Jesus the Door

Today’s Devotional - April 14, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

Hope that leads to victory. We now have the privilege and responsibility to live in the context of a risen Christ. What does this mean? I’ll point at two passages. 

Ephesians 2 outlines our movement from “dead in trespasses” to “created in Christ Jesus for good works.”

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV) - I’d encourage you to read the whole passage 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sin in which you once walked… For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We come to Jesus to be saved from death and brought into life, just as the Israelites in the desert gazed at the emblem of a serpent raised up on a staff and were saved from death. But there is more.

Jesus is not just our destination. He is also our door… our gate. Jesus says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 (NKJV)

Our door to what?

I believe the answer inside that question is much bigger than, perhaps, what we have believed! 

In C. S. Lewis’ final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Last Battle, there is an illustration of this idea. Lewis places a door in Narnia that leads from that world into heaven. Inside that door is a space immeasurably larger and better than the world outside of it. That door represents Jesus Christ. 

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except by me.” - John 14:6 

An opportunity and assignment in this season is sincerely ask in prayer, “Jesus, I believe Your word. You are a door. Please show me how to fully receive You, and also to step into what You have made available for me. Thank You. Amen.”

Sisters and Brothers - be blessed! Explore what God has done for you. I believe that Jesus would say to you, “Come and see.”

Today’s Song: Graves into Gardens - By Elevation Worship 

Now we get to live in the reality of hope!

Lyrics for Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship

I searched the world but it couldn’t fill me man’s empty praise and treasures that fade are never enough

Then You came along and put me back together and every desire is now satisfied Here in Your love

Chorus: 

Oh there’s nothing better than You there’s nothing better than You

Lord there’s nothing, nothing is better than You

I’m not afraid to show You my weakness my failures and flaws

Lord You’ve seen them all and You still call me friend

‘Cause the God of the mountain Is the God of the valley

There’s not a place Your mercy and grace won’t find me again

Bridge:

You turn mourning to dancing You give beauty for ashes You turn shame into glory You’re the only one who can

You turn graves into gardens You turn bones into armies You turn seas into highways You’re the only one who can You’re the only one who can

Anticipation...

Today’s Devotional - April 11, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

In this place of anticipation and contemplation, I’ve been drawn back to Psalm 40 more than once. This Psalm speaks to this unique moment. 

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” - Psalm 40:1-4 (ESV) 

I don’t know about you, but I know what it feels like to be in a pit. Pride would drive us to insist that we can get out on our own, that being in a pit isn’t really a problem, or that there is no pit at all. Jesus is still in the business of pulling lost souls out of pits. Whether you’re alone in your pit, or have company, you don’t have to remain stuck.

Fear. Bitterness. Lust. Addiction. Past Wounds. These can all become such familiar enemies they can almost feel like friends. Shame and fear of more shame can lead you to protect & hide the very thing that is robbing you (and those who love you), of real peace and joy. 

The first step in receiving Amazing Grace is recognizing that you need it. You need to amazing grace because you’re in an amazing mess and are terrified at the amazing amount of judgment you expect to be subjected to if you come clean. Ironically, that’s exactly the tactic of the devil to keep you from Jesus. To keep you from freedom. The Jesus followers I know are generally very ready to share the grace they themselves have received. Our God chose humility at the cross. All of us are invited to do the same. 

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6 

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purity your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:8

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. - James 4:10

Tomorrow… we remember Christ’s victory over sin and death. 

Today’s Song: Amazing Grace - As performed by Celtic Woman

This song is at once the most humble message a saved sinner can utter… it stirs deep emotion to have it lifted as an anthem of the masses. In the beginning and the end, Amazing Grace speaks of tender intimacy and kindness shown to us who cannot claim His kindness by any right of our own. 

Lyrics in this arrangement of Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

T'was blind but now I see

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace, my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares

We have already come.

T'was grace that brought us safe thus far

And grace will lead us home,

And grace will lead us home

Amazing grace, How Sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

T'was blind but now I see

Was blind, but now I see.

