Over the past few years I’ve heard the same question from many directions. Older believers. Younger writers. Friends. People who faithfully attend church yet quietly admit something is missing. They’re struggling to name the emptiness, but they know it’s there.

I grew up in a traditional Protestant denomination. When I say, “grew up,” I mean I was raised from my very first days in and by the church. The teaching was strong and deep, and denominational doctrine was unchallenged. It wasn’t until middle age that I began to question some of that doctrine, and then only because life circumstances and God’s response to my heart’s cry opened my eyes.

It wasn’t that everything was bad in the beliefs I had been raised with, but they weren’t all correct either.

In His grace, God understands our struggle to understand and grants allowance for a certain amount of ambiguity in our many and varied belief systems. This is not to condone everything we believe, but He recognizes our challenge and is willing to work with us as we mature.

And that is our primary task as believers: to mature our faith in and relationship with God as we travel this journey.

If I were forced to summarize my beliefs, they would inevitably be incomplete. I believe there is one God, one Savior, and one Holy Spirit actively at work in the world today. I believe right and wrong are defined by God, not by changing culture. That is the foundation from which I write.

Now that I have laid the foundation, let me talk about what is really on my heart. It is the condition of today’s church. To start, I must say that I do not believe all churches fall short of their call. There are many good, solid, discipled churches that are doing good work. But, as many now perceive, something is too often missing.

While there are many issues, I see one as a major contributor, and that is that too many Christians have relegated church to a weekly diversion. Two, maybe three hours on a Sunday morning for most, then they are back to doing whatever normal life means to them. In other words, church has become an activity, not a spiritual engagement that continues throughout the week. Someone else does all the work; I just sit there and listen, then I leave. I take everything at face value without applying my own discernment.

For years, I didn’t realize I had fallen into much the same pattern.

The issue isn’t really attendance. It isn’t the kind or size of the church or the style of worship, either. Those things matter far less than the kind of relationship they nurture. The real question is this: Does my participation draw me into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Father God that continues long after Sunday has ended? Am I conscious of His presence and communing with Him as I live my daily life?

Every healthy Christian community should encourage, equip, and nurture that kind of intimacy with God. But no church can pursue Him on our behalf. The stewardship of that relationship ultimately belongs to each of us.

Things began to change for me as I became less interested in performing inside the church system and more interested in the depth and vitality of my personal relationship with Father God. That didn’t mean I stopped doing what I was doing, but the emphasis, motivation, and pursuit were immediately different, becoming deeply personal, intimate, and consuming.

When I first began to question some of the doctrine I was raised under, I made the discovery that the Holy Spirit is real and is God’s messenger to us today. I won’t get into specific incidents, but they are numerous and powerful enough to have gotten my attention in a serious way. As a result, our family moved to a non-denominational church. It was awesome. We became deeply involved and found genuine fellowship.

Then I began to realize something important was missing. Thousands filled the seats at every service, but the teaching was structured to be palatable to people without a deep relationship with the One that church is supposed to be about. It took a while, mainly because of the friendships that had been formed, but we eventually left that church because we were being fed oatmeal when we knew we needed real protein.

Where did we end up? If not in a traditional denomination and a traditional church, how did we honor God’s call to be in community with other believers while maturing our own faith and discipling others?

There are a couple of answers to that. We began in a small church that was more open to the Holy Spirit and where the teaching was rich. After a few years, retirement came along, and we ended up in a small mountain town. None of the churches seemed to fit us. What were we to do? We decided to become consumers of God’s ministry to our lives in a different manner. I did not think of it this way at the time, but we essentially went shopping, filling our cart with the answers that God seemed to handcraft for us. And, of course, that is exactly what He did.

We connected to a couple of international ministries that have vibrant virtual and sometimes in-person outreaches. We took classes, attended conferences and small study groups, and developed rich relationships within those communities.

Still today, I am connected to those groups and people, and I am engaged with two virtual men’s groups, one of which is nearing its tenth year and the other its ninth. These are not your typical men’s groups, at least not the ones I was previously involved with. There is real brotherhood, revelation, exploration, service, and deep commitment to God’s truth. In addition to these, I am now part of a close-knit group of young families who each realized that traditional churches were not meeting their needs and who banded together to form their own house church in which everyone shares leadership and teaching. None of these are primarily social groups; they are about the pursuit of a rich, deep, personal, and communal relationship with the Holy.

They aren’t “church as usual.”

So what is all of this really about? I hear a lot these days about the emptiness people feel with church. Many no longer find in church what their hearts are searching for.

One result is that there is a large body of believers who now feel distant from the church. It no longer fills their need to be in community with like-minded individuals who seek the truth and heart of God above all else. They are spiritual orphans, and they know it.

I wish I had the answer, but I am pretty certain it does not exist. What does exist, I believe, is an individual path for each one seeking an intimate relationship with the Holy. It may come in a traditional large body of believers, a small church, a small group that meets in a home, or even virtual groups.

The key thing is to be searching for the answer God has crafted specifically for you. It may be one or a combination of options. What I know for certain is that the Good Shepherd is looking out for His flock, searching for and rescuing those who are lost, those who are wandering aimlessly, and those who may not even realize their state at this point.

If you happen to fit into one of these categories and are searching for a way forward, I will say this: Realize that no church, no pastor, and no ministry can pursue God on our behalf. They can teach us, encourage us, and walk beside us, but the pursuit belongs to us alone. No one can walk your journey with God but you.

That is not a bad thing. It puts you right where you want to be, in the presence of the One who has been calling you all along. Do not lose faith. Do not lose hope. Let your heart petition God for relief.

Open your spiritual eyes and ears. Observe. Ask. Listen. Be alert and sensitive to what God brings in response to your plea.

And this:

Don’t be surprised if it looks and feels a bit different.

Shalom

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In the middle of my morning devotion and meditation time, I encountered a silence that I’ve allowed to escape. Suddenly, it was back. Impressed by and immersed in it, I decided to journal it while still in its gentle grasp. What appeared on the page is pure stream of consciousness, presented here in paragraph form for easier reading. It is a personal reflection, so why am I posting it here?

Good question.

Sitting in the reading chair as I read the last chapters of Proverbs this morning, I suddenly noticed that I was enclosed by the sound of silence. Once recognized, it became a focus, leading me deeper into meditation until I found myself standing before His throne. All I could do was silently praise Him. Even the silence seemed holy and I dared not disturb it. The meditation time, at least the sitting in the chair portion of it, is past, but it remains upon me, surrounding me, engulfing me.

Eating my morning yogurt, it continued to press in. At one point I thought to myself that I have taken on the role of Dave Bowman at the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the scene where he sits quietly while eating at the table in the white room while engulfed in this same kind of silence. Surreal silence. Alone but not alone. Presence surrounds, perceived but not fully understood. Peaceful. Serene. Mysterious. Quiet. Perfect. And now I do not want anything to end it, but of course it must end. Things must get done.

The vacuum must roam. The washer and dryer must slosh and spin. Keyboard keys must click and clack. None of them will be this perfect and it seems a shame that I must be the one to make it all end. But of course, only I can.

