Engaged for others

The last ten weeks I have focused on the call to ‘Be Ready’, which is the first part of General Brian Peddle’s ‘Call to Mission’ (1). Today I start with the call to ‘Be Engaged’ (2)

Here are some selected quotes with this focus:

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen …”Isaiah 43:10a

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations …” says Jesus
Matthew 28:19a

“… we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” says Peter
Acts 4:20b

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” says John
Revelation 22:17a

“I shall endeavour to show, that Christianity is essentially a social religion; and to turn it into a solitary religion, is indeed to destroy it” says John Wesley (3)

‘Others!’ says William Booth – and that says it all.

‘Manna’ for today:

Saved to Save & Saved to Serve

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(1) Call to Mission - NOW!
(2) A CALL TO SERVE: Serving others must be our missional priority. We must value officership, local officership, soldiership, adherency and junior soldiership, recognising too that The Salvation Army’s many employees and volunteers are key to fulfilling our tasks.
A CALL TO WORSHIP: We should celebrate God’s redeeming love through our worship, seeking culturally-relevant ways to join together in praise and thanks., as we reach out to and welcome people.
A CALL TO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOSPEL: As we share the good news of the gospel, we must recognise its power for salvation and transformation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people can be released from everything that stops them reaching their God-given potential.

(3) In ‘No holiness, but social holiness’ in “Upon our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount” IV – Sermon XIX – i “Wesley’s Standard Sermons” Vol. I – Francis Asbury Press – Grand Rapids – 1955 s. 382

* The picture is the cover page of Harold Hill’s book – hereby recommended.

Space for more fire?

After having emptied our fireplaces for ashes yesterday, I shared some thoughts with my Norwegian friends – and follow up with an English version on the first day of the New Year. Of course, taking out the ashes can happen several times during a year, but the frequency depends on how much the house and the fireplaces have been used. As I write this, I once again listen to the crackling of the flames in one of them, and the other two are ready for use when needed.

Looking back on 2018, there are a lot of ashes from both good and less good experiences. Although I love history, I want to be a person who lifts his eyes and looks forward; one who does not dwell so long with the issues of the past that there is no room for new initiatives, new fire and growth in the kingdom of God in the present.

Occasionally, I get distressed when I look at the framework we make for the mission in God's Kingdom. However, a framework can be both useful and important - they are fireplaces. 2018 will also be remembered for several serious fires in many different locations around the world due to fires that came out of control. God has given us frames to work within and the many of the church structures are put in place to support God’s fire. Perhaps the problem is not the framework or the structure, but the fact that the ashes tend to accumulate within the structures, not leaving space for more fire?

Don’t revel only in the past, or spend all your time recounting the victories of days gone by.Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it.Isaiah 43:18-19 (The Voice)

Have a blessed 2019!

A new move!

When we read the stories of the Old Testament, it is not difficult to see how God is moving in and through his chosen people, and how he also reveals to them what his plans are. The author of the letter to the Hebrews has captured this and described it in this way:

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:1-2

The belief that Jesus Christ was present in God – the ‘first mover’ – when the world was created, was very important for the first followers of the Way, who later were called Christians. When God became flesh, his presence and identification with his creation became even more evident. God was not just a distant Creator, but lived as a human being among ordinary people, “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (1).

The prophets saw that this would happen, and Isaiah described it in this way:

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15

Therefore, the birth of Jesus Christ is so vital for the Christian faith and for the momentum of God’s plan of salvation. In the incarnation the first mover is giving his creation a new move. Some of Jesus’ last words were: “Go therefore…” 

- If we do not grasp the mystery of the incarnation, but still want to do what he asks us to do, we are likely to try to move but with the parking-brakes on. More about incarnation in the reflection on the ‘third move’ next week.

‘Manna’ for today:

I move because He is with me always (2)

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(1) Hebrews 4:15b

(2) Matthew 28:20

The last important reminder - a time for everything *

NORSK
As we draw closer to the day of Pentecost, I reflect on some of the last things Jesus did or said, and today I focus on the last reminder:

“... a and you will be my witnesses...” Acts 1:8  

I have written a lot about witnessing on the blog (2). That is because the Bible refers to it many times both in the Old and the New Testament.
Since I have been brought up in the Salvation Army, I was constantly reminded about witnessing. It had focus in the preaching and it was very evident in the practice of people giving their testimonies both in indoor meetings and in the open air. 