Going to the Altar

Today's Devotional, April 10, 2020 

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

Jesus went to the altar in the form of a cross. He went there to die. He was (and is) the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. He carried ALL sin… including yours. 

When you go to the altar, you go there to live. You lay down your earthly, sinful, prideful, tainted life… in that sense, we must all die. Don’t cling to sin! Cast it down, step over it and keep your eyes on Christ. Your life and your future are with Him. 

Today, we remember that Jesus went to the cross, the grave, and even hades for each of us. He did it so we don’t have to. For those who are in Christ, the grave on earth is only a doorway to God’s presence. 

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” - John 1:29 (ESV) 

Today’s Song: O Come to the Altar - As recorded by Voices of Lee

Written by Chris Brown, Steve Furtick, and Wade Joye

Arranged by Phil Nitz

Lyrics for “O Come to the Altar”

Are you hurting and broken within,

Overwhelmed by the weight of the sin,

Jesus is calling.

Have you come to the end of yourself,

Do you thirst for a drink from the well,

Jesus is calling

O come to,

The altar,

The fathers arms are open wide,

Forgiveness,

Was bought with,

The precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes,

Come today there’s no reason to wait,

Jesus is calling.

Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy,

From the ashes a new life is born,

Jesus is calling

O what a savior,

Isn't he wonderful,

Sing Hallelujah Christ is risen,

Bow down before him,

For he is lord of all,

Sing Hallelujah Christ is risen

O come to,

The altar,

The fathers arms are open wide,

Forgiveness,

Was bought with,

The precious blood of Jesus Christ

Come just as you are

Without one plea 

His arms are open wide

For the weary,

And the broken 

The blood of Jesus Christ

Oh He loves you, 

Yea He loves you

Bear your cross as you wait for the crown

Tell the world of the treasure you found

Jesus is calling

Significant Time

Today’s Devotional - April 8, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

I know many of us believe we are in the season immediately preceding the return of Christ. These are the end times. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you may be a minority, but you are definitely not alone. 

Life Way Research published an article  (April 7, 2020) with a poll about what Christians believe about the signs of the times. If you believe you are living at a significant point in history - the vast majority of pastors agree with you. 

I’ve spent my life expecting to see the end times. As I’ve matured, I’ve become aware that many others before me have done the same. There are two ideas for you to consider. 

First - They were mistaken, but that does not mean that I am mistaken. Jesus will return and His return is much closer now than it was. Daily we see evidence of the birth pangs Jesus describes in Matthew 24. Contractions slowly increase in intensity. There is a point when one contraction begins before the previous contraction is complete. When contractions stack, you are nearing “transition” in the birth process. Do you see that pattern?

Second - Even if our generation is not the last generation, this generation will come to an end. If we don’t complete what we have been entrusted with, there is no measure to what would be lost to future generations. In Christ, we live from a position of hope. As we fully surrender to the Lord’s call on our lives, He will move on your behalf to accomplish His will. In Christ, there is no limit to what can be accomplished in the world. 

People long for significance. It is a God-given longing. The longing emerges from your soul’s understanding that you will live for eternity. Eternal significance comes from purpose with eternal consequence. That purpose comes from the One who is called the Alpha and Omega… The Beginning and the End. 

Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20) 

Pray with me; Jesus, help me to be Your disciple today and help me lead others to be disciples also. Give me an assignment for Your Kingdom, and the courage to carry it out - today. 

Today’s Song: Medley - In Christ Alone / Cornerstone / The Solid Rock 

As recorded by Anthem Lights 

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

Christ alone; cornerstone

Weak made strong in the Savior's love

Through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all

When darkness seems to hide his face

I rest on his unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale 

My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone

Weak made strong in the Savior's love

Through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till he returns or calls me home

Christ alone, cornerstone… 

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Anything Worth Doing

Today’s Devotional - April 6, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

Putting it into practice. We had a time of repentance and then prayer on Sunday morning. Both of these are practices that I encourage you to take-up and return to on your own (with your family) as well. 

