KingSHIP 002

'SHIP 002

James 4:7 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

"Submit."  We can find all kinds of soft ways to translate this word but in the final analysis it means, "to obey."  In a military usage it means to obey the commands of a superior.  In non-military usage it is a voluntary "giving in," or "cooperating."  Now which do you suppose is intended here?

For me the non-military usage would only result in a hypocritical obedience.  It is voluntary - a giving-in, a mere cooperation.  The military usages however is more to the point.  One does not "cooperate," with one's King and one only "gives-in" under pressure.  We are called to obey not cooperate.  We are called to kneel, fully acknowledgeing our sovereign Lord, not just give-in.

So we might consider actually putting in the word, "obey," to replace "submit."  Submissison/obedience is not something God asks.  It is something God commands - demands.  We can't satisfy this by just cooperating or givein-in.

Now along with the fact that God has every right to command our obedience there is the second side to this.  That is the command to resist the Devil.  This word means to oppose, to set one's self against.  It's more than a "No," it is a "Not ever!"  What part of "adversary" (1 Peter 5:8) do we not understand."

Now, many people may "resist" the Devil - they do not give in to the worse of their inclinations - but--BUT, they do not stand a chance because although they may be saying "No," there is nothing behind it.  We, on the other hand are first saying, "Yes," to God's commands and then we are opposing the Devil.  It is only the resistance of those submitted - under the command - of God whose resistance has any value.

Ok - we're not talking legalism here.  But, how any true believer can get around the need for obedience to the Lord God is beyond me.  To paraphrase Bonhoeffer, "Only those who obey beieve and only those who believe obey."  

Now, according to the Jewish rabbis there are 613 Law/Commands.  Well and good, no arguement.  But, having the full revelation of God we can begin with what Jesus told us are the two key commands.  Love God (utterly) and love your neighbor.  It is not beyond our abilities (guided by the Spirit) to start there and figure it out.  Is it?

But - God is really really good.  He has provided well:
Ephesians 4:11 ESV
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Ok - we have no Apostles today (see the requirements in Acts).  Prophets?  Well that all depends upon how you define prophet.  We do not need any new revelations.  But we do need those called to warn us, to cajole us, to call us back to Him.  So if that's the type prophet you have in mind -Ok - I can go with that.

But we do have evangelists, shepherds and teachers (not to mention elders and deacons) who are all called to serve the Body in their callings.  So, we do not need to stumble around in the Word with no direction, guidance or help.  Actually I don't think we honor God when we forgo the ministry of those He has called for our instruction. 

We are commanded to renew our minds, to grow in His likeness and we are given those He has called to walk alongside us and guide us.  To me, to refuse their ministry is to be disobedient.  As I like to say, "There are no Lone Rangers is the Kingdom!"

So, let me ask you.  Are you under the guidance, shepherding, teaching, etc. of a godly and sound teacher?  And - are you part of a submitted fellowship where you are challenged in and by the sound teaching of the word of God?  Be careful here.  It's common in our day to suppose that we are becasue there are lots of people and we feel good about the sermons.  That is not the measure of soundness not godliness.  The Roman Circus always drew more people than the early church.

Are you convicted where you are?  I mean are you consistantly being called to holiness and realizing how fall short we all fall and are you challenged and encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to grow in your faith?  Or is it more a case of "I'm OK-You're OK - and here we are together?"  

The whole of the passage we're launching from in James reads:
James 4:7-10 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

I would draw your attention to verses 8b and 9.  Hello!  That should be a part of your Christian experience along with joy and peace and comfort.  No?  Mmmm curious, it was Paul's experience and he was a wonderful teacher.

Romans 7:21-25 ESV
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Submit - Resist > aptly describes the contenders for our attention and efforts.  

John Flavel and me Keeping the heart. 001

Duties Included in Keeping the Heart
Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart. Kindle Edition.

"Frequent observation of the frame of the heart.  The heart can never be kept until its case be examined and understood."

Proust wrote, “No man is a mystery, except to himself.”

How many times have you thought, “I can’t believe I did/said that!”  Well, there ya go.  We need to examine our hearts regularly.  But we need help to do it well.  We talk of being able to do all things through Christ who is our strength.  Well, here’s one of the “all things” we avoid. 

Means:  Make a list.
What makes you laugh?  What makes you cry?  What hurts you and provokes anger?  What brings you satisfaction?  What brings you security?  What do you ache for?  What do you fear?
Which of those things are in line with your profession – or not?
Why?

It includes deep humiliation for heart evils and disorders.