Many of our halls had the verse from Isaiah on the wall – preferably on the back wall so that the soldiers on the platform could be constantly reminded on the fact that:

“You are my witnesses,”
declares the Lord
Isaiah 43:11 

I have seen how important it is for the witnesses telling their stories and for those who listen to the testimonies, so I am not surprised that Jesus' last reminder was that I should be his witness.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to be his witness!

And today I will give my testimony at the library in Bacau, where a new corps planting in Romania has taken place - and tomorrow the first two soldiers will be enrolled.
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(1) An example of the "back wall text" referred to, and in the foreground two faithful witnesses: Anne and Jan-Egil Trobe (Sandvika).
(2) You can find more reflections under the label Witness - and many more if you do google translate on the reflections under Vitne
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost

Recognition (1) - a time for everything*

NORSK
It is very interesting to notice that many of those who saw Jesus after the resurrection did not recognize him at first. They needed time to understand that it was Jesus.

In the course of the next few days I will reflect on a few examples of these ‘revelations’ or ‘discoveries’. It is an easy choice to start with Maria. There was a time when she did not recognize him, and then all of a sudden came an affirmation:

“…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”
John 20:14-16

Maria recognized him in the way he called her name. There is a ‘flavour’ of something prophetic by recognizing him in the way he calls us by our names. Isaiah prophesied to the people of Israel:

I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1b

Why was this an important part of Jesus' teaching in the 40 days he had at his disposal?

I think it was important for the resurrected Jesus that the believers eventually would discover him in one another. Therefore, he practically 'trained' them to recognise him so that they would recognise him in revealed in his future body – the church. This is my simple belief, and several examples will follow.

‘Manna’ for today:

I know him in the way he calls me.

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(1) The illustration in the logo of the label “His Master's Voice” is the dog 'Nipper' listening to his master’s voice. 
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

Why choose Galilee? - a time for everything

NORSK
It is still Easter – at least in the orthodox part of the world. We are still in Jerusalem, and when I began the journey up to Jerusalem, I asked the question “What is the most special aspect of Jerusalem?”

Yesterday the angel asked the women to tell the disciples that Jesus

“…is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him…” Matthew 28:7

Why Galilee? Jesus had spent much time there, and I do not think it was accidental that he wanted to meet there again. When John the Baptist was imprisoned Matthew writes that Jesus “withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum” He also writes that this was a fulfillment of one of the prophecies of Isaiah (1) who called the area “Galilee of the Gentiles” (2). In other words, an area which was inhabited by people from several nations in addition to Jews.

There may be several reasons why Jesus would meet them there after the resurrection. He had once more a limited period of 40 days to "repair" any misunderstanding and to make them ready to receive the Holy Spirit. Because Galilee was a good distance away from the center of power, it was likely that they could work undisturbed there. The distance between Jerusalem and Capernaum is app 130 km.

Still, I like to think that it was even more important for Jesus to remind his disciples that the gospel applies to all nations. It is easier to do where 'Gentiles' live.

Therefore, even in the first message given after the resurrection, there is an element of guidance and teaching. They should be prepared for a new ‘module’ of teaching - it is a time for everything.

‘Manna’ for today:

A time to reaffirm the mission and the foundation of the mission

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(1) Isa 9:1-2
(2) Matt 4:12-15
(3) The area around the Sea of Galilee
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

Knowing that we need the rich - a step on the journey

NORSK
When the disciples asked Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" the question came after Jesus had explained how difficult it was for the rich to be saved (1). Jesus’ conclusion is that it is impossible for everyone, but that which is impossible with men is possible with God. 

The Easter Story makes it evident that God is able to touch the hearts of the rich people:

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Matthew 27:57-58

I believe God loves all irrespective of social status, and for assignments he needs people who are rich. With regard to the burial of Jesus, a rich man was just what he needed. One of the most known prophecies about the suffering and death of Jesus is found in Isaiah 53. Perhaps Isaiah had seen some strong visions? I do not know what he heard or saw, but he did notice that:

They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb
Isa 53:9a

Fortunately, God would have needed Josef on his team even if he had been the poorest of the poor, because then he would have been able to contribute with something else. However, in this situation it was “a rich man's tomb” he needed, and it so happened a man with a burning heart happen to have that. Everyone with a burning heart has something to contribute, and sometimes God needs something we never thought that he would ask for. 

In The Salvation Army, there are many who will not be counted among the rich on ‘goods and gold’, but they are infinitely rich on many other ‘values’. It is good that we can work together with those both in our movement and outside who are rich in assets who have a burning heart to share in order to build the kingdom of God. I thank God that also in our time of need, God has people from all social strata in his great herd of disciples, whose hearts burn for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.

