Restoring the Glory

Restoring the Glory: Kabod. (A Study on Biblical Names)

  In a dark era in the history of Israel, a dying woman gave her son a prophetic name. Ichabod, was the grandson of Eli, the son of Phineas, and would inherit the title of High Priest of Israel.
1Sa 4:21  And she gave the child the name of Ichabod, saying, The glory has gone from Israel: because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
22  And she said, The glory is gone [departed] from Israel, for the ark of God has been taken.
- she understood her times, not only had her husband died but her father-in-law had literally fallen and broken his neck!
- The glory of God is ever-present, our perception of it as individuals and as a people is dependent on our Faith position.
Glory is PERCEIVED by those whose senses are tuned to it!

כָּבֹד    כָּבוֹד   kâbôd From H3513; properly weight; but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness: - glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able). Total KJV occurrences: 200 [Strong's #H3519]
Is departed - Properly, “Is gone into captivity.”
> Putting these two concepts together we can use the phrase, "The weight of God's Presence has been taken into captivity".  How can we understand this concept today?
> Have we allowed The Glory of God to be taken into 'captivity'?
> What can we do to set the Glory of God free in our LIVES??
> This is a heart question: Even as I worship or pray or hear a powerful word, I may limit the glory of God by my own process.  The glory becomes 'captive to my mind'.  The music is off key; the Word is poorly presented, my prayer seems to hit a brass ceiling.
> In each case I AM RESPONSIBLE OF PUTTING GOD'S GLORY IN MY OWN MIND!!
Consider Paul's statement: 2Co_4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
> What Paul observed in his day, and the unnamed mother of Ichabod, we must guard against in our day.
> I find much wisdom in the lyric to song.  'Kabod' is the theme of Paul Wilbur's song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOPPxdb-4GU

1. 
   

Spirit of the Sovereign Lord

Come and make Your presence known
Reveal the glory of the Living God

Let the weight of Your glory cover us
Let the life of Your river flow
Let the truth of Your kingdom reign in us
Let the weight of Your glory
Let the weight of Your glory fall

We do not seek Your hand
We only seek Your face
We want to know You
We want to see You
Reveal Your glory in this place

Let the weight of Your glory
Let the weight of Your glory fall

© 1999 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

Let's give Paul the last word:
Rom_12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Tychicus the Ambassador

  While in prayer with my pastor, I was struck by the final words of Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

• After Paul shared his wonderful teaching on the Armor of God, the Ephesians would have had a number of questions, indeed, every verse of this letter would have need 'an interpreter'
• Tychicus, whose name is rich in meaning, not only delivered this letter but would have spent some time with the church in Ephesus, not just to report on Paul's state of affairs, but on every aspect of the growing Christian community.
• Tychicus was also the bearer of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Col 4:7 and made was an emissary, perhaps at the same time, to Titus (Titus 3:12)
• An Ambassador, or Emissary, simply means 'One who is sent'. The implication is that they are sent by a governing authority on their behalf to build strong relationships between two governments.  This is the Latin root, in Greek the word would be 'Apostellos' from which we get our word 'Apostle'.
• We know so little but speculation about this man, one thing we need to discover is the meaning behind his name.
• Act_20:4. Paul's companion and fellow laborer in the gospel (Act_20:4); 
• accompanied him in part on his return journey from the third missionary circuit; "of Asia." 
• Trophimus went forward with Paul to Jerusalem (Act_21:29), but Tychicus stayed behind in Asia, perhaps at Miletus (Act_20:15; Act_20:38). 
• With Paul again in his first Roman imprisonment: Col_4:7-8, "a (Greek the, the article marks that Tychicus was well known to them) beloved (in relation to the Christian community) brother and a faithful minister (in missionary services) and fellow servant in the Lord (in serving the same Master)." (from Fausset on 'Tychicus'.

   Now let us make this practical, is there a 'Tychicus' call on your life?

• Are you able to go on a mission for the purpose of sharing news of an 'apostolic' nature?
• Are you in close relationship with an apostolic father such that you  could be entrusted with such a mission?
• Does this passage speak to you about the Advance of the Kingdom and the spread of the Good News of the One True God?
• What are the supporting roles to such a call? [look at Ephesians 6:18-20]

  As ever this blog is intended to stir discussion... hope it fosters some interesting dialogue.

Called by Grace to Repentance

Called by Grace into Repentance¹:

2Pe 3:9 The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin [repent] and no one to be lost.

Repent means “to change” [metanoia]²

To change the way we think;

To change the way we choose;

To change the way we respond to situations.

Turning from the bondage which has developed in our own soul.

- We are called to repentance, not the Latin concept of penance, outward acts that symbolize how sorry you are but a change of your mind, your will, and your emotions.

It signifies the turning from one thing, and unto another. In this case, it is the turning away from the bondage of sin unto the liberty of Christ’s kingdom. Thus John says, “for the Kingdom of God is at hand!³ In other words — you can turn from sin to God because His ruling authority has now over-ruled all other claims to your soul.

There is no title, nor deed, nor any papers of authorization clutched in greedy hands, that surpass the unyielding power of the Lord’s decree that you be free. [What bondage holds us back from our destiny as sons and our inheritance??]

And free you are, despite all lies to the contrary. Now, you may indeed not be walking in your freedom; but that does not mean it is not yours. It just means you need to repent – that is, you need to change. You can now 'change' because the power of God is present to help you. You are called to change!

So if we are 'called away' from our bondage to sin, then we are 'called near' to the Sin-Breaker. From this we are 'called out' to call others to freedom. Thus the Trinity of our Calling!

Paul wrote to the Freed Slaves of Corinth several times... here is how he opened one of his letters.

1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours...

So having changed from our Sin mentality, to our son mentality we can effect change around us!

We are not only free from sin, but we are free from legalism; a system that says you must EARN your freedom, so that God would approve of you. To be legalistic is to put your own protocols on salvation, this is neither a good idea nor God's idea

Rom_2:4 [KJV] Or do you despise God's goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God lead thee to repentance?

Now let us see how the Mirror translation comments on this:

We are called through our patience and perseverance, as James comments.

Jas 5:7 My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. 8 Be patient like those farmers and don't give up. The Lord will soon be here! Jas 5:9 Don't grumble about each other or you will be judged, and the judge is right outside the door. 10 My friends, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They were patient, even when they had to suffer.

The Mechanics of an Unrepented Life

I know that much of my suffering is due to my own 'warped head', that is my 'unrepented thinking'. As I move through life my mind focusses on that which I PERCEIVE to be causing me discomfort, distraction and disgust! This “warped head thinking” causes my whole system to overheat, and I lurch along. Ryle puts it this way, when his mechanic told him his new vehicle was behaving badly:

When we are warped in our thinking – nothing good can happen. And to make matter worse, we get all hot and bothered when something good doesn’t happen. And when things go bad or wrong – we blow our lids. That’s the trouble with a warped head.

The Lord wants to set our minds right. And as He does so, the seal will hold and there will be no blown gaskets, nor any loss of power.

Have you “blown your lid” lately? Finding yourself over-heating and losing your cool? Take heart — the Lord is expert at fixing a warped head! Next time you find yourself over-heating and getting ready to pop – just pull over to the side and ask the Lord to straighten out your thinking; to check the seals, and make sure your “oil level” is fine. Cool down, and only then proceed along the high way.

Now I am a good driver but the mechanics of my vehicle is limited. I am glad that Jesus, among other things, is The Perfect Mechanic for my vehicle which gets me through life.

Just in case you wanted to know more about warped heads in an actual engine, here is a diagram. Now if you have had your life-vehicle have mechanical difficulties, let me share some wisdom.

1. Over-heating caused by pushing your engine too hard.
2. Over-heating caused by being stuck in traffic.
3. Over-heating caused by internal fluids being exposed to other hot surfaces.

1Much of this is taken from Ryle's Devotions.

2 μετανοέω metanoeō From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent. KJV occurrences: 34

3 This was the core of John's message. Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

FAITH - alpha

Faith: Substance and Search

1. To Trust – as a weaned child
2. To Believe – evidence unseen
3. To have Confidence or Certainty [such as Word of Faith churches]
4. To Agree – Agreement beyond our own mind will and emotion.
   - Abraham agreed with God to sacrifice Isaac. This level of agreement goes beyond the demands of a capricious god.
   - Mary agreed to “Say Yes to God “Be it unto me according to Thy Word.” (Luk_1:38). Ryle talks about three lessons here¹
   Lesson One: Never Overlook the Potential of the Ordinary “Despise not the day of small beginnings.” (Zec_4:10, NLT)

“God always does extraordinary things with ordinary stuff. Just look at what He made with dirt — YOU! How amazing is that? The Bible tells us that He made everything out of nothing. He is the CAN DO God. With Him nothing is impossible.”

• This is best applied to the “little boy's lunch” [Matt 14:17-20]
• “Most people never reach their full potential in life simply because they overlook the potential of the ordinary. If you simply start where you ARE, instead of waiting to start until you get to where you hope to go — you will become all you ever dreamed of being!”

Lesson Two: Never Under-estimate the Power of a Personal Word from God

“With God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luk_1:37)

- In order to get a better sense of what is being said, we first need to split the word into two words — as in “no thing” instead of “nothing.”

- rhema, which is translated as “thing.” It literally means “that which is spoken by a living voice.” It refers to the power that is inherent within any thing that God says.

In fact, the full meaning of the word “nothing” would look like this if translated into English — “Each and every thing God says; any and all words that proceed from His mouth; the whole of what He speaks, and not just a part, shall not under any circumstance of any sort be impossible in any way or at any time.”

Or, as the English puts it, “With God nothing shall be impossible.”

The point is both powerful, and personal. Whenever God speaks a word to your heart and places a promise upon your life — you can take it to the bank! He will do what He has said He will do.

“God said it, and it was so.” This phrase fills the first chapter of Genesis and introduces us to the God who does what He says. Even foolish Balaam had enough sense to state the obvious — “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num_23:19).

So, then, what has God spoken to you? What promise has He made, what dream has He given, what hope has He placed in your heart? Whatever it is, know this for certain — “Each and every thing God says; any and all words that proceed from His mouth; the whole of what He speaks, and not just a part, shall not under any circumstance of any sort be impossible in any way or at any time.”

Lesson Three: Never Hesitate to Say Yes to God’s Plan for Your Life

“Be it unto me according to Thy Word.” (Luk_1:38)

-Os Guinness writes, ” Our passion is to know we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are on earth. All standards of success — wealth, power, knowledge, position, fame — grow tiny and hollow if we do not satisfy this deeper longing.”

-Nothing short of God’s will obeyed can both ground and fulfill the truest human desire for significance. And we are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts and callings that are truly us.

- Abraham was called by God out of a dead religion practiced by pagans, and became the Father of Faith. He was without children until God spoke a promise. Abraham believed God and became the Father of Nations. He said yes to God.

- Moses was a stuttering stammering sheep herding Bedouin in the high deserts of Midian, when a burning bush caught his eye. Approaching the Bush, he heard a voice. That Voice spoke of great and mighty things to come. Moses answered, “Who am I?” The Voice called him out of his own sense of inability and limitations, and ushered him forth into the great drama of human history as one of the greatest and most influential men who has ever lived. He said yes to God.

- David as the runt of the litter; the eighth born son in a family where seven was enough. Last on the food chain, there was usually nothing left when his turn came along. God spoke a promise to his young heart in the isolated fields of unseen worship. He believed God and rose to become the greatest King Israel has ever known. He said yes to God.

- Mary said yes to God and rose from humble surroundings to be the mother of our Lord.

• Now it’s your turn. Whatever the situation of your life, or the circumstances in which you presently find yourself — it is never too late to say yes to God’s will for your life. He can still do the impossible with the improbable.

NEVER overlook the extraordinary potential of the ordinary! NEVER under-estimate the power of a personal word from God! And, NEVER hesitate to say yes to God’s plan for your life! These are the three great lessons we learn from a peasant girl named Mary.

With thanks to Dr. Ryle we can now go on from these Bible models of Faith. Yes, they displayed faith but it was their small faith, willingly offered, that transformed their lives.

God's faith in each one of us is Unlimited, Unconditional, and Unending.

So God believes in us, and includes us in his covenant plan. In fact, God will not act without man's participation, EVEN permission²

1Rylisms December 17

2More on this in my next blog: Prayer: Releasing Permission to ACT!