Wonder how it looked at my house today? Late this morning, I gathered my family in the living room. I played background music on my guitar (a cd would have been good too). I asked Allana, Alex, and Abby to be ready to read Bible passages that have felt relevant in recent days. Alex read a few verses around 2 Chronicles 7:14. I invited all of us to pray according to the passage that we had just heard. Then Allana read from Isaiah 40:1-5 and we spent a few minutes praying through that passage. Finally, Abby read all of Psalm 24 and we spent some time praying according to Psalm 24. It was a good time. 

As I re-read that description, it sounds so delightful… and spiritual. I suppose it was, but this morning - and often - there are rather ungraceful moments. Interruptions are frequent, helping little children be quiet enough and helping big children be bold enough and ALL of us focused enough. 

But anything worth doing is worth doing badly.* 

Drowning in the ocean at night while surrounded by sharks? - Any cry for help is better than no cry for help. And exactly nobody is grading on grammar. 

Praying in front of a crowd in a giant cathedral? - In those moments, remember which WHO you are praying to and who you are praying for. God doesn’t grade on grammar either. 

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) 

God isn’t impressed if you’re super-good looking… if you are, He gets the credit anyway. God isn’t awed by your finesse or suave. He gave you that too. Nor is He concerned with your lisp or when you struggle to find the right words or that your shoes are a worn out. He is, however, very aware of where your heart is. Are you aware of where your heart is?

*I don’t know if Tom Glogau coined the phrase, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly”, but I’ve considered its significance countless times. In fact it’s one reason that I don’t play golf. (Golf is not worth doing badly) CPR, on the other hand, IS worth doing badly… so I’ve been through CPR training more than once. It turns out that praying is also worth doing badly… but - thankfully - practice makes perfect! 

Today’s Song: Defender as recorded by Rita Springer

Lyrics for “Defender” by Rita Springer

Verse 1:

You go before I know

That You've gone to win my war

You come back with the head of my enemy

You come back and You call it my victory

Verse 2:

You go before I know

That You've gone to win my war

Your love becomes my greatest defense

It leads me from the dry wilderness

Pre-Chorus:

All I did was praise

All I did was worship

All I did was bow down

All I did was stay still

Chorus: 

Hallelujah, You have saved me

So much better Your way

Hallelujah, great Defender

So much better Your way

Verse 3:

You know before I do

Where my heart can seek to find Your truth

Your mercy is the shade I'm living in

You restore my faith and hope again

Bridge: 

When I thought I lost me

You knew where I left me

You reintroduced me to Your love

You picked up all my pieces

Put me back together

You are the defender of my heart

God of the Hills and Valleys

Today’s Devotional - April 4, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

I sense a distinct shift today. We are being invited into the next phase. You have a mission-critical role. God is moving and inviting His people to move with Him.

So far, I’ve watched my friends reaching out to one another with words of blessing and assurance. You’ve been blessed with quite a lot of peace in the middle of disruption. - This mandate has not changed - We must continue to reach out to each other, and even outside our normal connections to people who need to know Jesus. We must continue walk in thanksgiving, blessing, and assurance of God’s faithfulness. 

A recent poll found that 44% of Americans believe this pandemic is a wake-up call from God. 44% of us are right. When God calls a nation to attention…. we must respond. It is God who has the solutions the world needs right now and it is God’s people who advocate for our community, nation and world. We must go to Him to get the needed strategies, resources, and solutions. 

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16 KJV

The first-phase strategy is outlined in the following passages. 

This first passage are the words of Jeremiah the prophet to God’s people who had been taken captive in Babylon. Jeremiah speaks of a time for those people to respond. Now is our time. It is our time to respond.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (ESV)  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Getting right with God positions you to be part of the solution. I’ll write out only 3 verses from James 5 here…. but I suggest you look up James 5:13-20. 

James 5:16-18 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

How can we be that righteous person? Read 1 John 1:5-10 - I’ll only write out 1 John 1:9 here.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

In the following passage, God is speaking to young King Solomon as the new king of Israel). God specifically says that when His people repent of wickedness and come to Him in humility, He will move on their behalf…. not an idea or feeling, but real. Tangible. God will heal the land. 

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:12-14

The time of watching and waiting is over. It’s time to enter this battle. 

