Desire the Substance of Jesus

“²For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.”

— Isaiah 53:2 (ESV)

According to the above, Jesus was nothing astonishing to behold growing up or even as an adult. He was just a regular guy that was as noted, not of desire. Yet He was so great for us and brought us so much even at His earthly expense.

I think that it is interesting in that Jesus is portrayed as a striking and good looking man. To the eyes now, it would seem that people may have flocked to Him based to some degree on His appearance. And when I think of it, there must have been something about Him as He was recognized by the people when He was out in public view.

I know that the appearance of someone is easier to explain. And let’s face it, following someone who is not remarkably looking or visually is not the way to win people over. So to the eye, Jesus must be made to be appealing to draw us in.

But, it is not the outward appearance that we should be desiring when it comes to Jesus. His outward beauty will do nothing for us. Just like the outward beauty of man or woman is not the thing we should be drawn to. It is the substance of Jesus that we should desire.

In His ministry, Jesus was recognized in the public, not for His beauty, but for who He was. He was seen as carrying Himself different, walking different, and just being different. He was seen for His work and being and I like to believe that others could see the aura of God in Him.

I am going to make a comparison although it is not meant for anything other than the idea to help with understanding. Ever hear or see the “glow” of a woman with child. There is something about a pregnant woman that emanates a “glow”. People just know that she is different. I believe Jesus to be similar only bigger than this. There is something about Him without even knowing Him intimately that all can “see”.

This difference is the substance of Jesus and not His appearance. This is where our desire should be. We should be in desire for the substance of Jesus and not the appearance of Him.

What do you desire? Are you looking out for the appearances to desire? What if you looked to the substance of Jesus and placed your desire on His love?

Rejoice in Fulfilled Desire

We are, as I have read, learned, and remembered during my study of the word “desire”, to desire the LORD and if there is something other than Him, it should be wisdom. Our fascination with things of this world is not sustainable as it will be gained and lost in the blink of an eye. The desire of the LORD and of wisdom are forever. The LORD has been and will be forever. Wisdom is gained and allows for continued growth and understanding.

“¹⁹A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”

— Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

Here we find the direction as to the fulfillment of desire. We are to relish in the fulfillment as it is “sweet to the soul”. So, taking in that we are to desire the LORD and wisdom, what a great thing to know that the LORD and wisdom are “sweet to the soul”. And it is true.

The LORD loves, cares for, guides, and protects us. He provides for our every need and even blesses us beyond those needs. He is the one constant that can be counted on in this world. He is there always and will not turn away.

Likewise with wisdom. With wisdom we can see and adjust to that which is presented. Knowing that what is can be changed with a little understanding is so amazing.

Bryson, my oldest son, commented to me a while back that I was the smartest person he knew. Now, I know that there are many people who are smarter than I am and Bryson likely knows those people as well. But, for him to recognize that I have something inside me, wisdom, is certainly fantastic in my eyes.

Here we have desire that is or will be fulfilled, the LORD and wisdom. I have received the LORD through my acceptance of the salvation gift He offered. I have experience in this world that leads to wisdom and understanding. For each of these I rejoice as they are “sweet to the soul”. I have and will continue to gain from these desires being fulfilled and will continue seeking them as I go.

What desire do you have? Are you aware of the impact of the fulfillment of those desires? What is the difference in the long term gain from those desires compared to the fulfillment of the desire for the LORD and wisdom, and are they worth your rejoicing?

Desire Wisdom, Nothing Else Compares

“⁷And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. ⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:7-9 (ESV)

King Solomon prayed for wisdom. He knew that without wisdom, all else was futile without wisdom to start things off. And the LORD granted him his request as it came from the heart and was in the interest of doing God’s work.

Here we have an example of asking for something that is to be used to further God’s kingdom and yet, we in the now, continue to ask for monetary or fleeting things.

“¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

— Proverbs 3:13-15 (ESV)

Nothing we desire, beyond the relationship with Christ, will compare to wisdom. It is wise to desire the relationship with Christ which leads to all other things.

Solomon had it right in his prayer to the LORD for wisdom. When granted, it allowed him to do the work of the LORD in not just a moment, but for the long haul. And that is what I am looking for, the information and ability to do the work for the long haul.

