Sharing Rest with God

"Rest has cured more people than all the medicine in the world."
~ Harold J. Reilly

Sharing Rest with God

" '... the seventh [day] is the Sabbath of rest ... a sign between Me and [My people]; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.' "
~ Exodus 31:15-17 (NKJV)

"Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that ... [you] may be refreshed."
~ Exodus 23:12 (NKJV)

" 'Well done, good and faithful servant ... Enter into the joy of your lord.' "
~ Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)

How intriguing that on the seventh day of creation, the Lord "rested and was refreshed." The Hebrew word translated "refreshed" is naphash, and refers to breathing. Even in contemporary conversation, we recognize the need to put life on hold and "take time to breathe."

The idea is that we have worked with excellence for six days, and now take time to simply appreciate what we've accomplished with a satisfied sigh, just as God did. Even repetitive tasks without apparent achievement prove our faithfulness in building lives of value. Regardless of how content we are with ourselves, a day spent resting with Him offers opportunity to enter the joy of the Lord's satisfaction with His "good and faithful servant."

Surely even after six thousand years since creation, God continues to finds refreshment in the mutual satisfaction of shared rest.

Lord, thank You for creating the Sabbath for us. Please teach us to use it for its fullest blessing to You and to ourselves. Please help us connect with You in new ways.

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

Image source: counterlightsrantsandblather1

First Love

"We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past,
but by the love we're not extending in the present."
~ Marianne Williamson

First Love

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil... and you have persevered ... Nevertheless I have this against you,
that you have left your first love."
~ Revelation 2:2-4 (NKJV)

Love never fails.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NKJV)

First love is consuming. It takes over all thought, feeling, word, action.

First love is driven. It will go around or through and beyond any obstacle.

First love is empowering. There is nothing it will not do for its object.

First love is not extinguished by time, but by the indifference of familiarity and the distraction of intrusion. Jesus gave two instructions to those He admonished for loss of first love:
remember and repent.

Many churches celebrate the Lord's Table today. It is a time to examine how we might repent, and remember our Lord's love. It is a time to celebrate the commUnion we share with one another. It is a time to celebrate all that is to come.

Especially as we begin a new year, the Lord's Table is an opportunity to renew first love.

Lord Jesus, Your love for us has stopped at nothing on our behalf. You've given us Yourself, Your Spirit, Your Father. You desire only our fully-surrendered love. Please help us repent of all distraction. Please return our hearts to the highest place our love for You has ever been, and push it higher.

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.
Photo from flickr.com

By Day or By Night

"I do not know what the future holds,

but I know Who holds the future."
~ Unknown

By Day or By Night
#perspective

So it was always: the cloud covered [the tabernacle] by day, and the appearance of fire by night... Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year ... At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed.
~ Numbers 9:16,21-23 (NKJV)

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
~ Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

I've always enjoyed being spontaneous—as long as an idea sounds fun and I have a choice. I've otherwise planned ahead, with everything neatly in its own organized cubbyhole, necessary resources on hand for contingencies, and the calendar comfortably arranged.

Parenthood happened. I adjusted—mostly. Shortly thereafter I became involved in ministry, and learned how to flex for a slew of situations. Then my husband John (a police investigator) started working on-call hours, and in a moment's notice whatever semblance of order our household precariously maintains may be thrown out the window.

It took me a while, but I finally got it through my head that since God is Lord of my life, He's allowed to arrange my calendar and change my schedule. He may inconveniently disrupt long-planned vacations, important appointments, or simply thoughts of a nap.

The Lord has an exhaustive list of interruptions—among them sickness or injury, emergencies minor or major, relationship crisis—any of them my own or a third party's. Death seems to visit with unusual frequency, whether of family member, friend, or complete stranger who requires the police in attendance.

If I choose to see unwelcome circumstances as random fate, I will pout and be discouraged and maybe even rant a tantrum in my frustration. If I choose to see everything outside my free will to control as within God's predestined control, I can receive it as His plan to work good in my life.

