It's the only time the word "holy" is used three consecutive times. We're talking about "holy" in reference to God. Holy is used numerous times in the Bible but, the only times you ever see "holy, holy, holy" is when it describes our Heavenly Father. Isaiah 6 draws me, entices me, challenges me, motivates me, thrills me, encourages me. In time of depression for Isaiah and the country, the death of King Uzziah, God speaks to Isaiah in a vision. It's a life changing vision that takes Isaiah on a prophetic journey; a journey that ultimately impacts the world with the promise of the coming Messiah.
The picture of God painted here reminds me a lot of vision the Apostle John depicts in Revelation; God seated high on a throne, being exalted by seraphs/angels who fly back and forth proclaiming His praise. Throughout the Old Testament and of course Revelation, the image of the glorious majesty of God is portrayed over and over again. People bow, tremble, shake, fall prostrate as they experienced the presence of God in their midst.
I wonder where that sense of awe has gone today. Rereading the second chapter of Acts recently stirred my heart. I noted that something was missing from today's corporate gatherings. I have long been associated with an ecclesiastical leaning that has prided itself on restoring New Testament Christianity to its practices. Acts 2:42 has been a staple of this movement. They (the first Christians) continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. We've have hammered those four elements as the key for a New Testament Church to employ.
What has always been a little bothersome to me and has struck me more deeply recently is why stop there. If restoring New Testament Christianity is the goal, what do we ignore verses 43-47?
Like Isaiah and many of the Old Testament encounters, the early Christians experienced a sense of awe and many signs and wonders were happening in their midst. My question is, "What happened to the sense of awe among today's believers?" I don't mean awe of the service or worship team or video composite or speaker. Where is the awe of God? Where are the truly changed lives? Where is the awe of the majesty and glory and GRACE of God.
There was a transformation that happened to Isaiah when he encountered God's Holy, Holy, Holiness. Isaiah was immediately aware of his sin, his inadequacy, his unrighteousness. But God in His holiness extended grace and cleansing and restoration to Isaiah, touching his unclean lips with a purging coal from His altar.
The awe for Isaiah dramatically soared.The majestic God just removed Isaiah's sin and guilt in one fell swoop. In response, Isaiah poured out his life to be used by God.
The same is true for the early Christians. Through the blood sacrifice of Christ and His resurrection, the early Christians were now freed from the bondage of sin and the guilt of not being able to keep the law. What? Jesus paid it all? Wow? I'm free? I'm cleansed from my unrighteousness? Amazing? Then all to Him I owe! And they sold their possession giving to anyone who had need. Lives were being changed, transformed by the power of God and His holiness.
And what's amazing is the early Christians became in the words of Elton Trueblood, an incendiary fellowship which drew thousands of more lives to the cross of Christ. Daily, Acts 2:47 says, changed lives were being added to their numbers.
God, why don't I experience awe of you when I gather with my fellow believers? Why is there so much focus on the order of service and what time we get out? Why do we skim through your teaching like we're perusing a self help book? Lord, I want to experience awe of you. I want to see lives truly changed by the power of your truth, your spirit, your grace. I want to be a part of people who are truly immersed in your spirit, your life, that make such a difference in their community that lives are changed and people are added daily to YOUR church, YOUR kingdom.
Showing posts with label glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glory. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Daily Reflections on 2 Cor. 2:12-17 (Did You Smell That?)
There are certain aromas that just grab you and entice you. There's nothing like the smell of someone grilling out. One whiff and our mouths are salivating. We are magnetically drawn to the wafts of that steak sizzling over the charcoal. Wow that smells good. Have you the seen the Taco Bell commercial where the girl puts a burrito in her purse to attract men. Or how about the one where the less than attractive young lady rubs a cashew behind her ears and on her neck and then walks down the street with men following her. Certain scents are powerful.
While some aromas draw us, there are others that repulse us. Rotten eggs, sour milk, skunks or decaying trash certainly can do a number on any olfactory receptor. Instead of being drawn to that scent we cover our nose and look for a way of escape. "That stinks," are words that immediately pour from our lips.
Americans go to great deal of trouble to keep ourselves from emanating repulsive or offensive odors. We shower and bath with perfumed enhanced shampoos, soaps and body washes. We slap on the antiperspirant or deodorant. Then for added effort we apply the perfume, cologne, or aftershave. We put on clothing that has been washed in some sort of fresh scent laundry detergent. One last touch, we brush our teeth and gargle for that minty fresh feel and to ensure that our friends, family and coworkers are blown away by our bad breath.
The Apostle Paul talks about a different aroma in 2 Corinthians that we give off as followers of Christ. According to Paul, the aroma of Christ has a powerful affect on both those who are being saved and those who are perishing. He says to some it is the smell of death. To others it is the fragrance of life.