This morning I have reflected on the work I am doing for the LORD and realized that I have completed eight years of Trevor’s Thoughts. I have done well to study God’s Word diligently over that time and subsequently sharing my thoughts as I do. This study has not been about growing monetarily, or in some physical way, but growing in the LORD. I have learned so much over this time and yet still have so much more to learn. I am looking for that which will sustain me over time and not just feed me today. I am seeking wisdom and not just knowledge. Nothing else that I could desire compares to what I have and will gain from the LORD and the wisdom He grants me.

What are you seeking? Are you desiring to gain from the monetary or the world? What if you were to seek wisdom, knowing that all other desires will gain little?

Lose Things Gain Christ

This morning I am continuing my study of the word “gain”. I am again in the book of Philippians. The below verse is the one that directed me here.

“⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” – Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

Just what are those things that we lose and are “rubbish” according to Paul. Well you have to look at the rest of the passage. Paul is telling the Philippians that he was considered almost blameless in society at one time. He was a “Hebrew of Hebrews” and in eyes of society and in the law he was a Pharisee. Paul was fully protected under the law as he did the work of society. Yet, once he found the LORD, all of it was of no consequence and to him, it was all “rubbish” and of no use to him thanks to all he gained in Christ.

I have to get past all that is in this world. All that I have in the world is of no consequence and “rubbish” compared to all that I gain in Christ. I may have mentioned that Lori and I have a number of vehicles and we count those as blessings as they are useful in our lives up til now. Now, it is just the two of us in the house and we do not “need” all of the vehicles. We can only drive two at a time and therefore the rest are just “rubbish”. Subsequently we are working to rid ourselves of the “rubbish”.

I know, that this seems a bit silly to be talking about vehicles as gains in this world, but aren’t they? They are not investments, they are just things. It is time to lose the things to bask in the gains in Christ. It is time to be content with what the LORD will provide and look to those things from this world as they are “rubbish” that just takes up space, time, and effort that can/should be directed in the LORD’s Work.

What things do you have in your life? Are these things taking up your space, time, and effort? What if you were to rid yourself of the “rubbish” things and devote the now available space, time, and effort in the gains in Christ?

Life Gained When Given Up

I know, another one of those sayings that seem to not make a lot of sense, we gain life by giving up life. But that is exactly what Jesus offers to us all.

“³⁵For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:35 (ESV)

I am here to work for and please the LORD. I am not here for myself. Therefor I should be giving all to the LORD and the work He has for me. But it is more than just giving of my talents, I am to give my life for Him. I am to offer myself as an offering to Him and not just my works. What good is it to hold onto my life when I have given all of my works and talent to the LORD? I have to give everything to get everything.

“³⁶For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷For what can a man give in return for his soul?” – Mark 8:36-37 (ESV)

And yes, these two verses are questions and yet they are full of answers. There is no gain from the world for the price of my soul. Remember that we cannot take things with us when we leave this world. All that is gained in this world is lost when we leave.

But, when we give ourselves fully, including our soul to the LORD, our reward is just getting started. Think of it like a financial investment. I make a deposit on day one and again on day two and so on. There does not seem like much in the beginning, but over time, that small investment grows and before you know it there is more to it than you thought possible. With Christ, the gain in the beginning of the relationship will be hard and small. Yet, over time the relationship grows and before you know it, there is so much gain that we look forward to moving on to heaven when the time comes.

Gain from the LORD is not the physical that we come to expect here in this world. It is of the heavenly, which is more precious as we get to take it with us and experience it for eternity. It all starts with the acceptance of salvation and grace and we then make those little deposits daily which become easier and easier as time progresses and before we know it, we are giving all we have to Him as the joy and love abound through us. When the time comes, we will rejoice at the heavenly gains we have acquired through our obedience and giving to the LORD.

What gain are you hoping for? Are you looking for the gains in this world? What if you sought the gains that you can take with you through the giving of yourself to the LORD fully?

Nothing Gained in this World

This morning I was reminded of how all that we do in this world gains us very little as it all has already been realized at some point. I am reading in Ecclesiastes this morning and the passage is titled “All is Vanity”. As I read, I see that everything is or has been done already. What we find as “new” is not really new at all. Everything has been done and experienced before.

