Time for Retreat (Sep 28)

When is it time for retreat? That is the very question that we want to explore today. Before we can discover when it is time for retreat, we need to first discover the meaning of retreat. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you hear retreat is that of the military sense. If an army is fighting a battle and the battle becomes too fierce, out of the fear of too great a loss, the army may retreat. In fact, retreat is defined by Merriam-Webster as follows:

1a: an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable. b: the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position.

Now, you see, the Christian life is often described as a battle. You see it all through the scriptures—we have the battle of right and wrong, good and evil, life and death—the enemy is always fighting to destroy the faith of Christians, break the church, and work against anything that God is doing. We know, of course, that God is greater and that He is the victor in the end. Well, at least we've been taught that. Even though God is the victor in the end, there is still a battle in the everyday here-and-now. Sometimes we don't see the victory and want to give up. Perhaps we just don't want to fight the battle for righteousness. We want life to be easy. We want to retreat. OK, in that sense of the word, there is never a time for retreat. Fortunately, Merriam-Webster's definition continues:

2: a place of privacy or safety: refuge. 3: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director.

Ah, you guessed it: that's what we're talking about today. We're going to explore the need for a period of individual (or group) withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, and/or instruction in a place of privacy or safety.

Matthew 14:22-23

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Luke 5:15-16

15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Matthew 26:36-39

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Many times in the scriptures, we find Jesus going off alone in order to pray. I believe that this is a time for retreat. I believe that many (probably all) of us need to take some time to be separate from the many things that take our attention, so that we may spend some time alone in prayer, meditation, and study. I have seen this need personally, which I guess is why I got to looking into these scriptures, and then felt the need to share this with others as well. Sometimes there is so much going on that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes we are so busy with so many things that we can be run ragged. Or, the same thing can happen even if we're not super busy, I suppose. If you haven't been in the presence of the Lord, it is time for retreat. If you have been in the presence of the Lord, but you've found that other things have gotten your attention, it is time for retreat! Now, as I was thinking the other day, I thought it would be great if I could just go away, take a tent, and camp out somewhere that nobody could get hold of me. There would be no telephone to interrupt me. There would be no computer to keep me busy. There would be no emails to respond to. There would be no crises at work to attend to, no stores and banks to run to, no people to talk to, no magazines to read, no projects, no noises, no pressures, no....and I could take my Bible and just spend time talking to God, meditating on His Word, listening to His voice...

Yes, that would be wonderful, but it just doesn't seem practical. I'd have to call off work, if I even have that many vacation days left, put so many things on hold, and arrange so many things. You see, you can't always just run off to a retreat and be alone with God. But, if that's what you need, then you should probably find a way to do it. You can also retreat in your own room. OK, so you might still have to go to work every day and meet other commitments, but you can turn your phone off, turn your computer off, put away the magazines and books, ask friends and family to please not disturb you for a time, and go alone to meet God. Make time for such a retreat every day for perhaps a week or so and see if you meet God as you spend time in His presence. I am trying to make time for retreat and I have already been blessed by God's presence. I need more retreat time, to be sure. It's kind of tough because there are things that I want to get done, there are people that want to call (and I want to talk to), and there are many other distractions. Some of these distractions are very, very good things, by the way, but sometimes we need to step back from even the good things so that we can be in God's presence, seeing His glory. When we come from these times of retreat with God, people will see the change. Only then can we bless others. Only then can we be blessed by others' testimony. First and foremost, we need to retreat in God our refuge. Then we can fellowship with others. Then we can go and fight the daily battles. Then we can live the Christian life—because we have been with Him, we know Him, and we have His spirit in us!!!

Exodus 33:9,11-14,18-19, 34:1-3,29-32 (NKJV)

9 ...Moses entered the tabernacle...and the LORD talked with Moses. 11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend...12 Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”...18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” 19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

1 And the LORD said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke. 2 So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain. 3 And no man shall come up with you, and let no man be seen throughout all the mountain; let neither flocks nor herds feed before that mountain.”

29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.

Moses went up into the mountain to meet God. He asked God to show him His glory and God did. He showed Moses His goodness. He showed Moses who He was. He showed him His heart. Moses came down from the mountain and his countenance glowed. He had been with God and others knew it. He was a changed man. The prospect of leading the people was not so much an overwhelming task...God was with Him. God had revealed Himself as faithful and able. Moses came from His retreat revived—with fresh faith and fresh life.

