Category: Published

Isaiah 6:5-7 ESV  ⁵ And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”  ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Romans 12:17-21 Phillips     ¹⁷ Don’t pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. Don’t say “it doesn’t matter what people think”, but see that your public behaviour is above criticism.  ¹⁸ As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone.  ¹⁹ Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay’.  ^20-21 … these are God’s words: ‘Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head’. Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil. Take the offensive—overpower evil by good!

Observation

Romans 12 should make us uncomfortable as we examine ourselves.  Starting with the challenge to become a living sacrifice, continuing with the charge to set aside our desires to be recognized to meekly and humbly take our place in the Body and ending with practical guidance on how to represent our Lord every day, in every way by making sure our love is sincere (not for show or for duty).  So, what does Paul mean by heaping burning coals on someone’s head?  As we see in the Isaiah passage, burning coals from the altar are associated with humble repentance and purification in God’s presence.  Heaping burning coals means our response with active kindness toward those who have wronged us will, first get their attention, and then move them toward remorse, repentance, and possibly reconciliation.  This is so Romans Chapter 12!    

“Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil. Take the offensive—overpower evil by good!” are the last words, the crown of this chapter.   This concept of repaying evil with good is threaded through the entire Bible.  I think of how Joseph received and forgave his brothers, just one example of mercy triumphing over judgment.  When we return evil for good, mercy for judgment, love for hate, it is surprising, arresting, even shocking and unbelievable, for those who do not understand why.  If it brings conviction and repentance, we successfully heaped those burning coals on their heads.  Romans 2:4 tells us that kindness brings repentance, which is the result of God’s patience and kindness of toward us.  If it works for Him, it will work for us.  This chapter summarizes many of the ways our God turns our thinking upside down to bring our perspective right side up.

Impact on Me

Do not misunderstand me here.  It is one of the most difficult sacrifices to love your enemy, pray for those who spitefully use you, or forgive evil done against you.  I hear the testimonies of those who have forgiven the murderer of their husband, child or other loved one and admire the depth and strength of faith it must take to do so.  God asks us to make this kind of sacrifice because He created and loves every tortured soul who exercises evil on others.  His heart aches to see those deceived by the Most Evil One exit his darkness and torment to come out into the freedom provided in Christ.  Nonetheless, my human emotions strongly wrestle against the desire to obey and forgive when it hurts so much.

When I first embraced a personal relationship with Jesus, I came with burning coals on my head – full of humble repentance, conviction of my sins, a desire to be made clean and whole in God’s sight whatever the cost and so grateful for His patience and kindness to coax me into His presence.  If I want to be like Him, I need to practice the same patience, reserving my judgment of others along their journeys, because at one time I was just as they are – a sinner living and serving in the wrong kingdom. Romans 12 always reminds me that to be a disciple of Jesus may require sacrifice.  I must love God and others while letting Him take care of loving me.    

Devotion

God of Mercy and Grace, Almighty, Everlasting Father, You are worthy of all our praise.  I would look funny to others if I went around with a hat full of burning coals, but I repent often so that must be the way you see me come.  Help me to be kinder to the unkind, more humble before the arrogant, silent before my accuser, and always ready to repent to You when I fail to meet the holiness challenge You set before me. Because I know You are a loving Father, I have confidence that You will continue to pick me up when I fall and lead me forward in pathways of righteousness because You love me.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

2 Corinthians 2:14b-16 MSG In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. 

1 John 4:4-6 MSG  My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception.

Observation

2 Corinthians is written by the Apostle Paul to the church he founded in Corinth.  A faction arose in the church which disputed Paul’s authority and teaching.  Paul had to confront this faction not to preserve any status or position of power on his part, but, rather, to assure that the Gospel was truly and accurately taught to the people.  It is the truth that sets people free. 

This is not the only time of conflict or persecution that Paul faced during his Christian life and ministry.  He relates to us that ministry has joy, hope, sorrow, rejection, pain, and fulfillment.  He asks us to remember that one person’s victory is another’s defeat.  Satan is not a good loser and he will do his best to convince us that we are really the losers by trying to discourage us with difficult circumstances, struggles and rejection.  Paul is telling us here that, regardless of our circumstances and the struggles we may face, we always have victory when we are in Christ.  “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade.”