“⁴A generation goes, and a generation comes,

but the earth remains forever.

⁵The sun rises, and the sun goes down,

and hastens to the place where it rises.

⁶The wind blows to the south

and goes around to the north;

around and around goes the wind,

and on its circuits the wind returns.

⁷All streams run to the sea,

but the sea is not full;

to the place where the streams flow,

there they flow again.”

— Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 (ESV)

All is only “new” in the moment or to the one. Lori and I are taking a vacation to California and will likely take a quick ride to the Pacific coastline and gaze out and dip our toes into the sea. We will enjoy the moment, yet the there is really nothing new to these actions other than being an area we have not been to before. Once we leave, the new has worn off and the next time we go, it will not have the same impact.

“²Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,

vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

³What does man gain by all the toil

at which he toils under the sun?”

— Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 (ESV)

When nothing is “new” in this world, there is nothing gained by seeking it out. I will be spinning my wheels and waste away as I look to this world to give me something it cannot give.

And that is where the LORD comes in. He is NEW every day. He gives life to it all. He provides for us all. He blesses us all. Think about that same trip to the Pacific coastline that Lori and I are taking. Where it is not “new”, we can look to the beauty of it and know that was created by God. We can praise Him for it all. We can anticipate the additional great things that we will witness, knowing that He made them all. We will gain from Him and not the things of this world. Gain is in the LORD. It is in the things that He has made and not in the things themselves as they are not “new”. Seeking out the things of this world are an exercise in vanity as we look to be marveled by the things when we should be seeking out the LORD and be marveled by what He provides for us to experience. That is our gain.

What are you seeking out? Are you looking for things to gain from? What if you sought the LORD and gained from Him and all that He provides for you?

Gain in the LORD

I just finished a study on the word “lost” and have now begun to study “gain”. I have in just one short passage been reminded that it is not my own gain that I am to be seeking out, it is the gain in the LORD.

“³⁶Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.”

— Psalm 119:36-37 (ESV)

When I look at the above passage, I see the middle two lines related to selfish and worthless things in this world. I believe that we, as a society at large, seek things for ourselves. We are looking for those things that will be at least on the surface, acceptance in this world. By having those things of this world, others will see us as somehow worthy of praise.

With the LORD, it is the things that are inside us that are of value to Him. It is not what we have but who we have in Him. I have to remember that I am to take on the example of Christ in my life and live according to His plan. I have to look for the glory in Him and not look for acceptance, as I have already been accepted into the Family of God with my receipt of the gift of salvation.

I look at acceptance and see that it is the commonality between me and others where that acceptance is found. Not in the tangible things others see that I have and may want. When one finds commonality they are accepted. If someone has a passion for sports they are accepted with others with the similar passion. If someone has a love for music, there is commonality and acceptance with others who love music. Art aficionados are accepted with others in the art world. It is this commonality that brings the acceptance and gain that is sustaining.

I gain more in the LORD than anyone can imagine. I have a fellowship of believers that are my instant family. I love the LORD, they love the LORD and together we have the commonality and acceptance of one another. My gain is in the LORD and the commonality I have with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Where are you looking for gain? Are you looking for acceptance in the world to somehow gain? What if you looked to Jesus and found others with the commonality of looking to Jesus as your place of acceptance and gain in the LORD?

Not Lost with Jesus

I am wrapping up my study of the word “lost” this morning. I have been reminded that I am not lost when it comes to my relationship with the LORD as He cares deeply for me, ensuring that I am found and join Him in heaven when the time comes. The other point is that once found, I will not be lost as Jesus notes on the night in which he was betrayed.

“⁷So he asked them again, ‘Whom do you seek?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ ⁸Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.’ ⁹This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: ‘Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.’” – John 18:7-9 (ESV)

I see this morning that Jesus comes to the rescue, not only to find me when I was lost, but to protect me from being lost in the first place. Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the one the men are looking for and that since that is the case, Those who are with Him should go free. He could have denied who He was to save His own life in the moment, yet He chose to fully embrace who He was not only for the spiritual lives of all as He was here in the world to do, but the physical lives of those in His care as well.

