Seeking the Life in Christ

Monday, December 11, 2023

I Need to be Obedient

Advent & Christmas

December 11, 2023

I Need to be Obedient

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Isaiah 52:7

Read: Isaiah 52:7-12

Today’s passage is in the part of Isaiah’s prophecy about God coming to claim His Kingdom. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, many of its sacred vessels were looted and taken to Babylon and many of the people of God were taken in exile to Babylon. Isaiah is prophesying the return of the people to Jerusalem and the return of the sacred vessels to be placed in the rebuilt, or Second Temple.

Two questions I think of in reading Isaiah 52: what will it look like when “they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem” (v.8), and how will God claim His Kingdom?

Jesus answered the first question in Luke 4:18-19:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Isaiah answered the second question in the next chapter, Isaiah 53. I encourage you to read this chapter which tells of God’s Messiah, The Suffering Servant. The Apostle Paul summarized chapter 53 in Philippians 2:8, “he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (See also Hebrews 5:8)

The essence for us today is that God claims His Kingdom on Earth through obedient humans. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, modeled this for us and Jesus empowers us to follow in his footsteps to be God’s obedient children as we seek God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

My Takeaway: Those who were returning the sacred vessels to the rebuilt Temple of God were charged to “purify yourselves, you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord.” (Isaiah 52:11b) I too need to be obedient to Isaiah’s word to purify myself because,

“. . . you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. (1 Peter 2:5)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Friday, December 8, 2023

I Can Find God in the Darkness

Advent & Christmas

December 8, 2023

I Can Find God in the Darkness

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?

I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—

my Savior and my God!

Psalm 43:5

Read: Psalm 42, 43

Because the refrain in Psalm 42:5 is repeated in verse 11, and in Psalm 43:5, and because of the repetition of the theme in Psalm 42 to Psalm 43, they are generally considered to have been one psalm originally.

These Psalms took on renewed interest a few years ago. The covid-19 pandemic shut down much of our economy and most of our churches for many months. Saint Augustine noted that we have a God-shaped vacuum within, and we will not be at peace until we allow God to fill the vacuum. These Psalms remind me that God created me with the need to be loved, accepted, and valued, and only God can fulfill these needs. Many people experience God meeting their needs within the church. When the churches closed, many people felt cut off from God.

The psalmist was living in a time when he believed he could only worship God within the Temple. His reality caused him to use hyperbole to express his sense of loss, his sense of longing for closeness to God. But whatever his inner turmoil, the psalmist was single-minded in his purpose:

“There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!” (43:4)

The psalmist knew who alone could fill the God-shaped vacuum in his heart.

In August of 2020, after most churches had been closed for six months, we began attending weekly Services of Holy Communion at an Anglican Church that was open for worship. I recall reading that Saint Thomas Aquinas referred to Holy Communion, or The Lord’s Supper, as ‘food for the journey.” He was so right. I believe our participation in the Sacrament sustained us through the pandemic. In the darkness of the pandemic, as our souls were longing to worship God “As the deer longs for streams of water,” (42:1) we were led by the Holy Spirit to a place where we found food for our journey.

My Takeaway: One of Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits is to keep the end in sight. In the darkest moments of the pandemic, we never lost sight that our heart’s desire was to kneel at the altar of God and taste the bread and the cup. We put our hope in God and He led us to His table.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Rule Of Faith and Life

Advent & Christmas

December 7, 2023

Rule Of Faith and Life

The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.

