Ruminate

I'm pretty sure last fall, my school made us read Genesis 1-20 about 30 times, if not more. I was reading it once again the other day and found something I have never noticed before: happens every time.
It was the popular narrative we all know of as Abraham and Isaac. After years of waiting for a promised son, God provides Isaac's birth to Abraham and Sarah. Yet the story doesn't end there. God tests Abraham by commanding him to offer Isaac as a burnt sacrifice.

Abraham obeys.

Well, he would have unless God intervened by providing an animal to take Isaac's place.

So much symbolism goes on in this passage to parallel the ultimate, Great Redemption, but a couple new (to me) interesting observations caught my eye:

Three Days-
It took three days to arrive at the high point of this account. If you read fast, you don't catch it, but Abraham had it set in his mind that his promised son would die. For three days Isaac was essentially dead to Abraham. Three days. Ring any bells?

"Your son, your only son" is said three times. It feels like when God says this to Abraham that He's just rubbing salt in the wound...and to say it three times?! But it also seems as though God is saying He understands. He understands that Isaac is Abraham's only son. He understands what the problem at hand is. And in Abraham's own words: "the LORD will provide."

In verse 5 of chapter 22, Abraham uses the word "worship". If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time the word "worship" is used in the Bible. Wow. Abraham is referring to killing his son as worship! Maybe my next observation will tie it together...

Yet again we see another first: "love." When God says "your son, your only son," He does not stop there. He adds: "whom you love." Abraham's obedience is not to be accounted for because he did not admire his son, in fact, quite the opposite! Abraham loved his son greatly, but he loved one thing greater: God. There was nothing that would stop Abraham from obedient worship of the One he loved most.

One other thing along the lines of symbolism and firsts: In this passage, "love" is used for the first time and it is used to describe a relationship between a father and his son.

Once again...hear any bells ringing?

Sure, Abraham was a human and messed up with a sinful nature like we all are. But oh how I long for the obedience and faith Abraham exhibits here.

Intention

So many times I have often pondered the meaning behind the lyrics in the songs I innately participate in singing and playing at church and chapel.
Are the words that come out of my mouth truthful?
Is this what my heart truly desires to proclaim not only to the world, but to God?

We have some strong, powerful, modern day worship tunes out there. We hear them on the radio, we sing them at church and youth group, but are the phrases we proclaim genuine?

I looked up some of the most popular worship songs and their lyrics.
As I carefully read through the lyrics, I was convicted. They reminded me of just how awesome my God really is! These lyrics also prompted me to ask questions in examination of myself. This reminded my heart to be focused and intentional.

I also looked up verses to go with these songs. Wow! So hard to pick only a select few! Don't take these modern-day psalm writers for word, look it up yourself. These truths are everywhere in Scripture. I found so much more than I expected - and trust me, there are plenty more out there ;)

Mighty to Save
Everyone needs compassion...
Everyone needs forgiveness...
My Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save...
Shine your light and let the whole world see.

•  Everyone. Everyone is lost. Everyone is born separated from God. Everyone needs compassion. Forgiveness. Who can get them out? Only the Savior, for He is mighty to save. When I sing this, do I truly believe this? Do I live my life in such a way that proclaims His compassion for people, His forgiveness of sins, and His saving grace?
• Psalm 67:2-3, Romans 1:16

The Stand
So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'll stand my soul Lord to you surrendered
All I am is Yours.

•  I'll be the first to admit: raising my hands (let alone arms) during worship does not come natural to me. Whether in song, prayer, or any other form of worship, I am used to steady, unmovable, and static-ness. Recently I have been challenged and stretched in this area. At first it was uncomfortable and hard to get used to, but as I study more about worship in the Bible and especially posture (in communication theory), there is something about having an open stance that says "Here I am Lord, do what you want with me. Hey! Do you see me here? I ain't much, but I'm giving you my all."
• Psalm 28:2, 63:4, 134:2, Lamentations 3:41, 1 Timothy 2:8

You're Worthy of My Praise
I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise.
You alone I long to worship.
You alone are worthy of my praise.

• How many things do I praise in a day? "The food was amazing!" "You're a great speaker!" "I just love that song!" "My weekend was epic!" Sure, these are wonderful things we are able to enjoy and thank God for as we rightly should. But how many times are we praising the created rather than the Creator who made it all possible in the first place? He alone is worthy of my ultimate praise. His praise is what should fill time in my day.
• Psalm 18:3, Revelation 4:11

In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, and my song.

• This one is obvious and simple. Easier said than done, right? Is Christ the ultimate hope, light, strength, and song in my life? What do I need to eliminate that distracts me from finding peace and comfort in Him alone?
• Psalm 62, 1 Peter 5:10, John 8:12

Revelation Song
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name.
Jesus, Your name is power,
Breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery.