I left my Bible open on the counter last night. This morning He highlighted the following passage that was laying open. 

And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” - 1 Kings 20:28 (ESV) 

Confess and repent of sin…. because the prayer of a righteous person is powerful. Church, it’s time to pray. 

God is God of both the hills and valleys. We’ve seen some victories in the hills (the good times). Welcome to the valley. He says, “I’m God here too.” 

Today’s Song: Hills and Valleys by Tauren Wells

A while back Jacob North shared this with us on a Sunday morning.

Lyrics for “Hills And Valleys”

I've walked among the shadows You wiped my tears away

And I've felt the pain of heartbreak And I've seen the brighter days

And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place

And I have held the blessings God, you give and take away

No matter what I have, Your grace is enough

No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love

On the mountains, I will bow my life To the one who set me there

In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there

When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own

When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!

You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys!

God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone!

I've watched my dreams get broken In you I hope again!

No matter what I know Know I'm safe inside Your hand

On the mountains, I will bow my life To the one who set me there

In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there

When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own

When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!

You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys!

God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone!

Father, you give and take away Every joy and every pain

Through it all you will remain Over it all!

Father, you give and take away Every joy and every pain

Through it all you will remain Over it all!

(On the mountains, I will bow my life, yeah)

(In the valley, I will lift my eyes, yeah!)

On the mountains, I will bow my life

To the one who set me there (to the one who set me there)

In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there

When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own

When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!

You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys!

God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone!

You're God of the hills and valleys!

Hills and Valleys! God of the hills and valleys

And I am not alone!

And I will choose to say "Blessed be Your name, yeah, yeah"

And I am not alone

Music  by Tauren Wells  performing Hills And Valleys (Official Music Video). (C) 2017 Provident Label Group LLC, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

You are a Minority

Today’s Devotional - April 2, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

A different paradigm shift has been shaping our culture and the Church before coronavirus arrived on the scene. Besides my own observations and personal conversations, I’ve run across descriptions of this in the writings of Phyllis Tickle, the recorded conversations between John Mark Comer and Mark Sayers, and recently as I’ve re-visited a little book called, “A Creative Minority” by Jon Tyson & Heather Grizzle. Tyson is lead pastor and Grizzle attends at Church of the City New York, in New York. 

What’s the paradigm shift? - It is this; the Christian worldview is no longer dominant in the Western World today. 

You might respond with a, “Yeah - that’s obvious!” and I’d agree that it’s especially clear in Oregon. However, I’ll also ask, have you changed to match this reality? Are you living the role of a minority in this culture?

The dominant position in a culture is marked by a drive to preserve what we’ve got and great concern when the status quo is challenged…. because the status quo is us. Members of the dominant position navigate freely through society and loose-knit networks are fine because you are confident you can fit in almost anywhere. It doesn’t matter too much whether you’re right in what you say or think because your perspective will not be truly challenged. 

The minority position in a culture is a different experience. The minority offers an alternative way of interpreting just about everything and a unique way of walking out every day life. The minority is a challenge to the status quo simply by existing. You must be able to defend and backup what you believe to be true. You must be able to give an answer for your faith. As a minority, you are not free to “be yourself” wherever you go without expecting serious pushback. Consequently, as a minority, you depend on a close network of friends that share your values. These are friends that know your sorrows, share your victories as their own, and lean on each other daily.

There’s a lot to digest around this topic, but I’ll pause here and invite you to ruminate on this. Are you ready to accept the role of the minority? 

“Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.” - 1 Peter 2:11 

“All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” - Hebrews 11:13 

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20 (NLT) 

Today’s Song: Our God - By Chris Tomlin

Our God by Chris Tomlin (Reyer Remix) featuring William Wixley

Lyrics for “Our God”

Water you turned into wine. Opened the eyes of the blind. 

There’s no one like You, none like You 

Into the darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise. 

There’s no one like You, none like You 

Our God is greater, our God is stronger 

God You are higher than any other 

Our God is healer, awesome in power 

Our God, our God 

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us 

And if our God is for us, then what could stand against 

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us 

And if our God is for us, then what could stand against 

What could stand against