Look and Be Radiant

Parent Orientation August 23, 2024 

You are commended by God for choosing to raise your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Thank you for your obeying God’s command.  God always honors those who honor Him.

At the board meeting in June, the Lord gave us a word of encouragement, not to lose heart as this would be a rebuilding year.  In the past we have seen God do big and little things, provide for us in remarkable ways, and encourage us with special times where we knew “that was God.”  So we do not doubt He will accomplish this word of promise?  As you may know, the Holy of Holies was lined with Cedar wood, therefore, our name suggests that God is in this place and He is accomplishing His purpose. 

Our theme, “Look and be radiant,” comes from Isaiah 60:1-5.  God awakens us to arise and shine in the midst of darkness, declaring that His light and glory will be seen on us.  During the shaking that is already happening and still coming, we are not going to merely survive the onslaught of trouble.  Rather, as we look to Him, He will let us be a glorious light that draws people to Him.  Since God desires godly offspring, we believe that His purpose this year is to build a solid foundation which is unshakeable in the hearts of our students.  He will have young people who know the Lord and will not cave in to the wind and tsunami waves of the world.

Naturally there is resistance in the world.  Whenever you obey Him or seek to do something for Him, there is always a cost.  As Psalm 34 states, many are the tribulations of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.  Jesus said it this way, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  You may have already had to endure the “little foxes” that tried to destroy your commitment to have your children in Christian education.  However, obeying is always blessed.

Finally, whenever God gives a word, He reveals His heart and what He desires to do, but He waits for us to agree with Him.  He wants to partner with us.  In the world the concept is “if you want it done right, do it yourself.”  However, Jesus’ way is the exact opposite.  If Jesus wants to save the world, He entrusts the message to men and gives them His Spirit to accomplish it.  Therefore, since God has chosen your children to "look and be radiant" in His light and glory, it requires all of us to agree in faith and prayer that His purpose will be accomplished this year.  Yes, we agree, those who know the Lord and live by the authority of God's Word will "look to Him and be radiant." 

Harden or Soften Your Heart?

Sometimes we all get busy and just survive the day rather than walk in the life of God He has given.  However, the abundant life of God dwells within us, and we are meant to be filled with joy and peace, as a light to the world.  Jesus declares that HIs joy is in us which enables our joy to be full.  We are witnesses of the goodness of God.    

In Psalm 95, the Spirit challenges us to "O come let us make a joyful noise before the Lord...Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving."  God Himself invites and desires us to enjoy His presence.  The opposite, of course, is found in Romans 1 where the rebellious refused to acknowledge God or give Him thanks.  

Recently I had a situation where it seemed like I had a thousand things to do, but my kids had planned a couple of events wanting to bless me.  My heart wanted to scream, "Just leave me alone, I need to get these things done," but I knew God wanted me to relax, put things in God's hands, and enjoy the time and love that my children were expressing.  The time together was blessed and filled with "God's pleasure."  That's often the same challenge of spending time with God versus the busy things we have on our schedule.  It is like the good seed scattered into the good soil but grows up with the weeds that want to choke it from bearing fruit.  

Psalm 95 finishes with the admonition, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."  The logical question is how do we keep our hearts soft and how do we let them get hardened?  If you remember, after the resurrection Jesus rebuked the disciples for their unbelief and hardness of heart, so clearly, we can choose to keep our heart soft or make it hard.  Ezekiel in his promise of the New Covenant states that God will give us a heart of flesh rather than a stoney hard heart.  God intends for us to have soft hearts to receive from Him.  One translation of Proverbs 28:14 states "How blessed is the person who trembles before God, but the one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster."

Our heart is what we have chosen to make important, or that has priority.  Seek first.  We harden our heart when we hear and believe God is saying something, but we have other things on our mind and heart that we "want" to do, or we simply do not consider His request that important.  Jesus quotes Isaiah that the hearts of this people have grown dull and their ears are hard of hearing.  The Pharisees honored God with their lips but their heart was far from Him.  Hardening of the heart is intrinsically connected to how we hear God, what authority or place we give His words, and our obedience.  

