Winning at Monopoly

monopoly (mə•nop'ə•lē) noun 1. the exclusive possession or control of the means to produce or supply of a commodity or service … 4. exclusive possession or control

For an eight-year-old playing a board game, Monopoly is defined by pewter tokens, an extra turn on doubles, and acquiring matching colored cards. Getting ahead comes by bold use of assets, and "share the wealth" means you pay me to come on my property. The satisfaction of winning comes when I prevail over everything that others once owned and build up a monopoly.

At least that's how I describe it to my eight-year-old. The only version he knows is Bibleopoly. He still gets extra turns on doubles and acquires those matching colored cards, but "share the wealth" means I'm offering what I have so we can both build churches. You can get ahead by reciting John 3:16 or naming 15 out of 24 Bible cities. Satisfaction comes in choosing the space to which you send another player, with an opportunity to take away or give.

So the child of a thousand questions and I roll dice and talk about absolute control, and about the One with exclusive possession and control of everything. And we realize that sovereign and omnipotent God is both a monopoly and the opposite of a monopoly. Our Lord is securely in control, yet also releases control to us in liberal provision of both free will and free access to His power—a downright dangerous combination when you really think about it.

"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.' "
~ Luke 15:31, Parable of the Prodigal Son (NKJV)

The prodigal son's father no doubt knew the character of his impudent son when handing over the inheritance. However disappointed the father, it surely came as no surprise that his younger son quickly made off with his newfound fortune and soon lost it. Shouldn't a good father have acted more sensibly?

And yet our good Father has a liberal hand with His careless children.

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
~ John 1:16 (NKJV)

To be sure, access to unlimited power doesn't equal use of unlimited power any more than an electrical outlet enables use of the entire power grid. I can connect to the entire source of electricity, but I'm enabled to handle only as much as my electrical lines can transmit and my electrical gadget can translate.

God's Holy Spirit does not enable anything or everything we ask. The Holy Spirit always acts in accordance with God's will, and He operates more fully and freely in the soul more fully and freely given over to Him rather than the soul filled with self-will. But our Lord does bestow spiritual gifts—valuable gifts with spiritual power of their own—to sons and daughters who don't always use them wisely.

"… for God does not give the Spirit by measure."
~ John 3:34 (NKJV)

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
~ Romans 11:29 (NKJV)

However we might misuse or bury our spiritual gifts, our Father doesn't take them back. Whatever childish way we ask to use either spiritual gifts or temporal gifts, our Father doesn't cut off our access to the power He shares with us.

By His grace, and patience, and the ministry of His Holy Spirit, God brings us to the place where we utilize His power not only to prevail over demonic serpents (toward the day of a spiritual monopoly), but also in building the Kingdom we are destined to inherit.

"I have given you power to tread serpents and scorpions underfoot, and to trample on all the power of the Enemy; and in no case shall anything do you harm. Nevertheless rejoice not at this, that the spirits submit to you; but rejoice that your names are registered in Heaven."
~ Luke 10:19-20 (WNT)

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.

What is the Holy Spirit

What does "filled with the Spirit" mean?

How do I get the Holy Spirit?

Just who is the Holy Spirit?

The words for "spirit" in both Old Testament Hebrew (rûach) and New Testament Greek (pneúma) mean "breath" (or sometimes "wind"). So a description of the Holy Spirit (or "Holy Ghost") begins by calling Him the "Breath of God." God's breath contains and conveys the very life and light and Person of God.

But God's Spirit is more than part of God's Person; the Holy Spirit is also His own Person, with His own unique personality, separate from God the Father or God the Son (Jesus Christ). The Holy Spirit is also called the "Spirit of Wisdom" (Isaiah 11:2, Ephesians 1:17-18), and He appears to be one and the same with God's Wisdom as personified in the book of Proverbs (compare Genesis 1:2 and Proverbs 8:25-31). And God's Wisdom is absolutely distinct from the "wisdom" generally recognized by the world (1 Corinthians 1:20-21 & 3:19).