Should we be shocked or taken aback when we experience conflict or rejection in ministry?  Should we lose hope when it seems like we are on the losing end of the victory parade?  I don’t think so!  Jesus is the incarnate God, the ultimate teacher, full of the Holy Spirit, power and wisdom.  Yet, the crowds that sat under His ministry had varied reactions – some were forever changed, some thought it was a good message and left unchanged, some were offended and wanted to kill Him.  Jesus was overturning sacred cows (traditions held to be above criticism).  This made Him very unpopular with, and even dangerous to, those in authority.  Paul is telling us that we should expect no less.  Jesus hanging on the Cross did not look very victorious, but that day in actuality was the most victorious day in all history.  Our victory is sure through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

Impact on Me

There are plenty of times I have felt like I was on the losing side in ministry.  It is usually when things don’t go the way I have planned or I don’t get the result I expected within my timeframe and in the way I decided demonstrated success.  Through introspection and seeking God on what I classed as my failures, there are several replies by the Holy Spirit in return.  “Did you consult me on the plan and my desired result?”  “There seems to be a lot of ‘I’ in the planning and not much ‘us’.”   It is in those moments I realize that I was setting the expectations rather than letting God be in control.  I wanted Him to bless my plan rather than listen to and submit to His.  I wanted to set the standards for success which means that I did not trust that His plan from the foundations of the world was still sufficient.  Have I joined the ranks of those who looked upon Jesus on the Cross and despaired because it didn’t fit my definition of Messiah? 

It is that exact moment, when I position myself at the foot of the Cross, when I see His blood running down, that I repent for my pride and foolishness, asking forgiveness for doubting God’s plans and the execution of them.  While His ways may seem to me like an oddball way to total victory, I resubmit myself to be obedient whether I understand or not.  There will always be people who “belong to the Christ-denying world.”  Sometimes, it will seem like they are victorious over the Gospel.  However, we always have victory over them because “the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.”  We cannot let circumstances, struggles and trials make us forget that in Christ we are in the victory parade, not just watching it! 

Devotion

Lord God Almighty, Father, Son and Spirit, Who is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, I worship You.  Forgive me for my foolish human pride that can rise up to doubt that You are and will always be in control – regardless of the circumstances, my expectations, how or whether I am received.  What the disciples considered the worst defeat in history (You on the Cross) was actually the ultimate victory in all history.  Work in me to trust that, as I walk in the footsteps You have placed before me, I don’t need to look back, right or left but only forward as I follow You and live in the victory parade.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

2 Chronicles 14:9-12 (MSG) ^9-11 Zerah the Ethiopian went to war against Asa with an army of a million plus three hundred chariots and got as far as Mareshah. Asa met him there and prepared to fight from the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. Then Asa prayed to God, “O God, you aren’t impressed by numbers or intimidated by a show of force once you decide to help: Help us, O God; we have come out to meet this huge army because we trust in you and who you are. Don’t let mere mortals stand against you!”  God defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah; the Ethiopians ran for their lives.

Philippians 3:7-11 (Phillips) Yet every advantage that I had gained I considered lost for Christ’s sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I did in actual fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it useless rubbish compared with being able to win Christ. For now my place is in him, and I am not dependent upon any of the self-achieved righteousness of the Law. God has given me that genuine righteousness which comes from faith in Christ. How changed are my ambitions! Now I long to know Christ and the power shown by his resurrection: now I long to share his sufferings, even to die as he died, so that I may perhaps attain as he did, the resurrection from the dead.

Observation

God is not impressed by human or occult power, huge numbers, stellar human achievements about which any might brag or any self-achieved righteousness. He is also not deterred by strongholds or barriers that we see as impossible or chronic. There are no insurmountable or overwhelming odds or numbers for Him.  He is the Almighty, Everlasting, One True God.  No other god we can conceive or embrace compares in the slightest way to Him.  King Asa trusted in this against impossible odds when everything depended upon it.  Paul abandoned all he had humanly earned as a Pharisee when he recognized, embraced, and lived in this knowledge – “For his sake I did in actual fact suffer the lossof everything, but I considered it useless rubbish compared with being able to win Christ.”

