Yesterday, we discovered that “follow your heart” is not necessarily the best advice. David’s heart was in the right place, but God didn’t want him to build a temple. Here’s a modern-day story about an Assembly of God pastor who felt he needed to start a breakaway denomination, all for the right reasons, of course! Here’s the story from Lead with Prayer.

Pastor Rob Ketterling was months away from launching a full-scale denominational split. Rob founded and leads River Valley Church, one of the largest churches in one of the largest denominations in America (Assemblies of God). His church gives almost $10 million to missions every year, making it one of the largest mission-resourcing churches in Christian history.

But Rob had grown frustrated with his denomination. His frustrations spilled out publicly, and as a result he started building a coalition of pastors ready to follow his lead. He wanted to take a few thousand pastors with him and start a variant of the Assemblies of God, splitting the denomination. He even procured lawyers to begin creating the new charter. In his heart, Rob felt that he was doing the right thing, taking a bold, courageous step in serving God for the good of the Kingdom. At the same time, as he formalized his plans, Rob sensed a nagging unease.

Rob was faithfully committed to prayer, and part of his Rule of Life was to do the Examen. During this extended prayer time, Rob listened for any way he was displeasing God, and in a powerful encounter with God, Rob heard God’s voice say to him, “You are going to divide my people and at the same time say that I am behind it?!” Later in this same intense time of prayer, Rob sensed the voice of God again: “If you do this, I will remove my favor upon you, and you will be on your own.” The encounter was so real, powerful, and serious that Rob was filled with the fear of God.

He repented of his divisiveness. – from Lead with Prayer: The Spiritual Habits of World-Changing Leaders by Skoog, Greer, and Doolittle, page 111

There are times when, as much trouble as it is, breaking away and starting something new is called for. This wasn’t one of those times, and kudos to Pastor Ketterling for spending daily time with God in the first place and then listening for the Spirit’s leading.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30.21, ESV)

One of the mantras of our age is “Follow your heart.” Generally, this is not a life rule supported by scripture. We have, for example,

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17.9, ESV)

But sometimes one’s heart is in the right place as David’s was in 1 Chronicles 17. He had just fetched the Ark of the Covenant and brought it to Jerusalem and established regular worship. He felt bad that he lived in a nice house while the Ark was in a tent (of course the ONLY prescribed place for the Ark was a tent! See Exodus 25 – 40).

After the king had made himself at home, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am comfortable in a luxurious palace of cedar and the Chest of the Covenant of GOD sits under a tent.” (1 Chronicles 17.1, MSG)

In other words, I want to build a temple. And Nathan, man of God, discerner of David’s heart, responded enthusiastically:

Nathan told David, “Whatever is on your heart, go and do it; God is with you.” (1 Chronicles 17.2, MSG)

“Follow your heart!” Especially when you have God’s interests in mind!

Not so fast…

But that night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, This is GOD’s word on the matter: You will not build me a ‘house’ to live in. Why, I haven’t lived in a ‘house’ from the time I brought up the children of Israel from Egypt till now; I’ve gone from one tent and makeshift shelter to another. In all my travels with all Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’ ” (1 Chronicles 17.3 – 6, MSG)

And God goes on to promise that God will build David’s “house,” a permanent dynasty.

But our point today is that “follow your heart” is not the only decision-making criterion. I shared a multi-part decision-making framework recently.

[Paul’s missionary team] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. (Acts 16.6, 7, MSG)

PS I just read a modern-day example. Stay tuned.

Sunday, August 25, 2024, Dr. Tim McConnell, lead pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, shared this list of “Why I Tithe,” from Russell Johnson, a pastor in Seattle. (Neither of us knows anything about Russell.)

Tim delivered the list rapid-fire, the same way Russell Johnson did, but I found the snippet on Tik-Tok and captured the list, which I present without comment. (By “tithing” I assume he means regular giving to one’s church, as distinguished from giving to meet the needs of the poor or supporting missionaries. However it’s defined, this is a good list for why believers should be giving.)

1. It provides for God’s house.
2. It tells God I trust him.
3. It creates margin in my life for God to fill.
4. It reminds me that I am not my source.
5. It connects my money to Kingdom purpose.
6. It gives my job eternal significance.
7. It transforms my money into a seed.
8. It breaks greed and self-reliance off of my heart.
9. It lets everything else in my life know that God is first.

He goes on to say:

Tithing is not an act of generosity, it’s an act of obedience…We have an obedience problem. God doesn’t need my money. It’s me who needs the open window of heaven over my life.

