C.I.R.C.U.M.S.T.A.N.C.E.S.

Here’s a handy acronym for circumstances that may be helpful, especially when those pesty negative ones crop up and seem to overstay their welcome:

C ~ Christ

 I ~ is indeed

R ~ risen [as]

C ~ Conquerer, challenging,

U ~ urging and under-girding

M ~ mankind:

S ~  Standfast,

T ~ tall

A ~ against

N ~ nagging, negative

C ~ circumstances, [thus] conquering

E ~ every

S ~ sinful situation!

 

Like iceberg tips, circumstances are sure to be,

The rest of which we will never see.

When negative ones appear with importunity,

They’re your “Trust in God opportunity.”

Life Cycle of Circumstances

What ever happened to circumstances that you once ached to have changed? As you confronted and wrestled with them, they seemed so insurmountable, so intractable. Perhaps as you now can see them in your rear view mirror, and can still feel and see their emotional pinches and scars left on the landscape of your life. Thank God they're gone! Good riddance, but...where did they go??

Similarly, what ever happened to circumstances that once pulsated your life with love and satisfaction? You wished they would never change, though change they did. As you view these in your rear view mirror, you feel emotionally pulled to relive and re-experience their glory. Sorry they're gone. Glad for such fond mem'ries, but likewise, where did these circumstances go?

THANK GOD, good or bad, circumstances come to leave! They are temporary. A permanent diet of awful circumstances would quickly wear out us and leave us hopeless; whereas a permanent diet of positive circumstances would likely render us unappreciative and quite prideful.

Circumstances spiral around us like planets around a star; like electrons orbit the core (protons and neutrons) of an atom. Consider even the (English language) term and the obvious root words therein: circum-stance, where 'circum' means to encompass around about; and 'stance' means a position (physical, spiritual, emotional, financial or otherwise) or bearing of a body. This infers that circumstances arrive or arise to "take an encompassing stand", be it positive or otherwise.

I believe circumstances may well be the work products of angels, both good and bad, doing the bidding of their captains (Jesus & satan) to motivate and spawn those thought, word and action seeds we and others plant into our lives. Just as the gravitational pulls of stars on their orbiting planets, and orbiting planets on their stars are mutually reinforcing, circumstances both shape and influence us, as we also shape and influence them.

If they are indeed spawned by the thought, word and action seeds we and others plant into our lives, so our thoughts, words and actions in response to them will shape and influence them. Moreover, as the gravitational pulls of planets in a solar system have mutual effect on the planets, the circumstances of our lives similarly tend to feed on/off each other.

Circumstances arrive/arise to shape us, prove (test) us and demonstrate to us and to others who we really are at the core -- deep within our spirit. They influence the paths we take in life, facilitate and thwart progress on our current path, and reward and punish earlier paths taken. Once they do their assigned jobs, poof, they're gone! But where?

No matter where we look, it is evident that God established all/ALL of life -- and every facet of life, as a carefully integrated, intricate series of spiraling 'engines', each with its own circuit and speed, and each with relevant 'exhaust' system(s). The expression, 'cycle of life', literally applies to everything physical, and since all things physical are spawned from the world of spirit, it stands to reason cycles also exist spiritually. The physical universe is the systematic granddaddy of all these systems and circuits, and it may provide clues as to how all other circuits operate. It represents the cumulative of all 'worlds' under God's (3rd) heaven, from sub-atomic to the most complex. The universe includes black holes that serve as a type of exhaust system for solar systems and galaxies. From here, go all the way down, down, down to the sub-atomic level and we encounter similarities. This is not to say an atom represents a mini universe. But functionally, all physical life cycles are similar, and all physical life cycles likely yield useful spiritual insights, if we are perceptive to identify them. Stars have wakes and comets have tails. While human life generates pollution, trash, garbage and waste, it also produces history and mem'ries; and families spin off generations of posterity. Death, and possibly even divorce, may be forms of 'family exhaust' systems. Atoms, with their negatively charged electrons that orbit a nucleus of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, are able to spin off unwanted electrons, thereby changing their chemical makeup. Spiritual events produce (or spin-off) glory, whether it be praise or shame, which is also a type of glory. (Philippians 3:19)

Yes, human life is replete with circumstances that revolve around the nucleus or core of who we are. Learning to envision circumstances in their proper spiritual context makes a world of difference in how they influence us, and we them. Here are some catchy, colorful, and hopefully helpful tips I have learned from my pondering on circumstances, especially those pesty uncomfortable/negative ones that seem to show up often.

When Circumstances... 

