Jesus' Last Days I – Son of David

Confession: I'm obsessed with Bible chronology. Where the authors of Scripture relate events as a whole, telescoping details which cover days and even years into a single story, I compare verse with verse and pick them apart. Join me as look at events leading up to God's greatest work to date—the Resurrection of Jesus.

~ ~ ~

Today is Friday. Jesus makes the journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. In two days, on Sunday, throngs of people will hail Jesus as "Son of David," acknowledging Him as Heir to the throne of Israel's mightiest king.

The path from Jericho's deep, below-sea-level valley to Jerusalem's Mount Moriah is steep. But the path to His throne on High will plunge Him into the depths of Hell. Today, the sacrifice that awaits Jesus at Calvary surely weighs His every uphill step.

And here in lowly Jericho, echos are heard of Palm Sunday's cheers.

Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
Matthew 20:29-31 (NKJV)

Mark, the Gospel evangelist with a flair for detail, tells us one of the blind men is "Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus" (Mark 10:46).

Matthew, the Gospel evangelist writing to Jews, records just three occasions during Jesus' ministry (before Palm Sunday) on which the messianic title is used of Jesus. In Matthew 9 we hear of two other blind men calling out to Jesus as "Son of David." And in Matthew 15, a woman of Canaan also uses the title—a Greek woman, Syro-Phoenician by birth (Mark 9:26). At least the Samaritan woman of John 4 was half Jew. This woman is despised by the disciples and, initially, turned away by even Jesus.

But in the end, Jesus affirms her great faith and heals her daughter, just as He healed two pairs of blind men.

In our own valleys, on steep journeys to glory, might we lay hold of the vision of blind men and the desperation of an alien to call out to Jesus as King of all?

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2013, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Commandment Number 13, Part Three: Just One Thing

So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him."
~ John 13:31 (NKJV)

If you've never seen it, this half-minute clip from the movie "City Slickers" explains "Just One Thing." (The single profanity is muted.)



Jesus knew His Just One Thing: glorify the Father. He sought no glory for Himself, with the exception of the glory in Him which glorified His Father.

We are greatly beloved to Jesus. Just before He died, Jesus invited us to join Him in His Just One Thing, and live to glorify the Father. We will one day do it in face-to-face worship. In the meantime, we have an opportunity to glorify God that we won't have then. Our days here are a gift during which Jesus allows us to carry His Holy Spirit on His behalf, to the glory of God.

We strive to do that through our good works—giving to the poor, or sharing the Gospel, or living a righteous life. Though Jesus said in Matthew 5 that our good works bring God glory, it's not the works themselves that accomplish that. There's really only one good work to be done, which we put into action through every other word and deed, thought and feeling:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
~ John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

All will know we are Christians by our love, and they will give glory to God for it. Our love glorifies God more than all the praise songs and good works can ever give Him by themselves.

To join Jesus in His Just One Thing is to love one another. You stick to that and everything else don't mean ...

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love. Thank You for the privilege to join You in Your highest goal. Please help us see our opportunities for what they are.

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Refiner's Fire

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.
~ 1 Peter 1:6-8 (NKJV)

These brief hours on the earth aren't about me, and not even about now.

It's all about Him, the glory we can give Him now, and the glory shared with Him for our eternity together.

He's irresistibly drawn to the holiness in us which is like His own, and He makes us increasingly like Himself. The more we are like Him, the more we know Him, the more we love Him.

Here am I, Lord.
Have Your way with me.



Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Music and Lyrics of Refiner's Fire by Brian Doerksen Copyright 2004 Integrity Media, Inc.

Lie of Hell #3: Faith Eliminates Problems

A recent "Question of the Week" at Bullets & Butterflies listed five of the devil’s lies which sound close enough to the truth to make them believable. This week addresses them in more detail:
• Monday – "You'll never be worthy of God's grace or love."
• Tuesday – "If you have faith, it doesn't matter if you sin."
• Wednesday – "Following Jesus solves your problems."
• Thursday – "Problems indicate God's condemnation."
• Friday – "If you love others then you're loving God."

: : : : :

"When it is dark enough, men see the stars."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lie of Hell #3: Faith Eliminates Problems

"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)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed ... that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)

The devil wants you to believe that once you make Jesus Lord of your life, your problems are over.

