December 31

Revelation 21:6 (NIV)
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

I (hopefully we) have read through the Bible in one year. It has been a great adventure and now we come to a climatic close. I had never kept up on journaling or blogging before this year. I have to admit that it was tough to find things to blog in keeping with this blog theme which is how this scripture of that day can be personally applied to my life. Yet when I sought the Lord, He would graciously give me something. I am convinced it is because I was thirsty for something. We have to STAY thirsty! We have so many other things to drink, entertainment being a big one that will fill our cup. Only the thirsty get the drink! Stay thirsty before Him! I say that to both me and you who are reading this. The Words in these 66 books are LIFE to us but we must stay thirsty in order to receive them. We may be able to understand and intellectually bite into many things in the Word of God, yet only those who thirst will have their souls nourished and lives changed by this awesome book! There is another portion of the spring, it is the Spirit. God gives the Spirit “without measure” to those who what? To those who come bearing His Word! It is the fantastic combination of the powerful Word of God along with the Spirit of God that brings life to us who are thirsty!

People ask me why doesn’t God work more miracles today. I will tell you one reason, because we aren’t thirsty! “He who is full loathes honey, but to him who is hungry, even the bitter tastes sweet.”

I am hungry for you Lord, thirsty for you! I want more of you, I am not satisfied with where I am or what I have. I am thankful for all you have given me, but I want more Lord! I want to know you more fully. I want to reflect you in a greater way! I need you more than ever God! I am hungry and thirsty for you! Fill me and give me drink from your hand. May all other “fillers” leave me wanting because only you satisfy me. Thank you for your challenge this year – and for the next!

December 30

I feel as though I just watched the world’s most shocking movie and as surreal as it is, it will happen! Where will I be on that day? Will my faith stand with the pressure of death or death to my family? Will I take the mark or will I die for Jesus? I will remain true to the Lord, there is no doubt, and I want to be in that army that fights although I don’t think it is going to be like we think it will be. As shock waves of dread go through my soul because of the immensity of it all, there is something that has risen, something beyond valiant and bold. What am I living for? Where am I going? I have given my life to the service of my King and it is obvious for all to see. Yet, I know within myself there still remains selfishness and self interest. Oh that it would vanish, but that may be the bloodiest war of all. Do I trust in Babylon (the system of the world) or do I trust in God? Of course God, but do I ever look to Babylon to… It seems to me, however long the saints would stay during this tribulation, it won’t be easy. Am I being prepared for suffering with the way I lead my life? Am I preparing others for tough choices of life and living with how I preach, lead and disciple? Denial of self is the preparation for every type of trial. Are we learning to deny ourselves? It is hard when you live in a country that has everything, and if you can’t afford it, charge it or apply for aid. Oh God, help me to be a man of self denial. I not only want to be ready to endure patiently trouble of every kind, but I want to live an example life. I am 50 and I feel I am so far away from that life! Yet, with your power, your strength, your love, I can become that man. Within me in your seed, your Spirit – I am that man!

December 29

Wow! That was an eye full this morning! In the midst of all of the stuff that is hard to understand I saw the verse God wanted me to see. I couldn’t shake it as I read on.

Revelation 10:10 (NIV)
10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

This could mean something totally different in this revelation from John, but God’s word is alive and active, so it spoke to me. I have eaten from the hand of God. I have “eaten” His Word and I have “eaten” His will. Both have been sweet to my mouth, yet there have been things that have turned my stomach. There are things that the Lord has given me to eat which have turned by stomach sour, yet they tasted so sweet and were received (most of the time) with such joy! I think it is a principle of the Kingdom in which I need to accept. The sourness doesn’t stay forever, but turns to fulfillment. God is teaching me I suppose, to withstand the bitter, the uncomfortable, the trial. Do I have a choice? I think not. If I had a choice – I would choose God and whatever He sends. I have been enduring trails, my stomach is presently a little sour, but God is with me. My lot is to reign with Him, even through my trials. It does make you hesitant to eat. It makes you count the cost at least. But where else would I go? Whose will would I want to do? I am yours Lord – to do your bidding and perform your will.

December 28

Revelation 5:10 (NIV)
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

As I read this I thought - I am a kingdom! I have the King sitting on the throne of my life and I am governed by Him. The next thought that came in was that if that was true that I could not be self determined or self willed. It went something like, “well that is the end of my…” If I have been made a kingdom then the rule of the king is enforced. This is elementary but stunning when you consider the implications.

Then as I read it again, I realized it could be taken in the plural as well. We (them) have been made into a kingdom. That of course means that collectively we will be ruled by the king and not any person. God is our King! Will we be ruled by Him who sits on the throne? Forget about coming into a new year, how about today? How about tomorrow? Again, this is elementary, but today it is hitting me with a --- “will you”?

I will.