As Dr. Frank Poole abandoned Bowman, I too have been abandoned, but only in the dimension where such is the normal course of affairs. In the other dimension there is no abandonment, no separation, no pain, no loss. There is an atmosphere of joy, praise, and awe. How wonderful it must be. A rhetorical question comes to mind: I wonder if she has met Frank Poole there? What a ludicrously silly thought! Yet, it comes. I wonder what it means other than that the thoughts of old men need explaining simply because it is not possible. One could sit in perfect silence a long time contemplating the matter.

More important, I think, is to recognize, appreciate, and be thankful for the gift and the moment that brings it to the heart. A moment of silence, depth, awe. It will soon end, at least on the outside, but on the inside? On the inside the peace and serenity is unbreakable, at least for now.

The healing it brings, the presence, of being in the Presence and its love and care, these need never be broken. They are real and formidable. They are to be accepted and honored. They cannot be taken, only lost.

Lost? How? Only by forgetting. By becoming too busy to remember. By moving on.

My advice, friend? Don’t.

Shalom

If you’ve ever experienced a moment of unusual peace, don’t rush past it. Sit with it for a while. Ask what it came to teach you. Then find a way to remember, because some gifts are not lost when they leave us—they are lost only when we become so busy we forget.

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The same intimate, yielded relationship Jesus had with the Father is available to us today. As believers we long to know and do the Father’s will, yet we often wonder exactly what that looks like, especially when guilt and failure make us feel unusable. The good news? The Father still shows up and invites us into that same close, surrendered walk with Him.

“The words I say to you I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father abiding in me does His works.” “... and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.” John 14:10,24

Jesus’ teaching on his oneness with God condemns any notion that he spoke for himself or did only the things he desired to do. His relationship with the Father is such that he only speaks or does what the Father, who abides in him, desires. They are truly one, the Son completely yielded to the Father’s heart that lives in him. The beautiful news is that this same oneness is exactly what the Father invites us into.

The miracle of it is this: what seems unique to the Son is actually the pattern the Father longs to repeat in every one of His children.

When we are fully surrendered and yielded to God, then he can express His heart into our world through us, and the works we do are not our own but his. This is why Jesus can say in verse twelve that we will do greater works than he did. Our works are not ours, they are God’s. We are simply the wrench, the level, or the oil that he applies in a moment.

Even in Adam and Eve’s failure, God pursued the same close fellowship He designed for them and still designs for us. This seems impossible to us. How could He use someone like me? Why would He still want me after what I’ve done? And then we pause to remember that the day after they fell, God showed up. He came to walk with them even though He knew. He came to clothe them, to administer truth, and to send them on their way. They had a life to live and he wanted them to live it with Him. He had things planned for them, a purpose for going on, a reason to start over.

He is still inviting us into that same yielded walk with him today.

Here is a simple way to begin: Set aside one hour this morning or evening. Turn off the noise and soak in silence, communing with God. Speak your surrender out loud: “Father, not my will but Yours be done in me today.” Then listen. Obey the first gentle nudge you sense. As you practice this yielded listening and simple obedience, you will begin to experience the Father expressing His heart through your life.

Will you join me in that step today? Open your arms and yield to Him, and feel the oil of His Presence begin to flow.

Shalom

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What follows is something that did not begin as a plan, but as a stirring. It came after reading The Kingdom Is Within - Thy Echoes of Eden. I have a deep appreciation for the author’s writing and for the journey she and so many of us are on. I say “appreciation” with a touch of irony, because I, too, am a veteran of the long journey to peace.

I originally thought I might write a gentle, reflective piece, something in the spirit of Porchlight Conversations, touching on loneliness, self-worth, and the quiet battles we all fight. But when I finally sat down to write, something else came out instead. Short, staccato lines. An eruption of healing. This doesn’t happen to me often, but this was one of those times.

What follows is raw and unvarnished, born out of my own journey to freedom over a decade ago even though it is written in first person present tense. I don’t know if some would call this poetry. I don’t know anything about poetry. I only know what this is to me: the inside coming out.

Remembering my own troubles
Sin, depression, angst, agony
But never giving up hope
Because I had One to hope in

But I had to do the work
It wasn’t a get out of jail free card

The work is brutal
Serious self-analysis, questioning everything
Opinions do not matter, only evidence
Test and prove the evidence
Soul searching, soul judging
Believing there is a reason to battle that is worth the battle

What was meant to be?
New images of self begin to emerge
Tentative steps, testing, hope grows
Facing the big ones in faith
Knowing that sometimes the facts just don’t matter
Belief, faith, and faithfulness to the new - these matter

Plumb the depths of agony
Explore the deep darkness and pain
Find the demons that hide in these
Reject them, renounce them
Declare victory to their face
In The Name

Then comes deeper understanding
Deeper hope

Reality is not what I have believed
There is a path
There is a future
There is a way

Stripping down to the marrow
Remaking in the image that lives in the Creator’s heart

Yes, I have broken His heart
But He is still there
Waiting
I just need to show up
Broken and contrite
Convicted, confessing, repenting
Ready to do the work
Always, more work

Willing to fight for myself
Even when that means fighting with myself
Do not be afraid to fight those fights
Fight to win, not to surrender to the darkness
Surrender to the Light

And when He comes
I find He never left
He has been there all the time
Through it all
Waiting quietly inside
A sign of His love
If ever there was one

When I have been against me
He has been for me
Always

Be willing to fight
Be willing to surrender
Be willing to be made new
Be willing to survive
Be willing to succeed
At life, love, and happiness

Yes, even these are possible
They are the reality of my dreams

Believe in the dreams
Believe in their Author
Believe in your Creator
Believe in myself

Show the world
What victory looks like
Lift praise to His glorious Name

This is the truth evil does not want you to know
Out of deep troubles comes deep Truth
Truth that is unshakeable, unmovable
Truth as solid as eternity

And the truth is the Light
There, no darkness can abide

Shalom

If you’re walking through deep waters right now, know you’re not alone. Leave a comment or simply sit with this for a while—and keep going.

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Before He sweats blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, pleading for release from His assignment, Jesus foretells His obedience as He prepares His disciples for what lies in the immediate future. He knows what they do not, what is coming, and He is struggling with it even as He prepares them. He is conflicted and at the same time resolved as He stands alone at the gateway to His greatest trial and victory. And it is in this moment that He declares His obedience to the cross, before the agony begins.

”... but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.” John 14:31 (NASB 95)

Jesus’ statement is a declaration of triumph, purpose, and love, and a model for our own lives.

The Human Condition: We Struggle to Choose

As we work through the difficult choices we encounter in life, we are often conflicted over the right path, even when the choices are all good ones. Why are we conflicted? Because we want to do the right thing, but we also want control of the situation. Obedience is a choice, often a hard one. The harder it is the more we strive to contain, control, and manage the circumstance. We want clarity before deciding and committing. In this we march with all of human history, including Jesus’ disciples. Thomas wanted a map to show the way,1 and Philip would have been satisfied if only Jesus would show them the Father. 2

So, we come to realize that our condition is not new, it is the common test of a life. Will we surrender control and follow in obedience to God’s will, no matter the assignment? Will we kneel before Him and empty ourselves, so that He may fill us with His will, His purpose, His way?

