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Come Further Up and Further In!

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Joel 1:14 Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land in the house of the Lord, your God, and cry to the Lord [in penitent pleadings].

Preaching Today gave the following illustration regarding fasting: A woman from Omsk, Russia, is reportedly suing McDonald’s over an advertisement featuring cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets, which she said caused her to break her fast during Lent. Ksenia Ovchinnikova, an Orthodox Christian, said she was trying to stay away from meat and other animal products during the six-week period leading up to Easter. She said, “When I saw an advertising banner, I could not help myself. I visited McDonald’s and bought a cheeseburger.” In her official complaint, she explains: “In the actions of McDonald’s, I see a violation of the consumer protection law. I ask the court to investigate and, if a violation has taken place, to oblige McDonald’s to compensate me for moral damage in the amount of one thousand rubles ($14 US dollars).”

It’s easy to laugh at the irony of this woman’s spiritual condition but truth be known it actually mirrors the spiritual condition of many. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus described Kingdom Citizens as those who gave, prayed and fasted. He didn’t say, If you give, pray and fast – He said WHEN. The value of getting closer to Jesus was forfeited for a fourteen dollar cheeseburger (and may I add, not a very good cheeseburger). How much was getting closer to Jesus for this woman? $14! Throughout the Bible you discover characters selling out for far less (Esau sold out for a bowl of soup). At least Judas held out for thirty pieces of silver (approximately $340 US). Ananias and Saphira held out for recognition and praise from men. (Which didn’t turn out so well for them).

The whole point of prayer and fasting is to sanctify, or set apart time to seek to draw near to God; to enter into His manifested presence. To make this issue even more pointed Rom. 1:7 states: To [you then] all God’s beloved ones in Rome, called to be saints and designated for a consecrated life….We are called to be saints which derives from the word where we get our english derivative, sanctified. 1 Cor. 6:11 states: And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. In other words, you were set apart – for giving, fasting, and praying. But Scripture doesn’t end there. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,…If we are sanctifying as Lord in our hearts – we are setting apart Jesus as Lord of our heart; the Lord of our mind, will, emotions, personality, and body.

Jesus said in John 15 repeatedly, If you abide in Me….Jesus hadn’t yet ascended to the Father when He spoke this to His disciples in the Upper Room. It must have sounded strange to their ears. (Most of the time they didn’t understand what He was talking about). It wasn’t till later they connected the dots. For Jesus to make this command, and expectation, He knew they would connect this saying with how, and what He taught. In other words, later on they would know what it meant to abide, or remain in Jesus; to stay in close proximity to Him. Since they knew what it meant to abide, or remain in Him, they also knew what it would take to not abide, or remain in Him. Not only did they understand this aspect of abiding they also knew there was more of Him. They saw Jesus as C.S. Lewis described Aslan carrying the children of Narnia into the New Narnia: “Come further in!” Aslan cries, with laughter in his eyes. “Come further up!” (C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle) The Unicorn, of The Last Battle, in the last of the seven novels of the Chronicles of Narnia, entered the New Narnia, describes drawing near to Jesus well: “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been look- ing for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that is sometimes looked a little like this. Bree-hee- hee! Come further up, come further in!” He shook his mane and sprang forward into a great gal- lop — a Unicorn’s gallop, which, in our world, would have carried him out of sight in a few moments. But now a most strange thing happened. Everyone else began to run, and they found, to their astonishment, that they could keep up with him: not only the Dogs and the humans but even fat little Puzzle and short-legged Poggin the Dwarf. The air flew in their faces as if they were driving fast in a car without a windscreen. The country flew past as if they were seeing it from the windows of an express train. Faster and faster they raced, but no one got hot or tired or out of breath.

Come and See

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John 1:36-39 And he looked at Jesus as He walked along, and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God! 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Him. 38 But Jesus turned, and as He saw them following Him, He said to them, What are you looking for? [And what is it you wish?] And they answered Him, Rabbi—which translated is Teacher—where are You staying? 39 He said to them, Come and see. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they remained with Him that day. It was then about the tenth hour (about four o’clock in the afternoon).

Two questions, and one response: What are you looking for? Where are you staying? The answer: Come and see! Neither of the two disciples, Andrew and John, had any idea what they were going to “see”. Consider, John, who was taken up in the Spirit in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 1 he is in the Spirit and turns to hear the Voice of Many Waters standing behind him. In Revelation 4 John responds to the invitation to “Come Up Here!” If all of that were not enough John is escorted by the Spirit up a high mountain in Revelation 21. Come and See?!

In Revelation 3:20 the Laodicean Church is invited to open the door and see. But the Door only opens to those who hear His Voice, and the steady knocking of the Spirit. It’s interesting to note the rest of John’s account in John 1:39 So they went and saw where He was staying, and they remained with Him that day. It was then about the tenth hour (about four o’clock in the afternoon). Oswald Chambers references this passage stating: That is about all some of us ever do. We stay with Him a short time, only to wake up to our own realities of life. Our self-interest rises up and our abiding with Him is past.

