Yearly Archives: 2017

The big city has been left behind. Tonight, just before I took this shot of deep dusk over the Tisza river, I urged the folks here to “set their mind on the Spirit” It’s the theme for the week that I adapted from Romans 8. I shared my own experience of God meeting me as I disciplined myself each morning to meet with Him. During our session we mediated on Psalm 29, but just now I was reminded of this…

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah” ‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭84:1-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬) http://bible.com/59/psa.84.1-4.esv

I woke up from my nap yesterday afternoon and looked out the window to see that we were over the Danube bend. In no time I looked and saw this pretty remarkable view of the jewel on the Danube, Budapest.

Prior to my nap I had been meditating on these words from Paul. I think they’re kind of a bird’s eye view of temptation, sin and what to do about it. Take a moment and slowly read this portion from Romans.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans‬ ‭8:5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬) http://bible.com/59/rom.8.5-6.esv

Think about these words: “set their minds.”

I immediately think of the Christian disciplines, foremost of which is Bible reading, Bible meditation (think memorizing) and prayer.

McCheyne (the pastor) said that he wished not see the face of a person before he’d seen the face of God each day.

Set you mind on God, this is your only strength against sin. You have not the power alone. No matter what well meaning folks may tell you. Lewis: “Aim at Heaven…”

Set your mind on the Spirit.

Well, new fiscal year anyway. We shoukd give thanks in all things as followers of Jesus, and the 12 months just ended certainly had much for which we at CEO praise God.

So I wake up at 30,000 feet and descending, 

45 minutes west of London just off the south Irish coast (👋 to my bro KOS down there somewhere). Next stop London then Budapest to celebrate the new year in the heartland and teach about how our person theology affects our personal discipleship using the 5 big ideas of the Reformation!

On the M’Cheyne train today Jesus asks:

“Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬) http://bible.us/59/mrk.8.18.esv

As we begin each day (or new year of any kind) let’s abide in Him, remember what He’s done and exhalt Him! 

A common theme on kingdomtravelin is our response to struggle. The last two days we’ve glanced at Job. His initial responses were good, then his friends arrive and they sit and look at each other for 7 days and then in chapter 3 Job laments his birth in poetic complaint.

I choose to look away from Job this morning and answer the question posed above. 

How can I rejoice in struggle? In anxiety? 

Here is the only answer I know:

1. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides (emphasis mine) in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (‭‭John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬) http://bible.com/59/jhn.15.5.esv

The good news is thus: I can’t, so I must turn to Him who can.

In Him I can rejoice.

Aim at Heaven y’all.

He is with us, the Son has risen, and the sun will rise tomorrow.

In our suffering, how shall we react? This is a pressing question that our answer will guide many of our attitudes. Job’s wife urged him to “curse God and die.” Many of us are tempted to think in such a way. But God has given us Job as a different way… 

“Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (‭Job‬ ‭2:10‬b ‭ESV‬‬) http://bible.com/59/job.2.10.esv

So which attitude shall you choose when suffering arises?

At the end of chapter one of Job, after incredible devastation had engulfed his family, the chapter ends with these word…

“In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” (‭‭Job‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

My immediate prayer should be to ask the Lord for such a heart.