Like the Israelites, I need only be attentive to His presence, ready to move when He says "Go!" and wait when He says "Stay."

Lord, thank You for always planning ahead, and always purposing good in Your perfect timing. Please help all of us to receive from Your hand whatever You give and whatever You take away, ready to bless Your name for it.

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.

Faithful Servant

"True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit.
It is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us."
~ Tryon Edwards

Faithful Servant

'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'
~ Luke 17:10 (NKJV)

'Well done, good and faithful servant ... Enter into the joy of your lord.'
~ Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

Here in a world tarnished by selfishness and suffering, it can be difficult to see good around us.

Here in our hearts scarred by failure, it can be difficult to see ourselves as profitable servants.

God loves us no less now than when we stand before Him fully perfected. He already sees His good and faithful servants as we will be in heaven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for already loving us with Your full capacity. Help us know and share Your love.

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.

Friends

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends."
~ Japanese Proverb

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (GW):
In my letter to you I told you not to associate with people who continue to commit sexual sins. I didn't tell you that you could not have any contact with unbelievers who commit sexual sins, are greedy, are dishonest, or worship false gods. If that were the case, you would have to leave this world. Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don't [have fellowship] with such people.

Perhaps it seems ironic, but Paul instructs that while we may associate with immoral unbelievers, we should not maintain friendships with those who identify themselves as Christians yet behave otherwise.

It's a matter of how much influence they're positioned to have in our lives.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

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

Restored Vessels

"For thus says the LORD of hosts ... concerning the remainder of the vessels that remain in this city ... 'They shall be carried to Babylon, and there they shall be until the day that I visit them,' says the LORD. 'Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.' "
~ Jeremiah 27:19,22 (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—
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)

The sacred vessels originally crafted for the Lord's service were defiled by idol worship, right in the Lord's temple. So the Lord did the unthinkable. He sent those set-apart-to-Him vessels into a pagan nation, until seventy years passed and the Lord restored them to His temple.

Don't we always hold just a little more dear those things once lost to us after they've been restored?

My friend Billy Coffey wrote yesterday of his come-to-Jesus moment. After a season in his life he thought excellent, Billy sunk to the place where he sought to destroy his own life. God spoke, and restored Billy's life to him through Jesus Christ—making his life far more precious than when he believed it happy.

Such is life for a vessel the Lord jealously wants for Himself—the scarred and defiled vessel He's been allowed to restore as purified and precious, now fit to hold the treasure of Himself. He'll do whatever it takes to create such a vessel.

When we are hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, we are also not crushed, not in despair, not forsaken—and never destroyed. In these hours we are being made fit to manifest the life of Jesus as restored vessels.

My Lord and my God, thank You for preserving the lives of those You've appointed to life. Thank You for the testimonies of those who hear Your voice in a critical moment. Thank You for the work You do in each of us to create a vessel worthy to manifest Divinity.

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

Choose Life

"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters."
~ Luke 11:23 (NKJV)

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
~ Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
~ Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)

Life and death.
Good and evil.
Wheat and tares.
Sheep and wolves.
Rock and sand.
Narrow gate and wide gate.
Light and darkness.
Blessing and cursing.

The Bible draws sharp distinctions. Its intolerance does not allow for a neutral position, shades of gray, or private religion. One must make an active choice to serve the Lord.

Jesus says you either choose to actively work at His side, or you're destroying His work. You're either for Jesus, or against Him. It's not a one time decision. It's a way of life.

If we do not choose life in every decision, the default position is death.

Light of the World, You stepped down into darkness and demonstrated without a doubt that we can choose life only by choosing You. Your goodness far exceeds all this world could offer. In moments when we turn toward the path You're not walking, please open our eyes to see Your way and give us the strength and desire to choose it.

