Thirsty to hear

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2 NIV

I asked a co-worker how he spent his time over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I did not get the usual family meals, TV or shopping answer.  He told me that on his small farm one of his donkeys had given birth to a mule.  But the mother had rejected the young foal.  He found the mule laying in the field limp from lack of nourishment.  He called a friend who told him how to mix up some milk and a bottle to begin feeding the newborn.  Twice a day he began feeding the foal.  Although it was 50 miles one way to his farm, he smiled affectionately as he talked about his new friend.

What about the story from the foal’s perspective?  He was rejected at birth.  What should have been a bonding experience with his mother did not occur.  Then he had his first drink from a man whose smell and shape were unfamiliar.  But the drink brought him life.  Now, every day he waits for the sound of the truck approaching.  He looks for the man to appear.  But most of all, he is looking for the bottle.  Without drinking from this bottle, he knows that he would surely die.

Isaiah addresses a person’s most basic need for survival, thirst and hunger.  He reveals that we spend our time and money on all kinds of activities that still leave us thirsty and unsatisfied.  Being in the right relationship, getting the job promotion, having more money or possessions, or gaining degrees and titles will not satisfy the deepest longings in our hearts.

For years, I have interpreted this passage to mean that I need to read the Bible more.  Jesus, himself, said man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.  And there are ample scriptures that encourage us to read Gods word daily and to meditate upon it.  But Isaiah takes this a step further.  He says the goal is to “listen” to what God is saying.  The goal of our Bible reading is to “hear” what God is saying to us through His word.  We are not just reading so that we can check it off our to-do list.  We look to encounter God when we read.

When we listen, he will direct us into foods (activities) that bring satisfaction to our lives.  If the bottle is God’s word, listening to his voice of love, direction, guidance, and affection are the milk.  Jesus said that he knows his sheep, he calls them by name and they follow him.  Discerning his voice takes practice.  But he has already put inside us the desire to “long for him”.  Isaiah reminds us to not spend our energy on our own pursuits in life and miss the experience of following God’s lead.  LISTEN, today a mule is waiting for his owner to arrive…for he brings life with him.

Called a friend of God - Another Whisper from your Father, God

²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”^[a] and he was called God’s friend. James 2:23 NIV

If you seek me, you will find me. Why? Because I want you to find me.  I do not play hide and seek with you.  I created you after my own image which includes a desire for close relationship.  Adam enjoyed sharing all the “new things” he experienced daily in the garden with me.  Unbroken and intimate fellowship.

I designed your body for relationship.  All your senses store the data of intimacy in your innermost being in which you “feel” love.  Your eyes capture the sight of a close friend and your heart encourages you to reach out to them.  Your ears listen attentively to your beloved, intrigued with the depth of their beautiful complexity.  You have the capability of lifting a heavy spirit with a word fitly spoken.

Through my Son, you were finally able to experience the depth of my love.  The apostle that Jesus loved captured this intimacy this way ¹⁴ So the Word became human^[d] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.^[e] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son….¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God,^[g] is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:14;18. NLT

I miss you.  There is so much that we can share together every day, every moment.  I will be that friend that sticks closer to you than a brother.  When you turn in my direction, I am already moving toward you.  I am near to the broken hearted.  I love to hear you laugh.  I want to let others know that you are my friend.  Let’s spend some time together.

Whispers from your Father, God

PS   If you feel your sin has separated our friendship, listen to my pursuit for you and the remedy in the Garden Song by Bob Bennett.

May you experience the Joy of Jesus in YOU

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 ESV

While being a children’s pastor, we sang several songs about Joy.

Joy, Joy, joy, just a little bit of joy.

Joy, Joy, joy, just a little bit of joyyyy.

Oh, you don’t need a whole lot, Just use what your got

Joy, joy, joy, just a little bit of joy.

Where is the source of joy for a Christian?  How can a person walk in the fullness of joy?  How important is it to express joy daily?  If you are feeling way overwhelmed, you are a perfect candidate for the experience of joy.  If you are being convicted of sin(s), you are a candidate to experience joy.  If you are trying to engage in meaningful prayer, you are a candidate for the fullness of joy.  If you are a child of God’s kingdom, joy will be one of your calling cards.  Let’s recapture the essence and expression of the fullness of joy in our lives.

Joy is not giddiness, although it includes a euphoric emotion.  The word joy in the greek is a cognate of grace,  In other words, joy is received from the Lord as an expression of grace.  You can’t demand it, not work yourself up into a joyful moment by your own efforts.  It is a gift (grace) that God extends to us.  John Piper defines Christian joy as a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.

Joy would be the tangible expression we experience after God has extended grace into our lives.  The word of God was preached to the Jewish people at one point in Nehemiah.  They were greatly convicted and felt the impending wrath of God for whom they had violated his laws.  Nehemiah told them ”… this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10 ESV.  This explains why a person that “gets saved” many times becomes joyful.  In fact, heaven breaks into a happy dance, when a sinner repents.  Not sure what an angel happy dance looks like, but it’s scriptural.  Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 ESV.  If you haven’t repented lately…your joy tank might be low.  Walking into God’s holiness comes with the fear of the Lord, while walking from God’s holiness we carry the fullness of joy.