On the positive side, God delights in mercy and is always ready to give us a fresh start.  When we obey simple impulses or leadings to say or do something, being faithful in little, we open our heart to become more sensitive, and soft for the next revelation.   Our spiritual heart is like a muscle that gets stronger, more steadfast, the more that we use it.  Hebrews 5 talks about having our faculties trained by practice.  So today, if and when you hear His voice, rejoice that the living God desires to speak to you, and make it a priority to obey what He directs. Truly, His desire is our command.    

Hear and Obey His Voice

"Let him who has ears to hear, hear."

In Psalm 81, we are reminded that God's heart desire for us is to hear His voice so He can bless us.  "Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!"  As Psalm 81 continues, then I "would quickly subdue your enemies and turn My hand against your adversaries." God's desire is to fight for us, and His prerequisite is that we choose to hear His voice, and then be willing to obey.   

In God, our best defense against the enemy is a good offense.  Let God arise and His enemies be scattered (Ps 68:1) and in James 4:7, "Submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  Rather than in our arrogance thinking we can outsmart and outduel this evil spirit being, we simply join ourselves to Jesus who has already defeated Satan and all the powers of darkness.  Then the battle is the Lord's and we experience His victory.   

As Psalm 81 concludes, God, being God who is always more than enough, then sweetens the deal, "I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." What an awesome God who delights in the prosperity of His servants! 

When you take time and earnestly desire to hear from Him, my suggestion is to write down what you believe He is saying.  Then you won't be tempted to doubt in the darkness what you have heard in the light.  You will be more inclined to respond.  God told Habakkuk to write the vision so people who read it would run with it.

Let God bless you.  Hear and Obey!

Not Everyone Who Says, "Lord, Lord."

 What does God really want?  A man complained, "I go to church every Sunday.  I don't steal, kill, or commit adultery like others do.  I go to work and earn a decent living for my family.  How much more does God need?"  People everywhere have their own idea of what God is looking for in order to "pass" the test to get into heaven.  The important thing is what does Jesus say.

Jesus said some serious considerations in Matthew 7 about not judging others, about treating others the way you want to be treated, about many entering the wide gate of destruction and few going through the narrow gate that leads to life, about knowing good and bad people by their fruit, and about having a foundation that stands through the storms of life.  It sounds overwhelming.  Who can do this unless God helps him do it?  Yes, that is the point, God is with us and wants to teach us how to find His will and depend upon God's help to do it. 

Let's start with the foundation of the basic truth from which everything else flows.  The starting point is coming to know Him by believing in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead (thus completely paying for all your sin) and in gratitude declaring that Jesus is Lord (ruler, owner, master) of your life. (Romans 10:9)   

However, Jesus declares in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."  Calling on Jesus as Lord must be more than lip service, but a commitment to actually do what He says.  Jesus clearly reveals the Father's will in the Word of God.  Secondly, He sent the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truth.  The purpose of helping us know the truth is so that we do it.  In short, obey His Word.  Jesus said those who love Him obey His commands in John 14:15.

We see this same principle in Micah 6:8, which is a strong verse that answers the question, "What is good and what does God require of you?"  He lists three things: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  All three have to do with the attitude of the heart and obedience.  To do justly is to do what we know is right; to love mercy is to be so grateful for God's mercy toward us that we also show mercy toward others; and to walk humbly is to acknowledge we need Him and to ask Him to lead us and guide us.  He gives grace to the humble.

Clearly God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him through coming to know Jesus and His love.  Secondly, He calls us to surrender our will and thoughts to His way and truth.  We are called to seek Him and His righteousness, then simply obey the instructions and promptings of the Spirit as He reveals what we are to do.  

Those who enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do the will of the Father.   Not only is this promise talking about being in heaven eternally with Him after we die, but also experiencing the kingdom of heaven, "righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit," (Romans 14:17), now.  