OK, “humiliation” is a tough word – but it is also a good intervention word.  Flavel is talking about what you may have just discovered in the above exercise.  These “evils” and “disorders” have to be robbed of their power in your heart and the best way for that to happen is to lay them out before God.

Consider the sacrifice Christ made for those things.  Consider how He did so to enable you to humiliate them – to see and acknowledge their shameful presence in your heart.  BUT – do so ONLY if you are firmly aware of the fact of God’s grace in your life.

This isn’t about beating yourself up.  It is about beating the bugs out of the rug – the evil and disorder out of your heart.  Denial is so easy and so seeing becomes hard.  Denial is so easy and so dealing with evils and disorders is so messy.  The longer the evil and disorder remains denied the longer it works against your growth, stability and comfort.

I knew a man who after a year of literally living on OTC indigestion medicine finally went to the doctor.  To his horror, he had stomach cancer and it was too late to really do anything curative about it.  So it is with the evils and disorders that live in our hearts – though we are alive “in” Christ these things make our hearts dead to Him.  They are like the veil in the Temple were it to be repaired.  We cannot fully know the comfort and security of being His because of these things.
Means:  From the list take the evils and disorders you find to the throne of grace. 

Confess them and confess their hurtfulness to your spiritual health. 

Ask God to help you to begin to remove (humiliate) them. 

Ask Him where to start. 
Perhaps even keep a list in your wallet or purse so that when you pray you can always have a reminder of your deep heart need.

It includes earnest supplication and instant prayer for purifying and rectifying grace when sin has defiled and disordered the heart.  “Whatever thou deny me: give me a heart to fear thee, to love and delight in thee.”

This is praying “for.”  Above we took the load to Him.  Here we ask for what we need, “purifying and rectifying grace.”

Means:  Good old regular and strong, “on your knees” prayer.
Make use of David’s prayers such as we find in Psalm 23 and following.

Make use of the recorded prayers of others as can be found in the book, Puritan Prayers.

Thou hast struck a heavy blow at my pride, at the false god of self, and I lie in pieces before Thee. But Thou hast given me another master and lord, Thy Son, Jesus, and now my heart is turned towards holiness, my life speeds as an arrow from a bow towards complete obedience to Thee. Help me in all my doings to put down sin day. Grant me grace to bear Thy will without repining, and delight to be not only chiselled, squared, or fashioned, but separated from the old rock where I have been embedded so long, and lifted from the quarry to the upper air, where I may be built in Christ for ever.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 105-110).  . Kindle Edition.

Write out your prayers.

It includes the imposing of strong engagements upon ourselves to walk more carefully with God, and avoid the occasions whereby the heart may be induced to sin.

This is head work.  How do you avoid those things which encourage, sustain or implant evils and disorders in your mind?  It is not only a matter of what you decide to forego or abstain from, but a matter of what you will take up, engage in and practice.
What will you choose to replace that which you find to your detriment?  How will you fill the minutes, the hours?  What will serve you to your benefit and growth in godliness?

These are not “laws,” but choices.  These do not determine “if” you are His but rather “how” you are His and how you give His Spirit the means and opportunity to heal, restore and strengthen you.  It can be as simple as not watching a TV show to as complex of breaking off an relationship.
Where upon your path do you stumble?  What is it that you stumble over?  Who is it that is a stumbling block to you?  These are the things concerning which you need to make strong resolutions – choices.

Though God can use these things, He cannot bless them.  Their use is limited to His conviction of your heart.  The blessing comes from taking the medicine He prescribes.  Though the medicine taste bitter, even nasty, we know it is all and only for our good and His glory.

Means:  Make a list, pray about where to begin and then begin.  Do so being as gentle and gracious with yourself as is He.
Who
What
When
Where
Choices have two ends: the choice to “not,” and the choice "to.”  As we choose to not we must choose to do.  In that list, make a column of what will replace that which you have marked for elimination.  Prayer, study, fellowship with other believers, worship – all these are good and godly replacements.
Our modern age supplies us with countless opportunities for choosing good things (as it does for evil).  I know that when all else fails I listen to sermons by Alistair Begg or read books written by one of the Puritans.  These choices may not be for you, they are but two options.

It includes a constant and holy jealousy over our own hearts.  He that will keep his heart must eat and drink with fear, rejoice with fear, and pass the whole time of his sojourning here in fear. All this is little enough to keep the heart from sin.

This is a choice as well.  You must choose to save your heart for God and godly things and resent that which works against it. 

You who are fathers – would you have less concern for your heart as you would for the safety and purity of your children – your daughter?  You mothers, would you feed your newborn from a dirty bottle?  Young people, would you allow harm and evil to come to your dearest friends?  So, as you would wish yourself to be in regards to these who are so dear to you – be so to your own heart.

