April 6: Tuesday Refocus

‘I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ - Philippians 4:10-13

One of the things I learned from my counselor, it is possible to be content and still desire things to be different.  You can be content and still desire for things to be different because contentment is not resignation to our current reality.  Contentment is choosing to place our hope in something that is immovable.  As we have just walked through Holy Week, one of the things we see from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is His pleading the Father, ‘…if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will (Matt 26:39).’  It is good news for you and me that the contentment of Christ did not rest in avoiding the cross.  The contentment of Christ rests in doing the will of the Father.

Lord, thank you for modeling contentment for us.  Forgive our fickle hearts, our circumstantial contentment, and our unwillingness to endure with You who bore the cross and curse of our sin.  Let our hearts settle into contentment as we see Your completed work.  In Your name, amen.

For contentment,

AB

February 16: Tuesday Refocus

“Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting.” - A.W. Tozer

On the Eve of this Lenten season, we can agree we have lived in a perpetual state of Lent the past year. Fasting from and withholding of much of the goodness and sweetness we have come to recognize within our lives.  Our hearts have grown sick and weary for the hope deferred (Proverbs 13:12), as we have longed for things to be different.

Scripture says: ‘For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Suffering this side of eternity is real, deep, and painful.  You may run, but you will never outrun suffering’s global and local, universal and personal reach.  But when we run to suffering and remain steadfast, we will be perfected and complete, lacking nothing (Jam 1:4).  We follow the example of the Suffering Servant, the Man of sorrows who was acquainted with grief, who for the Joy that was set before Him endured the cross, completing His work (Is 53, Heb 12:2).

We are only able to embrace suffering when we see that it is accomplishing something deeper, and richer within us… and that may not be seen or experienced this side of eternity, but there?  Beyond all comparison.

Lord, as we enter into this intentional time of remembrance and removal, may we look to You.  May we be captivated and filled with the reality of who You are and what You have accomplished.  You who patiently endured, You who delighted to do Your Father’s will, You who lived among us, died for us, have been raised, are seated at the right hand of the Father, and will return again.  In Your name, Jesus, amen.

To Lent,

AB 

February 9: Tuesday Refocus

‘’…and rend your hearts and not your garments.’  Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.’  Joel 2:13

Ours is a culture valuing appearance over substance.  Virtue signaling and moral outrage overflow our social media feed with revelations of each new crisis.  We are well-versed in garment-rending.

And yet, it is not right external behavior that God desires, but hearts that are His (Matt 9:13, Hos 6:6).  Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus rail against the Scribes and Pharisees.  Their attention to the smallest detail - tithing spices - highlighted not their holiness, but how they had neglected what truly mattered: justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the love of God (Lk 11:42, Matt 23:23).  They were whitewashed tombs, beautiful to look at, full of death on the inside (Matt 23:27).  Can you blame them?  It will always be easier to craft the appearance of a heart belonging to God rather than to dying to self and living to Christ (Rom 6).  And yet, only hearts - not garments - that have been rent can be made whole.

It will always be easier to be whitewashed.  

It will always be easier to praise God with our mouths while our hearts are far from Him (Is 29:13, Matt 15:8).

But He invites us to return.  

Our divided, stone hearts can be made whole and alive by the One who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Eze 36:26, Ps 86:11).  Rending our hearts is the only right response to the One who did not rend His garments, but His body on our behalf (1 Cor 11:24).

Thank You, Lord, that you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  May our hearts be holy, and wholly yours.  In Christ’s name, amen.

AB

February 2: Tuesday Refocus

‘The early Christians did not say, in dismay, ‘Look what the world has come to,’ but, ‘Look what has come to the world!’ - E. Stanley Jones

For all of our hand-wringing have we forgotten?  

Our Savior dwelt among us (Jn 1:14).

For all of our uncertainty have we forgotten? 

Our Savior lived, died, and was buried (1 Jn 3:5, Rom 6:10, Is 53:9).

For all of our short-sighted fear have we forgotten?  

Our Savior has been raised and ascended (Acts 13:30, Acts 1:9).

For all of our current and future anxiety have we forgotten?  

Our Savior will return to dwell among us once more:

‘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

For our troubled hearts, for our troubled world, this is good news.  

