Summer selections?

 

Summer brings with it many more options. In our country, winter is easier because cold, snow, icy roads, and so on keep us from doing many things. But today the sun is shining and my to-do list has more possibilities than can be done in the hours ahead. How do I choose?

Piper says “Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer” and that He is preeminent in all things because He is my head, the One who runs my life as a member of His body: 

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)

That means He governs my life, not just church activities but vacations, picnics, softball, long walks, and cookouts and all other options. Yet I must remember His words: 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

He does not intend to govern me with burdens that make me exhausted. His burdens are light, even in the summer, meaning I need to seek Him and select what is from Him so that I am not worn out from trying to do it all.

In our many moves, even this latest one, new options appear. Add them to the load? Not possible. Some things must be dropped and I am certain it should not be devotional time, prayer, concern for others, and family needs. Priorities cannot be set aside so there is more time for the new choices, yet some of them are important too. I need the wisdom and energy God gives. 

Piper asks, “Do we want it? Christ gives himself to us in proportion to how much we want his refreshment. He quotes, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) That includes seeking Him for answers about what I do with each day. Even this very ordinary Tuesday has more responsibilities than I think will fit and I slept an hour longer than normal besides. I need to seek the Lord’s leading.

Piper offers another thought: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. . . .”  (Acts 3:19–20)
Sin is simply wanting to run my own life. Repentance is not just turning away from that sin; it is also turning toward the Lord with hearts open, expectant, and submissive. Am I willing to drop the I-wants in favor of His will? And therefore be refreshed?

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1–2)

Yesterday I started a massive project that invites me today to advance progress on it. But there are household chores, garden chores, a shopping list (this is 15% off day at the grocery), and at least one person to talk with, plus that project. Can it all be done in 14 hours? Not likely.

PRAY: Jesus, my prayer today will again be much longer that is written here. Guide me in the praying but also in the choosing. May Your will be clarified and accomplished. Like most days, there will be interruptions and unexpected demands. May my mind be on You and my heart listening for Your voice — sincerely and whole-heartedly — and may You be glorified in all of it. Amen.

Not just a building

At first glance, it seemed like the New Testament temple compared to our churches, and the NT synagogue was more like our Bible schools, but after reading more, that thought changed. The biblical temple was a place of worship; today that place of worship is the human heart. It can happen in a building (the church) or in the great outdoors, or in front of the kitchen sink.

The synagogue is more like a community church where worship and biblical teaching happen, but where people meet to do various other things. For instance, I go to a community church that is available for blood clinics, craft sales, workshops, meetings, daycare, and sewing bees, to name a few. It is our desire to be a community center for people to do things together.

Jesus taught the Word of God in the synagogue: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.” After reading it, He sat down and explained to the people what He had just read. (Luke 4:16–30)

Paul also taught the Word of God in the synagogue: “And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen . . . .” And he reiterated their history and told them about Jesus. (Acts 13:14–52)

The early Christians also met in synagogues as Paul testified: “And I punished them (Christians) often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:11)

Historical records show that synagogues were locations for religious activities such as reading the Torah, prayer, fasts, festival observance, and other rituals. Social activities included their use as treasuries, archives, schools, law courts, and council halls.

This dual use raises a question: Did using the building for all these things diminish its importance as a place of worship? Immediate answer is NO. It reveals that all of life is about worship and devotion to God. This holds true for the synagogues of ancient days and the church of today. In fact, the word “secular” (refers to ‘anything without something to do with God’) is a non-word for those who know God because no part of life is to be left out of our relationship to Him. The following verses are a few that give evidence to that:

·         So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

·         And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

·         Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23)

·         giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:20)

·         I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

·         And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)

·         Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)

All of life dedicated to God is exemplified in the ancient synagogue. This, like the temple, is not about a building so much as it is about the people of God. Just as believers are a “temple of the Holy Spirit” we are also a group of people whose life and activities are centered around Jesus Christ, not so much the building where we meet but the Person whom we serve.

