Alien in a Strange Land

I have been an alien in a strange land. (Exodus 18:3 KJV)

There are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on the cross. They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. (Philippians 3:18-20 GNB)

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalms 42:2 NKJV)

If one visits a strange place, it's enjoyable to stay in an upscale hotel which caters to every need. Yet there's no place like home, and it's easy to leave behind the pleasant little amenities that were fully available for use but never owned.

Whether"stuff" of this world compares more closely to amenities of a five-star inn or of a cheap motel, it's not ours, but only available while we visit a strange land. Our citizenship is of another place, and we will one day go home and leave this all behind.

Wealth, health, talent, status, accomplishment—if it's of this world, it's temporary. It's purpose (beyond sustaining life) is to test of what sort of citizens of heaven we are. When the exam is finished, heaven will measure us according to whether resources were squandered on the foreign or faithfully used with an eye on our true home.

Father, You are abundantly generous with us. You give us so much more than we actually need. Please show us how You wish it used. Please grant us endurance for the brief test that reveals our heart. Please draw our hearts to value the eternal.

"Wealth consists not in the abundance of our possessions, but in the fewness of our wants." — Unknown

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Chesed

Also Moses said ... "For the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD." (Exodus 16:8 NKJV)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness [chesed],
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
(Psalms 107:8,15,21,31 NKJV)

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
(1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV)

The Complete Word Study Dictionary begins its definition of the Hebrew word chesed as "a masculine noun indicating kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, acts of kindness." Psalm 136 begins with the exhortation "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!" and then extols, 26 times, "For His chesed endures forever."

Every complaint that falls from our lips or runs through our mind is, ultimately, a complaint against the Lord for what He has allowed in our lives with the intent that it work for good. Each complaint contends with the assertion of His chesed. The antidote to complaining for what is not is to give thanks for all that is.

Godliness means to emulate God and demonstrate chesed. To do it without complaining—with contentment, even thanksgiving—brings the great gain He intends.

God of God and Lord of lords, I give thanks to You for your chesed. I thank You for all Your wonder-filling works, throughout Your magnificent universe and in me. Please give us the ability to wait upon You and trust You even as we cry out to You for deliverance amid our suffering.

"We want God to change our circumstances, but God wants to use our circumstances to change us." — Unknown

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Habitation of God

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song ...
I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
[Yah] is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation:
He is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation [praise Him];
My father's God, and I will exalt him.
(Exodus 15:1-2 KJV)

But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
(Psalms 22:3 NKJV)

For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Corinthians 6:16 NKJV)

Among the varied names of the Lord are "My Love" (Isaiah 5:1), "Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6), "Lover" (Song of Solomon), "Husband" (Hosea 2:16), "Bridegroom" (John 3:29). Such intimate terms of endearment are far more than metaphors. In them lies a very literal description of His relationship with His people.

The Holy Spirit doesn't hold hands with us, but dwells within us. Amid our praises God finds his place of habitation, residence, rest, throne, glory, beauty.

The church will someday fully know her place as the bride of Christ. Until then, our pleasure, passion and privilege is fulfilled in our praise of Yah.

Hallelu-Yah! You are worthy of our most boastful, showy, even foolishly clamorous raves. We unabashedly give such praise to worldly performers and athletes. Put in us the ability to rejoice in You as fully, and know Your habitation in us.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Unrighteous Mammon

Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35-36 NKJV)

"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon [wealth], that when you fail [cease], they may receive you into an everlasting home." (Luke 16:9 NKJV)

I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (Romans 14:14 NKJV)

The Israelites not only escaped slavery, but were made wealthy as they left Egypt behind. Some of the heavy articles of gold were fashioned into an idol. Its destiny was to be ground into dust by Moses and given to the people to drink with water that it might be never again serve such purpose.

Other gold articles were set aside for the Lord's tabernacle. They not only became items of worship for the Holy Place, but became the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies.

We do not escape bondage empty-handed. What we carry over from our previous life can burden us as baggage, lure us into temptation, or be spent upon the kingdom. Even unrighteous mammon is useful to God by the pure of heart who seek His glory.

