Listening to GOD

Listening to GOD is the first step toward obeying Him. We can go back to when Moses and the Israelites entered into a covenant with GOD, and Moses commanded them to hear, learn and follow His statutes. As Christ-imitators, we also have entered into a covenant with Jesus Messiah and should be responsive to what He expects. Moses' threefold command to the Israelites is excellent advice for all GOD's followers:

1. Listening is absorbing and accepting information about GOD. 
2. Learning is understanding its meaning and implications. 
3. Obeying is putting into action all we have learned and understood. 

All three parts are essential to a growing relationship with GOD.

Listening for GOD is training in humility. Another example is with Elijah, he knew that the sound of the gentle whisper was GOD's voice. He realized that GOD doesn't reveal himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for GOD only in something big (crusades, conferences, highly visible leaders, etc.) may be to miss Him, because He is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart. 

Spiritual listening is always followed by action. It is important to listen to what GOD's Word says, but it is much more important to obey it; to do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. 

Do you put into action what you have studied? Are you listening for GOD? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life, and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.

Showing the World a Big Jesus

It's been a month or so since I've posted anything, but this is a subject for which I feel a lot of passion, so I thought I'd share it.

Acts 3:1-4

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

The Temple and the Hebrew

There are several significant items at the beginning of Acts 3. The first thing that I notice is that Peter and John were on they’re way to the Temple first thing in the morning. The next thing that comes to my attention is the lame man who had been carried to the gate of the Temple to beg for alms. Something that comes to my attention from a layer or two deep is the the fact that both the Apostle's frequenting the Temple and the lame man being carried to the vicinity of the Temple were apparently common occurrences. In fact, there's a good chance that Peter and John had seen this same man on previous Temple trips.

The Temple was an integral aspect of the daily life of the 1^st Century Hebrews. The Temple represented the central theme of the Hebrew lifestyle. This lifestyle was not a religion, rather an entire existence. The Temple was where you talked to GOD, where you worshiped GOD; and GOD was everything to you. The Temple was also located in the center of the city, and all daily activity moved in and around it.

This placement of the Temple within the layout of the city, and the high importance of GOD in the lives of the Hebrews, insured a GOD-thought in their minds on a regular basis. If they went to the market, they had to pass by the Temple. If they were going to visit a friend on the other side of town, they had to pass the Temple. If they were going on a journey outside of the city, they had to first pass the Temple on the way to the gate of the city.

This bring to my mind several questions. How important is the house of GOD to the Community today? Have we forsaken the assembling of ourselves together for matters of convenience? Is work and responsibility more important than daily communion with GOD and the people of GOD? Sure, I'm aware that the church building is by no means the only place to interact with GOD and/or His people, but this great significance to our designating a place of communal worship, and to a place where GOD places His name (do the study, it's fun).

The lame man was taken to the gate of the Temple for a reason. He knew that he had the best chance of receiving in the place where people were congregating and passing through. He was not there by accident nor happenstance. He had gone to the Temple seeking (hang on to this thought, we're coming back here in a bit).

The Temple of Flesh

There is great significance in the words that Peter said to the lame man in verse 4. Peter knew the lame man was looking for something to help him out. He also knew that the lame man was looking for money; money which Peter didn’t have. Understanding all of this, why then would Peter say: Look on us?

Is it possible that Peter’s words are a foreshadowing of Paul’s teaching to the Community at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 3, 6 and 2 Corinthians 6? In this Text Paul tells us that our bodies are the Temple of God (1 Cor 3:16, 17 and 6:19). He also teaches that as the Temple of God we have no agreement or interaction with the idols of this world (2 Cor 6:16).

When Peter said, Look on us, he was telling the lame man, you don’t have to look at this Temple of stone anymore to find the answers; instead, look to the people of God, because the Answer lives inside of us. Peter was not only giving instruction to the lame man, he was also giving instruction to the modern-day Church. The Answer this world is looking for is not found in our buildings nor our monuments, but in our lives, but the world will only find the Answer in us when we place God and the things of God at the center of our entire existence. When our world looks to us they won’t see us, but they will see God through us (Matt 5:14-16). Like John the Baptist said, He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

Acts 3:5-7

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

The Expectation & the Answer

It’s important to note that the lame man looked to Peter and John expecting to receive something. Our world is like this lame man; they need something, anything to get through the hell that their lives have become. The world is looking to GOD's Community expecting us to give them an answer.

What are we showing them?

When Peter made the statement, look on us, the lame man’s focus was taken off of the man-made Temple and centered on the GOD-filled Temple. Peter’s statement of identity impacted the man who had a need. When we say to the world, we are the people of God, we are telling them to stop looking everywhere else for the answers.

