Tag Archives: Theology

THEOLOGY ALIVE…LIFE LIVED FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE VALLEY

Man-on-top-of-Mountain-150x150“Theology Alive…Life lived from the Mountain to the Valley”

“Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” (John 12:35)

Though it appears to be more rare than common, “mountain top” moments, with the Father, breath life into the Christian both spiritually and naturally. Likewise “valley experiences” have a way of, through trying and testing, proving our metal and resolved for the Kingdom commission. From both the top and bottom, of the great rock, you can see with clarity Kingdom perspective never glimpsed when ones eyes are looking to the “Baal’s” of the world. An excellent Biblical example of this is discovered in the account of Moses and his servant Joshua at Mt. Sinai. While receiving the Law, from God, Moses was at the peak of the mountain. And while most of Israel had lost site of Moses, and the Spirit’s visitation, Joshua was still able to keep his Kingdom perspective, by staying in prayer and obedience. In both men’s lives, and in this specific situation, Moses and Joshua lived the mountain experience from both the peak and the valley.

What have you done in your mountain moments with the Father? Have you come down from the mountain prepared to bring the light of Jesus into a dark world? Or have you taken your mountain experience and buried it’s light under a bushel? “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Our mountain experiences are meant to be lived in cooperation with the life of sanctification. Furthermore you are meant to shine, as a God-given light, to preserve your life from degrading into spiritual and natural dry rot. Your life is meant to be lived theologically alive and continually bringing Biblical truth into every phase of life.
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Chambers said, “The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the smug satisfaction of an experience to which he can refer back, but who is not working it out in practical life. If you say you are sanctified, show it. The experience must be so genuine that it is shown in the life. Beware of any belief that makes you self-indulgent; it came from the pit, no matter how beautiful it sounds.” To this I say a resounding AMEN!

Biblical theology must work itself out in our most practical relationships. “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, …” said Jesus. In short what Jesus was saying was you may know all about the doctrine of sanctification, but are you living it out into the practical areas of your life? Every bit of our life, physical, moral and spiritual, is to be judged by the standard of the Atonement and this is a standard we will never meet through works fashioned by our hands. To live theologically alive and have a testimony and witness that lives on the peaks and in the valleys requires the washing and regeneration of His Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to make His theology alive in you and share the good news, of the Father’s rescue plan, from the highest mountain top and even in the darkest valley.

Blessings – JOSHUA

“GIVE THE PEACE OF JESUS A CHANCE”

nojesusnopeace“GIVE THE PEACE OF JESUS A CHANCE”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.(John 14:27)

Today’s society, without the revelation of the Holy Spirit, views the very concept of peace with its own particular brand of logic and wisdom based on spiritual ignorance. However when we are awakened by the Holy Spirit, to the reality of our decaying world, then we become responsible to speak the truth of Jesus’ rescue plan and the only true and lasting peace for all creation: the peace of Jesus.

The facts of life, in every generation and throughout human history, remain true: Inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus! It is even on this point far to many Christian’s confuse His peace with the peace of the old way of thinking and they attempt to mingle the logic of the world with the wisdom of the Kingdom. When Jesus speaks of peace, He brings it on His terms and by His righteousness. Jesus’ words have been and remain Spirit and life not condemnation and death. What message of peace have you tired to communicate with others? The peace of Rome? (this world’s system) or the peace of the Kingdom of Heaven? For that matter let me ask an even stronger question, Have you ever received the peace Jesus speaks of? Your immediate answer, like mine, should be YES! But honestly, when we stop and think about the question we must also reflect on our own words, actions, beliefs and personal walk with Him. Jesus’ words, “My peace I give unto you”— is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His holiness as well as His mercy and grace.

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If the peace of the Holy Trinity has eluded your life then you are living out of sync with the Father. The peace of Jesus has never meant absence of trial, tribulation or adversity. But the peace of the Father does mean you must never lean on your own understanding or rationalize life’s events by your own logic. To search out the peace of Jesus, and be lead by His Spirit, means for you to shift the focus away from yourself and set your eyes upon Jesus.

