FishForMen

Living in Grace

2012-01-02T05:33:00.000-05:00

In a few months I will be teaching at the 10th Annual Pastor's Conference in Lugoj Romania. The theme this year is Living in Grace. As I have been preparing the talks, one statement I have used over and over is this:

"It is easier to walk in rules than it is to live in grace."

It is my prayer and hope that we all not only learn to live in grace but teach others to do so also. Here are a few questions to get us started.

1. What will walking in grace demand of you that legalism forbids?

2. What will walking in grace demand of you that license permits?

Rather than give you the answers, I challenge you to look at the gospels and Jesus' life carefully to answer these questions for yourself. Post comments as to what you are learning.

Misssionary to El Salvador

2011-09-21T07:33:00.002-04:00

Victor writes:

We want to share with you all how blessed we are because God has used us for the salvation of these souls. This took place in a retreat and in relational evangelism during the month of August:
             Mirjana Barahona
             Carolina Marenco
             Blanca Brizuela
             Mariela Aquino
             Zuleyma Reyes
             Claudia Lopez
             Jacky Marroquin
             Idalia Perez
             Norma Hernandez
             Wendy Leiva

We are so thankful and we pray that the Lord will continue using us for His purpose: Making disciples of all the ones He allows us to encounter in our lives.
To Him be all the Glory !!!

Victor and Flor

The Gospel

2011-09-14T08:02:00.002-04:00

One of the best explanations of the Gospel. Follow the link.

http://vimeo.com/20960385

Mission Trip to El Salvador.

2011-06-26T12:12:00.002-04:00

Friends,

I want to take a moment to thank you for your prayers and thought during my recent trip to El Salvador. The best way to express my gratitude is to share what God did during that time. I will share with you my journal of the trip, things observed and things learned.

Pre-trip

I was asked Sunday night, June 12, just 3 days prior to my departure, by a friend, what I would be doing. I shared with him that except for preaching on Sunday, I had no clue. I could tell this was a bit surprising, and to be honest many years ago it would have surprised me also. We United Statesians (Salvadorians are American too) are so used to planning to the minutia that to have no plan is the epitome of a fool. The scripture verse come to mind, “be ready in season and out of season…” So I shared with him that the most preparation is in the heart.

On Monday, to my surprise, I was sent an itinerary for what I was to be involved in. This was the most extensive itinerary I have ever had in El Salvador. To add to the complexity, I was now speaking to the department heads at an Evangelical University each day. For the 5 day trip, I was to teach 8 classes, preach 4 times and participate in 2 community outreaches where churches are being planted, and I have only today, Monday, off to prepare!

God knows how and where to stretch our faith. What was a stretch for one man was an ease for me. But now a responsibility to speak to people at such a high level of leadership, with very little preparation was a bit intimidating. I sent out the itinerary, and I know many of your prayers helped settle my heart. Having many years of study and experience, I just needed to trust the Holy Spirit to bring out through me what HE wanted to share. A true branches and Vine event.

Day One, Thursday

Breakfast at 7:00 a.m.(after a red-eye flight and settling in bed at 2:30 a.m.) with Pastor Julio, Director of Spiritual Affairs, Evangelical University of El Salvador, to discuss his desires, goals and thoughts for my work during the week. God began to show me how I was to be used for His glory and for the good of us, his children.

At 8:00 a.m., I met with the chaplains for the University, under Julio, 5 in all. Starting from Judges 2:10, I began to outline how personal discipleship had deteriorated in Israel in the matter of one generation. I carefully delineated the differences between discipleship, Christian education (and the various models), and informative lectures/sermons/lessons/books. I ended with a challenge from 2 Timothy 2:2. The meeting lasted til 11:00. We went to lunch and dialoged about what would be required to embrace this paradigm shift.

I met with the library staff in the afternoon and spoke about personal identity, being complete in Christ and then growing in that completeness. I started with the focal verse in Colossians 2:10 and then showed the prayer connection between expectation and application from 1:9-10. The people were blessed by God, and I saw several countenance changes.

At 3:00 an impromptu opportunity presented itself with my being able to speak to the students. We focused on the difference between converts and disciples from Matthew 4:17 and asked for commitments. Several responded.

I spent the remaining afternoon sharing with Julio and Victor and learning what they were doing for discipleship. El Salvador is still a 1^st/2^nd generation church, and they don’t have all the religious layers/lingo to weed through as we do in the States.

The evening with Grace Baptist church was very rewarding. We had a 25-30 minute prayer time before I spoke. I was so encouraged. Then, speaking from 1 John 3:1-3 we spoke about the identity, belief and responsibility. This was followed up by Q/A session. We were all encouraged.

Day Two Friday

The morning started off well with a chapel service where I shared a message from Proverbs 2 relating to Father’s Day. Father’s Day is on Friday in El Salvador. Afterwards I had the privilege of meeting Missionary Bob Kendrick. We spent about an hour together, and I hope to work with him in the future.

I spent the afternoon time with one of the chaplains unpacking the one to one discipleship paradigm and making real application. I took up about two hours to teach one of them how to learn to make personal application from bible passages and then to teach others also. She was so excited. God had a breakthrough!

I had supper with my very good friend Rodrigo. We enjoyed a few hours of reunion. Upon arrival to my house (some new friends who provided housing for me during my trip, Milton and Martha) I found a party for one of their friends. They were also housing 4 Cubans who were attending linguistic training from Wycliffe in El Salvador. We had a great time and as the evening grew late, I fellowshipped with some men from Milton’s bible class (Inglesia Bautista Miramonte). We had a wonderful time sharing what God had been teaching us and working through and applying Galatians 5:16 and Romans 12:1-2. We retired well after 1:30 a.m. At 3:00 a.m. The Spirit impressed on me an illustration for the next day.

Day Three- Saturday

This morning I met with PLP, a professional Christian leadership program that was developed by Julio. It meets every Saturday for 4 hours. I gave the background from the book of Titus and Paul’s eminent departure and launched into why he wrote the book. I emphasized how Titus had previously spent much time with Paul so the writings would have been very personal. Titus would have understood all the nuances of how Paul thought and the writing, being very personal would have tremendous information beyond just the printed text we received. I wanted to demonstrate the difference in Christian Education and Discipleship. Thus we have to read the text as if we are a Titus to Paul. I shared chapter 2:1-8 and then gave the interpretation and then interacted with numerous applications.

It is at this point I used the illustration impressed upon me in the night. WOW, God was opening eyes. I had never used this illustration and it was one of those things only God could have brought to my attention since I never read about it either. But the impact was so plain, it was like scales were falling from their eyes. The illustration demonstrated the value of CE but its inability to solely produce disciples. Then it demonstrated what discipleship does and how it duplicates. After the session 3 people came forward and asked how to get started. God was moving.

I visited a volcano and had lunch with Victor and Julio. Julio invited me to come back for an extended stay and teach. Perhaps a family affair!! Later we attempted to go to Vera Paz but we got rained out, so we took a ride down through Zacatacaluka to get some fresh sweet bread for the evening. In the process I found the PERFECT chile pepper.

Day Four- Sunday

What a joy to be back with family! This church in Illobasco is indeed that -- family. They love Jesus! The music is PASSIONATE without the pretense, polish and performance. So refreshing!!! So authentic!! I spoke on 1 John 3:1-3 and really hammered home identity. I used an adoption illustration and illuminated it from my own life. God was moving....at lunch, Pastor Yohalmo told me how he was just starting to address this subject through his preaching (reader remember- NO PRE_PLANNING). I shared with him at length the reasons for my absence over the past 2 years. He committed to pray for me. We introduced to him the need to multiply disciples. I inquired about the absence of a dear friend and was told he was discouraged and that life has been hard on him.

At the evening service I spoke from Colossians 1:19-23, The Magnificent Jesus. There was much freedom and unction from the Spirit. I invited people to demonstrate their need to be saved and to be open to being approached one to one at the end of the service. 7-8 people expressed their desire. The church followed up immediately. Amazing to see about a dozen groups sharing how one could trust Jesus. I focused on one man who spoke to me in English. He told me the adoption story from the morning had really spoken to him and then told me why he could not be saved. I told him how the cross and Christ’s blood pardons all sin not just the nice ones and that even his horrible sins could be covered too. Before we finished our conversation a few ladies grabbed us by the arm and took us to a Father’s Day celebration they had planned. Imagine, this man was just a visitor that day and wound up seated at the place of honor at the table! God has a way of making his point clear. We enjoyed the time and exchanged contact information. It was getting late and we needed to travel 1 hour to my house so we prepared to leave.

Before I left Illobasco I made a point to take a detour to my discouraged friend’s home. I awakened him from sleep. I recounted all the times God had used us in the past and that I would not visit El Salvador without seeing him. He was speechless. I asked if I could pray for him, and he wept as we embraced. He told the pastor he would see him on Wednesday. Arriving home late, I went to check my email and Facebook. The man I told you of earlier was on FB and sent a friend request. I went to his page and noticed some things inappropriate. As I accepted his friend request, he started immediately cleaning the page, renamed himself and IM me telling me God had changed him that night after the service. We chatted for a while, and it was encouraging to see God work on this man.

Day Five Monday

I met with the medical faculty at 8:00 a.m. I shared with them from Col 1:19-23, and we explored the unique union of God and Man, Jesus. I couched some of the teaching in medical related terminology, and they were very engaged. It looked as if it was the first time they connected their profession with their Christianity. That was encouraging, since some of the professors are not believers.

At 11:00 I met with the Business staff along with the Dental staff. We opened up Matthew 28:16-20 and talked of leaving a legacy and the need to disciple as we are going. I encouraged them to use their occupations as opportunities for discipleship relationships. One man shared how he has been in a discipleship church and has multiplied many times, but never seen his position as an opportunity.

Preparing to go to El Sunza for an outreach, the car blew a water hose. So we missed the chance to go for the afternoon. We arrived just in time for the service. I met Pastor Carlos and some of his lost family who had come to hear the “American”. The presence of the Lord was present in the sing of the saints. Pastor Carlos said he expected only 30; I’m sure he was being optimistic at that. BUT GOD, I love that phrase, had other plans. The building was packed and there were chairs set up outside on the entry way. Well over 100 people came out. I preached again from Colossians 1:19-23 and gave a clear call to embrace this magnificent Jesus. Only God know who became his children that night, but the pastor fully intends to follow up with the guests. Would have loved to stay longer but I had a 1 hour drive to my house to shower, finish packing and then make the hour drive to the airport for the 1:00 a.m. flight. Exhausted and encouraged, I departed to the U.S.

2011-02-17T05:41:00.003-05:00

Apostasy
Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints

This year I plan to bring us to the study of Apostasy. I have been preparing studies on this subject for the last several months and want to shed some light on it. I think one of the enemies stratagems is to keep us from real, honest evaluation. This leads to all sorts of unbelief and easy believism. It also fosters, in our day of hyper-tolerance, an unintended endorsement of some who are not believers as believers. At this stage we become like doctors giving placebos to the dying telling them it is helping them.

One verse of scripture I can not seem to get away from for the last 5 years, perhaps brings the whole subject to an apex. I will, perhaps, creates post dedicated to it entirely, but for the moment I would like to simply introduce it and add a few questions for your devotional thoughts.

John 2:24 - But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all [men],

Now for the questions.

Has Jesus committed Himself to you?
What evidence can be gleaned for the scripture and compared to your life (how you live normally) to indicate that he has? Has not committed himself to you?
What is required for Him to commit to you?

Prayerfully consider this verse.

2010-12-16T14:48:00.003-05:00

Christ-less Christianity = Jehovah-less Judaism.

This year I explored a bit the theme of Christ-less Christianity, a topic introduced by Michael Horton's book with the same title. I want to conclude this topic for the year and hope to explore another needed topic next year. Granted, my writing has been cut short this year due to circumstances beyond my control; nevertheless the topic has not evaded my many thoughts as I see plainly many who are blindly bound to what Horton writes about.

One such path my thinking caused me to explore is the path of the Jewish life at the time of Christ's birth. Jesus was born into Jehovah-less Judaism. Granted, there were people who were truly Jehovah worshipers, but I think the case can be easily made to substantiate the claim.

The world Jesus was born into at His incarnation was perhaps the most religious as anytime in the history of Israel. Since being restored to Israel after the Babylonian captivity, the Jewish people were determined to never fall into idolatry again. They began to be serious as to how they would conduct themselves to approach God. This seriousness would lead to the rise of all kinds of experts to assist the commoners as they would worship God. The Levites and the Law were layered over and over with various sects in the National religion. The Pharisees became the conservative practitioners, the Sadducees became the political persuaders and the Scribes became the institutional scholars. Religion in Jesus’ day under the name of Jehovah had it all…yet had it wrong.

Fast forward. In our day in Western Christianity, it seems as if we have it all, and yet all along we are not much different than the Jehovah-less Judaism, experienced by Jesus and His disciples. Perhaps just as sad is that Immanuel is still rejected under the auspice of Christianity just as He was under Judaism. Yet Jesus is not surprised by this. Revelation 3:20 indicates He is still knocking. The question is, are we answering? Or are we so bound in our kind of Christianity that it remains Christ-less? So many Jews missed Jehovah in Jesus, will so many Christians miss Him too?

Christ is here
His way is True;
The way of hope
Is Christ’s death for you.

Receive His grace as a dead man dying
Embrace his gift as a slave now serving;
No hope in self to God do bring
Only Christ’s cross and praises sing.

With gratitude now go and tell
No longer man need go to hell
The grace of God now freely given
The Christ-consumed life is the only worth liv’n.

© Chris Gilliam 2010

2010-04-18T08:19:00.001-04:00

Sin’s Lingering Effects

Joshua 22:17 Is the iniquity of Peor not enough for us, from which we are not cleansed till this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD, 18 but that you must turn away this day from following the LORD? And it shall be, if you rebel today against the LORD, that tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

One of the biggest blind spots to all people, even long time believers, is the effects of sin in general and ours specifically. I want to address those of us who claim to be ever growing in our commitment to Christ. Ever since Adam and Eve exchanged the truth for the lie there has been a truth deficit; our natural state likes it this way. Thus, we become captive to the lie and to the entire thought process that sin, our sin, will be completely forgiven and there is no punitive effect, no circumstantial consequences, no long term impact. We have been blinded to believe that the effects end at forgiveness. And while judicial positioning was secured at the cross and relational positioning is regained at forgiveness, consequences often remain and for a long time.

Consider the statement above in Joshua. The incident of Peor occurred a minimum of five years prior to this particular situation facing the nation of Israel. Here in this situation, where brothers are suspected of possible idolatry, one of the reasons used to expose sin is the lasting and lingering effects of past sins. (see Numbers 22-23). Another was the consequential effect on those who did not participate in this sin, the nation of Israel. Sin has a lingering stench and causes harm to innocent people.

But often we don’t consider that when we are tempted and persuaded to sin, when we only see the mirage of instant gratification, the lure of the easiest way to happiness, and the trap that it will all be sweep away (or under the rug) and we can move on with life. Nothing is further from the truth. Thus, we blindly choose to sin, causing lasting harm to self and to others. Harm that sometimes is not erased for years to come.

Think on that next time the you know the Word would categorize your next thought and action as sin... Much lingering harm will remain if you sin.

© Chris Gilliam 2010

2010-03-20T06:30:00.001-04:00

When We Worship Worship
Leviticus 10:1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord has said, 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace. English Standard Version.

Aaron's sons just made a grave misstep that sent them to their grave. Perhaps the misstep seems trivial to those of us in living in the land of quick, convenient, immediate. Perhaps even the thought of this evokes anger in some of you toward God, anger expressed in "How could God do this?" Perhaps others are asking, so what does this have to do with me? Let's look at this situation a little closer.

God has just gone through seven chapters indicating how he was to be worshiped by the people, who were facilitated by the priest. In chapter eight God moves his attention to the consecration of the priest. Very detailed instructions are given indicating that worshiping of God is not to be a flippant act, nor is it to be taken lightly. First the priest are consecrated and clothed, then, Aaron is to offer burnt offerings of atonement for himself, his sons, and the nation of Israel. The instructions in chapter nine are detailed and specific. After this all occurred, God showed himself as a consuming fire and burned up the offerings on the altar. This outbreak of God astonished, petrified, terrified and humbled the people. God was exalted as God in the place of worship. He was valued as supreme. He was exalted above the altar, offerings, ritual, priest, participants and place of worship. God made himself known.

It is at this juncture things went south. I believe they still go south here today. Perhaps Aaron's sons wanted to capture the moment, so they took up fire. Perhaps they wanted to control the movement, they put it in their sensors. Perhaps, they wanted to excite the senses, so they burned incense on the censors (see Exodus 30:1-10; 36-38). Perhaps they wanted to show themselves as leaders in the movement, so they took it upon themselves to do something. Perhaps they were more caught up in the moment as opposed to being caught up in God. Perhaps they began to worship their own worship.

God' consumed them since they stole His glory, foreshadowing a coming day of reckoning. God wanted the people to know Him, the seriousness of sin and His mercy by offering forgiveness. God stayed with them, taught them and showed them his worth-ship so they learned to worship Him as opposed to their own worship. Some did. Others did not learn the lesson. But what may be perhaps more sad today is that God does not consume us as we worship worship, He just leaves. (Romans 1, Revelation 2)

© Chris Gilliam 2010

2010-03-12T08:10:00.000-05:00

More on the Christ Life

Luke 14: 26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest”, has been a steady staple in my spiritual diet ever since my precious mother-in-law gave me that book for Christmas many years ago. (Good books are filled with years worth of gold for the mining. Thank Joyce!) Today’s reading (here) strikes at this theme I want to explore this year. It interest me that the theme is not a new theme, just an old deception resurrected, redressed and repositioned for the modern world. It is effective because it does not take to heart the words of Exodus 20:1-6 or 1 John 5: 21.

I want to conclude this with one last thought.

One must crucify the Christ of the imagination in order to surrender to the Christ of scripture.

© Chris Gilliam 2010

2010-03-01T12:41:00.004-05:00

More on the Christ life.

Check out the link below as Dr. Michael Horton weighs in on this very important subject.

http://theresurgence.com/what-is-moralistic-therapeutic-deism

2010-02-23T15:12:00.001-05:00

Christian Living vs. Christ likeness

I had previously indicated how I desire to examine the subject above during this year. The first area I want to place under the test is the area of human relationships, namely marriage. There is a wave of movement in our culture today emphasizing the need to procure, protect and promote marriage. Much of the movement perhaps is driven by a deep understanding that historically a society thrives based on how the family thrives. As the family falls apart, the society as a whole will soon collapse also. However, if we are honest, this is not the purest of motivations, perhaps it smacks of self-centeredness more that we in this country are willing to admit. The fact of the matter is that God does have a lot to say about this relationship, unfortunately much of what is available to the Christian and to secularist at large is anything but God’s design.

I plan to develop this thread more, but for the meantime, I want to direct our attention to a post that already focuses like a laser on the topic at hand as it relates to marriage. READ HERE

2010-01-21T12:29:00.001-05:00

Are You Duped?

As I read the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, I discover many Christians have been taken in by a subtle but dangerous philosophy. A philosophy which I am hard pressed to expose because it is so close to being the real thing. It has tangible results. It works and is rewarded. It feels right. This philosophy has not only duped individual believers; it has gained momentum swaying masses away from the head, Christ. And this is why it must be explored, exposed and put in its proper place if we are to follow Christ.

Being rooted in a conservative evangelical tradition, we are quick to see the embellishments and abuses of the prosperity movements gone amuck. Yet it is us who are more in danger of becoming duped! We often gloat in our ability to point out the obvious yet go blind when the light gets turned on to our satisfied way of Christian living.

How is the Christian living movement duping us?

We learn the bible as a book of “behaviors,” “principles” and “concepts” so that we can experience the Christian life. Did you catch it? Not one mention of loyalty to Christ. Not one mention of exalting Christ. If you examine closely you will see the subtle but dangerous “I” is enthroned. This philosophy is rooted not so much in pleasing God but pleasing self. It desires to control and create comfort. It superimposes the American Dream on the Bible. Upward mobility trumps absolute surrender. By default we reduce the bible to a self-help book.

The expression of a good behavior is not for personal benefit but for proclamation of a great King. The Gospel demands glorying in Christ regardless of personal gain or glory. God is not impressed with good social living but with a faith-filled life, a life that trust Christ’s work more than social approval.

I understand I have painted “Christian Living” with a broad stroke; this is by design. I want to explore this topic more fully in subsequent posts, exploring various aspects of “Christian Living.” You can check out Dr. Michael Horton’s book Christless Christianity. I assure you, as we allow the Holy Spirit and a hearty dose of scripture searching, we can root out any Idols that may have us held captive.

Chris Gilliam © 2010

2009-11-04T21:53:00.007-05:00

What to do with the Heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. NKJV

If you have grown up around the religious traditions in the southern part of the United States the essence of this verse is certainly well known. This verse has become so well known that, in recent years, it has become the subject of much debate. The debate hinges on the question of what to do with the heart.

There has been a long standing tradition that we must PURIFY our hearts. The idea is based on the first part of the verse where we are told that the heart is wicked. The premise is that if we clean the wicked, we will be able to please God and live a happy life.

There is a relatively new movement in Christendom that teaches we should PURSUE our hearts. The idea is based on the fact that if we are redeemed, we now have a new heart that Christ has placed in us, and we need to live from the new heart. If we then by faith follow the new heart we will be able to please God and live a happy life.

So which one is right? While the first approach tends to lead to self-condemnation, the second leans toward self-actualization. The first can lead to a gospel of self-denial, the second a gospel of self-fulfillment. The first may scream legalism while the second seduces with license.

Is there a better way? The answer lies in the text itself. While unstated, it is the obvious solution. This is why biblical meditation is so needful today, in order to unearth that which is obvious. We are to PRESENT our hearts to God. Notice that the text says God searches, test, and repays. In other words, even when we don't know the heart, God does.

It is rather plain that our attempts at purifying and pursuing our hearts without first presenting them will ALWAYS lead us astray. Our venturing from the throne of God does not require conscious awareness that we are venturing, just a lack of dependence on Him as we face life daily.

Our flesh and God's arch foe is delighted when we, even with "Christian" intentions, attempt to purify or pursue our heart. They gloat with us as we apply biblical principles as "how to's" in order to make us socially stable, religiously acceptable and morally responsible. They applaud our efforts and feed our craving (with false fuel) so long as we fail to present ourselves and the central most part of us, our hearts, to God.

Purifying without presenting leaves us with deep dirt unseen by us but at times experienced by others. Pursuing without presenting leaves us with deep dirt unseen by us but at times experienced by others. Both however "feel" right, holy and healthy. Yet nothing is further from the truth but that WHICH IS BLINDED BY A MISAPPLICATION OF IT. Presenting our hearts to God is where the war is waged, the truth is told and the healing unfolds. It is where in naked humility we realize who we are, who He is and to whom we belong. It is here that the Father purges sin, purifies intent, places in us the passion needed to pursue the right things for the right reason so that He might receive Glory in our real living. It is not a one-time-fix-all proposition, it is a continual challenge.

So what shall we do with our hearts? I'll present mine to the Father DAILY, and allow Him to place the right passions in it, passions that will result in my greater pursuit of Him and His Glory. I'll approach the throne of Grace with the blood of the Son and allow the Spirit to apply it to my heart that I might live for God.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-09-02T09:32:00.001-04:00

Profiteering or People?
Nehemiah 5:1 And there was a great outcry of the people and their wives against their Jewish brethren.

An interesting dilemma occurs right in the middle of what was a long (70+ years) awaited national restoration. In the midst of progress and momentum comes a complaint. It would, as often the case, be easy for the nobility and the “movers and shakers” of society to make little of the complaint insisting that the people “stop whining”, yet one God fearing man changed all that. He viewed life biblically, ordering his life on God’s declaration and not culturally accepted norms. He insisted on showing the world in both personal integrity and public insistence among God’s leaders, that God’s ways were the right ways, the best way in a sin infested world. Nehemiah was his name.

Now the complaint (found in Neh. 5:1-5) basically showed how the burden of paying interest had placed people in oppression, bondage, dept, which was crippling their ability to survive and creating instability in the much needed restoration. This exploitation via taking of interest from fellow brothers was a much accepted practice of profit making, so accepted that there was no shame in the money makers making money on the national recovery efforts, as depicted in verse 8.

… "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

Nehemiah tackled the issue of exacting interest from fellow countryman. This is a sticky issue because it strikes right at the core of most people’s drive to possess and acquire in the easiest way possible. It challenges culturally accepted norms, collegiate instruction, and corporate schemes. At the heart of the issue is one’s own personal security without the necessary concern or compassion for others. Exacting interest from fellow brothers was placing profits above people. It happened then, and it happens today.

Nehemiah made a great protest exposing the practice and appealing to the fact that God had a standard and the Jews were to be the standard bearers. (references: Leviticus 25:36; Psalm 15:5; Proverbs 28:8 ; Ezekiel 18: 8, 13, 17; Ezekiel 22: 12)

They were the living declaration of the sovereign God expressed in ordering their lives according to His decrees. This ordering of life would demonstrate to the observing world the reality of God, providing and opportunity to tell of His greatness and goodness to inquiring minds. But not when His standards are reduced to rubbish just like the walls of the city. Nehemiah was building walls that were more than brick and mortar; he was repairing the breach in biblical living among God’s people.

What does this have to do with us who are not Jews? Do we label ourselves as God’s children and yet casually operate our affairs based on culturally acceptable standards? Is our whole system corrupt and we shy away from confronting it because we have conformed to it?

It is easy to site cases of indulgent living in the current housing debacle, yet is the principle of compound complex interest really biblical? Do we fear challenging this one item because we equally get rewarded by it in our 401k’s? Will we go beyond the norm to live biblically based, Christ-like compassionate lives in practice, even if it disrupts our financial life? Walls don’t get rebuilt when we place profit above people.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-07-10T11:27:00.002-04:00

What is Deep in You?

"Don't you believe that there is in man a deep so profound as to be hidden even to him in whom it is?" - St. Augustine

Augustine asks an interesting question. Before you jump to fast to answer let us examine an Old King of Judah, Hezekiah.

Hezekiah had been told by the Lord he was to order his affairs because his earthly departure date had arrived. Grieved by the thought, Hezekiah mourns about his earthly loss as opposed to embracing his eternal gain. God decides (for reasons known only to Him) to reschedule the appointment for 15 years in the future. After this the following statements are made:

2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud…

2 Chronicles 32: 31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

Now to be fair, verse 26 states that he repented and God restrained His wrath for a season, however what was in Hezekiah’s heart was pride that was continually displayed in self-exaltation. Rather than bless the Lord who healed he bragged on the blessings of the kingdom. Rather than showing the Babylonian envoy the sundial and tell how God turned back the hand of time he showed them all the goods God had given him (see 2 Kings 20:13-20 for a fuller explanation). Hezekiah failed the testing. He bragged on the benefits and not the benefactor. The glory of the kingdom was emphasized over the greatness of God.

Perhaps you don’t see the connection, so let me be more specific in reveling a Hezekiah heart in a 21 century way.

When we market, advertise and communicate in print or in person that we are, attend, or represent “the best church” or “the best ministry” we embrace the deep heart of Hezekiah. When the glory of the bride transcends the greatness of the groom, we fail the test. We take God for granted and vainly use His name. We focus and bring others (Babylonians and unbelievers) to focus on lesser things and not Christ alone. The “goods” cause us and others to view God for the goodies and not His greatness. He won’t stand long for that.

So if you are given over to your own self, what would your heart reveal? Would you be found trustworthy or…a traitor?

2009-07-02T10:42:00.005-04:00

What’s Your Priorities?

Priorities. Many books are written about this subject. Books designed to help you accomplish more, enjoy more, produce more, be more and do more if you learn the secret of prioritizing. Most of these books are designed with the goal of success in mind so you can become efficient and effective. Parents, teachers, peers and employers cite the mantra “get your priorities straight.” We learn early the idea behind all the priority teaching; master yourself and you will master your life. Often the target is to maximize things and people so you can maximize you. But is maximizing me the right priority?

There is a better way. Let’s look at a fine example of desire driven priorities in King Jotham.

2 Chronicles 27:6 So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God.

Let’s unpack this statement.

It is clear that there was a priority, “he ordered his ways.” Some might argue he achieved a goal of becoming mighty simply because he ordered his ways. Becoming great is accomplished by ordering your life. Sound familiar? This kind of teaching is rampant in both secular and Christian literature, but there is an underlying problem. Our western assumptions leave room to substitute the “American dream” for “before the Lord”, with the goal of becoming “mighty” as opposed to knowing God. Unfortunately this happens often.

But what does that little verse mean then if it is not just about making a priority plan in order to achieve greatness? Well, it means the priority is to know God’s word and His ways so one might do his will. Let’s discover it.

“…[H]e ordered his ways”. For a king in the Old Testament the first priority is to hand copy the book of the Law under the direction of God’s priest.

Deuteronomy 17:18 "Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

This work would have been tedious and meticulously scrutinized by the scribes. It was not busy work assigned to dull the mind and develop discipline; to the contrary, it was an exercise with intended instruction. As pen and ink intersected life in the temple, opportunity arose to see the ways of God worked out tangibly. Seeing sacrifice, smelling incense, watching priest purification rites, seeing people ministered, to begin to understand sin and atonement. It would create opportunity for the Priest to instruct while the king copied. A place of interchange, dialog, learning what God had said and what God is still saying. A chance to hear the heart beat of God and place his life in rhythm to it.

But the lessons learned in that day of spiritual formation were not to be forgotten as a part of climbing the ladder of higher priorities; no, they were a priority to be constantly and consistently upheld. Notice the next verse.

Deuteronomy 17:19 "And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes,

This Word of God is to be his constant reminder and continual barometer. It is what God has spoken and what God intends. It is learning the depths of the love of God hidden in the crevices of His words. It is to walk in God’s love and display God’s wisdom to make God’s name great in a world that has lost her way.

Further, in the process of “ordering his ways,” the king was to understand equity and justice. He was to remember his position and power were not even the goal but a gift. He was to exercise this gift without partiality among all people.

Deuteronomy 17:20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left; in order that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel.

“Ordering his ways” is the priority of knowing who God is, loving who God is, learning how God lives, and living as God intends, both now and forever. Not all kings followed this priority, but Jotham did. Leaving one application for us all, how will we prioritize?

2009-06-19T08:02:00.009-04:00

Trumping Role Call

There is an interesting phenomenon that the late Dr. Francis Shaffer demonstrated in his little philosophical book titled Escape from Reason. The phenomenon was displayed in a series of formulaic expressions. These expressions showed how easy it was to allow things, often good and right things, to become more important than they ought and eventually trumping God in the minds and methods of the adherents. Shaffer demonstrated the reality of this through history and art. While Shaffer expressed it sociologically, the scripture time and again tells of it in reality and the consequences. It is interesting that this point seems lost by so many evangelicals. One who is unaware of potential idols will eventually submit to them.

There is an interesting account of a series of events in the book of 2 Chronicles that in essence is history repeating itself and we are living that history. I want to take some major points of the history and relate it to the current status of much of the western church. You can read the full account in 2 Chronicles 26.

2 Chronicles 26:1 Now all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king…4 And he did [what] [was] right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper….

Notice a few things that are good and right. First, he was young and inexperienced. This created by default a natural need for dependence. Second, he took that need and determined best at how to fill it: he sought the Lord. Third, He found a Godly man (Demonstrated by his understanding of God’s visions, which also displayed he was steeped in the Word of God.) and submitted to his instruction and to his position. Forth, there was an effect that followed his right cause, God blessed him.

So a right pattern for you and I would be: Recognize our situation and position, seek God wholeheartedly, find a man of God and receive Godly instruction, and keep the focus on seeking the One blessing and not the blessings.

The last one is where there is grave danger in upsetting the apple cart. It was and still is the Achilles heel of fallen pride-filled independent man. Let’s pick up Uzziah’s story.

15 …So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong….16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to [his] destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

His pride led him out of dependence and into self-styled worship and God serving. It deceived him into believing that becoming a friend of God allowed him to trump God’s order and re-align God’s ways. He was fooled into thinking that the favor from God allowed him the right to exalt the favor (the experience of blessing) while disregarding the word of God.
This sin repeats itself often unfortunately.

Today, the modern expression that comes to mind is how leadership and business savvy has come to trump God’s word and ways. It is as the church and her leaders have bowed to the influence of the affluent and not the Bible. That business 401 trumps bible 101 and the mode of operation mimics the values of corporate America and not Christ voice. Status and skills of leadership are more highly prized than a servant who is a student of the text. Where the powerful forget their role as servants and stewards and position their power to influence as leader.

In Uzziah’s day there some men who stood up for truth even when it could have cost them their life. Notice with me...

17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord--valiant men. 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "[It] [is] not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You [shall] [have] no honor from the Lord God."

These men of God confronted head on the issue at hand, corrected the error by quoting the text, stopped the progress of the sin and declared the dishonor from the Lord. What might happen today if such Godly men arose from their slumber, studied the text in order to seek God and not just success, and confronted head on men and women of much more power who were trumping their own role call? What if the business followed the bible and not the other way around? We will either confront the trumping of roles or be trampled by them. We can see kings cut off or ourselves. Uzziah’s history is told, what will ours tell?

2009-05-29T14:21:00.000-04:00

What’s in the Mirror?

Looking in the mirror, what do I see?
Reflections of you? Reflections of me?

Are my actions cloaked in Your majesty?
Are they mere demonstrations of fallen humanity?

Do I excuse and deceive my mind to believe,
That my fallen human actions reflect Your Deity?

Have I become encased in some fantasy
That bears no reflection of Jesus’ glory?

Do I believe and conceive that niceness is rightness?

Oh that I would look in the mirror and see Him and not me!
For this is my heart, Lord; make it reality.

Make your reflections shine with authenticity in me
So it is clear to all You are living in me.

Let me bear the marks of this mystery
and not the façade of a fantasy.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-05-21T06:30:00.003-04:00

What is Success?
Deut 4: 23 Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Last week we looked at the definition of wicked and discovered that we are wicked every time we forget God or even take Him and His agenda into our consideration and in particular our lives.

I want to look at the word “success” today. It appears for my fellow Americans that this word holds great stock in our way of thinking, eating, living and breathing. We are a nation of winners. Even our entire market driven system and consumer society all point to the one great goal success. One of our great slogans we created from our Declaration of Independence is “The American Dream.” But does the Bible give such great charge to this word, a word whose idea has invaded the church? Let’s consider a few things.

The most common way we think of the word is as follows:
success - a succeeding fully or in accordance with one’s desires
synonyms arrival, well to do, flying colors, go, prosperity, successfulness
related words accomplishment, achievement, attainment; triumph, victory
antonyms failure; nonsuccess, unsuccessfulness

Interesting, the word is only found 19 times in Old Testament; the word does NOT occur in the New Testament!

When the word is used, the context always indicates that the success is God’s and it is of secondary to faithfulness to Him. When God promises success it is accompanied with the strong command of total allegiance to Him and His ways.(see Joshua 1:7-8 for example) Success is only important as it exalts the truth of who God is.
Rather than be preoccupied with success, the disciple of Christ must concern self with the challenge that precedes it, namely, Forget not your faithfulness to God.

Let’s look at the illustration of success and the challenge of fidelity found in the following passage.

Deuteronomy 8: 11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— 17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God. (NKJV)

Now I know you might protest as say, “Is this not specific to the nation of Israel?” Indeed, and so is the blessing part too. But don’t miss the salient applications to our present situation. Verse 17 would indict us. Yes, we might give lip service to the God for our gain, but if we examined our life practices do they align with God’s practices as found in the totality of the testimony provided to us in the Bible? Need I say the whole book of Jeremiah was proclaimed to a successful people- a people who forgot God?

Perhaps we are addicted to the idol of Success (as we understand it). Again you might protest this but I would ask you a simple question: Do you have more books and conversation about leadership (the means of success) or theology?

So what might be a more biblical definition to the word success? Jesus summed it up like this:

Matt 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

The Pharisees, contrary to many thoughts, were actually persons other people aspired to be prior to Jesus exposing their reality. Jesus indicates their rigor of life (meticulous rule keepers) which lead to their positions of power and success and in the same breath rebuked them for missing the real goal of godliness (justice, mercy, faith). So what is Jesus end goal from this text? Three simple thoughts.

1) Pursue, proclaim and provide Justice. Justice, (Just as God is) to the widows, orphans, strangers and the unfortunate. Often out of personal sacrifice and not for personal gain. (Need I state the whole “lost leader” principle is not in play here!)

2) Pursue, proclaim and provide Mercy. Mercy, (Grace like God gives) to the widows, orphans, strangers and the unfortunate, even though they may not deserve it.

3) Pursue, proclaim and provide Faith. Learning Who God is and trusting him despite what you see tangibly. Then share that with the widows, orphans, strangers and the unfortunate.

Paul’s letter sums up what should be our goal nicely; not that we strive for success but for fidelity to God.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Scripture’s emphasis is not on accomplishing and acquiring, possessing and achieving. No, it emphasizes believing, bowing and reflecting properly who God is. It replaces the term success, with its latent object for self, with fidelity to God. Now that’s biblical success.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-05-15T11:22:00.003-04:00

What is Wicked?

The title is an interesting question. Let me ask it in a different way. What image comes to mind when you think of the word “wicked”? Got it? Hold it for a moment.

Let’s see how the dictionary defines it: Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th Edition) wick•ed \ˈwi-kəd\ adj - wick•ed•ly adv
1 : morally very bad : evil 2 a: fierce, vicious 〈a wicked dog b: disposed to or marked by mischief : roguish 3 a: disgustingly unpleasant : vile b: causing or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble 4 : going beyond reasonable or predictable limits : of exceptional quality or degree 〈throws a wicked fastball〉

I suppose your definition and picture of the word most probably fits the dictionary’s categories, does it not?

This week I have been reading the story of king of Israel and I was powerfully struck. This king was politically powerful, secularly successful, religiously passionate, relationally collaborative and militarily mighty. He could actually become a case study for successful living, being a reflective example of much of the activity of modern man. But the Bible declared him as wicked. Here lies the problem; perhaps we have too narrow of a definition of the word “wicked” as portrayed biblically. Perhaps we think of the term only in the most egregious acts, never associating them term with the successful.

I combed the scripture, looking first to the kings and then to a fuller view for a clearer understanding, I posed the question above. Here is the definition based on usage that I concluded:

Wicked: to live and act as if God does not exist.

That narrows the playing field. Every time we forget God, we are being wicked. Ouch! Even great deeds and massive achievements cannot shroud wickedness. They, deeds and achievements, can deceive us into thinking that we are not so wicked, and this too is a problem.

Let me summarize the first three commandments in a single statement to demonstrate what I’m saying.

Remember God, Respect God, Reflect God. Do you see the progression? If we think of God and think on God we will begin to reflect His life in our living. The opposite it true. If we fail to think of God and on God we will fail to reflect and represent Him too.

I pray with Jeremiah,
O Jerusalem,[ place your name here] wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you? Jer 4:14

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-05-07T12:09:00.000-04:00

Enjoying life…Ignoring God
Luke 17:26-36

What thing(s) in this life do you value?

Ponder this. Make a list.

Your life is filled with blessing; is it not?

For most of us we have seen blessings heaped upon blessing and thus life is peaceful to a large degree. (If you insist to disagree, just be reminded, we no longer have to wash bed pans or travel to the outhouse! ;^)) We can survey history and see the rise and fall of nations and cultures and we can deduce that life was fullest when the nations were blessed. We can take it a step further and see that when nations adhered to religion and morality, there was a sense of the “good life.” Drilling a little closer to home, we would say we have been blessed because our nation is under the banner “In God we Trust”, and if we get back there we will experience blessing and abundance once again.
Yet in the text above I make an interesting observation. All these people were enjoying life to a degree. Words such as “eating”, “drinking”, “marrying”, “buying and selling”, “planting and building” tell of the pleasure of life. Even the illustrations from the text of storing up goods, working together, and resting together paint the picture of a life well lived. In spite of all that, some people were left out of God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus is speaking to religious people who would have quickly said they valued God, yet there was little real evidence in their thinking and living. They simply ignored Him. In other words, they enjoyed all the pleasures of life without ever thinking to give thanks to the God who gave them. Consistently taking for granted their life’s pursuits as their greatest achievements, while ignoring the Life-Giver. Living life to their definition of the fullness yet being pathetically faithless. Does this (if we dare to examine closely) speak of us? Will we enjoy life and ignore God? Or will we enjoy God and allow these fleeting pleasures to be points of praise to His greatness?
Ponder this.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-04-30T09:01:00.000-04:00

On Culture

Many thoughts collide today as I am thinking. The recent book from George Barna, “Seven Faith Tribes”, the Emerging/Emergent philosophies of witnessing and worship, the Reveal report on Willow Creek and Granger Community, the whole Saddleback community, the growing lack of discernment about biblical truth, Ecumenism and “The Shack”, superficiality, indulgence, success, winning, …and the Bible. Not enough lines could succinctly state the churn in my mind, so perhaps a short poem will bring to light what is and what ought to be.

Would Jesus need a PR guy if he were to return today?
Would he need a focus group to determine what to say?
Would he need a stylist to help him dress for crowds to sway?
Would Jesus need a PR guy if he returned to earth today?

Would Jesus need a marketer to tell us what he’d do?
Would he need some national hype from a media guru?
Would he need pizzazz and flair to get his message across to you?
Would Jesus need a marketer to tell us what he’d do?

Would Jesus need an add agency to connect his message visually?
Would he need the greatest film guys to broadcast him on TV?
Would he need airbrushed photos and breathtaking imagery?
Would Jesus need an add agency to connect his message visually?

Would pragmatism lead us to the way?
Would research define the goal?
Would he capitulate to the “needs” of men;
So his name they would extol?

Or… If we paid attention…

Would his message be so impactful it would drive us to our knees?
Would it cut us to the core and expose our idolatry?
Would it cause many pundits to accuse him of blasphemy?

Would his word prick our hearts and cause us misery?
Would they in turn open eyes blinded by sin indeed?
Would his message direct our minds back to Calvary?
Would we live transformed lives here and now and in eternity?

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-04-15T06:17:00.002-04:00

What Does it Mean to be Jealous for God?
Exodus 20:4-5 4“Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. 5You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. NLT

Throughout Scripture the statement is made that God is jealous! He WILL NOT tolerate competition to His being or Love. He loves us (me) jealously. The creation does not compete, nor other people, places, things. Even there is no competition with the angels! We are in His image and He loves us. In the same way He is jealous for His own name and relationship with us. Nothing is to compete with His glory!

So am I jealous for God the same way God is jealous for me. Do I allow competition in my time? Is my relationship and fellowship with God my #1 priority? How do I know? How do I make it so?

How can I make the right answer a reality? I MUST saturate my mind in the word of God. Listen to the Spirit at all times – Pray – Cry out to the Lord.

Just so I understand; what does it mean to saturate? Saturate means – To soak so fully that it spills out every where; in my thoughts, actions, relationships, leadership, pursuits, interest, activities. When something is saturated it remains fully itself but it is now known for what it is now fully absorbing. Example: A sponge we see it but we are more aware of the water. The more it is squeezed the more water is removed not the more sponge. It must submerge and soak to be filled again. So must I. {Ephesians 5:18}
If I have truly realized and received the great grace that has been given to me, then I will purpose to know the grace Giver by knowing about Him (studying the Word) and experiencing Him fully (doing the Word). I will see the division of the love for things and the love for God. I will by His Spirit’s working in me choose to be jealous for the one Who is jealous for me.
Father, Master, Sovereign, God Almighty, Redeemer, Lord,
Help me today to see You more clearly, to experience You more fully, and to proclaim You more faithfully in both word and deed. Allow me grace to be jealous for You in my life so that I discard any idols both visible, mental, and attitudinal. Allow that single hearted jealousy to penetrate the world in which I live so that difference is seen and desired. Let me faithfully give the Glory to You, Jealous God, jealous for Your glory, jealous for my devotion.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-04-08T14:02:00.002-04:00

What’s your Epitaph?

2 Kings 18:1 …Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. 3 And he did [what] [was] right in the sight of the Lord… 4 He removed the high places and broke the [sacred] pillars… 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. 7 The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went.

2 Kings 23: 25 Now before him there was no king like him [Josiah], who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did [any] arise like him.

Here are two of my favorite kings in Judah, Hezekiah and Josiah. Grandfather and Grandson. Both have a life and an epitaph that is stellar. Both sought God, served God and set earthly affairs in alignment with God. Both were fearless in the face of man and fearful for the Glory of God.

One thing stands out to me about their life and legacy: they destroyed the HIGH places. These high places were places of the convenient, yet evil worship. Places where synchronism of cultures, traditions and societies converged that infected the land with an improper view of God. Places where a new culture was formed and accepted as normal daily life in a prosperous society. These family heirlooms were built by a Patriarch King and a rebellious son and father (Solomon and Manasseh). But they took courage with their calling and positions in life and made a radical impact as they sought to realign society to allegiance to the Living God. They TORE DOWN! Imagine the uproar they experienced as the upheaval occurred. Temples toppled and tempers flared. As counter culture as they were, they had the Hand of God on their side as they sought to once again bring honor to His great name. They willingly counted the cost and crusaded to make His name great and His standard known and to uproot and destroy anything that contradicted. As a result, God was honored.

Sandwiched between was Manasseh, Son of Hezekiah, father of Josiah. He rebuilt the high places and reinstituted immorality and closed off the living God. Wickedness was rampid; false worship was the new way. Lusty flesh was fed. Sacredness profaned. And his epitaph was sure judgment for all of Judah as evil seeds germinated in tainted lives.

So it begs a question of application for my life, what high places need to come down in my life? What conveniences and convictions do I hold dear that are contrary to God’s clear Word? Will I take heart to unearth, expose and tear them down? Or will I reinstate them for the sake of a thrill or popularity, or convenience?

What will be on my tombstone?

2009-02-19T12:49:00.001-05:00

When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 7: 2 Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart. NKJV

The month of January brought me face to face with the pain of death again. Within 8 days two of my close family members died. Debbie, my sister-in-law was 53. Cleo, my grandmother was 85. Debbie was experiencing the fullness of life with the newest addition of grandchildren. Cleo was at the pinnacle of life having lived out many a good days. Debbie’s death was shockingly without notice, Cleo’s was painfully anticipated. Both ladies held a special meaning to my life.

As a minister, I am not unacquainted with death. I have journeyed this road with many others in their grief. I have been with close friends and complete strangers. I have eulogized the aged and the infant. I have seen how death strikes all.

Death is an event that stops life in its tracks. It pushes all other agendas aside. Death can draw people close. Death evokes deep emotions. Death confounds and confuses us. Death causes us to think.

These recent events struck close to home, causing much personal pain and grief. I too like others have had to toss out agendas and make being with family a priority. These deaths also resurrected in my memory many of the deaths of close relatives from previous years. Too many from my perspective. I hate death. It brings sorrow, loss, pain and grief. Death slaps hard on the dignity of humanity. It shocks us into reality…that something is tragically wrong. It begs the question, is there a solution?

I have been quietly reflecting upon this enemy death. Pondering the enigma of Solomon’s words and reflecting deeply on those words of Paul and Jesus. Making sense of and reminding myself of lessons learned and truths gleaned. What can settle my soul? What can settle yours?

Entrust all your life, all you are, to Jesus Christ and pursue Him with a passion.

This world is not the best there is, and death reminds us of this, at least to the one who’s listening.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-01-15T08:22:00.000-05:00

Serving Jesus- Self Styled

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. NKJV

The scene is the garden of Gethsemane. Only moments prior, Jesus declared to Peter and the others what was to happen. Now it is beginning to happen, and all of a sudden, you can hear “swoosh” in the air as Peter swings the sword. It is the greatest act of heroics. Perhaps one of the greatest displays of human love; a mere man takes on the enemies of his friend. Not to mention defending Jesus, God himself, from the greatest injustices and evils in the world. And yet in the great act, that must have required tremendous faith, we find the disappointment of Jesus and the eventual disillusionment of Peter. What went wrong?

Peter was serving self-styled. He had determined what was right, needed, and appropriate and did it. He defended Jesus so the whole world would know exactly where he stood. He stood with Christ. But at the same time, he stood against Christ, even as he stood next to Him. What a perplexing thought. And yet how often does this same thing play out today? How often do we discern that we or others we admire serve Jesus self-styled? You see, if we can determine that, we may avoid his mistake and redirect our service.

First, Peter had a paradigm that he operated from and he assumed (wrongly) that God would operate according to it. You see, Peter believed that the scriptures revealed a triumphant Savior and King. He had come! Yet Peter’s idea of triumph was shaped more by the Roman occupation than it was scripture. So too, we have a paradigm that is informed by our culture and in turn fuels our misunderstandings of scripture’s promises of salvation and blessings. We too easily drink from a triumphant mentality and determine no harm will come upon us or the workings of God around us. We assume success is the only measure of true following. Perhaps a reminder that all the disciples died tragic deaths might spur us back to reality.

Second, when Peter opposes Jesus’ paradigm of upcoming suffering, Peter fails to receive Jesus’ rebuke (Matt 16:23). He never believed that he was a messenger of Satan. Though I’m sure he would have stopped short of admission, he really believed Jesus to be the one in error. Even after Jesus told of His suffering, Peter still held his paradigm. We can see further evidence for this when the disciples argue about who would be the greatest (Luke 22:24), when Peter declares his willingness to engage in conquest (Luke 22:33), and when Peter acts aggressively before awaiting a Word from Jesus (Luke 22:50). Oh yes Peter had a paradigm that was partially biblical. He understood justice and evil. He just thought he was above it and could conquer it in human strength and on human terms. And what of us? We get a little of the Word and set out to meet great challenges to justice and stability while embracing the action plans of society hoping that the Savior might lend his support? We see success and assume Jesus’ blessing.

So what will keep us from self-styled serving? Listening to the Holy Spirit and His word and rejecting our paradigm when He shows us where it conflicts with His plan. Finally, waiting for an answer before we begin to swing.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2009-01-12T09:52:00.002-05:00

Are You Truly Aiming At What You Think?

My friend, Jim Duggan, wrote and excellent piece. You can read what he wrote here. I would add one thought to it.

Many proclaim, with great conviction, to be aiming at the right thing; only (often when it is too late) to find out what they hit is the wrong thing.

Take Jim's post before the Lord and ask Him, "Lord, am I really aiming at the thing I say I am? Or have I deceived myself?" I feel confident the Lord will show you if you are really seeking truth. There is too much at stake not to.

2009-01-09T10:56:00.000-05:00

To My Lord

Jesus:

The One before eternity,
Who cloaked Yourself with humanity,
And walked the earth sinlessly,
You bore God’s wrath vicariously,
You rose from the dead triumphantly,
And redeem Your creation joyfully,
And sent the Spirit graciously,
To empower us to live truly free,
By training us to live biblically,
And will share with us eternally.

Chris Gilliam © 2009

2008-12-26T09:01:00.000-05:00

Moving into the New Year

At the end of every year it is a good time to stop, reflect, evaluate, repent, and prepare. Last year I shared with you my method. I understand that routine can become meaningless if it is done only for the sake of routine. I also understand that in our modern world with our never ceasing desire for something “New” and “Fresh”, we often miss out on what is truly of great value. So I will post again my tool. I have added a few updates to make it more user friendly for you, but I have left it old so as to grab the greater value. Be sure not to embark on this journey unaided by the Holy Spirit. Doing such will only aid in your self assessment and not in the only assessment that really matters- His. So with out further adieu, I bring you the egg.

Symbolically the egg has been used to represent new life, the restarting of the cycle. Each new year for the last five or six, it has been my discipline to stop and examine my past year in relation to God’s entire Word as a unit. I have also used this time to take inventory of the blessings God has allowed into my life and to take time to place them back in the hand of the Almighty. The most difficult part, perhaps, is to prepare for the New Year by faith with all God has put at my disposal. I take my family one by one and ask God to give me grace to praise Him regardless of the year’s upcoming circumstances. I mentally illustrate tragedy and triumph of family and things from earth’s view and rip out any vestiges of idolatry that might have crept in over the past year. I want my life to be bound to Christ alone. The worship is painful at times but refreshment comes with a refocused life to look forward to working out in the upcoming days. As I pondered how to pass down my New Year tradition to my children I thought, “I can use the egg as an acrostic.” It is simplistic enough to be used alone or one could add a depth to each point. I like this practice so much; I thought I would share it with you, my friends, also.

Rate Each from 1-5. 1 being the lowest, 5 the highest

Evaluate

Spiritual health/growth 1 2 3 4 5

Relational health/growth 1 2 3 4 5

Physical health/growth 1 2 3 4 5

Character health/growth 1 2 3 4 5

Integrity & honesty health/growth 1 2 3 4 5

Priority Alignment health/ growth 1 2 3 4 5

Grieve

Repent of Identified Sin- Allow Holy Spirit to search it out

Remove any and all stumbling blocks

Activities

Possessions

Habits

Relationships

Entertainment

Mourn the loss

Move forward

Goals

What does God want to do in me in the next year?

What does He want to do through me?

What will it take for me to prepare to do this?

What is undone that needs completing?

Go back to the “E” and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, write an action plan to grow in that area.

Then for a quick check up for the year ahead get an index card and write the Word SHAPE. Use the acronym for a quick reference to keep you centered.

Spirit
Health
Attitude
Priority
Entertainment

Chris Gilliam 2008 ©

2008-12-17T09:40:00.004-05:00

My sin doesn't hurt anyone!!!

A friend of mine got an assignment last year that took him away from his family for an extended period of time. I often prayed for my friend. One of my children is close to one of his, so I asked my child to pay a little extra attention to his child. I explained my reasoning and the situation. Recently, I had a conversation with two of my children regarding the circumstances of this family and the fact that the father was away. I asked my children how would they feel if God had allowed this type of assignment in my life. Both replied with sadness and expressed how that loss would affect them. I moaned for my friend and his family. Today they are reunited. Praise the Lord.

So what does this story have to do with my title? Well, I was recently able to have a conversation with this friend and come to find out that the assignment he was given was not necessarily based on his expertise, nor his indispensability, rather, it was the result of another's sin. A DUI.

Now this other's sin has had some major consequence in his own life. It has cost him I'm sure. It has cost his family, no doubt. It has a price tag that trickles into the future for sure. But I perceive that this one who sinned has relatively no idea or even the faintest awareness of the cost it has inflicted upon others. And while I don't pretend to know the full cost of this action. I am faintly aware of the ripple effect that this action has had on my friend's life. It has cost him many months of family interaction. Birthdays missed. Weddings unattended. Funerals missed. Loneliness and the more. And while my friend can rest in the plan of God. That plan does not insulate his heart from pain or the reality of loss.

I have pondered this thought often - the cost of our sin in the here and now. And while I realize, in part, the magnitude of redemption, I also realize, in part, the magnitude of our sinful decisions. They reach out and affect far beyond our sight, knowledge, personal consequences and our existence in space and time. They scar and cut long and deep.

It brings me to desire more and more to moment by moment cling to the part of Jesus model prayer "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Sin truly does destroy!

Lord, while my sin isn't expressed as a DUI, it however is every bit as wicked. It hurts beyond my measure. Even my attitudinal sins reach beyond my immediate. Wash me. And I cling today to "Lead me not...but deliver me," for sin does hurt far beyond my reach.

Chris Gilliam 2008 ©

2008-12-01T20:31:00.002-05:00

Idols of the Imagination
guest writer- Alicia Gilliam

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21

For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:7-8

The Israelites were busy once again mixing the worship of Yahweh with the worship of idols. We know from the text that Yahweh had been withholding rain for three years solid. So to whom were the Israelites praying for rain during all that time. Yahweh or Baal? I’ll bet some of them prayed harder and sacrificed more to both those deities than they had in a long time. And I bet they prayed to neighboring deities just to be safe. And while sincerely many had indeed prayed to Yahweh (or at least their idea of him), what a disappointment to find that heaven wasn’t listening. Why didn’t God send the rain to honor those prayers?

We tend to think we’re above making deistic idols. We read and write a lot about making idols of money, power, and possessions as if we’ve got our theology about to whom we pray all straight. But do we really pray to Yahweh? I find the god of my imagination is so far from the God who is. How often have I prayed for closeness from a god I imagine to be the strong, silent type. I don’t find God on those days. Recognizing my error, I then bow to the god who’s supposed to care for my every need. I may not find Him there either. Sometimes I bow to a god who enjoys whipping me into shape with trials. I have a hard time trusting God on those days. And so on I go, bowing to which ever god I imagine will meet my “need” today. Never really sure which one is real, which one I can trust with my heart.

Why does God sometimes withhold pouring out himself and his blessings on us?

He first must dethrone the idols in our lives, whether they be Baals on mountaintops or the false creations of our minds. If God doesn’t remove his competitions, who would get the credit for his blessings? If God doesn’t remove the false gods, how would we really get to know the true God? If the rains had come too early, the Israelites would go on mixing their worship of true and false gods. Sometimes God can expose the idols of our imaginations only by hiding Himself for a season. I find I must regularly ask myself how many gods I’m praying to, and if I am really trusting any of them.

How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him.

© Alicia Gilliam, 2008

2008-11-21T12:36:00.000-05:00

How Deep Is Your Love?
Romans 9:3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. NLT

In the 80’s a group called the Bee Gees recorded a song with the title “How Deep Is Your Love?” While the Bee Gees were talking about loyalty in the romantic love relationship, the question is legitimate and timely for the Christian. In this text Paul, an apostle, answers this for himself. The answer is more than mere emotion; it is an answer from a man who truly understands grace. The answer not only conveys his understanding but also his passion for others to have this same understanding and this same love. (That is why he wrote it and by the Spirit of God.)
So what am I to make of his answer? It may help if I pose it as a question: “Am I so concerned for the salvation of (__________) that I would be willing to die and go to hell for them?” Before we quickly answer, let us remember his love for his kindred race and his being bitterly rejected by them with such great hostility and abuse. Paul’s love was so deep that he would be willing to die and receive hell if it would pardon them! By the way Moses had the same love. (Exodus 32:32)
How did he come to this? How can I come to this? First, he fully understood that depth of sin in general and “his own sin” specific. (He spent the first 7 chapters of this book depicting this.) I must know that I am a sinner, not simply a person who sins. The first step in not self awareness, but God awakened sin-filled awareness.
Second, Paul understood Grace. (8:1) Not only the need of it, but the full reception of it. This grace cost God the Son, it was a gift to Paul (me) and it freed me to love God as fully as I can on this side of eternity. This grace revealed then removed my sin. Paid for then purged my sin. Cauterized then cleansed my sin. Convicted then converted me.
Finally, it is this life giving grace that responds. Paul realized the reality of the undeserved gift he had received, and as a demonstration of understanding and gratitude he desires to give it to others. He realizes the great command and seeks to make it a reality in his life. (Matthew 22:37-42). I must also.
This is how I can have deep love –Love, Learn, Live.
One final note. This deep love understands, at least Paul did, that love un-received must be redirected. Paul was the greatest apostle to the gentiles, not the Jews. I, for one, am grateful Paul did not lose his deep love because it was rejected; I’m glad it was redirected. Now the question is what am I to do with a deep love? -------- Share it!

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-11-13T08:41:00.002-05:00

What Does it Mean to be Jealous for God?
Exodus 20:4-5 4“Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. 5You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. NLT

Throughout Scripture the statement is made that God is jealous! He WILL NOT tolerate competition to His being or Love. He loves us (me) jealously. The creation does not compete, nor other people, places, things, ideas, traditions or preferences. There is even no competition with the angels! We are in His image and He loves us. In the same way He is jealous for His own name and relationship with us. Nothing is to compete with His glory!

So am I jealous for God the same way God is jealous for me. Do I allow competition in my time? Is my relationship and fellowship with God my #1 priority? How do I know? How do I make it so?

How can I make the right answer a reality?

I MUST saturate my mind in the word of God. Listen to the Spirit at all times – Pray – Cry out to the Lord.

Just so I understand; what does it mean to saturate? Saturate means – To soak so fully that it spills out every where; in my thoughts, actions, relationships, leadership, pursuits, interest, activities. When something is saturated it remains fully itself but it is now known for what it is now fully absorbing. Example: A sponge we see it but we are more aware of the water. The more it is squeezed the more water is removed not the more sponge. It must submerge and soak to be filled again. So must I. {Ephesians 5:18}
If I have truly realized and received the great grace that has been given to me, then I will purpose to know the grace Giver by knowing about Him (studying the Word) and experiencing Him fully (doing the Word). I will see the division of the love for things and the love for God. I will by His Spirit’s working in me choose to be jealous for the one Who is jealous for me.
Father, Master, Sovereign, God Almighty, Redeemer, Lord,
Help me today to see You more clearly, to experience You more fully, and to proclaim You more faithfully in both word and deed. Allow me grace to be jealous for You in my life so that I discard any idols both visible, mental, and attitudinal. Allow that single hearted jealousy to penetrate the world in which I live so that difference is seen and desired. Let me faithfully give the Glory to You, Jealous God, jealous for Your glory, jealous for my devotion.

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-11-10T06:44:00.003-05:00

How to Come to God With Our Need.
Matthew 8:2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. He knelt before him, worshiping. “Lord,” the man said, “if you want to, you can make me well again.” NLT

Sometimes as I read the scripture there is a hurriedness to skip over or gloss over a familiar passage and miss a great insight. How often do I hastily read the scripture only to rush to my “need” list so I can launch a few words of prayer and be on my way? Maybe you too find yourself inclined as I. Thank God I slowed down to hear Him speak through this verse. Tucked carefully in this verse is how I am to approach the Master. These truths settle my heart.

Two keys to approaching God are hidden in the text as how we are to meet with God with our need. The first is the prerequisite to worship. The second is the bowed posture. But what of this posture and prerequisite? They reveal a heart attitude of surrender coupled with praise. A heart surrendered because it realizes one’s hopelessness and helplessness without God. Praise because it understands forgiveness and pardon. This attitude belongs to the one who knows he/she belongs to God and nothing else matters.

Yet this heart still asks for physical needs by using the word “if”. “If” doesn’t reflect doubt but a fullness of understanding that the Sovereign Lord is in control and chooses according to His plans not mine. This heart worships not because of but in spite of. And regardless of the answer this heart will worship and when touched, testify.

Father, I come today worshiping and bowed. If you want to…..
Never-the-Less, I trust Your sovereign care for me and Your greater purposes regarding how You are using everything in my life for Your glory. I will worship before I request. I know You and I praise You because I am known by You.

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-10-27T15:19:00.000-04:00

What do you do with a Prophet?
Matt 23: 29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 "and say, `If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets .' 31 "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets … 34 "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets , wise men, and scribes: [some] of them you will kill and crucify, and [some] of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city…

Reading John Piper’s blog, I came to this quote:
“The prophetic calling to expose iniquity is not comfortable—for prophet or people. It’s just loving.”

This quote spurred me to pose the title of this post as a question, a question that many of my readers would consider a “no brainer.” Some might answer like this: “We love the prophets and respect their admonitions to follow God fully and faithfully.” And I’m certain many hold this reaction to the question with sincerity and piety. Yet I find that this is the same position associated with the Pharisees with whom Jesus is talking. They would make the same claims we would! It is interesting that in Jesus’ day those who were close to the things of God religiously had lost the things that were close to the heart of God in reality. I wonder if the same could be said today of us?

You see, the Pharisees made much ado about their love for those prophets of antiquity. They made many religious gestures so as to disassociate themselves from the evil done to those prophets by the hands of men. But Jesus exposes the mask of religion, the fain of true righteousness, and the motive for external praise. Their future activity will reveal their true hearts by how they handle the true prophet of God. What of ours?

The prophets are important in God’s economy. They call people back to the first true love with God by proclaiming God’s Word and way and demonstrating where God’s people they have gone astray. They expose the façade of religion that is based on performance and not obedient submission. They expose to mankind the realities of both wickedness and grace. As Piper states, they are doing real love to real people even if it is really painful. Yet these prophets, as loving as they are, are disproportionately unloved in their day. That is the way it was and still is. Just a gloss over of how the people treated Noah, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Miciah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, John, Paul, demonstrates their un-loveliness to the majority of their contemporaries. Yet to those who heard the voice of God resonating from the messages of these men, life was found.

Today, many look back in nostalgia at the Bible prophets and we too decorate and elevate their status. It makes us feel good. Like the Pharisee, we exclaim, “we remember and we are different.” But when it comes to the Bible being brought to life in the voice of a modern prophet and the message of the sacred text being forced to bear on the reality of our activity with prophetic warning and intensity, how do we truly respond? Do we deny and discount? Do we hurl accusations? Do we dismiss them as unkind, unloving and crazy? Or do we heed the voice of the Master given by the mouth of men?

I can relate, from both sides of the aisle. And I choose to both heed the voice and be the voice to a world that needs to hear the strong message of grace. And I find comfort in:
Matt 5: 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great [is] your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you…

What about you?

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-10-16T09:31:00.002-04:00

And Others
Hebrews 11: 35, 39 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection… 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

In our western culture of success and gain, fortune and fame, bigger, better and world wide acclaim, it is easy to bypass certain biblical truths and as a result fall into despair. But, if your theology is rooted in the book and not in culture or current events, then you can experience the joy of the Lord despite the current circumstances.

I have been reading Mike Mason’s book this year, The Gospel According to Job (you can get it here). In this morning’s reading, Mason points out that in ancient Christian spirituality there is a distinction between the theology of the cross and the theology of glory. He infers that westerners have embraced the latter to the point of triumphalism and have skewed its proper place in our theology while simultaneously diminishing the former to utter non-existence. Mason, referencing Ruth Burrow’s explanation of the spirituality of glory, shows it to be essentially human-centered and self-serving even under the label of serving God. It “seeks a boost, wants proof, testimonies from within or without, excitement, feelings, miracles, success - all that flatters human pride.” Subsequently, the spirituality of the cross “seeks God and accepts having none of those things; if they are there it refuses to overvalue them or attach significance to them.”

One of Mason’s conclusions is that, “A believer who is intent on victorious Spirit-filled living can end up being totally self-absorbed and useless to God.” I had already been thinking on this very idea for some time now.

Is there room in the American mind for the others? Is there room in the body life for the others? With so much emphasis in our modern era placed on the tangible, visible, pragmatic, result-getting, hype-driven success, can one even fathom, much less, accept that God says there are others? That you might be or become one of the others? The passage in Hebrews 11 talks on the whole subject of faith, its object and its adherents. It talks of those who did great feats and had received great miracles. Then it dedicates four verses to the nameless, the others (some have suggested the others are really the majority), those whose pure faith was evidenced by pure failure here in our current residence. Yet when was the last time you heard the “failures” included with the “faith-filled”? Or heard a sermon series on: “Failing, A greater display of Faith” or “How to fail with Joy” or “Nameless for Heaven’s Sake”?
Let’s face it, we don’t even like the thought. Perhaps it’s too humbling. Perhaps it is the course for which you or I are appointed.

Yet in our global information age it is easy to look out to other regions of the world and see those others while at the same time ignoring the “others” in our midst. Good news- in God’s estimation the “others”, both near and far, are the same, kingdom dwellers and grace heralds. Both receive their name in the catalog of faith, even if they did not in their current setting.

With the economy tanking and failing on the rise, perhaps the next person of great influence in your life will be the one who suffers with joy- for indeed he bears witness of the goodness of God eternally even better that those who have some outward symbols of spiritual status. And lest I forget, perhaps you might get included in the camp of the others- What will it reveal about your true understanding of faith? How will your faith shine in that crucible? Or will you be found with the self-serving faith masked as a glory giving service destitute of true power when the pain strikes?

May the God who calls us keep our faith fixed solely on Himself, delivering us from the idols of being the “best” and giving us the grace to walk in the faith.

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-10-02T07:13:00.001-04:00

What’s at the Heart of JOB
This edition is written by my lovely wife Alicia, and shared with her permission.

Anyone with a hint biblical literacy knows that the God of the Bible has His reasons for what He does and allows, but His actions in the book of Job have certainly raised some eyebrows. Why would God point his finger at Job and brag on him before Satan? God has no need to prove anything to his already defeated enemy, so why does He single out this dear servant almost as if to dare Satan to make his ugly move. Though we can never know the full mind and motives of our God, we can find evidence that He allowed these trials in order to purge Job of some mixed motives in his worship.
Satan himself has a keen knowledge of man’s weaknesses, not to mention a biblical record of speaking in half-truths -- so his estimation of Job’s character, though flawed and ill-motivated, is still useful. “Job fears God – but not without good reason . . . [he] blesses you only because you bless him.” Job never curses God for his lost blessings, as Satan predicted, but the poor man does become increasingly agitated when he cannot recover what those blessings represented – his right standing with God. The face saving tactics used by Job are symptomatic of a man who has lost his confidence in God’s approval. It is not his treasure he demands throughout the book but rather God’s attention. Satan had it half-right, it seems: when external evidences of God’s justification vanish and God remains silent, Job’s worship vanishes too.
Nevertheless, Job’s trials eventually lead him back to worship – and this time to a more God-centered version. Although early in the story God commends Job’s integrity which we see demonstrated in a systematic worship filled with sacrifice and concern for his children'’ purity, his worship seems to be based primarily on his fear of offending the Almighty (“perhaps my children have sinned”) and bearing His judgment (“What I always feared has happened to me”). This stage of worship is essential to our growth, but after Yahweh thunders His true glory around (“things far to wonderful for me”), Job sits in awe and silence – not worried about his own sinfulness but convinced of it and in full bowed submission to His Creator. “I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Before verbally intervening, God was the Divine-at-a-distance; we never read of Job having conversations with God like we do with Noah, Abraham, or Moses. Job isn’t even described as walking with God as He did with Enoch. Nevertheless, Job describes the change brought about by the end of the book: “I had heard about you before but now I have seen you with my eyes.” God now has a personal voice and a personal message for Job which he will surely never forget and like anyone who’s heard God speak, Job will strain his ears again and again to hear from heaven.
Job willingly worshipped God based on the truths he understood about Him – and for that God was pleased. God’s loving response was to give Job more truth – a deeper understanding of his own depravity and God’s glory. The trials Job endured were intended by Satan to prove his worship as insincere and thus put an end to it and any future relationship between he and God. We can have confidence that whatever schemes Satan means for evil God intends for good, and God used Job’s trials to purge him of an underlying self-focus and to release him to worship with true biblical humility focused on God’s great glory.

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-09-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

WHAT IS REALLY BEHIND MY SINNING
Job 1:9-11, 2:4-5

Satan claims “circumstances will force/make you sin; sin against your Creator and your Character”. But is this true? I mean we often look around and this statement appears to pass the test from hypothesis to theory to …. But it falls short of fact. Since we sided with sin in Adam we live in a world which requires constant surrender. Surrender, this seems a strong word. Why not choice? Choice is too mundane because too often choice can be regulated to issues that have no real substantive value, like which color shirt I wear. Surrender, on the other hand creates in me a loyalty to the cause and the side I surrender to. If I surrender to the world and its ways I will fight for that right. As a result I will demand certain things and as Satan suggested to Job, blame God. Surrendering to a worldly mindset as a result of unfavorable (or favorable) circumstances does no less than place me in the position to claim godhood and to demand from God my right(s) based on my thinking and performance. On the other hand, if I surrender to God’s will I will fight (often against my flesh) to pursue this right. I will DESPITE my circumstances remain in truth and live out truth. Choice disconnects commitment. The result may be impetuous, ignorant sin for the lack of solid conviction, which is only formed by surrender.
Lord, As it was when you came and took up residence in me and changed me and saved me and converted me and enlightened me, I surrendered. Today as a renewal and reflection of Your love, enable me to each moment surrender my conscience life to you so that in the midst of trial my subconscious response will be like Job’s- Praising you.

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-09-16T21:35:00.002-04:00

Am I Plagued by my Past?
Joshua 24:14; 14“So honor the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. NLT

Are there vestiges of my former life I still cling to? Maybe it is a disposition; maybe a way to do something. It could be a relationship. Quite possibly some sentimental image that I keep in my mind and constantly replay. Nostalgia? Fantasy? Tradition? Religion? Family philosophy? Cultural identity? Whatever it is, that vestige may be deeply imbedded and difficult to uproot. Some are generational (Euphrates) others more recent (Egypt).
Regression Psychology is so popular today. While understanding our past can be helpful, the bottom line in dealing with the past is to see these so slight vestiges as idols. Idols opposed to faith and to trust in God.
So how do I prevail? Put away? Certainly I can’t depend upon my flesh, BUT, I must have my flesh empowered to do the work. [read 2 Corinthians 10] I must be diligent to present myself to Christ. I must be diligent to place myself on the Cross. I must be diligent to live in Christ’s resurrection. I must be diligent to discard any and all exposed idols at the time of their exposure to His light. There is no room for coasting! But much room for resting, resting in Jesus alone.
Jesus, I, by the power of your spirit in me, I am resolute to know you. Give me courage and strength to keep disciplined in lovingly learning form you so that I might put away ALL things that discredit the real life in me, namely YOU! I am filled with gratitude and full of praise that you have and do love me. I rest in this reality!

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-09-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

Fire
Leviticus 6:9 "Command Aaron and his sons, saying, `This [is] the law of the burnt offering:… and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it...12 `And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. 13 `A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.

Often the reading of the book of Leviticus can prove cumbersome, particularly to those of us are far removed from livestock, butchering, blood and all that. The book becomes somewhat antiquated to our way of life and, in light of the book of Hebrews; it even seems irrelevant because Christ has become the better offering. Yet, perhaps, the book paints a clearer picture of Christ and of Christian living than we might suppose. It is for this reason that I read it as any other book of the sacred bible. It can inform me more of Christ and my wor[th]ship of Him.

The text above was given to the priests who were given to the service of God. Their charge in the sixth chapter is to keep a perpetual fire on the altar at all times. This charge is stated three times. They are to keep the fire burning, even if there is nothing on the altar that moment as an offering to God. The sacrifices/offerings that were to be placed on the altar consisted of a mixture of those made for sin and those given in gratitude and praise. Seventy-one times the word “fire” occurs in the book of Leviticus so it must be important to God. Now God’s charge to maintain the perpetual nature of the fire caught my attention.

What might I glean from this? My heart’s altar ought to always be prepared for a sacrifice/offering- whether it be to cleanse from sin or to praise for blessing, the altar must be ready. I must resist the idea of “getting ready to make ready” and must always be ready. (Rom 12:1-2). The NT informs us that we are all priests so the principle is applicable, even if the practice is different. Keep the fire burning. Don’t let it go out.

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-09-05T06:53:00.001-04:00

Cotton Candy Culture
Numbers 11:4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat? 5 "We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 "but now our whole being [is] dried up; [there] [is] nothing at all except this manna [before] our eyes!"NKJV

Colossians 2: 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

I remember as a boy going to the fair, the noise, the lights, the rides, the attractions! Why it was thought to be one of the most exciting times of the year. There is nothing like pizzazz to get the heart racing and the blood flowing and the happy endorphins publishing positive feelings on the brain. But the most euphoric of all was the cotton candy and its makers.

Now my dad and mom both warned and at the time rebuked my attraction to the shed of the cotton candy makers, but the lure was often too great. I would get cotton candy both coming and going. It was great! I mean who could not be mesmerized when a simple half cup of sugar was poured into the centrifugal spinning machine, along with the color of the day, blue, pink, purple, and right there before my very own eyes all this stuff when whipped into a frenzy grew to a one cubit foot of light wispy, and need I say, mouth watering delicious bag of cotton candy. Oh the joy!! It was huge! Grand! Delicious! And yes it is dangerous.

I refused to believe it would rot my teeth- they never hurt. I mocked inwardly the words of my parents that it lacked nutritional value (and actually is counter nutritional) – it tasted too good! And I choose to believe that it satisfied my hunger need contrary to the plain explanations and tangible evidence (I had an insatiable appetite for more). It was only after I suffered the consequences, grew in my understanding and trained myself to avoid this temptation, did my eyes open to see that the whipped aerated sugar was my enemy. But it still makes my mouth water.

From my observation, guided and guarded by the filter of God’s Word, much of what is happening on the worship front is nothing more than the results of a fantastic whipping machine. It excites the emotions, it amazes the senses, it mesmerizes and captivates the onlookers, and it feeds the flesh while it starves the soul. And it is more than my observation; it is actually documented reports coming from churches on the cutting edge of culture. See reports here, here and here. And one blogger illustrates the point further with his title; “Pop-Star…Christian Cult of Celebrity” My point is not to lambast these churches or to deal with the pop-star pastor; rather it is to challenge myself and others to ask the question: “What do I rely on to give my life substance, Christ or Cotton Candy?” For those of us who are pastors let us be resolved to walk away from the tempting fluffed sugar personally and refrain from leading others there in our roles as pastor/teacher. The people don’t need juiced up hype, they need Jesus. For those of us who are committed Christ followers, let’s forsake the attraction of the fluffed sugar and go on to the meat of a mature relationship with Christ. A relationship that is governed by His Word, empowered by his Spirit, expressed, not in fanfare, but real life. The kind of life that rejects the cotton candy and has health to prove it!

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-09-01T14:32:00.000-04:00

Give me something to give Jesus
Mark 11: 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?" 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.

Imagine, in our day and time two men from another area coming into town and taking the boldness to get what the Lord had shown them previously for his service. I realize we are in the days of mass charlatans and slick “in Jesus name” hucksters, but could it not be possible that Jesus might send someone your way, to take (without asking I might add) your possession for the purpose of a greater ministry to the Lord God Almighty? If the boldness of the disciples in the text doesn’t strike you, then surely the response of the owner might. He simply ask “what are you doing?” Now we are not privy to the tone or the non-verbal’s that occurred; we can only speculate at best. But we can see that somehow the peace and power of God was evident in the answer given by the disciples and the ears of the owner. God empowered the disciples answer to be believable and He empowered the ears of the owner to receive the answer. Perhaps more importantly, God prepared the owner’s heart to give to the Lord. The thing which he could have used for his own benefit, instead, is released into the hands of the workers of the Lord. The record does not indicate any reserve or resistance, the text simply says he let them go.

I want this kind of calm faith. Faith that is rooted enough so it always has something to give to the Lord’s purposes. Gifts that are always available without reservations, requirements, or the need to see the results. Gifts totally relinquished to Jesus for His glory.

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-08-28T07:36:00.001-04:00

How Impactful is your devotional life?
Exodus 33:9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood [at] the door of the tabernacle, and [the] [Lord] talked with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing [at] the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man [in] his tent door. NKJV

Do people know when you have gone to meet with God? Can they see the evidence of God meeting with you? Does your meeting with God motivate them to worship? Those are huge questions! Yet the text clearly shows the man Moses' life of devotion was making an impact. It is fair to reason that ours should too. But before you fall into the mire of despair, it is important to realize Moses’ devotion did not always have this effect on people.

Did you notice the phrase, “it came to pass?” You see, Moses earlier acts of devotion and worship had little to no impact on the viewing people of God or on the public opinion of the mixed multitude. Just one chapter earlier, when Moses is getting the Law from God and spending a most intimate 40 Days with the Almighty, the people oblivious to his devotion. They are so removed from his devotion that the forget Moses, fall back to the ways of the world they just left, create a god according to their own imagination and party like there is no stopping. Moses upon his return, throws down, the Law (breaking it), divides the people, declares family war (with real casualties) and declares the Word from God that God will not go ahead with them. Then to illustrate this, Moses moves out from the people.
Only after these events had transpired was Moses’ pattern of devotion recognized, received and reciprocated in similar fashion, God worship.

Let’s spur ourselves to consistently meeting with God. If we are not, then our devotional lives will not have impact at all. And if you and I are indeed meeting with God, it eventually will!

Chris Gilliam, 2008©

2008-08-22T12:49:00.005-04:00

Of Golf Courses and Grave Yards
Ecclesiastes 7: 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5 It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.

On August the 10th, I was returning from Eastern Europe after 10 days of ministry. Upon our approach to JFK airport in New York, I looked out the window and noticed something I did not expect from the port window. There it was: a custom golf course skirted by stellar homes. It was obvious that the country club was regal, the greens and fairways nicely manicured, the houses large and refined, and the players on the course- dressed to the max! It had all the symbols of success and having “arrived”. It looked fun and pleasurable. But something in my sightline puzzled me. There bordering the length of the golf course on one side was a huge grave yard (cemetery for you more refined). Now I admit, I don’t get around much, but the idea of a golf course and grave yard as neighbors just seemed to me a bit odd. I mean imagine presenting that proposal to the Board of commissioners! Immediately my thoughts gravitated to the text above and a book by John Piper.

Now before someone dismisses this article because they know I’m not a golfer I would ask you to hear me out. It is not golf that I intend to deal with but the idea behind it. It could be any number of recreational and pleasurable activities: hiking, hunting, fishing, frolicking, movies or malt shops. It could even be Georgia football (or whatever is your all too idolatrous team mascot)! The point is this, what do we spend our time on? On my copy of Piper’s book, “Don’t Waste Your Life,” the flyleaf illustrates a person standing before Christ showing off the treasures from their pursuits of pleasure.

Flying over this visual anomaly after having been in a 2-3rd world country reminded me of the reality of our true existence. And this image required of me again to re-evaluate what I truly hold dear. Could it be that I’ve been blinded by my pursuits too?

Solomon is giving a wise council and rebuke to us; I think I’ll heed the voice of the Spirit, penned by the man Solomon.

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-08-14T10:38:00.003-04:00

Tell Me the Truth?
Psalm 119:151 You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth . John 1: 17 For the law was given through Moses, [but] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 8: 32 "And you shall know the truth , and the truth shall make you free." John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth , and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

I was reading Clayton Bell’s blog about his observations from the Conference at Willow Creek. The link is here. I can’t seem to get out of my mind a bullet point: “We have transferred our allegiance from truth to therapy.” Whether Colson stated this, or this was a synopsis created by Clayton, I know not; what I do know is that this is a succinct diagnosis of much of what is seen around us in the name of Jesus. This led me to some explore the difference between truth and therapy. Here’s a few questions I had to ask myself.

Do my services, ministries, activities, projects, all done in the name of Jesus, declare Him as truth or Him as the vehicle to a better, life, finances, family, marriage, occupation, community?
Am I a practitioner and proponent of Christ’s Lordship or a guru of biblical principles for successful living?
Do I base the success of my discipleship on living a good, morally pure, societally applauded, secularly awarded, emotionally satisfying life, or do I base it on my alignment with the beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-13).
What does your inner man feed on -- the Word of God or the newest title in your area of interest or point of need?
Is your greater agenda for your life fixing yourself and others or following Jesus and helping others likewise?

Think about it. Evaluate it. Truth and life depend on it.

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-07-11T09:40:00.002-04:00

Vision
Matthew 6: 22 [Jesus said} " The lamp of the body is the eye . If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great [is] that darkness!

Acts 9: 9 And he [Saul] was three days without sight , and neither ate nor drank… 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes [something] like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight .

This past week I got new glasses. I shared with the doctor how I was never really satisfied with the previous prescription because it felt like my eyes were pulling out. He looked at the lenses and indeed they indicated to him what I was explaining. He assured me that the new glasses would correct the issue but that I might feel dizzy, nauseous and disoriented for a few days to a week since my eyes had been adjusted to look through the old glasses and would now have to readjust to work with the new. Indeed, I feel all the symptoms he described. I even feel the right eye pulling and straining to adjust to the corrective measure.
The problem, as I was told, is that the optical centers were too far apart. The optical center is the place where the light goes through the lens without any refraction or bending. In my old glasses the centers were at 66mm. My new ones are at 64mm. To complicate matter more, due to several broken noses in my younger days, the center from the bridge on the left eye is 34mm and the right eye 30mm. The end result is that my old prescription had my eye working outward 5-6mm. The correction is not easy. Who would have thought 5-6 mm off course would create such trouble? This course of correction is almost too uncomfortable to stay with. I have a decision to stay with the correction and endure the discomfort during the adjustment period or revert back to the old glasses with its crooked lenses.
This illustrates a spiritual reality for people. Our course is off. Our life lenses refract the light at the wrong places and the wrong angles. Our life lenses are shaped and bent by worldly perspective, philosophy and paradigms. These give us a distorted view of reality. We have looked through these life lenses for such a long time we have grown accustomed to and comfortable with them. Then though a set of circumstances we wind up in the chair of the Heavenly eye doctor. God himself gives us the examination and we, in the little dark room of the soul, begin to see more clearly what life is supposed to be. So we look through the prescription He gives, the person of Christ, seen in the corrective lenses of His Word. Yet some of us find the adjustment, even if it is only a few millimeters, too difficult, painful and disorienting to the way we walk and live. So problematic, we discard the glasses, reverting back to the old look at life.
I’m committed to keeping my glasses on and receiving the correction; not only my physical glasses but more importantly my spiritual glasses. Will you?

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-07-07T12:00:00.003-04:00

Going Through Hail and Back!
Exodus 9: 27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. … 29 So Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord's. (NKJV)

After 40 years of getting rid of self, pride, ambition, Moses is given the daunting task of confronting the powers of Egypt. This is the same Egypt where he could have acquired massive recognition and achievement had he not identified with God’s people. Perhaps, this is a vestige of lost dreams. Yet Moses has been trained now these many years, and he hears God’s voice with such clarity. He experiences consistent encouragement from the living God as his obedience operates in concert with God’s words. Moses is now getting the recognition, not for self- indulgence or self-aggrandizement mind you, nor for the glory of an earthly estate or national interest, rather for the glory of God to be displayed in space and time. God is exalted in the eyes of Israel, Egypt and the nations.
So what does this have to do with the title? Reflecting on the destruction that is occurring in Egypt as Moses is engaged in his continual dialogue with Pharaoh, it was interesting that during the plague of hail, Moses has to move about in the land. The warning was that hail would kill all man and beast left unprotected and indeed the hail did. However, Moses must move in to talk to Pharaoh and move out to go to God’s people while hail is raining down on Egypt. Moses must have walked through the midst of the hail, untouched. Moses, the troubler, is now, maybe for the first time in the eyes of the Egyptians, Moses the man of God. Later the story tells us a mixed multitude went out with the Israelites. Could this walking through hail been the defining moment? God did not show Himself mighty simply by keeping Moses out of the storm, rather by shielding him in the midst of it.
Has God asked you to walk through a storm of hail? Perhaps it is the only way his glory will be revealed in you. He can keep hail off of you even in the midst of it. Trust Him.

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-06-29T20:38:00.002-04:00

In Words

My freind SelahV has been reading my devotional diary! I had been pondering these two verses for two weeks and she writes about them. Her words and thoughts refelcting on these verses ring the sentiments of what I would write. Since the Lord placed in her the thoughts He placed in me, I thought I'd like you to get a flavor of how God speaks to kindred spirits. You can read SelahV here and here.

2008-06-16T14:08:00.003-04:00

So what are you thinking?

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there] [is] any virtue and if [there] [is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. NKJV

Ever heard the statement, “You are what you eat!” To some degree this is true and often the evidence of our eating surfaces in the belt line and cholesterol checkups. But some folks can hide it for a long time, till one day, it shows out. I know! I used to be able to out eat all my friends and lose weight; now it seems I look at food and gain it. By the way, if you lost some weight, I found it and will be delighted to return it to you!
There is another statement that has yet to reach the acclaimed status of colloquialism but is far more important, “You are what you think!” Perhaps we don’t want to think of it. But what we think comes out in our actions, attitudes and overall demeanor. It is displayed in our speech and our play. For some, it is hidden for a while, but for all, it will come to surface sooner our later.

Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some [men] follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. 1 Tim. 5:24-25 NKJV

So it is with our thinking. In the opening verses of Phillipians 4, there was a conflict that was erupting over a matter that is unknown to us, but the effect was obvious in the fellowship. Paul’s writing to them to encourage them to unite around the purpose of ministry, the gospel of Christ, to praise, to pray and to remain in God’s peace. Then he goes to the root of the problem, rather than labeling the problem, he points to the solution. I like the emphasis, whatever…whatever…If there is any… if there is any… meditate (think) on these things.

Paul knows something we too often forget: we are what we think. So he reminds you and me what should capture the focus of a Christ follower. Now it is easy to look at this and create a list of the…pure, lovely, good report, virtuous, praiseworthy. But God reminded me that the things are not the focus. Rather the focus is on the giver of all good gifts and the One who allows all circumstances, even the bad ones, Christ Jesus. You see, this elevated focus forces us to see God’s hand in all things. If we think on the beauty of Christ, the evidence will be plain. It will change our actions, attitudes and words. We will be genuinely more… like him.

Ten years ago I typed this verse on a piece of yellow card stock with black and green and red lettering. I committed to read it ten times per day and to think on it deeply. Through the years the paper has faded and so has my commitment to read it ten times per day. But it still hangs on my bulletin board, and today, I commit again to refocus on its truth.

Chris Gilliam, 2008 ©

2008-05-28T14:43:00.002-04:00

What is Laminin?
Col. 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. NIV

My friend Mike sent me this link. I found it really appropriate since all my current groups are now doing their study on Colossians. Take 9 minutes to discover laminin.

2008-05-21T13:33:00.001-04:00

Is God Lenient?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. NIV

There is an old adage that goes like this: It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. The adage is of such widespread usage that it is one of the questions asked when one fills out a profile on classmates.com. So which is it? Forgiveness? Permission?... While it seems that the overwhelming weight of responses I have heard lean to forgiveness over permission, I encourage you to hold off on answering too quickly. There is more than meets the eye.

A question that I think one ought to ask is: what philosophy drives the old adage, turned question? Is there a fundamental idea that would emanate from the answer?

I must admit, I have always had problems with this adage since submitting to Christ. My problem stems from what I think lies “under” the question, the presupposition. I think the presupposition is that forgiveness is a display of leniency.

Let me explain. For a person to hold this idea several things are presumed. 1. Permission in all likelihood will not be granted. 2. Since most people are forgiving, then my violation will be forgiven. 3. My personal culpability is not at stake since another’s forgiveness will cover my consequences.

This misguided view of forgiveness includes several problems. First, forgiveness not does erase personal responsibility; it confirms it. I have nothing to be forgiven for if I am not first responsible. Second, forgiveness does not erase all consequences; violation of trust always erodes relationship even when forgiveness is extended. Finally, presuming or mandating forgiveness from anyone is an act of pride, a lethal sin which requires repentance.

When we embrace the forgiveness over permission philosophy, we are prone to embrace the underpinnings also, namely, that God is lenient. This might explain why Karl Menninger, a noted psychiatrist, wrote of his discovery of the disappearance of the word "sin" as early as 1965. And why Jerry Bridge, in his book: Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, wrote: “Yes, some of our refined sins are so subtle that we commit them without even thinking about them, either at the time or afterward. We often live in unconscious denial of our “acceptable” sins.”

God is not lenient, he punishes all sin; either Christ pays for it, or we do. All sin is judged, just ask Jesus. To make the mistake of thinking God is lenient is to short circuit our means of appropriating forgiveness. It means we never come to the point of “confess[ing]” as stated in passage of 1 John 1:9-10, a confessing that agrees that this act is indeed sin and that it is against God and it requires a just payment. If we embrace that He is lenient we make a mockery of Him, becoming blinded to sin and the means of forgiveness. We unconsciously become those described in verse 10, those who by our own non-acknowledgement, “claim we have not sinned”.

Forgiveness over permission makes a mockery of Grace.

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-05-08T14:17:00.001-04:00

What Do I Offer God?
Psalm 116:12 What shall I render to the Lord [For] all His benefits toward me?

Genesis 4: 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. NKJV

The psalmist asks a very valid question for all people to ask. Another way to word a question of such magnitude is; What does God require of me since I am a benefactor in His creation? This might help us get to the heart of the question that has confounded man since the broken relationship that started in the garden of God, Eden.

The answer was demonstrated by God to man from the time sin became our dominator. This answer was displayed symbolically to Adam and Eve. Why then do we see the departure and distortion from the answer so quickly in the second generation of man, Cain and Abel? What was misunderstood then and even still today? What does their story teach us about the Cross? Let’s examine some insights.

Cain’s offering is recorded first. Whether we should make it of great significance I know not, but we should note that this, in general, is mankind’s first response to making peace with God still today. Cain brings the byproduct of his efforts, the fruit of the ground. The effect of the natural cause of tending and stewarding the earth, the display of his skill. This display is an example of Human Achievement. Cain conquered the curse by cultivating the ground. He comes to sacrifice the seed which is dead to the eye, but possess life in it, an offering that still has power to reproduce. An offering that has merit. While it is impossible to truly determine his motive, we can through general observation of the human heart in us all, understand that we like Cain desire to be accepted by God based on our achievement of good works. We like to stand before others, even God, displaying our accomplishments, our tending of the earth, our conquering in our domain, our work as a mandatory validation of our worth. We twist the natural order God set in place in order to merit us favor with the divine. All the while we disregard and diminish our disobedience by not acknowledging the brokenness of the world as a result of the sin invasion we so cheerfully participate in. While this gets us great deceiving kudos in the natural course of things, it does not bid well in the Supreme Court of Sovereign God.

Abel brings a lamb. He brings that which possesses life but will be brought to death. The innocent executed by the hand of the tender. It reminds him that innocence was lost and it was by the hand of man. As a participant in the curse, man must own his place by the taking of life. He demonstrates that life was lost by his own hands. It is a blood sacrifice, a life lost never to reproduce, a death consumed by fire, a demonstration of the disruption in creation. An acknowledgement that all is not well between man, God and the created world. It is an appeal to the God of heaven to cover, cleanse and forgive the radical unbelief and insubordination of the crown of the creation, man.

Both men brought an offering. Mankind today still brings offerings of one sort or the other. Abel’s is an act of acknowledgement of his contribution to the demise of the world and a willful surrender to the hand of God. Cain’s is an act of prideful giving without acknowledgement of the cause of corruption or his personal culpability. It is to disregard sin as if it is non-existent, put away by performance. Abel is accepted by God; Cain is rejected and corrected, yet he received not the correction, and he is still paying the price today. Which path do you choose?

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-05-02T09:32:00.002-04:00

Church Maintenance?

My wife Alicia is the more accomplished writer in this house. I am constantly amazed at her clear thinking and the brilliance that God gifted her with. Today, I am publishing a piece she has written far better than I could and penetrating to the one listening to the voice.... here is Alicia.

I’m tired of church maintenance. I don’t mean the everyday stuff you have to do to run things, but the tendency to operate out of a neurotic fear of the institution collapsing. When financial and population decline occur within a church, the typical response is to go out to win others to our fold in Jesus’ name (under the mask of the gospel) in order to recover institutional stability. We so seldom deal with the inner problems that got us there in the first place. But worse still, few ever consider the possibility that institutional recovery may not even be a godly pursuit. Recovery of the soul (saved or lost) is always a right pursuit whether it results in church growth or not. When our scattered seeds seem wasted or poorly planted, we stress over the why’s. We seem blindly unaware of the very common plight of the missionary who waits years or generations for the conversion of a single soul in an uncultivated, unprepared culture. We must come to see American culture as a soil unprepared for the gospel. Instead of neurotically spreading seed hoping for the revitalization of our declining churches, we need to learn how to be Jesus in our community and relationships. We’ve learned how to be churches to them. That’s not biblical. Being Jesus to them isn’t about improving programming or updating styles as much as it is about becoming so like Christ that we reflect Him everywhere we go. The church will help itself most when we learn how to help each other identify our petty sins, build up our puny faith, learn the art of gracefully dying to self, and praise God in the worst of times. I want to find a group of people more focused on helping each other be Jesus to the world and less focused on maintaining cultural institutions that carry Jesus as their mascot.

[Copyrighted Alicia Gilliam 2008]

2008-04-24T09:02:00.004-04:00

Forgiveness?
Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." NKJV

The above text culminates the story of a man who was unwilling to forgive, and thus handed over to the tormentors to extract everything they could from the man til forgiveness was repaid with forgiveness. I posted a thought on this subject last week and it seems this is a topic that the Lord is guiding me to look at once again. I hope to write more on what God is teaching me in the future. For now, I would like to share with you my friend, Jim Duggan's insight he posted this week. You can read what he wrote at Jim's Gems, simply click the link.

2008-04-22T21:21:00.001-04:00

Which Jesus?

Today I sit and reflect on my journey last week in Romania. During this trip, I was impressed that God was more real to the people and displayed more of himself in their midst. I prayerfully started evaluating the reason behind this experience. As I whittled away at all the superficial contrast and really worked to the core, I came to this conclusion. Americans (at least in the circles I’m privy to) desire the Jesus of self fulfillment and Romanians want the Jesus who demands surrender. Let me explain.

Self-fulfillment masquerades as spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, applauded ministry success, well managed lives, and the “feelings” of being God’s people. These avenues that are meant for fitting us for fuller service end up becoming full functioning facades, the goal and not the tool.
People become pleased with themselves and in this pleasure become pleased with God. Success, defined by self evaluation, is the measure of all pleasure.

Surrendered people, realize that there is nothing pleasing in themselves, yet God is pleased to meet them in Jesus and merit to them Jesus and focus them to be Jesus to those around them. They are pleased with God’s pleasure of them and this leaves them pleased with the pleasure God gives them and their expression of such. Tools remain tools and the goal is to be filled with the pleasure of God. God is their focus and function, the measure of their pleasure.

Moving from surrendered to self-fulfillment can happen quietly and quickly. One simply takes the focus off of the redeeming Christ to the repentant sinner, and then places it on the graced one’s maturity and service to the redeemer. Simply stated, it is the desire to do more for Christ than to be in Christ.

The shift from Christ-surrendered to self-fulfillment is so subtle and deceitful that seats itself in the fabric of ones’ character, thus hidden to ones’ own heart.

While service is important, Jesus clearly states in Matt 7 that knowing Him is more important.

Could it be that we have grown to love our works and not the master who works in us? Only the Holy Spirit by the Word of God can untangle this delusion and separate the truth from error. Ask Him and He will.

"Do you not know that there comes a midnight hour when every one has to throw off his mask? Do you believe that life will always let itself be mocked? Do you think you can slip away a little before midnight in order to avoid this? Or are you not terrified by it? I have seen men in real life who so long deceived others that at last their true nature could not reveal itself;… In every man there is something which to a certain degree prevents him from becoming perfectly transparent to himself; and this may be the case in so high a degree, he may be so inexplicably woven into relationships of life which extend far beyond himself that he almost cannot reveal himself. But he who cannot reveal himself cannot love, and he who cannot love is the most unhappy man of all.” Soren Kierkegaard

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-04-17T08:59:00.006-04:00

Grace People Grace!
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. NKJV

In the text above, Jesus is giving commentary on the model prayer he has just used to teach his disciples to pray. Interesting don't you think? Jesus immediately goes to the place of our most sinful vulnerability, to forgive. Forgiveness means to God he has taken our sin upon himself, put it away and given us grace. Forgiveness for you and I means we take the sin used against us and put it on Jesus and work toward restoration by grace. More, much more could be said, but actions speak louder than words. Below is a good model to show us how. The Title above is both descriptive and prescriptive.

2008-04-10T11:18:00.001-04:00

From Passover to Pentecost, What do we do?

Twenty-first century American life is so far removed from the days Jesus physically tread the earth that much of what is found in the scripture could easily be misunderstood. One such disconnect is in how our western, roman calendar constantly shifts the day of the celebration of what is called Easter. With the shifting date, we remove the celebration from the rich Hebrew heritage connecting the Passover to the Cross. Also, lost in our day is the celebration of Pentecost, the event that signified the culmination of the Feast of Weeks, the end of the wheat harvest. The fifty days between these two celebrations was to be harvest time, a time of much work (Deut 16.10). Knowledge of this might profoundly change how we see Jesus’ words to His disciples,

"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."(Luke 24:49)

And,

And being assembled together with [them], He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," [He] [said], "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4-5)

For the entire period 120 persons assembled, prayed, organized and waited. I suppose the whirlwind of events surrounding those days may have been enough to cause them to forget the layers and years of tradition and the demands of their agrarian life. But human nature would understand the call of nature along with its pressures and small windows of opportunity to get in the work lest you miss out on the whole harvest and miss out for the year. The seemingly dead time of waiting would allow these voices to resonate loudly.

Between the promise and the purpose was a season of WAITING, a theme found throughout the scriptures. A theme we silence in our overactive culture. Yet this profound theme, if embraced, can endow you and I with the same power that the received because the obeyed and believed. For 50 days they WAITED AND PRAYED when others were putting in the sickle.

You and I, though far removed, still hear this natural call with the demands, expectations and traditions. To us the feelings of awkwardness, loss, and necessity still beckon our hearts to heed their demands and to obey their commands. Perhaps in our day the pressures are even greater with silence almost becoming the unpardonable cultural sin. But, Jesus gave a command. They waited. Prayed. Obeyed. Surrendered. Trusted. We must too.

The application can be far reaching and the question that remains for you and me is: Will I wait and pray, trust and obey, regardless of the cries of the urgent?

We may find ourselves between Passover and Pentecost,
President and President,
Personal Crisis and Personal Victory,
Private Devotion and Public Declaration,
Former Pastor and Future Pastor.
What we choose to do between the two can make a profound difference. I choose to wait and pray. Care to join me?

copyright Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-04-04T11:20:00.004-04:00

One Boy's Right of Passage

This year Bennett reached the age of ten. Perhaps this year would make a tremendous mark on him? I can remember the age of ten well, more than any in my early life. It was marked with great tragedy and triumph. God has thus far shielded Bennett from the kind of tragedy I experienced. That is not to say he does not bear the scars of this sin-invaded world. But he gets to experience the mystery and wonder of it too. Prayerfully, all combined, he will be captivated with the glory of the Almighty.

Growing up in rural America allowed me the wonderful privilege of an outdoorsman’s heritage. This heritage was passed on to me through stories and best of all, experience. I still remember the first time I shot a gun, early fishing trips with my dad, and first rabbit and dove hunts with my oldest brother. All these memories paint a beautiful picture. I still relish these experiences. Deer hunting camp was a type of a rite of passage for a boy in the south. I remember hounding my dad until I got the invite to attend that sacred male tradition. Providing deer for the family was another rite of passage. Now as a father, I anticipated greatly the times I could pass these rites down to my sons.

Bennett has always loved to spend time with me in the woods. Before he could walk well, he traveled, via backpack, the foothills of North Carolina in search of quarry with dad. It seems he has always been as amazed with creation as I am. Our years spent in Tennessee proved only to whet his appetite more. Many days of squirrel hunting proved fun, particularly if I brought a wool blanket for him to cozy up in and drift off to hunts unknown to me. Once, we had deer within ten feet and I awoke him to see them. Bennett, at age five, was with me as I shot a doe on a landowner permit. He saw the deer first and pointed it out to me. Cupped hands over ears, he was in awe of the fact that we got one together. Things changed a bit; we moved from the farmland to the city, south metro Atlanta, none the less. This was new terrain for a boy who was used to roaming to and fro to the neighbors, not to mention, the frequent wildlife sightings from our back porch. The terrain also proved difficult to find hunting opportunities. Boyhood dreams were fading. We journeyed back to Tennessee a few times, but success seemed to vanish. With hunting family and friends living too far away, the rite of passage of the hunting camp was too elusive to achieve.

This year, Bennett’s interest in hunting seemed to wane, maybe from broken dreams. He loves archery, but he has not picked up a bow but once all year. Not wanting to force my life on my child I backed off. However, I realized the need for a boy to pass into manhood with several key passage events. I began to desperately seek out a new venue for him this year. Small in stature, sports are not his excelling point. Using his imagination and creating art is his strong suite, but they tend to be one person events. Society’s pull for my son was beginning its slow but certain death squeeze. Then one day, Bennett decided he wanted to deer hunt. I just so happened to have a friend who recently purchased a tract of land and offered me hunting access. Finding the right time was difficult, since it required a little travel, but we worked at it. Weekends were out due to my schedule. Fortunately, we home school.

On our first outing, we found much sign on a travel corridor from feeding area to water. I knew this would be good in the drought stricken south. The next day we had three deer around us, but the buck running the does proved to keep them on the move and out of harms way due to our high standards on hunting ethics. The cold proved formidable.

Several other plans fell through. Shuffling around my schedule, looking at lunar charts and weather patterns, it was determined that the week before Christmas would be good hunting conditions. So we made preparations.

December 19. We had a late start. Even in the hurriedness we found a perfect spot. The evening set up was great with a good vantage point. We saw many squirrels and enjoyed the companionship in our pop up blind.

December 20. With plenty of clothes and hand warmers we made our way to the woods. The day was overcast and the rain was coming around noon. One deer appeared at 7:45 in a thicket about 100 yards away, too far for his skill level. At nine, I told Bennett he could decide on our departure time. He told me he wanted to stay (Later he informed me he had learned his lesson about leaving early from spooking deer on our last trip.) Excitement started at 9:30 with the rustling on the leaves and the sounds of deer approaching our position. Bennett was reclining on my lap and I asked him to sit up. Right then a deer appeared at 20 yards facing us. Much care was required since the deer was already alerted to something suspicious. Bennett listened and followed my instructions precisely. I could tell he was excited. Raising the old .30 carbine we borrowed from grandpa, Bennett focused the peep sight center of the does’ chest. I instructed him to take a deep breath, hold, and squeeze. The deer jumped up at the rifle’s report and took off. Bennett wondered if he missed, but the tucked tail and the limp left leg told the story. I told him the shot was good and he relaxed with the enthusiasm and joy of passing the test of his training.

Bennett has changed after this event. He has now entered into the long line of passage that has taken place before us in this Gilliam’s tradition. He is now a man, young mind you, but never the less a man. A man I am proud of. Not only did he provide meat for his family; he also participated with desire in the craft of butchering under my tutelage.

This rite of passage event proved very bonding. Even before the shot, Bennett told me, “Dad, even if I don’t get a deer, I’m so glad just too spend time with you in the woods.”
Having now passed down this ritual, I’m not sure who is prouder, the father or the son. I do know this, I’m glad I made the time to assist a boy on his journey.

2008-04-03T12:04:00.005-04:00

What Holds You Back?

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (NIV)

What we are all created for!
To share His glory with others!
His boundless love displayed!
Will you not surrender too?

2008-03-28T09:21:00.004-04:00

A Tribute to Evan Bowyer (1920-2008)

In our fast paced world it is sometimes too easy to overlook the profound impact one may have on a life. I want to share one that has had one on my life, Evan Bowyer. Few will know who this man is, fewer will know the impact he has made on me.

Evan is the father of Dr. Bill Bowyer, Pastor of Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church. I had the wonderful privilege of serving with Bill from 1998-2000. It is through Bill I became acquainted with Evan. Now I must confess that my exposure to Evan was little and most of it was during a time in his life where the ravages of passing through this journey for many years had wrecked havoc on his ability to recall events or to engage in profound conversation. Yet I found him to always be more interested in inquiring about me as opposed to talking of himself. This is a testimony to his selflessness. A selflessness that was related to me in a story Bill had shared with me that has never left the forefront of my thoughts. I want to share this story.

When Bill was in high school he sprained his ankle playing intramural basketball. Bill had recently obtained employment in with a local Sears. The sprained ankle meant he would be unable to play ball and unable to fulfill his employment obligations. The critical nature of this might not be felt in our modern day. Loosing this hard to obtain job may have very well meant loosing opportunity to provide the necessary funding to attend college. Evan, a mail carrier by trade, knew this meant Bill would loose the employment opportunity, an opportunity that would be hard to come across again. Evan did what would not even approach the mind of modern American men; he went and worked the job for Bill. Evan did Bill’s job after he had walked his 8-mile mail route for the course of one week, allowing Bill to recover and to keep his job. Remarkably, Evan not only secured Bill’s job for the future, he rewarded Bill with the pay for the week.

Evan impacted my life, not directly mind you, but through his character of raising his son, who in turn has demonstrated this same character and commitment, namely, other focused. It is Christ lived in shoe leather. It is a model to follow. A life to emulate.

2008-03-24T05:00:00.005-04:00

Wanna Foot Race
Jeremiah 12: 5 5 "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses ? And [if] in the land of peace, [In] [which] you trusted, [they] [wearied] [you], Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

An object lesson from the my old home place. Don't quit running! The enemy is tougher than you think! If you fail to train you fail in the game. In Football...In Life...

2008-03-20T09:06:00.002-04:00

Sin Is In

Oswald Chambers made a simple but profound statement in one of his devotionals. I quote it below without any comment. Think about it.

“One of the penalties of sin is our acceptance of it.”

2008-03-17T15:54:00.005-04:00

Sowing Pearls to Pigs

Matt 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces”. NKJV

This warning from Jesus comes right on the heels of the most quoted passage of the Bible in American culture, “do not judge.” Unfortunately, many misunderstand this passage, resulting in followers being passively silenced and unregenerate persons losing conscience of their true condition. The pigs have used the pearls against us, against Christ, and against his teachings to evaluate and discern.

I wonder if believers’ minings of scripture have inadvertently assisted Satan in his cause by educating unregenerate folks with precious jewels dedicated for saints crowns only. Some examples come to mind.

Albert Schweitzer, though raised in a pastor’s home, seminary trained and himself a pastor, renounced the biblical Jesus in his “Quest for the Historical Jesus,” a poor use of precious pearls.

And what of Harry Emerson Fosdick, the famous Baptist pastor who challenged the bibles veracity by making it progressive revelation in famous sermon “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?”, subsequently or subversively published under the title The New Knowledge and the Christian Faith. The stench of the pig pen still lingers today from this misappropriation of pearls.

All these people acted as pigs as they devoured and trampled many a well meaning folk.

And what of modern times? Are we less prone to have pigs in the pew and podiums? I suggest the problem might be more vivid than any other time in history. Pigs can get there pearls in any shape, shade and size from the plethora of media avenues availed to us today. And what might all this provide? Polished pigs whose nature is to sling mud and filth and to wallow in it all day long.

I must warn you, don’t try to clean them, they won’t have it. I remember spraying one of my sister’s pigs with a water hose. It did not take too kind of my warm hearted gesture. Animals do what they are created to do and so do people. Some have been re-created to serve God and not self, while others, as pearled laced as can be, have yet to leave their old self behind and prefer to wallow in the mire of selfishness, all the while slinging precious pearls in the mud and trampling at anyone attempting to clean or correct them.

So how are we to discern? Look around and see who likes to go to cool springs for a cleansing dive and for those who run hastily to the slop trough. Observe what folks do more than what they say. Use the Book and it’s definitions as the standard, not tradition, subjectivism, or even the cultural acceptance. Look for who looks more like the Jesus you read about than those who are appealing to your natural senses.

Once determined, then place your pearls carefully at the feet of the ones who devour them for life. For if you place them at the slop tray, those polished pigs might mistake them pearls for peas and become hostile when the pearls don’t satisfy their “needs.” So keep your pearls in your hand and be careful to whom your sow, work at sniffing out the pig; he’s no pet.

Copyrighted, Chris Gilliam, 2008

2008-02-13T04:39:00.001-05:00

A Rejected Call to Repentance
Numbers 16:6 6 “Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company; 7 “put fire in them and put incense in them before the Lord tomorrow, and it shall be [that] the man whom the Lord chooses [is] the holy one. [You] [take] too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!" NKJV

Unmistakably it is easy for our sin nature to take root of and take hold of us. We who are gloriously delivered, redeemed from our state of hopeless despair so quickly, blindly move back to the town of wretchedness in our heart and then in our actions. Such is the example of Korah.

Often we look at this account, focusing on the rebellion of Korah, his coalition building, and his public complaint. (Interesting, his movement went from 250 people of influence v2 to the whole congregation v 19.) While this is a very helpful and needful warning to us all, I think we possibly might have overlooked the call to repentance found in this account. Perhaps this is the bigger story.

Before we unwrap this, it is helpful to understand that sometimes the call to repentance is subtle, veiled in symbols and stories. The plan of God does not always issue the call as “Thus says the Lord” or “REPENT”. If we miss truth we might miss the application.

Looking at this account, I do not believe it is God’s primary objective to judge Korah’s rebellion. Rather, as I see it, God’s primary objective is to redeem his life. However, when God’s standards, the displays of His glory are violated, God must bring all things into correction. His holiness will stand in repentance or judgment.

Let’s see it. Notice Moses’ words, “take censors.” This might seem insignificant to us but it would not have been to the original audience, particularly Korah. We might view this as a command or show down, but Korah should have seen it as a call to repentance. While we don’t know the time that has elapsed, we do know from the record of Leviticus 10, that God judged once those who took up wrong censors. Korah, one who served in God’s temple would have been aware of this and should have been in awe of God as a result. The charge to “take censors” should have awakened his conscience to the seriousness of going beyond God’s stated plan. But something happened. Sin crept in. Maybe it masqueraded as boredom. Possibly it came as a feeling of insignificance. Maybe it grew from self-importance. Surely it established pride. Tragically it blinded eyes. When Moses said, “take censors” he was calling Korah to snap into reality, to remember what happened last time wrong censors were used and to repent of insolence. What Aaron’s sons did in zeal, Korah will do in pride. Korah missed the call and his rebellion grew settling his judgment as he likewise offered profane fire. And the censors, hammered out as a covering on the Alter of consumed sacrifice.

This leaves me with one thought; do I see the call of repentance when it comes to me? God cleanse my heart and open my eyes that I might see the subtle call and obey.

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2008-02-10T19:32:00.000-05:00

Chaff
Matt 3:12 "His winnowing fan [is] in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Have you ever stopped to think of this illustration John the baptizer uses? Even though they would have understood the imagery, would they have truly accepted its reality in God dividing His people? Would they even later apply the thought to the purpose of bringing a follower to full display of his fruitfulness? An even greater question comes to mind, do we?

I had a sheave of wheat in my pen holder for a time and I often pondered the significance of this statement and the painfulness of it in application. At some point in the journey, the chaff and the wheat are one. As growth occurs, and harvest arrives something happened. One became a life giving source of energy, the other a consumable for the furnace. But they must be separated to show each for what they are and to place each in the appropriate place. As I looked at my little cluster of wheat and began the process of removing the husk of chaff, I noticed that some of the chaff was actually attached to the wheat. I was careful to determine the amount of energy required to remove it. I thought, “This would be painful if wheat had feelings.”

So it is with the chaff in our lives, removal of personal sin, habits, attitudes, FRIENDS, FAMILY, People we love, social outings, entertainment choices, values formed by culture and society…. Chaff must be removed and indeed gathered for fire.

God is sweeping up into two piles, which one are you going to be swept in?
[copyrighted Chris Gilliam 2008]

2008-01-21T10:53:00.000-05:00

Training for the Day

Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

It snowed and rained all day Saturday, leaving me with the call to make regarding our Sunday tract. I decided to make it a family worship day. (I have been nursing a cold all week). When Sunday arrived Alicia and I were invited to take out seats in the audience, along with Micah and the stuffed animals and prepare for Worship. Meredith, (8) our daughter, lead the music with a little help from a cd player and lead us to sing three songs. Then Bennett (10) arose to teach us from God’s Word. The text was Psalm 119:1-40. He selected several verses to comment on and then allowed us time to interact with questions. He started with a little fear but later confided he felt God help him. He spoke for 25 minutes!

I can’t explain the joy of watching my little ones embrace the faith and experience the power of God through the activities of singing and proclaiming the Word and prayer.
My worship day was filled with the awe of God who still speaks out of the mouths of babes!

[copyrighted Chris Gilliam 2008]

2008-01-09T18:35:00.000-05:00

What investments do we really make?

Yesterday, I was putting some order back to my crowded bookshelves. It seems I am constantly getting books, reading them, and then determining where they are to be arranged on the shelf. But the shelves are overflowing. As I look at my desk there are 14 books that have not found a home on the shelves. Some books must be passed on. So I peruse the shelves. Looking to see what I have soaked up well and can let go of, what I must flag for rereading, what I’ll keep for reference and what I think my children might read. It is in the midst of this I rediscover an old broken spine Bible.

I remove gently it from its retired position on my shelf and carefully try to keep one side of the hard cover in place, the other side is already separated from the binding. I thumb the pages looking for something, anything, any semblance that this book marked a life. I find none, no underlines, no tattered pages, no margin notes, no evidence of use. I weep. In the front of the little Bible the dedication page is reads; “To:________
From: The Primary Department of First Baptist Church Pahokee, Florida”. This Bible was my mother’s. She died when I was ten.

This causes me to replay the whole issue of investments, where we make them. My mother was raised in church; it is what one is supposed to do in the small towns of the south. To be a member was to have a good standing in the social construct of the day. Not much has changed. My mind races toward the questions that need to be asked if we are to understand the importance of investments and determine if we are making the right ones.

A question that comes to mind is, “Is it enough to give a child the word in written form and hope they get it?” Does possession of the precious book equate God’s possession of the possessor’s precious soul?

As I reflected upon this in relation to what I was reading in the Bible and what I saw in reality, I wondered if my mom made the destination she desired. Some of my family was upset that I would even suggest that she did not. But what I observed from the woman whose name garnishes the first page of the little Bible was a person who at best lost her way, at worst, never found His way. I have no assurance of her eternal residence. The hole in my heart remains. But it challenges me to invest in others, because regardless of my mother’s now present reality (that is settled), for those in the land of the living, there is still hope.

So what investments are you making? Do you have a Bible like this, one that shows no evidence of you marking it and your life no evidence of Christ marking you? Are you passing on Christian literature to others without passing on a Christian life?

Investments pay dividends. Evaluate yours today. Continue or start making wise investments. Real life depends upon it.

2008-01-07T21:02:00.000-05:00

Do not take on a Brothers Offense.
1Thess. 4.9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and [that] you may lack nothing.

Back a few years ago I admonished a church member to not take up a brother’s offence. The member thanked me and later asked me to reference the conversation in print because it had proved to be helpful. In light of much I have read over the past year in blogville, it is obvious that some have never mined this little treasure from the Word. Thus, I prepared a sample of the teaching. I’ll admit this is a sample and not a discertation. I’ll leave you the reader to mine the rest of this biblical truth for yourselves.

Do not take on a Brothers Offense. This is a strong statement but it is important to understand what it is, what it means, what it does not mean and see how to apply it. Let’s looks at several passages that illustrate the nature of this.

Simon Peter, in defending Jesus, thought he knew what was best for Jesus [see Matt 16:22-23 & John 18:10-11]. Was the fact that Jesus was innocent or wrongly accosted the issue? No—Jesus had already told Peter on at least 3 occasions that this would happen and that this was God’s will. Peter’s vain attempt to defend Jesus may have been an inadvertent defense of his own righteousness. Remember Peter’s quest was to rule with Christ. Peter sinned, Jesus rebuked him.
David and Saul– [1 Sam 24.7, v 12-13] – David restrained his own hand and also the hand of his warriors because the one truly offended is God and God will eventually prove his own battles- No sin.
David and Saul, act 2 – [1 Sam26, v8-11] Abishai was zealous for the honor of David and in His zeal wanted to stop Saul’s oppression by destroying the oppressor. Principle :The battle is God’s, not David’s servant.
2 Sam 1:9-16 - When a person claimed (because he thought it would gain him honor) to have avenged David by killing Saul, David’s response was that it is not man’s duty but God’s to displace the king. David rightly executed the man. Interesting, the man was lying (see 1 Sam 31.4). Principle: Attempting to gain honor by taking on the offended’s cause often ends in disaster.
David and Ishbosheth- [2 Sam 4]- It is related to the one above particularly v 8,10-12.
Joab and Abner- [ 1 Kings 2:5-6 Ref 2 Sam 3.22-30] Joab was avenging a war time casualty who happened to be his brother. (2Sam 2.1823; 3.12) Because he went taking on the offense of his brother he committed sin by maliciously destroying Abner without knowing all the facts. David made sure Solomon executed justice for this crime during his reign.
David and Shimei – [1 Kings 2.8-ref 2 Sam 16.5-14] – David had been temporarily displaced as King by his son Absalom (See Next one) and it allowed an open door for David’s enemies (in the nation and under the Theocracy) to revile him. Note David refused to allow one to take on his offence and left the issue to God (2 Sam 16.9-11) Later, David instructed Solomon to deal with the issue. Principle: Irrational behavior can come when emotions are high- restraint is needed and God will correct the issues in due time.
Absalom- He avenged Tamar by killing Amnon. He felt great power as a deliverer and it went to his head till he committed treason and subsequently lost his life. Principle: we might win a battle in which we are not given authority to fight but it will only embolden us to pursue more battles in which we are not to pursue.

This list is not comprehensive but I think we can gather some insights for how to handle a brother’s offence.

Trust that God has allowed it for a season and a reason and (James1.2)
Trust that God’s plan is bigger than the situation.
Ask yourself, “Is this an issue of injustice or broken covenant as defined by scripture? (See 2 Sam 21 ref Joshua 9) Or is this offence petty, imagined, or worse a cleverly disguised ploy for self-exaltation?
Rom 12.17-21
Assist others in going through the scriptural process of Matt 18. – Could it be that God is trying to get them to learn how to confront?
There is always another side to the story. See 1&5

There is great difference in taking up the offence for a person and defending injustices. If you think an injustice has occurred, see Jeremiah 7. Jeremiah is labeling the injustices that are found throughout scripture and what God will do to leaders and people who do not work to correct them. Issuing a rebuke is done with redemption at heart. Taking up the offence is carried out with revenge at heart.

When defending true actions and statements, take great care as to not take on the supposed feelings of the person. Always seek to clarify the facts.

One Summary statement to add: When we take on our brother’s (sister’s) offenses we can short circuit what God is attempting to do in the life of that person. In doing so we thwart the immediate plan of God at best, take the place of God at worst.

[copyrighted, January 6, 2008, Chris Gilliam]

2008-01-03T12:10:00.002-05:00

Two Spheres of Life: Real connection or False independence?

I have been thinking more and more as of late about the seemingly disconnect that many who profess Christ have concerning biblical living. I am persuaded that the bible teaches that when we are born anew, that NEW AFFECTIONS, ASPIRATIONS AND LOYALTIES FOLLOW. I firmly hold that when Jesus said, IF, you love me you will keep my commandments. He was offering a point of self-evaluation as to the reality of one’s condition as it related to living the text. Now I’m not so naïve to think one can attain this perfectly, Thus 1 John1:9 is great comfort to assist my own journey. That said, I am saddened by what I observe, at times from those who proclaim to be the learned leaders. A disconnect! It appears to me often that one only need a verbal affirmation to the validity of the written word and this is sufficient, it passes the test. It appears to me that many no longer examine their actions against the Word. Further, it shows on some that Hebrews 4 is not applied, it could be reasoned based upon their practice that the word does not have the effect of separating the motive from the action. (Yet it is quite obviously observed by many.) So as I enter the New Year, I don’t want the mantra, “WWJD” said to me, I want to SEE it! READ it! LIVE it! Do it!

© Chris Gilliam 2008

2007-12-31T09:19:00.000-05:00

The Egg

Symbolically the egg has been used to represent new life, the restarting of the cycle. Each new year for the last five or six, it has been my discipline to stop and examine my past year in relation to God’s word as a unit. I have also used this time to take inventory of the blessings God has allowed into my life and to take time to place them back in the hand of the Almighty. The most difficult part, perhaps, is to prepare for the New Year by faith with all God has put at my disposal. I take my family one by one and ask God to give me grace to praise him regardless of the year’s upcoming circumstances. I mentally illustrate tragedy and triumph of family and things from earth’s view and rip out any vestiges of idolatry that might have crept in over the past year. I want my life to be bound to Christ alone. The worship is painful at times but refreshment comes with a refocused life to look forward to working out in the upcoming days. As I pondered how to pass down my New Year tradition to my children I thought, “I can use the egg as an acrostic.” It is simplistic enough to be used alone or one could add a depth to each point. I like this practice so much; I thought I would share it with you, my friends, also.

EVALUATE
• Spiritual health/ growth
• Relational health/ growth
• Physical health/ growth
• Character heath/ growth
• Integrity & honesty health /growth

GRIEVE
• Repent of Identified Sin- Allow Holy Spirit to search it out
• Remove any and all stumbling blocks
o Activities
o Possessions
o Habits
o Relationships
• Mourn the loss
• Move forward

GOALS
• What does God want to from me in the next year?
• What does He want to do through me?
• What will it take for me to prepare to do this?
• What is undone that needs completing?

Chris Gilliam 2007 ©

2007-12-17T10:42:00.000-05:00

2007-12-12T09:49:00.000-05:00

The Hidden Price of Willful Rejection
Number 14: 34 `According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, [namely] forty years, and you shall know My rejection. NKJV

Admittedly, I read much from the Old Testament. I find that one cannot truly appreciate the New without adequately understanding the Old. There are many lessons to be learned. Many of the principles described in the New are often vividly illustrated in the Old. One such principle is God’s wrath toward rejection of Him. It is so easy to look over wrath when we look at the cross because we are grateful for the Love that set us free. Perhaps this great look at love, quietly, subtly, deceptively leads us to not take rejecting God so seriously. After all we live in the “age of Grace”. Yet, God’s wrath is real and His displeasure is not to be overlooked, even for blood bought believers.

The scene in Numbers plays out like this: One bad report, one corporate rejection, one year of guilt for each day of grace vision (40 total). Let me define grace vision. It is the grace that God allows when He shows you what He has planned for you. It is the grace to see both opportunity and obstacles, but to remember and remain in God’s promise.

From this I gather God wanted them to never forget just how much they had rejected His goodness, so He gave them a year for a day. The rejection they expressed they now will experience. One year to remember each day he had given protection while an action plan was to be formulated. (side note, the poor leadership was put out of their misery that day) Even when they repented, he pardoned, but the consequences (guilt) remained (v20). Why? Because He desires the earth to be “filled with His glory (v21)”, and that cannot occur through willful rejection or reluctant trust. So instead of pursuing God’s perfect plan for the next 40 years, they spent it reminded of their own willful rejection, a guilt they were required to bear. Not a trade off I desire. I’m warned about rejecting God’s word, even the little ones. The guilt outlasts the gripe; just ask Israel!

© Chris Gilliam 2007

2007-12-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

Give Me Plain ol’ Jesus!
Colossians 2: 8Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.NKJV

Let me start by saying it is not my intent to dishonor My Lord. To the contrary, keep reading.

I am constantly whittling on my worldview. Raised on 20th century American education, both public and Christian, and being a devoted Christ purchased follower, I find it critically necessary to know the One I claim to align under. During my journey, however, I have discovered only few who have the same passion. It seems to me that many like the Jesus they believe in and not the Jesus of the bible. I want plain ol’ Jesus! In order to make sure I’m not cheated, I started a list of who He is not.

Not the one who has to be dressed up to attract the crowds.
Not the one who has to be materially rich.
Not the one who panders to a single affinity group or sub-group.
Not the one who has to be political, not to say PC.
Not the one who is just plain ol nice.
Not the one whose kindness trumps truth
Not the one who is easy on sin.
Not the one who is short on grace.
Not the one who has to be modern to be believed.
Not the one divorced from history.
Not the one who is only my friend.
Not the one who makes it all about me.

I don’t need an embellished Jesus, a total makeover, nip/tuck, painted up, plastic up, airbrushed up Jesus. Give me just the plain ol’ biblical Jesus. That’s what I need!

He is the creator, so I am subject to Him
He is the prophet, so I must heed the warning
He is the priest, so I must deal with my sin
He is the king, so I must bow
He is the fullness of the Godhead, so I must be consumed
He is the only way, so I need not look to another
He is the redeemer, so I accept his terms
He is the Word, so I must listen
He is the life, so I must live
He is the judge, so I am accountable
He is the savior, so I must be grateful
He is the forgiver, so I must forgive
He is the truth, so I must contend with error.
He is the way, so I need to direct all to him.

I’m glad I can look past the polished up versions of Jesus and straight to the scriptures and be consumed and content with the Jesus who purchased me.

© Chris Gilliam 2007

2007-11-21T17:50:00.000-05:00

Burnt!
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Today I started a fire. To be honest I came close to starting two. Now before you get all sympathetic let me explain. It has been months since we have had any decent rain to speak of here in Georgia. I had a tree fall during the summer and had been waiting for the perfect time to burn it. So looking to the weather channel I noticed that rain was coming in the forecast twice this weekend, so I went online and obtained a burn permit (normally we don’t need a permit but the drought has made this a priority). With the downed tree and the accumulation of all the dropped leaves, I must have burned a 12 cubit foot dump truck full of debris. I started at 10:00 a.m. and the pile was down to smoldering embers at 2:00 p.m. The hot blaze reduced the large pile to 2 five gallon buckets of ash. The nails were still intact but the wood, consumed. I started wondering how much debris is in my life? Would there be any precious metal nails? What of the polished jewels? Would all that I do and all that I say and all that I think and all that I write be proven, when fire tested, to be nothing more than ash?
That made me shudder, particularly when the thought of some seasoned words I shared today could have created a large forest fire of destruction had they not been tempered by grace and tempered by the on-looking eye of a dear sister in Christ SelahV. Her words caused me to re-examine the tone and meter of my comments, the spirit behind which they were given and the introspective self examination one must do when issuing a rebuke. If I am a toothpick picker I better be a timber man also. Afterwards, I admit, the prophet gift in me came really close to dropping a lit match on some dried leaves. That’s the Lord’s job. As for me, well I want the sap of Jesus flowing fresh like the spring bud-pushing sap of the dogwoods in my yard. I want the wood of my life limber and green and full of His life. I want the spirit to place in me and on me precious metals and polished stones. I want to be sappy wet wood, because after all My God IS a consuming fire.
© Chris Gilliam 2007

2007-11-16T21:16:00.000-05:00

I am a Self Confessing Narcissist

I am a Self Confessing Narcissist.
How could one not be in our society?
Reared in the 20th century west,
Constantly proclaimed as being the world’s best.

Builders, Boomers and Xers and all they’ve achieved,
Living by the mantra: “All you have to do is believe.”

And to think religion would cure this disease?
Well it’s been hijacked by narcissistic philosophies.
Best sellers as “Positive…, Possible…, Purpose… and Best… NOW,”
Help me realize narcissism is touted as the messiah some how.

Free society, free expression, free speech,
Opportunities to show that it is all about me.

Should you not be impressed with my rhyme or my reason,
Maybe a polished sachet’ in a suit will be pleasin’.
Or if that’s not your fancy, there’s more of me to share;
I’ll add a breath mint and slick back my hair.

I’ll schmooze you with words to make you think you’re the best.
All the while I will relish your praise; it’s true, I confess.

I’ll play the martyr when pain is severe,
So your words of my greatness will please my big ear.
When diminished I’ll pout so you’re bound to see me;
I’ll delight in the attention of your sympathy.

When, I’m angry and slighted I’ll find someone to blame,
So I can climb up the ladder while squashing their good name.

But what if I pause and gazed into eternity?

Would I see the glory of Christ, the one whose glory is shared?
Or will I mourn my big name going down in despair?
Would I pause and sit back and evaluate this life;
Will I choose more carefully my reasons for strife?

Would I seek to reveal Him who’s given me a name;
Will my life reflect His glory through my pitiful shame?

I beg for deliverance of this dreadful disease;
May I look to the cross and drop to my knees,
Beating my chest, crying “Rescue me,
I’m in need for mercy for my worship of me.”

I’m a confessed narcissist, ashamed as can be
That my life reflects not enough of the Jesus in Me.

© Chris Gilliam 2007- Now even this is narcissistic.

2007-11-15T09:40:00.000-05:00

The bronze snake

John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

I don’t like snakes! From recalling the early childhood picture books of Satan AKA the snake, tempting Eve to sin I have always equated the snake with the devil. Snakes have a way of bringing chills up and down my body. My subsequent experiences with them almost always created problems. One occasion occurred on my first hunting trip with the men of my family. One of my older family members placed a small garter snake in my ammo box and had a belly laugh at my expense. Another hunting occasion I stepped directly on the head of a stretched out moccasin that was as big as me. The snake coiled up my leg, and though armed, I was unable to move or speak until my cousin shot the snake’s head. I was once dry bitten. Probably the worse experience was when I attempted to play a joke on my mom. I had killed and strategically placed in a coil a four foot snake on the front porch and hid in the bushes awaiting her arrival home. I giggled at her terror. She ran back to the car left and returned with my father. When he realized the situation the joke no longer was funny. I became the leader of one of the most notorious Indian tribes, “Chief Red Behind.” Needless to say, I don’t like snakes!

It is interesting that the source of the curse is also the fountainhead of the blessing. What exactly did Jesus mean in the passage in John 3? What is the symbolism? What did (does) it mean to believe? What parallels should be drawn?

Modern thoughts on the cross seem to emphasize the greatness of the gift while understating the greatness of the offence. Stated another way, we no longer view the cross as my sin and my fault, but we view it as my gift. The cross first and foremost represents the curse. It is helpful to go back to the passage in Numbers and see this. In context, the people complained against God and the leader and accused both of not love. (How often when adversity strikes do I think and begin to be entangled in the lie, “God doesn’t care.”)

Numbers 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people.

So the people rightly acknowledged their personal responsibility for their dilemma- the cursed (cussed) snakes. They understood that the serious consequence of their lack of trust and subsequent criticism had come upon them, and they were powerless for its removal without some external intervention. They came with some humility and sought a removal of the effects of the curse; they acknowledged their transgression. So..

8 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery [ serpent ], and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent , and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent , he lived.

Interesting this symbol is still the symbol associated with healthcare. Why did God use the instrument of their curse to become a symbol for their healing? Simply this, they had to OWN their sin, not just acknowledge it. To look on the cursed thing was to remind one’s self of the fact that one’s self was responsible for the curse. Ones’ self had felt the sting and was now suffering the ever impending consequences of the judgment. To look upon the bronze snake was to own death, to humble self, to trust God and act in faith-FILLED obedience. Soren Kierkegaard stated, “It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey.” Think about it: once bitten all I have to do is to look? I mean no knife blades and suction devises. No catching the snake and taking shots of anti-venom. This illustrates that obedience never starts in the head but always starts in the Heart. To look required admittance of one’s curse and need, and demonstrated one’s trust and dependence on God alone for the solution to their situation.

So to look on Jesus is to acknowledge the curse first. It is to admit, I am the cursed one and I am the cause of the curse. Sin is not Satan’s fault, not societies; it is mine. I was born in sin and I ratify my allegiance to it by committing sins. I am cursed. I can’t get anti-venom strong enough. I need intervention. I look to Jesus who takes my curse. Only then can I see the cross as a blessing; a blessing because the curse has been paid on the person of Christ. To Look on Christ is to see the sin, the cause, the fault is …forgiven! To believe is to see my curse on His shoulders and my life flowing with His free gift of life. It is to trust God. It is to live with grateful allegiance to the gift giver. One might think this is too simple. I find that often it is the simple things not quickly passed over that are the truly profound.
© Chris Gilliam 2007

2007-11-06T10:41:00.000-05:00

The Blue thread—Forgetfulness
Numbers 15: 37 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 38 "Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. 39 "And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you [may] not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, 40 "and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. (NKJV)

Looking at the importance of this command found in the book of Numbers really impressed me to understand the necessity of not forgetting God. I remember spending several hours in meditation on this passage back in 1995. I thought that every time a person would look at the tassel, they would notice the out of place blue thread and that would focus their attention to the tassel and then it was to spark their memory to the God they served and turn their hearts back toward Him. The lesson has been indelibly embedded on my mind. Sadly, however, sometimes the lesson still escapes me. I casually glance over the blue thread, or simply take it as part of my decorum. It is easy to remember the command not to forget, even place the reminder there in big boldness (See Matt 23.5), yet forget the One who is behind the command. One theologian commented that the primary sin we all face is the sin of Forgetfulness, namely, forgetting God.

My biggest need is to refuse to forget God. From ancient Israel to modern believers, we baulk at this statement. Boldly we exclaim “no one forgets God who loves God”. Yet, we (I) forget God by reducing Him down to a concept, a benefit, an intellectual pursuit, a Person to worship at a set time, and then live our lives with this alone and not the FULLNESS of God. To remember is to integrate God’s commands into our day to day living while at the same time recognizing and removing our personal, natural and sinful drives (v39).

Sometimes I remember the command not to forget, but I don’t pause to allow the Holy Spirit to evaluate me. I forget God when I pursue my heart. I forget God when I don’t believe His word demonstrated in the reflection of my life. I forget God when I play with pet sins. I forget God when I misrepresent Him and never go back and correct it. I forget God when feelings rule me. I forget God when reason rules me. I forget God when logic rules me. I forget God when tradition and culture rules me. I must recognize and repent of it when it happens. I must REMEMBER God is sovereign both in events and in my life! I must REMEMBER I am His prized possession because of Christ in me! I must REMEMBER that God is both Great and Good! I must REMEMBER that spiritual life is found in living out the written and revealed Word of God, all of it! I must cooperate with God to have Christ formed in me!

Forgetting God is too easy; it is also too dangerous! Make some reminders, and then remember why they are there! And spend some time meditating on the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7)

2007-10-15T12:41:00.000-04:00

Faulty Focus

Have you ever found yourself here? I have. Once, I was so focused on fishing that I forgot to put the plug in the boat when I launched. Another time, I forgot to un-strap the boat. Then there was the time I forgot to bring the fishing rods. My focus on fishing was hijacked by my forgetting some very important things.

Let’s examine this at another level. I remember studying businesses, why they succeeded and why they failed. The one that sticks out to me is McDonalds. Their success was not attributed to their burgers, rather to their motto: “the cleanest place to eat.” Somewhere it seems they lost their focus. Another example can be found in the school systems, where education is the art of disciplining the mind, which requires discipline of persons. Clearly, we’ve lost that focus.

What amazes me in this last illustration is that there are people who believe and still fight hard to keep a system alive, which has lost its focus. Some fight to reform; this is good. Others fight for the establishment, (even taking legal action against home schools in the early days) which is eventually defeating. When establishments lose focus, others rise to fill the void and this creates market shift in business and new expressions of achieving the desired goal, as in home school.

All this takes me to a scene some 2000 years ago, where Jesus had come with this focus: to reveal God. The others, well…
“… the chief priest planned to kill Lazarus as well, because he was the reason
for many of the Jews’ going away and putting their faith in Jesus.” (John 12:10-11, Phillips)

The establishment’s sole purpose is to make God known to the masses, and the priest as acting proprietors were to make sure of this, but something had changed. Now the proprietor’s sole purpose has become maintaining the establishment. This was not a new item for Israel, they had a pattern:
· The formation of a nation was to exalt God; the failure was to focus on self.
· The temple was a place to remember God, to refocus, to worship Him; the failure was that it became a thoughtless tradition and a lucrative business.

The problem comes when the establishment (insert: person, place thing or idea) become too important and the stated goal too insignificant. When the establishment loses its sole purpose, it loses its soul period! This has major consequences in the market place but the ramifications are eternal when it comes to God and His goal, namely to make Himself known.
It is important to see to what lengths people will go to make certain their establishment is protected, even thought is egregiously off target with the reason for its own existence.

Notice, it was not enough to kill Jesus, but it now requires killing another for a blessing received in the name of God because it diminishes the establishment’s unstated goal. Any establishment (nation, congregation or individual) is in danger of acting like the chief priest who sought to protect the establishment by destroying that which endangered their faulty focus. Less we miss the point, this problem is not exclusive to Jews; rather it is inclusive in our DNA. It is part of the nature corrupted at the fall, and the only way to correct course is to forsake the faulty focus and refocus on Christ.

Simply put, the word repent is to forsake my view, position and possession and to look to God’s view and position. As a Christ follower, it started this way and as a Christ follower, it must continue this way. Repentance is constantly and consistently refocusing on God in Christ and to proclaim that TRUTH.

Let’s take on some questions as a probing to our own establishment (personal and corporate):
Is my establishment(s) goal truly God’s goal for my establishment(s)?
Are the written and unwritten goals in alignment or in direct competition to God’s agenda?
When God Show out in a Lazarus type of way, do I attempt to kill Lazarus?
God Almighty, in the person of Holy Spirit, will you show me where the faulty focus is in my life, and provide me the healing and the courage to come back on course and live for your cause and glory?

Examining our establishment might save the life of a beloved brother who serves God’s greater purpose—making His name great. It might also make us rethink and remove our faulty focus.

2007-09-06T17:18:00.000-04:00

The Ripple Effect of Settling for Second Best
Joshua 19: 47, Revelation 7:4-8

Joshua 19:47But the tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of their land, so they fought against the town of Laish. They captured it, slaughtered its people, and settled there. They renamed the city Dan after their ancestor.

What is my response when the work for which the Lord has given me becomes difficult? Do I like Dan in the above passage look for an easier strategy and abandon God’s instruction? Recently, I was talking to a man and we discussed the road on which America is going. He was of the opinion that we have become too successful and that would lead to our demise. As we dialoged I interjected that maybe it was not success itself, but that success has allowed us to raise a generation that does not understand adversity, much less dealing with it. If I don’t like My job, get another. My family, My car, My clothes, My supper… It is too easy to settle for second best by abandoning the course when adversity and opposition comes. I have studied enough statistics and experienced enough life to know that “grass is greener” thing is not true. Yet in what areas of my life (even the small and inside places) do I refuse to pursue the best path, God’s path, as a result of adversity? Do I choose the TV to relax and not the Bible? Do I fail to confront a brother about a hazard in his life, risking the conflict and relationship turmoil, or just settle with thinking I’m not my brother’s keeper? Do I fail to take a stand because the “perceived” cost is higher than my “perceived” ability or willingness? Settling for comfort at the expense of truth? The Tribe of Dan did, and when I look at the list of those who over the test of time had a testimony for God, Dan is missing from that list (Rev. 7:4-8)

2007-08-06T18:19:00.000-04:00

El Salvador

Friday, July 20
Just a couple of delays, a complete bag check and we’re off. Arrived in El Salvador without incident and we’re off again. The van overheated and because the engine is on the inside the radiator reserve exploded on the pastor’s little girl. She has 2nd degree burns all on her left side and arm. God’s grace was shown in pastor’s compassion, the removal of pain and the subsequent bonding. We arrived after 9 p.m. – an anticipated 10 hours ended up 15. God’s grace allowed for us to stay focused, to pray for Rachel and ask Him to remove all pain. She said she is feeling no pain at all.

Sat., July 21
Flexible! Our plans to do a drama in central park were changed because of a huge cell phone promotional concert. We went to Helen, a small village outside of Ilobasco. The last time we went to Helen was 2004. Then you could sense the darkness. In years past carnal Mormon missionaries and corrupt evangelical pastors spawned illegitimate children and cynicism for Americans and the church. On that trip many came out but the tension was high and there were no spiritual decisions. Today was a breakthrough. The drama the youth prepared was about Christ restoring broken relations. After a brief message four people confessed Christ. One was a young mom who I remember from ’04. She was clearly not Salvadorian in her features and she was highly shunned by the others at her house. The follow up started and all committed to attend tomorrow. Others were still hard. Pray for God to show Christ in these so others see
This afternoon we had a young person service/meeting. The worship in song always invigorates me. The passion is contagious. I preached Psalm 37:4 and was moved in the middle to transition the message to Romans 5:8 and have an altar call. Altar calls are not common here. I divided the space for first time asked those seeking Christ to come to my left and those who need to get right with God to come to my right. One girl visiting family (she lived in Las Vegas) got up and straight forward came wanting Christ. The altar was full and many tears of confessions made, many idols relinquished.
I revisited with Rodrigo. What a joy to see my brother again.

Sun, July 22
I preached Is. 64:1-9 this a.m. I saw many tears as people were crying out to God for revival. We passed out tracks and witnessed in central park. I used the evangecube to practice my witness in Spanish. The hearts are getting harder; the muchachos are drawn to gangs.
Tonight I preached Matt. 4:17-23. There was a lady really pouring her passion into the worship. She resembled my sister Carla in her physical appearance. I spoke with her afterward and she told me that I was sent to El Salvador for her husband. She said he cried tonight and she has never seen him cry. I think many returned to the first love tonight.

Mon, July 23
Today we traveled two hour on a dirt road to a small town in the mountains of Cabanas region. Not long after our arrival the school was changing sessions. One girl, whose face I saw in a dream last night, said, “I’m disappointed that you didn’t come to my town.” This started a conversation with about 10 teens. The questions and dialogue they had was really deep and it was clear they understood the demands of the gospel. It was also clear that Thelma (the girl) was a leader. I started explaining and illustrating forgiveness and she started crying. She said her dad beat her and other worse things. I shared how God can heal pain and bring peace. She asked Christ to be Lord of her.
The young ladies who cooked for us came out with us to the soccer field at the school and started sharing with other girls. I am grateful that we have emboldened the indigenous people to be witnesses. They led people to Christ.
We played half of the movie The Passion. We had about 100 show up in the rain. Kenny preached, and four persons acknowledged Christ. Four more came as we dialoged. It was a good day.

Tues, July 24
This morning we woke up and prepared to go fishing with some locals to build relations for the evangelism. Also to strengthen and challenge the hearts of the youth who came with us from Ilobasco. As we were waiting we played some games, laughed along. Some of the girls who had to go to class yesterday came and watched. One was a face I had seen. I approached her with Rodrigo and asked if she remembered our conversation from yesterday. She said yes. I asked if she was ready to surrender her life to Jesus. She said yes! We spent some time clarifying and she asked Jesus to be her new master.
The fishing trip was fun. They caught about 20 small 5-inch fish and made fish soup. We witnessed to 2 guides but they were not interested. Later we impressed on the youth the need to reach this area every 6 weeks.

Wed, July 25
Today we went to a small community outside Ilobasco (Loaros de Pena). The church has lead a person to Christ in this community and has been doing discipleship in the home and they are using this home as a launching point for home bible study. The first place we went was a sugar cane plant. They make molasses candy. We led the man to Christ from there. We climbed mountains and on the top of one Kenny led a man to Christ. Jimmy led a few to Christ also. Both were pumped. The school would not let us in. So outside the school I lead a boy to Christ. At night we showed Facing the Giants. They had the voice over in Spanish. It was amazing. It has been a long week.

Thurs, July 26
We went to another outpost. Kenny and I led 2 to Christ. One had received one of Kenny’s tracts from our Sunday in the park. One of the joys I get is taking a person by the hand and walking them through sharing the gospel. What started out as awkward in the first of the week now flows casually off the lips of men as the gain confidence is seeing God use them. I am pleased that God gives me wisdom to carry out 2 Tim 2.2 and that I see the gospel baton handed off effectively.
Tonight we said our goodbyes over a really well cooked steak. I was delighted to see some other friends and to hear what God was doing. Diego is a miracle baby from God for Patty and Chitty. Rodrigo is a joy and Luis and his wife are a blessing. We stayed out too late, but it was good to dream about what God might do through our lives in the years to come. To that end we still pray!!!!

2007-08-01T14:42:00.000-04:00

Do I Really Trust God?
Isaiah 14:27The LORD Almighty has spoken—who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?” NLT

What shall I do with God’s plans? The responses are varied and many. Oh, I know I’m to piously “say” I will go along with it. But is this really true in the depths of my heart and in my out flowing life? I mean what if God told me, like He told Jeremiah, not to take a wife, would I complain? Compromise? What if God told me, like He told Isaiah, preach to a people who will not hear? Would I comply? What if God told me to not cry at the death of my wife, rather, go out and conduct myself as if the event never occurred, like He told Ezekiel? Would I Rationalize? Emotionalize? Or would I get mad at God and become rebellious? Apostate? Need I mention Job, Esther, Martha & Mary, others?
My biggest need is to refuse to allow forget-fullness of God to enter my thoughts and repent of it when it happens. I need to REMEMBER God is sovereign both in events and in my life. I need to REMEMBER I am His prized possession because of Christ in me and that God is both Great and Good. That He loves me!
God’s plans and purposes do not change. Change must come in me, to surrender, submit and trust, regardless of my thoughts, feelings and needs. If I trust like this I will do away with complaining and rest in joy.
Lord God, Master guide my feeble mind and thoughts to You. Elevate my understanding that You are my King and that ALL things are working together for my transformation into the image of Christ and for your Glory. Forgive me for whimpering and inSTEEL in me the courage to face every day, every event, every circumstance with my gaze set upon you, my heart dependant on you, and my life representing you. You don’t change, But you are changing me!
Thank You!