The Divine Provision: We Do Not Walk Alone

In response to the disciple’s alarm, Jesus reveals the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will be with them in His absence.3 As Jesus teaches, He moves on to focus on something all believers today can take to heart, that we enjoy Oneness with the Holy. This oneness exists through our relationship with the Son, who is One with the Father.4

This is not abstract theology, it is the hallmark of a deep, personal, and intimate connection and the obedience that flows from it, allowing God to walk out His great plan through us. Sometimes we see it coming, and sometimes it is suddenly upon us, a surprise opportunity to speak or act as God moves within our spirit. I recall once being asked a very pointed question about facing a difficult moment, responding instantly with a statement I did not see coming.

“Whenever I encounter something that is too big or too terrible for me to deal with, I turn inside my spirit and step into the Lord and let Him face the world for me.”

That is something that I knew, but there was no thought process to bring it out of me. It was instantaneous, focused, and carried a depth that I alone do not possess. And that is the point. We are never alone. When choices come, obedience is found in obeying with God who lives within us.

The Model: What Jesus Actually Does

As Jesus is speaking to His disciples, He tells them how He will respond in His moment of confliction, why, and ends with an exclamation point of urgency. His “so the world will know that I love the Father,” heralds the motivation behind His obedience to the cross. In making this declaration, He is putting the world on notice that His life has been one of trial and temptation, all of which He has overcome through His devotion to the love He holds for His Father.

Next, Jesus defines the depth of His obedience when He says, “I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” Yes, there will be agony in the garden as Jesus wrestles with what He must do, but even now, beforehand, He knows the answer, “I do exactly”, and communicates it to His disciples. There is no partial commitment, no obfuscation, no delay, no compromise. He knows His assignment, He knows the standard, He knows the cost. And He knows the reward; a path to redemption and salvation for all of mankind.

Then He closes with “Get up, let us go from here.” In saying this, He imparts the urgency of the moment and its purpose to those who will follow Him. Obedience puts us in motion, it does not linger, frozen in a state of intention. Obedience requires action, and it is we who must move.

The Mirror: What This Means for Us

Sometimes we are like Moses, who essentially said, “Who, me?” when God called him. Other times we are like the rich man who chose his possessions over relationship with the Holy, or the one who wanted to delay obedience so he could say farewell to loved ones. We too easily fall into the false assumption that we can negotiate with God. We lean into our circumstances to validate to ourselves the necessity of changing His ways to make them more agreeable to our peculiar condition.

Try as we might, though, we cannot escape the bottom line: are we about His business or our own?

“Exactly,” He said.

Shalom

Where in your life is God calling you to move, not just intend?

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I am guessing that believers of all stripes, ages, and levels of maturity experience times when we pray diligently for something or someone, and nothing seems to happen. Silence. It can cause us to doubt our standing before God, our own belief, and even our faith itself. For some, this becomes a persistent struggle, and that certainly indicates that the communication link is blocked in some way.

You know the list of potential obstacles or blockages: unconfessed sin, wrong motives, unforgiveness, lack of faith, spiritual warfare, and so on. At some point, all of us will stare into the gray stone of silence. Even mature and foundationally solid believers encounter seasons when it feels like no one answers the call, the lines just seem dead. Does that mean we have a major issue in our lives?

It is possible, of course. But I believe it is less likely to be a continuing problem for the mature, well-discipled, and disciplined believer. Why? Because when they sense something is amiss in their relationship with the Holy, they do not merely worry about it, they bring it before the throne. Even when they do not know what the issue is, God does and is happy to help us deal with it.

And then there is the big one: God’s sovereignty.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Earlier this year, when a family member was sick, I prayed my heart out. We both believed we heard exactly the same word from God, that she would be healed. We believed it and we prayed it with all fervor, faith, and faithfulness, never doubting. We knew that we knew that God was on the case.

Then she died.

As I processed this, I asked the expected questions. What was wrong with me that God would not heal her? What was wrong with my faith or belief? Had we both heard from our souls and not from God? The first few weeks were pure anguish, grieving the loss of someone dear, and grieving what felt like a loss of intimacy with God, something I hold precious.

And then I came to understand a hard and holy truth: God is sovereign over all. Period. We will not always understand, but we can always know that He is in control. That does not mean our prayers were wrong. It simply means God is God. His answer, in His time.

Our calling is to be faithful to what He places on our hearts, and to obey if He assigns us a different role to play. Faithfulness is owed to Him, not to our own desires, pride, or assumptions. Let God be God. The rest is up to Him. 

I know, it can feel like a simple answer to one of life’s great conundrums. But I believe it is the truth. His way. His timing. His purpose. And perhaps that is one of the greatest expressions of His grace.

If your prayers feel unanswered right now, bring that honestly before God. Not in frustration or fear, but in trust. He is present, even in the silence.

Praying for your praying,

Shalom

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As I begin the day, I am bathed in the gentle presence of the Holy. This came during my devotion time this morning, in which I stepped through a portal into the Word. I wasn’t just reading it; I was invited to observe as well—seeing and wondering, praising and surrendering. And now here I am, lost in the midst of Holy’s presence. I am in wonder and awe, the peace resting on me, a peace so real that nothing else comes near.

Moments like this are to be cherished more than the finest gold. Moments like this will never vanish from our spirit and heart. They are YHVH’s way of saying, “I see you. I love you. I believe in you.” And that leaves me with a big question: How can I then not believe in myself?

His grace is sufficient. That is all we need to know, no matter what life brings. His grace, once received, is all we need.

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11

Is life any more complicated than this?

Before you move on, take a moment with Psalm 86:11. Pray it slowly. Let it shape your steps today.

Shalom

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We should not believe that living a sinless life is impossible, for it is the very purpose of salvation and redemption.1 Believers are called to a sinless lifestyle directly: "let us lay aside every sin, and sin which clings so closely."2 That means all sin, including unintentional, intentional, and habitual. Scripture recognizes, however, that perfection is a high goal, one we will struggle to attain: "For if we go on sinning directly after receiving the knowledge of the truth ..."3 we damage our relationship with the Lord to the point we lose his favor. We may be saved but our hearts are not one with his, and we most likely know it. How can you not know when something is wrong between you and the one you love? The believer's answer: to engage Grace through a broken and contrite heart by confessing, repenting, and seeking judgement and forgiveness.

When caught in repetitive sin patterns it is easy to rationalize our condition. Believers may ask if that isn't that what Grace is all about. The unbeliever trapped in habitual sin often says to themselves, "That is just the way I am, there is nothing I can do about it." Neither rationalization is true. The believer has access to forgiveness through confession and repentance (redemption) which restores our broken relationship with the Lord (grace), the unbeliever must first come to the cross in surrender by faith in Christ as their Savior (salvation).

Sometimes, the thought of facing God and his judgement is enough to steer us in the other direction. That should be a clear signal regarding the reality of the state our relationship with him. What we do not realize often enough is that God's judgement following our confession and repentance is a measure of his grace in our lives. A big measure. When we surrender our sin in brokenness and humility, confessing and repenting, we should also ask for immediate judgement. "Judge me now, Father!" Why? Because he wants to judge our sin immediately so that it can be removed and the relationship fully restored. Sin that has been judged and forgiven is no longer known to him.4 His early judgement is his grace in action. Don't run from God's judgement, run into it!

Believing in Christ as one's Lord and personal savior is the beginning of the race into righteousness. The good news? We leave the starting blocks with an unblemished record. Keeping it that way is the race Paul speaks about. When we stumble and fall, we have immediate access to God's judgement, forgiveness, and restoration precisely because we are no longer an unbeliever, a stranger to God, but one who has accepted the authority of the cleansing blood of Christ in our life and who is in relationship with God. We are one of his and he cares for us.

