Reading Room

Walking with God – Fathering Moments – Genesis 12:6-7

Adam walked with God – in the garden and – by Faith – Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5) – and Noah, too – walked with God and found favor in His Eyes (Genesis 6) – and now – Abram was called alone and he walked with God……

“Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh, at Shechem.  The Canaanites were then in the land, but the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”  So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”  Genesis 12:6-7 NIV

Isaiah 51:2 “Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him.”  KJV

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.”  Genesis 17:1

….and in obedient faith and trust – he went out, not knowing where he was going.  Hebrews 11. 

It seems that  – what God had in mind for Enoch, Noah and for Abram – He needed them – to one degree or another - to walk with Him, alone – In His Presence - In Relationship – Walking with Him – Daily.

For what God – has in mind for you and me - too! – I believe – He desires for us – to one degree or another – to walk with Him, alone - In His Presence - In Relationship – Walking with Him – Daily.  Sunday – right through – to Saturday!

I enjoy – perhaps more than anything else! - about my relationship with God – - His daily presence – when we – are walking, together……  Does that make sense?

It seems to me – that perhaps – what our Father is calling us to - more than anything else – is to a Daily Walk – In Relationship - a walk of faith - obedience and trust.  Can you imagine – our Father’s point of view – in those precious moments and days following creation – walking with His children – in the garden – that must have been the most satisfying experience of – what – true Fatherhood - can be about!  Walking with His children – in the garden.  What an incredible scene that must have been!!

While – it seems – that – that kind of relationship with our Father is all too often – taken for granted.  —- Consider that - if we only ”Walk with God” - in moments – of crisis – for instance – as I believe we are sometimes prone to do – then our relationship with our Father is exponentially diminished – from that original scene.   Rather – it seems to me – that we only really - begin to experience true pleasure and appreciation for God’s presence - when we – Walk With God – Daily – through the – more common – ordinary – moments of life - - and, not so much – in those more - “miraculous” moments.

……Stay with me here!…..

In recent years – I have had the opportunity to be – very close – to several - family members and friends – when – critical illness - brought us all - in relationship – at the feet of hospital beds and on our knees – in the presence of the Father – in prayer.  In those “crisis” moments – even as we were – in every way – clamouring to be close - to one-another and to the presence of our God – to feel Him there – with us – even to humbly lay before Him our emotions and our deepest feelings – on behalf of those whom we loved – who were suffering – -  In those crisis moments – when we were in consultation with doctors and medical staff – who were providing vital care for our loved ones – - in those “crisis moments” -   I don’t remember – getting anyone’s telephone number, for instance - or whipping out our calendars or pda’s - and making plans for lunch or to go fishing, etc.  The kind of daily walking exercises that build friendship and relationship…..

……Ok.  Ok.  Don’t loose me here……. 

What I am trying to describe is that – sometimes – it seems – that – too often - we tend to approach God – “about Relationship” – more than - ”in Relationship“ - and too often – only in crisis.  I mean – we trust Him and we get very obedient and serious about faith – when we need Him to get us through an emergency and although we do appreciate Him – and are certainly – genuinely, thankful for His presence – - - after the crisis moments are over – we dont necessarily – stay in touch with Him – we don’t necessarily – keep joining Him for a Daily Walk…..

What I get from these stories of men who – Walked with God – (Enoch, Noah and Abram) – is that – our God – our Father – desires a sincere – daily walking – relationship – with His children – in order to work the plans He has for us – in this life.  It seems to me that if our walk with Him isn’t daily – our willingness and readiness – to obey Him will eventually – just – fade away.  I mean – faith and obedience - are based on trust - and trust – grows from a day-to-day relationship.

I do know from some experience – that when you no longer are able – to “walk daily” with your child – something goes missing.  Perhaps – that is what we miss, as parents – when our young one’s – “leave the nest” – - the Daily Walk.  The fathering and mothering MOMENTS!  I believe Our Father – misses – the “Fathering Moments” – with us – when we are not walking with Him daily – much the way I miss them when my child is not “walking in my presence, daily.”  Does that make sense?

God tells us – through His prophet, Jeremiah (29:11-13) - that our Father - is the One with “the plan”: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”   I (with all of my ”well laid plans”) have absolutely no clue – where the paths I make – will ultimately lead!  My best made plans – amount to little more than – dreams and wishes – while – what God has planned – for me -brings me – face to face with blessings – the likes of which – no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has ever conceived or imagined!  1 Corinthians 2:9.

It seems to me that it is in – the Fathering Moments – that come when I am Walking with God - Daily – in faithful obedience and trust - keeping His number in my re-dial, putting time with Him on my daily calendar of events, discussing His plans for my life over lunch, planning a fishing trip - being in relationship – - that seems to be where the deeper lesson of Enoch – Noah and Abram – is found.

Consider that our Father – walks through the days of our lives – too often – alone – while we are busy filling the calendar of our days – with our own plans – sometimes struggling against fear and worry and a timid spirit – often our days are filled with a great many distractions – that we too often – disquise as – some sort of plan – that we have made – for our lives – to achieve some self-made-ish goals.

I suppose – the challenge of Walking with God – daily – amounts to how we view God – In Relationship.  I mean, do we only – reach out for Relationship and Blessing – in the crisis moments of our lives?  Or are we – walking with God – in the common – ordinary moments of everyday life – and learning to lean on Him in all things – for guidance?