Thank you, Lord, that the Gospel is true.  That Jesus is on the throne, and we have nothing, and no one to fear.  In Your name, amen.

Resting,

AB

January 26: Tuesday Refocus

‘Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.  You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies.  Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors…’ Hosea 10:12-13

Subtly,

subconsciously,

consistently, 

we have been swept along more than we have sown (Eph 4:14). 

Our churches,

our hearts,

our lives 

are full sorrow from the other gods we have pursued (Ps 16:4).

Faithful,

Steadfast,

Loving,

the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you (Is 30:18).

Sow righteousness,

Reap steadfast love,

Break up the fallow ground,

Seek the LORD, and He will rain righteousness (Hosea 10:12).

Jesus, thank You for Your pursuing steadfast love.  Would our hearts and lives be eager to seek You, to sow righteousness, and quick to reject iniquity, injustice, and lies.  May we trust in You alone.  Amen.

Sowing,

AB

January 19: Tuesday Refocus

‘Then they believed His words; they sang His praise.’ - Psalm 106:12

We are people always responding.  We engage, interact, entertain, ignore, and are transformed by what we see and experience all around us.  If we cannot help but respond to the created world, how much more are we compelled to respond to the Creator who has revealed Himself?  Matt Redman often says ‘Seeing is singing.’  When we believe His word, our hearts cannot stay silent:

He is the Bread of Life - satisfying our deepest hunger, forever (Jn 6:35)

He is the Light of the World - illuminating the narrow road (Jn 8:1, Matt 7:14)

He is the Door - through whom we have access to the Father (Jn 10:9)

He is the Good Shepherd - He lays down His life to rescue His wayward sheep (Jn 10:11)

He is the Resurrection and the Life - He has died, but is alive forevermore holding the keys of death and hell (Jn 11:25, Rev 1:18)

He is the Way, the Truth and the Life - everything we seek is found in and through Him (Jn 14:6)

He is the True Vine - abiding perfectly in the life and love of the Father, inviting us to abide in Him (Jn 15:4-11)

He is the One who emptied Himself, took on flesh, became sin, offered Himself as the Perfect Sacrifice, died the death we deserved, is raised and is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf (Phil 2:7-8, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 10:10, Rom 4:25, Acts 13:30, Mark 16:19, Rom 8:34)

And He can always be trusted because His word always proves true (Proverbs 30:5).  Believe and respond.

Lord, give us a greater glimpse of the reality of Who You are, and what You have done.  May we believe and respond with lives of continual worship.  We love you, amen.

Seeing and responding,

AB

January 12: Tuesday Refocus

‘Listen to me you who are poor: what is lacking to you if you have God?  Listen you who are rich: what do you possess if you do not have God?’ - Augustine

God’s economy does not work like the economy of the world:

You must lose your life to find your life (Matt 10:39).

The first will be last (Matt 20:16).

Humble yourself and He will exalt you (Jam 4:10).

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added (Matt 6:33).

Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you (Matt 5:44).

Outdo one another in showing honor (Rom 12:10).

When our world feels upside down, may it serve as a reminder that we are citizens of an upside-down Kingdom (Phil 3:20).  When we find ourselves lacking practically or financially, may it serve as a reminder of the One who was rich, but for our sake became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Cor 8:9).  When things go well, may it serve as a reminder that all is grace, and lift our eyes to the Giver of every good and perfect gift (Jam 1:17).

A few days into this new year, have already been overwhelming and anxiety-producing.  May our prayer echo the Psalmist: ‘Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps 73:25-26).’  Amen.

Let it be,

AB

January 5: Tuesday Refocus

‘O promised Christ: We are a world at war.  Our peace depends on Your coming.  We are a sinful people.  Our pardon depends on Your coming.  We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises; our only hope of doing God’s will is that You should come and help us do it. Lord Christ, Word made flesh, our world waits for Your peace, for Your pardon, and for Your grace.  Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.’ – The Worship Sourcebook

He has come, and He is coming again.  According to the Christian liturgical calendar, today is the final day of Christmas.  Christmastide (the twelve days of Christmas) begins each year on December 25th.  Lest we move on too quickly from the longing and ache of Advent, or rush past the glory of the incarnation, or stumble into a new year already forgetful of our need for redemption, linger a little longer.  He has come, and He is coming again.