Pray to live knowing that it is not only your heart, but it is His as well.  Think of the price He has paid so you might walk after Him in security and confidence.  Would you cheat on one who was so dedicated to you, who had given so much for you?  Consider those times when someone you considered close shunned or betrayed you – what was that pain like?

Or think of something in which or of which you place great meaning.  Would you allow someone to damage or destroy it?  Are you cautious about who uses it – perhaps even who sees it?  What greater meaning can any “thing” have than the redemption of your heart and His promise of His provision?
It is not sin to be selfish with your heart which He has redeemed.  It is sin to allow it to be used and abused, tarnished or torn by sin and the agents of sin.  We may give our hearts to others through Him but for no other reason than His service.

Means:  Who or what would draw your heart from you – from Him?  They have no such right, no such authority.
Keep your heart from their influence and certainly from their grasp.
It includes the realizing of God’s presence with us, and setting the Lord always before us.
This well could have been the first on the list for it is certainly the most important.  The old quip that “character is what a man is when no one is watching,” is not off the mark.
God is always watching – and He knows our suffering and difficulties.  He knows our grief.  He knows our needs.  He knows our weakness.
He wants His highest good for our lives here as well as in heaven. 
It is hard to really understand, but true that God is our truest friend.  He will never forsake or abandon us.  He is always at work for our betterment in His grace and glory.
He is the one who can not only search our hearts, but heal them and strengthen them as well

Urged by my need, invited by Thy promises, called by Thy Spirit, I enter Thy presence, worshipping Thee with godly fear, awed by Thy majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by Thy love.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 121-122).  . Kindle Edition.

Bless me by revealing to me more of His saving merits, by causing Thy goodness to pass before me, by speaking peace to my contrite heart; strengthen me to give Thee no rest untiI Christ shall reign supreme within me in every thought, word, and deed, in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens me to Thee, and ever clings to the cross.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 125-128).  . Kindle Edition.

This and That The "flats?" 101012

This and That  The Flats?  101012

Weariness?  Dole-drums?  Numbness?

Ever have one of those days - weeks maybe even months when though you know the know the joy of the Lord, you just don't feel it?  It's like being at Disneyworld with a bad cold.  You know it's wonderful and you ought to have a good time but it's just out of reach.  I call this, "the flats."

It's not a "valley," and certainly not a "mountaintop," it's just flat.  You are unmotivated and seemingly unaffected concerning anything related to he faith.  Everything you thing about doing seem artificial and manipulative.  OK - maybe depressed is a good word but I know depression and this is not it.  It's just, "the flats."

So, that's where I am today and where I was yesterday.  I've tossed it up to the throne room and given it consideration and attention and even reviewed all my highlights in my reading to try and find out where this is coming from.

I'd almost say that I don't care - but I do.  I'd almost say I was failing in faithfulness but my practices are still important to me.  I'd say I was under oppression but that's a little strong.  I'm just in the "flats."

But in looking for the source of the flatishness I am hard pressed to discover it.   God is providing well and faithfully for us.  He even blessed us with the means to replace Patti's, computer so she can work on her photography.  Folks are reading my blog - or at least visiting it.  The Bible Study and care group are going well.  So I am not able to discover anything that would be the source of the flats.

So, I wonder if what I am experiencing is, well, contentment.  Oh, according to the "world's" measure and the fleshes expectations, thing are pretty awful.  But apart from that everying is AOk - even good.

I wonder if, because we allow the world and the flesh to have such impact on our hearts, we get used to living in a crisis state which becomes our norm.  I wonder if, becasue we are so prone to be faithful when times are tough and lax when things are good that we actually (somehow) create crisis for ourselves so we can go to and feel close to God.

Let me give you an example.  We went to shop for Patti's computer.  Now usually I go nuts in a store with lots of gadgets and gizmos.  So, while Patti was looking and considering and wearing down the salesguy I went to peruse all the latest and geatest goodies on offer.  I actually got bored.  As I looked at the goodies I kept asking, "What does this do that what God has alrady provided doesn't do?  Well, there were a goodly number of things the new goodies do.  But, they are things I don't do - or don't need to do.  That's when I first notices the flats.
I realized that i didn't "need" anything and that I really had no "wants."  Sickly, that bummed me out.  It was a shock - and a shock I'm still getting over.  I was content?

OK, let's suppose what I am experienceing is contentment.  I have to say that if it is, I have never experienced it before.  Ever.  What used to be a big deal - isn't.  What used to seem important, isn't.  The allure of the latest gizmo and gadget isn't.