Are we prepared to give the Answer?

The lame man was not asking to be healed; he simply wanted something to help him get through that day. Peter gave him Someone Who got him through the rest of his life. The Community can’t help our world out with a fix, but we can show them Someone Who can change their lives forever. Peter and John gave us the example of what we should show the world: they showed the lame man a Big Jesus.

Acts 3:18-21

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

The Big Jesus

Jesus did not come to the world to do a small work. We make a mistake when we trivialize the life-work of Jesus into something as simple as strictly salvation. While it was the primary purpose of Jesus Messiah, salvation was only one aspect of His Mission. Peter shows us in verse 21 that not only did Messiah come to seek and to save, but he also came to restore all things. What is this restoration that Peter is referring to? What is the significance of this restoration in my life, and your life, and the lives of everyone around us? What is Jesus really talking about when He says, I have come that you might have life, and this life I give is more abundant than anything that you’ve ever imagined (John 10:10)?

To understand this mystery we have to think Hebrew. Peter was referencing an ancient Hebrew teaching that had been passed down from generation to generation. The teaching was that at the advent of the Messiah all things would be restored to YHWH's original creation: harmony with YHWH. The Hebrews believed that Messiah would bring this restoration by establishing an earthly kingdom that would bring all creation back into perfect harmony with GOD: or what they called Eternal Life.

We have to remember that GOD never intended for man to be separated from Him. Since the fall of man, GOD has desired for man to be restored back into this harmony. Salvation is the first step in this restoration. Peter reiterates this point in 2 Peter 1:5-9. The faith is the first step toward salvation, but we can’t stop there; the process of restoration is a journey that brings each one of us individually back into perfect harmony with GOD. Deliverance from sin is only part one of the Answer. The Answer continues with complete and total restoration to GOD.

The world in which we live has been sold salvation by every religion and philosophy out there. They are asking for more than just religion. They want something more than just safety, they need something that will bring them back into harmony with GOD. We are not called to shine our world a small Jesus that can only touch their lives spiritually; we are called to shine them a Big Jesus that can restore every part of their existence. When we reduce Jesus to simply a religious answer, we are reducing His impact in both our lives and the lives of everyone in the world. The Answer of Jesus is not a small answer. Jesus is the Answer to every part of life.

As the Body of Messiah, are we shining our world a Jesus of religion, or are we shining them a Jesus of reality?

Are we showing the world a small Jesus, or are we showing the world a Big Jesus?

GOD is great

Sometimes you just have to say, "Wow!"


Look how great our GOD is. Look at the world He created by the power of His voice. Look at how wonderfully we were made. One of my all-time favorite songs is How Great is Our GOD by Chris Tomlin. Chris, you definitely connected on this one.


It's very difficult—at times—when we're totally surrounded by the negativity of this life, to remember just how great our GOD truly is. So—to let you in on a personal practice and secret—when I'm just about overwhelmed by the nay-sayers and doubt that is inherently in my psyche, I begin to remind myself how great GOD is, and has been in my life. I think about all the times that He's delivered me, is my Provision, is my Healer, is continually my Savior, His Mercy, His Grace (wow, I could spend a month or more just talking about His ever-present Grace in my life)… I think you're getting the picture.


Sure, there are those who don't understand me, those who only see my myriad faults, those who can't seem to forget my past… In fact, more often than not, I personally fill all these roles of negativity and many more. The fact is, it doesn't matter how negative I am, nor anyone else is, GOD is still GOD. He still became sin to purchase expiation for the sin in which we were born. He still delivers, heals, saves, comforts.


He still deserves all our worship.


In a world filled with negativity, of this I am positive: my GOD is great.

Next Chapter

It's hard to believe that almost nine years ago I moved to Orange County to work with my pastors, Jeff and Sandra Morgan, at SouthCoast. It's even harder to believe that almost seven years ago GOD blessed me with my other self and—over the next few years—our four beautiful daughters. For most of the last nine years I have served as Assistant Pastor to the Morgan's and SouthCoast; a role made easier when Olga joined me (gotta love marriage). But today starts the beginning of the end of this leg of our journey.


Around four years ago Olga and I began feeling that GOD was calling us to launch a missional community in New Orleans. For several reasons this has been something with which I've struggled ever since feeling the first call. While we both feel that GOD has called us to New Orleans, we also know that we are not quite ready. We have been in prayer over this call, along with our pastors—and both our parents—for the past year. Even though we haven't felt the release to head south, we knew that GOD had something else in His Purpose for us.


Olga and I knew that June was going to be a monumental month in our journey. We began to pray very intently for GOD to illuminate His Purpose in our lives. We were willing to even force the door open in New Orleans, if this was what GOD intended for us.