The devil even manages to put that message in the mouth of many misled Christians. Then when difficulties or sickness or hardship occur, a Christian will be told that they just need to pray harder or have more faith or claim one of God’s promises.

The truth preached by Jesus is that Christians will have tribulation.

If being a Christian meant the end of our problems, what kind of opportunity does God have to manifest His power? If He makes life easy for us, how valuable is our love and praise?

Praise comes easily when all is well on the outside. But we praise because all is well in our souls, even if body, mind and heart are in agony. Our praise is more valuable when it defies hardship. Like the moon, we reflect Sonshine with the most radiance in darkness. God is glorified in our lives when we face adversity of the worst sort and He proves His grace greater yet.

For now, Christians experience the kingdom of Heaven spiritually. Jesus reigns in our hearts, not on a throne made by human hands. The time to experience the full and physical presence of Christ's Kingdom is coming.

Lord, Your grace is sufficient for our weakness, for our greatest hurt, for our darkest despair. Make us willing to pay the cost of making You manifest on the earth with all we are, have, do.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Mother's Trust

“Every mother is like Moses.
She does not enter the promised land.
She prepares a world she will never see.”
~ Pope Paul VI

Mother's Trust

All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
~ Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV)

A Psalm Of David.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
~ Psalms 103:1 (NKJV)

Please forgive the poor quality of the above photo. It is a couple-three years old. It is one of my very favorites, of my three youngest children with their mother.

The little guy, Daniel, is now five. He was learning the Lord’s prayer about a month ago. In typical manner, he didn’t get all the words right at first. In non-typical manner, he confused not the sound of the words, but which word to use. He said, “Our Father in Heaven, blessed be Your name.”

He remembered. He understood.

We don’t immediately send the kids to children’s church on Sunday mornings, but keep them with us during praise time, sitting in the back so I can talk quietly to Daniel as we sing. I used to help him recognize words he knows on the big screen—Lord, Jesus, God, love. Now he spots them himself and excitedly points them out to me.

So it was only natural that he’d more easily remember from singing it, “Blessed be Your name.” And really, I was more happy to hear from a child’s lips that particular blessing of the Lord.

I wish he’d been slower to learn “hallowed.” I absolutely did not tell him he got it wrong those two or three times he said “blessed,” because it was so very right.

Oh Lord my God, I bless Your name. Please let the first words to escape my lips each morning and the cry of my last breath be of blessing You. Whatever else is learned by the children You've entrusted to my teaching, may they know to bless Your name without fail.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Praying for a Miracle

"There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle."
~ Albert Einstein

Praying for a Miracle

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son... 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 14:13; 15:7 (NKJV)

"... because your heart was tender ... and you humbled yourself before Me ... I also have heard you," says the LORD.
~ 2 Chronicles 34:27 (NKJV)

Webster's defines a miracle as "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs."

Miracles are everywhere. Some of the best fun in life is glimpsing God perform them. I like to pray in such a way that the Lord is most likely to work a miracle. I don't believe our Lord is manipulated, nor that He acts according to ritual or formula. But He does act according to certain principles. Among them are His will, the Father's glory, and the condition of our hearts.

When praying, a primary consideration is what the Bible reveals about God's nature, and to what request He is most likely to say 'yes' because it is consistent with His character—that is, consistent with His name. To pray "in His name" is not to tack those words to the end of prayer, but to consider how prayer might honor His name and will.

Jesus' will is to glorify His Father. Another consideration for prayer is how a request might be presented so that the answer will be attributed directly to God, and He might be thanked. When Jesus performed miracles, people recognized healing as a gift from divinity and frequently responded with worship. When prayers are so generic that we're unlikely to attribute an answer to the Lord, how likely are we to give thanks? When prayer is specific, the answer is more easily recognized as "divine intervention in human affairs"—and more likely to result in worship.

One cliché says, "Good morning, this is God—I do not need your help today." Phooey on that! The Father delights to include us in His work! Loving service and obedience cooperate with Him. So does no more than our willingness to humbly and persistently engage Him in prayer. As Tom Wright says, "I pray because God always intended to bring humans in on the act without letting them get proud in the process."

