Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read a portion of Daniel 2 verse 28 which says, “There is a God in heaven Who reveals mysteries.”

The king of Babylon had a dream. And it so disturbed him that he asked the impossible of his wise men. “Tell me the dream I had and the interpretation or I will have you executed.” Of course none of the wise men could and openly told the king so. “You ask the impossible.” What else could they do?

Mad with power, disturbed by the dream, the king carried out his order until Daniel intervened. He asked for time and sought the God of Heaven - the Revealer of Mysteries. And God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel who shared it with the King.

Daniel’s back was against the wall. There was no other option unless God revealed. Which He did. But even Daniel was careful to tell the king why. It wasn’t because Daniel was wiser. It was to reveal.

Perhaps we think God just reveals to the prophet out of nowhere. Perhaps at times that’s true. But here, it’s in the stress of real living. And it’s in response to Daniel seeking. And it’s for the purpose of revealing.

You right now, in all your real living need the Revealer of Mysteries. And perhaps He will only reveal when asked.

“God in Heaven - Revealer of Mysteries - show me the reality around me, and the meaning. Reveal to me so that I can be a benefit to those around me and help people see You.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read John 21:25 - the last verse in John. It says, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.”

What could possibly be said of Jesus? Mark records a verse with a similar spirit, the people were overwhelmed with amazement and said “He has done everything well!” Yes He has. The entire biblical story is one gigantic (dare I say) Easter egg (ironically) leading us to Jesus.

What other man has influenced more history than Jesus? Who has exerted more power over people by Himself dying than Jesus? Who’s teachings are more morally superior, unimpeachable, than Jesus? If you know of anyone even close, I want to know.

But honestly, why should we expect any different? Jesus is what God looks like when human. Jesus is the interface between Deity and Humanity. Jesus is real humanity and real God. We worship God and cry “mystery mystery” as well we should. But in Jesus we can say, “We have seen - and You do all things well!” Jesus is what it’s all about.

There’s no sense trying to grasp it all in one sitting. You couldn’t even if you tried. Just as John says. Instead, let your heart be moved by this man. So caring, so gentle, so strong, so thorough, so self-giving, and so God that He is bringing all things together back within Himself. It’s enough in this moment just to marvel.

“Jesus, to speak to You is to speak to God. To see You is to see God. Yes of course we’re limited in what we can see and imagine, but we’re moved. Show us more of Yourself. We love You!”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read from first Samuel. The prophet Samuel is just a boy in the house of the Lord with the priest Eli. Twice now Samuel has been awakened by the Lord. The prompting was apparently familiar enough that the boy mistook the Lord for Eli. 1 Samuel 3:7-9 says “Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. He told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening”; So Samuel went and lay down in his place.’”

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night with the sense that it was something “Other” that was waking you? What did you think it was? Perhaps something you ate. And that may be true. But perhaps it was more.

Samuel heard from God in the middle of the night - and you may as well. And when He does, there is only one response. “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening”. Samuel had not yet “experienced” the Lord, because the word had not been revealed to Him. The word of the Lord is anything the Lord reveals. And Samuel was now experiencing God.

It is wondrous to think that God might even awaken You - perhaps tonight - and allow you to experience Him. And when He does, get up, fall to your knees, and simply respond.

“God, I won’t presume upon You - but I do want to experience You. More than anything I want to experience You. How You move is a mystery. But would You awaken me? Reveal Yourself to me. Tell me Your secrets.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read Acts 2:4 which says, “Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.”

This is strange. But it’s scripture. We must receive it. The Spirit comes and fills believers. They are now partners with and animated by God. They speak in languages they did not learn - a reversal of the curse at the Tower of Babel. Humans are coming back together in the Spirit.

It’s actually a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy from Joel 2:28-32. Strangely enough, these days are referred to as, “The Last Days”. Can it be that whatever the last days are, we have been in them for 2000 years? A time in which the Holy Spirit is bringing us back together in Christ? Yes I think so.

And He does this at least initially through the phenomena of “speaking in tongues.” God does strange things and works in strange ways. But His end game seems clear - to bring humanity back together in Him.