Psalm 27:11-14 (NLT)

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. 13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

I know that for me, it is time for retreat. I do not retreat, as a coward, from fighting the battle of the Lord, but I do withdraw to the Lord, my refuge, to be in His presence and see His glory. I am confident that I will see the Lord's goodness. I will wait patiently for the Lord. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Look Up and See the Glory (Sep 21)

Ezekiel 1:28

Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.

I'm sure you've all seen a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. I mean a really dark, cloudy, and rainy day. The sky is so dark gray that it is hard to see. Then, as the sun peeks out from the other direction, a rainbow appears—so brilliant and colorful against the still-dark gray clouds. If you've ever seen one with such a strong contrast, then you know what I'm talking about. You can't miss it. That rainbow is bright, stands out, and almost seems to burst with joy against the clouds of yucky weather.

Ezekiel saw a storm coming—a great whirlwind with a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself. If you can even imagine such a thing, you might see that the storm would be frightening. Yet, Ezekiel lookup up and saw these glorious creatures bowing before God. He looked further up and saw a glorious throne of God. Above that was the glorious appearance of the Lord. Scripture likens it to this brilliant rainbow set against the dark clouds of a storm. Wow, what glory!

I know that we recently discussed the story about Ezekiel seeing this glorious vision and how God had a message for him through the midst of the storm, but today I want to talk about seeing the glory of God. I want to see the glory of God! I have seen that God is powerful and He delivers His people from the hand of the enemy and He is a great God! His glory is great! I have seen a glimpse of His glory and I want to bring this to you today so that you also may look up and see the glory!

Maybe you see a lot of storms in your life, but it's in the midst of that storm that you can look up and see that brilliant rainbow set in the clouds on a rainy day! You think, “What good can come from a difficult time?” but be patient and know that God is faithful. Look up and see the glory!

If you've seen a rainbow and you thought it was so beautiful that you stared at it for a long time, you know that eventually, they fade away and all you see is the clouds again. Now, I know that not all analogies work perfectly and God's glory certainly doesn't fade away over time, but let me make this point: If you take your eyes off of His glory and let your focus and attention be back on the storms and the dark clouds, that rainbow just fades away and all you see is the darkness. Don't turn aside from the glory of God! Hold His promises and keep them; don't let them fade away to the stormy skies. So, whatever is going on right now, don't focus on it. Look up and see the glory of God.

Acts 7:54-56

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

We may only see a glimpse of His glory while still on this earth, but when we see that glory, we should fall on our faces before God, as unworthy yet submitted followers. Turn from your sin and trust in Him. Be obedient to what He calls you to do. There is a purpose for all things and God calls you to Himself. Listen. Then God will be glorified through your life as well and people will see that and notice.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1 Peter 4:10-11

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Right Conduct (Sep 14)

Psalm 50:22-23 (NKJV)

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

I read this scripture a few weeks ago and was considering it. The Bible makes it very clear that we are saved through faith in God, turning from our sins, and asking for His forgiveness. It also makes it very clear that we don't earn our way into heaven by doing a bunch of good stuff or living a good enough life. But it's also pretty clear (especially from scriptures like this one) that God expects us to live rightly and to give Him all the praise and glory. Now, if you're like me, after you read these verses from Psalm 50, you want to know what right conduct is—since we are called to have such a conduct! In the King James Version, the word “conversation” is used in place of “conduct”. You can see why if you look at the Hebrew definition:

Conduct (KJV Conversation) - a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever]. (Hebrew definition from Strong's)

The conduct is your way of life, the course that you live, your words and actions, how you act – basically who you are. So, I can order my conduct wrongly or I can set it aright. How does God call us to conduct ourselves?

James 3:13-18

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Philippians 1:27

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Is your conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ? Paul elaborates—that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. When I read the verses from Psalm 50 a few weeks ago, I followed up with this verse from Philippians. The right conduct is described as a church united with one spirit and one mind, serving one God. I look around the church and I don't see unity. I don't see one spirit or one mind. How can we be setting our course in life to be that which is worthy of the gospel of Christ when we're all of different spirits? How can we be a body operating with Christ as our head if we continue to be so divisive? What is a sound church?

Titus 2

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

I pray for you to set aside your differences and ask God how you can truly love one another. Ask Him how you can order your conduct aright and give glory to Him. Ask Him how you can be one with Him and with His church. I believe that He will show you that you can love one another and be loved. You can, but only with one heart, one mind, one love, and one spirit—His.