Isn't it great how GOD always knows exactly when to answer?


After much prayer and seeking GOD's Purpose, Olga and I are accepting a pastoral ministry position at Life Church in Anchorage, Alaska. We will be working with Pastors Jim and Heather Blackshear, and are very excited about the door that GOD has opened to us. 


This is going to be a major adjustment for us, having lived in Orange County for almost a decade, but we know that GOD is leading us into this opportunity. There are a lot of aspects of ministry that we'll be working in at Life Church, and I'll make sure and keep everyone posted.


I have learned so much over the last 8-1/2 years working with Pastors Jeff and Sandra Morgan. Their transparency, consistency and godliness have taught, inspired and occasionally rebuked me, and I thank GOD for their leadership in my life and in my family. They are two of my closest friends. In addition to this, they are also the GODparents to all four of my daughters, a role that they've filled with grace and class, and a role that Olga and I take very seriously. We will miss the late nights and long Sunday afternoons together, but we know that the friendship and closeness will never go away.


I want to thank the entire Morgan family for the past 8-1/2 years. It will be hard for us to leave all of you, especially Logan (I've got a close affinity with Logan, as I see a lot of myself in him. Good luck buddy, life's going to be interesting).


We are sad to be leaving, but excited about where GOD is taking us. No, it's not what I expected, but GOD knows what He's doing (what with Him being GOD for as long as He has), so I trust Him.


All that remains is to simply turn the page and begin the next chapter. 

Isaiah 1 — Deconstructed

My daily devotions this week are through the Book of Isaiah. This is one of my favorite Old Testament books, and it serves as a thumb-nail glance at the entire Story of GOD as depicted in the 66 books of the Bible.


One of the most powerful themes that leaps off the page (or in my case, the computer screen) when I'm reading the first chapter of Isaiah's prophecy is this: GOD is ticked off. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are basically a prophecy of judgement against Judah; a nation that has assumed itself secure from judgement because of its covenant relationship with GOD. However, GOD tells Judah that the covenant cannot protect them from His judgement when they have broken it through idolatry, injustice, cruelty and by their following after ideals which oppose GOD's Law.


I'm using The Message paraphrase here primarily because it's easier to grasp the nuance of the Text, and I appreciate how it has been interpolated into current nomenclature. This does not, however, mean that I value a paraphrase of the Text over a translation.


Verse 2 launches us into the fray:


Heaven and earth, you're the jury: Listen to GOD's case…"*


The case GOD makes is pretty straight-forward and summed up in His opening statement.


I had children and raised them well, and they turned on me. The ox knows who's boss, the mule knows the hand that feeds him, but not Israel. My people don't know up from down… My people have walked out on me, their GOD, turned their backs on The Holy of Israel, walked off and never looked back.**


After He describes in great detail the condition in which He views Judah, GOD begins pleading with His people to stop what they're doing, in His name no less. 


Why this frenzy of sacrifices? [GOD's asking.] Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don't you think I've had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before me, whoever gave you the idea of acting like this, running here and there, doing this and that—all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?***


There are several questions that come to my mind when I read through this section of Chapter 1. Question 1: didn't GOD institute animal sacrifices? What could have made GOD sick of a practice that He had instituted Himself in the Garden?


In my opinion GOD is saying two things here: I'm sick of what worship has become, and I have a plan to change this because your sacrifices aren't enough (Messiah). This being said, I can't help but place myself in this story. Has my worship to GOD become ritual and rote? Are my sacrifices of praise not getting past the tips of my upraised hands? Have I been simply going through the motions, acting as though I'm worshiping GOD yet never truly changing anything? Am I making GOD nauseous with my praise and worship? Does my life make Him sick?


Question 2: what is the sheer commotion in the place of worship that He's referencing in verse 12? 


I have heard people posit that this is GOD demanding reverent worship rather than exuberant, active praise (ie, running, jumping, etc.). This is not necessarily a theory with which I agree; especially in the light of the example of David's worship. However, I do have to wonder if often times we are more ready to run around the church simply for the sake of running more than as true, heart-felt expressions of adoration for Jesus Messiah.


Could the commotion in verse 12 have been a reference to the commotion connected with the preparation of each worship experience (ie, the getting ready for church whatnot)? Could it be that the preparing to go to the House of GOD—and the preparing of the building itself for the worship experience—should involve more reverence? Should I and my wife dedicate the time spent in dressing ourselves and our four daughters for a church service as an aspect of worship, rather than the frantic frenzy that is Sunday morning at the Young house? Should the tech team tune the sound system, adjust the lighting, warm up the video equipment reverently? I'm not saying this is the answer, just simply asking the questions. I could be taking this Text waaaaay out of context. I'd love to hear your feedback.