I have to ask myself the question, when people encounter me, what do they smell. Do they draw in the fragrance of the knowledge and presence of Christ? Or do they smell my humanity, my selfishness, my apathy, my piety, my legalism, my dogmatism, my sectarianism? Unfortunately, I have to answer that question with a qualified, "depends." It depends on the day, my mood, my circumstance. I'm sure that some days people are drawn to the aroma of Christ upon me. And I'm also sure that other days people say to themselves, "He stinks."
Allowing Christ to constantly flow through my pores is a daily challenge. I'm still growing in that area. Too much of me seeps through. Somehow, I don't think I'm alone. My encounter with other believers gives me a sense of why many who are perishing are repulsed by Christianity and/or churches. The odor isn't the fragrance of Christ or the fragrance of life.
God, I'm so inconsistent. Sometimes I really smell. I need to be showered in your cleansing presence. I need you to apply the fresh scent of your spirit upon me and in me. I don't want to look like one of those white washed tombs that may look good on the outside but smells like rotting flesh on the inside. I want people who encounter me to be drawn to the scent of your glory and hope and promise and love. I want to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ throughout my world.
While some aromas draw us, there are others that repulse us. Rotten eggs, sour milk, skunks or decaying trash certainly can do a number on any olfactory receptor. Instead of being drawn to that scent we cover our nose and look for a way of escape. "That stinks," are words that immediately pour from our lips.
Americans go to great deal of trouble to keep ourselves from emanating repulsive or offensive odors. We shower and bath with perfumed enhanced shampoos, soaps and body washes. We slap on the antiperspirant or deodorant. Then for added effort we apply the perfume, cologne, or aftershave. We put on clothing that has been washed in some sort of fresh scent laundry detergent. One last touch, we brush our teeth and gargle for that minty fresh feel and to ensure that our friends, family and coworkers are blown away by our bad breath.
The Apostle Paul talks about a different aroma in 2 Corinthians that we give off as followers of Christ. According to Paul, the aroma of Christ has a powerful affect on both those who are being saved and those who are perishing. He says to some it is the smell of death. To others it is the fragrance of life.
I have to ask myself the question, when people encounter me, what do they smell. Do they draw in the fragrance of the knowledge and presence of Christ? Or do they smell my humanity, my selfishness, my apathy, my piety, my legalism, my dogmatism, my sectarianism? Unfortunately, I have to answer that question with a qualified, "depends." It depends on the day, my mood, my circumstance. I'm sure that some days people are drawn to the aroma of Christ upon me. And I'm also sure that other days people say to themselves, "He stinks."
Allowing Christ to constantly flow through my pores is a daily challenge. I'm still growing in that area. Too much of me seeps through. Somehow, I don't think I'm alone. My encounter with other believers gives me a sense of why many who are perishing are repulsed by Christianity and/or churches. The odor isn't the fragrance of Christ or the fragrance of life.
God, I'm so inconsistent. Sometimes I really smell. I need to be showered in your cleansing presence. I need you to apply the fresh scent of your spirit upon me and in me. I don't want to look like one of those white washed tombs that may look good on the outside but smells like rotting flesh on the inside. I want people who encounter me to be drawn to the scent of your glory and hope and promise and love. I want to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ throughout my world.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Daily Reflections on Ezek. 1:1-9, 25-28 (What Does God Look Like?)
Star Trek and William Shatner started is all. They opened the door for all the recent SciFi movies, shows, and merchandising. Star Wars really boosted the trend. Now "beaming" or dismantling particle and reassembling them in a distant place seems to be the norm in all of today's SciFi genres. The bizarre creatures that first were seen in Star Trek episodes have evolved through subsequent series, sequels, and imaginative take offs.
ET, Yoda, Clingons, Asgard and others dominate the big and small screens. Various creatures of unique design always cause alarm when first encountered. Even before the latest trend in movie characters, men from outer space we're almost always depicted in shiny attire. I'd say silver suits but back then most everything was done in black and white, so shiny equaled silver.
The image painted of God's personage in the opening lines of Ezekiel's testimony is startling and amazing at the same time. Trying to place myself into that scene, I'm not sure whether I'd been drawn in closer in curiosity or want to look away or maybe even run away. Since no one has ever seen God, Ezekiel's vision no doubt caused him to be awestruck.
But how do you describe God? If you painted a picture of God and the angels around the throne of God, how would you capture his awesome majesty and glory? How would you recount his appearance? To what or whom would you compare God? His nature and His throne would be nothing like anyone had ever experienced. Yet, Ezekiel takes a stab as he recounts his vision. Even in a day in which we're used to strange and different characters, no one could really describe the true brilliance and glory of God.
