Reaching the High Places
Habakkuk 3:19
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
One of my favorite books is “Hinds Feet on High Places” by Hannah Hurnard. The book relates the story of the Fearling family in allegorical style. Much Afraid Fearling hears the voice of the Shepherd, and despite her great fears and a terrible limp that makes it painful for her to walk embarks on a spiritual journey with her two companions, Sorrow and Suffering. It is through this journey that Much Afraid is transformed into Grace and Glory with now powerful legs that enable her to reach the high places.
As intentional disciples seeking holiness, we must always listen for the voice of the Shepherd and follow Him through the dark valleys and up to the high places. The journey is not always easy, but it is necessary to grow us and transform us into His image.
Prayer: Father God, I am so thankful to be able to come into your presence today. Fill me to overflowing with your Spirit, that I might be empowered to reach the high places of your love, where fear and doubt cannot survive. Amen
Acting according to Chris…
Acting according to Christ
Phil 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
As a child I used to try to imitate my mother and my aunts. I would wear their heels, their white gloves, their hats, and their costume jewelry. But as much as I tried to look like them and imitate them, I was not them.
As Christians we are called not just to imitate Christ but to live like Christ—to have the same attitude as Christ. John Wesley said that if we are unfulfilled in our life with Christ, then we have not gone deep enough. We are, in essence, playing dress up and not yet taking on the life of Christ.
How do we take on the life of Christ? By attending to the ordinances of the church—Bible reading, attending worship, prayer, holy communion, fasting, and doing good toward others. If we are fulfilling these spiritual disciplines, we can not help but begin to take on the attitude of Christ.
Prayer: Father, as we determine to take on the mind of Christ, may we be strengthened by performing the spiritual disciplines of the church, recognizing that the more disciplined we are the more like Christ we will become. Amen
On living a life worthy of the gospel
Philippians 1:27 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance—and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have
Can we ever, truly have Christ within our hearts, yet fail to live a life worthy of the gospel? Paul did not think it possible to claim Christ as our Savior but yet live in a way that would bring shame to the gospel. In fact, when Paul addressed the Philippians, he not only urged them to live as Christ lived, but to stand firm in one spirit and with one mind.
Today churches find themselves divided over issues as trivial as church decor, and as major as how to spend church funds. Christians may not always be in agreement, but we must be in unity. How do we accomplish unity without agreement? Through the power of the Holy Spirit and by reflecting Christ in all we do.
Prayer: Dear God, may we always live our lives according to your glory and according to your will, so that your gospel will not be in vain. Amen
Power through Love
Ephesians 3:16-20
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Notice how many times the word “power” is used in the above scriptures. In the last few years, we have seen a plethora of movies about superheroes.
- Ironman 1 and 2
- Captain America
- Thor
- The Avengers (a movie featuring all of the above)
Why the interest in these fictional characters? I do not believe the increase in these movies is just a matter of escapism, but instead represents an underlying search for hope.
The economy throughout the world is in dire straits. Job losses continue to grow and new housing starts continue to shrink. People are seeing their retirement accounts dwindle. We feel a loss of power, a lack of control over our own destinies.
One would think that disciples of Jesus, while not immune from the world’s economic woes, would at least know where to turn to find real strength and power in our lives. But do we?
Intentional disciples have a resource through which they can access unlimited power and strength, a resource that establishes us in the love of Jesus Christ so that we may share that love with others.
Economies rise and fall, but the love of Christ will not pass away.
Prayer: Father God, if we are not already rooted in your love, then I pray that those roots will begin to form and go deep into the soil of your Spirit, and that your love will increase in us so that we may share that love with all we meet. Amen
Midnight musings on encouragement
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV1984
Well, it’s not exactly midnight but I thought I might, from time to time, write about my success during this day in living a holy life. John Wesley believed that we could live in holiness by doing no harm, doing good, and following the ordinances of the church. I have found that when you purpose to do no harm, you must think before you act or speak. I have found that in purposing to do good, you must put actions to your beliefs.
So, have I lived a holy life today? I have been intentional in my discipleship, and pray that tomorrow I will seek after holiness again with my whole heart. May I not just life a holy life but continue to encourage others to do the same.
Prayer: Father, as I lay my head down to sleep, I pray that you will watch over my family, my friends, my church, and that each of us would be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to “Go ye therefore…” Amen