The reason these questions are in my mind is because of the next few verses:


Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. ****


Evidently, GOD viewed Judah's worship process as a charade. It is important to note that the primary reason that GOD rejected Judah's worship was because of the backslidden state. Their worship was not rejected because of the form of worship, but because they continued to go through the motions of worship (ritual, rote, habit, religion) despite the fact that their hearts were no longer connected to YHWH. GOD says that they were playing at worship (religious games). He then describes the religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! But didn't GOD institute the Sabbath? Is this saying that conferences and meetings are wrong? Are we wearing GOD out with all of our religious hypocricy?


The answer to these questions cannot be to simply do away with the Sabbath (Divine Rest), or to stop holding all our conferences (wait, that actually may be a good idea. I'm just saying…), or to cancel our staff meetings, etc. Or can it? What if our understanding of true Sabbath is completely and utterly wrong? What if we're so busy meeting with the planning committee for the planning of the committee meetings at myriad quarterly conferences that we've forgotten that there is a GOD somehow supposed to be connected with all of our efforts, and that He has a Mission? Again, I'm not saying this is the answer, only asking questions.


GOD says, I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. He then says, When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. 


Ouch! GOD has a way of cutting to the bone (I can faintly hear Ace Ventura yelling, It's in the bone! It's in the bone… but I digress). GOD has the audacity to call my prayers performances (remember, I've placed myself into the story). Does He really mean that no matter how loud and long and often I pray He won't be listening? Doesn't He recognize my humility? I mean, doesn't He see that I've got everything right? I tithe, I don't miss church services, I dress the part, I act the part (when I'm around other church folk), I can throw the gratuitous contrived tongue into my public prayers with the best of them… isn't this what He's wanting? Is it possible to go through all the motions and get everything in the ceremony correct, yet still be backslidden?


GOD answers these questions with one of His own: And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. What does this mean? Who am I tearing to pieces? How can my hands be bloody when I can't see the the blood on them? Am I so blind to my own actions? Have I become so accustomed to the carnage that I no longer see the visceral dripping from my own hands? Is this really how GOD sees me?


GOD then provides the solution to the mess in which Judah had so firmly ensconced themselves:


Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.*****


The next few verses also provide hope in their seemingly hopeless situation:


Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out. [This is God's Message]: If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool. If you'll willingly obey, you'll feast like kings. But if you're willful and stubborn, you'll die like dogs. [That's right. God says so].******


When I place myself into the story, I can see that GOD is calling me to repentance. But not the typical I'm sorry for my sins quasi-repentance to which I've grown so accustomed. GOD is calling me to true repentance. True repentance consists of three distinct and integral processes: confession of my sins; rejection of my sins; and submission to GOD's Purpose for my life. Confession is not enough, I have to turn away from my carnal nature, and turn to GOD. Repentance for too long has been relegated only for the sinner coming to GOD, but even those of us who've been cleansed from our sins and baptized by His Spirit and into His name can also enjoy the blessing of repentance. Paul called this dying daily.


The underlying theme of Isaiah 1 is that GOD's people had drifted far from Him, but were so entrenched in their religion that they failed to see that the GOD of their religion was nowhere around. Their obedience to His institution of sacrifice had become nothing more than habitual action. They had lost their wonder of GOD. They had lost their reverence of just how awesome and powerful He truly is (I changed tenses purposefully, as GOD is timeless, therefore always present, even in our past). Yes, obedience is better than sacrifice, but sacrifice simply for the sake of sacrifice is no better than no sacrifice at all.


GOD says, Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out. If my life is one way, He can make it another way. If my worship is false, through repentance I can make it pure and He'll accept it. If I'll willingly obey, GOD will honor and glorify me. But, if I'm willful and stubborn, I'll pay the price for my sin, thus negating His sacrifice.


Just an aside: if GOD is so willing to sit down with us and work out our misunderstandings, how come we are so reticent to do the same?


In going through this Text I am both humbled at how well GOD knows me, and amazed that He still reaches for me. I've made His worship ritual. I've busied myself by playing religion. I've ignored His heart and love for the defenseless and down-and-out. I've ran from good to passionately embrace wrong. My hands are bloody from my tearing people to pieces with my words. I'm arrogant. I'm full of pride. He called me to His Purpose, yet I've chosen my own credenda instead.


GOD forgive me. I'm rejecting myself and choosing You. I'm running away from the temporal and embracing the eternal that You've prepared for me. I'm washing myself of the desire for the latest thing (1:24-31) so there is only room in me for Your Truth.


I'm choosing Your Abundant Life over my existence.


* Isaiah 1:2
** 1:2-4
*** 1:11-12
**** 1:13-17a
***** 1:13-17b
****** 1:18-20