Heavenly Father, Your incredible holiness is goodness in the extreme, utterly incorruptible. Thank You for cleansing us of the sin that degrades us. Please purify us so wholly that even that which once defiled us can now be set apart to You and serve Your purposes.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Darkness That One Can Feel

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that over the land of Egypt there may be such intense darkness that one can feel it." (Exodus 10:21 NAB)

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
(John 1:4-5 NKJV)

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. (1 John 2:9-10 NKJV)

Jesus Christ embodies light and life and love. In His absence is darkness and death and detesting others.

Many argue that emotions cannot be trusted, and the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)—its natural, human condition. But the Lord has promised to put in us a new heart—one to comprehend and impart light, life, love (Ezekiel 36:26). If we fail to love anyone in our lives, whether neighbor or brother or God Himself, then truly, we cannot trust a heart of darkness.

It is indeed within the nature of both Light and Darkness that one can feel them. If we are unable to discern their presence with certainty, our spirits are dull and must be quickened by yielding to God's Spirit.

My precious Lord, thank You for allowing our dark hearts to feel Your light. Thank You for changing our hearts. Please make us a vessel of Your light and life and love. Let us not hesitate to manifest Your presence.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Vessels of Mercy

"But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." (Exodus 9:16 NKJV)

The LORD has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
(Proverbs 16:4 NKJV)

What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory? (Romans 9:22-23 NKJV)

There are those who believe God does not need us. In the strictest sense, He is fully God without us, and truly, He does not need mankind to be God.

But how can mercy be shown when all is well? How is good understood unless evil is experienced? What purpose has glory without adoration? Is creation's love for God as meaningful if it is compelled without opportunity for hatred?

God needs us to fully manifest His attributes. His greatest act of love, mercy and justice was displayed at Calvary and demanded by our sin. Had He not created vessels of wrath, He could not display grace to vessels of mercy. But for the threat of death, the value of eternal life could not be made known.

Ah Lord God, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power! What is man, that You are mindful of us? How can it be that You my King should die for me? Please give Your people ever greater knowledge of Your infinite love, mercy and grace, that You have so abundantly poured out upon us, that we might fully give glory to You, however insignificant it may be if compared to the glory You deserve.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

I AM YHWH

And God spoke to Moses and said to him: "I am [YHWH] the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty [El Shaddai], but by My name LORD [YHWH] I was not known to them. ... I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD [YHWH] your God."
(Exodus 6:2-3,7 NKJV)

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the LORD.
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV)

"I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name ... and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD [Adonai YHWH], "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes."
(Ezekiel 36:22-23 NKJV)

At least 164 times, the Lord told Israel, "I am YHWH" (usually translated "I am the LORD"). Scripture records God saying this seventy times during the forty years the Israelites spent with Moses, as if to firmly establish with them His presence.

When tragedy strikes—whether named Katrina or Ike or Death or Suffering—it is often asked, "Where was God?" When tragedy strikes, we who trust in Him are often best able to know His presence with us, and glory in Him.

God fully intends that He be known and understood, and He fully intends that "Hallowed be His name." His name YHWH—"The LORD"—means "I AM." He exists. He is with us. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present. And He indeed delights to exercise lovingkindness, and judgment, and righteousness.

Lord God, Adonai YHWH, Your love and power are without limit. Your presence in our lives is precious above all treasure. Please draw us to continually search You out, to better know, trust, and love you each day. Make it our privilege, pleasure, and passion to glorify Your name before others.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

When Heat Comes

So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all." (Exodus 5:22-23 NKJV)

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV)

Thus says the LORD:
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the LORD. ...
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes."
(Jeremiah 17:5,7-8 NKJV)

The Israelites believed Moses' word that the Lord would deliver and they worshiped—until Pharaoh applied heat. Peter followed Jesus into the enemy's lair but lacked in his flesh the strength to face persecution. Even the believer in whom the Spirit dwells remains vulnerable to fires of temptation.

Seductresses named Self, World, and Satan should never be underestimated. We are compelled to live amid three powerful enemies who lie in wait to woo the heart. At the very moment we realize an enemy has gained our attention, the heart's eyes must be fully returned to the Lord.

When heat comes, our response determines if it will prove to be the Refiner's fire, or the flames of Hell licking at our heels.

Father in Heaven, holy is Your name. Refiner, make us pure like You. Draw us to walk with You so closely to You that when we walk through the fire, we shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Whom Do You Seek?