• The name of the Lord is not to be taken lightly. He is so jealous of it. His name is holy. So simple, yet so important. Am I filled with awestruck wonder when someone mentions my Savior? When I hear His name, does my countenance lift? 
• Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4, Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 22:2b, 24:16, Psalm 8:9

Your Grace is Enough
God I see Your grace is enough

•  Do I see it? Do I live a life that screams out loud God's grace upon such a sinner as I? So often I take His overwhelming grace for granted. Is His undeserved favor truly enough for me to live on?
• John 1:16, Acts 20:24, Romans 5:2, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Here I am to Worship
Here I am to Worship, here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God.

• Again, posture. Here I am to bow down. "Isn't that like a sign of submission or something?" Why yes it is. Just to bow down before Him in acknowledgment that He alone is God is so hard to do sometimes with this stubborn nature!
• Psalm 95:6, Nehemiah 8:6

Blessed be Your Name
Every blessing You pour out I turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say
Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

•  Do I really turn back to bless the name of the Lord when dark times surround me? Ha, I wish I was that faithful! When He gracefully blesses me, do I turn and give all the credit back to Him? Ya right! Once again, easy song to sing...hard to follow through.
• Job 1:21, Psalm 23:4, 34:2, Jeremiah 9:23-25, Nehemiah 9:5b

Care

The other day I was reading through the flood account in Genesis.

Some complain about the lack of information the Bible gives, but the truth is, God gives us all we need to know and then some! He paints pictures in such great detail, yet He didn't have to tell us squat!

He tells us what happened (6:1-4)
He tells us what the problem is (6:5)
He tells us what He saw and how He felt (6:6)
He also explains who is involved and how serious the issue was!

He didn't have to describe how Noah knew exactly what to do.
He didn't have to clarify exactly where the water came from (7:11-12).
He didn't have to tell us what He "said in His heart" (8:21).
He didn't have to explain the reason for rainbows (9:12-17).

But He did.
Why?
 Only out of true love would someone take so much time in making sure the recipient understands what happened.

We are the recipients of the largest and greatest love letters of all time!
Take time to read it. Pour over it with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
I assure you, each time you will discover a new treasure of incalculable worth.
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"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and dripping of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward."
------------------------------Psalm 19:7-11------------------------------------

Scab

Ever feel like you're in the "scab" phase of life?

Everything was going well until a sudden wound.
Something small as a paper cut, splinter, or tiny scratch.
Or maybe a large fall on some sharp rocks left a mark.

At first, you might not have noticed the injury.
But its presence will make itself known in a matter of time.

Pain.
Regret.
Wonder.
Then your reaction to begin the mending process.

Once a Band-Aid or Neosporin has been applied, everything inside that once was screaming with pain now rests at ease in the hope of healing.

But healing isn't over.

Almost immediately, your wonderfully created body takes over to begin renewal.
After nearly forgetting the wound, you begin to feel it once again.

Irritation.
Itching.
Tingling.
A scab has formed and it's taking everything in you not to rip it open.

What is the key?
Patience.

Patience in the faith of your body's healing abilities.
Easier said than done.

This ugly scab is now threatening your relationship with the healing wound.
If you give in to its torment, a permanent sign will forever mar,
But if you endure with the faith in the hope of future restoration, I promise you this:
Regret will not be a notion as you look back on the journey it took you to get to reinstated beauty.

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"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of thins not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible...[And all these people] through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escape the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect...Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Do not grow weary. Consider Him Who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

Hebrews 11:1-3, 11:33-40, 12:1-3

Bother

No, I did not miss the "R" in my title although my brother is pretty cool ;)
"Bother" is a word that simply means taking the trouble to do something.

In order to do something, I must be motivated. After all, why bother with something if I am uninspired?

Sure, people do things all the time with little to no enthusiasm. But in order to accomplish something significant, usually a drive or purpose behind the act is present.

What motivates me?
Personal financial, popularity, or status gain?
The ambition to make the world a better place?

These might be fair reasons to be excited about achieving something, but what should be the overarching cause for tenacity?
The spread of the gospel?
Lifting up high the name of the One Who has called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light?

One day, I was in a conversation with a group of Christian girls who wanted to join a club which purpose is to go out and evangelize to homeless people.
The fire was evident and excitement built as they conversed about the opportunity.
I felt my heart sink to my shoes as one girl explained the reason she wanted to participate:
"As bad as this sounds, one of the main reasons I want to get into this is because I'll get a credit for community service and it will look good on my resume!"

Really?

Is a good grade and another line on my resume the reason I do anything?

Oh God, I pray, let it never be so!

Lord, I admit the reasons I do things are rarely in-line with your solid Word. Please help me to see Your glory as my number one goal and drive. Allow my life exclaim Your glory to the world. No strings attached.

In a previous post, I said the only thing I regret from this past year was the opportunities I missed to engage people in conversation about the gospel.

God, please saturate my life with You.

Why bother?
Because someone else bothered for me and He bothered His life away for the world.
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"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
2 Corinthians 10:17