Good stuff, and I will tell you that June and I have found the following promise to be true in our lives:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9.6 – 11, NIV)

The earth keeps going around the sun, and we’re still here, celebrating our 56th wedding anniversary today. Here we are at Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park a couple of weeks ago. The unusually shaped flat-faced mountain is Hallett Peak.

We are blessed.

The Man said, “Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh. (Genesis 2.23, 24, MSG)

David installed the Ark in 1 Chronicles 15 and instituted regular worship in chapter 16, led by Asaph:

That was the day that David inaugurated regular worship of praise to GOD, led by Asaph and his company. (1 Chronicles 16.7, MSG)

So Asaph was a contemporary of King David, and you’ll see his name on a lot of psalms. 1 Chronicles 16 records excerpts of three psalms:

• 1 Chronicles 16.8 – 22 is Psalm 105.1 – 15
• 1 Chronicles 16.23 – 33 is Psalm 96.1 – 13.
• 1 Chronicles 16.35, 36 is Psalm 106.47, 48

Here are a few snippets – commands:

• Study God and his strength.
• Seek his presence day and night.
• Remember all the wonders he performed… (1 Chronicles 16.11, 12, MSG)

• Sing to God, everyone and everything!
• Get out his salvation news every day.
• Publish his glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions. (1 Chronicles 16.23, 24, MSG)

Wow. Strong commands for God’s people. Study God, seek his presence, remember… Then, don’t just talk to ourselves. Talk to the nations…all races and religions.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. (1 Chronicles 16.24, 25, ESV)

I think overall we’re not doing a good job.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! (Psalm 67.1 – 5, ESV)

Continuing our theme from yesterday that God is not to be trifled with:

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12.28, ESV)

It is noteworthy that God “exploded” in both chapters 13 (during the first attempt at retuning the Ark) and chapter 14 in a battle. Here again is the incident with the Ark:

GOD erupted in anger against Uzzah and killed him because he grabbed the Chest. He died on the spot—in the presence of God. David lost his temper, angry because GOD exploded against Uzzah; the place is still called Perez Uzzah (Exploded Uzzah) (1 Chronicles 13.10, 11, MSG)

Then in chapter 14, the Philistines threaten, and the same word is used:

David prayed to God: “Is this the right time to attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?” GOD answered, “Attack; I’ll give you the victory.” David attacked at Baal Perazim and slaughtered them. David said, “God exploded my enemies, as water explodes from a burst pipe.” That’s how the place got its name, Baal Perazim (Baal-Explosion). The Philistines left their gods behind and David ordered that they be burned up. (1 Chronicles 14.10 – 12, MSG)

I’d rather be on the chapter 14 side of God’s explosions, wouldn’t you?

Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.” Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it. (Acts 5.3 – 5, MSG)

He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” He said, “Who are you, Master?” “I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” (Acts 9.3 – 6, MSG)

The first thing David does upon establishing Jerusalem as the new capital city is to bring the Ark back. We looked at this when we went through 2 Samuel a few months ago. But I saw new things here in 1 Chronicles.

David consulted with all of his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. Then David addressed the entire assembly of Israel, “If it seems right to you, and it is GOD’s will, let’s invite all our relatives wherever they are throughout Israel, along with their relatives, including their priests and Levites from their cities and surrounding pastures, to join us. And let’s bring the Ark of our God back—the Ark that was out of sight, out of mind during the days of Saul.” (1 Chronicles 13.1 – 3, MSG)

First, I’ve never stopped to think that the Ark had been gone a long time. It was taken into battle by the sons of Eli back as recorded in 1 Samuel 4. After some fun in Philistia, the Ark comes back to Israel as recorded in 1 Samuel 6. That’s before Saul’s kingship, so the Ark has been gone a long time: “Out of sight out of mind during the days of Saul.”

We know that David moved the Ark incorrectly (We might say “imagination and creativity” instead of “following directions.”) And Chronicles makes it abundantly clear why David got it right the second time:

After David built houses for himself in the City of David, he cleared a place for the Ark and pitched a tent for it. Then David gave orders: “No one carries the Ark of God except the Levites; GOD designated them and them only to carry the Ark of GOD and be available full time for service in the work of worship.” (1 Chronicles 15.1, 2, MSG)

So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the Ark of the GOD of Israel. The Levites carried the Ark of God exactly as Moses, instructed by GOD, commanded—carried it with poles on their shoulders, careful not to touch it with their hands. (1 Chronicles 15.14, 15, MSG)

Do you think they were being careful? I quoted Annie Dillard (again) about three months ago, but her words seem appropriate here also:

On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return. ― Annie Dillard, “An Expedition to the Pole” from Teaching a Stone to Talk (1982)

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12.28, ESV)

We wrote a couple of days ago about the diverse nature of a team, noting that King David’s included “wild men.” The promise is that we’re on God’s team with a role to play:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2.10, NIV)

It’s one thing to have a role. It’s quite another to actually play it. Retired (I think!) NFL quarterback Tom Brady made that clear in an interview a week or so ago. If you know anything about pro football at all, you know that Tom, drafted 199th in the 2000 draft as a quarterback, went on to become (in the opinion of many) the “Greatest of All Time.”

In the interview, Tom explains why many wide receivers who had done well with other teams came to his team, the New England Patriots, and didn’t do well. Mainly because Tom never threw the ball to them! Why not?

The problem is summarized in this opening:

The failure of so many physically gifted – and sometimes even accomplished professional – wide receivers to make it in New England is one of the enduring mysteries of the Patriots Dynasty. And perhaps the biggest criticism of Tom Brady in his 20 years of unprecedented success was that it was his fault a lot of his wideouts managed to fall through the cracks, even when they proven themselves on other teams. The knock on Brady was that he’d lose patience with a guy too soon. And that once his trust was gone, there was no getting it back. – Barstoolsports.com, August 20, 2024

There’s a link to that portion of the interview in the online article about 2/3 the way through. Here are some (approximate) snippets:

The best teammates I had showed up for work every day, and I never had to worry about their effort or their attitude…[Some guys] I knew they were going to hustle and run the play exactly as they should… [Other guys] I’d look over and they’re not lined up right…they’re looking to the sideline for help…they don’t know the play. My job is hard enough without having to worry about my teammates not doing theirs. – Tom Brady, from a one-minute response to the question of non-productive wide receivers

It’s not enough to be one of the essential diverse elements of a team. Every team member must know his or her role and how to execute it properly and on time: applies to football teams, symphony orchestras, and, yes, even the Kingdom of God.

[Church leaders’ purpose is] to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. (Ephesians 4.12, 13, MSG)

It’s time for our annual shout-out to work, a very important part of life. I marvel (it provokes wonder!) that things work as well as they do…that people work as well as they do to provide for all of our needs.

I was on the Home Depot web site recently looking for a faucet for a new vanity. “Do you want that delivered today at no extra charge?” So from our deck, using an iPad, my wife and I said, tongue in cheek, “I guess that’s acceptable!” And the faucet arrived before lunch. Amazing.

And there’s nothing more amazing than The Country Market in Estes Park.

On the far side of town from where we stay is a standard-size, full-service Safeway. On our side of town is The Country Market, considerably smaller, maybe a quarter as big or less. And in more than 10 years of shopping at The Country Market, I have ALWAYS found what I went there for: handwarmers in the winter, medicine, soap, leftover containers, almond milk, etc. It’s a small store, just a few shelves, but it’s all there. It’s like magic. And if you ask any employee where something is, they will tell you. They are extraordinarily good at their craft…and they know it. Here’s an excerpt from their website:

We know you.

Whether you’re an Estes Park local or one of our visitors (welcome!), we know what you need.

How do we know? Because we help hundreds of locals and visitors like you every single day. And, after doing this for many, many years, we’ve gotten very good at it. Combine that with our friendly service (if you’re looking for self-checkout, this ain’t the place) and a much faster checkout experience, why would you go anywhere else?

The Country Market is a locally owned…grocery store…[which] offers a wide array of fresh organic produce, cheeses, meats, and other natural and locally sourced foods and friendly, faster service than area big-brand stores.

The store also offers everything you need for your Estes Park and Rocky Mountain adventure, including s’mores supplies, propane, firewood, ice, and more. And if you’re hankering for some grub, stop by for one of our famous made-to-order deli sandwiches, espresso drinks, and ice cream!

If you need something, chances are good that we have it. Stop on by! We’ll show you ourselves.

Kudos to the owners, managers, whoever decides what products to carry (how can they have everything?!), stockers, and checkout clerks. It’s a marvel. An experience in wonder every time I go.

Don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. (Colossians 3.23, MSG)

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90.17, NIV)

The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder. – G.K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles

June and I were in a cabin outside of Estes Park, Colorado, the past two weeks. It had been a mostly cloudy day with a bit of rain. As we were listening to Audible read us a novel, we looked out the window just at sunset:

It’s not the most spectacular picture I’ve ever made, but it’s still a reminder of the wonders of God’s creation. That the sky would do that, just for a few minutes, just enough to brighten our evening, was a blessing, and yes…a wonder.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19.1, ESV)