This process of confessing, repenting, and receiving judgement and forgiveness is important in our daily lives, whether we are confessing to a spouse, a friend, or even a stranger, and obviously when we confess to our Lord. It is a matter of a broken heart that longs for restoration of relationship.

To answer the question we started with, is the idea of living a sinless life rational? yes, it is! That is God's provision for us in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to redeem our sin. When we stumble, however, the cross still stands, waiting for us to return and exercise its power and healing.

Shalom

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All too often we forget who and what we are, what separates us from those who do not have a relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I find it helpful to focus on this each day in my devotion as preparation for times of trouble, temptation, or confusion, as a way of centering myself and my response. I ask myself: Who am I? and invite you to do the same as you consider what the Word of God says on the subject.

Our identity - We are sons of God. As such, believers experience God's love and care. He corrects us for our sake when needed and loves us for his and our sake so that the bond between us should never be broken.

• But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (Jhn 1:12)

• for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Gal 3:26)

• For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom 8:14)

• The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (Rom 8:16)

Our position - We are seated in Jesus. We too often fail to remember that as believers we are seated in Christ. Focusing on that point alone assures and strengthens us, giving us confidence to face the world's trials with the provision imparted to us by our position.

• But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-6)

• There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1)

• And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phl 4:7)

Our authority - To do his will. As sons of God, we can think of ourselves as ambassadors of the king, responsible for declaring his decrees and carrying his message to the world. The note of caution in exercising this role is that we must be certain we are proclaiming and doing the desires of his heart and will, not our own. We must walk our faith in humility before God and integrity before the world.

• For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (2 Cor 10:3-5)

• “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mat 16:19)

• Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Tts 2:15)

• "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (Jhn 15:8)

Walking in understanding of who we really are offers clarity and purpose when we are tempted to compromise our faith in the face of pressure, temptation, and persecution. If we are not well grounded in the security of our faith, these moments can defeat us. The key is knowing who we are with a certain and intimate sense that translates into inner depth and strength. We are sons of God. We are his personal representatives to the world we live in. We have a first responsibility to him, not to worldly demands or desires. One good way to develop this perspective and discipline is to focus on it in our prayer and meditations. Knowledge of it is the beginning. We must pursue its wisdom, understanding, and character until they become our own.

Shalom

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I've been mulling over a chance encounter with an acquaintance and the ensuing conversation about recent losses of those closest to us. I see it as a lens into how Christian’s process life events or even day-to-day circumstances differently. This matters because how we choose to process reveals where we place our faith in real and practical terms.

The depth of sorrow we feel when a loved one steps into heaven is real and full of pain, yet can also be peaceful and even beautiful. So many things come to mind, good and bad. Shared joys, tenderness, victories, and love, all good, are intertwined with sadness, memories of lost opportunities, emptiness, and a sense of being alone against our will. These are inescapable realities that we must face in the moment. How we choose to face them influences attitudes, responses, and our path forward.

It is tempting to blame everything bad that happens to us and those we love on the source of all evil, or a wrongness we feel gripping the world. It is tempting, but it signals a wavering faith and lack of mature understanding. As believers, we are to know Truth and depend upon it as our source and comforter. Truth tells us that we are in the Lord, who resides in God, resulting in our habitation in God through the virtue of our relationship with the Lord.1 That is a position of strength, comfort, love, power, and provision, yet we sometimes look elsewhere in times of greatest need.

God's power and heart for us are there for us to dwell on, appropriate and make our own, especially in this life moment. But we do not always do that, do we? Why not? There are, I believe, two primary reasons this moment causes some to turn from their faith. First, when we fail to focus on our identity and position in Christ. Second, in turning from these, we look to worldly provision for healing and solace, a world that is ruled by the Prince of the World,2 whose authority is temporary.3 When we choose to dwell on the world's provision and ways in this moment, we declare its power to be greater than God's. It is not, of course.

As is so often the case, the difference between desolation and hope, between heartbreak and joy, is found in where we choose to seek comfort. God's presence and peace is beyond anything this world can offer. It is there for the asking. We have an opportunity to turn and face him, to look into his loving eyes and feel his comfort, to know how truly and deeply he cares for us, to weep in his arms ... and to share in the joy of the one who is now with him completely. This brings a different perspective, appreciation, and source. This brings comfort.

Shalom

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1,2 (ESV)

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-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect. Romans 12:1,2 (J.B. Phillips)

Paul's exhortation is that we not allow ourselves to be squeezed into the world's own "mould," but instead allow God to "re-make" us so that our entire mindset is changed. That from the J.B. Phillips translation.

Molding something is the act of changing a malleable material into a different shape. If that does not describe us in the middle of today's world then I don't know what does. Everywhere we look we see ourselves being squeezed by changing cultural norms, rejection of old standards and truths, and never-ending pressure to conform or become an outcast. But outcast from what, and how does one resist all this pressure to conform?

The question puts a spotlight on our conundrum. The world and God both want to re-make us into their image. We must choose between the two. The world offers a hidden path as its morals, truths, and ways constantly change. Yesterday's correctness is made vile tomorrow by never-ending compromise until Truth is an elusive and invisible concept that we talk about but do not understand or submit to. We can never know what the next truth, normal, or politically correct will be, never know when what we believed we could build our life upon will be swept away in a new purge.

God's Way vs. the World's Way

The world offers its constant din of chaos, conflict, compromise, greed, lust, and hatred. God offers something different: Never changing Truth that we can stand on, live by, depend upon, and rejoice in, a path that we can see and follow to the end with confidence.1 God offers holiness, righteousness, eternal bliss and the heart of a grateful Creator.

How Will You Choose?

The holiness and righteousness we seek are inside of us in the choices we make. Through them we decide the practice of our lives. They dictate the forces that will re-make our attitude of heart and mind such that we are transformed into a new image, either the world’s or God’s.

There are so many ways that our mindsets need to be changed, healed, and re-made - so many areas of life that this scripture speaks to and challenges. We think of ourselves as godly believers who have a few issues. God sees us as a work in progress, people who struggle with the world while loving Him. The two are incompatible and from that comes the tension in our life, the tension between the world and God.

Pause in silence and solitude and listen as God asks: How will you choose today?

Shalom

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In recent weeks I have come under conviction about belief and how I conduct my life in discourse. I am on a personal journey into the truths of belief and faith, and how God sees my engagement with His world, as described in this recent journal entry.

Belief is the mother of faith

I must admit that I've always had a fuzzy understanding of the relationship between the two. Through a vision, however, I was given a clear depiction. Visualizing a tree (Tree of Life?) from a cut away view, I saw the above ground portion in full and glorious leaf. Below ground, I saw its root system running laterally just below the surface, except for a very prominent tap root that ran straight down and seemed to have some sort of bulb at its end deep in the earth. Then I saw two words: Faith was adjacent the trunk of the tree, Belief was adjacent the tap root. Ergo, there can be no faith without belief, or more to the point, belief must exist before there can be faith. The belief we hold is the object of our faith.