What these disciples have in common is that God has touched their hearts with fire so that they do what he wants. Each and every one of us, are rich on something we can contribute with.

‘Manna’ for today:

Thank you Lord for including my contribution!

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(1) See "Who can be saved and how"

Knowing that God has full control - a step on the journey

NORSK
Today’s reflection is a biblical example of finding “hidden treasures, and riches stored in secret places” (1) which I quoted yesterday.

The event took place just after the disciples had been filled with grief because Jesus again had told that “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” (2)

After a conversation about paying tax to the Temple, Jesus gave Peter the following assignment:

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Matt 17:27

I love this story, and I am thrilled when I get the opportunity to tell children and adults about the prying little fish called Cod Cap who wanted to taste everything he saw. One day, Cod Cap discovered a treasure chest on the seabed. It was filled with something that shone bright and enticing. Do you think he wanted to taste it? Of course he did. But the shiny coin fastened in Cod Cap’s mouth, and God observed it ... and because he is God, he used it for something constructive that even ended up in the Bible.

"Simplified theology and bad rhyme, but true nonetheless!" was the title of a song by the Norwegian evangelist Kåre Skuland whom I have been fortunate to work together with a couple of times. It does not have to be complicated to be true. God has a full overview. He even knows when a fish is swimming around with a coin in his mouth. This is good to remember as I travel up to Jerusalem.

‘Manna’ for today:

God has full control and he knows what I need

PS - I will remain in this story for a few days.
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(1) Isaiah 45:3
(2) Matt 17:22-23

Knowing what fasting is - a step on the journey

NORSK
Three weeks back I mentioned ‘fasting’ and wrote that I would return to the subject later in the Lent period. Today, there is a little glimpse of fasting because it is part of Jesus' explanation why the disciples were powerless.

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matt 17:21

Fasting is normally associated with abstinence from food, but the concept of fasting can be extended to a conscious determination to give up a benefit in order to say that I am in charge in my "own house" and therefore free to hand over the control to the Holy Spirit. Fasting involves a cost, and therefore it remains a strong signal that what I want to achieve, is important to me.

For me, the act of fasting is not a target in itself. If the act becomes the sole aim, it is the kind of fasting that God does not want. The goal of fasting must be that it makes me better able to be led by the Holy Spirit to do God’s will, and in that way give him the kind of fasting in which he delights (1).

Blogging has also become a kind of fasting for me. I renounce the time I could have used for other purposes with the goal to try go deeper into the mystery of the spiritual reality that Jesus once opened the door to.

Fasting is therefore closely linked to the journey of discovery (the ‘seek-aspect’ of prayer), which I mentioned yesterday. It helps me to discover new aspects of myself and opens the senses for the spiritual so that I can find treasures otherwise hidden:

I will give you hidden treasures,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
Isaiah 45:3

Today 'manna':

Fasting means that I am serious about God’s mission

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(1) Isa 58:6-12

What did the ancestors do?

NORSK
I have noticed that the Norwegian channel NRK is running a new season of "Who Do You Think You Are?" a series in which famous people are helped to "climb in their family tree". As an extension to yesterday's reflection, I will dwell on what Paul said about his family:

God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience
2 Tim 1:3

The statement that the ancestors worshiped God with a "clear conscience", is a recognition that they served God in accordance with the revelation they had. I reckon that their pure conscience rested on the fact that they were “faultless as for righteousness based on the law" (1) - the same testimony Paul gave himself for the time before he met Jesus Christ.

It is also likely that Paul valued their faith, and the fact that this blessing ran for generations and reached Paul himself. This is in accordance with God's promise in the Law of Moses:

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deut 7:9 

It was important for Paul to convey the idea of ​​such a legacy to Timothy as he too could enjoy a similar blessing: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2)

I am thankful to those of my ancestors who sowed blessing for future generations, and for my family I pray that this blessing is not going to stop with me, but will continue to flow from generation to generation. So that this promise can be fulfilled: “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord. (3)

‘Manna’ for today:

Let the blessing flow!

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(1) Phil 3:6
(2) 2 Timothy 1:5
(3) Isaiah 59:21

When the Law is used improperly

NORSK
It is easy to find biblical evidence that the law of the Old Covenant could be used in an improper manner. Yesterday I read: 'We know that the law is good if one uses it properly', and it was a topic with which Paul was very concerned. Jesus had an equally clear focus on it. However, he also was clear on the fact that he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (1), but he was very hard on those who abused the Law (2).

