Two Ships

If you were to embark upon a seafaring vessel, would you choose a boat of peace or turmoil? Whether we realize it or not, we each make a choice. As we navigate upon the waters of life, we encounter two ships. We can sail upon a wor-ship or a war ship.

Our vessel of peace is known as worship. The vessel of turmoil is a war ship. I realize I am taking liberties with words. However, I believe God has a message for us through this play on words.

A war ship is waiting at the docks of our lives. There are numerous seafaring battles to fight. In history, we read of many battles fought upon the waters. Ships sinking and the sailors drowning were (and still are) possibilities. As spiritual sailors, we are involved in spiritual warfare. I Peter 5:8-9 tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

This results in a violent voyage. However, we can be encouraged by II Chronicles 20:15. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Psalm 34:19 says, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” In Ephesians 6:10, we are told to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

According to II Corinthians 4:8-9, we will encounter times when we are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It is time for us to embark upon the wor-ship! Psalm 95:6 invites, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Psalm 96:9 instructs us to, “Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.” Psalm 105:1 encourages us to “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Throughout our lives, we will be onboard both ships at various times. Prayer includes praise and petitions. Our prayers will burst with praise when we are on a wor-ship. II Samuel 7:22 says, “How great You are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like You, and there is no God but You.” However, our prayers will include plenty of petitions when we are on a war ship. Romans 5:20 says that where sin increased, grace increased all the more. That describes a spiritual battle. Prayer is asking God to speak to the chaos of our lives. Prayer fights both outward and inward forces. The fervency of prayer will overcome the ferociousness of the enemy.

We will encounter violent waves of a vicious enemy. Ultimately, however, we will ride upon God’s victorious waves. There will be a tsunami of triumph. I encourage you to read Romans 8:31-39. I highlight a few verses. Verse 31-32 asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?” Verse 35 asks another question. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Verses 37-39 answers, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I John 5:4 NLT declares, “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

With a renewed fervency of prayer, we will defeat the enemy’s ferociousness. I believe a big wave of revival will soon crash upon our nation. Living water will flow across our land. Isaiah 44:3 promises, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants.”

We are spiritual sailors upon the seafaring vessels of wor-ship and war ships. Using another another play on words, let me ask a question. Are we embarking upon a seafaring or see-faring vessel? Do we have spiritual eyes with which to see what is happening in the heavenlies? Paul says in Ephesians 1:18, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.”

When the war ship tries to steer you into tumultuous turmoil, claim Psalm 91. I encourage you to proclaim the complete Psalm but I quote verses 2 and 3. I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague.” The captain of wor-ship is waiting for your arrival. Jesus promises in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

I suggest that wor-ship is the best place to be when we encounter war ships. The best wor-ship is also a war ship because worship is a form of spiritual warfare. Philippians 2:10-11 says, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This is a picture of the final victory of all worldly battles. There will be no more turbulent seas. In Revelation 4, we find a description of the Throne of Heaven. Verse 6 says, “in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.” Around this sea are four living creatures who worship God saying in verse 10, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

In closing, I include a few lines from two current worship songs. The first is Battle Belongs by Paul Wickham. The song begins, “When all I see is the battle You see my victory.” I also like the lyrics, “So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees with my hands lifted high. Oh God the battle belongs to You.”

The other song is Defender written by Bethel Music vocalist Steffany Gretzinger and recorded by Francesca Battistelli. I highlight the following portion. “You go before I know that You’ve even gone to win my war. Your love becomes my greatest defense. It leads me from the dry wilderness. And all I did was praise. All I did was worship. All I did was bow down, oh All I did was stay still.”

Welcome aboard to the wor-ship!

God’s Garden of Gladiolas

I spent the afternoon in a garden of gladiolas. A floral array that created a botanical masterpiece. Gladiolas are perennial plants known for their tall floral spikes and large, colorful blooms. Each blossom is composed of multiple flowerettes creating one flower that bursts forth from a sturdy green stalk. I was enthralled by the beauty surrounding me. I felt like I was surrounded by God’s presence portrayed through posies. In my spirit, I sensed multiple multicolored messages.

Botanically, gladiolus originates from a Latin term meaning sword. This flower is sometimes called the sword lily. It is described as a plant with unbranched stems having several narrow, sword-shaped longitudinal grooved leaves enclosed in a sheath. From within these green leaves, funnel-shaped irregular flowers emerge on slender stalks. I thought about the sword of the Spirit that is part of God’s armor. Ephesians 6:17 says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The botanical spires inspired me. The gladioli, commonly known as glads, seemed to echo Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’”

Each flower reminded me of the steeple of an old church. Each blossom pointed to God in heaven. I felt like I was in a cathedral of living stained glass windows. So many flowers! So many colors! Ruby red – coral – pink – yellow – white – lavender – deep purple.

