February 11: Tuesday Refocus

‘Mankind is looking for two things - a song to sing and a creed to believe.’ - E. Stanley Jones

Our world is not as it should be, creation itself is groaning as in pains of childbirth (Rom 8:22). Every person is seeking something steady and sure. But ‘We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’ - Hebrews 6:19-20

That is a creed - a collective and corporate anchor of beliefs which leads me to the ‘Rock that is higher than I… (Ps 61:2).’

Every creed becomes a song because our mouths speak from the abundance of our hearts (Lk 6:45). The overflowing song of every Christ-follower steadied by the complete and sure work of Christ is:

‘One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.’ - Psalm 145:4

Lord, thank you that we are never left seeking a firm foundation - we have it in You. May our lives be so deeply rooted in that reality that our creeds become our songs. In Your name, amen.

Believing and singing,

AB

February 4: Tuesday Refocus

‘Home is wherever God is, and God is ever with me.’ - Rebekah Lyons

Home is not a place, but a Person who took up residence among His people (Jn 1:14). Our lives can be spent seeking solace and shelter from the chaos of the world, but, ’He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty (Ps 91:1).’ And when God is our dwelling place, we can echo the Psalmist and say ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ (Ps 91:2)

The word dwell carries with it the idea to settle down. We settle down into Home as we are quieted and stilled by His love and knowledge of His identity (Ps 46:10, Zeph 3:17). When you make your home in God the settled down-ness follows you regardless of location. But one day the settled down dwelling of God will be with man:

‘And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.’ - Revelation 21:3

‘Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations,’ way we find our rest, life and settled down-ness in You and You alone. In Your name, amen.

Settle,

AB

January 28: Tuesday Refocus

‘I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus.’ - Jim Elliot

What is the measure of a full life?

Accomplishments?

Accolades?

Legacy?

‘What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.’ James 4:14

You are a breath, a mist, here for a moment and gone.

And yet, every one of those days was known and formed long before you were born (Ps 139:16).

If this is true, the measure of a full life is not necessarily a long life or an accomplished one, but a faithful life. A life that has stewarded all things that have been entrusted and allotted for the glory of God and the good of others (Matt 25:14-30, 1 Cor 10:31, Eph 4:12).

‘What do you have that you did not receive?’ (1 Cor 4:7)

Our time, talent and treasure - regardless of quantity or quality - have all been entrusted to our care. Even our pain, sorrow, and suffering can be stewarded well (Job 2:10, Ps 119:71, 2 Cor 12:10).

So seek not a long life, but seek to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of your life (Ps 27:4)

‘I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!’ (Ps 27:13)

Father, let our lives find their fullness in You. Let our words and days take the shape of Your Son who did not speak on His own authority, came to serve, and walk-in obedience to what You have entrusted to Him. Spirit, search us, reveal us, refine us and lead us to Jesus. In the name of Christ, amen.

Seeking a full life,

AB

January 21: Tuesday Refocus

‘Lord, whether prosperity smile or adversity frown, let Your praise be ever in my mouth.’ – Augustine

My heart is too easily entangled and untethered, tossed about by wind and waves.  Blown here and there by every wind of teaching, cunning, craftiness, and deceitful scheming (Eph 4:14).

My heart grows faint from adversity and prosperity - but ‘from the ends of the earth I call to You… lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (Ps 61:2).  Like Spurgeon, I can learn to, ‘kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages.’

Ultimately, for the Christ-follower prosperity and adversity are of little consequence for we live eternally secure in the delight of God (Zeph 3:17).  ‘The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ (Ps 118:6)

In every season we can echo the prayer of David: ‘Teach me Your ways, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.’ (Ps 86:11)

Lord, let worship be the response our lives secure in You, even if tossed about by the world.  You are with us, You are for us, we will not fear, in Christ’s name, amen.

Unite my heart,

AB

January 14: Tuesday Refocus

‘…these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.  For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.’ - 1 Corinthians 2:10

Eternity was etched into our hearts.  Yet our first parents birthed us into a world they marred with sin, struggle, and death.  It was not supposed to be this way.  Creation itself groans, bound in decay awaiting the revealing of the children of God.  And the children of God groan awaiting ‘adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.’ (Ecc 3:11, Gen 3, Rom 8:19-23)

Eternity echoes in every human heart.  We long for the day He will return to make all things new. Because we have been on an eternal quest to return to what was lost in the garden, we have sought the wisdom and rulers of this age - only to realize they are all doomed to pass away.  But the same Spirit who searches, tries and knows our eternity-etched hearts (Rev 21:5, 2 Cor 2:6, Ps 139:23), searches the depths of God and has revealed: 

No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ - 2 Corinthians 2:9

For eternity, we shall know fully, even as we have been fully known (1 Cor 13:12).