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

Under His Wings

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD,
"He is my refuge ...
My God, in Him I will trust." ...
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge.
~ Psalms 91:1-2,4 (NKJV)

"I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
~ Ruth 3:9 (NKJV)

"I spread My wing over you ... Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine," says the Lord GOD.
~ Ezekiel 16:8 (NKJV)

Various accounts tell the story of a man who walks through the site of a recent fire and finds the remains of a charred bird, still fixed in a position with partially outstretched wings. The curious man prods the remains with his foot, and three live baby birds scamper out. The mother had instinctively gathered her own under her wings to protect them, even at the cost of her life.

The well-known image of a hen gathering chicks under her wing finds tender expression between man and wife, between God and His people. The psalmist knows that whatever threatens—danger, disease, death, despair—we have relationship with our God in which we find protection and provision when we abide close to Him, under His wings.

Never did a more clear picture exist of that protection and provision than when Jesus stretched out His arms upon a cross to shield us from the fire of hell, and to shield us from death by dying Himself.

Lord, thank You for including us in the people You call, "Mine." Thank You for the abundance and security we find in the bosom of Your Word and under the wings of Your Spirit. Thank You for the shelter of Your blood, under which death cannot touch us. Thank You for eternal life.

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

A Jealous God

"According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do.... You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God."
~ Leviticus 18:3-4 (NKJV)

"The LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
~ Deuteronomy 4:24 (NKJV)

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?
~ James 4:4 (NKJV)

Jesus calls His church His bride and Himself her Bridegroom. Throughout the Old Testament, God likewise calls Himself the Husband of His people. And like any husband, He is a jealous God, rightfully wrathful if the affection due to Him is given to anyone else.

When they were set free from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites were not to look to the people around them for how to live, nor to the people from their previous way of life. They were to look only to the Lord for direction in how to live every aspect of their lives.

There is still no aspect of our lives that the Lord does not care about. Though He looks at the condition of our hearts rather than our exterior appearance and works, exterior appearance and works are often an expression of what's in our hearts. Do they conform to the world or God's will and Word?

Beloved Bridegroom, You are jealous for us with an enduring love. You have given us everything and deserve all we have, all we do, all we have. Please open our eyes to the ways we give worship to the world around us rather than to You. Let us not give ourselves to another.

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

His Very Own

His Very Own

Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, "... You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting seven days, until the days of your consecration are fulfilled."
~ Leviticus 8:31-33 (WEB)

"Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also ..." Jacob agreed thus, and fulfilled Leah's bridal week.
~ Genesis 29:27-28 (author)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
~ 1 Peter 2:9 (ISV)

The custom of Bible times was to isolate a bride for seven days in her husband's bedchamber, set apart as his very own. The festivities of a week-long wedding feast surrounded those intimate first days of dedication to each other.

The seven days of consecration for the priests set apart to God mirrored the bridal week. It appears that the Lord directed the priests to be isolated in the tabernacle for a week to become intimately familiar with the holy things, and to know themselves set apart as His very own.

Those chosen to belong to Christ are His royal priesthood. We are a people likewise set apart as His very own, designed to know Him intimately. The church's title of bride is not metaphor but reality.

Beloved Bridegroom, You promised that You left us only to prepare a place for us. Our time of waiting grows long and we grow weary. Please strengthen us that we'd be found awake and waiting, with brightly lit lamps filled with the oil of Your Spirit.

[More on this tomorrow. Marriage Part III has been planned for weeks. I realized only today that the above passage "coincidentally" precedes it.]

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

Earthen Vessel

"The sin offering ... is most holy ... the earthen vessel in which it is boiled shall be broken."
~ Leviticus 6:25,28 (NKJV)

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

If I correctly remember the location, the archeological site of ancient Gibeon's place of sacrifice had thousands of shards of shattered pottery, clearly broken intentionally. They evidence compliance with the requirement that the earthen vessel used to cook the sin offering to be set apart for this single use, and then broken that it might never be used again for a lesser purpose.

The treasure of the Holy Spirit, who gives us the light of the knowledge of God, lives in the earthen vessel of the believer's body. Though made of the planet's dirt, we are set apart to Him, to be used for whatever holy purpose He ordains, and to be broken in the process.

When our hearts break with the realization of the deep pain and great cost our sin has caused our God, we become broken vessels. The light that then filters through the cracks is God Himself.

Most High God who loves us, please help us to understand the depth of Your grief for our sin. Please help us allow our hearts to be broken for sin when we see suffering in the world. Please let us appreciate the pain of brokenness and its purpose in our lives.

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

Sinning Willfully

And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. (Mark 15:17-19 NKJV)

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins ... How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean [not holy, common] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:26,29 NASB, amplified)

For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
(Psalms 55:12-13 ESV)

The Greek words for repentance occur some 60 times in the New Testament. Repentance is too directly tied to salvation to refute that the two are mutually dependent. Jesus goes so far as to say, "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3 NKJV)

Salvation is a free gift because its cost is so high we have no ability to purchase it, with good works or otherwise. Repentance is not a work by which one earns salvation, but the fruit which proves salvation.

If we claim we have received salvation from sin and sin's death penalty, we cannot sin willfully without mocking salvation, and the blood with which it was purchased. Such mockery is no different than those who put upon Jesus a crown of thorns, struck Him, spit upon Him—then bowed the knee in feigned worship.

Sinning willfully is no option for those who claim to be Christ's.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your holy covenant blood of forgiveness from sin. The spirit repents of sin, but the flesh remains weak. Please give us the desire and strength to turn away from every thought, feeling, word, or action which is offensive to Your great Spirit of grace.

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

Spiritual Germophobes

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV)

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
(1 Thessalonians 4:7 NKJV)

"I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy." (Leviticus 11:44 WEB)

Holiness gets a bad rap. The word "holy" often brings to mind religious snobs. The admonition to "be holy" strikes fear of being sent away to a monastery or convent, forsaking every comfort of life for isolation and fasting. A holy God is viewed as gratefully unapproachable.

To be holy is simply to be pure. To have extreme goodness, free of all badness. To be sanctified and set apart, like sterilized medical equipment separated from the red trash bin. We are spiritually cleansed from the icky stuff in our souls with the washing of the water of the Word and the living water of the Holy Spirit.

Our holy God is completely set apart from evil. He can be trusted as a Source of only good. He wants us to be not "holier than thou" snobs, but spiritual germaphobes who go running to Him for washing as soon as we become aware of icky stuff that could spread in us or infect others.

Holy, holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty! You are perfect in power, love, and purity. Spiritual darkness cannot prevail to hide the purity of Your light. Hatred cannot abide in the face of Your love. Your power is perfected in the weakness of our flesh. Please make us holy indeed, like You.

Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Copies of the True

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "... You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water. You shall ... clothe them with tunics. You shall anoint them ... that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations."
(Exodus 40:1,12-15 NKJV)

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Hebrews 9:24 NKJV)

"Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen ... However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands." (Acts 7:44,48 NKJV)

The tabernacle Moses erected—according to the pattern of the tabernacle in heaven—had an altar of sacrifice, a laver of water, altar of showbread, seven-branch lamp, altar of incense, and ark containing the words of the covenant. That tabernacle no longer exists, nor does the temple which followed it.

Yet the everlasting priesthood has not ceased. Christ's people are His royal priests, who offer living sacrifice of our lives, dip ourselves in living Water, share bread of fellowship with One who calls us "friend," are lights of the world who reflect the true Light, offer incense of sweet-smelling prayer, and possess in our souls—our innermost, sacred place—the precious Word of life.

We, now, are both priests and copies of the true tabernacle in heaven: cleansed with blood, anointed with the Holy Spirit, clothed in garments of righteousness—dwelling place of Almighty God.

Lord God Almighty, no matter how many times we hear of it, how can we not be astounded that You make us Your dwelling place on earth? How can we not tremble at Your presence? How can we ever know pride? May we show ourselves fully set apart to You—holy as You are.

Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Gifted Artisans

"And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest." ... Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering.
(Exodus 28:2-3; 35:21 NKJV)

Let us go into His tabernacle;
Let us worship at His footstool.
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place ...
Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness,
And let Your saints shout for joy.
(Psalms 132:7-9 NKJV)

"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. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24 NKJV)

Someone once said something like, "The sciences teach us to sustain life; the arts teach us to make life worth sustaining." Yet the work of gifted artisans is sometimes seen as frivolous and unessential.

God's gifts are never intended to be used for the frivolous and unessential. The arts bring to worship—both corporate and private—a purposeful and vital ministry. Whoever else our ministry reaches, it ministers first to the Lord Himself. The Father seeks out true worshipers, who minister to Him and to those He loves.

Worshipers may be in the congregation, faithful preachers, or gifted artisans. All are ministers—priests—clothed with righteousness to proclaim the Word of God in spirit and truth. And ministry is a sacred offering of worship, whether presented in church on Sunday morning, or to someone else, somewhere else, some other time of the week.

Lord YHWH, thank You for Your calling to us who are Christ's. Thank You for making us a royal priesthood, privileged to minister to You. Good Father, we ask: please reveal to us Your truth and give to us Your Holy Spirit in greater fullness, that we may bring before You a worthy offering of worship.

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

Bondservant

A Hebrew [bond]servant ... shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free.... But if the servant plainly says, "I love my master ... I will not go out free," then his master shall bring him to the judges ... and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever. (Exodus 21:2,5-6 NKJV)

Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus. Although from the beginning He had the nature of God He did not reckon His equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped. Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men. (Philippians 2:5-7 WNT)

"Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28 NKJV)

A Hebrew slave had the option after six years to go free or remain bondservant—a slave for life—to a beloved master. At least five prominent men (Paul, James, Simon Peter, Jude, and Epaphras) each willingly called himself a bondservant of Christ. Jesus Himself revealed the person of God in the position of bondservant.

A bondservant—a slave—does not retain title to his life, does not live for himself, does not choose what to do. He (or she) fully belongs to another.

The Bible not only portrays the position of bondservant as advantageous when one has a good Master, but Jesus defines it as the path to greatness. Those who hesitate to make Jesus Lord and Master over themselves do so to their detriment.

Lord Jesus, my beloved Master, I will not go out free. Your blood marks me as Yours. I gladly belong to You. I fully trust You. I willingly allow You to direct my life however You see fit. Please let me know Your will for me in all things, and give me the strength and desire to perform it.

"Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." — Paul

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

Inheritance

"For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy [chesed] to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Exodus 20:5-6 NKJV)

The LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name... That is why the Levites have no share or inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance. (Deuteronomy 10:8-9 NIV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)

Children inherit from parents material wealth, DNA which determines looks and health, inclinations that define personality—and they inherit sin. Does anything make a parent's sin as clear as seeing it acted out by an uninhibited child? And what can turn us from sin as compellingly as seeing our children suffer for inheriting it?

A spiritual inheritance can also be holy [goodness to the extreme]. The Levites were set apart as God's ministers, qualified by their bloodline. The priesthood belonged to the future generations of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel.

The blood of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, qualifies us as His priests—vessels to carry the marvelous light of the Lord's covenant, ministers of His Word to speak His blessings. We are His own special people, whose inheritance of privilege is to stand before the Lord and proclaim His praises.

Abba, Father, You have given Your children an inheritance above all others. Thank You for the blood of Your Son by which we become Yours. Please deliver us from the sin that yet ensnares us and our children.

"I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall always be in my mouth." — David

Feedback is invited!
Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments"
or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com
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

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.

Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
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.

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