Fellowship with divinity is one reason I'm hooked on prayer. Witnessing miracles is another.

Are there any miracles you'd like to see in your life?

Lord Jesus, please draw us to abide in You that our hearts might know the Father through Your Word. Holy Spirit, please help us to pray as we ought. Father God, please engage us in Your work, that we might bring You the glory of which You are so very worthy.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#prayer
Image source: sodahead.com

God of All Comfort

"God does not comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters."
~ J.H. Jewett

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
~ Romans 15:5-6 (NKJV)

[The] God of all comfort ... comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
~ 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)

We are instructed to glorify God. Indeed, the Westminster Catechism teaches that "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

We can do so by allowing our light to shine before men with good deeds. We also glorify God in extending comfort to those around us which reflects the God of All Comfort.

How do we share comfort unless we have intimately known the God of All Comfort? How do we intimately know His comfort unless we have suffered?

In great suffering is great comfort. The greater our suffering, the greater our opportunity to glorify God in it.

Father God, we are a people who have too often made our chief end to evade suffering. Please keep us mindful of our purpose to glorify You. Please extend to us the grace which embraces suffering and seeks out Your comfort. Please make us ready to extend comfort, and to rely on You to know how.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

The Sacrifice of Worship

"Worship changes people;
we become like whatever it is we worship."
~ Wes Harty

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me ...
I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
~ Psalms 27:5-6 (NKJV)

Therefore by [Jesus]
let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
~ Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)

Does Sunday morning ever arrive and find you not ready to worship? Whether busyness, contention with others, or cares of life weigh you down, do you ever feel you have nothing to offer God?

Then come before Him broken, frustrated, weak. If necessary, do all possible to make peace with any other Christian who is not at peace with you (Matthew 5:23-24).

Then offer worship and praise and joy as a true sacrifice. Let your soul say, "My heart hurts, my mind is distracted, my body is weary—yet I choose to worship my God through it all because He is worthy of it. I offer sacrifice of myself."

Such sacrifice is a pleasing aroma to Him (Ephesians 5:2).

And it may be offered any day or time of the week.

Almighty God, You are worthy of our most humble worship and most exuberant praise. Please enable us through Your Spirit to accept Your gifts of faith, hope, love, joy, peace when our hearts and minds and bodies need them most, so that we may bless You with an offering of ourselves.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

I Love You

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
~ Lamentations 3:24-25 (NKJV)

Blessed be the God ... of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble ... For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)

Just twice in my life do I remember the Lord speaking to me in advance of something He was about to do—both times before incidents of unspeakable stress.

Some months ago He spoke of doing a work of healing for which I'd long asked. I rejoiced in the message. I rejoiced when I thought I saw signs of healing. Then the Lord got down to the real healing business, reopening old wounds to clean them out. The raw pain has left me reeling, even as the start of healing becomes evident.

The Lord knows well that healing may involve pain. I receive the gift from His scarred hand. As sufferings abound, consolation in Christ abounds more. In the pain I feel Him say, "I love you."

His immense grace compels me to praise Him, both in tribulation and sufferings, in His consolation and comfort.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord ...
Blessed be Your glorious name!
You give and take away ...
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name. *

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head;
and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
And he said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD."
~ Job 1:20-21 (NKJV)

The power of praise might feel strongest on Sunday morning when it is expressed in the exuberance of skilled musicians and volume of congregation which uplift the glorious name of our God.

Praise approaches its zenith of power when we look beyond blessing to bless the Blessor—and when darkness closes in yet we choose to exalt the Light. Greatest opportunity to praise God comes when it will cost us most.

We magnify God by proving that both the blessing and affliction which might otherwise justify distraction cannot wipe from our lips the words, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Beloved Lord, You lead faithfully both through the land that is plentiful and on the road marked with suffering. If your maidservant has found favor in Your sight, please permit me the privilege of spending the last breath You lend to bless Your glorious name.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved. * Lyrics of "Blessed be Your Name" by Matt Redman, Beth Redman, ©2002 Thank You Music (PRS)

You May Prophesy

O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded;
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed...
His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not...
The LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
~ Jeremiah 20:7,9,11 (NKJV)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy... he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
~ 1 Corinthians 14:1,3 (NKJV)

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.
~ Romans 12:6 (NKJV)

Each person sanctified by the blood of Christ is equipped by His Spirit with different spiritual gifts. Though we likely manifest strength in a particular gift, every Christian should exercise all spiritual gifts. Even tongues has been described as taking the time to understand an individual’s love language and then communicating accordingly.