Psalm 19:8

Read: Psalm 19

C. S. Lewis said he believed Psalm 19 was the best poem ever written in any language. The beauty of Psalm 19 is matched by its deep theological significance. The writer uses two different names for God in the two parts of this psalm. First, the name El is used for the God of the universe. This refers to the general revelation of God through the wonders of creation. The Apostle Paul, in the Book of Romans, agrees with the psalmist. One only needs to look at the heavens to know there is a Creator God. John Muir said yes and amen to both the psalmist and Paul. He explored what is now Yosemite National Park and urged that the area be preserved as a national treasure because it was such a magnificent display of the beauty of God’s creation. I am blessed to live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Every day is filled with opportunities to join the chorus as “The heavens proclaim the glory of God.” (v.1)

In the second portion of the psalm, the writer refers to God as the LORD because he is referring to God’s word. He is thus reflecting on the special revelation of God. This revelation is personal and full of grace. As the sun, in the first portion of the psalm, brings its penetrating light and heat to all creation, so also the Word of God “is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:12-13) (Remember My Takeaway prayer on December 5 – “ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid. . .”

God is revealed in the glory of creation and in the glory of His Word which is a sufficient rule for my faith and my life.

My Takeaway: The writer then closes his psalm of praise with an intercession for God’s help to always live in a right relationship with God. His closing prayer is one of the most profound and eloquent expressions of a desire to walk in harmony with God:

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

I Need to Trust God

Advent & Christmas

December 6, 2023

I Need to Trust God

He shall build a house for my name,

and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

2 Samuel 7:13 (NRSV)

Read: 2 Samuel 7:11-14

In today’s passage, King David is beginning to rest. As he considered all his successes and the wealth he had accumulated, he thought he should build a permanent house for God. He took his idea to the Prophet Nathan, who approved of David’s plan. However, the LORD did not approve. The Word of the LORD to David was quite astonishing. God said he would build a house for David!

There is a beautiful bit of wordplay here. David had in mind building a structure, a house, or home, for God. God had in mind building a legacy for David, David’s House, or his linage. God goes on to say that from David’s house will come a son who will build a house for the name of God and who will reign as King forever.

The early Christian church understood this passage as a Messianic prophecy. Jesus was the son who built a house for God: “Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) The Apostle Paul applied today’s passage to the followers of Jesus: “For we are the temple of the living God” and then quoted verse 2 Samuel 7:14, “And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

Paul then takes this prophecy to full term when he writes in Ephesians 2:6-7,10,

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

My Takeaway: How long ago? The passage in 2 Samuel 7 dates to 992 BC. At least 3,000 years ago God planned to unite us with Christ who is God’s temple. God’s House. I believe God wants me to trust him and his plans for my life.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

I Need to Pray

Advent & Christmas

December 5, 2023

I Need to Pray

So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.

Exodus 32:14

Read: Exodus 32:7-14

God brought His people out of Egypt. His desire was to bring His people into a right relationship with their creator. God was seeking people who would worship Him and with whom He could come and dwell. In furtherance of His desire, God brought Moses to a mountain top where he instructed Moses on how to lead God’s people and on how to prepare for God to come and dwell among His people.

While Moses was with God, the people became impatient and once again turned away from the living God. This time they fashioned for themselves a golden calf to worship.

Today’s passage in Exodus reveals God’s nature as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). God tells Moses of his plan to destroy the rebellious people and “Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.” (v.10b) Moses intercedes for the people. God had referred to the people as Moses’ people, but Moses says they are God’s people whom God had brought out of Egypt. Verse 14 tells us God changed His mind. The people will be punished, but not destroyed.

I have two compelling insights from this passage for my life in Christ. The first is recognizing how much God wants to dwell in and with me. But like the people of Israel, I resist. I too have made my golden calves, my idols in life that interfere with my worshipping God in reverence and awe. Secondly, I see the power of prayer – authentic prayer – that is not afraid of confronting God, of questioning God. However, please note that Moses’ questioning and confronting was based on God’s promises, not Moses’ personal agenda.