The most remarkable, amazing, miraculous thought is that this God calls Himself our Father, our Redeemer, our Teacher, Comforter, the Lover of our souls.  He meets us on our wayward track, walking beside us on the sinful, prideful pathways we have chosen on our own and draws us toward a better way – His way.  He is not impressed or deterred by our seeking “self-achieved righteousness” – those things that we do, we accomplish, to primarily bring us praise, acceptance, favor from those around us.  He is impressed by our depth of submission, degree of obedience and absolute trust in Him -that genuine righteousness that comes from faith in Christ.  

Impact on Me

I know all of this.  I have experienced His miraculous power and love over my long relationship with Him.  Nonetheless, I can be knocked down and forget when I run up against that long-standing stronghold that prayer doesn’t seem to impact or a dear friend who is a lovely child of God faces lethal and painful medical battles or even when another hidden emotional wound is unearthed to bring pain all over again.  These are the tribulations Jesus told us we would face.  He also told us the He has overcome them all. 

So, I let Jesus help me up off the ground and we go forward together.  I want to be like King Asa who kept his eyes on God and not on the battle he faced: “Then Asa prayed to God, ’O God, you aren’t impressed by numbers or intimidated by a show of force once you decide to help: Help us, O God; we have come out to meet this huge army because we trust in you and who you are. Don’t let mere mortals stand against you!’”  My God can overcome overwhelming odds, bring down long-standing barriers, protect and defend me from any enemy, bring healing for any wound, and provide any and all I need in any given moment – in His way and timing. I am foolish when I allow myself to think that my own strength, wisdom, knowledge and abilities are sufficient – “I can handle this one; I know what to do here; no need to get God’s input.”.  Far better to walk alongside as the Holy Spirit leads, guides and directs my path. 

Devotion

Lord God, Father, Redeemer, Protector, Teacher, Lover of my soul, I worship You alone.  All the praise belongs to You.  Lord, make me like King Asa and the Apostle Paul in my submission and dedication to You.  There is nothing the enemy can devise or set in motion that surprises or causes You to change Your plans.  I want to walk out Your will and purpose for me and my life.  I want to be what You have called me to be and do all that You have called me to do.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

Ezekiel 1:25-28 (MSG). And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that’s what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God!

Observation

Wings with hands under them, wheels full of eyes, fire and lightning all around – these are the only words, the only description, that Ezekiel can use to try to explain the Glory of God to those who have not experienced personally or seen it with their own eyes. Our analytical minds struggle to picture it. We want to “see” what he describes, to put it all in perspective, to make it fit into our box of understanding.  This is so human of us, so much a part of how we assimilate our experiences and deal with the world around us.  We want to know where we are going or, at least, know what is coming along the way so we can plan ahead and be prepared to face and overcome any unknowns. 

Ezekiel is doing his best, but his descriptions are confusing, and they leave us unsatisfied, without a clear picture, because the glory of God is indescribable, unfathomable, one of those “you had to be there” experiences that cannot be shared with words.  As a prophet, Ezekiel was asked to be a sacrifice, a spectacle, a watchman on the wall, one who warns of coming danger, the red alert for those who might wake up to see, to hear, to heed and return to God.  God asked him to be a spectacle, to stand up and oppose the king, to put his life at risk. Perhaps he was given this unforgettable, indescribable, overwhelming experience to erase all his questions, objections and doubts about being faithful and committed to do whatever lay ahead that his God asked of him.

Impact on Me

It is truly impossible to convey the full impact of a miracle or other supernatural experience to someone who was not there and did not share in the experience.  I have tried unsuccessfully.  In 2005, I was privileged to experience God’s glorious presence and miraculous power as He took two groups of wounded people and merged them to create a beautiful community of seasoned saints ready and willing to serve.  For all who experienced this miracle, the pathway was long, rocky and difficult leading up to the crossroads where suddenly and spectacularly the miracle became evident, the destination sure, the outcome visible and tangible.  Like Ezekiel’s experience, it was a time when we let this overwhelming Glory of God invade our lives, turning seeming impossibilities into realities. This experience displayed God’s majesty, power, glory, grace, timeliness, timelessness and “eyes on me” in ways that are indescribable.