God, if I could see you as you are, I doubt that I could ever describe you. And since you are spirit and infinite, there is no way to simplify your nature and physical state. Forgive me for trying to put you in my image box. Your grandeur is beyond my comprehension.
ET, Yoda, Clingons, Asgard and others dominate the big and small screens. Various creatures of unique design always cause alarm when first encountered. Even before the latest trend in movie characters, men from outer space we're almost always depicted in shiny attire. I'd say silver suits but back then most everything was done in black and white, so shiny equaled silver.
The image painted of God's personage in the opening lines of Ezekiel's testimony is startling and amazing at the same time. Trying to place myself into that scene, I'm not sure whether I'd been drawn in closer in curiosity or want to look away or maybe even run away. Since no one has ever seen God, Ezekiel's vision no doubt caused him to be awestruck.
But how do you describe God? If you painted a picture of God and the angels around the throne of God, how would you capture his awesome majesty and glory? How would you recount his appearance? To what or whom would you compare God? His nature and His throne would be nothing like anyone had ever experienced. Yet, Ezekiel takes a stab as he recounts his vision. Even in a day in which we're used to strange and different characters, no one could really describe the true brilliance and glory of God.
God, if I could see you as you are, I doubt that I could ever describe you. And since you are spirit and infinite, there is no way to simplify your nature and physical state. Forgive me for trying to put you in my image box. Your grandeur is beyond my comprehension.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Daily Reflections on Lk. 13:6-9 (Getting Rid of the Deadwood)
This past winter and spring were devastating to some of the newly planted shrubs and plants around my house. I'm a sucker for flowering shrubs. Our house had nothing but dying vegetation throughout the yard when we moved in a couple years ago. It was a lot of back breaking working to pull the old deadwood shrubs out, prepare the beds and plant new ones. In southwest Missouri one has to mine before one can plant. You don't dig a hole and drop in a bush. You chisel a hole with a pick ax, jack hammer, or back hoe. Talk about manual labor.
Between the worse ice storm in 30 years and an extremely late killer frost this spring just as many trees and bushes were preparing to bloom, it did a big time number on my azaleas, roses, butterfly bushes, sand cherry, Altheas (Rose of Sharon), crepe myrtle, rhododendrons, Bradford pears, Dogwoods and nandinas. It even nearly killed my dwarf evergreens. I was heart broken. Everything looked dead.
Like many others, I went to the plant nursery to find out what to do. Since we've never had a late killer frost like that, no one knew what to do. I was ready to dig it all out and start over. But the advice a of master gardener encouraged me to wait. "They more than likely won't bloom this year, but give it time and the plants should make it," she pronounced. I followed her advice. It took some time and some special care, but nearly all of the plants have survived and some of them even bloomed, albeit late. There's no doubt signs of stress in several of the bushes, but I only lost one Rose of Sharon.
Giving them time and attention helped them to make it and produce. Had I just gone on appearance last spring, I would have angrily ripped about 30 plants from the ground and started over. As it turned out, my patience and care saved me tons of time and cash. Looks like now I'll only be replacing one shrub.
At some point, God will dig up the deadwood and get rid of it. In the meantime, He gives us every chance to respond to Him and grow in Him. He may have to do a radical pruning to force us back from the roots, but He's desire is to see us bloom and grow.
God, gentle pruning is hard enough to take. Radical pruning is downright painful. Lord, you know what I need when I need it. I know you'll do what you have to keep me growing into the image of your Son. I confess I enjoy the fertilizing and watering more than the pruning. Go ahead do what you must so that I can produce the kind of fruit that gives you glory. Show me as a leader, when to break out the pruning shears and when to apply the fertilizer and water. Lord, also help me know who/what still has potential and who/what is deadwood.
Between the worse ice storm in 30 years and an extremely late killer frost this spring just as many trees and bushes were preparing to bloom, it did a big time number on my azaleas, roses, butterfly bushes, sand cherry, Altheas (Rose of Sharon), crepe myrtle, rhododendrons, Bradford pears, Dogwoods and nandinas. It even nearly killed my dwarf evergreens. I was heart broken. Everything looked dead.
Like many others, I went to the plant nursery to find out what to do. Since we've never had a late killer frost like that, no one knew what to do. I was ready to dig it all out and start over. But the advice a of master gardener encouraged me to wait. "They more than likely won't bloom this year, but give it time and the plants should make it," she pronounced. I followed her advice. It took some time and some special care, but nearly all of the plants have survived and some of them even bloomed, albeit late. There's no doubt signs of stress in several of the bushes, but I only lost one Rose of Sharon.