December 27

Revelation 1:10 (NIV)
10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

“In the Spirit”. This is a very Biblical concept that we don’t hear a lot about. John saw a lot of coot stuff in the Spirit and my thinking is that if we never get in the Spirit we will never get a glimpse of the realities of the Kingdom of God in any depth. The problem with getting “in the Spirit” is that there is no formula or directions (so to speak). Rather than teach on this, I would just like to say I want to be in the Spirit more. I know that I can “walk” in the Spirit, but I think that this was different. John took some time and shut out everything and disappeared into the Spirit. It was him and God alone and I want more of that in my life. Not only do I want to see things and hear things that I presently don’t or that are rare, but I want everything that being in the Spirit brings in me. I want to touch the garment of God, behold His radiance, hear His Word to me and walk away with that radiance. Was John regularly “in the Spirit”? I don’t know. He did have a lot of time on his hands being exiled to Patmos, but I don’t know how often. What I do know is that it is too infrequent in my life, and I want more it!

December 25

Hebrews 12:12-13 (NIV)
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

I am not totally sure if what I am enduring right now is my own doing, an attack of evil (I doubt it) or simply discipline and training, but I don’t like it. I am in one of those places and trying to figure out how to make the necessary changes without overdoing it. Then I come upon this scripture. Really?! I have two choices, feel more deficient or focus on someone else. It’s not that people are “counting on me” but then again I think they are. For me it is - am I going to remain outward focused or inward focused or God focused? Here I see that I have work to do, so I have to look to the Lord for strength and relationship so my feeble arms and weak knees will be strengthened – I have got work to do. I would bet money Jesus had to make this decision when He was tired and disappointed, and then He went on for the sake of the call and the will of the Father. I will too.

December 24

Hebrews 9:8 (NIV)
8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

So how do we get in? How do we get into the Holy Place? What is the Holy Place anyway? The Holy Place – the Holy of Holies, is where the presence of God dwelt. His Spirit was there! The Spirit of God, through the ceremonies of the law showed us that the way to God’s presence had not yet been disclosed. It wasn’t through doing things, nor through ceremony that access to the Spirit of God is granted. It is through faith in the finished work of Christ including His death and resurrection! Maybe this should be my sermon this Christmas Eve! The Spirit is saying, that WORKS and KEEPING RULES and CEREMONIES are not the way to God’s presence – and isn’t that what we all are after? I am! I love His presence! There is fullness of joy there!

His presence is with me all the time since now I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. God is showing me more than just don’t try to attain it by works, rules or ceremonies, (the only one I struggle with is the first one, although I was just asked about how we conduct our worship “ceremony” and if I thought that it is the magic bullet to bring His presence in a fuller way. Hmmmm…) and to trust in Christ’s work. God is saying to LIVE in the work of Christ! That is a grand subject I can’t write about here, but I will tell you one thing, Christ’s sacrifice was suppose to cleanse my conscious from sin. I think that goes further than removing guilt all the way to getting rid of sin consciousness and getting the righteousness consciousness, but I will save that for another day. The point is this – it isn’t a secret anymore! We know how to enter God’s presence! Get there Terry! Everyday – all the time!

December 23

Hebrews 3:19 (NIV)
19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

God is talking about rest. Ahh.. yes, rest. I feeling like I have been chopping vegetables in the kitchen and just cut myself with a sharp knife. I have been cut by the Word of God, but it is good to be laid bare by my God. To put it bluntly, (I hope this will help some of you) I don’t enter God’s rest because of unbelief! To explain this further, let me say this – I get stressed out, work to many hours, am anxious because of unbelief. That is a big pill to swallow, but I want to hear it – it brings life to me! Whether it is church, the ministry, the house or whatever… if I trust Jesus, I will be able to rest! I don’t have to prove myself over and over again and neither do I have to get it all done because if I don’t it won’t get done.

God, you are bigger than me and are able to do things better than me. I come to you – again – and say that I want to enter your rest. I do believe Lord, help my unbelief! I dedicate myself to your rest.

December 22

We have everything we need for our lives through the knowledge of Him, but the knowledge can be ineffective and unproductive if I don’t make every effort to add character qualities to my life. Fortunately I already have these character qualities although they may be hiding, and you do to if you have exchanged your life for the life of Jesus Christ. Still, I am taken by the command TO ME that is nearly befuddling! I am charged with adding love to brotherly kindness which was added to godliness, which is added to perseverance, which is added to self-control, which is added to knowledge, which is added to goodness, which is added to faith? That is all me? I am tired thinking about it! How do I concentrate on all of that?!

As Paul might say, thanks be to God that His Spirit is at work in me to empower and strengthen me to do all of that adding! If I look back over my life I see that these things have been added in great degrees. I haven’t come close to attaining any type of perfection or even a “good amount” of these characteristics, however, I am confident that He who began a good work in me will continue to conform me into the image of His Son. My part is cooperation, which is effort.

