Day 27

Husbands, love you wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot of wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loved his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:25-32
It is essential as we consider this matter of being fully pleasing to the Lord that we understand it is the power of His Word that accomplishes this in our lives. It is the Lord who is the one at work here, the one who does the sanctifying and cleansing work through the speaking of His Word to our hearts. The only thing that is required of us is that we come before Him with an open heart so that we might receive the word that is spoken over us.
The quickest way to accomplish this is to take the Word of God, the Bible, and find the passages that speak of His faithfulness, His goodness, His holiness, and love, and pray those passages over our own hearts in a devotional way. Doing this in a context of worship and of occasional fasting from food speeds up the process by opening our spirit to His presence and work. The best passages include the Psalms and the "Apostolic Prayers" of the New Testament. As you do this, set your heart and mind in agreement with what God says about Himself and about you. As the Word of God enters your spirit, you are cleansed from the inside out as the power of the Word has its effect. Establishing a regular pattern of devotional prayer straight from the Word of God is the quickest way to experience the joy of His sanctifying work in your heart.
Prayer: Jesus, come to me and do Your work of preparation, for I desire nothing more than to be made ready for when You return fro me. I long to be like You, and I believe that You love me enough to do what is necessary in my life. Thank You Lord!
Day 27 devotional from "Forerunner Meditations: Discovering the Father's heart" by Gary Wiens

Day 28

"Husbands, love you wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot of wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loved his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church." Ephesians 5:25-32
Verse 29 of Ephesians five tells us that Jesus loves the Church just like He loves His own flesh, and because of that love, He is focused on nurturing and cherishing His Body, which is His Bride. This truth touches a very deep place in our hearts, because inside every one of us burns this longing to be loved in the ultimate and perfect way. There is something inside that tells us that we should be the focus of someone's perfect love. We were made to be cherished and nourished by someone whose love is perfect and never-ending.
The good news is that we have a Bridegroom whose love is like that! Gos has decided that it is in His best interest to love us as He loves Himself, and because He is worthy of perfect love, His love for Himself is flawless and perfect. So, because God can only love in a perfect way, His love for you is that same king of love. Jesus prayed in John 17:23 that we would come to know that the Father loves us even as He loves the Son. That is the staggering prayer, and one that is worthy of our meditation. I am loved by the Father in the same way that He loves the Son, and loves by the Son with the same perfect love; I will certainly be made ready for my eternal destiny as His partner, His Bride. Fix your thoughts on these things day by day, regardless of circumstances of feelings, and watch the Holy Spirit change you from the inside out!
Prayer: Lord, Your Word is so amazing to me, and it causes me to face the fact that You have made provision for every one of my desires. Help me comprehend Your love; open my heart and mind to know and to understand, and to love You in return for what You have done. Thank You, Lord.
Day 28 devotional "Forerunner Meditations: Discovering the Father's heart" by Gery Wiens

Day 29

Husbands, love you wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot of wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loved his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:25-32
"One final thought from this amazing passage. Verse 31 informs us that the standard of marriage is that a man leaves his father and mother to be joined to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh. This idea is first presented way back in the beginning of creation when God speaks it to Adam in Genesis 2:24. Most people assume that God is instructing Adam about what his commitment should be like, but God is not speaking to Adam about himself. This becomes clear when we realize that Adam didn't leave anyone; he had no mother and father to leave! God made him out of the dust, and so that phrase could not be applicable to him in a primary way.
The fact is, God the Father was already giving us an insight into His own commitment to send His Son Jesus to become a human being. Jesus is the one who would leave the Father's home and cling to His Bride by becoming one flesh with her. The fact that the Son of God became a human being forever is the ultimate expression of this commitment, and it is astonishing affirmation of His determination to love us forever. The reason He is so committed to our perfection and fulfillment is that He can't go back! He is a man forever, and will for His own sake finish the work He has begun with you and me.
Set your heart and mind on these things, and meditate on God's eternal commitment to you as the Bride of His precious Son."
Prayer: Oh Lord, You have given me just the smallest understanding of these things, and yet my heart is full to overflowing at the enormity of Your love for me! It is astounding that You would become a human being, with all the implications of opening Your heart to weakness and pain, simply for the love of Your Bride! Help me see, oh Lord, that I may be strengthened in Your love this day. Thank You.
Day 29 devotional "Forerunner Meditations: Discovering the Father's heart" by Gery Wiens