So should we seek strange phenomena? I won’t say no. I do. But perhaps what we should really seek is the filling of the Spirit - whatever that entails. Whatever strange phenomena God wants to perform in us…let’s be open. However God wants to use us to bring those He loves back together…let’s be open.

“Holy Spirit fill me. Animate me to unite those You love in Jesus. Strange phenomena or not, I am open to You. Surprise me, thrill me with Your methods.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read Psalm 46:1 & 10. “God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in time of trouble. “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

Today we will meditate. We will think deeply and with less words. This passage opens by focusing our thinking - God. God is our safety, God is our power. God is our help.

Then in verse 10 it says “Be Still.” or “Stop fighting.” or “Stop striving.” Calm down. Who is asking it of you? Is it the songwriter? Is it a guru? No - it’s God Himself. Be still and know that “I” am God. You are not God - and no one else is. Just Him.

But it’s not a call to empty your mind. Far from it. It’s a call to stop and consider that He and He alone will be exalted among all people in all the earth. Won’t that be a great day!

We will take longer now to consider this. Stop what you’re doing and consider God taking charge. Thoroughly setting things right. Doing all things well. You might find it helpful just to imagine Him getting bigger and bigger and filling all things and in so doing, all things getting better. We will take a little time to do this - and I will stop now and join you. You can begin imagining now.

“You are God - we praise You - we adore You. You are the King. We find ourselves in You. We love You.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read Psalm 24 verse 1 - “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.”

There are days when the sun shines a little brighter. Life is a bit more wondrous and free.

And then there are the other days (perhaps most of the other days) - when the pressure of everything weighs on our shoulders - and try as we may and as much as we want to hoist ourselves into that carefree realm, our minds race from thing to thing.

But…dear worshipper…the earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants belong to the Lord. The cure for our low-grade anxiety is the same cure for everything else - God. God is the cure. How? Because it’s all His anyway.

Your problems - your issues - your family - your friends - even your enemies - they all belong to God. Your body, your ailments, your home and it’s needed repairs - your money and resources - your future plans - the nation - the politics - all of it…it ALL belongs to God. There’s nothing that doesn’t belong to God.

You - you belong to God. Perhaps you could even repeat it. “I belong to God.” Let’s say it - “I belong to God.”

He’s got you. He’s got you better than you ever could. You are never wasting time with God.

“God, I love You. You have me. I belong to You. I trust You. Help me feel and know that this is so.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read portions of Job 1:1-5 which says “There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east. His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought: perhaps my children have sinned having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice.

Did you know that Job is the oldest book in the bible? It’s true. When it was written there was no bible. There was no Judaism. There was no church. There was no law. There was no knowledge of Jesus.

And yet this great man, this honorable man, this rich man, would rise early in the morning to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of his children. What rule instructed him? What religion? None. Something inside of Job compelled him to seek God. And not only to seek God, but to make amends for sin. It was so obvious to Job that this was worship. He also knew that it was the sacrifice, or his children that would pay for their sin.

Overlay this story with Proverbs 14:9 which says “Fools mock at making amends to sin…” Job was no fool. He took worship seriously. In fact his worship was build on the idea of thoroughly dealing with sin.

Nothing has changed. Well that’s not exactly true. God’s self-disclosure has changed - we know more. He’s shown us more. He’s revealed Jesus, and Jesus has become our burnt offering. Fundamentally though, worship still looks the same. It’s always the sacrifice that takes our sin. And fools mock the idea.

“God, I don’t need a religion, a pastor, or even a bible to demonstrate that I need a sacrifice. But I’m grateful that You have taken all the responsibility on Yourself in Jesus. You are my sacrifice. You make me right with You. And in light of that - I worship You.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read Genesis 22:2. Here God is speaking with Abraham and He makes an unimaginable request… “Take your son, He said, your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

We don’t like this verse (and many of the stories in scripture). Understandably so. They’re monstrous at first glance. God is asking the impossible - and why???

But let’s point something out. God did not allow Abraham to kill Isaac. Okay? Let’s remember that. Something else is happening. You may want to take time to read the entire story.

First, Abraham and Isaac go to a mountain - a mountain that God designates. When Isaac asks where the lamb is, Abraham tells his son that God Himself will provide the lamb. When they reach their spot, Abraham binds Isaac and lays him on the wood. Once he is in position, Abraham prepares to stab him. At that moment, he is stopped. God points Abraham to an animal caught in a thicket. It’s a ram - not a lamb. Strangely God does not provide the lamb. Ultimately, immeasurable blessing come through Abraham’s sacrificial and faithful act.

Hmmm - Let’s summarize: they ascend a hill. The son, the one and only beloved son is laid on wood to be pierced. God Himself provides the lamb, and immeasurable blessing flows from this act of faithful sacrifice.

Sound familiar? Yes - it’s Jesus. These stories, brutal as they are, foreign as they are, are pointing to Jesus. They are like reverse echoes that only make sense after the fact. And scripture is filled with them. What is God up to? Getting us to Jesus.

“God I don’t understand it all - not by a long shot. But Jesus is wonderful. You are wonderful. You are blessing and redeeming all things in Jesus. Thank You and I love You.”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read Proverbs 3:19-22. It says, “The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew. Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck.

It would be easy in a spiritual practice or worship to ignore the physical and focus only on the spiritual. But in God’s way of doing things, there is no separation. It’s simply Who He is and what He does. And while we are so accustomed to the physical reality and often ignore the spiritual, true worship is actually harmonizing both. Proverbs is entirely practical. Yes, God is interested in how you do the work you do.

How does God work? Yes God works. And He does it well. Everything He does is done with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. So what is wisdom? Scripture spends more time describing it than defining it. Ultimately God is the definition. So how about we just say that wisdom is the skill that God has within Himself to do things well. This is why the universe just works. It’s why it’s so beautiful and wondrous. Because God is a genius and full of skillful wisdom.

And then the passage quickly pivots to you. The writer tells you to “Maintain your competence.” To keep it up and keep going. To see that your skill remains sharp. To use your abilities regularly. And why? Because they are “life” for you. Adornment for your neck.

Why would God care about your work? Because you are an extension of Him. Work is good. Do you feel that way? What are you good at? You’re good at something - maybe many things. You should use it AND maintain. God does things - you should do things. And it will be a kind of glory for you.

God cares how you spend your day. Don’t waste it frivolously or sit on your hands. Use the skill you have to build on the beautiful world He has made. You never know what will come of it.

“God You are a genius - a wonderful creative! Everything You do is done well. I want to join You. Breathe fresh energy into my work and bless it in amazing ways!”

Thank you for listening. Check out more at www.seekGodtogether.com

Today we will read Romans 11:32 which says, “For God has imprisoned all in disobedience, so that He may have mercy on all.”

What will happen in the end - when everyone is dead - everyone’s judged? What will hell be like and who will be there?

These are not pleasant questions. But are there any that are more important? Really? If we take life seriously, and the reality of death seriously, we must deal with it. If we take scripture seriously, we must deal with what it says. And frankly there are verses like this one right under our nose that we frankly ignore.

Who has God imprisoned in disobedience? All. Are there any exceptions? It doesn’t appear so. And who will He have mercy on? All. The same All. Will there be any exceptions? That is the question but in faith looking at this verse, we must say it doesn’t appear so. This runs counter to our typical thoughts on an eternal tormenting hell. And while there isn’t time in a thousand lifetimes to answer all the questions arising from just this one verse, let me ask you a couple questions…

First - Christ’s work on the cross - is it enough to deal with the sin of everyone?

Second - If the answer to the first question is yes - would there be anything to stop God from applying Christ’s work on the cross to everyone?

And if this maybe too out of the box, let’s just re-read the verse … “For God has imprisoned ALL in disobedience, so that He may have mercy on All.”

“God I don’t know what You’re up to. But if this verse is hinting at what I think it’s hinting at - then You’re up to far more than I ever could have imagined.”