My Takeaway: Even while God was thoroughly engaged with Moses on the mountain top, God was very much aware of the sinful rebellion of his people at the base of the mountain who thought they were out of God’s sight. God is never deaf or blind to my turning away from Him. Every morning, Cheryl and I begin our prayers with,

“ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, December 4, 2023

I Need to Worship

Advent & Christmas

We are now in the Christian season of Advent. This English word comes from a Latin word meaning “coming” and as used in the Christian calendar it designates the four Sundays before Christmas during which Christians reflect on the meaning of the second coming of Christ and prepare for the Christmas season (Twelve days from Christmas to the Epiphany, January 6). The first and the final coming of Christ are connected because it is through our belief in the first coming of Jesus – his birth and his life, death, and resurrection – that gives us faith and hope in his promised coming again in final victory. For the first three weeks of this Advent Season, I will be reflecting on my core Christian beliefs.

December 4, 2023

I Need to Worship

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

Genesis 1:31

Read Genesis 1:26-28,31

The creation story of Genesis 1, 2 and 3 can be summarized as revealing a Good God who created a Good Earth and Good Humankind in His image. God gave the humans a vocation: to be stewards of God’s Good Earth and all His creation. To be faithful stewards, humans needed to worship their Creator so that they could reflect God’s goodness through their vocation. But humans stopped worshipping God and obeyed a lesser being. In what Dennis Kinlaw calls the essence of sin, humankind turned from worshipping God to worshipping themselves.

The rest of the Bible can be summarized as God working to redeem His creation.

As I meditate on the creation story, the relationship between seeking the life in Christ as my way of life and worship grips my heart and mind. For almost thirty years, Hebrews 12:28-29 has been a guiding light as I seek the life in Christ.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. (NRSV)

In the creation story, I see God’s desire for His people to stay in a right relationship with Him through worship and obedience which are both reflected in the passage from Hebrews. In January 2020, while away from home, I attended a worship service that was truly a service of reverence and awe for God. I have not stopped reflecting on that worship experience; it was an epiphany in my spiritual life. When the pandemic closed many churches for months, I realized just how desperate my soul was for authentic worship, worship that reveals deep reverence for our Creator God and worship that is in awe of God the Father Almighty who looked at a world that did not exist and spoke it into being through the power of His word.

My Takeaway: Jesus calls me to let my light shine (Matthew 5:16). I have no light to shine without worshipping God. This Advent Season, I am so very thankful the Holy Spirit is leading Cheryl and I to worship our God with reverence and awe.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, December 1, 2023

Let Us Thank The Lord For His Steadfast Love

Meditations for Ragamuffins

December 1, 2023

NOTE: Beginning Monday, December 4, 2023, I will begin a series of Mediations for the seasons of Advent & Christmas. I will resume Meditations for Ragamuffins on January 1, 2024.

Let Us Thank The Lord For His Steadfast Love

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,”

Psalm 107:2a (NRSV)

This theme is repeated throughout Psalm 107. Four times the psalmist writes:

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind,”

Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31

This psalm was written as a psalm of thanksgiving for God bringing His people out of the Babylonian captivity and as a psalm of wisdom, where the psalmist urges his congregation to not repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. When Israel was faithful to God, the psalmist would sing to the Lord,

for you are my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me abide in your tent for ever,

find refuge under the shelter of your wings.

Psalm 61:3-4 (NRSV)

When Israel was not faithful to God, they

wandered in desert wastes,

finding no way to an inhabited town;

hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.

Psalm 107:4-5 (NRSV)

While all of the followers of Christ can sing “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;” (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Robert Robinson, 1758), we can take comfort that “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NRSV).

My Takeaway: However, there is something we can do to minimize our wanderings. Every time the people of God gather, whether in small groups or Sunday Worship,

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wonderful works to humankind.”

Psalm 107:2a, 8 (NRSV)

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, December 11, 2023

I Need to be Obedient

Friday, December 8, 2023

I Can Find God in the Darkness

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Rule Of Faith and Life

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

I Need to Trust God

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

I Need to Pray

Monday, December 4, 2023

I Need to Worship

Friday, December 1, 2023

Let Us Thank The Lord For His Steadfast Love

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