Miracles of this sort – if we remember to celebrate and live in them – also help us to erase our objections and questions when it comes to choosing to obey God in difficult times. On my side of this journey to the crossroads, there were plenty of opportunities to stop, turn around or choose side trips of reacting according to my flesh rather than moving forward by responding according to God’s word.  I learned the pain and humiliation of turning the other cheek and praying for and walking in forgiveness toward my enemy.  Jesus was faithful to walk with me and, when I wandered, gently but firmly lead me back to the right path, urging me to look down the road ahead and humbly follow Him. 

As I stood at the crossroads of the miracle on that first day, I recognized that the trip had changed me, grown me, strengthened me, clarified my purpose, weeded out judgment replacing it with seeds of mercy. I became truly grateful for my Savior Who made the transition possible. I learned that, when I trust Him more than my human nature, the troubles and difficulties of the current moment will always be working His will and purpose in me, strengthening me, preparing me, equipping me.  I have stopped trying to make God fit into my box, my expectations, my plans, and strive to let Him be in charge of where I am, what I do, and how much benefit He will gain from the price He asks me to pay.

Devotion

Lord Most High, Almighty God, Father, Savior, Lover of my soul, I worship and adore You.  You are the One Who loves me and will lead me with the same everlasting love when I obey or disobey, when I praise or whine, when I wander off or follow closely.  I remember when You brought two groups out of deep darkness and turmoil into Your glorious light.  Even though we thought all was lost, You were leading us straight to Your presence, Your glory, Your crossroads bathed in Your light.  Let me never forget to celebrate and live in the knowledge that Your glory is available on the journey as I walk out my calling to fulfill my part in Your eternal plan.  Romans 8:28 Phillips Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.  In Jesus’ name, make it so.

Romans 2:28-29 (Phillips)  I have come to the conclusion that a true Jew is not the man who is merely a Jew outwardly, and a real circumcision is not just a matter of the body.  The true Jew is one who belongs to God in heart, a man whose circumcision is not just an outward physical affair but is a God-made sign upon the heart and soul, and results in a life lived not for the approval of man, but for the approval of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (Phillips)  With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Observation

The charge in Romans 2 has not changed and applies to anyone who considers him or herself a child of God today.  We can’t be Christian in name only, acting pious in the company of other Christians, but no different than the world around unbelievers.  We shame God and make a mockery of the Gospel if we do.  Out of the abundance of the heart, each mouth will speak but his/her words must reflect how each one acts.  Having our words and deeds match matters.  As Jesus warned the pious-only-in-public religious leaders of His time, every careless (false, deceptive) word will come back to haunt you  (Matt 12:34-37 MSG).         

So, looking good is not good enough.  We have to be molded in righteousness by the hand of God Himself.  “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within…”.  Our actions and words need to flow from a heart and soul handcrafted and fired by God, imprinted with the very fingerprints of God Himself.   That inward circumcision, a sign of commitment and belonging to God, needs to be evident in the way we live our lives and be reflected in our deeds, consistently everywhere and always.  This includes the transparency and submission of repentance for when we fail, letting our humanity lead us into temptation and sin.

Impact on Me

This openness and submission to living in the safety of His Presence is the true worship Paul was speaking of in Romans 12.  The ache of his heart is that we will commit “as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him.”  Worship is meant to be 24/7, arising from the assurance of the permanence of my adoption, motivated by my heart of gratitude, not driven by duty, tradition, or what others will think of me.  It should not be something I feel I owe but rather a precious gift I recognize that I am privileged and honored to be able to give.  True worship will flow from a mind remolded into the mind of Christ. 

The King of Kings has His eyes on me (and you).  It is almost unfathomable to really embrace that He sees each of us as an individual person, a precious child.  I find it hard to fathom that the Creator of the universe would even know my name, much less die for me.  He owes me nothing.  I am at fault for my predicament, my circumstances.  He could have left me unredeemed, but chose to reclaim me.  He did the same for you!  Those who are circumcised of the heart live a life of true worship, and their circumcision is evident to all.

Devotion

Lord God, Almighty, Omniscient, yet still the Father of Mercy, and our Savior, I offer the gift of my worship.  Forgive me for the times I fail, when my fear or pride distracts me from putting Your plan, Your will and purpose, first in my life.  I want to walk in the footsteps You place before me, wandering neither to the left or right of Your pathway of righteousness.  Keep Your hand on me to draw me back to Your side when I am tempted to stray.  I pray this all in Jesus’ name.  Make it so.