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you. ... The LORD [YHWH], the God of your fathers ... has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."
(Exodus 3:14-15 ESV)

Jesus ... went out and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus said to them, "I AM." And Judas, the one betraying Him, was standing with them. Therefore when He said to them, "I AM," they stepped back and fell to the ground.
(John 18:4-6 EMTV)

"Thus says [YHWH] ... ([YHWH] is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' " (Jeremiah 33:2-3 NKJV)

Have you met God in the burning bush yet? Or are you still playing religion, attempting to lay hold of Him on your terms and falling down?

Whom do you seek? The god of morality and conduct? The universal power behind supernatural sequence and blessing? A divine despot placated by rituals and scripted prayers? Or the personal Creator, who shows Himself to those who call to Him with a child's trust and hear His voice?

The Great I AM doesn't stand on the street corner offering Himself to whomever passes by. He draws us to turn aside to holy ground—barefoot and vulnerable—and diligently search Him out. He makes Himself known in places like burning bushes that aren't consumed, where we would have never thought to find Him.

Lord God, You are holy, glorious and beautiful. We do not need to see Your glory in pillar of cloud and fire or hear Your voice thunder from Mt. Sinai to know Your presence. Please draw us to seek You, and let us hear Your voice so we may find You, each and every day.

"You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." – Jeremiah 29:12-13, NKJV

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

I Wait for You

When Moses was grown ... he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he ... killed the Egyptian... When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled ... Now it happened in the process of time ... the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. (Exodus 2:11-12,15, 23 NKJV)

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia... And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
(Acts 16:6-7,9 NKJV)

My God, I have trusted in you...
No one who waits for you shall be shamed...
Show me your ways, LORD.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
I wait for you all day long.
(Psalms 25:2-5 HNV)

Moses' desire to deliver his people was in accordance with God's will for him, but forty years needed to elapse before he and the Israelites were ready. The apostles' desire to take the Gospel to Asia was God's plan, but His timing would wait for many centuries, and the Gospel first went west to us. (How should we be so privileged?)

The desires of our heart are often the Spirit leading us in the direction we will someday travel. But until God says, "Go!" we must wait upon Him, faithfully making ready for the day He may bring to pass what we envision.

Lord, Your plans and purposes are good. You have wisdom beyond our comprehension. Your timing is always perfect. Please enable us to see our circumstances through Your eyes, and to ever say, "I wait upon You."

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose [desire, delight] under heaven ... He has made everything beautiful in its time." — Ecclesiastes 3:1, WEB

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Affliction

Therefore [the Egyptians] set taskmasters over [the children of Israel] to afflict them with their burdens... But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. (Exodus 1:11-12 NKJV)

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word ... And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21 NKJV)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes...
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me...
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
(Psalm 119:71,75,92 NKJV)

Couch potatoes feeding on chips do not become strong, and if they grow it is to their detriment. Healthy growth and strength are the result of disciplined exercise and nutrition.

Affliction is the Lord's discipline and exercise to make us strong. Discipline is not bad. It can be synonymous with either "punishment" or "instruction," and Webster also defines it as "training that corrects, molds, or perfects." DISCIPLes in training are made strong through the discipline of affliction, and the nutrition of God's Word to sustain them.

True peace lies in strength not gained while at rest. And good rest will surely follow a good workout and a healthy meal.

Father in heaven, You afflict in faithfulness and love. It is indeed good that I have been afflicted, and I thank You for it. Please let me not shrink at Your good discipline. Please feed me with Your Word, help me respond to Your instruction, and make me strong as Your disciple to better serve You whom I love.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

You Can Do Nothing

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." ... And that night they caught nothing... Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. (John 21:3,9 NKJV)

[Peter] said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep... Follow Me."
(John 21:17, 19 NKJV)

"As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5 NKJV)

When Jesus was no longer a visible presence with Peter and his comrades, the sight of the sea called to the fishermen. Yet there could be no going back to what they once were. The "strength" of frail flesh once seemed sufficient, but proved that without Jesus, "You can do nothing."

Once we've experienced the might of God, what once satisfied will never again prove adequate. We may return to visit the familiar—perhaps even abide there—when we fail to sense that God is near, when the afterglow of His presence fades. But we must turn away from every inclination to independence and follow Christ to do anything.