Our Father – desires to walk with us – daily – on the path toward the plans He has for our destiny – in Him and in His Will.

We too,  often – busy our days – looking back – on the pain and mistakes and habits of the past - while He is walking through the days of our lives – looking forward – toward His plan for our lives.  Often, too – we busy our days with the worries and anxieties of our own plans and pursue our own destiny – while our Father – - – well,…… is missing out on all of those precious Fathering Moments – with His children.

Do we see how God desires – for us to - daily – walk with Him?  Do we get that we are missing out on Fathering Moments! – when we are walking without Him?

Time is precious enough – the importance of time – Walking with our Father – cannot be over emphasized!

How do we fill the days of our lives?  Where do we go?  Who’s plan are we following?  What more important things could we be doing with our days?

What blessings? – are we missing – on the days that we are not - walking with God?

Consider that Walking consistently – does not mean perfectly.  It means we may stumble, but we will not fall!  Abram stumbled – but he remained faithful in his walk with God.

It is interesting that Abram – as he was - walking with God – along the path and toward the plan that God had for him – chose a camping spot under the Terebinth tree of Moreh – rather than entering some of the cities of the land of the Canaanites.  He certainly – could have seen the arrival at the “gateway” to the promised land – as an attractive alternative to the past days and months of wandering about the land.  I can imagine he might have felt the urge to put a ”plan of his own making” to work.

Instead, Abram - remained faithful – in his walk with God.  I believe it is possible that Abraham – was aware – to one degree or another of – the Fathering Moments that were occuring in his walk with God – and he did not want to miss a moment!  Neither do I! 

It is interesting that – God called Abram to himself – alone and at the tree of Moreh - Abram made an altar – before moving further into the land – and waited for God to point him more specifically into the land – that was spread out before him.  Abram remained focused – on the promises God had made to him.

For me, when I am walking with God, alone - detached from the distractions of this present world, I hear the voice of God with increased clarity.  It is in these – common – ordinary moments, alone – with God -that I truly feel that I better understand His will and His plan, for my life’s daily walk.  It is in these moments that my Father – spends time with me being – my Father.

Very often, I find myself struggling to remain in this position, in my relationship with the Father – especially after returning to the crowds and the business of modern living.  Almost immediately, I begin to chart my own path and make my own plans.

Father, hear my prayer this day.  Draw me to your presence – everyday.  Help me to remain focused on your will in my daily living, as I am surrounded by so many distractions.  Help me to keep my sites set on things above.  Help me to choose calm places to wait – with you and for you – to show me the “land” you would have me travel in.  I love you, Father God.  I place you, in the highest place.  I long to walk with you – and never – Father – I never want to miss – a single Fathering Moment – with you.  You are my God!  I am your child!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

August 18 2009 | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk and Living in the Word | No Comments »

Galatians – Salvation

The Book of Galations – passages specific to God’s Plan for Man’s – SALVATION

Galations 2

v.15 – “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ v.16 – know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.  So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Galations 3

v.1 – You foolish Galations!  Who has bewitched you?  Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.  v.2 – I would like to learn just one thing from you:  Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?  v.3 – Are you so foolish?  After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?  v.4 – Have you suffered so much for nothing – if it really was for nothing?  v.5 – Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

v.6 – Consider Abraham:  “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”  v.7 – Understand, then that those who believe are children of Abraham.  v.8 – The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”  v.9 – So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

v.10 – All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” v.11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”  v.12 – The law is not based on faith; on the contrary.  “The man who does these things will live by them.”  v.13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”  v.14 – He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Law and the Promise

v.15 – Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life.  Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.  v.16  – The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.  The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning on person, who is Christ.  v.17 – What I mean is this:  The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.  v.18 – For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

v.19 – What, then, was the purpose of the law?  It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.  The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.  v.20 – A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

v.21 – Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God?  Absolutely not!  For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness woudl certainly have come by the law.  v.22 – But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

v.23 – Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.  v.24 – So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.  v.25 – Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

v.26 – You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, v.27 – for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  v.28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  v.29 – If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galations 4

v.1 – What I am sayign is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.  v.2 – He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.  v.3 – So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.  v.4 – But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, v.5 – to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.  v.6 – Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  v.7 – So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Paul’s Concern for the Galations

v.8 – Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.  v.9 – But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?  Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?  v.10 – You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!  v.11 – I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

v.12 – I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you.  You have done me no wrong.  v.13 – As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.  v.14 – Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn.  Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.  v.15 – What has happened to all your joy?  I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.  v.16 – Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

v.17- Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good.  What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.  v.18 – It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.   v.19 – My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, v.20 – how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

v.21 – Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?  v.22 – For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.  v.23 – His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.

v.24 – These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants.  One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears chldren who are to be slaves:  This is Hagar.  v.25 – Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.  v.26 – But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.  v.27 – For it is written:

“Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

v.28 – Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.  v.29 – At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.  It is the same now.  v.30 – But what does the Scripture say?  “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”  v.31 – Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Galations 5

v.1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

v.2 – Mark my words!  I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.  v.3 – Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.  v.4 – You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from Grace.  v.5 – But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.  v.6 – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

v.7 – You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?  v.8 – That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.  v.9 – “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”  v.10 – I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.  The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.  v.11 – Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?  In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.  v.12 – As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

v.13 – You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  v.14 – The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  v.15 – If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Life by the Spirit

v.16 – So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  v.17 – For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  v.18 – But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

August 04 2009 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »