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).

“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)

Once when perusing through Facebook, I came across a picture that looked to be taken from the pages of the Bible. The one who posted it thought it pretty, eloquent and held promise: “Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land who is Jesus Christ…” (v12) “YES, let’s claim it!” WAIT!  Not being a scholar by any means, but I don’t remember reading this.  At first glance it sounds a bit Old Testament(ish) doesn’t it?  After a lil research I found the verse to be from the book of Ether (2:12) and yes, I spelled that right Ether – it is from the book of Mormon. It’s the story of the Jaredites who were led by God to the Americas shortly after the Tower of Babel scenario (um…). It may be pretty – but not biblical.

How often do we refer to, strongly consider, or even quote what is NOT in the bible?  Example, “Pride goes before a fall…” although close, prides ultimate end isn’t a scraped knee – but destruction, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). How often do we hear; “Well the Bible says, ‘Money is the root of all evil!’”  Head hung, shoulders slumped; condemnation felt.  NO, it’s the “LOVE of money that is the root of all sorts of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10, emphasis mine).

Another, “The lion shall lay down with the lamb.” There is no mention of this in scripture. Many would say, oh sure it is – in Revelation. Nope.  However, in Isaiah 11:6 (see also 65:25) it speaks of the wolf and the lamb will dwell and graze together, but no lamb sweetly nestled against the side of a powerful lion. And those with the rolling of the eyes while saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”  As they continue urging, “It’s in Proverbs.”  Again, nope. It comes from a line from William Congreve’s play, “The Mourning Bride.” The proverb they may have been referring to “It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” (Pro 25:24)

The next time something questionable is seen or quoted to us, or perhaps sounds “good” or conveyed as trivial – seek it out YOURSELF.  Charles Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”  It’s that “almost right” that causes us heartache. Trusting first in trivial things, leads to blind deception (See 2 Timothy 4:3-4). May we not be easily swept away by pretty, eloquent or what sounds promising.   Go for the truth. Jesus said when praying to the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) And Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

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

Paul wrote, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”  (Gal. 5:1, ESV)

What is the biblical yoke?

The yoke figuratively represents the burdensome nature of slavery.  It is a symbol of servitude (either by choice or forced). It suggests restrictiveness, yet this is but one aspect of the yoke.  A yoke for the most part is an idiom (something known to a specific culture or era). Of the sixty-one times “yoke” is used in the Bible, all are metaphorical (apart from seven uses).

Stick with me, this gets good.

In the first century the yoke had taken on a unique meaning, a cultural meaning. The Jewish culture was a discipleship culture, a “we” culture (vs our “me” culture).  Our western mindset focuses on “What does the scriptures teach me about me?  Who am I?  What do I do?  The eastern mindset, “What does the scriptures teach me about the nature and character of God?”   Disciples would attach themselves to a Rabbi, following close, listening and learning. The Rabbi would teach the disciple their interpretation and application of the scriptures.  The phrase “sitting at the feet of a Rabbi” was cultural. Remember Paul said he was educated “at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3). When Jesus taught in Matthew 5-7, what does the narrative say, “after He sat down… He opened His mouth and began to teach them.” (5:1) And in Luke 10, Mary is found at the feet of Jesus “listening to His word” (v39).  Jesus allowing and championing for it (seen in the “Martha, Martha” conversation) was a radical move on His part – accepting a woman disciple so boldly.

Most Rabbis were “Torah Teachers.”  These Rabbis spent most of their time in the synagogues, reading and teaching the written Law of God and taught only accepted interpretations (passed to them by their Rabbi).  I would offer, many scholars believe these teachings were called the “yoke of Torah” or the Rabbi’s Yoke. 

In Jesus’ day, Jesus’ world, every Rabbi (and Pharisee) had one.  It was their collection of teachings. It was their theology and perspective on the scriptures: Who God is and what it means to walk with Him. Their disciples would accept it and emulate it, taking on the “yoke” (teaching) of their Rabbi. 

Over the many years, many of the Rabbi’s (primarily Pharisees) inflated and added commands, making following them rather rough.  To fulfill every command (interpretation) was difficult.  Each Rabbi having their own emphasis.

Consider now, Jesus’ words in Matthew 11 “”Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (vv28-30).  In essence, consider my summary “Let ME be the one to show you who the Living God is – what He is like – what it means to follow Him!”  Think now, how many times Jesus continued to point to the Father  (i.e.) “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19) And Jesus speaks only how and what “to say” from the Father (Jn 12:49). He speaks with authority from the Father.

Now THAT is a YOKE!

There was a smaller group of Rabbi’s – known to have s’mikhah – (pronounced Smee-KAWK … Hebrew throat slur). “Walking in the authority of God.”  These Rabbis with s’mikhah (authority) could make NEW interpretation, application AND pass legal judgments.  Many scholars (sharing what I found in my research) believe Jesus had taken on the authoritative Rabbinical role.

Matthew makes note, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (The Torah Teachers in the synagogue).  (Matthew 7:28-29).  Many times, the narrative speaks of people’s amazement at His authority.

Remember multiple times Jesus said, “You have heard it said – But I say to you…”  Especially in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gave clear instruction, often quoting the Law, yet reaching beyond the interpretative mandates.  Some teachers of the Law would step as close to the “line” of law, assuming to not break it – “You can look and lust, but don’t touch.”  Jesus said, “It all begins in the heart” (summary).

Those hearing His words had never heard the scriptures explained like He did, with NEW insights, application – with authority.  Jesus spoke of covenant – the NEW covenant – passing legal judgments. Authority indeed.

Jesus commissioned His disciples: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20, NASB, emphasis mine).

Swinging back to the beginning, regarding Paul’s words in Galatians 5:1, Paul originally taught those in the region of Galatia the gospel is of grace through faith and not of works – Christ had set them free from Jewish ceremonial laws and regulations, those regulations heaped on its followers.  Metaphorically, he had reached over and took the heavy burdened yoke off – yet they again had reached for the “yoke of slavery.”    (See also Acts 15:10 “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” ESV)  

Fascinating note: When researching the actual yoke and the training of an ox for more understanding, I found that fitting the ox with the yoke: It is BEST that the ox raises its head up into the yoke for the most comfortable and profitable fit. This comes with time and trust, that the animal is willing to voluntarily lift their head to the master. If forced down, the fit could cause irritation, causing the ox to lean, favoring one side, and possibly altering the direction of their steps.  A “harnessed heart” is a true lifting of the head to the Master. 

May we too be mindful of the yoke we raise up into – be it the yoke of Jesus.  Being His disciple; following close, listening, learning, and taking on and emulating His teaching.

The yoke.

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

Resources: “Rabbi and Talmidim” (except from “In the Dust of the Rabbi”) by Ray Vander Laan. “The Yoke” By Archdeacon Allan Paulsen. “The Yoke” The Messianic Prophecy Bible Project (Free.messianicbible.com).  Prof Kristi McMelland, Professor of Biblical Culture, “Jesus & Women: In the First Century & Now“.  The ESV Commentary. Barnes Notes on the NT: Galatians.  Bible Background Commentary (Acts 15:10). And any other geeky place I forgot to jot down.