Jesus knows what we think we need. He has already prepared to satisfy us once we draw near to Him.

Lord, You hold in Your hand every good thing for me. How can I forget my utter inadequacy apart from You? Please remind me not pull my hand out of Yours and go my own way for even a moment. Apart from You I can do nothing. Apart from You I am nothing.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

You May Have Life

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31 NKJV)

Jesus said to [Mary], "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father." (John 20:16-17 NKJV)

"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!"
(Job 19:25-27 NKJV)

This is life in heaven: to own peace that cannot be disturbed, in the absence of anxiety; to eternally fulfill one's purpose of glorifying God and have consummate joy in it; to love without condition and know love unconditionally; to live forever in the sight of my Maker.

This is resurrection life on earth: to own peace that cannot be disturbed—in the face of anxiety; to fulfill one's eternal purpose of glorifying God and have consummate joy in it; to love without condition and know unconditional love; to live forever in the presence of my Maker.

You may have life without clinging to the day when Jesus is seen in the flesh. You may have life in His name—the resurrection life of a new creation—by believing in all Jesus is and looking to Him in all things.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the great love which laid down Your life to give it to us. Please draw us to abide in Your presence, and to have Your Word abide in us. Please teach us to allow anxieties of this world fade when we look to You. Please give us patience for the day when we see You in the flesh in the absence of all anxiety.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Only Sovereign

The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God." When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid... From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free. (John 19:7-8,12 NIV)

The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
(John 19:21-22 NIV)

I charge you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will show in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:13-15 EMTV)

The Roman governor Pilate clearly understood Jesus to be the King of the Jews and so named Him. As the two men faced each other, Pilate in fact stood before his own King, the King of all kings, governors, and rulers—the only Sovereign of every Jew and every Gentile.

Once a person believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God as He claims to be, He must be named King—He can be nothing less than the only Sovereign of one's life. To hold Him at arm's length, and remain content for others to bow before Him, is not true faith that Jesus is King and Lord.

If we fail to acknowledge Jesus as our only Sovereign before others, He will not acknowledge us as His before His Father (Matthew 10:32).

Lord Jesus, You are my only Sovereign, my King before whom I willingly bend my knee and give my life. You dwell in unapproachable light. You rule over even death. You alone have all honor and everlasting power. May I be blameless until Your glorious appearing. Amen.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Kingdom Warfare

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant ... So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" (John 18:10-11 NKJV)

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36 NKJV)

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12 NKJV)

Violent warfare is not for the timid, the weak, or the unprepared. And we need not fight if we are indeed content to live a life of surrender to an occupying enemy.

The spiritual kingdom of Jesus may be fully possessed by violent warfare which drives out the occupying enemy who lingers, even though he has lost the war Christ already won.

The combination of boldness, strength, and training for spiritual warfare do not involve attitudes, weapons or methods of this world. It requires the Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. It requires the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It requires abiding in Christ, that we might hear the voice of His Spirit's direction both in training and in battle.

YHWH Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts, no power may stand against You. You are our mighty King who leads us in battle. You assure us victory. Give us courage, strength, and preparation to fully engage the enemy, and to persist until we prevail.

"Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who has loved us." – Romans 8:37 WNT

Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

The Cup

"O Father ... the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect [complete] in one." (John 17:5,22-23 NKJV)

Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane ... And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." (Mark 14:32,36 NKJV)

So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized." (Mark 10:39 NKJV)

There is a glorious place of bliss which awaits us, found in perfect unity with one another and with Jesus. At the entrance of the path to bliss is a cup. Even Jesus entered glory by drinking from the cup of blood—the cup of commUNION.

To drink the cup requires immersion—baptism—in death to Self, our life and blood poured out in spiritual sacrifice, that we may receive the shared blood of eternal life in a supernatural blood transfusion, which completes and perfects us in unity with God.

The glory, the life, the blood (Hebrew netsach) Jesus offers us is found in the cup He drank and shares with us. Only by trusting in Him are we able to drink it.

Lord Jesus, Your blood is precious drink indeed—the sweetest and most bitter drink we might ever take. Give our souls the faith to lay down each day the desires of self, and to desire only Your life—Your blood—in us. Put in us the strength to say, "Not what I will, but what You will."

Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

You May Have Peace

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NKJV)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd ...
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul ...
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me.
(Psalms 23:1-4 NKJV)

What is troubling you in this hour? Past pain? Present conflict? Fear of the Future?

Jesus has already overcome it. All that remains is to draw so closely to Him that His presence is felt tangibly, and that the situation may be seen from His perspective.

You may have peace. "Let your requests be made known to God." The peace which passes understanding is available in Jesus.

Lord Jesus, You are indeed the Good Shepherd. You know already what we need as we grasp for it blindly. Help us empty ourselves of us, then fill us with Yourself, and with Your limitless love and peace.

"No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace." – Unknown

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Ask What You Desire

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7 NKJV)

And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!"
(Esther 5:3 NKJV)

You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart With one look of your eyes...
O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, Lovely as Jerusalem,
Awesome [terrifying] as an army with banners!
Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overcome me.
(Song of Solomon 4:9; 6:4-5 NKJV)

In Solomon's allegory is twice described a moment when his wife forcefully commands her lover's heart with her eyes. Esther holds such favor with her husband that he three times promises her up to half his kingdom. In His parting words to His bride Christ hands over the keys to the entire kingdom by saying simply, "ask what you desire."

Jesus' powerful promise is given in the second person plural—to His disciples as a united whole—and conditioned with if—dependent upon an intimate place of union with Him and His words.

Surely there is no more powerful position than to be united as a body and united to our Lord.

Father, surely You will not refuse Your Lamb's prayer to make us one, as You are one, that we may also be one in You. Please give us such unity and union, so our own prayers become those You will not deny.

Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Greater Works

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12 NKJV)

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us." (John 17:20-21 NKJV)

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.... God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.... Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
(1 Corinthians 12:13,17-18,22 NKJV)

How could any man do "greater works" than Jesus, God Himself? Jesus limited Himself for a time to do works in human flesh, empowered by the Holy Spirit—just as we are.

Our works are "greater" not only because we are many people, able to go everywhere, and He came as one man in one region of the world. Our works are greater in the strength of our unity with one another. Every member brings to of the body of Jesus Christ a gift otherwise absent.

It is God's design to be dependent on not only Him but one another. In that dependence and in our unity lies the ability to do greater works than Jesus.

Father, how can we begin to understand how greatly You wish to operate through us? How can we begin to be adequate for Your work? Please give us humble hearts that value each and every member of Your body as absolutely necessary.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Troubled in Spirit

Jesus ... was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
(John 13:21-24 NKJV)

Peter said to Him, "Lord ... I will lay down my life for Your sake." Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." (John 13:37-38 NKJV)

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth ... and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."
(John 16:12-14 NKJV)

When troubled in spirit, Jesus shared with it those closest to Him. One by one, they asked, "Is it I, Lord?" Jesus put in His confidence John and Peter. Did Peter fully appreciate being privy to Jesus' secret torment? Or merely feel relief that he was not himself the betrayer, unmindful that he was the denier?

When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, He is putting us in God's confidence, and sharing with us what makes God troubled in spirit. Do we appreciate the confidence deeply enough to immediately turn from sin? Or presume upon our relationship, unmindful of the pain we cause?

Our Father, Lord Jesus, and Spirit of Truth, we are unworthy of the precious truth You reveal to us, yet You call us Your friends. Please make our hearts tender to Your own heart. Please enable us to be worthy friends, troubled in spirit by what troubles You.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Worship Him

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. (John 12:3 NKJV)

For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ...
If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her ...
(1 Corinthians 11:6,15 NKJV)

The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
"You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created."
(Revelation 4:10-11 NKJV)

Mary's act of worship is usually admired for the great expense of the spikenard. In her culture, the greater sacrifice was to expose the glory of her hair to the public view of men and use it as a lowest servant for a foot towel.

The vision John has of heaven includes the highest saints of God likewise humbling themselves, by taking the glory of a golden crown bestowed upon them, and laying it down before the only One worthy of such honor and glory.

If I fail to make the time to worship Him each day, what merited higher priority? Busyness, business, pleasure? Sleep, hobbies, distractions? Is there any sacrifice of glory too high for my Lord and King? Lost worship is never replaced.