When circumstances in-conspicuously conspire 

to cause consternations to commence in causeways of your life,
 

Pouncing to prove their power; poking and 

provoking you to pursue or permute your faith profession;
 

Trying to twist your tongue to trust or thwart your faith -- 

that thorough God-power thrust into life through your thoughts and talk;

Don't retreat to your routine riling and revilements, 

relenting and relinquishing things you requested and received by faith.
 

Stand fast! Steady your soul; still your spirit; stay in your sanctuary.

Say what The Spirit of God says. Speak your 'faith spiritual spiel'.
 

Circumstances will eventually collapse, cave in and scram

 to their dusty caves and caverns, never to come out 

in that specific configuration again, ever!
 

Circumstances are never circumstantial, but are always circumferential, 

cleverly circling you to confirm or contend with your 'cool',

 contain or contaminate your core, 
and confirm or circumvent you God-covenant.

Assess the predominant, seemingly governing circumstances in your life, especially those pesty and trying negative ones. Just like with stars, planets, moons, electrons, etc., there may well be some correlation between your core being and the circumstances you seem to attract around your life.  The key question is:

Will you tame, train and transcend them,

or allow them to tame, train and transcend you?

u-Jesus, i-Jesus (Poem)

 He said, ‘Greater works than Mine, one day you will do’.

But such you’ll never do, if in His shoes you can’t see you.

So go ahead, learn His role that the Gospels tell,

So in your life His part you’ll play very well.

A student, a doctor or surgeon shall never become,

If the vision never takes root deep in his bosom.

So look down, step in dusty sandals that clod His feet.

Pick up, then don robes He wore on His ministry beat.

Imagine God’s Spirit as a Dove on you descending.

Feel His love for people you’ll soon be befriending.

He considered it not robbery with God to be equal.

With 'Him in you, you in Him' – you’re really His sequel.

Feel the cold water, running swiftly off your face,

As your water baptizer raises you with grace.

Prepare well for your race, 40 days and 40 nights,

As satan prepares for you his temptations to fight.

Imagine The Father telling you what to do and say,

As you walk among crowds on dusty roads every day.

Alone, feel the thirst, smell water in that old well,

As you wait for a Samaritan, all her story to tell.

Reach for a stick; start writing on dry ground,

As accusers drop their rocks -- no woman to stone.

Release spiritual authority; at your word demons flee!

Powerless to terrorize, since you heard people’s plea!

Perceive holy angels moving briskly among crowds,

Multiplying fish and loaves, lifting heads that are bowed.

Release forgiveness to those who against you plot,

Knowing if you don’t, your supply lines will be blocked.

Love all your friends, as well as your enemies.

Love even your Judases -- those who are ‘frienemies’.

Staying in love is crucial, as it fuels your faith.

Living as Jesus, don’t slip; too much is at stake!

Except for His birth and death, there’s nothing in His life,

That we can’t imagine doing/being; we now are His light!

T’was He, not I, who said, ‘Greater works you will do!’

Will you ever do them if you never see Him as you?

Friend, at this pivotal point in this simple poem,

I release you, not to stop, but to keep on going.

Take this simple idea, this imagination so powerful,

And transform your life; make your world colorful.

Fill it with the rainbow that encircles God’s throne.

Play your role, i-Jesus, from now till you go home.

In your family, work, social and all other settings,

Remember it’s Him and His role that you are casting.

Perhaps you’ve heard and even asked, ‘W-W-J-D?’

Don’t wonder what He would do; just see yourself as He.

Go ahead; study long; on His ole story dwell.

Learn His heart, then play His part very well.

As you imagine playing His role, oh so lofty,

Hear Him whispering to you, always so softly,

“In your own power alone, none of this can be done,

“But Me working through you, every victory is won!”

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Pic: Jesus is Alive Community, Facebook

Spiritual Junk Food

Left on their own, sheep are directionless, defenseless, and are generally considered to be pretty dumb (d-d-d). According to NC State University’s College of Agriculture, 'Today's sheep have a smaller brain than the sheep 12,000 years ago.' * So with smaller brains, are they increasingly dumber?  

In The Gospel of John, Jesus referred to His followers as sheep, 7 times – the Biblical number of perfection. A quick glance at The Church in our world today, some might agree with Jesus’ characterization of Christians as sheep, though our pride may bristle at the very ‘d-d-d’ notion.

Jesus told Peter to ‘feed’ His sheep. I am a sheep. Are you? This post summarizes what I need in sheep food. See if this may be what you also need, then compare it with the ‘food’ you are being fed by your ‘spiritual feeders’, and see whether you are receiving good, nourishing food, or…. spiritual junk food.

There are countless articles on the topic of physical junk food, and an increasing number on spiritual junk food. The similarities between these two types of junk foods are clear, and they should be alarming. This post is somewhat different in that it is written from the perspective of a hungry sheep – me.