Sellin' Out (Sep 7)

As we were driving along M-15 or M-46, somewhere between Bay City and Sandusky, we passed an old, run-down church that was in desperate need of repairs. On the sign it read: “Sellin' Out! Make an Offer!” Now, I don't know the story behind this little church and why it was “selling out” (perhaps the congregation size had dwindled to only a few and they merged with another congregation or maybe they just didn't have the budget to cover the costly repairs that the building required, so they moved to another location), but it struck me that the concept of “selling out” is too prevalent in Christian society today. Wikipedia defines “selling out” in the following manner (I don't usually put much stock in the information on Wikipedia, but I needed a nice description):

Selling out refers to the compromising of one's integrity, morality, and principles in exchange for money, 'success', or other personal gain. It is commonly associated with attempts to increase mass appeal or acceptability to mainstream society. A person who does this, as opposed to following the original path [he or she] laid (or claimed to lay) out for him/herself, is labeled a sellout and regarded with disgust and immediate loss of respect. Selling out is seen as gaining success at the cost of credibility. (“Selling Out.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selling_out.)

This message is for people that have followed Christ or have at least professed to follow Christ and then have turned back or turned away. In other words, this is for Christians and people that at least proclaim to be a Christian, but have given up the Christ-life for something else. You call yourself a Christian: you've made a commitment to follow Christ and you've laid a path before you—you're going to follow in the footsteps of the Lord. Then, for some gain or other advantage, whether real or perceived, you change that path. Maybe it goes completely in the opposite direction. Or, maybe it just doesn't follow the Lord's way quite as closely or takes a few other turns. Whether your faith isn't as sincere or strong (backing off), it's a little bit mixed with worldly desires (compromise), or it's completely dead (turning your back on God)—you're a sellout.

Some people directly choose to sellout. They decide that they've given God a try and now they want to do something else. They want to go and live life to the fullest. They want to do all the stuff that Christians aren't supposed to do. They perceive that their faith has limited their possibilities in finding love relationships, lots of friends, happiness, or success in their career. They think it's held them back and been a hurdle so now they want to leave the Christian life and find a secular life. They chose to sellout and then began looking for the right offer. Other people don't choose to sellout, at least not directly. These people are going along, living the Christian life and then someone or something comes along, making an offer that seems too good, and next thing you know, they've begun to compromise a bit, selling out in certain parts of their life. I guess the end result is still the same. They haven't been faithful to God. They sold out.

Revelation 2:4

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 3:1

...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

So, maybe you're a sellout. Maybe you decided that you'd give up your faithful relationship with God for success, happiness, friends, popularity, or whatever. Are you hearing offers? Are there temptations in your life to compromise the commitments that you've made to God? Do you sometimes have the urge to just give up or back off a little bit because things are too hard? There will be offers to sellout! But stand firm! Have you already sold out though? Are you living a “Christian” life, always in church, singing the songs, praying the prayers, and proclaiming your love for God? At least you say you're a Christian. You have little bits of testimony to share with some of the people with the church, although you may have harsh words for others. You seem joyful, sweet, and Christ-like when you're with some Christians, but angry and hurtful around others. You fellowship in unity with some of the church and at some times, but with other people and at other times, you are divisive and cold. You profess a Christ-like life, but beneath the surface there are spots and blemishes. Somewhere along the line, for some reason, whether a selfish motive or some perceived attainment of happiness, you have replaced the Love of God in your heart with your own selfish love. You have traded in God's peace for your own solutions. You have sold united fellowship with God (and ALL of God's people) for self-serving friendships and alliances. You have put your life on a track that you built instead of the path that God has laid to His heart. Your life is a weird mixture of love and hate, peace and unstability, promises kept and promises broken, people helped and people hurt, encouragements and discouragements, joy and depression, truth and lies...a mixture that doesn't make any sense at all because you've tried to mix faithfulness to God with selfish pleasures. Your life has that mixture, instead of the glorious life in the Spirit that produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:19-26

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

So you sold out. But there is still one offer on the table. Maybe up until today you have considered offers from every which way, all of them begging you to sellout to the world and compromise your integrity and faithfulness to God. But God still has an offer on the table. He calls you to come home. Come back to Him. Sell out all for Him. Leave all those other things and repent—receive His forgiveness. He is faithful.

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Revelation 3:2-3

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.