The stalks talked to me of God’s goodness. Psalm 25:8 declares, “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.” Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” God is good!

Some gladioli were standing up straight declaring the glory of God. I Chronicles 16:24 says, “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Other floral stems appeared to bend lowly in humility. Psalm 95:6 invites, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”

Through the magnificent beauty of the flowers, I experienced the fulfillment of Isaiah 33:17. Your eyes will see the king in His beauty and view a land that stretches afar. Psalm 90:17 NKJV says, “Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us.” I also was aware of a sweet perfume in the air. It was the fragrance of the flowers! In Ephesians 5:1-2 we are encouraged to, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.” II Corinthians 2:15 NIV says, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” The New King James version translates it, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ.”

Each cluster of blossoms appeared to symbolize a choir of trumpets. I sensed that the gladioli, or trumpets, were declaring a chorus of triumph. Psalm 98:6 NLT says, “With trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn, make a joyful symphony before the LORD, the King!” A cacophony of praise was being declared by the colorful trumpets. God’s greatness and grandeur was being portrayed and proclaimed. Psalm 47:1 NKJV says, “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!”

Throughout the afternoon, I was encircled by a floral hedge. Psalm 135:9 NKJV says, “You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.” I was captivated by more than splashes of color. My spirit was communing with the God of all creation. Revelation 4:11 declares, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.”

Immortal but became Mortal – Invisible but became Visible

I woke up singing Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise with lyrics written by Walter Chalmers Smith. The first two lines of the first verse declare, “Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes.” The last verse concludes, “Great Father of glory, pure Father of light…, O help us to see ’tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!”

My Reader, please join me in worshiping God and meditating upon His divine attributes. I want to focus upon God being immortal and invisible.

Exodus 33 records a conversation between the Lord and Moses. Ultimately, Moses asks to see God’s glory. In verse 20, the Lord responds, “You cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.” However, the Lord tells Moses in verses 22-23, “When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove My hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.” No mortal can see an immortal God.

Job 36:23 says, “The Almighty is beyond our reach; He is exalted in power! In His justice and great righteousness He does not oppress.”

One of my favorite verses regarding God’s attributes is I Timothy 1:17. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

I Timothy 6:15 highlights God as “the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lord.” Verse 16 continues, “He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”

Psalm 1042:2 tells us, “He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent.”

Humans, who are mortal, cannot see God, who is immortal and invisible. However, God chose to reveal Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, to earth.

John 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” John 1:14 continues, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus is the Son of God and Son of man. Colossians 1:15-16 says, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:19 NLT continues, “For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ.”

Paul describes the mindset of Christ Jesus in Philippians 2:6-8. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!

Jesus lived 33 ½ years in a mortal body. Ultimately, He was arrested and crucified. In Matthew 26, Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin. Verse 63 records, “Then the high priest said to Him, ‘I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.’” Verse 64 continues, “’You have said it yourself,’ Jesus answered. ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Jesus interacted with the high priest as a visible mortal. However, He was referring to His spiritual place as the invisible, immortal Son of God.

Romans 6:10 tells us, “The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.” Paul goes on to say in Romans 14:9, “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”

Hebrews 13:1 NLT declares, “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.”

Let’s remember John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.”

It amazes me that our immortal and invisible God wrapped Himself in flesh and walked the earth for 33 ½ years as a visible mortal. However, we must not diminish God to a physical being who can be experienced only with our senses. We meet Him in the spiritual realm separate from our physical senses. The spiritual realm is invisible yet real, hidden yet active. John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” It has been said that worship is the response of our spirits to God’s revelation of Himself.

My Reader, we now conclude our time of worship and meditation regarding our immortal and invisible God who is not inanimate or inactive. May we remember I John 4:12. “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”

Air Hugs

I love hugs! I love air hugs!

Since social distancing requires us to stay six feet apart, I have missed our grandchildren’s hugs. To resolve this problem, we have created air hugs. They extend their arms to me and I do the same towards them. Then we both surround ourselves with our own arms. Not as good as when we physically embrace, but better than nothing.

I wonder if the air hugs we give today are symbolic of what God gives us every day. I Corinthians 16:23 MSG tells us, “Our Master Jesus has His arms wide open to you.” We may not see and feel Jesus’ tangible physical arms, but He spiritually surrounds us with His loving arms. David cries out in Psalm 33:22, “May Your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in You.”

A hug is defined as an act of holding someone tightly in one’s arms, typically to express affection. A hug is a tangible declaration of acceptance. It is a love language. God declares in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Psalm 139:5 says, “You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.” That sounds like a hug!