Belief lives in the soul

For my entire life until recently, I was taught and understood that our soul is the source of all evil in our life and should be distrusted. Over the last few years, however, I've come to believe that our soul, which exists after all because the Creator put it in us, is meant for good but has been corrupted as a result of sin to the point it does often act as sin's agent. But it was not meant to. The Lord spoke to me in the early morning hours today, telling me that:

"You must believe in the soul before you can believe in the heart and mind. Belief must exist in all three, but the soul comes first. Without belief there, belief in the heart and mind is not possible."

Okay, I must believe in the soul first. How will I know when I do? Will I feel it? Where? Will I just know it? How? Am I overthinking this? Probably, but I still need a way of knowing when I know.

A word during prayer time

Later this morning, as I was on the deck spending time with the Lord and the Father in prayer, asking for guidance on all of the above, this came spontaneously from deep inside of me:

"I believe that _____ has already been healed. It is just a matter of that time becoming this time."

With this, I believe that God has given me a tool to both grow my belief, something I desire with every fiber of my being, and contribute to _______’s healing.

For this to happen, I must change

Two issues, strengthening my belief and restoring honor to my soul, are of first order importance. I do not have a "how to" in hand yet, which puts me just where God wants me, totally reliant on his instruction and guidance. As I am faithful to pursue him in these, he will be faithful to respond.

There are two other areas that seem to also be emerging: changing my bias system and changing my tone of discourse. My bias has always been toward the analytical/pragmatic side of an equation. Certainly not to the exclusion of the spiritual realm, but more often than not I lean toward the former in everyday matters.

The other issue is one of tone, which can sometimes be harsh or argumentative. I suspect both issues, bias and tone, are related to my personality type (INTJ), which tends toward structure and being judgmental. Guilty on both counts. In responding to a friend's text this morning on the subject of our duty to do our duty and leave the rest to God, I responded with:

"As it happens, I have been convicted on this very point. Father has shown me in the last week or so that it is not my job to convince those around me or even to argue for what I believe is correct, but to live a life that shows them what is correct. It is the inherent credibility of holiness and righteousness in our life that convict and convince others. These are what give power to our words. Without them, our words disappear on the wind."

Basically, what I am saying is that my job is to live the life God desires of me and leave others to do the same. It is okay to advocate for beliefs and positions, but being obstinate or obnoxious about it, as I can sometimes be, is out of bounds. One must understand their own role and style, living and operating within them in ways that glorify God and minister to his creation through truth, grace, and compassion. Role, style, and purpose must be in harmony with God's purpose, or change is needed.

So, yes, change is on the menu.

Shalom

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Overcomer'

Overcomers often struggle with unworthiness, especially if sin has damaged those we love and are closest to or had catastrophic effect. Yet, God calls David, who committed adultery and murder, a man after his own heart.1 How can that be?

The fact is that there are not many perfect people around for God to use, so he uses the imperfect who have surrendered through confession and repentance. That is what made the difference in David's case, and it is the same for us. God is much more interested in our future than our past.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)

Here, David proclaims the benefits of walking with God: Life itself, wisdom, the joy of the heart, understanding amid chaos, enduring faith, and righteousness. He experienced all of this in his life, despite his great sin. The secret to his relationship with God and God's favor on his life is found in his heart's desire to confess, repent, and be made clean so that the relationship is restored, renewed, and kept whole.

David's Appeal for Innocence

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:12-14 (ESV) 

Forgiven as he is, David knows that the mercy of God and the new future he makes available must be claimed by appropriation. Habitual sins will enslave us again if we are not diligent.2 We choose to allow sin to have dominion over us or to live free with each decision to succumb to temptation or turn into the face of God. As David notes, our heart is the key. Its desires and intents rule our thoughts, words, and actions. Asking God to keep us from sinning is the first part of the equation, our choice to honor God's work in our life is the second.

The Overcomer's Song of Joy

When we love the Lord with all of our heart and soul, seek his path for our life and honor his desire for us, then we are on our way to the new life God stands ready to give us. It is the source of the continual state of inner peace, assurance, and confidence we seek, and is found in the Lord and in our own choices.

Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:6-7 (ESV)

Choose well. Choose now. Join in exultation with King David, a sinner made free and a man after God's own heart. Redemption, restoration, and renewal are something to shout about!

Shalom

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We know that Peter and Paul were contemporaries for a time, and we know that they agreed and disagreed on various matters. In today's parlance, we might say that they were normally cordial and respectful toward the other but neither felt a compulsion to agree fully or be alike. Both were free thinkers, strong personalities, believers in Christ's deity and humanity, and wholly committed to their role in furthering his kingdom on earth. They were united in their love of Christ and in looking to the cross. In their example we see a precursor of our own condition, even in the various doctrines and streams of Christianity. Their lives and their relationship have much to offer and can even be considered a model for modern times.

Paul was a man of learning, an academic of the Torah, and elevated in religious society

As such, his thinking and writing were more like a scholar, because he was one. Scholars write differently. Simple direct questions often become essays that investigate every possible angle before finally delivering the punch line. The best, however, also find ways to communicate in clear language using analogies and allegories their audience can visualize and understand, and Paul could also do this. His writings were always well thought out, often investigating in detail, but eventually he appealed to the heart in ways that made sense to the head.

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 3:15-23 (ESV)

Peter, on the other hand, comes from a practical perspective

Where Paul focuses on reasoning, Peter's writing focuses on practicalities. His life, personality, and style were different. A fisherman by trade and without the education Paul enjoyed, his thinking and expression, both demonstrably and in his writing, reflected his common man roots. He tended to act abruptly (the obvious examples being his rejection of Christ before the crucifixion and his impromptu suggestion to build tents at the scene of the transfiguration) and speak plainly. Yet, his writing, though more direct than Paul's, was clear in thought, nuanced, and insightful as well as clearly understood.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  1 Peter 13-16 (ESV)

We can say that Paul's articulations of theology established the reasoning behind his exhortations to live godly lives, sometimes in a very Greek-like manner of debate. Peter, on the other hand, tended toward cutting to the chase quickly and succinctly. One has a doctrinal focus, the other a practical focus. The fact is, we must have elements of each at work in our lives to be at peace and effective for the kingdom.

Both are needed to live godly lives

That is the point. Paul had the benefit of academic rigor, his Damascus Road experience, and subsequent mentoring. These were the foundation of his ministry and reach. Peter, on the other hand, spoke what he knew to be true because he had an intimate if sometimes humbling relationship with Christ and had privately reasoned out his beliefs. In doing so, he took ownership of what he believed and was secure in the conviction of beliefs he had worked through.

We live in a consumer society which is divided on many issues at many levels, and it is too easy to join the crowd, so we do not stand out. To live for Christ as he calls each one individually to do, however, we must understand for ourselves the foundation of our faith, the theology of our faith, and his plan for the outworking of our faith. Each relationship with Christ is unique but must be based in the truth of his Lordship and the immutable principles of righteousness that he established. We need both Paul and Peter working in our lives. We must know what we believe and why, and we must act boldly in the face of a world that rejects godly truths and principles. To do otherwise is to be unprepared and unwilling.

The ultimate example is Christ, but Paul and Peter are pretty good examples as well. Each lived to serve the cross with the integrity of their belief, faith, and action. Spend time with them, get to know them, and honor them in the way you live Christ to the world.