Prophecy is first among spiritual gifts, especially needed in these last days, and frequently misunderstood as merely seeing the future. Prophecy is discerning what God sees—by the revelation of His Spirit—and proclaiming it to someone else. It is far more about what is than about what shall be.

If you are Christ’s, you take the Lord’s presence everywhere you go. You may minister mercy. You may teach. You may prophesy and speak a word on God’s behalf. You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you for every situation, that the Father may be glorified.

And if the Lord has indeed given you the gift of prophecy, you will surely know a time when you wish to hold it back. Pray to speak no more and no less than His word.

Mighty Awesome One, we bless You for all Your good gifts. Your Scripture is the purest Word we may speak. Induce us to prepare ourselves with Your Word, that we would both mightily wield the Sword of the Spirit, and accurately speak other words on Your behalf, wherever and whenever You wish to use us.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Unrighteous Mammon

"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home... Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
~ Luke 16:9,11 (NKJV)

All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own ... "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness." ... Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:23-24,26,31 (NKJV)

Life on earth is a test of heaven's citizens. Will I choose to look at God with my heart when the world fills my eyes? Will I listen to the Spirit or Self to find satisfaction? Do I serve God or Mammon, god of materialism, when entrusted with the unrighteous mammon of this foreign land?

I long for heaven's purity when Creator and created ones are united without such distractions.

Last night we worshiped the Lord in Spirit and Truth with abandon. People of my church used music of this world and our flesh and even the devil (one actor's dubious distinction) as we danced and ran and clapped and spoke our parts. In just a few moments I'll again be at church, to sing with my mouth of flesh, pray and listen amid the devil's distractions, and offer unrighteous mammon of this world in the plate.

The Lord entrusts me with unrighteous mammon to be used by flesh in a world of sin. By His Spirit I find a way to use it for the glory of God and make friends for Him with whom I'll live in an everlasting home upon the final failure of my flesh.

Lord, God of the angel-armies, who is mighty like You, O Yah? From every angle we see Your faithfulness. All You create is good—so very good. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who sanctifies all He touches and creates a new heart in Your people of flesh, that we might have the privilege to worship and love and serve You.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Thine is the Glory

(Note: A week of posts on my personal use of the Lord's Prayer as a prayer outline concludes today.)

For Thine is the kingdom,
And Thine is the power,
And Thine is the glory,
Now and forever.
Amen.
~ Matthew 6:13 (author)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things,
to whom be glory forever. Amen.
~ Romans 11:33,36 (NKJV, emphasis author's)

"The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
~ Westminister Shorter Catechism

For Thine is The Kingdom
We have no other Sovereign. YHWH is Creator, Owner, Ruler, Rabbi, Purchaser, King, and Lord. He has dominion over every aspect of our lives.

And Thine is The Power
All power in the heavens and the earth and under the earth is of His hand; all power touching our lives does so only through His permission; all power entrusted to us, to be exercised in thought, feeling, word and action is testimony to God's name, for reproach or for glory.

And Thine is The Glory
If we have favor in His sight, may the Lord grant to us this highest privilege, greatest pleasure, and deepest passion: that we bring glory to Him; and may He shape us as approachable, interesting, effective, and modest ambassadors, that all glory is His alone.

Now and Forever
May any glory we are empowered to bring God be manifest now and endure into an eternal kingdom.

Amen
So be it!

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

His Holy Name

For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
You who love the LORD, hate evil! ...
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
~ Psalms 97:9-12 (NKJV)

[Satan said to the LORD,] "Stretch out Your hand and touch all that [Job] has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" ... And [Job] said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."
~ Job 1:11,21 (NKJV)

I will bless YHWH at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in YHWH;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify YHWH with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
~ Psalms 34:1-3 (author)

No matter how many times I hear "Oh my God!" I don't get used to hearing the Lord spoken of as an exclamation which pays Him no heed. Even substitutes such as "oh my gosh" or "Jeez" (for Jesus) make me wince.