Also in the Old Testament, God warned against abuse of the Law through the prophets. This was particularly true when the Religious exercises became more important than showing compassion expressed in practical action. William Booth used the 58. chapter of Isaiah and called it the Salvation Army's Charter, there we e.g. read:

No, this is fasting I have chosen: to loose unjust links, blast bands in the yoke, setting the oppressed free and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry and leave helpless and homeless get houses. You should see the naked and clothe him, you should not turn your back on your own.
Isaiah 58:6-7

This is not an attack on fasting, but a warning against forgetting the most important thing. In his "woe" of the Pharisees, Jesus says, for example:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Matt 23:23

The one does not exclude the other. So it is true that the Law is good when used properly, and cruel when used improperly. That is why Jesus attacked the Pharisees so hard:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
Matt 23:13

That is what Paul taught Timothy (3), and which is the truth that is vital for disciples to understand:

‘Manna’ for today:

Whosoever will may be saved (4)

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(1) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matt 5:17
(2) See Matthew 23
(3) 1 Timothy 1:8-11
(4) The Salvation Army's 6th article of faith: “We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.”

It is about abundance

NORSK
A couple of days back, I quoted Isaiah’s vision of the result of the outpouring of the Spirit upon us:

And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
Isa 32:15b

This is a wonderful picture of the abundance of fruit. I also believe that there will be a great variation of fruit, but it is very interesting, and I often make a point of the fact the most quoted verses with reference to the fruit of the Spirit, use “fruit” in singular. Then follows a list of expressions of the same fruit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Gal 5:22-23a

To me this confirms the concept of abundance. Abundance is one of the attributes of God, so where his Spirit is, there will be abundance of fruit, both in quantity and in variation of expression. At the same time the use of singular also confirms to me that one expression also include the others. That means that I cannot chose to have only ‘joy’ in my spiritual fruit field since humanly speaking I am very poor on ‘self-control’. If I allow the Spirit to work on my “wilderness”, I trust that he is able to turn it into a fruitful field and even take it a step further by transforming into a forest of fruit-trees.

When I now start to look at Paul’s “fruit-catalogue”, it is important bear in mind the concept of a “singular abundance”.
 
‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is about abundance of fruit

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It is about glory

NORSK
It is many years since I first heard Heidi Baker preach. Her testimony made a strong impact, but it was her longing for “fresh fruit” to bring to the Father that I could identify with on the depth of my own longing. I often feel that the only fruit I have to bring is a dry raisin, while he deserves honour and glory through me bringing him abundance of fresh fruit – or grapes, which are the fruit in Jesus’ speech about the vine:

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8

When Isaiah prophesied about the outpouring of the Spirit, he saw this vision:

And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
Isa 32:15b

This is the ideal picture of a life in the Spirit, abundance of fruit to the glory of the Creator – because he rejoices when he sees abundance of all goodness. But the fruit is also pleasing to the people around us, and here is the apparent link to discipleship.

I really like that Jesus uses the verb “to be” my disciples. It shows that discipleship is an ongoing process, as is the fruit bearing and the life of holiness. It is a lifelong process. 

Unfortunately, lack of fruit can lead to “religious ingenuity” – which means that I try to create something that resembles fruit. It can be a nice piece of art. In the world of art we have the term “Still life”, which very often is a painting of a bowl of fruit. But even if this can be very beautiful, a painting or a picture can never substitute real life. Fruit bearing and discipleship are about life that springs from unity with the Holy Spirit. Everything else becomes religion.

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is about glorifying the Father by producing fruit

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It is about secularisation

NORSK
Yesterday I wrote that the kingdom of God comes close when “my presence in the world 'secularises' holiness” and this statement needs an explanation. The word ‘secularisation’ has its origin in the Medieval Ages and was used to describe what happened when the worldly powers took over properties that used to belong to the church. The church regarded this as an increase of the power of the world while the clergy lost influence and power and the "sacred space" steadily decreased.

In a secular perspective, this is likely to be a correct perception, but in a spiritual perspective, it is a tragedy if I believe that the influence of God’s Spirit in the world is dependent on the church’s number of properties and that the institution constitutes an economic and political force.

