For the foreseeable future, the Feast of the Heart “spiritual dietary supplements” will serve up some sumptuous fare concerning the foundations of the faith… for a culture in a freefall… or spiritually malnourished…

The following quote is from John McArthur’s daily reading mini-book, “Truth for Today”. The foundational issue at hand falls within the critically important question,

“From whence does your real, deepest, irreducible and foundational JOY come from?”

Does it come from life’s circumstances… or something well beyond the reach of things so fickle, fortuitous or finite for you?

Verse of the Day:
“My dear, dear friends! I love you so much that I want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy; you fill me with such pride. Do not waver. Stay on track. Be steady in the Lord.” (Philippians 1:1 – Translation: The Message)

“The apostle Paul’s joy came from fellow believers. Today’s verse says the Philippian Christians were Paul’s “joy and crown”. To the Thessalonian believers Paul likewise proclaimed, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy!” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 – Translation: NIV).

Paul rejoiced in the church’s salvation and the spiritual growth of its members, which is represented by the word crown. The term refers to a laurel wreath, something an athlete received in biblical times for winning a contest (1 Corinthians 9:25).

But an athlete wasn’t the only recipient of such a wreath. If someone was honored by his peers he too would receive a wreath as the guest of honor at a great feast or banquet.

The wreath then, was symbolic of success or a fruitful life.

The Philippian believers who were fruitful in their faith were Paul’s great reward. They were proof that his efforts were successful. (Which Paul would, as he stated in the verse above, ultimately credit the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit living within a person, as the source of all good and success in the faith.)

As you minister your gifts, may you experience the kind of joy Paul had in seeing the fruits of his labors in the maturity and effectiveness of other Christians.” (John McArthur, “Truth for Today”)

In what ways have you assured yourself of enjoying the joy of seeing others be blessed by your steadfast faith and encouragement of, and investment in, them?

Have you proactively created relationships that are intimate enough whereby you can see how God is working and growing in the lives of people you have concern for and influence over?

Or is there any possibility that your faith walk concerned mostly for your own peace of mind, sense and sensibilities… and thereby sorely lacking in a sense of deeper JOY?

How might you move closer to the place where Paul is experiencing his deep joy – in seeing how others are benefiting from your love for them to be mature and effective Christians whom are pressing on to impact the lives of others as well?

Don’t delay. Encourage and invest in others who will proactively pay it forward. Go for the real joy… TODAY by being a feast for others… immediately after being fed!

“TODAY… if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your heart…” - Psalm 95:7-8

Following is a letter from a young man by the name of Shane who had contracted AIDS.

Shane was writing a letter to a dear friend (Bishop Michael Marshall) whom had brought Shane the Good News of Jesus Christ while he served in Shane’s church and while Shane lay terminally ill… and trying desperately to be healed by way of various physicians and medicines.

Shane writes about a medicine he was blessed with that healed him… at last!

“I will probably be in the hospital for at least another week. I am confident I will recover from this illness. I am blessed with many good friends. Their love and support sustained me. I have had from four to 10 visitors each day as well as phone calls and I know I am in their prayers. Father Carlos came today and served communion. God has many hands.

As you are keeping me in your prayers, each day you are in mine as well. The mission you lead at my church was the most significant event in my life. I thank God for the work you are doing.

I never thought of AIDS as a blessing, but now I have chosen to respond in that way because my faith is growing and deepening most certainly every day. I believe my faith is the most important thing now.

My doctor can cure my infection possibly, but my faith and the love of Christ alone can heal me. Even if my AIDS is not healed in this life I know that my transform spiritual body will be whole and healthy forever. I look forward to our continued correspondence. God bless you, Michael.

My love to you, in Christ, Shane.”

Shane died the following day…

Please allow me to respectfully ask you something:

What do you believe is the greatest, most dire infection any person can have?

In what ways have you experienced your greatest dis-eases to be your greatest blessings?

In light of the fact that most people you see everyday look so bloody fit… how do you maintain a sense of urgency about talking to others about our shared infection… and the only Physician that offers hope and complete healing?

None of us have any guarantee for a tomorrow.

TODAY… is the only day we’re given to offer another a word of timeless healing and hope.

If you’re withholding a word when your heart is pricked to do so… please consider asking the Holy Spirit, yourself and a trusted, faithful friend, why.

And please take care to avoid getting AIDS, my friends in Christ…

Apathy – Isolation – Delay – Silence

JohnDoz
John@FeastOfTheHeart.com

“It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off...

…If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this new message, this magnificent salvation?

First of all, it was delivered in person by Jesus Christ, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from Him. All the while, God was validating the Good News with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as He saw fit.” (Hebrews 2:1-4 – Translation: The Message)

The New Testament author of Hebrews is unknown but was addressing a church that was being threatened and tested on every side by the realities of living in a fallen world and the intense persecution of their family, friends and community of faith in a first century Christian church.

Jewish Believers, in particular, had the double-measure of persecution as followers of Jesus Christ as well as “betrayers of the Jewish faith…” and their own family members. Breaking the bonds of religiosity and / or addiction in any family always has major repercussions, doesn’t it?

For the Hebrew-Christians, eternal life was secure; but earthly life was, for the most part, absolute hell everyday. God’s people needed reassurance…

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Or is life just going along and you’re pretty comfortable at the present time, wondering what all the fuss is about… and yet fear-full that the next phone call might be some bad news?

The people of God in the first century church were disheartened, disillusioned, feeling defeated, regularly decried and sorely tempted on occasion to even disavow the name of Jesus Christ under the intensity of being pioneers of the faith.

So, the author of Hebrews offers something we all need to remember, hear, hold onto and practice in the encouragement of a community of faith:

The Magnificence of Your Salvation… and The One Who Saves, Jesus Christ!

I have no doubt that the some of the most marvelous and rich words ever written in all of history and seen in The Book of Hebrews was of the deepest remembrance, loving exhortation, truthful encouragement, personal comfort and abiding hope to the early church – as it can be for you and me.

Do you know why I know this to be true? Answer: The words are Truth; the church was suffering… and they knew it… and shared it amongst themselves daily.

The Magnificence of Your Salvation… and The One Who Saves, Jesus Christ!
Have you ever experienced a GAP between an abstract knowledge of your salvation… and the person of Jesus Christ as the most loving Daddy and your biggest fan?

Have you mistakenly believed that all that salvation gets you is a higher bar to jump over, more pressure in living a morally perfect life, and having more guilt heaped up in your closet like the dirty laundry you whisk away when guests arrive?

Do you sometimes find that you’re tempted to think that God’s to blame when things in life go way wrong, expectations are unmet or even death darkens your doorway at a time when you least expected it?

While in a lonely and desperate time in your life, have you felt a deep desire to close the GAP between your religion and a real live relationship with Jesus Christ – but are just not sure how to do so?

Okay, okay… I’ll go first: “All of the Above”… is the box I checked! Sure I’ve been there… done that…

How about you?

And how about much of the Western church of twenty-first century?

Answer: Well, as opposed to the first century church noted above, many are uncertain about what’s true or whether True Truth exists; we avoid suffering at every turn; and a realistic sense self-awareness may be a bit lacking as well.

Please consider this last answer again…

Please allow God’s word, through a highly imperfect vessel like me, to offer you an answer, beloved… or even the beginning of a new beginning of your faith walk concerning The Magnificence of Your Salvation… and The One Who Saves, Jesus Christ!

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.” (CS Lewis)

Every day… in most every way… the early church lived out their faith as though it was a matter of life and death, my friends. What difference do you believe this could make?

And, in this sacred space for the Christian-Hebrews, the GAP between The Magnificence of Your Salvation… and The One Who Saves, Jesus Christ! is closed.

For the people of God in the persecuted church (consisting of millions dispersed across China, Burma, Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam and elsewhere), the GAP is non-existent: the persecuted church really believes it’s all True.

For most of the people within the reach of this message, please consider the following ideas about “closing the GAP”. Please know that my pleas are not about another item on your to-do list to merit God’s favor upon your life or make you feel guilty.

It’s about a feast: looking out for the condition of your heart and spirit… offered in truth and in love.

There is no better way to offer a summary of ways to draw nearer to closing the GAP between, The Magnificence of Your Salvation… and The One Who Saves, Jesus Christ! than by offering you a remembrance of the final verses of The Book of Hebrews.

Please read and share it between some trusted friends in the faith. Consider being as transparent as possible about your struggles. Don’t waste your weeping, sorrows or suffering of any kind: it is the only window through which you can see the way closer to the One Who Saves, Jesus Christ.

All of the incredibly inspiring and motivating passages before the final remarks by the author of Hebrews speak about Jesus Christ as, “The Final Word”, our “Brother, Captain and King”, our “Rest-Giver”, our “Wonderful Counselor”, our “Advocate”, our “Lord We Can Know”, our “Final Sacrifice”, our “Better Resurrection”, our “Final Foundation”, and our ultimate reason for being proactive co-redeemers of all aspects of our present world… until The One Who Saves, Jesus Christ, returns.

Concluding Exhortation and Encouragements to Jewish Christians
“Therefore*, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire (Dt 4:24).”

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Dt 31:6).”

So we say with confidence, “The Lord Jesus is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6-7)”

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods (or religiosity), which are of no value to those who eat them.” (Hebrews 12:28-13:9 – Translation: NIV, parenthesis added)

*If you want to be richly blessed by one of the best explanations about what the “Therefore…” is referring to, please cut ‘n paste the link below and order Pastor Tim Keller’s series on The Book of Hebrews, “Christ: Our Treasury”.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church Sermon Store:

Enjoy. Employ. Spread the Joy.

JohnDoz
JohnDozier@feastoftheheart.org

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:38)

Did you know that almost every one God places in your path most every day is incredibly PARCHED?

Arid… from running long, hard and hectic?

Burnt… from a to-do list disconnected from a greater purpose?

Cotton mouthed… from not drinking in God’s Word or daily blessings?

Barren… from repressing unfamiliar and / or scary emotions?

Dehydrated… from dieting on innutritious and overly-salty foods?

Scorched… from trusting untrustworthy sources of wisdom?

Withered… from serving out of guilt or seeking merit; and not a redeemed story and giftedness?

Bone-dry… from going, going… gone… all alone?

Fallow… from unrecognized or dormant fruit?

Hardened… from being bitter about all of the above?

Have put your faith in The Living Water, Jesus Christ (John 4:10, 6:51; Revelations 7:17)?

If so, you are quite literally AN OASIS, beloved!

You… you… I’m talking about YOU… are a cold, refreshing, revitalizing, renewing and replenishing drink of the freshest spring water imaginable to each and every person God places in your life!

Please… pour yourself into others by offering your streams of living water and other-worldly comfort, encouragement, a remembrance of truth, a loving exhortation, a listening ear and full attention.

Don’t let the living water inside of you get putrid, stale or unfit for drinking… Pour it on another and let loose The Living Water bubbling up in you!

”But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

And always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

When have there been challenges and times of joy and / or suffering in your life that have been inspired or forced to really know the intimate details of your personal life story?

Because I lost my Mom at such an early age (I was nineteen), much of my adult life was directly or indirectly about trying to fill in the many voids in not knowing my story.

One huge blessing God gave me in moving back to St. Louis from Aspen Colorado in 1987, was having ten years to be with my Mom’s Mom, Mimi. God held off in taking her to Him until she was 103 years old! And in that time not only did I get to know and love my Mimi, I got to know my Mom much better as well.

And, over time, and by many means and people, I’ve pieced together lots and lots of details about my story! And I have been unspeakably blessed in the process of knowing the particularities of my story – and how much God has been involved in so many ways. Which is the whole point…

Why? Well, because life’s really all about me, right? NOT!

I’ve been blessed beyond my ability to express because in the full-knowing of my story I have seen the gazillions of little and big ways God has been infinitely and intimately involved in my life from way before it ever began… to right up to this moment that I’m writing to YOU.

Today… the rewards of seeing the details of my story and how God has covenanted and redeemed it in so many ways are threefold: a) I have an assurance of God’s person, promises and immediate presence that is rock solid, and both wide and deep; b) I have greater compassion, wisdom and discernment when it comes to listening to and for the threads of stories (and God within them) that others strain to know and tell of their own life; and c) I have an unlimited number of doorways to walk through as a testimony to others about the intimate love, truth and unbounded person and mercy of God in my own life… and other’s as well if ever they want to consider the possibilities of how an infinite God is working intimately in their life!

You see, my friends, one of the most difficult things for us to lay a hold of is the reality of the dual fact of God’s infinity as well as His desired intimacy with each one of us – by means of a relationship His son Jesus Christ and the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. I mean, we just can’t believe it’s true! How, after all, could a God so vast and perfect ever desire to know and love me so personally?

How could the infinite ever become intimate?

The answer is Good News! God made a way, truth and life for anyone who would confess their sin, from the heart-renting realization of it, and beseech Jesus Christ to come into their life as Savior (from an eternity in Hell and into an eternity of Heaven) and Lord (to serve as sole Monarch and King in joyful obedience, daily gratitude, and a love for what He loves).

And this can be the part of your redemptive story that has, in reality, many, many other parts that you would do incredibly well to know! Once you are on the inside of God’s redemptive story, by means of your own intimate relationship with the infinite, you will see again and again how God has walked very closely with and in you for time… and eternity.

And that’s a story – your one and many other redemptive stories – worth the telling to any and every other person whom God might place into your life. Your story is not your own!

“But I talk about my life anyway… because if, on the one hand, hardly anything could be less important, on the other hand, hardly anything could be more important. My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is yours also.

Maybe nothing is more important than that we keep track, you and I, of these stories, of who we are and where we come from, and the people we have met along the way because it is precisely through these stories – in all of their particularity – that God makes Himself known to each of us most powerfully and most personally. If this is true, it means that to lose track of our stories is to be profoundly impoverished not only humanly, but also spiritually.” (“Telling Secrets”, Fredrick Buechner)

Do you wake up each and every morning… God has given you to live another day in the realization, excitement and anticipation that the only reason He has given you another day is to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”????

You have been redeemed… to redeem! End of story…

If your story has been redeemed, God has prepared you, my friends. Know your story so well that you can recognize it in the hearts of others because “what is most personal is most universal” (Soren Kierkegaard).

Always prepared to give an answer,

JohnDoz
JohnDozier@feastoftheheart.org