Look to Jesus now in the immediate matter disturbing you and press in to receive from Him His peace! When you surrender He will be a gracious blessing of peace in and through you. Don’t try to worry out the circumstances and risk obliterating His peace in your life and the life of others. Truthfully, we get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. Lay all the fear and concern before Him and in the face of difficulty, sadness and sorrow, hear Him say—“Let not your heart be troubled.”Because Jesus has brought you His peace.

Blessings – JOSHUA

FROM JEWELRY TO REAL IDENTIFICATION

“From Jewelry to Real Identification” 

For those of you who do not know me I’ll let you in on a little secret. I like to wear trendy jewelry. By trendy I don’t mean expensive. What I consider trendy is wearing five silver rings, on one hand, three rings on the other, two necklaces and a leather cuff, if “the mood” strikes me right. Well today I was in one of those moods and decided to wear a necklace that has more of a rocker feel than the life changing symbol is carries. What is the symbol? The Cross. At some point in time we have all owned a cross. Perhaps it is a cherished heirloom or a beautiful accessory but somehow the Cross has slipped into just another symbol, lost in a sea of logo’s and icons, for today’s popular culture consumption. But today I asked myself a challenging question, “What if the Cross moved away from accessory status and returned to a sign of true life, forgiveness and freedom?”

Oswald Chambers said it best, “We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it.” For the believer, in the Biblical Jesus, the Cross should stand for one thing and one thing only – complete, entire and absolute identification with Him!

Every year, when I re-read the Passion of Jesus, I am struck by how much time He spent praying leading up to the Cross as well as dying at Calvary. Are the Father and Son trying to reveal to us a truth about the power of prayer and true identification, of the oneself, with the Cross? I believe so.

“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” Unfortunately, much of what we have been taught ,on prayer, is much like a “drive thru” mentality. Think about it: We make the line, place an order of what we want and then expect the order to be properly taken and given with our total satisfaction guaranteed.
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The purpose and power of prayer is not to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with the Father. Guess what? God is always speaking and answering every time, but not always in the way we expect. And when we do not get what we have asked for our spiritual immaturity shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Jesus in prayer and on the Cross. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living testimonies of the Father’s grace.

Again Chambers asks an important question we all need to answer: “Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? “

I hope and pray “at that day” you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction between you, Him and the Cross.

Blessings – JOSHUA

GETTING LOST IN THE CASTLE AND THE SIMPLE WAY THROUGH

“Getting Lost in the Castle and the Simple Way Through”

Over the past few years theologian NT Wright has written a series of books titled: “Simply Christian”, “Simply Jesus” and “How God Became King.” Of course he has written many wonderful works but these three recent books stood out because their titles offered a simple approach to a complex God and faith.

I remember, as a young boy, visiting several great castles in England and Germany and I was always amazed by the inner workings of these massive fortifications. Each structure had their share of hidden passages, great walls, majestic works of craftsmanship and if one did not stay on the tour path you could get quickly lost. In much the same way our Christian faith reminds me of these great castles, and not from a negative perspective. Our ancient creeds, doctrines of faith, confessions, prayers and theological opinions have made for a rich and varied Christian faith without equal. However, if one does not stay on the tour path you can get lost in all of the hallways and side doors that, before long, may end up leading you outside of the walls of the castle. Today there are many who started, their journey of faith, behind the great castle walls and over time walked off the tour path managing to not only exit the castle but now try to tear the down the walls that once protected them.

So I turn back to NT Wright and his “Simply” series of books. Certainly there is great danger in dumbing down the Christian faith, to such a level, where it may appear to be a castle but is not any stronger than a house of cards. Likewise we also risk making this faith so complex that all of the gates, windows and doors remain shut to where no-one is allowed inside. While there are many doctrines, with the Judeo-Christian faith, that are complex and worth studying we also need to encourage each other to remain on the simple walking tour through the great castle of Christianity. This is what NT was attempting to convey through his “Simply” series. Yes, there are some hard and challenging areas we need to study and comprehend. But there are also some simple, not elementary, truths we do not need to overcomplicate.

Here are some “simple” questions worth asking: “Am I simple enough to identify myself with my Lord in the way I live my life?” “Is He getting His wonderful way in me?” “Is God realizing that His Son is formed in me, or have I carefully put Him to the side?”
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Today we live in a generation of great clamor. We hear stories of people who claim they were failed by the Christian faith. We read stories of what Millennials want and desire. And we listen to panels of theologians and pastors saying, “I believe…” It seems like today everyone is clamoring and I ask, “For what?”

While debate is healthy and very productive it can also close many doors. While opinions and theories are intriguing they can also serve to add additions, to the great castle, that will aid people in getting lost and confused. So, in an age of “sound and fury” do we risk signifying nothing? (Shakespeare, Macbeth) I want to encourage you to ask, and answer, some of the simple questions. Said another way, stay on the “walking tour” before you get exploring too far. Once on the tour you will discover simple but life-changing questions like: “Is the Son of God praying in me or am I dictating to Him?” “Is He ministering in me as He did in the days of His flesh?” “Is the Son of God in me going through His passion for His own purposes?”

Oswald Chambers said, “The more one knows of the inner life of God’s ripest saints, the more one sees what God’s purpose is—“filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.” There is always something to be done in the sense of “filling up.”

Blessings – JOSHUA

COMMONSENSE NEED NOT APPLY

“Commonsense Need Not Apply”

Earlier this week I posted on respecting the call of God on a persons life. In that post I mentioned how commonsense can get in the way of Kingdom perspective and how the Spirit of the Father is very different than the spirit of the world.

Yesterday Jeannette and I were talking about this very point and came to another truth I wanted to share with you: Commonsense can get in the way of faith. Often we are told , and encouraged, to have faith in trying circumstances, faith for better opportunities, relationships, finances, etc…But how often do we apply faith, to the call, when often we judge the call according to commonsense?

Today we live in a generation that can’t help but judge everything by outside appearances. Success, happiness, struggle or sorrow is all determined by what our eyes tell us and our commonsense adds up. We look at the circumstances, do the math and make a commonsense judgment. But could we be totally wrong? Are we undercutting one’s faith? Are we torpedoing our own faith with commonsense? These are questions worth considering.

When it comes to faith, in the plans and purposes of the Father, commonsense need not apply. Please do not misunderstand that statement. I am not advocating complete wreckless abandonment to the wisdom of the Father. The Holy Spirit is present to lead you in all truth and it is the truth of the Father that builds your faith in His plans and purposes. This attitude and lifestyle is very different from one that relies just on commonsense.
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Oswald Chambers asked, “Is Jesus being abundantly satisfied in your life or have you got a spiritual ‘strut’ on? Never let common sense obtrude and push the Son of God on one side. Common sense is a gift which God gave to human nature; but common sense is not the gift of His Son. Supernatural sense is the gift of His Son; never enthrone common sense. The Son detects the Father; common sense never yet detected the Father and never will. Our ordinary wits never worship God unless they are transfigured by the indwelling Son of God. We have to see that this mortal flesh is kept in perfect subjection to Him and that He works through it moment by moment. Are we living in such human dependence upon Jesus Christ that His life is being manifested in our mortal flesh?”

As you consider this morning’s reflection seek the Lord as to how you are being led. Ask Him by what standards you are making your life choices. Are you trusting in His Holy Spirit or is commonsense getting in the way?

“Father, I thank Thee that thou hast heard Me.” (John 11:41)

Blessings – JOSHUA

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR GLORY OR MY GLORY…IT’S ABOUT HIS GLORY!

“It’s Not About Your Glory or My Glory…It’s About His Glory!”

“Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing.” (1 Peter 4:19)

I’m not much for thrill rides. In fact just seeing them makes my blood run cold. But this summer I took my family to a theme park and so thrill rides were part of the journey. One such experience was walking up the endless flight of stairs, with my son, and ascending the 6 story slide to find ourselves resting on a straight drop. For me the worst part was sitting on the slide waiting for the all clear, but by the time I got there is was too late. I was committed and down the slide I went. Within seconds it was over, and I survived while leaving my stomach somewhere between the third and fourth story. It seems kind of silly but that water slide taught me a little more about myself and this morning I want to place my summer journey within the context of suffering. To be honest a water slide is the farthest test of suffering, but if you knew I have a fear of heights then you would know every step, I took, I was suffering.

Let’s face it! We all cringe at the very idea of any type of suffering. Questions of fairness, why me and God’s silence are just a few of the many thoughts that arise during such times. Guess what? To choose to suffer means there is something wrong; but to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing.

No healthy believer ever chooses suffering; he or she chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. And here is another “guess what moment” NO OTHER Christian should interfere with the suffering of another saint. This is not to say we don’t offer words of encouragement, aid or love in a trying season. But our role is not to rationalize their trial or play armchair theologian to help them dismiss their season. Our role, as the disciples at Gethsemane, is pray and stay on watch.
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The man or woman who satisfies the heart of Jesus will make other believer strong and mature for God. Oswald Chambers said, “The people who do us good are never those who sympathize with us, they always hinder, because sympathy always deprives strength. No one understands a saint but the saint who is nearest to the Savior. If we accept the sympathy of a saint, the reflex feeling is—‘Well, God is dealing hardly with me.’ That is why Jesus said self-pity was of the devil (see Matt. 16:23). Be merciful to God’s reputation.”

Questions of God’s goodness are hard for the heart of flesh and the spirit of this world to comprehend. In fact, at every turn, the anti-Christ spirit will always try to blacken God’s character. Exercise great caution if you believe Jesus needed sympathy in His earthly life. Jesus refused sympathy from man because He knew few understood His call or purpose. Jesus took sympathy from His Father only. (Cf. Luke 15:10.)

Likewise, according to the judgment of the world, God plants His saints in the most useless places and often seems to waste their talents. This is NOT Throne Room perspective or Kingdom thinking! For the true believer, in the Biblical Jesus, we say—‘God intends me to be here because I am useful.’ God puts His saints where they will glorify Him, and we are not in the position to judge where that is.

Blessings – JOSHUA

THE LOUD VOICE OF GOD IN WHISPERS

Not long ago I was having a conversation with a fellow Christian and the question came up, “Have you ever heard God speak?” This fascinating question has been mulled over by Christians, in every walk of life, for generations and still we continue to ask as if there has never been an answer. While modern movie magic has gone a long way in making God’s voice as a big, booming, earth-shattering event, the voice of the Spirit can be so gentle, that unless you are living in communion with the Father, you never hear it.

In our marriage Jeannette and I communicate many different ways. Sometimes we have long running discussions that may last days or even weeks. Other times we just having passing one-liners which plant a thought that later require an action. In the same way we should live expecting the full spectrum of conversations with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Have you ever heard a person say, “I just had a check of the Spirit?” For me it can be a feeling, deep within, of peace or caution. Either way such an encounter becomes a prompting of how to act in that moment. In short: this brief conversation is a prompting, by the Spirit, of how to live in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes in the most extraordinarily gentle ways, and if you are not sensitive enough to detect His voice you will quench it, and your personal spiritual life will be impaired. His checks always come as a still small voice, so small that no one, but he or she who is in communion with the Father, notices them.

