Moments of Quiet Truth

If ever I questioned the source and sustainer of my faith, this season in my life has given me the same answer over and over and over again. The truth is, there is only one answer. Jesus      Since I began to pursue ministry training overseas for this next summer, I have run into opposition over and over and over again - the seemingly insurmountable amount of money needed to make the trip happen, the inability to log into the website through which I was to set up my visa appointment in Los Angeles (after repeated attempts over the course of several days), the printer that did not want to print the necessary documents to bring with me to my appointment the day I was scheduled to have it, a car that is not currently driveable (dying on me several times, an estimate for testing to diagnose the problem that was close to $300, multiple parts that need replacing, a gear shifter that sticks because it was messed up by someone else), the inability to pay for the necessary towing to get my

"So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit -- steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and mentally alert]," 1 Peter 1:13a AMP "So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control." NLT "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober," KJV "Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded" HCSB "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, " ESV       I have been reading through 1 Peter (see previous blog post) and I keep getting stuck. I keep getting snagged on truths that grab my attention, force me to sit down and listen.      Peter is writing to believers who are experiencing persecution for their faith. He reminds them that they are pilgrims, that 'this world is not their home,' that they are, in truth, first of all, citizens of heaven. And yet, they are still on earth. They are still living their lives in a battlefield. They must still strive,

"For it stands in Scripture:      'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,       a cornerstone, chosen and precious,       and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who don't believe,           ' The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and            'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do."      Jesus is the cornerstone that will be rejected, indeed, has been by many. When you are confronted with the reality of Jesus, there are only two possible responses: rejection or belief. One thing that is interesting about these verses in 1 Peter is that Peter states that some were destined not to believe, not to obey the word.      Peter contrasts those who were destined not to believe with those who were chosen to belong to God. He continues in verse 9: "But you are a ch

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"Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man. " Luke 21:34-36 Be on your guard, so that your minds are  not dulled from  (careless living). . .worries of life (summary mine) But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape. . .to stand before the Son of Man      I was reading this passage this evening as part of my personal reading through the gospel of Luke and these verses caught my attention. There is a sense of urgency here. There are commands to be alert and to be on one's guard. "Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. R

     " Indeed, your husband is your Maker - his name is the LORD of Armies - and the        Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of the whole earth. . . .       Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you       and my covenant of peace will not be shaken,' says your compassionate LORD."                                                                                                                Isaiah 52:5, 10      Looking for another passage in Isaiah this morning, I ran into this one. The bridegroom of the believer is a warrior who shares our suffering. That's what compassion means - to suffer with. Let that shake you. Let that break you. Let that quiet your soul.      He is a mighty commander - He has the charge of armies under Him! And yet, He is fiercely loyal to His bride! Hosea picks up this theme of loyal love in the second chapter of his prophecy: "In that day - this is the LORD'