|City on a Hill - Writings for Refuge

Jesus said that where there is a lack of unity between His followers, the world would not see Him in them. Praying today that God would show me where I am holding even the slightest offense against anyone else. I want to admit it, lay it down, and agree with Jesus. Even if I might not want to lay it down for the sake of the person, I want to lay it down for Jesus so the "world would know who He is!"  John 17:20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Balance is not a Biblical concept. Daniel, David, Enoch, Elijah...every noteworthy person in the Bible was as "all-in" as they could be. Actually going all-in takes a lifetime, but you can start anytime. Since I was a kid, I believed in balance. Trying to live "balanced" made me spiritually bored and burned out most of the time. The tension between the world and the Kingdom is so hard to live in. I have started to realize there is no lasting happiness in stuff or achievement, it may be exciting for a moment, but it feels empty so quickly. What I recently learned is that to ask for, and then find delight in Jesus...it gets fuller everyday! The more I taste real satisfaction, the more I want. I think this is what David, one of the most successful Kings ever, meant when He wrote this Psalm. You don't get burned out going all-in for God. You get burned out trying to live two lives. K

Matthew 6:33. Seek the Kingdom of God first, and all the stuff you need for a full and good life will be given to you, as well. Solomon found this out. When he became king of Israel, God appeared to him and asked him what He wanted God to give him. He said "If you give me wisdom, then I will know how to lead them." This pleased God. 2 Chronicles 1: 11 God said to Solomon, "Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— 12 I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!" Solomon asked for wisdom, part of God's Kingdom. When you seek the kingdom first, you don't know what comes with it. More than you know comes with it!

This is one of many verses in the Old Testament that describe end time judgment of evil connected to an end-time worship movement. What a strange combination of forces: singing and holy force. Reminds me of Gideon: Isaiah 30:29 but the people of God will sing a song of joy, like the songs at the holy festivals. You will be filled with joy, as when a flutist leads a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem, the mountain of the LORD — to the Rock of Israel.30 and the LORD will make his majestic voice heard. He will display the strength of his mighty arm. It will descend with devouring flames, with cloudbursts, thunderstorms, and huge hailstones. 31 At the LORD’s command, the Assyrians will be shattered. He will strike them down with his royal scepter. 32 And as the LORD strikes them with his rod of punishment, his people will celebrate with tambourines and harps. Lifting his mighty arm, he will fight the Assyrians.

If a tree is planted in a shady spot, it will reach for more light. It sends its branches out towards the light. If it can't get to more light, it lives in a weak anemic state. The Bible says that creation testifies of the Creator. We are like trees in this way. The enemy wants to dull our vision and shade us from the light. If we let ourselves live in the shade, we WILL be weak and anemic followers of Jesus. BUT, if we reach for more light, we grow towards more light and get stronger and stronger. The trees that reach for light the best might grow through some twists and turns, but they eventually reach the top of the canopy. Jesus said we reach for more light by asking for more of the Kingdom in His name. Today, my reach looks like this: Father, give me more hunger and thirst for you and your Kingdom today, in Jesus name!

Since the beginning of mankind, God has wanted to be with His people. First in the garden, then in the tabernacle, and the temple. His over-riding desire is to experience our hearts and for us to experience His. To talk with us and hear what is on our minds. Our hearts are the most sacred space in the universe. A dwelling place for the Living God, made inhabitable by Jesus. This is part of why He came. God revealed this to David: 2 Samuel 7:12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. Jesus was the descendant of David. The temple He prepared is us. Your heart (I picture the "movie screen" of my mind) is the most sacred space in the world. It is yours to give to whatever you want. Jesus made it inhabitable for the actual presence of God by His payment for what sep

Isaiah 62 through 66 are a message from God about the return of Jesus. It starts out by reminding us who we are to Him. It is so easy to forget how God thinks of us. The accuser, Satan, wants us to think we are barely tolerated by God, that we are "on probation" for our past mistakes. But here, God tells us the truth of who we are: we are the eternal companion of Jesus, God made flesh. He uses the analogy of us being Jesus' bride. At first, this is hard for me to grab onto to as a guy, but God's not using the analogy in the context of romantic love, He is describing a connection much deeper and tangible. He is talking about a relationship where two people legally become one. In the physical realm, He is saying you are a "joint heir" with Jesus. He wants to share His glory, and position of power, and wealth with you. At the heart level, He is saying He delights in you. He cares about your intention to be His. He knows our weak responses to Him are backed by r