This is the time of year when many people make new year's resolutions, even though these rarely meet the test of time.  However, with God's help, namely the Holy Spirit, we can choose to surrender fresh to acknowledge Jesus' lordship and do the next thing He directs.  We can resolve to obey His desires and thus enter into the Kingdom of heaven with righteousness, peace, and the joy of the Holy Spirit in our heart. 

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Be a Lamb, End a Lion!

Because Jesus laid His life down as an obedient Lamb, He earned the right to rule as the Lion.  (Philippians 2)

This same dichotomy can be seen in the Christian life.  Paul said that through many tribulations we enter the Kingdom of God.  2 Corinthians 4 speaks about how we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power may be of God and not of us. The following description of being hard-pressed, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, etc. shows the reality that the struggle in the world can in no way take away the life and joy of what we have and who we are in the Lord.  We are "the Lion" that God has called to rule if we become "the lamb" who obediently submits to the Master.

2 Corinthians 4:10 reveals this key, "always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."  Jesus said no one takes My life from Me, I lay it down of Myself.  Yet, in truth, His laying His life down brought about the greatest blessing that could ever happen to man, changing our very nature as believers into children of God.  Likewise, when we freely release our life, our desires and rights, we allow God's power to be released in and through us.  A simple attitude shift of "how can I bless someone today," instead of "what about me?" will open the door for the life of Jesus to be manifested. 

Paul, two chapters later, describes how he and his Christian team were regarded in this two-fold perception, "as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."  The world rejected Jesus and according to John 15, will reject those who follow Him.  However, know that whatever the price, God honors your obedient laying down your life with His abundant inner strength, joy, and peace.  The glory does not compare to the sacrifice.  What you sow as a Lamb, you will surely reap by the Lion power of God.

 

May I?

 Have you ever played the game, "Mother, may I?" where you have to ask if you "may" before you can take the giant steps the leader gives you?  Almost always in the excitement of being given a good command, the person would forget to say, "May I?" and have to go back to start.

There is a parallel in the way human nature responds to God's call on our lives.  Ephesians 2:10 reminds us "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Notice God has already prepared the work we should do.  However, the fallen-nature flesh response is, "Do I have to?" instead of our rightful choice, "May I?"  It is a privilege to do things for and with the Lord to extend His kingdom, not a burden.  Didn't Jesus say "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."? 

It has everything to do with our attitude and our faith that result in gratefulness to be chosen to lay down our life for Him.  Jim Elliot clarified the choice with his statement, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Even David refused to offer to God sacrifices that didn't cost him something. (2 Sam 24).  The bottom line is that whenever God asks you to do something, from caring for a child to routine chores around the house to trying to help somebody, there always is a cost.  However, in Paul's words, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

 "Unasked for" advice is criticism. This certainly is a good rule for healthy personal relationships.  Taking it a step further to the Lord, He doesn't need our advice but rather our obedience.  He loves a cheerful giver.  Whenever we give of ourselves, our time, our effort, our sacrifice, God sees and surely will have an eternal reward.  Lay up your treasures in heaven.

Rather than grumble or complain about current chores and responsibilities, ask, "Lord, may I do what you desire?"

Behold Him

Our infinite, awesome beyond description, God of love, is on the throne, today and forever.  Psalm 93 reminds us that "The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting."  Clearly all creation is His handiwork and reveals His glorious nature.  However, more than His greatness, He is also very present and desiring to meet personally with you.  Hear the words of Jesus, "Come to Me." 

Do you remember David's key to life in Psalm 27:4, one thing I have desired all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord?.   So "Behold Him."  There is an amazing transfer of God's nature when we take time to focus on Him.  Isaiah promises that God keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee (Is 26:3).  David in Psalm 17 states that he will continue to behold God's face in righteousness and be fully satisfied.  Jesus, the obvious light of the world, also declared that if we believe in the light, we would become sons of light. (John 12:36)   God desires that in His light we become light, even going so far as to announce to us in the sermon on the mount, "you are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14).     