The source of joy comes from God.  Nehemiah referred to the joy of the Lord.  Jesus prayed that we would experience the same joy that was in him.  And joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that we bear as we abide in him.  This type of joy is not connected to our circumstances.  In fact, it seems to supersede negative situations.  Jesus looked beyond the pain and sacrifice of going through the crucifixion because of the joy that was set before him….that was you and I becoming a part of his family.  The fruit of joy is becoming mature as we abide (set our heart affections and focus upon the eternal love and purposes of Jesus) in Christ.  If your joy tank is low….check on where you mind has been meditating…as a man thinketh, so is he.  Abiding includes the where our mind has been focusing.

Finally, joy should flow out of your prayer times.  Jesus said, 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John16:24 ESV.   The answers to prayer are received by grace.  But Jesus anticipates that we will receive answers.  Ask in his name, and you will receive.  The “in his name” means that we ask in agreement with his character and authority- Which after the cross, Jesus said that God gave him all authority in heaven and on earth.  Jesus anticipates that his disciples will be praying.  He also anticipates that we will receive answers to our prayers.  Joy is connected to answered prayers.  Your joy tank my be low, if your faithing prayers are slow in coming.  Listen to the joy of someone who has seen God answer their prayers recently.  It’s contagious and inspires you to receive the joy and grace that comes from praying in Jesus name.

I bless you with the joy found in God’s kingdom.  17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Romans 14:17 ESV.  By grace, may you experience His joy at this very moment.  It is one of the defining marks of a follower of Jesus.  I am believing and asking that the Joy in Jesus may be in us today.

Whisper from your Father, God - I start with the end in mind

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’… What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Isaiah 46:10-11 NIV

I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega and there is no other God besides me.  I am not just a theory or a theological conundrum for you to debate.  I am the God that you can know.

I, alone, see the end from the beginning.  When you are stuck in the muck of your circumstances, I see the ending purification.  When you have told me all the reasons that life cannot get better, I have another solution for you.  For I can make a way when there seems no other way.

You like to show me a photograph of your painful situation.  You point to the people and objects that took your joy away.  You highlight colors that have gone dull and gray revealing the loss of life.  You pinpoint all of the injustices that have roadblocked your freedom.  Then you ask me, “Why?”

But I have the full and completer motion picture of your life.  I agree that one scene may be completely overwhelming.  BUT that is not the end of your story.  I am causing all things to work together for your good and my glory.   You’re your heart trusts in me when there seems no way out, I transform your mourning into dancing.  When injustices pile heavy upon you, take my yoke upon you and find rest for your soul.  When your chest is heavy with the weight of decisions and a breath is hard to take, put on my garment of praise to help bear the load. 

I care about the struggles of raising children, not enough money to pay bills, dead end jobs, lack of companions to share life, and consequences from poor decisions that you have made.  But those are momentary afflictions.  I am making you into a new person.  You will have the feet of a deer that will allow you to skip over the rocks of trouble and to escape into the high places.  Look your redeemer has already come in my Son.  He has taken your load so that you are free.  If my Son has set you free, then you are free indeed.

I see your end starting at your beginning.  You are gonna love what I have in store for you.  Even though you eye cannot see and your mind cannot conceive what I have planned, trusts me that you will endure and walk into a wonderful place.

Whispers from your Father, God 

What a fellowship with one another

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:7 NIV

Without good fellowship among your brothers and sisters in Christ, you get really sick.  We know this to be true in nature, plants need access to light in order to be healthy.  Time in the light allows for a plant to receive the nourishment needed for the plant to turn that energy into food to feed itself.  So why is spending time with fellow believers so important, and why do we resist?

John is saying that a healthy follower of Jesus spends time with other believers.  This is more than attending church on Sunday, although a little light one time a week is better than no light at all.  Time together equals healthy exposure to the light of Christ.  The word “walk” in this verse means to “complete the circuit”.  In other words, may all aspects of your life be open to the light.  When we spend “time” with other believers, our complete life will begin to be positively impacted.

A discipleship group, Bible Study or a small group helps build the framework for our spiritual lives.  But spending “life” together allows for light of Christ to release the spiritual energy necessary for us to walk in health together.  This will not be all “kum ba Ya” moments together.  John says that cleansing takes place when we are in fellowship.  Stuff in our life will be exposed to the light when we “hang out” with other believers.  Our pride, jealousy, envy, prejudice, impatience, lack of true love, and many other hidden motives are exposed.  We also see that it is really easy to see the huge specks in our brother’s eye, while asking for mercy to overlook the log in our own eye.  But, all of these emotions and insights occur when we are “hanging” out with other believers.

We recognize that the continuity of our health comes from the power of the purifying work of Jesus on the cross with the shedding of his blood.  Our togetherness in the light of Jesus receives the full impact of our cleansing.  If you are struggling with addiction, freedom comes when you are with a group that can help.  Christians need to understand that principle is true in all aspects of our lives.  We have the capacity to walk in freedom when we are walking closely together.  O the Blood of Jesus, it washes white as snow.

Be intentional about finding time to hang out with other believers.  Have meals together, go to the parks, begin to exercise together, volunteer together on a service project, call each other often (just to see how the day went), and if you are really brave – go camping together.  Exposure together gives the opportunity of the light of Jesus to shine on you, in you and through you.

Fellowship is not a secondary issue in the body of Christ.  It is vital for healthy life and for the full effects of cleansing of the blood of Christ.  Don’t let the enemy steal your joy, privilege and impact of “hanging” with fellow believers.

Walking in the light of Christ includes fellowship with others and bears the fruit of cleansing from the blood of Jesus.