Joy Rebuilds Walls

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

Nehemiah 4:10

Nehemiah encouraged those living in the ruins of Jerusalem by what God accomplished through them.  No matter the circumstance, God gives much more than an ability to merely endure a life falling in around you.  Nehemiah had a vision from God to rebuild Jerusalem, nonetheless, crumbling walls and broken down gates were not God’s mission; the mission, the work, included the walls, but the vision of God is to restore His people.  Although you may be in a ruined state, nowhere in God’s vision for you is there a motive to beat you down due to your shortcomings. 

You know your shortcomings, weaknesses, all the empty portions in your life, so does He, but, now is the time to rebuild.  God does not state the obvious, He didn’t tell those people in Judah the walls of Jerusalem had fallen; God’s vision was restoration.  God’s desire is not for you to collapse inward, as the walls of Jerusalem, that would only leave you weeping over a life falling in on you.  No, God’s desire is for you to have complete restoration by relying on Him, that you stop relying on your own might.  If your own strength was enough, then your heart wouldn’t be crushed nor your life falling in around you.  Accept that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). 

You may feel like the people in Jerusalem, that your strength is giving out, you life is in rubble and you can’t rebuild your life.  Christ restores more than the walls you build up around you, in your salvation He will completely renovate you and strengthen you, beginning in you, and then working through and out your walls.  The Lord begins by placing His Spirit, the essence of true joy, peace—indeed, His very presence in you.  Invite the Lord to clear away your rubble.  He will pour joy in to you, His very Spirit—He is the One who reaffirms you.  Without a doubt, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).  

Receive strength, receive Joy.

Owen <><

Getting More From God

The eleven followers went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

Matt 28:16 NCV

In order to get more from God, eleven Christ followers had to do one thing before receiving the Great Commission from Christ Jesus.  These eleven followers, disciples, of Christ were whom Jesus had appointed, from among all other disciples, to be apostles in Mark 3:13-16.  When appointed, designated as apostles we see a similar pattern to their being commissioned (Matt 28:16-20).  Mark wrote, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve—designating them apostles…” 

How did the eleven get more form God?  What is similar in how they are designated and commissioned?  Very simply, the eleven were obedient.  In both instances the eleven went up on the mountain as Jesus had told them—when designated them apostles (Mk 3) and when commissioned them to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). 

In disobedience they would not have been on the mountain to receive the anointing of God upon them as apostles.  Obedience was crucial in getting more from God—receiving empowerment in the authority of an office or commission came only after doing as they were told.  In obedience the eleven had to first go up on the mountain.  In disobedience they would not have went up on the mountain; the result is uncertain, however, it is apparent that they wouldn’t have been in the right place to have received more from God.

The eleven disciples—before being appointed and commissioned—had to be on the mountain where “Jesus had told them to go!”  It is no different for you today.  You may not be told to go up on a mountain, but, to get more from God, you will have a mountain experience.  In obedience God will give you more—no, not for you, but for God’s glory.

Owen <>< 

What’s Missing? Part 2

What is missing in the life of most Christians?  It is a particular, zeal — a passion for the mission that is in response to God’s will; a mission that will fill our life.   

As promised, the answer given by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelburg is this:  “God wants us to become contagious Christians — his agents, who will first catch his love and then urgently and infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it.”  We are on a mission; a mission that is obedient to God’s desire and fulfils our life today. 

When trapped in a life that has something missing, a corner of emptiness, when we do not become contagious with the “message,” the good news of Christ.  A full life is living the mission of Jesus Christ—our Lord who came to seek the spiritually empty, the lost (Luke 19:10).  Then, Jesus commissioned, empowered, and appointed us to be his ambassadors; to share the hope in Christ to everyone we come into contact with (Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 4:31; 2 Cor 5:19b-20).

Jesus replaces all emptiness and fills us.  A mission that leaves nothing missing is summed up by John Piper, who says, “There is no escape: if we, by God’s grace, are successful in evangelism we will be happier.  Our joy in God will be increased.”

Pray this verse; and include yourself with God’s servants:

“…give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message…”

— Acts 4:29. The Message

Filled—in receiving, humbly giving,

Owen <>< 

What’s Missing?

What’s Missing?

“But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have…” --1 Peter 3:15 NCV

What’s missing?  Why do we have a void in our hearts, I know God needs something of me, what?  What is missing, what is unfulfilled in our life?  These are, unfortunately, a too often heard questions among Christians.  Something is needed, what is it, what’s missing?  God has given the answer to us, sometimes He uses people to tell us, sometimes God whispers into our spirit, or it is written in his guide to life, the Bible.  We, nonetheless, just aren’t listening.  Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelburg, pose such questions in their booklet, “Crossing the Line of Faith,” like this:  “What is it that is absent in the lives of so many believers who are crying out for fulfillment?  What on earth is God asking us to do?” 

God, through Christ Jesus, filled our emptiness with his Spirit.  So, how or why do we continue to have the feeling that something is missing?  Could it be we’re listening for some magical horn to blow just before we are immersed in wonderful privileges and riches; or even heaven?  So, then, if we aren’t fulfilled, if something is missing, we are mission the question, “What on earth is God asking us to do?”  Get a better job?  Will that be fulfilling and will a job that makes more money allow us to start tithing?  Do we need more friends, becoming more popular?  What is it that God wants us to do, what’s missing?        

Think on this.  Share an answer.  I will give Hybels and Mittelburg; and my answer later.

Owen <><