May I suggest three key ways to behold Jesus, glorify the Father, and be fruitful.  As you recall, in John 15, Jesus said "if you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit."  Abiding in Jesus, first of all, suggests that we talk to Him. Since He is with us always, He simply longs for us to share our heart and be open to His voice. Do this often and always. 

Secondly, we need to trust God's Word and deliberately choose to have our thoughts and emotions align with His truth.  As a man thinks, so is he, according to Proverbs.  Jesus said, "If you continue in My Word, you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."  2 Corinthians 10 would have us take every thought captive to obey Christ, thus releasing divine power to overcome the enemy.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.   

Finally, the third way to behold Him, is to obey His commands.  Jesus, in John 14, points out that if you love Me you will keep My commandments.  Not only does obedience demonstrate genuine love, but Jesus further promises that He and the Father will manifest themselves to the one who keeps His Word.  Nothing will ever replace God showing Himself to you.

When we draw near to God, He draws near to us.  As we behold Him, our hearts and minds are open to hear His voice, both directly and through His Word, which transforms our mind and enlightens our heart.  Paul reminds us that "we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the gory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  

Take time today, to be still and behold Him.  

Oh, that Men would Give Thanks

Truly God is absolutely good.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! Do you hear the heart of God, as expressed many times in Psalm 107, after God responds to our desperate need: "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"

Yet man in his fallen nature condition seems frozen in his response to all God has done.  1 Corinthians 4:7 asks us the question, "What do you have that you did not receive?"  We may be aware for the moment when God intervenes, but there is a reason Psalm 103 calls us to "forget not his benefits." He has done so much for us, forgiven us our iniquities, delivered us from the consequences of sin that we deserve, healed our diseases, filled our mouth with good things, and crowned us with loving kindness and tender mercies.  Yet our natural mind tends to only think about the negative.  So God gave us the Word of God to transform our thinking and reveal the truth of what an awesome, loving God He is!  

Let's consider three situations that demand a response.  First, there are many times when things go well and it is only reasonable and even compelling to return to the Lord Jesus to give thanks.  For example, the tenth leper was quick to return to Jesus to give thanks after he realized he was healed.  Secondly, there are times when we have to remind ourselves of how blessed we really are and we "count our blessings one by one." The truth is we are infinitely blessed.  We have been given the gift of salvation (saved and delivered from all the evil consequences of sin) with an eternal future of rejoicing in His presence with all our needs and desires perfectly met forever.  Luke 12:32 encourages us, "Do not fear little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  

Perhaps the third situation is the greatest challenge, when things aren't going well.  Yet, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  In other words, God wants us to live giving thanks to Him in everything that happens.  This takes faith that God's way is perfect and that He is working all things for our good.  We show our faith by obeying the command to give thanks.  It also glorifies God to thank Him when our feelings want to complain and entertain self-pity.  The good news is that even in that situation Jesus Christ has already defeated the enemy and all his attacks and we can afford to focus instead of His victory.  Hebrews 13:15 calls us to "continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."  He is always worthy of praise and thanksgiving, and when our eyes are opened for eternity, we will be so glad that we chose to give thanks and trust Him. 

We are not in this fight of faith alone. The Holy Spirit is here to help us, to lead us into all truth and to bear witness all Jesus has done so we have a grateful heart.  Line upon line and precept upon precept, He teaches us the Word so we can know the truth that sets us free.  We then have the foundation to take every though captive to obey Christ Jesus, and use the divine-powered weapons to overcome the enemy.  When we fail He reminds us that God "delights in mercy" (Micah 7:18).  He reminds us  "Now thanks be to God who always lead us in triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14).  He works in us "to will and to work" for His pleasure.  All that the Lord does for us is deserving of our thanks, now and always.  The Spirit empowers us and bears witness as we thank God.

So today, the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) gives life to your mortal body and encourages you to receive the goodness of God with thanksgiving.  Hear His plea in a personal way, Oh that you would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness to you, for His wonderful works done for you.