet that need.

Simple things move the heart of Jesus. A cup of cold water given to the parched catches the eye of the master. The donning of the servants towel or the selfless and sacrificial giving of our whole self-symbolized by the widow’s mite-causes our Savior to stand at attention. The desperate cry of the one who longs only to touch the hem of His garment or the simple trust of the one who knows that Christ need only to “speak the word and all will be well” is what moves the Sustainer of the universe into action. It is not great exploits, fancy titles, or impressive demonstrations but simple things, that move the heart of Jesus!

We Would See Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:58:00 +0000

The Gospel of John records two verses that are likely two of the simplest yet most meaningful words found within the entire biblical text. “Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast. These men came to Phillip from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him saying, “Sir we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:20, 21).

Three simple statements capture the powerful truth of this text. One, not everyone who gathers for worship understands or frankly cares about our routine, ritual, or theological explanations of God’s presence. Those Greeks knew nothing of Jewish form, practice, sacrifice, or ritual. They merely found themselves enmeshed in the worshipping throng.

Two, those who come to seek will look to people, not experience, to answer their questions. Their inquiry was not focused on festal elements of sacrifice or ritual. Their inquiry was directed to Phillip.

Finally, those who are truly seeking after God just want to see Jesus. It is not a smooth service, tight musical ensemble, dynamic choir number, or eloquent sermon that people want or need, they want to see Jesus!

This must be the criteria by which we judge our efforts, our ministry, and our services: Have people seen Jesus and have we, through our lives and ministries, been able to point them in His direction?

Near To The Broken Hearted

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 01:43:00 +0000

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18) AND "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; HIS understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:3-5).
As one reflects on these ancient and inspired musings, a tender and profound portrait of God’s love for us emerges. It is likely that David penned both of these Psalms and if so, he was quite aware of what it meant to have a broken heart. He lost children prematurely, experienced the rebellion and utter betrayal of his son Absalom, and had been singled out for destruction by a king to whom he had given nothing but loyalty. Yet, more than any of these tragic and seemingly unfair life experiences, David’s own human frailty had brought him pain and left him with a broken heart. His unbridled passions, determination to succeed, and unchecked ego had stolen from him the joy that had often erupted in song as he sat on the hillside with his sheep under the stars. Gone was the expectation of a promising future that first stirred in his spirit when the prophet’s oil, poured from the ram’s horn, dripped on his yielded head. The joy and expectation had fled and David was a broken-hearted man.

However, as he sang, the emerging portrait of his God re-kindled his hope. Yahweh drew near to the broken hearted. Unlike David’s friends and family that abandoned him in his hurt, the faithful God of David remained close. David also found that God not only positioned Himself near to the broken hearted but He pitied them as well. Instead of hurling accusation, finding more fault, shaming or condemning, as did those close to David, the Lord healed the hurt and bound up the wounds of David. The awesome power of David’s God, capable of counting the stars and remembering their names, could have with a wink, snuffed out the failed and broken shepherd turned king, but instead, stooped to have pity, show mercy, and bring wholeness to him again. Yes, great is His power, but INFINITE is His understanding.

God is no respecter of persons and in Him, there is no variableness or shadow of turning. He is still near the broken hearted, healing their hurts, cleansing their stains, and demonstrating not ruthless criticism, but infinite understanding.

F.B. Meyer so brilliantly articulated this ministry of Jesus.

Constantly we need to repair to the laver to be washed. But do we always realize how much each act of confession on our part involves from Christ on his? Whatever important work He may at that moment have on hand; whatever directions He may be giving to the loftiest angels for the fulfillment of his purposes; however pressing the concerns of the Church or the universe upon his broad shoulders--He must turn from all these to do a work He will not delegate. Again He stoops from the Throne, and girds Himself with a towel; and, in all lowliness, endeavors to remove from thee and me the stain that His love dare not pass over. He never loses the print of the nails; He never forgets Calvary and the blood; He never spends one hour without stooping to do the most menial work of cleansing filthy souls. Moreover, it is because of this humility He sits on the Throne and wields the scepter over hearts and worlds. (F.B. Meyer in The Life of Love)

The Two Great Commandments

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Holt) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:13:00 +0000

In the midst of arguably the sternest prophetic word in Scripture, the prophecy of Amos that declares the death and destruction of Israel, a powerful and profound word of relevance springs forth for the church today. “But let justice run down like water, and righteousness, like a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24). Justice and righteousness are two great words in the Old Testament and moral attributes and characteristics that God demands. In this context of Amos’s prophecy, it spoke to how the rich and powerful were treating the poor and un-influential. They were abusing, cheating, and disregarding those of lesser status, but continuing to put on their pious demeanor and practice religious routine like they had always done. Of their offerings and sacrifices God said, “I will not accept them” and He echoes that truth when He declares “take away from me the noise of your songs for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream” (Amos 5:23, 24).

The message of Yahweh was clear. What Israel did in relations with others affected their relations with God and they could not love God if they did not love their fellow neighbor. Their worship, though elaborate and beautiful, was worthless and despised. Regardless of what feeling they experienced. Their activity was displeasing to God. Surely this is what Jesus meant when He outlined the two great commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind ‘AND’ love your neighbor as yourself.” The first CANNOT be done if the second is not faithfully discharged. Selfish attitudes, critical casting of judgment on one another, preferring ourselves over others, looking down on those we lead, demanding rights, or manipulating others to benefit ourselves cannot co-exist where true spiritual piety, devotion, and worship is being manifest. Our exploits may be impressive, our expressions fine tuned, and our excellence admired, but to the ears of the Holy God we worship, we are sounding brass and clanging cymbals.