So let’s briefly ponder:

  1. What is spiritual junk food, and from where does it come?

  2. What is a quick way to discern it, i.e., what’s the evidence?

  3. What is the ‘nutritional test’ for our ‘sheep food’?

1. What is spiritual junk food, and from where does it come? As with our natural food, spiritual junk food is whatever we feed our spirit (i.e., whatever we dwell on) that has diminished or no spiritual nutritional value. In the broadest sense, much of what our minds feed on daily very likely fits this categorization, including work, TV programs, news, social palaver, etc. From the Christian perspective, spiritual junk food is typically derived from watered down, selective presentation of the ‘whole Counsel of God’. It is ‘processed/prepared’ by taking pivotal Scripture verses out of their two general contexts. The first context is that of the chapter, book and culture within which it was written. The second context is that of the entire, rightly divided Word of God (both logos and rhema or revealed insights), pulsating with the Heart of God. The 66 books of The Bible are conceived and inspired by one Author, The Spirit of God, and reportedly were penned by 40 writers.

Spiritual food is designed to produce spiritual energy by which we ‘live’ the life designed by, and pleasing to Father God, in harmony with the brotherhood (The Church, writ large), and in service to others -- both Christians and non-Christians alike. What is this spiritual energy that is designed to facilitate such lofty objectives? It is reiterated in Scripture as:

The just

 (i.e., those justified in righteousness)

shall live by faith.

(Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17,

Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38,

and especially Mark 11:22 YLT Version,

with its emphasis on 'of', not 'in')

Faith, therefore, is the spiritual energy by which we are expected to live. Interpreting the above verses broadly, living by faith is both:

·  A command (i.e., live!), and

·  A promise (i.e., you shall live! – succeed in achieving your goals and objectives)

The objective of faith is to build our belief in, and catalyze our actions based on understanding God’s nature, character and promises. God designed this spiritual energy to come from, or by hearing His Word -- both His written (logos) Word in The Bible, and His revealed (rhema) Word through meditation and musing.

So then faith comes by hearing,

and hearing by the Word of God.

(Romans 10:17)

God designed us physically and in our communal/social life to ‘hear’ His Word via at least three avenues:

·     In our minds as we read, meditate and listen audibly to His written Word. When you read, do you hear your inner self, somewhat calling out each word, phrase or concept to yourself? By design, we ‘hear’ ourselves read, and then translate what we hear into pictures. Clever!

·    In our conversations with other believers as we exhort and admonish each other with/in The Word. These two words we don’t use much nowadays. ‘Exhort’ (in its various forms) is cited only once in the Old Testament, but over 30 times in the New Testament. ‘Admonish’ (in its various forms) is cited equally (5 times) in both testaments. Most of the New Testament is a series of exhortations and admonishments. (NKJV)

·    In formal sermons and teachings that formally elucidate The Word.

When we hear in these ways, and that which we hear does not produce faith, then what we are hearing is a type of spiritual junk food in that it is not adequately nourishing, and does not produce the intended energy (faith) by which we are to live.

2. What is the plain evidence? In short order, the evidence of having consumed junk food is …weak, doubting and wavering faith, or faithlessness. A steady diet of junk food will also be evidenced in our persistent failures in the face of spiritual tests and trials -- the inability to please God, since it takes faith to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Without this crucial spiritual energy, we will lack confidence, boldness and wisdom both before God, and also in facing our spiritual enemy. The evidence of what happens to malnourished sheep, or babies, etc. speaks loudly.

3. What is the nutritional test? If sheep by nature are d-d-d (dumb, directionless and defenseless), the ultimate nutritional test of the spiritual food we consume may well be:

·  Our deepening knowledge of The Lord – His nature, character and promises (i.e., no longer dumb). As we get to 'know' Him, He also 'knows' us, the critical requirement for our names being written in His Book of (eternal) Life that is noted 7 times in the Book of  Revelation.

·  Our perceptions of, and ability to recognize and follow His voice (i.e., no longer directionless since, ‘My sheep hear/listen to My voice’)

·  Our defensiveness against our spiritual enemy (i.e., no longer defenseless, having ‘put on God’s whole armor’)

If we come up short in these areas, it’s time to do a ‘salvation status check’ to evaluate and maybe change what we are hearing in our minds as we read/study Scripture, in conversations with believers, and in formal sermons/teachings. In all three areas, I wonder whether a lot of what we hear may well be a treasure trove of spiritual junk food that builds more dis-unity, fear, pride and condemnation than it does faith. To see if this may be so in your life, consider asking yourself immediately after listening/hearing in any of the three listening categories:

·  Since faith works by/through love (Galatians 5:6), did what I just listened to/heard help my spiritual strength to love and to live by faith in and of God?

·  Will what I just listened to/heard help me to overcome my tests and trials by the word of my testimony? (Revelation 12:11)

If the answers are 'No', you may have likely had a heaping of, not nourishing sheep food, but spiritual junk food. Mind you, spiritual junk food is addictive, and it fattens our prideful carnal-mindedness.

A conundrum to consider: While Paul affirms faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), the writer of Hebrews suggests faith needs to be added to or mixed with that which we hear (Hebrews 4:2), as if it-takes-faith-to-build-faith. If so, this may be why Paul says '…God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.' (Romans 12:3) Given this, it would certainly help to keep our faith alert and active as we listen/hear in each of the three categories – reading, conversations with believers, and formal sermons/teachings. 

Ummm, here’s a novel (radical?) idea. Just as the food labeling law in the U.S. requires manufacturers of prepared/processed foods to label both the major ingredients and nutritional values on food containers, how would it be if the formal sermons and teachings we ‘consume’ were both introduced and concluded with the list of areas in which what you are about to hear or read is targeted to build your faith for A, B, C…? Remember, faith is not a monolith (a point echoed often in this blog). Just as our physical bodies have many muscles for different functions, we also have ‘faith muscles’ with different functions (e.g., faith for personal forgiveness and salvation, faith for physical healing, faith for supply, faith to forgive and love others, faith for peace of mind, faith to witness, etc.). Such a labeling practice could help both the teacher/preacher as well as the hearer to focus on the intended minimum 'faith-building objectives'. Anything achieved over and above these minimums would be ‘icing on the cake!’

How could a similar, non-formal notion help enhance the quality of, and benefits from our conversations with other believers??

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

 (Isaiah 55:2)

I will give you shepherds according to My heart,

who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

(Jeremiah 3:15)

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^* See: Dumb, Directionless, Defenseless and Sheep Facts

A Smoking Flax

Life has a way of rapidly using up the oil of our joy, emptying the reservoirs of our hope. Unexpected needs, long drawn-out issues that seem never to end, disappointments galore…it’s more than enough to not only quench our fire, but even our desire to rekindle it! Been there? For sure, I have trodden this well-worn path and ‘have the T-shirt’ to prove and remember it!

The Bible appropriately likens this to ‘a smoking flax’. To one degree or another, perhaps we all have either been, are, or someday will be a proverbial smoking flax – like the barely or dimly lit wick of a flickering candle whose light seems ready to expire…completely.

According to Isaiah 42:1-4, Jesus, God's Servant will not quench us (i.e., not put out any remaining indication of a flame) when we are like smoking flax. Rather, He rekindles our hope and faith by drawing us into His presence where there is fullness of joy.

The article cited below (“The Bruised Reed”) concludes with a story in which a fellow quips to his friend, "If you love me, tell me where I hurt!" This speaks of effective listening skills of a loving friend – being able to paraphrase accurately that which we have listened to …and heard. No doubt there is a form of quasi-healing in just sharing our lengthening lists of hurts and woes with a caring heart and a hearing (not just a listening) ear. Having been frequently on both ends of this deal, I now see that, though helpful to a degree, such sharing can easily become rather addictive and even harmful to our healing. The cautionary words of Jesus, “…take heed how you hear” (Luke 8:18), could also infer ‘take heed what you hear’.

While being able to understand and recite all of a friends' hurts, once heard and understood, it is far better, isn't it, to help put and keep in place an appropriate healing balm on as many of those hurts as possible. God's gracious Word, relevant to each hurt and bathed in the fear/respect of The Lord, is the best healing balm available. Designed to be health to all our flesh, strength to all our bones (including ligaments and tendons!), peace to our minds, and healing hope to hurting hearts. (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22, 16:24), it literally 'covers the works!' The tragedy may well be our reluctance to receive, apply and sustain this needful balm, in favor of yet another friend who will listen and recite to us, “Where do I hurt?"

Next time you feel like your candle of hope is about to go out, may this post gently remind you to search for that Christ-like friend who will neither quench it, nor join the chorus of friends who can only recite to you their perspectives and the details of all your hurts. Such may inadvertently serve only to deepen and keep them afresh in your mind. Rather, search for that friend who, in love, will listen briefly -- with purpose (without getting lost in the minute details), and will aptly help you to apply healing balms of/from The Word, and thereby help replenish the supply of your oil of hope, find afresh the faithfulness of your faith, and rekindle the fire of your determination to overcome by The Blood of The Lamb and the word of your testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
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The Bruised Reed

(http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Meditations/Bruised_Reed/bruised_reed.html)