Let's see:
I'm not worried about having our need met.
I'm not bummed because I can't get new goodies.
I'm not even impressed with the new goodies.
I'm beginning to not be able to understand wants.
I'm not into much TV if any.
I'm not fretting the election.
The work I have to do (all of it) is sufficient and honorable and satifying.

So - either I am terribly depressed or I am content.

I'm betting on content.  Why?
Well it's kind of a weird point.

James 1:14-16 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  ESV

2 Peter 2:14b They have hearts trained in greed.  ESV

Maybe, just maybe, my desires have changed.  Maybe, just maybe, my heart is being retrained.

I'm on my second read of John Flavel's book, Keeping the Heart.  Maybe it's having an effect of which I was not aware.  Maybe it's true - good stuff in - good stuff out.  Maybe, as I "renew" my mind, my heart is affected more than I thought.

But I want to lay my money (haha) on contentment.  Not pridefully and certainly not due to anything I did but because God is working His promise in me as I work to fill my mind with wisdom and understanding.  All I can say is that I read a book - am reading it again and I'm seeing changes that I didn't choose or decide upon.

Maybe contentment is more a work of the Spirit than we think.  Maybe a lot of our attempts at being content are superfluous or at least minor elements.  Oh, I want to learn to be content and have prayed to learn but to be honest I was clueless as to how you got it.

Maybe (haha) there is really something to:

Phil 4:8&9  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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   ESV

Us In Him 1

What is "Us In Him?”

UIH is a ministry dedicated to helping believers new and old grow in their knowledge, understanding and living out of the faith and to equipping them to use their gift for the works of service He has prepared for them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  (Mar 10:14)

and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.   (Mat 18:3)

The two verses above are at the heart of UIH.  Call it: Basic Christianity, Christianity 101 or Christianity ReBoot. 

Two things parents have taught me.  Children want to know “Why?” and children upon learning the word love, “No!”  Of course they are curious, creative, inventive and persistent. 

Children are fascinating.  Though it’s sometimes hard for grownups, listening to children is amazing.  Art Linkletter had a section on his old TV show called, “Kids say the darndest things.”  I don’t think I’ve ver had such wonderful bouts of laughter in my life. 

Without filters, with few social strictures and boundaries kids in their naiveté have a perspective and insight we sadly lose as we grow and mature.  The greatest thing about kids is they ask a lot of questions.  Sometime we think the question is simple only to discover that there is more to it.  Question – answer and then another question. 

The struggle for us comes when we try to give a single definitive answer.  Kids don’t have all the data we have so a single definitive answer is rarely an answer at all to them.  They need patience and attention as they ask and ask and ask.

When Jesus talks about becoming like little children I think part of that is His encouragement to us to keep asking questions and working for that answer that we understand.  There is an element of letting go of our knowledge and presuppositions that we need, to allow us to ask and answer well, so we can out put it all back together based upon the truth, His truth.

I came to Christ in college and brought all my knowledge and stuff with me.  It was hard to ask what felt like dumb questions.  I had a college degree, I ought to be able to figure it out  I can remember so many times when I had a burning question but held it back because I was afraid of looking dumb. 

UIH wants to be a place where there are no dumb questions.  A place where everyone takes on the demeanor of a child and allows themselves to engage in, well, Christ-child talk.  Every question is important – and important for us all no matter where we are in our walk.

I once worked in a music store where they repaired instruments.  The owner decided that he wanted me to learn to re-cork woodwind instrument – mostly clarinets.  As the repair guy taught me I felt really dumb.  He could do it with his eyes closed.  I watched him do about a dozen intruments and it was amazing.  Then one day I went in and he handed me a clarinet and told me to re-cork and re-pad it.  I went to the work station and began.  When I was done I took it to him and showed him my work.  I can’t remember his exact words but what comes to mind was, “That’s the worst repair job you’ll ever do.”

He expected me to make a mess of it.  He wasn’t surprised, he wasn’t angry he was actually pleased.  Why?  Because in showing him my mess I showed him what I could do and what I couldn’t do.  Now he could work from there in guiding me towards where he needed me to be.

This is the “vision” (I really don’t like that word) of UIH.  The assumption is that we all need guidance, encouragement, correction, admonishment – as Paul says:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2Ti 3:16-17)

And the author of Hebrews writes:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.   (Heb 10:23-25)

UIH is a place where wounded, wandering, wondering and wild followers of the Master are sought, invited and welcomed.  It is meant to serve the church – it is simply where 2 or 3 gather in His name to to grow.

. . . . like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,  (1Pe 2:2)