Although we are still worshiping online Sunday mornings, I realized something last week. As I raised my hands in praise, I was holding out my arms to God. I was giving Him an air hug. In return, I received His air hug. I felt the closeness of His presence. According to Psalm 22:3, the Lord inhabits the praises of His people.

I am reminded of the song Waymaker.  The line I am thinking about declares, “Even when I can’t feel it You’re working. You never stop working. You never stop working.”  How about changing the words to “You never stop hugging”? We may not physically feel God’s hugs but He is still hugging spiritually!  God is continually drawing us into His embrace.  He is extending His loving arms to us.

A possible acronym for God’s hug is His Unfailing Grace. God never fails to offer us His undeserved blessings. I want to embrace not only His gifts, but the essence and presence of our Lord. James 4:6 says, “But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” I want to humbly come near enough to God that He will give me a hug.

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” That sounds like an opportunity for a spiritual hug. James continues to tell us that the way to receive God’s hug is to cleanse our hands and hearts of unrighteousness. Psalm 145:18 promises, “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

During a hug, two individuals hold each other closely and do not let go. I think about special hugs my daughter and I shared when she was young. Sometimes when I would be ready to release her, she would cling to me and tell me she was not done hugging yet. We would then linger a little longer in a loving embrace. I never want to be done hugging the Lord!

Luke 15:11-32 records the parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son took his inheritance and squandered it recklessly. Although the father had let his son go, he was always waiting and watching for his son’s return. Finally, the younger son decided to go back home. He did not expect a hug. However that is what he received. Verse 20 says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” This story depicts our Heavenly Father’s love for us. God loves to give hugs. He is looking for us to come to Him. He wants to give each of us a hug. He wants to welcome us home. He wants to personally pull us into His presence and wrap His arms around us.

The Message translation of Psalm 5:11 is a good description of the prodigal son and his father. “But You’ll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to You. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration.”

The hugs we share with family and friends today are symbols of what God extends to us every day. Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” God’s everlasting arms hold us in His everlasting hugs.

I still love hugs! I love God’s hugs and I love grandchildren’s hugs!

God’s Got It!

Fact #1 – I’ve got a problem.
Fact #2 – God’s got it.

Which fact is more powerful? Which fact is foremost in your mind?

Personally, I know God’s got it, but often my mind meditates more upon the specific problem I am facing. I will pray, “God, help me as I encounter this current challenge.” Then my mind meanders to the details of the sticky situation. I end up trying to tell God how to resolve this negative issue. I’ve got the problem in my hands rather than placing the problem in God’s hands!

My Reader, does this scenario sound familiar to you? Most of us will have to admit we can identify with this train of thought.

“If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate…” These words were part of a post by Pure Glory 8/7/19 entitled Meditation from Your Heart.  Since most of us have the tendency to worry, we should redirect our focus. May we say with David in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Don’t worry – God’s got it.

When facing a conflict, our human tendency is to focus upon our problem rather than upon God’s nature. What happens in the natural realm can overpower what we believe spiritually. We must choose carefully what we allow to dominate our thinking. We do well when we remember such promises as Lamentations 3:22-23, “The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,  For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

We would be wise to replace our worries with worship. Then we will remember God’s got it.

David spent more time worshiping than worrying. He encountered many difficult times while fleeing from King Saul. Yet, he focused upon God and His faithfulness. Let’s look at Psalm 31. I encourage you to read the entire Psalm but I will highlight a few verses. David begins by crying out to the Lord.  Verses 1-2, “In You, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness. Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.” In verse 7 he continues to praise the Lord while admitting he is in trouble. “I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.” In verse 10 David admits, “my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.” However, by verses 14-15 he declares, “But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” David concludes with verses 22-24, “In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from Your sight!’ But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help. Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant. Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.” We find both worry and worship in David’s words. However, worship overpowers worry.

James and Paul wrote New Testament letters. Both encountered adversities. However, they were able to find positive results from negative circumstances. They were speaking from experience when they wrote the following verses.

James 1:2-4 tells us, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:12 goes on to say, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5, “we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

In Qualities of a Spiritual Warrior, Graham Cooke says that with every new situation there is a fresh provision. However, while taking on new responsibilities, we tend to not raise our faith to the new available level. Spiritual worship helps to overcome natural worries.

Cooke writes, “God knows our journey better than we do, and He has strategically placed a provision next to every problem, obstacle and opposition.” God’s got it! He also stresses that our confidence must be in God’s nature, not just His power.

I like Cooke’s phrases that we are to be “patiently confident and confidently patient.” May we remember Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

We will have problems. God has solutions. Our responsibility is to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” according to Proverbs 3:5-6. God’s got it!