The Word who created and sustains the world became created (Heb 1:3, Phil 2:6-7, Jn 1:14).  His arrival was not just to sympathize with us in our weakness, but to live a perfect life, to be the perfect sacrifice so that we who are dead can be made alive together with Him (Heb 4:15, 1 Pet 2:22, Rom 6:10, Heb 10:14, Eph 2:5).

Christmas is an arrow pointing to Good Friday, and Easter.  He has come, and He is coming again - hallelujah.

Lord, we remember and celebrate that You have come, and You are coming again.  In Your name, amen.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,

AB

December 29: Tuesday Refocus

‘It is the process not the outcome that is glorifying to God.  God’s training is for now, not later.  His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future.  We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it.  What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.’  - Oswald Chambers

In a year like no other I pray that you have turned obstacles into ebeneezers – reminders of the Lord’s help, provision, and sustaining faithfulness toward you (1 Sam 7:12).  Whatever goes before or behind, take heart, ‘…it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).’   

There is purpose in the present not just in the future because God is working all things to conform us to the image of His Son (Rom 8:28-29, 1 Thess 5:18).  We can be people who count trials as joy for we know that ‘the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).’ 

We will find Him faithful in 2021.  May He find us faithful as well.

Remembering,

AB

November 24: Tuesday Refocus

‘Narrow is the mansion of my soul; enlarge it that You may enter in.  It is ruinous; repair it.’ – Augustine

Advent begins Sunday.  Advent is a season of readying our souls not for Christmas, but for Christ.  We ready our souls as we remember His first coming, and ready our souls as we anticipate His second coming.  We could not have been ready or prepared for 2020.  But what would it look like to ready our lives for Christ? 

Bracing your heart and soul is not the same thing as readying your heart and soul.  The ready heart says:

‘Search me O, God…’ (Ps 139:23)

‘Here I am…’ (Is 6:8)

‘I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to Your word…’ (Lk 1:38) 

‘Not as I will, but as You will…’ (Matt 26:39) 

If your soul feels small, sing with the Psalmist: ‘Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.’ (Ps 24:7-10)

If your affections feel ruinous, say with the prophet: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’ (Is 40:3-5)

 Lord, find in us ready hearts and souls.  In Your name, amen. 

Readying,

AB

November 17: Tuesday Refocus

‘We are never more healthy than when we are confessing our sins.’  - Ronald Rolheiser

Our world can feel dark.  Scripture tells us we are…

…people with darkened hearts and minds (Eph 4:18).

…dwelling in the land of deep darkness (Is 9:2).

…loving the dark (Jn 3:19).

Is it any wonder that our world feels dark when our hearts are hard to the exposing light of Christ’s holiness?  As we move toward Advent and Christmas, I am reminded that even when things seem dark, Light has shone (Jn 1:5).

The light of Christ is not merely a spotlight on our sin – although it does expose the ugly and most protected parts of ourselves – it is also an invitation to leave our love of darkness, confess, repent, and be welcomed as children of light (1 Thess 5:5, Eph 5:8).

Don’t run from His light,

run to it,

because in a darkened world,

we need enlightened lives. 

Lord, would you expose the darkness in us and around us?  Would you make us people who are quick to confess our own love of darkness before we point out the darkness of others?  May we be bringers of Your light and presence, for Your glory and our good, in Christ’s name, amen.

Confessing,

AB

November 10: Tuesday Refocus

‘Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.’  - Psalm 107:43

This year has given many things to fill our hearts and minds – many opportunities to attend to the troubles of the day.  But Christ says not to be anxious about tomorrow (Matt 6:34).   With a world that is ever-changing, wisdom is not planning, plotting, or maneuvering the days ahead, but attending to something that never changes: the steadfast love of the Lord.

‘But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him…’ Psalm 103:17

Lord, may our lives be oriented around the reality of Your steadfast love and faithfulness.  When the days are long, the anxiety loud, may we attend to Your immovable character.  In the name of Christ, amen.

Attending,

AB