I've been guilty of having a potty mouth and have no room to condemn anyone. But I now desire to bless His name at all times. My Lord's given me great love for His name and the hunger to have His praise continually in my mouth, boasting of Him before others that they might likewise exalt His holy name.

In the story of Job, Satan's ultimate goal was that Job curse God. It had been said of Job that he made offerings on behalf of his children, lest they had even cursed God IN THEIR HEARTS. Job rebuked his wife's suggestion to "Curse God and die!" so he could be put out of his intense misery.

The greater misery would be the inability to bless the Lord in all circumstances.

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melach ha Olam! Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe! May we bless Your name when You give and when You take away. May we bless You when we rise and when we sleep and every moment in between. With the last breath You lend us, may we bless Your holy name!

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

My People

"I am the LORD. If you ... keep My commandments, and perform them ... I will give peace in the land ... I will look on you favorably ... I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.... But if you do not obey Me ... but break My covenant ... I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart ... I will punish you seven times more for your sins.... And those of you who are left ... they shall waste away. But if they confess their iniquity and ... are humbled ... then I will remember My covenant ... I will not cast them away ... for I am the LORD their God."
~ Leviticus 26 (NKJV)

"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
~ Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)

Isn't one of the deepest desires of the human heart the desire to belong? To feel included in whatever group of people one becomes part of? There is no greater treasure than to be included in the group of people the King of the universe calls "My people."

Our God is stubborn in the very best sense. When blessing fails to win the hearts of the people He has purchased, He will allow them to receive the fruit of their choices, until they come to a place of such despair they might become willing to return to Him. He does not give up on His people.

To belong to God means submission and obedience to Him—a prospect some find distasteful. Incredible! How could anyone not delight to belong to the good God who loves and blesses as ours does?

What a privilege to attend church and worship our Creator as part of those God calls "My people."

Lord God, You are worthy of our very best. As You are worshiped across the globe this Sunday, please put in our hearts the ability to give back to You the thanks and praise due to Your holy name.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

No Whining

The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into ... the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
~ Acts 16:22-25 (NKJV)

"The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD."
~ Job 1:21 (NKJV)

Our loudest testimony is not on Sunday morning when we praise the Lord, surrounded by smiling Christians. Our loudest testimony is how we behave under pressure, surrounded by people and circumstances which beat us up.

For Paul and Silas, the inner prison didn't have the first century equivalent of cable TV and three square (or now, pyramid) meals. Feet in "stocks" isn't a typo for "socks," provided for a dank dungeon. "Stripes" describes bleeding welts ripe for infection, not a style of prison garb.

The response of Paul and Silas? No whining, just praying and songs of praise. And the other prisoners were listening.

Is our testimony under far less trying circumstances "no whining"? Do we respond to pain with groans or praise? Do we bless the Lord as loudly when He has taken away as when He gave?

The world's other prisoners are watching and listening to us.

Blessed Lord, You are only good and work only good in the lives of those who love You. Please increase our faith to see Your goodness and sustenance in every circumstance. To those going through difficult times right now—financially, physically, or emotionally—please grant confidence in Your purposes and plans.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Necessity is Laid Upon Me

"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
~ Acts 4:20 (NKJV)

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
~ 1 Corinthians 9:16 (NKJV)

Let everything that has breath praise YHWH.
Hallelu Yah!
~ Psalms 150:6 (author)

I thank every one of you who reads this, because through you God is fulfilling the desire of my heart. What His Spirit puts in me cannot be contained there. I cannot but speak about my God. Indeed, necessity is laid upon me to share Him everywhere, and to be grateful for all who hear.

There was a time when I was criticized as way too showy about my faith. Sundays were a bittersweet time. Praise time was always conducted with upmost decorum rather than the exuberance in my soul. I entered church hoping for an opportunity to share the Lord, rejoiced if I received such an opportunity, and then weathered disdain for being so vocal.

The Lord has brought me to a church with an enthusiastic music pastor, praise orchestra and choir. My drama team director encourages me to be "over the top" in every performance which gives testimony to my Lord. And I am blessed with this blog, an unedited forum to declare Him.

Thank you for the moments of your day you give to consider the wonders of our God.