Oswald Chambers said, “Beware if in personal testimony you have to hark back and say—‘Once, so many years ago, I was saved.’ If you are walking in the light, there is no harking back, the past is transfused into the present wonder of communion with God. If you get out of the light you become a sentimental Christian and live on memories, your testimony has a hard, metallic note. Beware of trying to patch up a present refusal to walk in the light by recalling past experiences when you did walk in the light. Whenever the Spirit checks, call a halt and get the thing right, or you will go on grieving Him without knowing it.”
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Maybe you are in a crisis, a dry season or feel as if you haven’t head from the Spirit for far too long? Suppose God has brought you to a place of encounter and you nearly engage Him but not quite? The Father will engineer the encounter again and again but it will not be as it was before. If we are not discerning, of the Spirit, than we will miss the awesome opportunity of obedience to His will. But if you go through the encounter, listening to the Spirit, there will be a testimony of praise to God. “Never sympathize with the thing that is stabbing God all the time. God has to hurt the thing that must go.” (Chambers)

BLESSINGS – JOSHUA

“FROM BIG WHEELS TO TRAINING WHEELS TO RIDING A BIKE”

“From Big Wheels to Training Wheels and Finally  Riding a Bike”

Do any of you remember big wheels? If so, then you probably owned one at some point in your childhood. If not, then the picture (below) shows you all you need to know and I can still remember pedaling all summer hearing the sound of pavement grinding underneath those large plastic wheels. Then, I experienced the training wheels phase of learning to ride a bike and though I can’t remember this time too clearly I am reliving it, in some ways, as I am teaching my daughter how to ride her bike. Eventually, she like I, and millions of others will learn how to ride a bike.

In our journey with Jesus we too have to learn how to mature from big wheels to training wheels and eventually riding a bike. Using God’s intended spiritual pedal system (the Holy Spirit) you begin to mature to a place where the training wheels are no longer necessary to hold you up and this is demonstrated in the life of Elijah and Elisha.

The great prophet Elisha who, in some ways, experienced more miraculous events than his mentor, began learning on the “training wheel” of Elijah. As a mentor Elijah was there to help, guide and instruct Elisha through his “training wheels” season because  it was necessary for Elisha to learn how to pedal. However, a time soon came when Elisha was ready to pedal on his own and he would have to let go of Elijah.

But why? Isn’t it better to always have Elijah close by? Wouldn’t it have been best for Jesus to stay with His disciples a little bit longer? It sounds like a flawless plan, perfect and without error but that is not the plan of the Kingdom. God’s plan for our life is not keep us pedaling on big wheels or training wheels but to prepare us solo bike journey (with Him). We would all say, “Something is wrong?” if we witnessed a grown adult, on a professional bike, still needing training wheels which is why God’s Kingdom intention is for you to let the Holy Spirit guide you in all truth and when you say, “I cannot go on without Elijah.” God says you must.

Oswald Chambers spoke of three alones every believer must face in their walk of faith. The first is the “ALONE AT YOUR JORDAN.” This is the place where there is the type of separation, and there is no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one can take the responsibility for you. It is at this season in life you have to apply what you learned when you were with your Elijah. “You have been to Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are up against it alone. It is no use saying you cannot go; this experience has come, and you must go. If you want to know whether God is the God you have faith to believe Him to be, then go through your Jordan alone.” (Chambers)
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 “ALONE AT YOUR JERICHO.” Jericho is the place where you have seen your Elijah do great things. “When you come to your Jericho you have a strong disinclination to take the initiative and trust in God, you want someone else to take it for you. If you remain true to what you learned with Elijah, you will get the sign that God is with you.” (Chambers)

 “ALONE AT YOUR BETHEL.” At your Bethel you will find yourself at commonsense’s failure and at the beginning of God’s perspective. “When you get to your wits’ end and feel inclined to succumb to panic, don’t; stand true to God and He will bring His truth out in a way that will make your life a sacrament. Put into practice what you learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.” (Chambers)

We all face alone times in our life. It feels great when the company of friends, family and allies hold up your arms, co-labor with you and press toward the goal of the Kingdom. And yet, as wonderful as these times are, we need to remember they are training seasons preparing you for those alone times where it is just you and God. In those seasons the Holy Spirit is never far off and God’s silence should not be mistaken for His absence. It is the alone times we remember what God has done, for us, and promised to do. So, boldly get off your big wheels, or training wheels, and start riding your bike.

He is with you at Jordan, Jericho and Bethel…and He is with you now in your next season!

Blessings – JOSHUA