Giving them time and attention helped them to make it and produce. Had I just gone on appearance last spring, I would have angrily ripped about 30 plants from the ground and started over. As it turned out, my patience and care saved me tons of time and cash. Looks like now I'll only be replacing one shrub.
At some point, God will dig up the deadwood and get rid of it. In the meantime, He gives us every chance to respond to Him and grow in Him. He may have to do a radical pruning to force us back from the roots, but He's desire is to see us bloom and grow.
God, gentle pruning is hard enough to take. Radical pruning is downright painful. Lord, you know what I need when I need it. I know you'll do what you have to keep me growing into the image of your Son. I confess I enjoy the fertilizing and watering more than the pruning. Go ahead do what you must so that I can produce the kind of fruit that gives you glory. Show me as a leader, when to break out the pruning shears and when to apply the fertilizer and water. Lord, also help me know who/what still has potential and who/what is deadwood.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Daily Reflections on Ezek. 10:18-19 (When God Walks Out)
If God is everywhere all the time, how come I don't always know it or sense it? Why does God seem so far away sometimes? I come to Him and I can't find Him? I call out and God doesn't answer? It's like He just disappeared from my life.
Could be. But if He has disappeared, we're the ones who squeezed Him out. That's what the Israelites did according to Ezekiel. Solomon had built this great temple to the Lord. Chronicles tells us how that once the temple was completed and dedicated to the Lord, God filled it with His "shekinah" glory. It was so overwhelming that the priest had to leave the temple. Everyone was in awe of the presence of God that filled their temple.
But in Ezekiel's day, the Israelites decided to bring other forms of worship into the temple. They erected idols to Asherah and Tamnuz (fertility gods of the non-Israelis living in the land). They apparently also had their own form of Mother Earth worship going on in the temple too. The magnificent temple, built and dedicated to God, had become a center for pagan worship. The people had brought all sorts of false gods and worldly practices into God's house.
So God, in response to the people's actions, left His own house. He withdrew His presence. Why wouldn't God stay and fight? Because He doesn't have to. He won't stay where He's not wanted. But when God leaves so does His protection and provision. God doesn't have to punish us when we reject Him or hook up with other "gods." All He has to do is withdraw His hand and leave us to our own devices. We have to face the consequences of our own choices.
The Bible says God is a jealous God. There is no room for bringing other gods, idols or items of worship into our lives. When job, kids, sports, career, cleaning house, partying, sex, marriage take His place as priority in our life, we force God into the back seat. God won't sit in the back seat. In fact, He wants to drive.
Has God's glory departed from your life? Has His presence evaporated? Then maybe it's time for a temple cleansing and rededication. That starts with a heart examine. What or who has become the central object of your worship?
God, my prayer, like King David's, is that you not remove your spirit from me. Search me and create in me a clean heart. Forgive me for defiling my temple, my body, my life. I want your presence. I want to experience your shekinah glory in my life.
Could be. But if He has disappeared, we're the ones who squeezed Him out. That's what the Israelites did according to Ezekiel. Solomon had built this great temple to the Lord. Chronicles tells us how that once the temple was completed and dedicated to the Lord, God filled it with His "shekinah" glory. It was so overwhelming that the priest had to leave the temple. Everyone was in awe of the presence of God that filled their temple.
But in Ezekiel's day, the Israelites decided to bring other forms of worship into the temple. They erected idols to Asherah and Tamnuz (fertility gods of the non-Israelis living in the land). They apparently also had their own form of Mother Earth worship going on in the temple too. The magnificent temple, built and dedicated to God, had become a center for pagan worship. The people had brought all sorts of false gods and worldly practices into God's house.
So God, in response to the people's actions, left His own house. He withdrew His presence. Why wouldn't God stay and fight? Because He doesn't have to. He won't stay where He's not wanted. But when God leaves so does His protection and provision. God doesn't have to punish us when we reject Him or hook up with other "gods." All He has to do is withdraw His hand and leave us to our own devices. We have to face the consequences of our own choices.
The Bible says God is a jealous God. There is no room for bringing other gods, idols or items of worship into our lives. When job, kids, sports, career, cleaning house, partying, sex, marriage take His place as priority in our life, we force God into the back seat. God won't sit in the back seat. In fact, He wants to drive.
Has God's glory departed from your life? Has His presence evaporated? Then maybe it's time for a temple cleansing and rededication. That starts with a heart examine. What or who has become the central object of your worship?
God, my prayer, like King David's, is that you not remove your spirit from me. Search me and create in me a clean heart. Forgive me for defiling my temple, my body, my life. I want your presence. I want to experience your shekinah glory in my life.
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