But each day is a new opportunity.

Most High King, forgive me for denying You worship for lesser endeavors. Strengthen me to not forsake You, nor to deny You the best I have to offer. You are worthy of all I have, all I do, all I am.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Reverent Submission

Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35 NKJV)

Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. ... But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. (Romans 5:12,15 NKJV)

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect [complete], he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Hebrews 5:7-9 NIV)

Why does a good God allow suffering and death? Our good God knows suffering and death will teach us what even Jesus Himself had to learn by reverent submission: obedience. Perfect God was mysteriously incomplete until He Himself became man, suffered and died as we do, and "learned obedience from what he suffered."

The Father deemed it necessary for His own Son to suffer "with loud cries and tears." The free gift of grace now available to us abounds much more because of it. To be made complete and fully know that grace, we must also suffer and show reverent submission.

Lord Jesus, thank You for suffering more than any one of us ever has. Thank You for making the gift of grace abound to many. Thank You for calling us who are among those many, and not among those who will perish in their suffering, apart from You.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Good Shepherd

"I am the Good Shepherd. ... My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:11,27 NKJV)

Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
(Psalms 32:9 NKJV)

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.
(Isaiah 40:11 NKJV)

How sad for those who think of God as a master who uses bit and bridle to control the lives of creatures used to serve his own whims, feared as one who would deal swiftly and harshly with any step out of line.

How sad for those who see Jesus as a mere model to human lives, representing the best we hope to become, distantly waiting for us as we unceasingly run to catch up.

How happy for those who know the voice of the Good Shepherd. He tenderly loves and closely watches over His helpless sheep, who on their own inevitably find trouble. He delights to provide every need of His flock. He leads with a firm and gentle voice. He steps in with a rod when necessary to protect from harm. He lays down His life that we may live.

Good Shepherd, how happy I am to be Your lamb, whether carried in Your bosom or walking peacefully at your side, content to simply hear Your voice. Thank You for gathering me into the flock of Your own beloved sheep.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV)

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Now I See

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. ... Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see." (John 9:13,15 NIV)

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7 KJV)

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21-22 NKJV)

Jesus chose to heal the man blind since birth by the same means with which He created man—He took dirt and put the power of life in it with His mouth.

By breathing on us with His Holy Spirit, Jesus likewise puts life into what is no more than dirt. Whether we come from the gutter of visible immorality, or the pedestal of self-righteous religion, we are little more than breathing dirt before we are truly born again.

Jesus has breathed upon me a second time. I was a dead man walking, but now I live. I once was blind, but now I see.

My Lord, how is it that You my King should die to redeem a wretch like me? Your love and grace are amazing indeed. You have blessed me beyond measure with fullness of life. Please let me see You more clearly, love You more dearly, follow You more nearly, each day.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

What is Truth?

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ... Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-32,36 NKJV)

"Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. ... Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:11,17 NKJV)

Jesus answered, "... Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" ... Pilate then went out again, and said to them, "... I find no fault in Him. ... Behold the Man!"
(John 18:37-38;19:4-5 NKJV)

The politically correct reject absolute truth as offensive. They insist certain "truths" are for others, but room must be allowed for their own "truth."

What is truth if it is not absolute? The freedom to determine how to apply truth lies with each individual and with the Holy Spirit. But if truth itself is not firm and reliable, it is not truth.

The increasingly common practice of picking and choosing which parts of the Bible may be accepted establishes as authoritative not the Word of God, but the reasoning of man. Unless one relies upon the entire Word, one cannot truly rely upon any of it.

Lord Jesus Christ, You are indeed the Way, the Truth, the Life. We are privileged and humbled to know You as the only Way to the Father, as absolute Truth, as Life itself. Increase our faith! Draw us to Yourself. Enable us to abide in You, in Truth.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Unworthy Servants

" He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him." (John 7:18 NKJV)

" So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.' " (Luke 17:10 ESV)

" I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant." (Genesis 32:10 NKJV)

Ah, the pitfalls of being a writer—or being engaged in any business which puts us in a position to sell ourselves. Is anything more dangerous for unworthy servants to covet than the esteem of others which belongs to our Master?

