Our neighborhood has a resident peacock.  Kevin doesn’t belong to anyone, (the kids named him from the bird in the movie “Up”). He lives in the thin line of woods behind the houses and often appears on rooftops.  We only hear him three to four months out of the year in the late springtime.  It is in his created design to call out for a mate.  When I hear him one block over, it makes me smile.  It reminds me of the God given desire within us – for Him.  To long for more.  More than this world can offer.

I’ve heard the phrase, “Where’s the MORE!” (In a frustrated tone) in regard to the Christian life. We all want more. More joy. More happiness. More love. Even more – stuff.  But do we want PRESENCE? That is the key. God is the key.

Some use King David’s words from Psalm 37 as if to rub a divinely ornate bottle, treating God like a genie: “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” (v4).  “I’m delighting God” (rub, rub) “Where’s my stuff, give me what I desire” (extensive rubbing).  Give me more.  More money.  More possessions.  More. More. More. (Ok, who just thought of the girl in the old Willy Wonka movie “I want it NOW!”).

There is a design for more. Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Our bodies were made of the dust – earth – biological. The soul was not made of the earth. So, earthly things cannot quench the hunger of the soul. It is ONLY the breath of God that feeds and nurtures the spiritual man! It is divinely birthed and divinely maintained. (Brilliant design!) How often do we seek things, people, position and even events to satisfy our deep longing and cravings? Without God’s breath and presence in our lives, (His Word, see 2 Tim 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12) we are an empty vessel. God initiated this for mankind, now we by invitation in turn – seek that breath.  We seek Him! 

HE is the more.

I love how Paul prayed over the Ephesian church, he got right to the heart of it.  He, by God’s grace and mighty power was given the privilege of spreading the Good News and to pray, “I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit, not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength, that Christ will live in you as you open the door and INVITE HIM in. And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know, far MORE than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us” (Ephesians 3:16-20, emphasis mine – paraphrased – The Message).

MORE! Exceedingly abundantly above all. The fullness of God. Enjoy Him. Enjoy the more.

The world is looking for more. Go share – the more.  Him.

More.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

Meet Kevin the peacock

The hills of life often turn into a mountain of challenge. Ever feel that way? One more heap of this or that and it continues to grow. We’ve all had a mountain put in our path these last few months. I have asked the Lord to tell me about the mountain. What a journey.  I have found that if we sit at its base and do nothing, nothing is attained (goals). Nothing obtained (possessions).  Nothing is conquered (battlefield untouched).

In God’s word there are different mountains and different aspects of His character met at each mountain.

In Genesis 8-9, as the flood waters swirled around Noah, it says “God remembered Noah”. God caused a wind to blow, and the waters began to subside. Noah and crew ended up on a mountain top. There, was the place of new beginnings, the place where God’s covenant was birthed (9:9).

Genesis 22, God calls Abraham to the mountain – to sacrifice. There was the laying down of a deep love, yet in obedience – he offered.  It says, “God called out to Abraham”. He again, is faithful.  In His faithfulness He provided.

Exodus, Moses is taken to the mountain, God gives His word. His word becomes their guidance.

1 Kings 18, the show down on Mount Carmel. Elijah against the false prophets of Baal.  While all of Israel watched, (with their ever-changing allegiance).  God brought fire down, consuming not only the sacrifice, but the wood, stones, the dirt and all the drenching waters. God proved powerful.  “The LORD, He is God!” (v39)

Matthew 5, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down and He began to teach them” (v1-2). For three chapters, one hundred and eleven verses He taught them. The crowds were amazed at the authority of His teaching (7:28-29).

Matthew 17, the Mt of Transfiguration. He takes Peter, James and John with Him, as He unzips His humanity, showing His glory. How powerful to be in such Presence. What a glorious invitation.  Jesus is faithful to show Himself.

Yes, each of these scenarios were with or to certain people, yet each one waves an eternal God quality at us. God is faithful. He remembers us. He remembers YOU. He calls out to us; He gives His word; He is powerful; He teaches us, and He invites us into incredible revelation of Himself.

What is YOUR mountain?  What do you need? (Point to Ponder). Get up and conquer, attain and obtain the good things of God. The remembering, calling, word, power, teaching, and revelation of God!

The mountain.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds – Hebrews 10:24).

Thrill seekers, they go and do just for the sake of experiencing something out of the ordinary.  They fly high, they jump as to free fall and there are those who desire speed.  Much is spent to seek this out and usually at a high price. A price for an exhilarating, yet fleeting, temporary – moment. 

I personally do not do adrenaline, nope, not me. But I have boarded a wild ride and this one causes my hands to be thrown in the air, with shouts of joy.   It does not require a ticket or weeks of planning.  BUT it does cost me something – all of me.  There is an option to get off – but I won’t. I settle in and hold on!  It offers excitement where not expected. Views I would not normally see. Experiences only this ride can give.

One of my favorite verses in all the Bible, “You thrill me, LORD, with all You have done for me!  I sing for joy because of what You have done” Psalm 92:4 (NLT).

God is my wild ride. 

“You thrill me, LORD…”  conveys results of the past. The present. It also is a request for MORE!  When was the last time we got excited about God and knowing Him?

Peter writes “May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!” (2 Peter 1:2, NET)

Peter isn’t talking about head knowledge. The word in the Greek points us to personal investment – involvement, experiencing God firsthand.  See the process Peter lays out?  Grace and peace will be attached (lavished on you) “as you grow in the rich knowledge of God…”  We are not bystanders, or observers. We are participants.  Participating and wanting – more.  Growing in personal rich knowledge of Him.

Will it always be peachy?  No.  Life alone can be a roller coaster ride with the ups and downs and hairpin turns.  The un-expectancy of it all.  But, if you long for something out of the ordinary, go for the extraordinary – ride with God Almighty. Now THAT is the wildest ride of your life. Wanting more? Invest yourself.  Read His word.  Pray.  Praise.  James wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (4:8a).

“You thrill me, LORD!”

Note: “LORD” is not me yelling (although worthy of loud declaration). In the original Hebrew text, it is YHWH, (the vowels added later).  YHWH is referred to as the “Tetragrammaton” (Greek for the 4 letters) this is indicated in many translations of the Bible when we see LORD (all caps) distinguishing it as the covenantal name, Yahweh.

Thrill on LORD, thrill on.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

We are all image bearers.  In Genesis chapter one, it says God created mankind in His own image, male and female (v27). This Mother’s Day weekend, we celebrate moms.  We celebrate the God nature in us.  We are physically designed and spiritually designed to nurture and guide.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Yet, I’d like to take the banner and run further. Regardless of where we (women) fall on the feminine spectrum:  Princess to tomboy.  Small to big.  Young to old.  We are women, we are female (regardless of the world’s confusion).  Proverbs 31 gives examples of a woman (don’t groan).  When we begin reading it – we are exhausted.  When done with the last verse, we can be overwhelmed with all that is listed.  BUT.  It is not a job-description.  It is a – celebration.  (Stay with me, I’ll explain).

At first glance it is strongly assumed it is written by a man. Well, it is … kinda. Most jump straight to the popular verses, beginning at verse ten and neglect the opening (vv1-9).  It is a man telling what his mom taught him.  One Jewish tradition claims the mom is Bathsheba teaching this to her son, Solomon.  She tells her son not to spend himself on women (plural). Do not waste yourself on wine.  And to be bold speaking up for the poor and helpless, – THIS is what a king does.  The following twenty-two verses are acrostic (the first letter of each sentence is in alphabetical order, in the Hebrew).

Mom goes on say, but this “woman” (singular) she is worth far more than valuable jewels. If the son is Solomon, it is said in 1 Kings 10, that he was the riches king, riches man on earth, and well, that wealth doesn’t stack up to a woman who “fears the Lord” (Prov 31:30).  A woman who is faithful, kind, prepared, charitable, hardworking, smart and confident.  She is a good wife and mother.

Verse 10, (paraphrasing) “Who can find such a woman of virtue.”  Many translations say, “wife” due to the context that she has a husband.  In the Hebrew “eishet chayil” (woman of virtue).  Chayil paints a vibrant picture. It can mean brave, excellent and noble.  It conveys a military tone as well, “one of war” – a warrior.  She is a woman of valor.  She is strong.

Of the 235 times “chayil” is used in scripture, all refer to either God or men.  All except – two.  Here, where Mom tells the son, a good God-fearing woman, a kind, STRONG woman is worthy of your interest, your strength.  The other?  Ruth.

In Ruth chapter three, just before Boaz is about to begin the process of taking her as his wife, he says the people of his village know her to be “eishet chayil” – “You, Ruth, are a woman of strength.”  You are hardworking, brave, faithful and wise.  Ruth, unlike the Proverbs 31 gal, is not married (she was, he died).  She does not have any children. 

Ruth goes on to marry Boaz and together they have a son named Obed.  He had a son named Jesse – he had a son named David.  This eishet chayil (woman of strength) was King David’s great-grandmother.  David went on to have a son named Solomon.  (God is the most brilliant Orchestrator!) 

Oh, beloved women of God, what a great connecting story!  A Godly woman is both married AND single.  She has children, while others do not. All women are to be celebrated.  Do not allow others to define you or frame you.  Not to be compared with – be celebrated. 

Be blessed in your image bearing – to the glory of God.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

I had the honor of speaking this to the women of our church this weekend at our annual Mother Daughter Tea & Breakfast.  I encouraged them to go back and read all of Proverbs 31 (and the 4 chapters of Ruth).  May the Holy Spirit breathe over them their worth – far more than valuable jewels.

Please note: It is the Jewish young men, who are encouraged to memorize Proverbs 31, NOT the young gals.  It is also tradition: at the Shabbat meal the men sing the Eishet Chayil (traditional Proverbs 31 song) to the matriarch and the women of the family – they celebrate them – weekly.

“Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33, emphasis mine)

I LOVE the story of David and Goliath.  Big nasty dude yelling stupid things about God and God’s people. (Um, best not to do that).  But one day a boy comes to camp.  Goliath continues yelling, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (v10). Goliath is not just asking for any opponent; he wants a man.  A grown, trained, mature – “give me a challenge” – man.  

There is but one response. David.  Scholars believe him to be about seventeen(ish) when he told King Saul “send me.” Saul’s response says, “you are but a boy, an adolescence.”  The situation is beyond you, beyond what you are.  

The rest of the story is amazing.  Saul tries to get David to wear his suit of armor. Nope.  “I cannot go in these…” (v39). There was no hesitation on David’s part.  There was no “give me a minute while I figure this out.”  He takes his sling, stick and smooth stones and RUNS toward Goliath.  I must add to paint the picture correctly; Goliath’s shield-bearer was out there too (v41). Not so tough now big guy! David swung his sling, the stone hit the target.  Down went the giant of a man.  Goliath called for a man, King Saul declares a mere boy.  A boy did what God called him to do, “…in the name of the LORD Almighty” (v45). 

What is God calling us to? 

May we too not hesitate when we are called beyond what we seem to be.  Perhaps too young, untrained, too small, or possibly too big, too old.  Do not let others measure us against what God can do through us!  They will always come up short. When someone tells us, “You are not able to…. You are only…” Let us not begin a wardrobe change – try to fit into someone else’s stuff (armor).  But take up what we know (sling & stones) and RUN toward what God calls us to, declaring as David did “…the battle is the LORD’s” (v47). I’m sure if you wish to yell, “For Narnia!” God will understand.   

Now go…

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Paul stands before King Herod Agrippa explaining his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus:

“O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me… And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 26:13-15, emphasis mine).

Jesus calls Paul (his Roman name) by his Hebrew name “Saul” and tells him “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”   What is THAT? 

The bible is full of idioms (a common expression known to a specific culture or era). “Kicking against the goads” was a Greek proverb painting a picture the ancient culture easily understood.  A goad was much like our current day cattle prod (minus the electric current).  Farmers would use a pointed stick with a piece of iron on its tip to urge or prod a stubborn ox forward or along the guided path. Often the ox (in resistance) would kick against it. When doing so, the ox caused more pain for themselves. The Greeks used this saying to imply “ruinous resistance.” Paints a picture, doesn’t it?  It narrows down to this: unyielding rebellion is the refusal to accept or comply resulting in self destructive habits. 

Kicking against the goads.

Paul was a contemporary of Jesus’ time.  Scholars believe they both may have been in Jerusalem at the same time, resulting in Paul hearing or seeing Jesus speak.   Paul stood by as Stephen gave glorious testimony of Jesus.  Paul had ample opportunities regarding Jesus.  But he refused. Jesus rebukes Paul, telling him that he was only hurting himself in resisting the truth. Resisting Him.  He had to learn the hard way – resisting Jesus is a losing battle. Not to mention (but I will) a losing battle that WILL (like Paul) knock you on your butt. 

When reading the bible, we remember that there are specific words or warnings to specific people, yet in principle, it is for us as well.  Jesus says this to Paul but packs a punch likewise for us.  Are we actively in stubborn resistance?  How often do we sabotage our own spiritual growth by opposing God?   Like it or not. Resist it or not.  God is sovereign.  It is HIS WAY! Solomon wrote, “Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path” (Prov 15:10a). Stay on the path! 

Kicking against the goads may come in many forms.  Jonah is a great example.  God pointed in one direction – he went in another.  His “goad” got him a dark smelly fish belly.  What does your goad look like?  Is yours a smelly mess?  Or sharp jabs?  Point to ponder.

Listen to the pains of consequences – by resisting God’s authority we are only punishing ourselves, “ruinous resistance.”

Kicking against the goads.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

I recently had the honor of speaking at our annual Women’s Conference.  I spoke on “The Great Devotion” – the great devotion of God. I taught that King David had two responses to that devotion.  Below is a small excerpt of that teaching.

Most scholars agree that King David wrote his beloved Psalm 23 at the latter end of his life.  This was penned by an older David. A mature David. A wiser David.  He writes of the Lord, his Shepherd; leading, guiding, making, restoring, and preparing for him. Anointing him. And there is comfort.  These seen potentially from glancing over his shoulder, over the journey of his life and forward. His glance lands on the past, present and future. His past, his “was” helping to define his “is” and most definitely points to his “will.” 

I can look back over the course of the last 42 years of my God journey and I too see He led me, beautifully restored me and most definitely put me in a few “time outs” with “making me lie down” scenarios. You?

David closes this six-verse beauty with “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (v6a) Goodness, that which is pleasing to the senses, both physically and spiritually. It is the sum total of who God is.  He-is-good!

Mercy, in the Hebrew is “hesed” meaning and translated as love, UNFAILING and unwavering love. It is kindness, faithfulness, grace and loyalty. The description of all that hesed is, continues. But there is one more I want to emphasize.  Devotion. If we were to take all the qualities of hesed and put them in a backpack, I would title the God pack – devotion.

King David continues saying the good God qualities “follow me all the days of my life.”  Follow.  This isn’t a mere tag along behind – it literally means PURSUIT (in Hebrew).  To pursue with intent to overtake.

This isn’t in the text, just an observation (nor am I trying to translate).  As I engaged heavily with this scripture and asked questions of the Holy Spirit, I came to this conclusion and offer to you: If David was being pursued with God’s goodness and the amazing mercy, love and great devotion of God, with His intent to capture him – what do you think David should do?  (What did he do?)

Stop.

Pause and be caught of God.

There is a positioning of surrender – stop.  Allowing all that He is to overtake us with His beautiful God package.

Be caught of God.

There is yet another element of David’s response to God’s devotion.  David requested God teach him.  Eighteen times in the Psalms David wrote “Teach me…”

Psalm 119:66 “Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in Your commands.”

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me Your way, O LORD and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I might fear Your name.”

Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do what pleases You, for You are my God.  May Your kind presence lead me into a level ground.” (just to name a few)

David was positioning himself to be taught of God.

Teach me.

When we are learning, we are expanding our intellectual grid.  When learning of God, we are expanding our spiritual grid as well.  Think of an Archaeology site.  An ancient city is being discovered.  As they work meticulously over the detail, they map out a grid.  In that grid, what they learn frames their understanding.  So, it is with us, “Father expand our grid – teach us, show us more of YOU!”  And folks, He answers (Is. 65:24; James 1:5; 1 Jn 5:14-15). It is so very gracious of God to give us insight into HOW to honor Him, how to please Him.  When God spoke on the Mt of Transfiguration, while declaring His love for His Son, He said, “Listen to Him” (Matt 17; Mk 9; Lk 9). Teach me.

The devotion of God is not someone else’s story – it is YOURS!  It is mine.  You are not disqualified, turned aside, or sent to the end of the line.  Nor are you forgotten. Yes, you may have made some stupid choices, (like I have). But God.  All that God is (see His fabulous qualities listed above) He will continue to pursue YOU.

The great devotion of God is YOURS!  Respond. Position.

Stop – pause – be caught of God.  Ask to be taught of God. 

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Women.  We are used to multi-tasking.  Having our minds and lives firing in five or more directions all at the same time. When we find ourselves on overload, what do we tend to do, and do well?  I’ll go ahead and answer – we criticize ourselves. 

I am reminded of a time when I sat amongst a small group of gals in a bible study setting years ago. In that discussion time, we were sharing our goals for the study. There was a mother of 4 (FOUR!) small, YOUNG, needing her attention, children.   In her frustration and complete weariness, she shared in depth about not having enough time for devotions and her bible study. She was exhausted.  She felt defeated. She was basically giving up, to where she hadn’t opened her Bible in some time.  Those in the group kept trying to help with creative ways to carve out enough time. “Go to bed earlier, get up earlier, use paper plates, when they sleep ….” This young mom was nearly in tears. I just sat and listened. These are all good disciplined goals. Yet they were more worried about the quantity of time, rather than the quality.

I finally leaned forward and looked the young gal in the eyes. Lovingly and tenderly asked, “Could you look at just ONE verse each day or one verse for the whole week?” She stopped talking. So did the others.  Silence.  Reading their expressions, yet not verbalizing, “This gal is NUTS! One stinkin verse?  THAT is NOT enough! I will get behind! I have to get through that one-year reading plan, gotta get my homework done! Gotta write in my journal.”

This attitude belongs to many of us.  How many of us too, feel defeated and allow our God time to slip, slip away because we can’t keep up with the quota.

I then shared that it’s not the quantity of time with God and His word that is important, it is the quality. If you have just enough time to read one verse – then the baby cries, or the dog is having a fit at the front door or milk is split (so goes life).  Then take that ONE verse, WHILE you are cleaning up the milk – holding the crying baby.  Ask Holy Spirit to speak to you about that verse. You, God, His word.  Quality time. Listen – listen for HIS application, throughout the day, throughout the week.  If need be at the beginning of the week, jot down that verse on a 3×5 card, tape it to the mirror in the bathroom, even though you may have a parade of offspring following you in there, READ it aloud.  Again and again.

Don’t get me wrong I am ALL OVER Bible study, BUT there are seasons, seasons when time captures us. Seasons even with discipline, our life, our arms are full.  The Pastor of Hebrews wrote; “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Allow the alive word to minister to you! Remember, God spoke the universe into place with His word, He can decorate your heart with the same. One verse?  Enough? Yes.  Yes, it is with the Holy Spirit “leading you into all truth.” (Jn 16:13)

During that moment of silence with the gals, I shared I often carry a tattered memory verse in my pocket. I once spent days just on Thomas’ “… my Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28). Knowing the context, I thought about it. I said it. I pictured it and I prayed it.  Just five words. It was amazing.  The gals just sat there and stared at me. (I was shocked that they allowed me to sit at their table the following week).

God knows us, knows our heart. He knows YOU.  For some of us whose season doesn’t allow for hours or minutes of quiet time alone – don’t stress!  Don’t feel condemned. If we can give Him just ONE verse, HIS word, He can and will minister to us. It can be amazing.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)