Jesus Will Build His Church.

While trapped in isolation gear consisting of a yellow plastic gown and blue gloves, I began to read and to sweat. Drinking coffee probably didn't help my temperature regulation, but I can say with certainty that I needed it to stay awake. Let's just assume I stayed awake for the duration of my shift. I did have several hours to read, and read I did. Some from Matthew, Isaiah, Acts, Genesis, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Timothy, Philippians, Romans, Revelation...

Jesus will build his church. This is clear. It has been God's aim from before the foundations of the Earth were set. In a stifling room, confined to a muggy apron, I read with keen eyes and an impassioned heart. Walls within my heart have come down that I didn't know I'd built. Praise God! Life is flowing through my veins and my heart is beating with excitement, my mind races with thoughts much to big to think. God drew near tonight. My heart rejoiced at truths in his Word that speak love loudly. These truths also speak love clearly and simply. Truth leaped from the pages and a renewed vision and purpose welled inside my heart and mind.

Jesus will build his church. My heart stirred in such a way tonight that words merely hint at the joy I am feeling. Caught up in excitement I told myself, "Self, get a tattoo tomorrow morning, lest you forget again what God has placed on your heart." Now, I'm still thinking over the tattoo idea, but the message God placed upon my heart, through his word, is clear and reorienting.

Go, Eric, disciple the nations. These are my people, whom I love. Teach all that I have taught you. Wield the sword of the Spirit mightily, for darkness is dying. My Son will build his church. He will not be stopped. And behold, he is with you ALWAYS, to the end of the age. Pray earnestly that more laborers be sent out into my harvest. Go, my son, go and disciple the nations. Live with eternity in focus, live with this purpose and passion. Eric, these are the things I am passionate about and already at work doing. Join me in this fight of faith. Love me and love my people by going and discipling. Make waves for my Kingdom.

Lord, I echo your saints, if you'll teach me your Word I'll proclaim it for the rest of my days.
This was a significant, sweaty, joyful night!

"A Thanksgiving" for a thankful and blustery Sunday

I Thank Thee, boundless Giver,
That the thoughts Thou givest flow
In sounds that like a river
All through the darkness go.
And though few should swell the pleasure,
By sharing this my wine,
My heart will clasp its treasure,
This secret gift of Thine.

My heart the joy inherits,
And will oft be sung to rest;
And some wandering hoping spirits
May listen and be blest.
For the sound may break the hours
In a dark and gloomy mood,
As the wind breaks up the bowers
Of the brooding sunless wood.

For every sound of gladness
Is a prophet-wind that tells
Of a summer without sadness,
And a love without farewells;
And a heart that hath no ailing,
And an eye that is not dim,
And a faith that without failing
Shall be complete in Him.

And when my heart is mourning,
The songs it lately gave,
Back to their fount returning,
Make sweet the bitter wave;
And forth a new stream floweth,
In sunshine winding fair;
And through the dark wood goeth
Glad laughter on the air.

For the heart of man that waketh,
Yet hath not ceased to dream,
Is the only fount that maketh
The sweet and bitter stream.
But the sweet will still be flowing
When the bitter stream is dry,
And glad music only going
On the breezes of the sky.

I thank Thee, boundless Giver,
That the thoughts Thou givest flow
In sounds that like a river
All through the darkness go.
And though few should swell the pleasure
By sharing this my wine,
My heart will clasp its treasure,
This secret gift of Thine.

--George MacDonald

Make the Tree Good

Transform me, Jesus. Transform the way I feel and think and love; renew my mind with your Word. Stir me to take steps in life that make known your true value. Make it so, Lord, I plead. Sanctify and free me by your truth, that I may discern what is good, acceptable and perfect. I give myself to this. May the fruit be good.

Words I Long to Hear

"You are still a sinner. But I see in your life the distinguishing fruit of my Son's mercy. Your mercy on others is the evidence of his mercy in you. And for his sake I now show you mercy again. Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Joplin, Missouri. May, 2011.

mysterychurch.com

Would you consider taking a moment to pray now for the families devastated by the tornado in Joplin, MO. Lift them before the throne.

When all seems lost
When we're thrown and we're tossed
We remember the cost
We rest in Him
Shadow of the cross - dcb

I'm a sucker for allegory. Could quite possibly be my favorite to read. Drawing from the substance of familiar life, one can bring an idea to bear in a special way, unfolding meaning and truths that are cloaked in beautiful imagery. Jesus mastered this literary device...not surprising, being the Word made flesh, but dang he is GOOD!

While in Brazil, where distractions were limited, time passed leisurely, and my heart was focused, I was able to savor this Word that truly is sweeter than honey to the taste. While preparing to lead the morning's devotional, my eyes landed on John 15."That's it! We’ll talk about botany." I love this passage. It's all good, but man, I love the depth and richness of these verses.

1-11: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus calls himself the true vine, which at first glance seems normal enough, but upon further pondering I begin to see humility flow from his words. Jesus, God incarnate, is pleased to speak of himself as a part of his own creation, a lowly vine. What a humble comparison.
God is the gardener, Jesus is the vine. What about me? Well, it’s not...
Graced with reality’s perspective, smallness ensues. Life is NOT about me, or us for the matter, but about Him. These verses help me remember my position before God: He is above all, Creator, Master, Lord and Savior. AND, though this life’s not about me, the Father chose to draw me, who was once far, very near to himself. “Every branch in me...” O the sweetness those words possess. Jesus calls us into himself and transports us into a relationship of favor with our heavenly Father. Think about this: as branches, we are made up of the very DNA of the vine we’re a part of. The very DNA of Jesus!

“If . . . my words abide in you." Abide, what does that really mean anyway?

I believe this means that the words of Jesus take root in us and bear fruit. I'm no linguistics wizard, but when I think of the word abide, a similar word abode also comes to mind. Dwelling. His words find a home in us, and they fit cozily; they really belong. Recently I’ve been preparing to move across town and have been doing some Spring cleaning. In much the same way, we’ve go to do some rearranging and getting rid of things so that the word has room and “feels at home.” The words of Jesus don't abide without effect. This is a distinction that I missed for years. I just need to read my bible more, that's my problem. No, I need to abide. Yes, to read my Bible, but in such a way as to have the words of Jesus take root and bear the fruits of faith and holiness in my life.

Prune away, great God, for your own glory and my good. Please bring forth much fruit and joy. The word of Christ brings life as it works grace, and works out corruption. Thank you for life-giving allegory.