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence …
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength."
~ Proverbs 8:12,14 (NKJV)

When God expresses Himself, His purposes, and His glory (light), it might be compared to a movie. God the Father is Producer and Author. Jesus is onscreen as the visible and vocal representation of all the Father wishes to make known. The Holy Spirit might be likened to the director and those hundreds of behind-the-scenes roles—roles seen only in the credits, but without whom nothing significant would be accomplished.

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. / … / 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 being.
~ Genesis 1:2 / 2:7 (NKJV)

The Spirit of God was known and recognized before the time of Jesus. (He is mentioned in the Old Testament about a hundred times, including the phrase "Holy Spirit" three times—Psalm 51:11, Isaiah 63:10-11.) Introduced in the second verse of the Bible, the breath (Spirit) of God imparts physical life to humans in a manner that sets us apart from animals (Isaiah 31:3). God's Spirit goes on to interact with humans on God's behalf throughout the Old Testament, often coming "upon" a person, occasionally being "in" a person, and in at least two instances the Holy Spirit "filled" people (Joshua and the tabernacle artisans).

The change found in the New Testament is that instead of His Holy Spirit being given by God to selective people or on specific occasions, God now gives the Holy Spirit to all people who have put faith in Jesus and made Him the Lord of their lives. (See "What is Born Again.") While the most visible and extraordinary display of the Holy Spirit was on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Jesus also gave His Spirit to His disciples in person:

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)

When the New Testament mentions the Holy Spirit (about 250 times), it speaks of Him in terms such as wind (John 3:8, Acts 2:1-2), water (John 4:13-14 & 7:37-39), or fire (Luke 3:16, Acts 2:3). In nature, these elements have no specific shape, but take on the shape of the place they fill, each one moving as if with a life of its own. So it is with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is also called an anointing (as with oil—Matthew 25:3-4, 1 John 2:20), because He must be given from above, not called down from below. Whether He brings inspiration (like air), cleansing and revival (like water), purging (like fire), or healing (like oil), the Holy Spirit brings God's breath and life into the places given to Him.

"Being filled with the Spirit is not us getting more of God, but God getting more of us."
~ Dean Stewart

If we continue to use the above movie analogy (albeit imperfectly), then the role of the Holy Spirit has not changed. Jesus has exited the scene. His people have entered the stage, and we are now the expression of God, His glory (light), and His purposes. The Holy Spirit still directs, counsels, clothes, equips, and empowers us—from the inside, unseen except in the spiritual fruit we produce.

A final important note: the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are very distinct. The fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24) is evidence of His saving presence in a believer's life, and is distinct from the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11), each of which is given to individuals differently—no specific gift being proof of salvation.

Proverbs 8
(4) "To you, O men, I call …
(6) Listen, for I will speak of excellent things …
(12) "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence …
(14) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.…
(22) "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way …
(30) I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
(31) Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.
(35) … whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD;
(36) But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death."

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 Four: Spiritual Tightrope

John 13 introduces the commandment from Jesus to love one another as He loves us—an impossibility. John 14 then introduces us to the Holy Spirit, with whom we are able to do the impossible.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever."
~ John 14:16 (NIV)

The tightrope we face is to be aware of the strength (of Spirit) dwelling within us, to do the impossible, while remaining aware of the weakness (of flesh) dwelling within us, to keep us dependent. As soon as we become aware of the strength operating through us and think it comes from us, we start to slip.

A tightrope walker cannot afford to be distracted, by either a huge cheering crowd or a tiny mosquito. We must likewise allow no distraction which takes our eyes off the Source of our strength, whether exultation or annoyance.

Our strength lies in remaining so aware of our weakness that we cultivate utter dependence on God.

Lord Jesus, thank You for sending Your Spirit. Thank You for making His home in our redeemed mortal flesh. Please help us overcome any hesitation or distraction which hinders Your Spirit's work thorough us and in us—to the glory of the Father.

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.

Anointed and Empowered

"Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man's character,
give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln

Anointed and Empowered

Isaiah 61 prophesies of the Messiah and describes the ministry for which His Father anointed and empowered Him.

If you'll read it carefully, I do not think you'll find anything here that does not describe the ministry for which we are also anointed and empowered with the Spirit of the Lord.

Father in Heaven, thank You for the anointing with Your Spirit. Thank You for the power entrusted to us. Please quicken our own spirits and strengthen our souls to understand and to do all You will through us.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image from oneyearbibleblog.com

Twelve Days of Christ

"Whoever survives a test, whatever it may be,

must tell the story. That is his duty."
~ Elie Wiesel

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
~ Psalms 119:1-2 (NKJV)

Thus begins Psalm 119, which goes on for 176 verses and 22 stanzas (one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet), to extol God's Word.

Except for Fridays, I write here each day on a verse or so from the day's passage of Scripture. For the last few weeks I've puzzled how I'd single just one or two verses from this majestic psalm, just as I wondered how I'd single out just one point today as part of the Blog Carnival hostessed by Bridget Chumbley on "Church."

The Church is a source of great joy in my life, and great sorrow. I'm thrilled to be meeting more people in Christ's body than ever before, with whom I shall spend eternity. I sorrow because I'm connecting with them just enough to know who they are, but there's too few hours in the day to spend the time and share the love I wish to give each one.

*heavy sigh*

My solution for both Psalm 119 and writing on the topic of The Church is called "The Twelve Days of Christ." For twelve days over the next two weeks, until the next carnival, I'm doing a post for each of the twelve Hebrew words for God's Word in Psalm 119, and connecting to each one something different about The Church.

Today's introduction is simply Who, What, and Where The Church is.

WHO

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
~ Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

The Church is all those who belong to Christ, who have received eternal life in His blood, who confess Him as Lord and believe He is God made man, raised alive from the dead.

The Church is all those connected by Christ's blood as brothers and sisters, His family.

The Church is one, regardless of denominational lines, race, or nation.

WHAT

"By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
~ Matthew 18:16 (NKJV)

The Church is one of three witnesses Christ left behind on His behalf when He returned to Heaven: His Word, His Spirit, His people. Every matter of faith is to be established by two witnesses—three to eliminate any doubt.

The Church is a reliable witness, regardless of human fallibility. The Word, by itself, can be misunderstood. The voice of the Spirit can be difficult to discern. Jesus knew we truly need all three.

WHERE

"You are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
~ Matthew 5:14,16 (NKJV)

Like terrorists who infiltrate our country so they can reach us anywhere, The Church is to be everywhere, infiltrating every part of the world. Unlike the terrorists, we are to be known and visible, our love, light, and life sharply contrasting the hatred, darkness and death of the world.

It is not merely a duty, but a privilege to keep His testimonies.

Father, thank You for making us those who are undefiled, through Your Son's precious blood. You call us to testimony, and give us power to meet it. Please show us how You'd use each of us to testify to who, what and where You are, and fill us with the desire to whole-heartedly seek You so we will do so.

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.
#churchunity

Filled with the Spirit

"Though every believer has the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Spirit does not have every believer."
~ A.W. Tozer

Filled with the Spirit
#discipleship

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Take the rod ... Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock."
~ Numbers 20:7-8 (NKJV)

All our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV)

I use commentaries sparingly, to avoid reliance upon them. But sometimes a commentary nicely affirms or clarifies what I've discerned. On this passage from Numbers 20, I share the following from William MacDonald:

Once before ... the Lord told Moses to strike the rock... The rock smitten in Exodus 17 was a type of Christ, stricken at Calvary. But Christ was only to be struck once. After His death, the Holy Spirit would be given, of which the water is a type.

The Old Testament records two occasions of water given from a rock through Moses, and the New Testament also records two occasions of the Holy Spirit being given. When Jesus appeared to His disciples on the evening of His resurrection—just after being "stricken at Calvary"—He greeted them, then immediately breathed upon them and they received His Holy Spirit (John 20:22). On the day of Pentecost, after His disciples spent ten days speaking to the Lord in prayer, a mighty wind rushed upon His disciples and filled them with the Holy Spirit in power.

To belong to Christ because of His shed blood is to become an heir of eternal life and be sealed with His Holy Spirit. (Think of how much residual air remains in the lungs after exhaling.) But to be a follower of Jesus and abide in relationship with Him—through the Bible, prayer, and His people—results in being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Think of anywhere between drawing a normal breath, and breathing as deeply as possible.)

There is a vast difference between having enough of the Holy Spirit to obediently remain in a hidden upper room praying, and being so full of the Holy Spirit that the world cannot help but take notice and be turned on its head.

Lord Jesus our Rock, You alone provide infallible support and power. Thank You for the assurance of salvation and the certainty of Your Word. Thank You for the eternal life given by the breath of Your Spirit. Please draw us to abide in You and be filled with Your Holy Spirit.

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.
Commentary text quoted from **Believer's Bible Commentary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, © 1995 William MacDonald
Photo from radiantlight.co.uk.

Friday Freelance: FEIGNED

"It ain’t no disgrace for a man to fall, but to lie there and grunt is."
~ Josh Billings

Friday Freelance: FEIGNED
#encouragement

I've got this theme for Fridays—one word titles beginning with the letter 'f'. I usually know what I want to write and figure out what 'f' word dovetails into the theme. This time, the Lord gave me the word first: Feigned.

I didn't want to do a word that means false. If you want to rile me, misrepresent the truth. But that 'f' word kept coming to mind over the last few days when I asked the Lord what to write about this Friday.

Okay. I'll work with it.

A number of people have suggested I make blog posts more personal, because they're more interesting and more applicable that way. So I've been trying that. After recently talking about myself for several posts, though, I feel a little disgusted. Partly because this blog is supposed to be about building up you—Christ's body—not me. Partly because I want to put attention on Jesus, not me. Partly because I want to talk about things good and pleasant, not me.

Now please don't start thinking about all the nice things you're going to put in the comments. I appreciate that a number of people think well of me, even though I have yet to figure out how to handle compliments graciously. That's not what this is about.

Today's post is about the fact that I don't want to continually drag readers through the grime of my life. Yet if you don't know the grime is there, then all of this really does feel feigned.

I love the Lord. I wish I spent more time with Him. I used to consistently spend a two or three hours every morning indulgently reading His Word and praying. I loved it. I want to get back to that place, instead of the less than an hour it's become. Because the more time I spend with the Lord, the more clearly I discern His voice, the more solidly I begin my day with dependence on Him, and the more powerfully I'm equipped with His Spirit for every aspect of life.

Yet I don't quite manage it anymore. When I do, distractions take over far too easily.

The results are more marital conflict. I'm less patient and attentive with my children. I minister to others with canned goods rather than fresh fruit more often than I want to. My words, my actions, and my initiatives have more of me mixed in and less of the Spirit. And my temper? I let myself get riled, and then I'm likely to be anything but gracious.

I still walk in the Spirit. I talk to God and rely on Him throughout the day. But like punching the gas pedal on 4 cylinders and expecting to accelerate smoothly onto the freeway with V-8 horses, I can feel the difference. I may even stall and falter if I push too hard.

I'm human. But I also dislike being in this place. And I wonder how much is lost to me, to you, to everyone else whose life I touch because I'm still learning to walk the walk that I talk. Like sand slipping through my fingers, each day slips into eternity minus what might have been.

This post feels like a bit of a downer to me. I apologize for that.

Whatever else my other posts have been, this one's anything but feigned.

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.

God Wants Your Body

"Don't be afraid to give up the good for the great."
~ Kenny Rogers

Therefore, I plead with all of you, brothers and sisters, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice—holy, well-pleasing to God—your logical service.
~ Romans 12:1 (author)

For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.
~ Galatians 5:17 (GNB)

Do you have any problems for which you'd like an answer? Marital struggles, conflict with anyone, financial stress, health issues? Perhaps you have a vision for which you'd like guidance.

God has the answer. And it's simple to obtain. Easy? No. Merely simple. Here's Step One. (Step Two is tomorrow.)

Paul in Romans 12:1 pleads, "Therefore—since we established in the last four verses the excellence of God's knowledge and wisdom—please, I'm begging you, serve as any rational person would: give God your body."

We say the Lord wants our hearts. Jesus said what's in the heart is expressed in the words and actions produced by the body. He asks us to give Him our bodies as a place for His Holy Spirit to reside, that He may produce the thoughts and feelings expressed in word and action.

The Holy Spirit fills as much space as Self has vacated. Self doesn't move out of the body unless it dies. We put Self to death by not feeding its desires, but by instead telling it, "No, you may not have what you want. The body is given to God, for whatever He wants."

[At the moment there's a plate of brownies in the other room calling my name. PERSISTENTLY. There's absolutely no condemnation from God if I eat one. But I've said, "Lord, I need Your help with what I'm writing here. I'm denying Self and asking for Your Holy Spirit to take its place, to empower what my body does right now."]

You may think that sacrifice isn't worth the return, that there must be an easier way, or that you won't like God's answers or method. The bad news is that you may not see the payoff or wisdom in the short term. But in the long term, I promise you will. 100% GUARANTEED.

I can make such a guarantee because the Holy Spirit blesses wherever He's given room.

Lord Jesus, You sacrificed all for us. It is completely reasonable for us to do likewise for You. Please give us the courage and strength to do so. As we do so day by day, may we see You more clearly, follow You more nearly, love You more dearly.

"God Wants Your Body" is the title of a message by Christian comedian and preacher Ken Davis on Romans 12:1. His materials are available at KenDavis.com.

Your 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.

Exhibit G: Conquerors

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
~ Romans 8:35,37 (NKJV)

"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. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
~ John 14:12-13 (NKJV)

Paul now brings forth testimony greater than Christ's—what Christ Himself calls "greater works."

When Jesus Christ walked the earth, He could be but one place at one time. But once He puts His Spirit in us, each CHRIST-ian is a little Christ—speaking His words which testify of the Father, showing His love, even working His miracles.

Meanwhile, back at the throne, Jesus is pulling for us with His Father. He is our Advocate for all we "ask in His name"—all that is consistent with Who He is, which glorifies the Father.

We are now conquerors, who glorify the Father with the victories He gives us. We overcome sin, despair, hatred. We stand down tribulation, distress, persecution. We do not fear famine, nakedness, peril, or sword. We do so in every corner of the globe, all compelling evidence of God—of God with us.

Do we always prevail? No. We are still being perfected, day by day, moment by moment. But we keep on asking for what Jesus wants, grounded in our love for Him. We ask for greater faith, greater hope, greater love. We become increasingly dependent on Him. And in such prayer:
WE
ARE
CONQUERORS!

Father in Heaven, we come before Your throne with Your Son's blessing. We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, and rely on Your Spirit to help in our weaknesses, to make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, according to Your will—all for Your glory.

"A faithful prayer in the hands of love
is the most powerful force on earth."
~ Doug Spurling

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

Exhibit F: Counselor

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
~ Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
~ John 14:26-27 (NIV)

Paul's next compelling evidence in the case for Christ is His Spirit. The proof of the Holy Spirit's presence is not supernatural manifestation which may be duplicated by the enemy, nor is it easily manufactured emotion.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is manifest by Jesus Christ in human flesh. It first occurred at Bethlehem, heralded by a star and song of angels. It occurs each time divine light shines into the world's darkness through us, when songs of praise pierce through our pain to display peace.

Jesus' words that He leaves His peace with us were spoken in the context of us receiving the Counselor, and thereby receiving His reminder of Christ's words in the needed hour. This is compelling proof of divinity's existence: when we face what the world gives with untroubled hearts and no fear, grounded in the Word of God.

It may be had for the asking, and is ours when we yield to the Spirit's leading.

Lord Jesus, You know well the tribulation the world gives. You know well the darkness and pain of this world. You know well the joy and love of the Father's presence for which we long. Please draw our hearts to yield to Your Spirit, minute by minute, that we might know Your peace as well as You know us.

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

True Worshipers

"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 4:23 (NKJV)

We worship God through his Spirit, and our pride is in Christ Jesus. We do not put trust in ourselves or anything we can do.
~ Philippians 3:3 (NCV)

My church has a skilled orchestra and outstanding choir, and they are directed by a gifted music pastor. Yet it's not "anything we can do" ourselves that makes our worship inviting to the Lord. Jesus said the Father is seeking true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth—which involves not outward performance, but the heart.