Shalom

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So much is going on in the world today, so often characterized by chaos, conflict, and immorality that we sometimes wonder how long this can go on. The believer must believe that it cannot go on because of the truth of the personhood of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He is not a concept or artificial construct. He is real, his power is real, and he is coming again to heal and restore our broken world. Some will rejoice at his return, some will not, all will bow. But when?

And that is where discussions get interesting. Inside the Christian community there are those today who will tell you the time is upon us. I prefer to take my cue from Jesus' own words:

"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:6 (ESV)

Jesus tells us plainly that he himself does not know the day or hour. Only God knows.

Our condition is not new

In the Old Testament we see Israel constantly falling in and out of relationship with God. They are righteous then they are not. They are blessed and then they are not. And if we think it wasn't as bad as today then we should read Malachi's description of their sins: they kept the best for themselves and dishonored God with polluted and imperfect sacrifices, with corrupt teaching, by worshipping idols of false gods in the temple, through their immoral lifestyles, by robbing him of the tithes and offerings due him, and by not devoting their lives to the service of His Kingdom. Even the priests were guilty, turning the temple into a den of their own pleasure and wealth. God's people loved the things of the world more than him. Idolatry, sexual immorality, greed and avarice were the norms of the day. God's temple was defiled and his people rebellious. Sound familiar? We should learn from their experience. God's anger was righteous and just. Instead of rescuing them and healing them, he divorced them and blessed others who honored him.

The coming of The LORD's Day

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. 

“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”  Malachi 4:1-6 (ESV)

We may fool ourselves with false narratives, but these do not dent Truth. The only thing they accomplish is the perversion of our belief systems and lives such that we do not believe, honor, and follow what is true. Our believing a thing does not make it true, but that is the deception many have fallen into. For these, the LORD's Day will be one of doom. Believers will have a different perspective, one of great happiness. For those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord, the Day of the LORD will be one of victory and it is this that we wait for with hearts that ache for our fellow man. It will be a day when creation is set free, a day of glory.

But when? we ask.

Many have opinions, which thus far have all been incorrect. Does someone actually know the day and time? I don't think so. Why? Because Jesus, the Son of God says that even he does not know.

I am sure that those who remained holy in Malachi's time thought it must be imminent, and I can think of other times in recent decades when people have felt the same. The only thing we can know for sure on this subject is that - no one knows. With such uncertainty it is helpful to have a bit of historical perspective. Malachi was a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, both of whom penned similar accusations and warnings. When was that? About five hundred years before Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth as man. Five hundred years.

Where then is our hope?

Our hope can only be in the greatest truth of all: the surety of Christ's return and his ultimate victory. We do not know when and thus it is our privilege and honor to live our lives as if this very day is the day. And the next, and the next, until He is before us as we bow in adoration.

It may be five minutes, five hundred years, or five thousand years from now. But we know with all assurance the purpose of the person in whom our hope rests until that time, as proven by his own words as he declared himself to be both God1 and man,2 and by the words of demons,3 and the witness of those who encountered him firsthand.4 Jesus is the Christ in whom power and victory rests, and He is coming again to finish His work, the abolition of all corruption. In that instant, those who are present will share in the joy that Mary expressed.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”  Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)

Can you imagine the wonder and awe of that day? What a day it will be, indeed ... whenever it comes.

Shalom

Our heart's declaration of love, adoration, and worship in prayer is fundamental to a living, breathing, intimate relationship with God. Singing and praise may prepare our hearts, but it is what is in our hearts that God is most interested in, and it is through prayer that we conduct our most important conversations, including our worship.

The Bible is clear in its call to prayer, including:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6, and

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As believers, we understand the importance of prayer. I suspect, however, that we most often think of it as a one-way conversation centered on our own needs, desires, and intercessions. It is so much more, however, including an opportunity to worship God in wonder and adoration.

Separating ourselves for the sole purpose of proclaiming our love and devotion to God creates an atmosphere of desire for intimacy with Him, which in turn creates a hunger and thirst to lift Him up, to pour out what is in our heart, and to hear what is in His heart. Madame Jeanne Guyon1 2 had a simple instruction on this:

"There is only one requirement that you must follow at all times [in prayer]. This simple requirement is you must learn to pray from your heart and not your head."

One way to pray from the heart is to express what you hold in your heart about God. This is not a formula but rather a living prayer in which you tell God how you feel about Him and what you perceive about His character. It might go something like this:

Father God, I come into your presence through the cleansing blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I come before You to worship You because my heart beats for You, to know the desires of Your heart so they may be my own desires, and to know Your path so that it may be mine as well. Everything I do, Father, I want it to be for Your glory, to honor, serve, and worship You. Your love is why I am here, your mercy is how I am whole, and your grace is my provision. Thank You, Father.

I love You because you are not of this world. You are different and show me that I can be different as well. I am humble before You. When I think of who and what You are, I am amazed and thrilled. You are holy and righteous, strong and pure, perfect and beautiful. Your love, compassion, and passion are wondrous. Your judgment and justice are perfect. Your might is untouchable, Your grace the salve to every wound.

You are Truth, Honor, and Purity. You are … Perfection. Your Knowledge and Wisdom are above all others, Your Understanding deeper, and Your Counsel is true and straight, we need no other. Your Might is unapproachable, and the Fear of Your Name is the light that shows the way. Give me the strength, Father, to stay in the Light.

I love you, Father, and I lift Your Name above every other name. I worship You as my God who loves me simply because I am yours. I exalt Your Name in praise, worship, and wonder. There is no other. Your glory shines and, in those finest of moments, I hear the trumpets sound Your presence. Glory to You, oh God, Glory!

You provide everything in my life, including this ability and entrance into Your Presence. You are the God of all creation, yet here You are, communing with me. Thank You, Father, for Your love.

I worship You, praise You, I declare Your Name. Take what is inside of me and change it to magnify Your Name, that You will be praised. I give you all glory and praise, all power and honor. I bless You.

I am humble before You. I bow in reverence seeking only Your heart, Your face, Your presence. Not just in this moment but forever and always, never ceasing. Let my heart's desire for You be incense on Your altar.

I love You; my heart wants to know what is in Your heart, and my feet long to walk in Your steps. Show me the way, Father, so that I may honor You with my life. All I desire is to please you.

I am Yours, Father, and I am listening for Your heart to speak.

Amen

Your relationship with God is different and what comes from your heart in prayer will be different. As A.W. Tozer said, "True prayer cannot be imitated nor can it be learned from someone else." Prayer, like the rest of our relationship with God, is personal. It does not just happen, it requires desire, intent, and application. The importance and effort we devote to it opens the door, ushering us into God's very throne room and it is there, before Him, that we conduct this sacred discipline without which our lives, purpose, and relationship are incomplete.

When our adoration is complete it is time to listen for God's voice. It may come in a voice we recognize as His, as a feeling in our heart, or as a knowing in our spirit. However it is that God speaks to you, make sure you have opened the doorway with your praise and worship, and that you are listening. Ask yourself ...

What is God saying to me today?

Shalom

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Our nation and world are in a vulnerable place these days, making it important that believers carry them in their hearts and prayer life. Praying for the nation is something we should all consider before God, asking for his guidance, and we should not be surprised if God's views are different than our own. Knowing that, we should be prayerful, thoughtful, and in full listening mode as we seek His response.