The challenge is that both believers and non-believers constantly confuse the church as an institution and the kingdom of God as a spiritual reality. Ideally, the church and the Kingdom of God should share a common goal - but unfortunately it is not always the case.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was concerned about this issue and writes about a ‘Christianity free of religion’. This does not mean that Bonhoeffer empties Christianity of its content, nor does he present an existence without God. His aim is to speak about God in a way that brings God back into the reality in which he has become homeless (1).

In other words, holiness must return to the world. Expressed in a simple way: For the secular to become holy, the holy must first become secular. The question is: How can that happen?

There are probably several answers to the question; but is there a divine method?

I believe so, but according to the mind-set of this world, I doubt that it is logical:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8

This declaration is in a context, which also establishes that the word the Lord does not return to him before it has accomplished what he has said. So, the Lord’s way is incarnation, not only through Jesus 2000 years ago, but in the ongoing incarnation through you and me. This ongoing incarnation of God’s holy presence is vital if we want to see his perfect Kingdom become a reality. Jesus made the following statement:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Matt 24:14 

The only effective way to proclaim the gospel is through incarnation. It is God’s own way.

'Manna' for today:

Holiness is about secularisation

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(1) Bonhoeffer: "Resistance and submission"

It is about beauty

NORSK
As a follow up of yesterday’s reflection on the principle of love that affects us in such a way that we become beautiful, I will write about beauty related to a chorus.

Albert Orsborn was the 6th General of The Salvation Army, and a gifted song-writer. For a long period he wrote one new song per week, and many of his songs are still used all over the world. Several of his songs will fit under the label “Holiness”, that is definitely true with regard to this chorus:

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine,
all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. (1)

It is impossible to describe the “inner beauty” because there are no objective parameters to measure by. Yet, I never doubt that it is real and authentic when I 'see' it in many of my fellow men (2). 
Artists very often chose to portray Jesus as beautiful, while Isaiah prophesied that he ‘was despised, and we held him in low esteem’ (3). This does not mean that the artists are wrong, their desire may be to catch what John wrote:

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14b

I believe that this glory is the “inner beauty”, a beauty saturated with grace and truth. For me truth is a synonym to authenticity. This can be illustrated by the translators’ choice of words when Jesus described Nathanael – some prefer to use ‘true’, others ‘real’ and so on. Still, it is something beautiful, and I combination with grace it represents a love that can embrace the whole world.

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is about beauty

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(1) Orsborn wrote this song in 1922.
(2) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Rom 8:16
(3) Isa 53:3

It is about knowing, as in…. #2

NORSK
The second aspect of 'knowing' in the sentence:
“Be at rest and know that I am the Lord!”
is in the meaning of ‘experiencing’. This is when a person knows as a result of a personal experience of the Lord. If I have had a personal experience of him, I will for sure know that he is holy. I have shared many personal experiences of this kind here on the blog, but today I will share from my ministry.

The first time I can recall remarkable testimonies of the effects of encounters with God’s holiness is from the autumn of 1994. We had a time of strong visitation of the Holy Spirit. It first happened to a lot of the young people in the corps. They met the Lord in a completely new way and he filled them with power, laughter, tears and strange physical manifestations. They were taken by surprise and were thrilled over what they experienced. They wanted more.

When we on the next gathering entered into his presence, several of them had a revelation of God's holiness. The result was that they individually came to me in tears with the same desire: “Jostein, I need to confess my sins!”

Over the years since, this has happened again on different occasions with people of all ages. The strange thing for me is that it has not been in connection with focus on the subject of confession, but rather with a focus on entering into God’s presence. Sometimes the confessions have come as a surprise to the person who confessed, and it has been wonderful to see the “rest” that comes over the
person as this is happening. Holiness is resting in the experience of being included in God’s holiness.

I think this is similar to what happened to Isaiah in the Temple when he met the Lord and his holiness. He felt lost and unclean until he has been touched with fire from the altar:

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Isa 6:6-7

‘Manna’ for today:

Let’s enter into his presence!

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It is about the beginning

NORSK
When I drink of the well of holiness, it is always good to go to the beginning. God is the beginning and the end of everything. He is the "alpha and omega". The subject of holiness must therefore have as a prerequisite that God himself is holy. There is a solid biblical evidence for claiming the holiness of God – e.g.:

1. It is God’s personal testimony:

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'”
Lev 19:1-2

2. Angels and spiritual creatures confess that God is holy

Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Rev 4:8

3. People perceive Him as holy

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
Isa. 6:5

“… he who called you is holy …”
1 Pet 1:15 

Every word about holiness rests on the fact that God – the beginning – is holy.
 
‘Manna’ for today

It is very a good start!

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