Oh my Lord, I can hardly bear the love You've put in me for You. You are exceedingly more glorious than the creation presented as Your gift. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant. Please cause this blog to be seen by whomever You will, richly bless each of them, and speak to their hearts through me.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Fruit of the Lips

"I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,"
Says the LORD, "And I will heal him."
But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
"There is no peace,"
Says my God, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 57:19-21 (NKJV)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. ~ Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

"Thus says the LORD:
'Again there shall be heard in this place ...
the voice of joy and the voice of gladness ...
the voice of those who will say:
"Praise the LORD of hosts,
For the LORD is good,
For His mercy endures forever" —
and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise
into the house of the LORD.' "
Jeremiah 33:10-11 (NKJV)

Fruit is produced by a seed which is planted in good soil, watered and tended, and patiently waited upon until the day its new life manifests sweetness and new seed. The Word of God is a seed planted in our hearts, watered and tended by the Holy Spirit that it might produce the sacrifice of praise born of perfect peace—the fruit of the lips.

Popular lyrics proclaim, "Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful ... blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering.* " Amid plenty the sacrifice is giving pause from blessing to praise the Lord who gave it. Amid suffering the sacrifice is giving no place to pain which restrains praise.

The heart right with God produces peace and praise regardless of circumstances. The wicked heart knows neither rest nor peace and withholds praise—regardless of circumstances.

Lord God, You know all is not well in our lives. But Your Son's blood has reconciled us to You, Your Spirit lives within us, and all is well with our souls. You are indeed good. You are the Author of perfect peace. Produce in us the fruit of the lips which blesses and praises Your name.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

* Lyrics of Blessed be Your Name by Beth Redman and Matt Redman, © 2002 ThankYou Music

Lift Up Your Hands

O YHWH, You are my God.
I will exalt You,
I will with uplifted hands praise Your name,
For You have accomplished wonders,
Things prescribed from afar,
Trustworthiness, constancy.
Isaiah 25:1 (author)

A Song of Ascents.
Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
The LORD who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
Psalm 134 (NKJV)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10 (NKJV)

Numerous Hebrew words are translated praise. Isaiah 25:1 uses the word yadah, derived from the word yad, "hand." More than once, Scripture exhorts us to lift up our hands in praise. The word for exalt, rum, literally means to lift or raise up.

It is a curious concept to think of lifting up God, who is already exalted to the highest place. How does one glorify Him who is already perfect in glory? Yet in our praise and uplifted hands, we indeed lift up God before witnesses of heaven and earth. We magnify His glory. He is enthroned in our praise.

And in a wonderful twist, the Lord delights to look upon the humble and lift them up. In Jesus we find the perfect example of One who became humble that He might be raised from the dead to the highest place. By setting aside the pride that can only bring us down, we are raised to life—and lifted up.

Almighty God, You are worthy of our most excellent praise, given with ALL our heart, mind, soul and strength. However else we falter, may we never fail to exalt and bless Your glorious name. Our pride-filled hearts are utterly undeserving of Your notice. Please humble us gently, that You might indeed lift us up.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

The Hour is Late

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. Now the next day ... Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. (Mark 11:11-12;15-16 NKJV)

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise ... but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise ... both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore ... what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness ...?
(2 Peter 3:9-12 NKJV)

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed ...
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
(Psalms 46:1-2,10 NKJV)

It is often perceived that Jesus rode into Jerusalem and immediately lost His temper over the nonsense at the temple. He actually slept overnight on what He'd seen there before patiently returning to clean house. Perhaps He gave the money changers and sellers a last chance to repent once they realized the King was on the premises.

The King has left the premises, but He promised to come back. He is giving everyone a chance to repent in the meantime. Some need to repent of rebellion, ask forgiveness, and receive salvation. Some of us need to repent of being lukewarm Christians. Some of us need to repent for doubt which delays obedience.

And all of us can continually ask the question, "What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" What is Jesus waiting for us to do?

The hour is late. When the King returns, will He find me doing what exalts Him as God?

Father in heaven, thank You for looking at me with love and not condemnation. I do not wish to disappoint You. Please make my heart to be still and know Your voice, to embrace what You ask of me, and to do it without delay. Please make all Your people ready for Your Son's return.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy