REVDANS

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

In order to receive the Word of the Lord, in order to be instructed in his ways, in order to respond in obedience to his commands, we must reject the world’s message, because it runs counter to God’s ways.

There are those who see the three phrases in the first verse of Psalm 1 as synonymous expressions. But I tend to see more of a progression in the verse. Let me explain.

Walking presents a picture of movement in a direction, of pursuing that direction. At any given moment that direction might change if one turned to walk in a different direction.

Standing presents the idea that one has made the decision to choose a position to occupy. “I have taken my stand!”

Sitting gives the impression that the position has become so comfortable that little movement away from it is to be expected. My wife knows that when I come home from work, if I take a seat in my easy chair, there is little expectation that I will be moving from that position in the near future.

Wicked is a general word used to describe the morally wrong, to those who stray from the right way. It would embrace all kinds and degrees of the unrighteous.

Sinners refers to those who “miss the mark”, and choose to stray from the path of duty. They seem to point to those who “rebel” against the right way.

Scoffers is the most intensive of the three, referring to those who “mock, ridicule, scorn, and deride the right way.

Counsel refers to the principles, plans, and advice that influences others.

Way refers to a lifestyle, “a way of life”, that involves the acceptance of a certain approach to life, a certain set of values, a certain set of goals.

Seat refers to the place of position, judgment, authority, and prestige in the society of ancient times. To sit in the assembly of the city was to be accepted, acclaimed, and authorized by the community to take up deliberations and act.

Maybe you are beginning to see the progression. First, we are lured into thinking and acting like the world. We begin by ASSOCIATION. We listen to the advice of the world and accept their assumptions, premises, deliberations, ideas, conclusions, and evaluations. We start to value their acceptance, so we slowly drift toward their thinking. It may be swift and deliberate, but more likely it is gradual and imperceptible. Over time we begin to think differently, to react differently, to respond differently. The things that we once thought were wrong, were unacceptable, were morally objectionable, no longer seem so. And though God’s Word clearly speaks against such behavior, we find ways of justifying our new positions, of explaining away the message of the Bible, and of approving our new lifestyle.

The second step is to “take our stand” with the world. As we adopt the world’s thinking and adapt to its demands, we find that we have an IDENTIFICATION with the world. Just as we see that those who share a common bond stand together in a crowd, so we find ourselves standing with those who have become rebels against God’s ways. Their habitual evil has intoxicated us into acceptance of their ways and insulated us from God’s truth.

Finally, we have a FIXATION with the world and its ways. We accept and use their coarse, crude and rude expressions. We laugh at their vulgar jokes, ridicule, and mockery. We listen intently to their acclamations, rationalizations, and pontifications. We embrace their motivations, their valuations, and their goals. We refuse to allow ourselves to think that we have now rejected all that we once held dear. The world has a hold on us and clasps it greedy hands around our throats in a stranglehold that slowly suffocates our souls.

But the person who rejects the world boldly refuses to live by the advice of the world, choosing rather to stand on the Word of God and trust what it says. That person will not adopt the lifestyle of the rebellious world, nor employ time in pursuit of its ways. Instead, that person will seek to adopt a lifestyle that reflects the values presented in God’s Word. That person will also refuse to make decisions or live by the expectations of the world. As Paul told believers in his day,

Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

Just as people who seem well decide to get an annual “checkup” or physical, we need to conduct a periodic spiritual “checkup” to determine if and where the world has started to make inroads toward infiltrating our thinking and our behavior. God’s Word is the line, the standard, the measure we must use to make this determination. Are you willing to allow God to scrutinize your life?

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

We live in the age of Internet, Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We are fed a steady diet of information from various media sources through these channels. But with the advent of more and more cleaver ways to doctor the media and make fantasy seem real, we must constantly ask ourselves what is true, what is real, what is right.

We are aware that most are putting their “spin” on the situation, devising ‘hype” to garner an audience, and twisting the “facts” to fit their message. We sense that some are seeking to capture our attention, manipulate our emotions, and direct our intentions to further their cause. Sometimes, the attempt may seem so overt that we feel used or taken advantage of. Sometimes, the attempt is so subtle that it may escape our notice. It would be naïve to think that all of these purveyors of information are innocently seeking to inform and educate us concerning the “truth”. Some of us become skeptical and cynical, refusing to take any message at face value, questioning everything and everyone.

This is not a new development. Every age has faced its challenges in sifting through the messages to get to the truth. St. Paul wrote to Timothy, instructing him concerning the twisting of truth:

1 Timothy 1:3-7 As I exhorted you to stay at Ephesus when I was going into Macedonia, that you might charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith– but the end of the charge is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith; from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

He also warned Timothy that the situation would continue to deteriorate:

1 Timothy 4:1-2 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

He warned Timothy to stand firm against misinformation.

1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.

He clearly describes to Timothy the kind of communication to avoid.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

He exhorts Timothy to be on his guard and scrutinize the message carefully.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

He emphasizes to Timothy the nature and power of a message to affect people’s minds.

2 Timothy 2:14-18 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

He reminds Timothy that it is not more information people need, but the Truth, because some are:

2 Timothy 3:7 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

He challenges Timothy to understand that some will not be willing to receive the truth, because they are only willing to hear what they want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.  

In this age as much as any, what we need is a SURE word, a TRUSTWORTHY message, a source you can COUNT ON. Fortunately, it exists. We want to hear “Thus says the Lord.”

St. Peter reminds us that the message we have received from God has been verified by “eyewitnesses” and is trustworthy.

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 1:19 We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:

2 Corinthians 3:14-16 ESV  (14)  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.  (15)  Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.  (16)  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  (21)  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  (22)  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

Consider: the ministry of the holy place was constantly conducted day in and day out. But whenever the priest glanced behind the altar of incense, an obvious barrier existed that separated him from the special presence of God in the most holy place, a veil whose beauty and artistry did nothing to solve the problem of separation.

Only once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement was this barrier crossed as he drew back the veil at the corner and stepped into the most holy place with the blood of the sacrifice to sprinkle on the mercy seat atop the ark of the covenant. So holy was this ritual and so awesome the presence of God in the most holy place that it is said the high priest had a rope tied to his ankle so that, should the sacrifice be unacceptable or the high priest perish, they might drag his body from the most holy place.

Of course, we think of barriers as negative objects to be overcome. But in this case the barrier served as a protection, for neither the priests nor the people were prepared to stand in the presence of a holy God and survive. The sin which separated them from their God was too great and could not be remedied by the blood of bulls and goats.

The Day of Atonement stood as a sign that a remedy existed and, when applied, would remove the barrier and make a way into the presence of God. We now realize that the remedy was the death of our Savior on the cross. His payment for sin is sufficient to remove the barrier and make the way open for us to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. We can now “draw near” to God with confidence. Matthew notes in his gospel that the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom as Jesus yielded his spirit, surrendering in death to the Father’s will, and making a permanent way into the most holy place.

Matthew 27:50-51 ESV  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  (51)  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

So, what is keeping you from enjoying this relationship with God. St. Paul indicates that a veil remains today over the hearts of unbelievers, separating them from God. But the veil is not an external barrier; it is an internal one. Unbelief blinds them to the truth.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV  (3)  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  (4)  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For those who have opened their hearts and placed their trust in Jesus Christ, the veil has been lifted. The author of Hebrews indicates that the flesh of Christ was torn on the cross so that the veil could be torn in the temple. The door is open, the way clear. We only need to enter. Intimate fellowship awaits. What a liberating experience to know the the love of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 25:21-22 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I will give you. There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony, all that I command you for the children of Israel.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

Before I had really studied the Old Testament tabernacle and its furnishings, I thought that the mercy seat was merely the lid to the ark of the covenant rather than a separate furnishing, but as one observes in Exodus, it is considered a separate furnishing.

The Lord did not appear over the ark but over the mercy seat. It was here where the annual sacrifice of atonement was made. It was here where God’s special presence hovered. It was here where Moses would meet with God and receive his instructions.

The word “mercy” is a word full of richness. While often compared to grace, its focus is on relieving the misery and suffering of its object. Compassion and pity are sometimes used to describe it. The mercy seat functioned to relieve the misery and suffering that sin exacted on humanity, by providing atonement for sin each year. The two animals associated with this annual ritual, the sacrificial lamb and the scapegoat, present a moving picture of relief: the sacrificial lamb atoning for sin by providing the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat and the scapegoat bearing the sin of the people and carrying it away from them  into the wilderness.

One of the predominant descriptions of God’s character, emphatically expressed in the Old Testament, is that he is a merciful God, full of compassion and loving kindness. He looks on our plight, knowing full well that we deserve it, and yet has pity on us. Often in the Scriptures, and the Psalms particularly, the cry from those in misery is: “Lord, have mercy!”

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, And passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, Because he delights in loving kindness.

The mercy seat poised at the center of the most holy place is a reminder that our God is a God of mercy and grace. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of mercy. In him,

Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalms 85:10

So integral to his character is the quality of mercy that he states: For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

It is a quality he expects to find in us. He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Matthew 5:7 ASV  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Because God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), we can count on him to respond to our cries for help.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Will you claim the mercy of God through Jesus Christ today?!

1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV  As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,  (5)  you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

In the Old Testament the priests ministered before the Lord on behalf of the people. Priesthood was an office associated with worship. It was a spiritual office with specific duties and functions. And in the Old Testament, those duties revolved around offering sacrifices.

Now, in the New Testament Christians are called to be priests. One of the important truths recovered by Martin Luther was the priesthood of believers. Peter makes this clear in his first epistle or letter.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

According to Peter, we are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. So, what are these sacrifices. They are not “blood” sacrifices. The author of Hebrews makes it clear that the “once-for-all-time” sacrifice of Jesus has removed the need for the blood of bulls and goats. Our sacrifices are, nonetheless, real and important sacrifices.

1. We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.

(Romans 12:1 ESV)  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

2. We are to offer sacrificial service to the body of Christ.

(Philippians 2:17 ESV)  Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

3. We are to offer the sacrifice of our gifts.

(Philippians 4:18 ESV)  I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

4. We are to offer the sacrifice of praise.

(Hebrews 13:15 ESV)  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

5. We are to offer the sacrifice of good works.

(Hebrews 13:16 ESV)  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

These are some of the sacrifices I have identified in the New Testament that we as priests are enjoined to offer unto our God. There may be others, but these offer a starting point. I would only ask, “Have you been engaged in your priestly duties lately?” We must be about our Father’s business!

O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! (Psalms 141:1-2 ESV)

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8 ESV)

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. (Revelation 8:3-4 ESV)

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

As the priest stood in the holy place facing the veil that separated it and the most holy place, he would see the altar of incense with the smoke of burning incense rising before that veil, filling the holy place and penetrating the veil. It is a beautiful picture of how to draw near to the heart of God.

In the morning and evening the incense would be placed on the altar to burn. Specific instructions were given by God concerning its placement so that it would be situated in alignment with the ark of the covenant in the most holy place “where I will meet with you” (Exodus 30:6). It was also a part of the annual atonement ritual because it was “most holy to the Lord” (Exodus 30:10). A special recipe was given for the incense that was used on the altar and it was only to be used for that purpose (Exodus 30:34-38).

As the verses at the top indicate, the fragrant aroma of the incense rising before God in the holy place represents the prayers of the saints rising before the throne of God. What an encouragement to think that God is pleased with the fragrant aroma of our prayers.

What does a life of prayer consist of?

1. There should be regular times of prayer.

(Daniel 6:10 ESV)  When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

2. There should be times of extended prayer.

(Luke 6:12 ESV)  In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

3. There should be a continual attitude of prayer.

(1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)  pray without ceasing,

4. There should be confidence in prayer.

(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5. There should be times of private prayer.

(Matthew 6:6 ESV)  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6. There should be times of emotional, passionate prayer.

(Ezra 10:1 ESV)  While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.

7. Our lives should be marked by prayer.

(Ephesians 6:18 ESV)  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

Psalms 23:5-6(ESV)
⁵    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
⁶    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When entering the tabernacle, the priest would see the table of showbread to the right. On that table were placed twelve loaves of bread, a stack of six on one side and six on the other. Fresh loaves were prepared and added each Sabbath to the table and the old ones were removed and eaten by the priests. Also, a pitcher of wine was placed on the table.

The twelve loaves represented God’s provision for the twelve tribes of Israel. The scene brings to the Christian’s mind the Lord’s Table, the Communion Table, where we, just as the priests, are reminded of the Lord’s covenant and his provision for us.

Often in Scripture the picture of a banquet or table is given to remind us of God’s desire to fellowship with us. Most of us know that food and fellowship go together, so a table serves to bring us together in fellowship. It is amazing that the God of the universe desires fellowship with us. In the Garden of Eden, he fellowshipped with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening, a special time of communion, I am sure. When covenants were made in the Old Testament, a covenantal meal was served. Abraham enjoyed fellowship with God and served a meal. David, in the Psalm referenced above, presents the blessings of fellowship with God and a longing to always abide in his presence. Someday, we will enjoy the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” a heavenly banquet with the King of kings and Lord of Lords. Note also, the bread on the table in the holy place was called the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30).

Jesus spoke of his provision for us in similar terms:

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:32-35 ESV)

The wonderful truth of the gospel is this: God so desires fellowship with lost humanity that he “gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16) to make that fellowship possible. The unbelievable and incalculable price has been paid and we are invited to the Lord’s banquet table. The bread of life and living water flow freely and generously to provide real life, eternal life, for those who believe.

Someday, this fellowship will become the most fantastic reality:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4 ESV)

So what must we do in the meantime to serve the Lord and enjoy his provision. Jesus reminds us of what God said to the Israelites: “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4 ESV) We must learn to trust him for our “daily bread” and to find in his words our spiritual sustenance. When we read Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, and see just how much the psalmist cherishes God’s Word, we begin to realize the importance of daily Scripture reading and study. Just as we cannot go long without physical nourishment, we must have frequent, regular spiritual nourishment.

People who belong to the Fellowship of the Burning Heart can wholeheartedly agree with the words of Job, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12 KJV) It is our heart cry as well.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

Moving from the courtyard into the tabernacle, the priests would immediately be confronted with three pieces of furniture: the golden candlestick, the table of shewbread and the altar of incense.

Of course, the golden candlestick or lampstand was literally the key to ministry in the holy place. The lampstand had 6 branches, 3 extending from each side of the shaft. Each branch held a cup filled with oil and wick to provide light. At the top of the center shaft was a seventh cup, seven points of light in all. This sole source provided the only light for the priests to perform their duties in the holy place.

In the Bible, light is used as a symbol for truth, good, life, and right. Darkness, it’s opposite, is used to symbolize falsehood, evil, death and wrong.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19-21)

So, in the tabernacle the priests served in the light that God provided. He was telling them that he would light their way in service, that they should walk in his light.

God, who created the light (Genesis 1:3), is light and in him no darkness dwells (1 John 1:5). In fact, he dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; 12:46) and we now belong to the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12), are children of the light (John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5), have been called into his marvelous light (1Peter 2:9), have received the light (Hebrews 12:5), and walk in the light (1 John 1:7). In consequence, we are to shine this light into the world (Matthew 5:14-16), so that they may see our good works and glorify our father in heaven.

If we are to serve God effectively, we must be concerned about the direction of our lives, both who is directing us and where the direction is leading us. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). Just as the priests were directed in their service by the light God provided, so we must serve under God’s direction.