I know that it is easy to talk a big game, but it is a challenge to get in the game and do the work that is needed. Jesus did not just talk, He took action and that action of protecting His people in the face of danger so they would not be lost is what makes Him so much different than others. He did not just talk the talk, Jesus walked the walk and protected/protects His people in all aspects of protection. From the spiritual to the emotional to the physical, Jesus does the work to ensure that we are not lost to the world as one of His brothers.

I need protection daily. I am a sinner who does not deserve the love, care, and salvation offered by Jesus. Yet, He loves me anyway and will take all action to make sure that I am not lost, whether that is to find me when I am lost, or protect me from being lost. With Jesus, I am NOT lost.

What is your status with Jesus? Are you lost or in danger of being lost? What if you looked to Jesus knowing that if you are in either situation, He will find and protect you from being lost?

Seeking the Lost

“¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10 (ESV)

And there you have it. I will just leave this here.

You see, Jesus did not come seeking to save “a” single lost one, He came seeking “the” lost ones. That means all who would accept him is who He is looking for. It does not matter where you are, where you come from, or what you have done, when your heart is open and you accept Him, He gives you love and salvation.

Who are you? Are you one of the lost ones? What if accept that you are, open your heart and accept Christ as He has been seeking you?

Lost and Found

This morning I was brought to the parable of the prodigal son. Now I am confident that most have heard the parable and even have an understanding of meaning. I know that I have had my eyes opened to meaning that I had not looked at before in that there are three men that are in the story and looking at all three gave me more insight. I want to look at the idea of “lost” as this is where my study is now.

“²⁴’For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” “³²’It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” – Luke 15:24 & 32 (ESV)

The prodigal son came back, yes. He returned to the home he once knew. He was greeted with open arms. His return was well worth the celebration. I know that I have not seen my youngest son Aarron in a couple of months as he is off serving in the Navy and when I do see him again, we will certainly celebrate. But Aarron being gone is not the same as that of this prodigal son.

I see this morning the attitude of the father and the other son. I will start with the father. He was missing his son. I believe that as the loving father he was, he graciously gave to the son all that was to be his. He loved him and was likely, to some degree, glad that the son had chosen his own path. I am sure that the father was somewhat disappointed in that the son did not chose the family business, as well as how the son would be using the inheritance he was receiving. But the son was loved none the less. And the father was sad that the son had gone yet resolute in the fact that he may not ever return.

The other son to was resolute in the idea that the brother would not return, although his attitude was likely of anger due to his staying behind and working the family farm alone. He was not happy that the prodigal son had taken from the family, even if it was his to take. The other son was, in his resolution, glad now that the prodigal son was gone and he was now THE son of the father.

Let’s look at the return. The father was the first mentioned to welcome the son home. He did not receive him with animosity or anger or other more negative attitudes. On the contrary. He received him as thought he had been lost for years and was now found. He was celebrated to be alive and well. He was loved and accepted for he was still son of the father and deserved it.

The other son, on the other hand received the brother much differently. His anger was rekindled. After all, in his mind the prodigal son had taken the inheritance given, squandered it and then came back looking for more. He was not happy to see the brother return and was quick to make it known.

What a difference in the attitude toward the prodigal son here. There is love and anger. There is acceptance and deflection. Both of the men who got to again see the one who returned did so in their own ways.

The prodigal son was lost. Whether it was lost due to being misplaced or lost due to own carelessness, he was lost none the less. And no matter how he returned, he should be counted as found. The father saw the finding as that of something precious that was back and the other son saw the finding as something that had been moved on from and should have been continued to be lost.

I have to remember that being lost is just that, being lost. There is no room for giving up on the lost. Yes, I have to move on from total focus on the lost once I have resolved that I may not have much more influence on getting back, but never giving up is still giving it over to God to continue. And now, once the lost has returned I am to celebrate that return as the finding of something precious. Being found brings joy that was not there prior to the return and that deserves to be celebrated.

What is your attitude toward the lost? Have you moved on and if/when it returns you are indifferent or angry at the return? What if you were to see the lost and just celebrate the return as the precious that has been found?