2007-07-20T06:56:00.000-04:00

The attitude that expresses the “Big Lie”
Job 1:2
February 7, 2005

Satan wandered “to and fro” --- “watching”. This wandering and watching is part of the whole image that is so arrogantly expressing the lie. As if to say to God, “see I’ve got it under control.” “ I can keep it going.” “I can give you a report.” “I don’t need your help.” Independence is the Big Lie! How often I imitate Satan by thinking “I” have it together. No, what I need is deeper dependence, grateful awareness of my need, and rested reflecting of the Glory of God on which I exist and have my being.
God help me not to pose or position myself in the sight or man, or in my secret life as if I have no need of you. Remind me daily in your Word and give me the courage to tell myself and others how much I need you. Let me live then as the angels, coming to praise you and not like the Big lie, trying so arrogantly trying to impress You.

2007-07-09T09:26:00.000-04:00

Jesus is our covering Not our cover up.
Joshua 7:1, 20;[Achan] 9:7-15 [Gibonites] ---

I live in a time when sin is so discounted and diluted and the proliferation of "cheap grace" and success driven theologies that I am fearful that a great truth is waning away, namely, Jesus is our covering and not our cover up. Jesus came to completely pay and pardon. He sent Holy Spirit to infiltrate and recreate. I, by grace and in cooperation with Holy Spirit, the Word and prayer am, to be in the process of eradication of sin from my life. Notice the word process. There will be no sinless perfection on this side. But does this truth keep me from sinless progression? Do I allow the fact to keep me from pursuing holiness to the Lord? Am I guilty of simply desiring Jesus as my cover up? If I only see Jesus as a cover up, I will never take courage to His searching the depths of my being. I will never know my depravity. I may submit unknowingly to outward sin as a result of lacking His inward presence. Finally, I will only seek Jesus to "cover up" my sin so I --- "I" can save face. I never get to the root of the problem and let Him "cover" my entire life. This demonstrates a misrepresentation of what His true power is able to do. It is blaming Jesus for my bad. It is ultimately self worship and it blinds me to my need of Him more and more.
God, by your grace and blood and by the filling and enabling of your Spirit grant me insight into my wickedness of allowing Jesus to be simply a "cover up" for my sin. Grant me the clarity to see Sin for what it is and grant me the courage of confronting, confessing and forsaking it. Grant me the cleansing. Grant me the conviction to sure up all breaches with You and the discipline and resolve to walk closely with you. Jesus you are my only covering and not my cover up. Thank you for interceding on my behalf for your Kingdom and Glory.

2007-06-24T22:25:00.000-04:00

True Love Expressed 6.24.07
Prov 27.5An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. NLT
Recently, I read that crying in the workplace is on the increase and the culprit is that young people never received honest feedback; thus they were decimated when critiqued by their bosses. Another headline asks: “Brattiness: Is heaping praise on mediocre achievement creating a generation of brats? 1 Still another indicated a 30% increase in narcissism in college age students since 1982 and links the terms self-esteem and narcissism. It is one thing to look at the world, yet demonstrably the evangelical Church has suffered more divorces than society at large this year. So as believers, do we really know what biblical love is? Is self esteem the same as Christian love? Or have we perhaps embraced pseudo love, secular syrupy sugar love that rots the soul?
In an attempt to create a world of peace and absent of conflict, we have navigated so carefully and politically as to never honestly love others. We have come to describe love as being nice and never offensive, even in the distribution of the truth. We have bought into the twisted lie that Satan has promoted in the “judge not” mantra to the point of keeping silent when truth is at stake.
Dietrich Bonheoffer, the great German theologian who stood against the inhumanity of the third Reich stated, “Nothing is so cruel as the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin."
Love is committed care, selfless service, doing what matters most, even when it means a painfully honest rebuke. Yet in our emotionally charged environment would we fail to see this as love?
We as believers need to renew our minds and not get caught in the pattern of this world. We must love biblically.
I think the Proverb could be explained as follows: Love not expressed in honest concern for the one being loved is either self consumed evil or disguised adversarial flattery.
I once told a group of men that if they failed to practice this Proverb in the spirit of Gal 6 toward a person they claimed to love, then they were not true friends. Unfortunately, they loved their comfort more that the correcting and RESTORING of one to godliness. Friends like that are dangerous and I don’t need them to be my friends.
I have several friends who love me, do you?

1. http://www.slate.com/id/2166057
2. ttp://www.slate.com/id/2165995/nav/tap1/http://www.slate.com/id/2165995/nav/tap1/
3. Cost of Discipleship,

2007-03-27T22:28:00.000-04:00

The Holy Bath 3.24.07
Zechariah 3:3 Joshua was standing in front of the Angel. And Joshua was wearing dirty clothes. 4 Then the Angel spoke to those standing near him. He said, "Take those dirty clothes off Joshua." Then the Angel said to Joshua, "Look, I have taken away your sin. And I am giving you new clothes." ICB

Often I comment in personal setting (to the astonishment to the listener) that some of my best times of prayer occur in the shower. That is till the hot water runs out! But honestly, there is nothing more motivating to prayer and praising God than cleansing, and it is during this process my mind returns again to the power of God to cleanse. While we can clean our own body, we CANNOT clean our own sin. We can uncover, confess, forsake, but we have not power to clean it—God must do that if it is going to get done.
This is a terrible yet tremendous thought. Terrible in that if God does not cleanse then sin remains. Tremendous in that since in Christ God does cleanse then the task is thoroughly and completely done. But we have to let God do the cleaning, and this demands humility.
In Zechariah 3 an interesting event in Heaven is unfolded to the prophet. Joshua the sitting High priest is standing before the Angel of the Lord, (an Old Testament appearance of Jesus) and Satan. – Side bar—Often, as a result of Dante’s “Inferno” we wrongly imagine Satan in hell, rarely considering that he stands in the presence of God. I’ll do a whole section on this later-- It is quite clear that Satan is up to his normal business, slandering and accusing, since it is the Lord himself who is rebuking him. Satan is working overtime at his cleverly honed trade. He builds his accusations in wonderfully picturesque language. The penetrating depth of his insight into the life, and sin, of Joshua is astounding. His arguments are as twisted as a hangman’s noose and systematically, eloquently and convincingly placed around the neck of Joshua. Joshua is spell bound by the story that has an awful ring of truth to it. The argument reaches a crescendo, Satan demands Joshua’s doom, and Joshua is speechless. The case has been made, there is no defense, the God and Judge of the universe knows Joshua’s fate is doomed …
But the story continues.
Standing in the presence is The Angel (Christ) and He doubly rebukes and quiets Satan—He has a way of doing that. Joshua is still speechless. You and I would be also standing in the presence of the One who has the power to judge us.
The situation gets even more intense. Not only has Joshua been exposed argumentatively and historically, but now he is exposed physically. His clothes are being pointed out by the Lord as dirty and then are being forcefully removed from him. Joshua stands there totally naked. Exposed. Humbled. Shamed. Hopeful. Ready for a God bath. And that is what he gets! Not scolding, but scouring. Sins removed. Righteous robes provided and the Presence of the Lord beside him. Since it happened to him it can happen to us. Question is, “Are you ready for a God bath?”
I just had mine! Again!

2007-03-15T14:36:00.000-04:00

Romania Report

This year marked the 5th Annual Romanian Pastors Conference, sponsored and funded by Union Mission Ministry: Project Romania, Virginia Beach Virginia and hosted by Harul (Grace) Baptist Church in Lugoj, Romania. It was a time of reacquainting ourselves with fellow comrades in the gospel ministry, mutual encouragement, tremendous worship, and new relationships. I was asked to participate in the very first conference and have been blessed to participate in all five. I want to share with you in this writing a brief overview of how I became involved, the nature and theme of the meeting, and some of the visible activity of God during this time.
In January 2001 I began to feel a burden from the Holy Spirit for the people of Romania. For the next two years I prayed and attempted to go to Romania on five different occasions, all to no avail. In January of 2003, as I was crying out to the Lord, and He laid on my heart the burden of Romania and the burden of reaching 100 men for that year. I was in much travail over this burden and did not know how it was going to come to pass. One morning in my time of prayer I asked God to show me the way or to please remove the burden. About an hour later I received a phone call from a friend I had not seen in a while, and here is what he said: “I know it is a last minute notice, and I know the finances might be tight but we have an opportunity God has given us to teach at a Pastor’s Conference in Romania, and there are expected to be 100 pastors coming from the villages to attend. I need your answer by tomorrow.”
It was clear from the start that God had allowed me to wait for two years so I might see his perfect will and how he was to weave my life with the life of Union Mission. I was privileged to share personal time and also preach with Dr. Ted Bashford. I met him on the trip and became acquainted with what God was doing through him at Union Mission in Virginia. I was pleased to find that as he and I compared notes, God was moving in both our hearts about the same time and in the same general direction. I was further encouraged, and am still to this day, that a man in his 80’s did not allow excuses to direct him to a path of disobedience, but knew emphatically, demonstrated in action, that what God calls one to God equips and enables one to do. Dr. Bashford has been unable to continue, but his burden and the vision that God has given him continues to grow and flourish. I thank God that I am privileged to serve along side of my authentic brothers and to co-labor together in God’s fields of Romania.
This year the focus and theme of the conference was “A Watchman and His Message: How to Revive a Tired and Broken Church. We used this as our major all in one time where we preached, shared testimonies, and entertained questions. Our break-out classes covered the gamut of Expository Preaching: preparing Biblical messages to Humility. We had around 200 participants for the sessions and the consensus was that all were encouraged. During the evenings, we are divided into teams and each team has different preaching assignments, some to village churches, and some to Lugoj where we hold evangelistic meetings for the week.
I would like to share one experience stands out to me. On Thursday night I was scheduled to preach in Lugoj. About an hour before the service the electricity went off and remained off. The Pastor of the church who also translated the sermons led us in the building. We sang for 15-20 minutes IN THE DARK! I think the voices singing were stronger than I have ever heard. Then the pastor opened the floor for prayer. He asked people to keep their prayers short to allow for many people to pray. That lasted about 20-30 minutes and it was indeed a moving experience and God was making himself known. Then there was more singing. During this time the pastor asked me if I could preach in the dark. I agreed and told him that we could trust God. I was excited and a little fearful! Now an hour had passed and I was to preach and it was still dark! I stood along with the pastor and began to preach using Psalm 37:4. I preached for more than 20 minutes and the power of God was manifest. At this time the lights came on and the people were grateful. I looked around and was astonished. I supposed there would probably be a few folks on the bottom level and that the building would be predominately empty. To my surprise it was virtually filled! I finished the message and more than 20 people responded with a desire to trust Christ. God was lifted by the worshipers and God was evident in the building. As I reflected upon the situation, I could not help but wonder if here in America we would have responded in like manner, or for that matter would we have 20+ lost persons interested in our worship to sit in the dark? I related to a colleague that this trip mirrored the first trip where God had surely visited us. I was (am) encouraged in the Lord!
I want to conclude by thanking the many folks who have made this possible. You can never undervalue the impact each of you has had on my life and how God has used you to help shape me to do His will. Indeed you are apart of the work in me in Romania. Thank you!

To God alone all glory given through Christ.

2007-03-09T09:57:00.000-05:00

When God has no Sympathy- 2.09.07
Deut. 1:45 "Then you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord would not listen to your voice nor give ear to you. "NKJV

We live in an age where modern philosophers, orators, preachers, teachers and even theologians have exalted the attribute “love” as the supreme attribute of God. Some have gone so far as to exalt this attribute to being superior to God. To make the matter even worse many have radically defined love, God’s love, by equating it to a figment of one’s pleasurable imagination, or eroticism, or sentimental feelings. The result of exalting love and divorcing it from the scripture has surely damaged and weakened modern American believers. The fact that the title might have disturbed you is evidence enough.
But there really are genuine times when God has no sympathy. For some, that is shocking. Look carefully at the verse above. God had promised to be with the children of Israel, to go with them and to deliver the land to them. They rebelled against God’s plan, God issued their punishment, and then they rebelled a second time in attempting to “make” God change His mind by going on with the original plan, as if to say, God has to help us now. (Is not this typical human nature? See how you react next time you realize you blew it by rebellion.) Well, God was not and did not help them. In fact He warned them of the consequences of their new found disobedience (v42). So when they rebelled anyway and then cried out to God, He showed no sympathy.
Rebellion spawned rebellion as opposed to spurring repentance. God has no sympathy when our disobedience is deliberate. God responds to a repentant heart not a rebellious one. As a form of discipline and instruction God allows the reaping/sowing, cause/ effect to work out in our life. That one is hard to swallow!
So what should we take away from this? Surrender to God’s plan, receive God’s discipline, refuse rebellion and the sourness of spirit that results from our own rebellion. Return to God submissively, trust God explicitly. Be careful of having sympathy on others who, having markedly rebelled, God is disciplining. Love them by trusting God’s purposes in their life.

2007-03-06T16:09:00.000-05:00

Caution! Presumption 3.06.07
Deut 17:12 "Now the man who acts presumptuously and will not heed the priest who stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or the judge, that man shall die. So you shall put away the evil from Israel. 13 "And all the people shall hear and fear, and no longer act presumptuously.”
Psalm 19:13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous [sins]; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Ever acted impetuously? Impetuous and wrong? (Ok settle down blushing faces) It is often in the face of embarrassment concerning a bad choice, one that could have been avoided had we “just listened”, that we realize the decision was based on pure presumption. I know I’ve been there! The problem is that oftentimes, or at least occasionally, presumption is well rewarded. The reward can be advantageous enough to deceive us to throw caution to the wind and act presumptuously again!
Presumption. An interesting word. Encarta dictionary defines presumption as: “belief in something that seems reasonable … a decision based on presumption rather than on the facts.” SEEMS REASONABLE! – That’s it. We fall into this trap often. We presume to be wise in our own eyes, and we learn to lean on our past observations and experiences and then we impetuously, presumptuously act. We do it on simple things like first impressions and serious things like finances and future. We do it so often I suppose we sometimes even fail to realize it. The problem is that we fail to see all of life as God’s, and we act and live presumptuously while attempting to live the Christian life.
Let’s look at Uzza’s situation found in 1 Chronicles 13.
Uzza’s family had the ark in their home for so long that they took it for granted. Step one-taking God and His council for granted. Uzza at the request of King David and the nation of Israel set out to bring the ark to Jerusalem so they could restore public worship. However, they failed to seek the instructions already given by God on how to transport the ark and failed to ask God in prayer. Step two- failure to inquire of God’s Word and confirming voice. Don’t miss this. Their enthusiasm to serve God was hot, their passion was high and it was all riding on the heels of God’s great manifestation in establishing the kingdom under David, a man after God’s own heart. Step three- riding the wave of God’s goodness does not allow us to openly disregard God’s council. Finally, Uzza was killed, David was afraid, momentum was stopped and God was taken seriously again. Step four- despair.
I wonder if this event is what was on the heart of David when he penned those words in Psalm 19:13. Notice that his self-given title is not King of Israel but servant.
I have made this verse a staple in my journey for now better than 7 years. It has truly caused me to run hard to scripture before I make foolish decisions. I often, too often, hear in Christian circles the statement; “Act first (now); ask forgiveness (permission) later.” I hate that thought and do not subscribe to its’ philosophy! Rather, I strive to remember and follow how David found his success for daily life: Ask God, wait for Him to answer, and then follow His instruction. Failing to do so only brings demoralization and destruction. David learned his lesson, but it was too late for Uzza. Will we learn ours before it is too late for others around us? I pray so.

2007-02-08T13:30:00.000-05:00

Staying in Mountains Too Long 2.5.07
Deut. 1: 6 "The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: `You have dwelt long enough at this mountain…. NKJV

Living on the east coast often we think of the mountains as a place of refuge, solitude, awe and wonder. Whether we travel there in the fall, winter, spring or summer, the mountains and the experience does something to the inner soul. Have you ever thought you might be staying on the mountain range too long? Look at the children of Israel. They had just been delivered from Pharaoh, traveling through the land of nothing familiar (v19), resting at the pinnacle of promise, and God said go. Having been on an 11 day road trip (v2) and now attempting to catch their breath, they stall out and disguise it as strategic planning (v22). Moses agreed (v23) and even God commissioned it (Numbers 13.1) and the planning voyage took 40 days (Numbers 13.25). The question I ask myself, did God’s agreement overshadow His disappointment at their lack of faith in Him? They had God’s presence (v33), yet they substituted it for their own planning. Then they even rejected their own plans! (v23-32; Numbers 14)
I admit too often I am like them. I’m not saying that planning is wrong, or not needed, but how often do I freeze in fear and disguise in organization my deliberate disobedience? I can shy away from small things like a lending a helping hand or large things like traveling to a foreign land. Sure does require discerning His voice in the midst of all the other voices that beckon for our attention!
As for me today, I make a new choice to listen more intently, and follow more deliberately and leave the peaks of promise to journey with the Maker in His plan. Otherwise I might wander for the remainder of my life in the in the desert between the two mountains, “the great and terrible place”. I hope you will join me in this new committment!

2007-02-08T13:19:00.000-05:00

What Really has my Attention? 1.30.07
2 Cor 10.5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, NKJV

Today God has brought this verse to bear upon my mind often. As I have meditated on the verse, the context and the myriad applications, God illuminated a new implication. This implication is basically understood, but recognizing it allowed me to discover some truth from another angle. The implication plainly stated: If Jesus hasn’t captivated me, then what thoughts (lies) have?
The point I am making is that often we might view this verse and the application we make is to ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” and then we proceed to move proactively to the disciplines and devotion. The problem occurs to me that if we don’t identify what has captivated us to begin with then we may never truly win the big battle of taking “EVERY THOUGHT Captive”. As one writer states, “A man cannot control what he hasn’t named.”1 When I don’t name (the biblical word is confess) what captivates me, I am in danger of allowing it to “catch” me again because I failed to recognize it, because I have not named it.
I’ll not presume that what gets your attention are the same things that get mine. I would suggest that we all really examine not only what would Jesus do, but also name our thoughts so we can truly cast them down and also recognize them as they attempt to sneak back up and alluringly captivate us again! So what really has your attention? Is it Jesus?

1. Gordon MacDonald, When Men Think Private Thoughts, Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1997 p173.

2007-02-08T13:16:00.000-05:00

Would I be Called Approved? 1.29.07
Romans 16:10 “Greet Apelles, approved in Christ…” NKJV
“Give my greetings to Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves…” NLT

It is amazing that in our modern world, Christians and the church being no exception, how we base our approval of others from mere human nature. This method is not foreign to people of faith. We see it when Israel decided to get Her first King. In rejecting God, God, in his sovereignty, allowed them to settle for second best. Saul was “head and shoulders” above the rest! (1 Sam 10.23-24) This human perspective is also recorded as the prophet Samuel was looking for the second king (Sam 16.7- But the Lord said to Samuel; “Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” NKJV emphasis mine). There is overwhelming research that demonstrates the tallest politicians win more elections, merits not withstanding. We give approval based on our own preferences, and we do this in everyday life with our co-workers, clerks at the grocery store, visitors at church – everybody! Imagine people of faith still operating by mere human perception!
This begs the question as we read the above text and ask; “What makes this man stand out?” How do we attempt to answer it biblically and practically? Better, how do we live it? How do we recognize someone who is “approved by Christ”? As I read this statement I began the quest to answer this question, both for my own sake and for those I approve. I believe Paul would have been careful in giving this commendation because he is setting up Apelles as an example. I further believe Paul knew the characteristics of an approved man and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit would not be allowed to make the statement if it did not reflect reality.
In the Old Testament God says he looks on the heart. In the New Testament, Paul shows us how we can look on the heart. While Paul doesn’t give us a long list of Apelles’ crowning achievements, his letter to the Romans gives us a pretty clear idea about the characteristics of an “approved man.” Let’s take a few moments to look at this book from which the verse is extracted and see these attributes.
First, an approved man is a condemned sinner who received grace (chapters 1-4). Condemned. Why did I choose this word? Unless we truly understand our lowly state and need for the gift of grace in Christ, we are reformed at best and titled at worst. Second, an approved man is identified with the restorative payment for his crimes. (chapter 5-6) Inwardly he considered himself dead on the cross and exchanged his life with the resurrected Christ. Outwardly, he is experiencing this new reality as he replaces his own righteousness with that found in Christ. Third, he struggles to allow the Spirit to continue to mortify His flesh (deeds and attitudes). (Chapter 7-8) Forth, he continues in the transformation process as evidenced by his use of spiritual gifts and his submission to authority. (Chapter 12-13) Finally, he lives under the Law of Love/Liberty. (Chapter 14).
Well then, am I approved by Christ? Is this what Paul would say? How do those who influence me stand up under this criteria? If we desire to give the world a clearer and collective portrait or the Christian life, I suspect we need to start evaluating ourselves from a more biblical standard.

2006-06-07T09:47:00.001-04:00

Neophyte blogger- read more than write.
see ya