Whatever gifts our Creator has put in us, they are to be used for His glory, not ours. We offer the products of those gifts acknowledging the excellence is from Him, and the shortcomings mark our touch. And however competently we craft them and faithfully present them, any sale is a matter of the Almighty’s provision. He alone is worthy of the thanks and the glory.

Father, we are blessed beyond measure to be servants in Your kingdom. We are amazed at the treasures You entrust to our care. Keep us ever mindful that we are Your stewards.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

You Are What You Eat

Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life. ... For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. ... He who feeds on Me will live because of Me." (John 6:53-57 NKJV)

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
(John 6:35 NKJV)

"Any animal or bird that may be eaten ... pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood.' "
(Leviticus 17:13-14 NKJV)

The Israelite preparation of meat included taking the time to thoroughly cleanse it of the blood—of the animal’s life. Contrast Jesus—the Word made flesh—who tells us to feed on His flesh with the blood in it, that His life would become ours.

It would be easier to simply eat a wafer of bread and drink the fruit of the vine in sharing the communion of the Lord’s Table, and leave it at that. To feed on the flesh of the Word is to take time to thoroughly digest it, and to believe in it immediately, while it is fresh, with the life in it.

We are made in the image of God so that we will be like God. To feed on Jesus, the Word of God, is to fulfill the adage, "You are what you eat."

Lord Jesus, You alone are life. Your Spirit breathes in us. Your flesh of God's Word feeds us. Your blood both cleanses of the sin that kills and sustains Your life in our flesh. Please enable us to receive You in every way You give Yourself for us.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Knowledge of the Truth

"But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
(John 5:38-40 NKJV)

"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me ...' " (Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves ... having a form of godliness but denying its power ... always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-2,5,7 NKJV)

It is possible to have zeal for God, but not according to true knowledge. (Romans 10:2) It is possible to be puffed up in knowledge without being built up in love. (1 Corinthians 8:1) It is possible to possess thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, yet completely miss knowing the Son of God, lack His Word abiding within, and fail to have life.

To come to the knowledge of the truth is to love Jesus who is named Truth. Knowledge is intimate and exposes the deepest part of Self to Him who is both Lord of life and the Lord of my life. Knowledge of Jesus is willing to come to Him and allow His Word to abide within at the cost of all else.

Lord Jesus, Word of God made flesh, please send Your Spirit to soften our hearts that You may plant the seed of your Word deeply within us, that Your Word might abide in us and we in You, that we might possess knowledge of Truth and life.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Fellow Servants and Brothers

"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4:22-23 NKJV)

Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:26 NKJV)

They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
(Revelation 6:10-11 NIV)

Christians and Jews have had a troubled history during the nearly two millennia of the church’s existence. Satan has done a thorough job of keeping us apart, as if he could forestall his fate. But the Gospel has now reached almost all the tribes of the world and we near the fullness of the Gentiles. Christians are increasingly embracing the Jews from whom comes Jesus Christ and our salvation, and greater numbers of Jews are accepting their Messiah Yeshua.

When Jesus spoke of us, His "other sheep," to the Jews, He said there would be one flock and one Shepherd. (John 10:16) The days of fulfillment are finally at hand. We will not enter the next age without both our fellow servants and brothers. (Luke 13:34-35)

Oh come, Emmanuel, and ransom Israel! Bring in the fullness of the Gentiles. Please, Lord, work in our hearts, that we may be united as one flock, and You may return as our visible Shepherd. Put in the mouths of all Your people, "Baruch haba bashem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Born Again

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:3-4 NKJV)

"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:29-30 NKJV)

Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10-11 NKJV)

A marriage custom in Jesus’ time was for the friend of the bridegroom to stand outside the bridal chamber and wait for the bridegroom to announce the marriage had been consummated—and the guests did not begin the wedding feast before that announcement.

As the bridegroom’s voice confirmed consummation of a marriage begun at betrothal, and as birth confirms the new life conceived months earlier, entrance to the kingdom is confirmed by more than the verbal assent to Jesus which even demons give. Making our call and election sure by faith will trust Him enough to give ourselves to Him as fully as a bride to her bridegroom—to be born again as a new person—and enter a new relationship from which there is no going back to the life before.

Lord Jesus, thank You for new life and a fresh start. Thank You for every day of eternity with You which begins when we are born again. Please use us to bring others to fully surrender to You.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy