let us draw near

Several points have impressed me this time through Hebrews.  While the Melchizedek priesthood was established in the time of Abraham (before the law), Jesus was established as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek "on oath" in the time of David (Psalm 110:4).  Jesus's priesthood is ultimate because He was both the priest and the sacrifice, atoning for our sins once and for all and reestablishing relationship with God.  The conclusion, then, is close relationship with Him:

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

If The Way to God is now available, then why would I not want to go to Him?  Why would I allow my heart and mind to be distracted by any other thing?

Ironically, this is the point of my blog.  And yet, as of late, I have been delinquent because I have been "too busy".  

Father, thank you for making the way to reconnect with you.  Jesus, thank you for being The Way for every person in the world for all time.  Holy Spirit, thank you for leading me to The Way.  Please help me turn my heart to you and seek you even more.  I want to know you and walk with you daily.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

fire and oil

Heb. 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ...
7 In speaking of the angels he says,
"He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire."
8 But about the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy."

I feel like the focus of my attention is so quickly drawn to my task at hand.  Like a child playing hide-and-seek with his father and quickly becomes distracted with something else in the room and forgets that he is searching for his father.  I want to stand in wonder at Him. I want to enjoy worshiping Him.

I started reading When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper, and it resonates with me.  Fundamentally, we are passive recipients of God's grace - like the wick of a candle set aflame.  (In contrast, religion is man's attempt to set himself on fire.)  Yet, also, in just as much a fundamental way, we are active agents with respect to enjoying His fire and pursuing more flame.

Father, help me enjoy searching you out and standing in awe of you.  Jesus, I am such a fragile wick, but I know that you are gentle and will not snuff out a sputtering flame.  Holy Spirit, would you give me a steady pour of the oil of joy to sustain your flame?   I love you.

Fighting the good fight?

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:6‭-‬7 NIV

Most of the time I feel spent.  Jesus came to serve and to give his life as a ransom.  The apostle Paul was poured out like a drink offering.  But where is my joy?  Maybe I'm fighting battles that are not eternally significant?  

Father, please let me know if I'm fighting in the right ring.  I'm recently realizing that I'm feeling burned out.  How do I catch my breath and refocus on you and your amazing love so that I'm fighting with you and not on my own strength.  Jesus, teach me how you kept going for the joy set before you.  Holy Spirit, I want to keep in step with you.  I love you.

Seeing the Father's face

We went for a long hike and walk yesterday morning before lunch.  When we returned home, Enrique (a man who repaired the stucco on our back wall) was working on some repairs at our neighbors' house.  I greeted him in Spanish, and he responded with a blessing in Spanish.  I didn't understand all of it, but I felt it in my spirit.  I could very clearly see the love of God in his face.  His eyes were so sincere.

This morning, as I think about it, I can see the Father's face in his face.

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me through Enrique.  Please reveal yourself to others through me today.  I love you, and I ask because of Jesus.

Big picture

1 Peter 1

Father, thank you for choosing me, and thank you for giving me new birth into a living hope.  Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and proving your ability to give me eternal life.  Thank you for my Heavenly inheritance which is like an eternal birthday present.  Father, may I joyfully persevere through trials, as I know that you are with me, and you are using all things for my good.  I want your joy to be evident in my life.  I want to be filled and overflowing.  Not flimsy happiness, but solid joy.  Help me continue to be amazed by the story of Jesus.  And in response, I want to live as your son, holy because you are holy.  Thank you for your word, which is seed with eternal life DNA.  May my heart be singularly focused on allowing your eternal life to grow and produce fruit in my life.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.