December 21

Peter was writing “…in this you greatly rejoice…” and “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…”, to a people who were suffering. Notice that he said that they “are” filled and “do” rejoice, it was not a directive, it was a statement of fact. When I read that I felt like, “hey, I want that – ahh… I have that – ahh… where is it?! I do have joy, there is no doubt to that, but it seems too conditional for me. It comes when things go good or when I am really in the Spirit. Hmmm…. I guess I should always be in the Spirit!

There was one more thing that jumped out at me;

1 Peter 4:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

I am still trying to wrap my mind around this one, but I will tell you this, it is true! There is suffering involved in so many things in this life in order to attain something. It seems to me at the very least that this means that if I want to be done with any sin, it will take some suffering and I have to be willing to suffer. OSL has some suffering built into the discipleship course, and it helps you overcome things and change! Willing to suffer…

I have been willing for years to suffer physically to bring about a good result Lord, I want to be done with things in my life that have plagued me, do what needs to be done Papa – I trust you.

December 20

Those who follow the blog are going to see a common theme running through many days. God wants to speak to OUR lives as we read the Word and not just give us knowledge, or in my case as a teacher, not just something good to teach – although He does that too!

“…when you encounter various trials…” “…each is tempted… by his own evil desire…” We have got to stop (only) thinking about this as “sin” stuff. (The things we most think of when sin is mentioned). For me today, when I read that, I thought about the trial of depressed thinking when things are going wrong. Yesterday, after striking out Christmas shopping for 3 hours, I came home to 2 window leaks, a wet carpet and a wet couch. Then I was told that the main house computer didn’t work and we are out of toner. Compared with eternity, it’s nothing, but I wasn’t comparing it with eternity at that moment. It wasn’t a trial not to cuss or not to commit adultery or not to get drunk, it was hard to keep my head out of water. Honestly, I am a little tired and it pushed me over the edge of hopelessness. What was I going to do? Go out and shop more? No!!! That was stressing me out. Do nothing! I did try to fix the computer, but I had to reckoned that tonight nothing was going to be solved and I should eat dinner and enjoy my wife’s company. We watched a chick flick that was clean, went to bed not worrying and I woke up feeling renewed and wanting to get close to God. I always want to fix it, get out of it, escape, not do it, do more… How about just accept it sometimes and move on! It happened and even though I should of…. (sealed the windows last summer…) I didn’t and so what. I’ll get them next time. My evil desire is kicking myself until I am bruised. Jesus was already bruised for me– stop it Terry!

December 18

Titus 1:1 (NIV)
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

The knowledge of the truth leads to godliness. I have been “doing” a lot lately. Do you know what I mean? I have been busy for God and have felt, well… a little tired. That tiredness actually produces (in me) more distance than closeness. It’s not like I am not close to God, or have become immoral, but I am not as close as I want to be, mainly because I am tired. So when I read this passage this morning it was as if I was reproved by the Spirit who was saying, slow down, and just “be” in me! It isn’t how much you do that leads to godliness, it is sitting at the feet of Jesus and just being with Him, because that knowledge, that time with God will lead to the godliness (think beyond morality), that I desperately want.

Help me to slow down Lord! I want to get things done for you, but I see it is a trap to get me away from you. Jesus, can you help me? It seems impossible, but I know that you can. I love you Lord.

December 17

“Turn away from godless chatter”. “Have nothing to do with godless myths…” “Command certain men not to… they promote controversies rather than God’s work…”

The Spirit of God is not interested in speculations and traditions or anything else that takes you away from the work of God. There are those things in Christianity that occupy people’s time, energy and their focus that promote controversies and end up dividing people. We spend our time trying to figure out things that are not clearly laid out to us and we take our focus off of God’s work. I am not saying that one should study Bible prophecy (end times) or the significance of numbers and things like that, but I am convince that whatever gets in the way of God’s work which is advancing the Kingdom of God, must be at the very least secondary. Things that promote controversy that are not foundationally Biblical, but opinions, tradition, myths… need to be put away as a childish thing.

December 16

Philippians 3:16 (NIV)
16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

I have attained something already! It is in me and in you! Paul is saying – the Spirit is saying, that we have already attained what we are aiming at, and it is up to us to a large extent, whether we live up to that level or not. What we have attained goes so far beyond moral living, so far beyond being a good Christian, so far beyond western thinking of religious servitude – it blows my mind! The depth of relationship, the authority and power that we have, the identity and rights as children of God we have are amazing. For me, when I think about living up to what I have attained (by the work of Jesus), I think about living in my true identity. Oh to walk, talk, think, behave, hear, see, pray, teach, love… as I already am! Lord, draw me deeper – take me to the next level – again. Reveal to me who I am in You!