Praying for the nation, its leaders, and its people, and holding them in our hearts before God, is a responsibility both as believers and citizens

There is so much going on: cultural and moral foundations are shattering, people are abandoning the traditional church in droves, and godly leadership at all levels is both a concern and critical need. Ideological beliefs separate us on virtually every issue with little concern for civility, honor, truth, or trust. Yes, there is plenty to pray about, but we sometimes question our ability to pray correctly, how to approach these issues before God, or even our standing on such matters. We are citizens, we are concerned, and we have opinions but are sometimes timid in our approach because we feel we have no voice. To that I would say that we do have a voice before God, and that He knows what is in His heart for the nation.

Praying God's Will

We've been taught to pray but sometimes struggle with how to pray. Lacking clear guidance from God and with no lack of outside advice from those around us, be they agenda driven voices or simply a gaggle of competing opinions, it can be hard to know what is right. Possibly, what is right may even sometimes be unknowable. How do we pray then?

Let God know what is in our heart. Begin by pouring out what is inside of you with full transparency, expressing what concern is bringing you to him in prayer and why you are concerned.

Surrender our opinions and feelings. In doing this, we acknowledge that we do not know the whole story or have all of the facts, and that God's ways are not necessarily our own. It is an act of humility before God, honoring His position and desire above all else.

Remind God of his love for the nation and its peoples. If we believe that God's heart is broken over our current condition, then we must know that he is beyond disappointed. Today, we are reminded of God's wrath in Old Testament times1 and wonder how we are not judged and punished as they were. Those stories, however, also remind us that God loves his people, has compassion, and is willing to change direction when the people who love him and the nation call out to him in confession and repentance, seeking his mercy as they remind God of his love for them.2

Ask God to remember his original intent for the nation. This is not only a reminder to God but to us as well, recalling his purposes in founding the nation, the godly role it has sometimes played, and how the nation responded to His call. America's motto is E Pluribus Unum, or "Out of many, one." We are far from that today, but it is fully within God's power to restore us to that harmony. We are a better nation, a better people, and a better family when united in His spirit and serving His cause.

Ask God to restore his desires and intents for the nation to the hearts of its leaders and people. When we plead with broken and contrite hearts, God listens. When we set aside our own opinions and desires as we seek to know and understand his own, He listens. When we demonstrate that our desire is for His righteousness to guide our leaders and citizens because it lives in their hearts, He listens. We demonstrate this desire is real by loving and serving our fellow man, by seeking God's truth and will above man's, and by walking in truth and righteousness as we go about our daily lives no matter our station.

Ask God what His plan is for your own life in restoring the nation. This is where the rubber meets the road for each of us. It is one thing to complain and condemn, another entirely to stand and act in truth and humility every day and in every moment as we go about our lives. For some this may mean raising a godly family and for others confronting ungodliness in their family. For some it may mean taking principled stands in the workplace and bearing the consequences in God's grace. For some it may mean getting involved in educational, governmental, or societal systems to advocate for and lead a return to God's values. Whatever the call, enter into it prayerfully and with humility, seeking God's direction and provision. A very wise man once told me that we know something is God's will when desire, opportunity, and God's providence come together.

Thank God for his love, care, and provision for the nation and yourself. In acknowledging and submitting to these we cement our partnership with the holy. We admit to ourselves that we do not have the answers, God does, and that we do not have the power, God does. In surrendering our own opinions and power before Him, we open our hearts to what is in His heart, allowing us to walk in His Light as disciples to the nation.

It is not about winning a contest that will soon be repeated, it is about a heart's desire and God-ordained steps in a new direction toward God's original purpose and intent for the nation. It isn't about us. It is, always, about Him. Our call is to live lives that honor His desires, and that is something we can all pray about.

Shalom

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Prayer journaling is a source of peace, purpose, and encouragement. It focuses our mind on what the spirit and heart want to say to God without embellishment or rationalization. It is meant to be real.

Father, I am overwhelmed by Your mercy, Your grace, Your love, and Your purpose.

You are everything that I have and everything that I need. You are my protector, provider, creator, and maker. Because of Your love and only because of Your love, I am.

Your mercies upon my life are great, Your love overwhelms me. You are my light, You show me the way. You are my provider, the provider of everything I need in life, even the air that I breathe, the food that I eat, the love that surrounds even me, and the love that inhabits me. My rest and sleep, my strength, my hunger and desire for You, to know You, to honor You, to glorify You.

All of these, Father, and everything more come direct from You into my heart. I exist because of Your love. I exist because of Your faithfulness to what is in Your heart. Father, I exist in the purpose You have purposed for my life, to honor that which is in Your heart. Show me the way, Father. I thank You for your faithfulness in all things. I love You. I worship You. I adore You.

Holy Spirit, I seek You, that You would put in my mouth the words that Father would have me speak, that You would put into my heart the emotions Father would have me to feel, that You would carry to me the wisdom and understanding Father wishes me to hold that I might be the me He desires. I ask that you carry to me strength to persevere, endure, and overcome that I may be a faithful servant.

I love You, Father. I give myself to You.

Amen

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In last week's post, I discussed the importance of having a vibrant prayer life and the role of the Holy Spirit in facilitating our communion with God. This week we take a look at a number of strategies and actions that set us on course to a consistent, strong, and intimate relationship with God through close connection and faithfulness. When He sees that our desire is matched by our action, things begin to happen.

One comment before we get to it. We come from many faith positions. You may be a relatively new believer, returning to God after being away for some time, a person who has a good relationship but you want more, or even one who is still searching. We also come to this subject from different faith perspectives, including different theologies and doctrines. Regardless of where your belief home base is, I challenge you to accept and engage with the notion that there is more. In other words, do not allow old beliefs to extinguish new hunger for the full expression of God's truth and power in your life. One of my favorite scriptures focuses on this point.

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.  Psalm 86:11 (ESV, emphasis mine)

If you are searching for a way to peace in this time of chaos, truth that is unmoved by man's rationalizations, and intimacy in your relationship with God, then these strategies are meant for you. Some may be new to you and some may need to be dusted off, but they all have a purpose in deepening our relationship with the Holy. Honor them with your best approach and consistency.

Vary routines to keep them fresh

Many believers have established times and locations for reading God's Word, prayer, and meditation. This is generally a good thing unless it becomes routine, a pattern without true engagement. When this happens, as it can, we should recognize it for what it is and take our opportunities where they come, even if at a different time and place. Some vary their engagement with prayer on purpose, taking advantage of weather seasons to change locations, for example. If you catch yourself praying the same words as if reading from the same script day after day or begin to feel unmotivated or unfulfilled in your time with God then you can be sure you need to kick it up a notch. If this happens, seek God's face as David did, asking Him to guide you.

Personalize it

Praying from the depths of your heart puts your stamp on your conversation with God. Not many people pray in formal, stilted language when praying from the heart. When we let it all hang out it can be messy and that is okay. In fact, that is perfect. Sometimes it will be like a conversation with a close friend. Sometimes it is like opening the hidden vault of our innermost fears, joys, desires, and secrets. Sometimes it is an expression of our anxieties, dreams, love, or honor. When your heart speaks to you in these ways then speak to God likewise. He already knows so there is no point in concealing it. Let it out. Be real.