"Spirit and truth" can be applied a number of ways. Related to worship, I think of "spirit" as being led by the Holy Spirit to worship in a manner which exalts the Lord before pleasing ourselves; I think of "truth" as knowing God well enough (through Scripture) to worship a true picture of Who He is, and not an image we've ourselves created.

Today I rejoice to be a part of worship ministries which strive for excellence because our God deserves our best. I rejoice more that our leaders are devoted to God and direct worship with spirit and truth.

I rejoice most of all because I am privileged to know the Almighty, and take pride in Christ Jesus—by Whose blood I have access to the Father that I may worship Him.

Our Father in Heaven, thank You for Your great love, which reveals Yourself to us. Thank You for the ability to worship You in song and voice, in life and testimony. Thank You for being worthy of all we are, all we have, and all we do being laid at Your feet.

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

Qadosh / Holy One

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

Qadosh / Holy One
(pronounced: "kah-DOSH" [long "o"])



"To whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One...
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, YHWH,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on YHWH
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
~ Isaiah 40:25,28-31 (author)

The Hebrew qadosh means set apart, sanctified, consecrated. It is applied to an object which is separated from all which is ordinary and common, to be used for that which is sacred.

When applied to God, it sets Him apart from all else. If creation had continued in a state of sinless perfection, God will still reign far above it. In its fallen condition, creation must be separated from the God Who stands apart as sinless and perfect, holy and good.

The perfection of the Holy One leaves no room for sin or evil. It is said that when Jesus was tempted by the devil, it did not prove that He would not sin but that He could not sin. The goodness of God is pure and absolute and above question.

When we glimpse God’s throne in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8, the angels exalt God not for His love or mercy, but simply declare He is holy. They are in the position to see the separation of His throne in the highest heaven from the heavens and earth visible to mankind.

Because He is absolute in His perfection and pureness and goodness, the Holy One is able to give to us all we lack in our sinful and therefore weak condition. He is able to give understanding and power and strength.

Every emptiness in the human soul is a God-shaped void. Because He is holy, the Lord puts in us all we lack. To “wait upon” (Hebrew qavah) Him is literally to be bound up together with Him, with both hope and expectation, as we look eagerly for what He will do.

His promise is to satisfy every deep longing of the human heart, both now and in the age to come, in the highest heaven and to the ends of the earth.

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

Your Will Be Done

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
~ Luke 11:2 (NKJV)

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
~ Romans 12:4-5 (NKJV)

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
~ Luke 11:13 (NKJV)

Your Will be Done on Earth
Now that Jesus' blood has cleansed a place for His Holy Spirit to live, we are the means by which God's will is done on earth. Jesus could only be in one place at one time. We are His body—His eyes and ears, mouth and hands, arms and feet, etc—everywhere. We need only lay down will of Self and make room for the Spirit for which we ask. I ask the Father to give us His Spirit's ...
Love, to feel about others the way He does;
Understanding, to be able to think the way He does;
Wisdom, to have His perspective of situations;
Attentiveness, to not miss provided knowledge;
Discernment, between godless, goodly, and godly;
Purity, that my passions and desires are His own;
Humility, so I may serve with Jesus' personality;
Endurance, lest I quit when it gets difficult.

As It is in Heaven
If angels do the Father's will in heaven, their example is how it should be done on earth. They obey immediately, thoroughly, and with fullness of joy—singing as they go.

Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit—our Comforter, Counselor, Keeper—that we may do Your will on earth in the same manner it is done in heaven.

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

Greater Works

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken ... And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
~ Luke 5:8-11 (NKJV)

"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)

Simon Peter thought fishing and the power of God he saw in Jesus didn't belong together. (Had he been more religious Peter might have offered to build a big fishing business and finance the ministry.) But Jesus intended to use the power of God to accomplish greater works of fishing than Peter might have ever envisioned.

God puts in each human soul the gifts and passions which may find a degree of satisfaction in worldly pursuits. If religious, we'll try to use our gifts in God's service. If we are acknowledge our worthlessness and walk away from everything but Him, He is poised to empower us in ways we cannot begin to grasp.

I'm embarrassed at some of the ways I've tried to anticipate how the Lord could use me or my talents. Our God is utterly unpredictable and thoroughly capable. We need only walk with Him, and He will lead us to do "greater works" with everything He's put in us.

Almighty Creator, how fearfully and wonderfully You have made us! Loving Father, how much You long to satisfy our souls! Please draw us into greater dependence on You, so that with Jesus now our Advocate, You might use us to do greater works than even Jesus did—to magnify Your name, not ours.

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

Those Who Sail With You

"... indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you."
~ Acts 27:24 (NKJV)

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you."
~ 1 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV)

God's Holy Spirit carries us in our weakness. Although we do not know what to pray for according to our needs, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.... If God is for us, what can work against us? This God—who did not even keep back his own Son, but delivered Him to death on our behalf—will He not freely give us along with His Son every other good thing?
~ Romans 8:26,31-32 (author's paraphrase)

Consider those who "sail with you." Some are close family members. Some are members of Christ's family within your circle of life. Some are neighbors, those people who travel the path with you, perhaps cross your path—or maybe cross you.

Why has God brought them into your life? Do they minister to you? Do you minister to them? Are some anonymous faces or are they all precious souls made in the Creator's image? Whatever else their relationship to you, do you carry a burden of prayer for those who sail with you?

Many days I sorrow that I am not able to adequately minister to those who sail with me. (Tuesday was a particularly difficult one.) I am glad for days when God reminds me that He is God and I am not. I am inadequate to supply what only He can. But in His Spirit I am adequate to pray.

Father God, I deeply love the many who sail with me. Their griefs are too much for me to bear, too much for them to bear. Please cause us to fall upon You and allow You to carry us. Please use our burdens to draw us to prayer. Please teach us to pray in groanings when words fail us.

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

Bring It On

Therefore have I set my face like flint ...
He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?
Isaiah 50:7-9 (NIV)

A Psalm of David ...
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? ...
The LORD hears when I call to him.
Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Psalms 4:2-4 (ESV)

Anger itself is not a sinful emotion. God gets angry. Sin comes in the reason for our anger and the way we express our anger.

David is an example of a good excuse for anger. He yet spent many years of his life as an innocent fugitive, fleeing from unrighteous men rather than striking against them. Yet he exhorted, "Be angry, and do not sin." Like Isaiah, his confidence was that "He who vindicates me is near."

Sure, I can have a face like a flint—if I'm struck just so, the sparks fly. WRONG application! Oh for the ability to set one's face like a flint as Isaiah, unmoved in the face of the worst provocation! Oh for the ability to say, "Bring it on," because I am so strong in the Spirit that I will respond correctly.

Sovereign Lord, Your anger is as holy as You are. The wrath of man is so ugly and sinful, completely at odds with Your Spirit's work in us. Please help us yield to Your Spirit and respond to situations as Jesus would. Let anger motivate us without provoking us, because we are like Him.

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

Wings Like Eagles

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

So then, after the Lord [Jesus] had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ~ Mark 16:19 (NKJV)

When asked which animal I would be, I chose the eagle. I love heights, for straining toward the heavens above clouds seems to draw near to God. Twice, mountain peaks clothed in clouds and light actually looked to me like the throne room upon which I'll some day gaze continually.

Tommy Tenney likens waiting upon the Lord to a restaurant waiter of excellence who is content to simply stand by and watch for the slightest gesture of his patron, that he might rush to do his bidding, with no thought of either personal inconvenience or gain.

A good waiter might receive a generous tip from a benevolent patron of wealth. The Lord upon whom we wait rewards with strength, endurance and vigor to do all things—and with the ability to soar above the clouds near the presence of God, then plunge back to earth without fear.

Everlasting God who is with us always, however impatient we grow, remind us often that it is no burden to wait upon You and do Your every bidding. Let us not grow weary in well-doing amid people or tasks we find irritating or tiresome. Teach us how to depend fully upon You.

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

The Ability to Prophesy

"All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field...
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:6-8 (NKJV)

Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed [prophecies], but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages [tongues], but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used.
1 Corinthians 13:8 (GW, amplified)

Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy... the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding [edification], encouragement, and comfort. The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds the church up. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 (ISV, amplified)

The ability to prophesy is a gift of God. One example of its most basic use is to humbly pray, "Lord, please show me what to say to this person," to understand from the Holy Spirit the words needed, and to then speak in agreement with the Word of God. If there is a gift we "especially" need, it is the ability to communicate from the Word and Spirit of God and not from ourselves.

When all is fulfilled—in the day that we see face to face and know as we are known—prophecies and knowledge will no longer be used. In the meantime, neither has ceased, and both should be used with careful dependence on God—not to build up ourselves but to build up others in Christ.

Our Father, thank You for putting in us Your own Spirit. Thank You for enabling us for all You ask of us. Please give us the desire to increase in the knowledge of Your Word, and give us the ability to share Your mind and will with others as glorifies You and builds up Your church.

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

Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?

"Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, "The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." ' " ... Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.
Isaiah 36:13-15; 37:36 (NKJV)

And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
Genesis 18:13-14 (NKJV)

Elohim (God) created the universe, remodeled the earth with a flood, and confused the languages.

El Shaddai (God Almighty) gave aged Sarah Abraham's son, wrestled with Jacob, and elevated Joseph from lowest slave to highest ruler.

I AM appeared in pillar of cloud and flame, parted the Red Sea, and provided manna and water in the desert.

YHWH Sabaoth (the LORD of Hosts) stopped time for Joshua, sent Jonathan an earthquake, and felled Goliath before David.

Qadosh (The Holy One) sent fire from heaven for Elijah, slew the Assyrians for King Hezekiah, and raised the dead by Elisha's hand.

The Ancient of Days preserved Jonah in the fish, three Jewish boys in the fiery furnace, and Daniel in the lion's den.

Elyon (the Most High) came to earth as a helpless infant, healed the dead and dying, and stilled the raging storm.

Melech Kabod (King of Glory) submitted Himself to death, conquered the grave, and is seated in heaven.

El Olam (Everlasting God) thrice gave His people Jerusalem, still calls them His own, and is soon returning to His temple.

"Is anything too hard for the LORD?"

Most miraculous of all, Adonai (My Lord) wooed my hardened heart, came to live in it, and made me whole.

My Lord and my God, nothing is to hard for You. I praise You for Your mighty acts. I stand in humble thanks that so great a God should see fit to redeem a wretch such as me. Whatever else You desire to do in my life shall surely be as wonderful. You cannot ask too much of me.

"For with God nothing will be impossible." ~ The Angel Gabriel

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

Awesome God

And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts
Called for weeping and for mourning ...
But instead, joy and gladness ...
"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts,
"Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you,
Even to your death," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Isaiah 22:12-14 (NKJV)

"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men ... either in this age or in the age to come." ~ Matthew 12:31-32 (NKJV)

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ... It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:29,31 (NKJV)

Those holding power expect to be taken seriously. When a man is face to face with a judge who has found him guilty of murder and is about to pronounce sentence, it will not help to crack open a beer and pretzels in the courtroom and say, "if I'm going down, I'll go down partying."

The amazing grace and mercy of God are not without limit. The Lord did not appreciate ancient Israel flouting imminent punishment. Jesus clearly demonstrated the power and authority of God Himself and warned of no forgiveness for those who snubbed God's Spirit as satanic.

Before he was promoted to heaven, Rich Mullins sang thus of our Awesome God:
"When He rolls up His sleeves He ain't just 'puttin' on the Ritz' ...
There's thunder in his footsteps and lightning in His fists ...
And the Lord wasn't jokin' when He kicked 'em out of Eden,
It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood,
His return is very soon and so you'd better be believin' that
Our God is an Awesome God."

Jesus arrived on earth as a humble babe just over two thousand years ago. His next arrival will be in power.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

AWESOME GOD by Rich Mullins, from the album Winds of Heaven...Stuff of Earth / © 1988 BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP)

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