Spirit search my heart, try me and know my thoughts, see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Give me an eternal perspective as I await the return of my Savior.  In Christ’s name, amen.

Waiting,

AB

January 7: Tuesday Refocus

Circle me Lord, keep protection near and danger afar.

Circle me Lord, keep light near and darkness afar.

Circle me Lord, keep peace within, keep evil out.

In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. - Celtic Prayer

Whatever is left behind in 2019, whatever awaits in 2020, we can be assured in all things: ’The LORD is your keeper, the LORD is your shade on your right hand.’ Ps 121:5

The One who has defeated Satan, sin and death will ‘keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.’ This does not mean we will never experience sorrow or suffering. Jesus said, ‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’ And when we are led through the valley of the shadow of death, we are strengthened, helped, upheld with the righteous right hand of our God (Ps 121:7, Jn 16:33, Ps 23:4, Is 41:10).

Our days, years and lives rest firmly in the reality: ‘The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.’ Ps 121:8

Let it be so, Lord, amen.

Resting,

AB

December 31: Tuesday Refocus

Father, let me dedicate all this year to You

In whate’er my earthly state, in whate’er I do

Not from sorrow, pain, or care, freedom dare I claim

This alone shall be my prayer: glorify Your name.

Whether anticipation or indifference, we have all looked to a new year and planned our way. But the God who stands outside of time and space holds the vapor of our life in His hand and is establishing our steps. (Pr 16:9, Jm 4:14, Acts 17:25)

Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?

Can a father’s love refuse all the best to give?

More You give me ev’ry day, than the best can claim

Help me trust You that I may, glorify Your name

We have a Father who delights to give good gifts to His children. A Father who knows our need before we ask Him. A Father who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, predestined us in love for adoption, to the praise of His glorious grace. (Matt 7:11, Matt 6:8, Eph 1:3-6)

If in mercy You prolong joys that now are mine

If on life serene and fear brighter rays may shine,

Let my glad heart, while it sings, You in all proclaim

And, whate’er the future brings, glorify Your name

Whether cast down, in turmoil, rejected or mourning, I will go to God - to God my exceeding joy. I will Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. (Ps 43:5,2,4)

If You have for me a cross and its shadow come

Turning all my gain to loss, shrouding heart and home

Let me think how Your dear Son, to His glory came

And in deepest woe pray on: glorify Your name

Shall we accept only good from God? The One who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? The shadow of the cross compares nothing to the eternal weight of glory - future joy. All things may be counted as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. (Job 2:10, Rom 8:32, 2 For 4:17, Heb 12:2, Phil 3:8)

‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Rom 8:35,37-39

In this year, as in the last, and all the ages to come, Lord, glorify Your name. In the name of Christ, amen.

For His glory,

AB

‘Father, Here We Dedicate’ Laurence Tuttiett, 1864

December 24: Tuesday Refocus

‘Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.’ Hebrews 1:1-2

He is the God who speaks, who has always been speaking.  With His Word He spoke the world into being, and by its power the universe is upheld (Gen 1:3, Heb 1:3).  Jesus is the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14).

He tore the veil of time.  

He tore the temple veil.

He does not dwell behind temple veils, 

or in houses made by human hands, 

because His dwelling place is with man.  

He is Emmanuel, God with us.

(Matt 27:51, Acts 17:24-25, Rev 21:3, Is 7:14)

God with us is the Word who took on flesh and blood, and His blood speaks a better word (Heb 12:24).  This Word is good news to the poor, binding to the brokenhearted, and liberty to the captives (Is 61:1).

Lord, You are the Word made flesh, given to us in love, absolutely true. You have come, You are coming again, and we wait for You. In Jesus name, amen.

 Merry Christmas, 

AB

December 17: Tuesday Refocus

‘God hides His most precious treasures in our most difficult and painful experiences.’ - Jon Bloom

Over the last several years I have more closely followed the rhythms and seasons of the Church calendar.  As a worship leader, it has been helpful in my planning and preparation, as a Christ-follower it has helped me experience the connection to a diverse, global, eternal body of believers. (1 Pet 2:9, Rev 7:9, Is 9:7)

The older I get the more I see and experience the pain of living in a broken, fallen world.  And that is why I love Advent - because I have often asked God, ‘Do You know how hard it is down here?  Do You see how painful it is?’  And Advent reminds me that not only does He see the pain and difficulty, He answers it with Himself. ‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.’ (Gal 4:4-5)

Sin and brokenness do not just affect humanity - it is as offensive as it is painful for God.

He pursued relationship, we chose death (Gen 1:26, 2:17, 3:6-7).

We hid, He covered us (Gen 3:8, 3:21).

He came to His own, we did not receive Him (Jn 1:11).

We deserve death, He gives us His life (Rom 6:23).

The One who knit Mary together in the womb of her mother became humanity knit together in Mary’s womb (Ps 139:13, Lk 1:30-33).  The One who saw the sorrow we experience did not stand far off but became the Man of Sorrows - acquainted with all our grief (Is 53:3).  The One who saw us in our sin became sin so that we might become His righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).

Advent is the continuing story of a God who has never had a ‘plan B,’ but has always sought His Son’s greatest glory, and His children’s good.  ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…’ this is the joy and pain of God Himself experienced (Jn 3:16, Is 53:10, Heb 12:2).

This is the joy and pain of Advent.

’Everything sad is going to come untrue and it will somehow be greater for having once been broken and lost.’ - Tim Keller

Lord, thank You that You do know our sorrow and pain.  From the groans of ‘it’s not supposed to be this way,’ to pain that is soul-piercing, You know and You have experienced it all.  Allow us to approach this Advent season with gratitude, wonder, and worship.  In Your name, amen.

Waiting,

AB

December 10: Tuesday Refocus

‘It costs something to be a true Christian.  Let that never be forgotten.  To be a mere nominal Christian, and go to church, is cheap and easy work.  But to hear Christ’s voice, follow Christ, believe Christ, confess Christ, requires much self-denial.’ - J.C. Ryle

I want obedience to equal ease.

I want sanctification without the experience that brings it about.

I want to be a true Christian with nominal level commitment.

But my faith has been Authored by One ‘who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.’  He came with ‘…no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.’  He came to poor earthly parents, in a rural community (Phil 2:6-7, Is 53:2, Lk 2:22-24, Jn 1:46).

In the middle of this Advent season I am reminded that Emmanuel - God with us - was costly to God Himself.  Not only His entrance into time and place, but the ultimate purpose for which He came: the cross.

‘For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.  We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.’ Rom 6:5-11

He died that I might die, and He lives that I might live.

This is not an easy faith - it is of eternal significance, and immeasurable cost.

Spirit, enable us to hear the voice of Christ, to follow Christ, to believe Christ, confess Christ, and daily die to ourselves.  In Christ’s name, amen.

To remember and live,

AB

December 3: Tuesday Refocus

‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.’ - Isaiah 9:2

From darkness to light is a theme we see throughout Scripture.  We were those dwelling in deep darkness, darkened in our understanding, ignorant and hard-hearted (Eph 4:18).  We loved the dark, hid ourselves and our actions in its covering (Jn 3:19, Lk 8:17).

This would still be our reality if not for Christ… ‘In Him was the life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (Jn 1:4-5)  Now ‘…if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.’ (1 Jn 1:7).

Out of darkness and isolation, and into union and communion with God and one another.  In a small reflective way, this is what happens every week as we gather with the people of God.  We step into the light of the gathered Church to be reminded that we are people who carry Light into a dark world.  That we are the light of the world (Matt 5:14).

‘O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.’ Isaiah 2:5

Jesus, You are God with us - thank You!  Help us walk with You as You walk with us.  Bring us out of darkness into the Light of Your holiness.  We desire to be people who have fellowship with You and one another more than the darkness.  In Your name, amen.

Walking,

AB

November 26: Tuesday Refocus

‘Woe to the reckless soul who departs from God hoping to find something better than Him in the very things He has created.’ - Augustine

There is a rich young ruler in us all. Walking away sorrowful when God does not answer how we expect (Lk 18:18-30).  

We walk away from the Creator, hoping to find the answers we seek in creation.  We scour the earth only to realize we have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of created things (Rom 1:23).

But nothing created can bear the weight of our worship.

And there can only be two responses to this reality: we turn back and no longer walk with Him, or we say ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?’ (Jn 6:66-68)

Lord, You have the words of eternal life, forgive us when we seek life apart from You.  We love You, in Your name, amen.

Walking together,

AB