That is, I’m to do my household chores to the glory of God, relate to my neighbors, study my Bible, make quilts, write letters, give to the poor, whatever I do all to the glory of God. This is for all Christians, a reflection of who we worship (in our temple) flowing out into every part of life (synagogue).

^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You always startle me with the truths Your Word reveals. Thank You for these insights. Thank You also for the local church where I can see these principles in action. We help the community by providing a building for their use, picnics and events where we can come together, funds to support community installations and events, and most of all, a place where everyone can meet with You.

Proclaiming Christ

As a follower of Jesus Christ, a major goal is to glorify Him instead of being one of those people whose sole topic of conversation is me, myself, and I. The Word of God gives me examples, such as the Apostle Paul who said:

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)

In parts of his letters to the church at Corinth, Paul did talk about himself, but with great reluctance. His concern for them and for all Christians is that we don’t make too much of our God-given blessings and become conceited thinking that we can do anything apart from Jesus:

“I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:6–7)

God knows our human tendency to worship all the wrong things, especially to exalt people instead of the God who created them, and who gave them the qualities that we admire. Even the Apostle John had a problem with putting his worship in the wrong person. He was given a revelation of Jesus Christ and although he heard the proclamation to worship God, this problem showed up:

“And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, ‘Amen. Hallelujah!’ And from the throne came a voice saying, ‘Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.’ Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure’— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.’ For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:4–10)

Jesus gave another example of putting our worship aright when He described to the disciples the work of the Holy Spirit:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13–15)

I have a friend who used to talk all the time about the Holy Spirit. She made much of His work and the necessity to depend on Him, but Jesus said the Holy Spirit will glorify Him, not Himself. Today’s devotional writer goes farther by saying that those who preach the Holy Spirit and ignore Christ do not have the Holy Spirit. This is not to say we ignore the Spirit for He is our Helper and Teacher, and our communication with the Lord in prayer. However, Christ is preeminent.

Here is one more example. Much exhortation is given in many passages concerning the preeminence of Jesus Christ. This clearly indicates that He is to be the focus of my thoughts, words, and actions. I am here to glorify Him.

“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18)

^^^^^^^

Dear Jesus, how many times have I ignored You, or praised people overmuch for Your gifts to them, or patted myself on the back for something You did in me? I bow my head in shame and humility, asking for forgiveness and also the attitude change that is needed to change me so that my worship is for You, only You.

A long day . . .

We were up early today, long before the sun. My hubby had to be at the hospital for day surgery. We were hungry most of the day, but the surgery went well. We were just there much longer than we expected and for crazy reasons too long and complex to explain.

We didn’t feel anxious or stressed. The Lord gave us much to calm our hearts in today’s devotional. It is all about the lordship of Jesus Christ, with many Bible verses to remind us of His preeminence. He always keeps me in perfect peace when my mind is focused on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

Christ is preeminent in the revelation of God. He is the Lord who reveals the Father to whomever He will. All that we know of God is seen in Christ who is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His Person:

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:27)

“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he (Jesus) has made him known.” (John 1:18)

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3)

And that verse leads to the next thought, that Christ is preeminent in salvation.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Christ is also preeminent in the church for “He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18)

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

As today’s devotional writer says, when this world is folded up and when time shall be no more, Christ will remain preeminent. The Judge who will sit upon the great white throne in that day will be none other than the God-man, Christ Jesus our Lord because in ALL things, He has the preeminence.

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:21–22)

Because Jesus is Lord of all, and because He gave His life to rescue me from sin and death, I can trust Him for all things, large or small, global or personal, horrific or joyful.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You have the whole world in Your hands, and You have this day in Your hands. I’m so glad that I can trust You with everything.

LATER: Surgery went well. A few other things didn’t, but God’s plan is perfect and nothing happens without His reasons for it. We are home and glad again for God’s care!