Day 30

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying. 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel.' Say to them: 'The Lord bless yo and keep; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift us His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27
I want to finish this 31-day devotional guide with two meditations on one of the great passages of blessing in Scripture. The priestly blessing of Numbers six is such a wonderful window into the heart of the Father as He prepared His people to be the Bride of His Son, and my prayer is that you will make a habit of meditating on this blessing, and of speaking it over your own life frequently, if not daily.
The blessing itself, found in verses 24-26, help us to know that one of the basic longings of a child's heart is satisfied by the Father, which is the longing to be seen and notices by Him. The power of this verse is in the knowledge that Hos has set His eyes upon you, and that His gaze is not the disapproving glare of an angry parent, but the tender, gracious and peace-imparting gaze of a Father of infinite love.His gaze gives to us the pace of approval, of delight and of peace.
When my children were small, one of their constant requests was. "Daddy, watch me!" It's a longing in every child's heart to be notices, approved and loved in such a way that it is communicated through the loving gaze of the Father's eyes. The greatest blessing we can have is to know that the God of the universe is our Father, and that He looks upon us every day with delight, joy, approval and grace. I pray that you are strengthened in this knowledge today."
Prayer: Oh Father, thank You that Your eyes are fixed upon me, and that in Your gaze is my life. Thank You that you see me and that You notice my feeble attempts to please You, even if I'm clumsy or foolish in my immaturity. I love you, Lord, and long to live in the pleasure of Your gaze forever.
Day 30 devotional "Forerunner Meditations: Discovering the Father's heart" by Gary Wiens

Day 31

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying. 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel.' Say to them: 'The Lord bless yo and keep; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift us His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27
One final focus: the reason that God gave this blessing to the priests to speak over the people is found in verse 27. "Sp they shall put my name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." What I want to point out that is so powerful here is the language of covenant relationships. God's desire is that His name would be put upon His children! This is marriage language, the language of permanence and inclusion, and it awakens us to the fact that God has always desired that we become part of His family.
I love how the apostle Peter speaks of this in his first letter, chapter two, verse ten: "...[you] who once were not a people, but are now the people of God..." In our natural state, before we received the grace of God through the initiative of the Holy Spirit, we were "not a people": in other words, we had no identity, no name. But now, God has given us His name, He has included us in His family, and we are now the people of blessing, the recipients of God's covenant of mercy and blessing.
God has set His heart to bless you. You are loved beyond your capacity to comprehend it. My prayer for you is that you would fix your eyes upon Him, and invite the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the wonderful knowledge of the love of Christ for you as His bride.
Prayer: Thank You for loving me, Lord. My heart is stirred with longing and wonder as I meditate on Your love. Send Your Holy Spirit to me that I may know more and more of your love. And Lord, please come quickly, for I long to be with you forever. Amen
Day 31 devotional "Forerunner Meditations: Discovering the Father's heart" by Gary Wiens

Pator's wives retreat

Last week we had a retreat at the Bible College for the Pastor's wives! I got to see Joanna, Pastor Tommy's wife, from my second semester in Japan and catch up with her. My friend Fukiko from my 4th semester in Israel is now interning in Japan and she sent gifts with Joanna to bring to the conference. Thank you Kiko and thank you Joanna for bringing them! It's been such a cool thing that the Lord has blessed me with so many spiritual moms and families throughout my life. Joanna has been one of them. I remember my semester in Japan it impacting me so much to see biblically what it looks like to be a dad, pastor, teacher, husband and missionary from Tommy and a mom, wife, teacher and missionary from Joanna. I have learned so much from them and am so encouraged that two times a year I get to see them! It's always so an encouragement to see her and her family! And then to top it off.. Yubista and Kiya were there as well! It was a reunion of my first semester in Peru getting to see these girls and see where the Lord has taken them. Kiya is now married and living in New Mexico, and Yubista is now living in Costa Mesa working with blueletterbible translating into Spanish. Love you girls!! So great getting to see you all! :)

Christy and Anthony came to visit!

Christy and Anthony are on their 2nd year of marriage and just moved into their new place in Pasadena. I remember when Christy and I were in 8th in 9th grade and we use to daydream about living near each other as adults and one day having our kids live near each other.. and yes of course we planned that they would fall in love with each other and marry so that we could be ever closer! My friend Lili in Peru and I have the same plan with her kids as well! ;) It's such a blessing that Christy and Anthony live so close, and so fun that they came to visit the other weekend! We got to just sit and catch up and go to the park and hang out.. soon it's our turn to go visit them!