Another strategy is to personalize prayers found in scripture by putting yourself in the picture, talking to God as if you were praying the prayer. The Psalms are full of David's prayers of confession, praise, worship, thankfulness, honor, integrity, and requests for favor or for protection in dire circumstances, and they are powerful when adapted to our own lives. (FN link to David's prayers)

Activate the gateway to the throne

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! Psalm 95:2 (ESV)

Beginning prayer with praise and thanksgiving separates us from the things that clamor for our attention, focusing our heart, spirit, soul, and mind on God. Heartfelt worship and adoration carry us to the foot of His throne, connecting us to Him in real time as Heaven and earth meld together. This is our time to tell God how we love Him, how deeply we long for Him, and to lift up His Name and attributes, to declare Him to our world. Doing this with all earnestness pulls us in until praising Him is all we want to do. The rest will come later but we begin by honoring, loving, praising, worshipping, and bowing before Him. It is not a formality or ritual, it is love and adoration in action.

Pray Continually

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

So you're feeling pretty good about your normal morning or evening prayer time. Great. When else do you pray? Paul tells us that God's will for us is that we know the joy of communing with Him on a continual basis, about ... anything. Anything? Yes, including for those we see in distress as we go about the day, a bad moment we are having, thankfulness for an unexpected joy, asking in the moment what we are to do in life situations, interceding for others, and on and on. Nothing is too small, nothing is too big, and there is no time like the moment. Short "popcorn prayers" or longer and more thoughtful prayers - they are all about a state of mind, the state of our spirit, constantly seeking and living in His presence. When God puts something on your heart or mind, talk to Him about it.

Pray in the Spirit

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

Some believe that praying in the Spirit is a good thing, some don't. I was in the latter camp most of my life and now wish I had known better. But it is a matter of personal theology so ... it's personal. Having said that, my own experience is that my spirit and the Spirit that is of God communicate much better with each other and thus with God than my poor words can. There are things that I do not comprehend that they are aware of and there are things I know about but do not know how to pray about. The Spirit knows and the Spirit prays what is on my heart in ways that I cannot. When this happens, there is greater depth, more intimacy, and closer communion.

Engage the power of silence

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and wondered when you will ever get a chance to speak? I think God sometimes feels that way when we pray. We barely get into it before we start pouring out our anxieties, wants, and complaints and don't think to ask Him what He desires, what is on His heart. Instead of watching the clock and rushing through your conversation with God, give Him the floor. Still your mind, open your heart, and ask Him what He thinks about your life and your world. Then, listen. When your mind starts to wander, catch it and return to the silence that seeks God's voice. Lean into Him with an open heart. Surrender everything. Empty yourself in His presence and be amazed. Learning this discipline alone will change your life.

Pray about praying

No matter how hard we try and how good our prayer life may be at times, there will also be times when it just isn't the same. What to do? Call God's 911 line - pray to Him about your prayer life. Ask Him to teach you how He wants you to pray, about what, and why. Let Him know that you desire intimate conversation with Him, that you want to know what He desires of your prayer life. Then listen with your heart and spirit for His reply.

Journal your prayer life

I prefer to journal by hand on actual paper because doing it this way requires more thoughtfulness. It is slower and there is no delete button. Once it is out and on paper it's there and can't be taken back. Often, I find myself praying about what I am writing down as I write. What do I journal about regarding prayer? The things God has shared with me, instructions for life, my love for Him, things that meditations impress upon me, things I hear, see, or experience as part of prayer, encouragements, corrections, and inspirations. This discipline is impactful in the moment, but I sometimes find them even more impactful later. If, for example, I begin to feel that my connection to God is not as strong as I desire, reading through these journals is a sure path back to His feet. They remind me of times He has spoken to me, given me direction, or blessed me. Journaling this way sets them in my memory and they are always there to prompt me when I go looking. They are one of my treasures.

These reminders are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There is so much to prayer and yet it is so simple. Just surrender and let God guide you. Focus on Him. Praise and worship Him. Honor Him, bless Him. Confess the things that need confessing. Express your thankfulness for His interest and action in your life and ask for His help where it is needed. Put God first in prayer with faithfulness and transparency, then watch what happens.

Shalom

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Prayer is possibly the most important part of spiritual life for the believer, yet many (most?) treat it as an afterthought or a disconnected ritual. Prayer, our personal, intimate, and private conversations with our Creator are meant to honor and grow our personal relationship with Him. They should not be something we turn to only when we have a gripe, need, or a want, and certainly not something to be considered routine. Sad to say, I know this from personal experience. There have been times when I was just mailing it in as the saying goes, times when praying was a chore, something I did because I knew I was supposed to but without real purpose or connection. Imagine how effective that was.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." Matthew 6:5 (ESV)

Those who experience a rich prayer life filled with intimate connection share a relationship with God that is alive in ways that honors both, builds trust, strengthens faith, and prepares one for service. But it doesn't happen by accident. This kind of deep relationship results from a desire deep in one's heart. It is there that the journey begins.

Prayer is An Issue of the Heart

You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” Psalm 27:8

David's prayer is simple and clear, a prayer of surrender and obedience. A prayer of abandonment. He did not delay. His response was immediate and emphatic, a response, as he says in his own words, direct from his heart. That tells us something about David's relationship with God. It was deep and rich. David is king, but he serves the King of kings. What we see here is his surrender to God's will, his transparency, and recognition of the Spirit's prompting. It is hard to call a thing surrender when it is, in fact, the overriding desire of one's heart.

These are the same things that God looks for in us today. Do we hunger to know him? Are we willing to surrender our agenda to his? Are we honest and transparent with him? Do we reach for him in good times as well as bad times? Are we searching for him, asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen our connection? Here's the interesting thing: as well as being a matter of the heart this desire is also a matter of the mind. When the head and the heart come into agreement God has something to work with. We must not only desire, we must also decide to pursue that desire.

Prayer Brings Peace

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV)

Paul begins by telling us that we are to always be rejoicing in God, regardless of what is going on in our life or the moment. This seems contrarian advice in an age when we can almost hear the tearing of moral and cultural fabric everywhere we turn, and in an age when man is set against man on every stage. In the midst of all that is going on around us, we are to be at rest in God's peace? Yes!

How is that possible? By understanding that we are unable to control constantly changing events on our own, and by understanding that God never changes. He is rock solid and constantly at peace. When we choose to acknowledge this and turn into Him with desire and surrender we enter into His peace, which He graciously gives to us as our peace.

We Have A Willing Partner in Prayer

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:267-27 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit prays for us in our weakness, when we do not know how to pray or when we are so broken we are incapable of praying. Times of great loss, searching for understanding, or our own brokenness can bring us to this point. There was a time when I was unable to pray to God as I desired, a time of great pain, sorrow, and travail. Yet, I desired communion with him more than anything else. He saw my condition, and, in his grace, he assigned the Holy Spirit to pray for me in my place. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion and friend. It knows all and is the conduit through which our relationship with God is conducted. We might think of it as the interlocutor who processes language and thought between ourselves and God. As such, it is fully qualified to stand in for us when we are unable, and it is happy to do so.

Prayer is an essential part of our faith experience, important to both Heaven and earth. We do both a disservice when we do not give it the attention and priority it deserves. Sometimes we need to break the chain of routine to rediscover intimacy in this vital discipline of the faith. How we do that will be our next subject.

Shalom

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