In John 10 Jesus refers to Himself as the Gate (or Door) for His Sheep, and the Watchman (the Holy Spirit) opens up Who, the Door is for Jesus’ sheep. Sheep, Jesus’ sheep, go in and out of this DOOR. They find pasture in Him. Sadly, most who read these words will not take the time to even go to the DOOR with the expectation of it opening. But the Book of Revelation states that it is, and has been, a long standing invitation for anyone who will take the time and open the DOOR; who will take the time to make Him room. As I write this I recall the child-like wonder I experienced as I read the Chronicles of Narnia as a teenager, followed by a re-reading with our children. You may recall that the Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are the ones who stumble upon the enchanted wardrobe. Lucy, known for her bravery and kindness, was the first to walk through its door into the other worldly land of Narnia. It was her child-like heart that led her siblings to enter through the wardrobe, and to encounter Aslan. But her siblings took time to convince. Hebrews 2:11 refers to Jesus being our Brother. That’s is pretty awesome. (growing up I always wanted a brother) Yet there is one thing about our Brother that I believe He wants us to know: like Lucy, Jesus also has a child-like heart. He’s been trying to convince us that there’s another world waiting for those who will take the time to open His DOOR. A day with Jesus is not enough. He wants up to spend a lifetime with Him. The good news is His DOOR is open on this side of Eternity – for those who will allow the Spirit to activate their sanctified imaginations. Remember: What are you looking for? Where is He staying?

Judging Angels?!

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In the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis introduces four children from England: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie – who travel through a mystical wardrobe to discover the land of Narnia. In that enchanted land they are introduced to the Lion, Aslan and Narnia’s nemesis, the White Witch. Eventually a battle ensues between the children, and the White Witch. But Aslan prevails, sacrificially laying down his life as a ransom for Edmund. From the sacrificial stone table Aslan is raised from the dead emerging to end the White Witch’s reign, and restoring the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve to their rightful place as co-regents of Narnia. One writer stated: After a few days, the Pevensies were taken to Cair Paravel to be crowned as the Kings and Queens of Narnia. Peter was called High King Peter the Magnificent, Susan was called Queen Susan the Gentle, Edmund was called King Edmund the Just, and Lucy was called Queen Lucy the Valiant.

Yet Lewis’ fictional work for children, has its root in Biblical truth. His words direct us prophetically to look beyond the temporal booths of Tabernacles to the Reign of Jesus. To a time when all things which were stolen from mankind will be restored. What is our destiny?

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only! AMPC

Revelation 20:6 Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy (spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years. AMPC

Matthew 24:44-47 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time? 46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.47 I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Tabernacles reminds us Jesus is coming back to reign on the earth and when He does He will set His servants over ALL His possessions! (That includes earth) These Scriptures, along with other parables, infer believers will be given responsibility to co-reign with Jesus on earth. Until then, keep watch, and be faithful over what the Lord has placed in your hands. This includes family, marriage, co-workers, church family, neighbors, and all other areas of influence.

Suddenly?!

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Yesterday’s service was a reminder of all the many blessings that God gives us usually when we least expect them. They come upon us suddenly. In Psalm 40:1 David writes, “I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 23 has David walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Yet repeatedly circumstances will be turned for the better as the one who placed their trust in God is delivered. Psalm 23: 4-6 continues with: Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

In spite of the threat of the SHADOWS of death Jesus, His Shepherd, is with him. You may be tempted to say, Now hold on a second Robert. David didn’t know about Jesus. I beg to differ. For in Psalm 22 he saw His crucifixion and in Psalm 110:1 he wrote: The LORD said to my Lord sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool. David, the “sheep,” knows to look for the Table the Lord had prepared for him in the midst of his enemies. (Just a thought but in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is slain by the witch on a stone table) David realizes goodness, mercy, and unfailing love are following him and have his back. For Jesus, His Shepherd is Goodness, Mercy, and Unfailing Love. Psalm 40 goes on to say: I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.2 He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.

The surprise of Psalm 40? Psalm 40:7-10 Then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly [tidings of uprightness and right standing with God]. Behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord.10 I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly.

The Surprise is Jesus. The One Who came in the Volume of the Book. How “loud” was that Volume? Isaiah 48:3 I have declared from the beginning the former things [which happened in times past to Israel]; they went forth from My mouth and I made them known; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass [says the Lord].

Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.

Luke 2:13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,..

Even Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was described as a suddenly: Acts 9:3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,…

The Volume from that Book came loudly and suddenly. The month of November should be a month of Thanksgiving for all of the “suddenly-s” the Lord has brought our way and all the “suddenly-s” that are yet to come. Our church has been so blessed by the Lord with “suddenly-s” in growth, in financial provision, healings, miracles, salvations and answered prayers. Take special time this month to remember the blessings and provision of God. There are so many that they far outweigh the bad. And remember the warning in Mark 13:35-37 Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming—in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning—36 [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.37 And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!

Be alert, watching for the suddenly-s.” May He find us watching and thankful – always.