A S P E C T S - a monthly devotional journal For subscription information on receiving Aspects every month via e-mail, or the laser-printed edition by mail, see NOTES, COPYRIGHT & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION near the end of this file. Aspects is written by David S. Lampel. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Issue #08, July 1991 (Internet Edition) O U R J E S U S ----------------------------------------------------------------- In this issue: Perspective - Creator Perspective - Humble Servant Perspective - Sacrifice Perspective - Encourager ----------------------------------------------------------------- One of my computer magazines this month describes the latest in CD-ROM Multi-media Applications. Huh, you say? Okay, CD = Compact Disc (just like the compact discs you may buy that contain recorded music); ROM = Read-Only Memory (and you don't need to know what that means for the purpose of this article); Multimedia is a buzzword these days for blending computer data, graphic images and sound--even animation and moving images--to present information to the user; Applications just stands for the computer programs being marketed that incorporate this technology. So what we're talking about here are computer programs contained on Compact Discs that disgorge vast amounts of information to the user. One of the best of these (in the opinion of the aforementioned magazine) is The 1990 Grolier's Encyclopedia. This CD contains the full text of Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia and over 1,000 images (illustrations). With this in your computer you could request information on, say, San Diego, California. Your screen would display paragraphs of information about the city; alongside would be a detailed map showing the major freeway arteries. While reading the article you note that the Navy has a large presence in this city: you press a key and watch a video of the Secretary of the Navy delivering his keynote address to the city fathers. Press another key to see a map showing the locations of all Naval installations in the area. Well, you get the idea. Why am I telling you this? What has a CD-ROM Multimedia Application have to do with the Savior? Just this: Every month, while I am preparing Aspects, I wish it were just such a publication. I wish that instead of black ink on blue paper Aspects could be a multimedia publication that would more faithfully communicate the entirety of my thought- process to you--and never more so than this month, as we consider together our Savior. I wish you could be hearing the melody of the chorus that plays in my ear when I consider His love for me. I wish you could see the images that race through my head as I meditate on certain passages of Scripture. But I am constrained by the two-dimensional page. So how can I accurately communicate how I feel about Jesus without you experiencing the way my heart aches with joy when I think of Him? How can I convey my inexpressable thanksgiving without painting for you the image of His anguish on the cross? How can you share in the uncontrollable weeping that overwhelms me when I look up into his compassionate face? How can anyone explain their feelings for someone who has died that they might live? What can I write that will move you as He moves me? Maybe that's being presumptuous. After all, Jesus is that most personally human part of God who, as planned, should be written intimately, individually, upon each person's heart. Why should you experience Him in my way? When we look into the eyes of Jesus we see comfort from our burdens, and your burdens will be different from mine. Jesus Christ is unchangeable--He is who He always has been. But as our Savior He ministers to each of us according to our personal needs, not according to some universal standard of human want. What do you see when you look into the eyes of Jesus? What happens inside you? What is your response to His hand outstretched to yours? Just who is Jesus to you? Can you see Him, can you touch His face? Does He speak, or do His eyes alone communicate with you? The format of Aspects is slightly different this month. As you read and meditate on the scripture and songs, you will come across one or more asterisks (*); when you do, look for a related note in the column to the right. It is my prayer that this month's Aspects will prompt you into a time of intimate worship of our Lord Jesus. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective C R E A T O R ------------- In the beginning God created the heav- ens and the earth. GEN 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made;* * Some time ago I heard a without him nothing was made that has rather pithy explanation for been made. He was in the world, and the roles of God the Father though the world was made through him, and Jesus Christ in the act of the world did not recognize him. He Creation. To the question, came to that which was his own, but his "Who created the world: God or own did not receive him.** Yet to all Jesus?" the answer was, "Jesus who received him, to those who believed created the world, but God was in his name, he gave the right to the warehouse from which He become children of God--children born drew the raw materials." Put not of natural descent, nor of human another way, Jesus was the decision or a husband's will, but born agent; God was the source. of God. JOH 1:1-3,10-13 ** I have long thought that He is the image of the invisible God, one of the greatest pains the firstborn over all creation. For by experienced by Jesus at the him all things were created: things in cross was the pain of being heaven and on earth, visible and invis- rejected by those He had come ible, whether thrones or powers or to save; for Jesus was not rulers or authorities; all things were only their Savior, but their created by him and for him. He is Creator. What a disappointment before all things, and in him all it must have been. things hold together. COL 1:15-17 In the past God spoke to our forefa- *** Thumb through the leaves thers through the prophets at many of history and you will search times and in various ways, but in these in vain for any god so filled last days he has spoken to us by his with compassionate love as our Son, whom he appointed heir of all Jesus. The gods of things, and through whom he made the history--and today--have universe. HEB 1:1-2 always been a most self-centered lot, occupied In bringing many sons to glory, it was more with themselves than fitting that God, for whom and through their worshippers. But our God whom everything exists, should make the is different because He is the author of their salvation perfect one and true God. This God who through suffering.*** HEB 2:10 salted the night sky with the stars, who divided the dark For to us a child is born, to us a son from the light, who populated is given, and the government will be on terra with all manner of his shoulders. And he will be called marvelous creatures, who not Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Ever- only created but invented lasting Father, Prince of Peace. man... This God, this God, ISA 9:6 loved us so deeply, so powerfully, that He placed __________________ Himself into uncomfortable flesh so that He might know us better. And then, because that Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, wasn't enough, He surren- O Thou of God and man the Son: dered Himself to the altar of Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, our sin. He experienced death Thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown. so that we might know life. Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine! Amen.(1) __________________ Lord of all...of the heights where faith can lift the trusting heart. Lord of all...of the depths where fear would tear such faith apart. Lord of all...of the nations quick to anger, bearing arms. Lord of all...of each child held by its mother safe from harm. (Chorus) Lord of all, Of all seen and unseen things, Of the universe that sings And calls you Lord of all. Lord of all, Of the power not to sin; You have always been and always will be Lord of all. Lord of all...of a peace that we can draw with every breath. Lord of all...of provision for each need in life and death. Lord of all...of the turnings of the seasons and the earth. Lord of all...of the love that purchased man a second birth.(2) (Chorus) __________________ Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!(3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective H U M B L E S E R V A N T ------------- The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. JOH 1:14 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."* * Are there any absolutes to MAR 10:45 servanthood? Are there any acts of service that should be Your attitude should be the same as common to all believers?(6) that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider Beyond absolutes (if there are equality with God something to be any), what acts of servanthood grasped, but made himself nothing, do you perform that are not taking the very nature of a servant, necessarily expected of being made in human likeness. And being others?(7) found in appearance as a man, he hum- bled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PHI 2:5-11 ** ** Oh, that we could learn this lesson once and for all. So Christ also did not take upon him- Strive for greatness and you self the glory of becoming a high are doomed to mediocrity; priest. But God said to him, "You are strive to be a servant and my Son; today I have become your Fa- greatness will come. ther." Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered Because Jesus humbled Himself, and, once made perfect, he became the God exalted Him. source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Mel- chizedek. HEB 5:5,8-10 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Wor- ship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" LUK 4:8 >From heaven you came, helpless babe, Entered our world, your glory veiled; Not to be served, but to serve, And give your life that we might live. (Chorus) This is our God, the Servant King, He calls us now to follow Him, To bring our lives as a daily offering Of worship to the Servant King. So let us learn how to serve, And in our lives enthrone Him; Each other's needs to prefer, For it is Christ we're serving.(4) (Chorus) __________________ Meekness and majesty Manhood and diety In perfect harmony The man who is God. Lord of eternity *** O God of the humble, Dwells in humanity I look to Your Son, Jesus, as Kneels in humility my model for being Your And washes our feet. bondservant. Your righteous Son voluntarily acquired the (Chorus) imperfect mantle of humanity; O what a mystery while remaining God, He Meekness and majesty; experienced the weakness of my Bow down and worship flesh. For this is your God.*** He asked for no payment, save Father's pure radiance the chance to die in my place. Perfect in innocence He accepted Your judgement: Yet learns obediance You require a blood sacrifice To death on a cross. as atonement for sin--not His; Suffering to give us life mine. Conquering through sacrifice And as they crucify Therefore I praise my Lord Prays "Father forgive."(5) Jesus--not because of my estimation of Him, but because (Chorus) of Who He is: He is Servant, He is God. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective S A C R I F I C E ------------- Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll--I have come to do your will, O God.'" * * Though He was God, Jesus And by that will, we have been made humbled Himself to something holy through the sacrifice of the body lower than man: a servant to of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after man; then one step lower: a day every priest stands and performs sacrifice for man. He became his religious duties; again and again something scorned, ridiculed, he offers the same sacrifices, which abused and tortured.(10) can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. HEB 10:5-7,10-14,18-22 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1JO 2:2 ** In a theological sense, This is love: not that we loved God, Jesus' sacrifice consisted of but that he loved us and sent his Son one act: He physically died to as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.** pay for our sins. And that 1JO 4:10 alone would have been suffi- __________________ cient to merit our eternal devotion and thanksgiving. But O sacred Head, now wounded, what He suffered on our behalf With grief and shame weighed down, is a much longer list--a Now scornfully surrounded litany of His passionate, With thorns Thine only crown: unselfish love for us: How pale Thou art with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn, - Jesus suffered the How does that visage languish, abandonment of His disciples Which once was bright as morn! in the face of His arrest. What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered - He patiently suffered the Was all for sinners' gain; infantile abuse of the Mine, mine was the transgression, Council.(11) But Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior; - Our Lord suffered the 'Tis I deserve Thy place; ridicule and rejection of Look on me with Thy favor, those He had come to save. Assist me with Thy grace. - He was shamed publicly, What language shall I borrow stripped naked before His To thank Thee, dearest Friend, family and accusers. For this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? - His physical agony was O make me Thine forever, almost beyond comprehension: And should I fainting be, scourged until His flesh was Lord, let me never, never stripped away, a crown of Outlive my love to Thee.(8) thorns pressed into His head, __________________ spat upon and beaten about the face until He was Giving it up to you, O Lord: unrecognizable, attached to a It's so easy to say, wooden cross by spikes driven not so easy to do. through his arms. Every day I rise, O Lord, Pick up my cross But there is one thing even and I'll follow you. more agonizing that Jesus O my Jesus-- suffered during His sacrifice for us. For sinners (Chorus) everywhere, sinners such as All of my life I'll praise you, those who had condemned Him to All of my days are yours; death, such as those who had You are my God forevermore. nailed Him to that All of my life I lay down cross--sinners such as you and To worship at Your feet; me--Jesus suffered separation You are my God forevermore. from the Father. I can't help You are my God forevermore. but think it was that torture for which He prayed relief in I find that within Your grace, O Lord, the Garden. Such horrible Is a joy so complete emptiness it must have been and the will to obey. for our Jesus when His Father All of Your love raining down on me, turned away from Him. If only Gives me the strength for another day. for a moment, God could not I just have to say that--(9) look upon the full weight of our sin--even when carried by (Chorus) His beloved Son. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective E N C O U R A G E R ------------- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. HEB 12:1-3 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. HEB 2:17-18 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heav- ens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. HEB 4:14-16 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." MAT 18:20 __________________ Soft as a whisper I hear You calling to me once again; Rising within me, Beckoning me higher than I've ever been. I can hear You call my name, tenderly; You promise me that I can change With Your love... (Chorus) True love, honest as a prayer True love, takes me through the fire True love, purify me there Oh Lord, lead me ever higher. I'm hesitating, Fearing the climb, fearing the sacrifice; Lord, give me courage, To follow You onward to greater heights. I can hear You call my name, tenderly; I could never stay the same In Your love... (Chorus) I want to see the eagles fly Through cloudless skies. So take me through the fire, To my destination, To the mountain peaks above. Love's my inspiration, Lead me where I long to go... ...tenderly; I could never stay the same In Your love... (Chorus)(12) __________________ When I look into Your holiness, When I gaze into Your loveliness, When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You... When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart, When my will becomes enthroned in Your love, When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You... I worship You, I worship You; The reason I live is to worship You.(13) (Repeat) __________________ KNEES, FEELING, AND THE OUTSTRETCHED HAND I have a different relationship with each member of the Trinity. God, the Father, is absolute, unimaginable Holiness. When Isaiah found himself in the very throne room of God, he just crumpled into a heap and said, "I am about to die!" He could not describe God Himself; like John in the book of The Revelation, Isaiah could only describe the glory of God's presence--not His actual appearance.(14) When Moses requested to see His face, God wisely pointed out that he would not survive the experience.(15) So it's not surprising to me that I have no idea what the Father's face looks like. My mental picture of God is of His knees--for whenever I imagine myself in the presence of God, I am always knelt before His throne--either in worship or supplication--and my gaze cannot travel higher than His knees. The Holy Spirit is really a person, but to me He is always a feeling. I don't know what He looks like, but He is more personal and personable than God, the Father. He is the one who fills me with passion for my God, and He is the one who slices into me to expose my sin. God, the Spirit, is my umbilical to the wisdom of the Father. But God, the Son, I can describe perfectly. My mental picture of Jesus has Him standing in the middle of a dirt road; I see Him as I round a turn in the twisting road. I'm exhausted from the struggle of living; for a moment, I've lost sight of Him and I've looked into myself--only to find nothing there to help. Jesus is smiling, encouraging me to continue, and His comforting hand is outstretched toward me. He beckons me closer and when, with a last gasp, I reach Him, He lovingly takes me into His arms and I am restored. ======================================================================== NOTES, COPYRIGHT & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Notes ----- 1. Fairest Lord Jesus, Anonymous (v.1) & Joseph A. Seiss, Hymn #88 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD, 1986). 2. Lord of All, from the recording First Call: Somethin' Takes Over; written by Phill McHugh (WORD, 1987). 3. And Can it Be? by Charles Wesley, Hymn #203 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD, 1986). 4. The Servant King, from the recording The Maranatha! Singers: Praise 9; written by Graham Kendrick (Maranatha! Music, 1989). 5. Meekness and Majesty, from the recording The Maranatha! Singers: Praise 9; written by Graham Kendrick (Maranatha! Music, 1989). 6. Romans 12:1 7. Luke 19:11-27; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,9:6-15; Ephesians 4:7-16 8. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, Paul Gerhardt, Hymn #178 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD, 1986). 9. All of My Life, from the recording Praise & Worship: SHOUTS OF JOY; written by Troy Shaw (Integrity Music, 1990). 10. Isaiah 53:3-10; Matthew 27:39-44; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-39 11. Matthew 26:57-68 12. True Love, from the recording First Call: God is Good; written by Marty and Vickie McCall (WORD, 1989). 13. When I Look Into Your Holiness, from the recording Personal Praise 1: Quiet Me Now; written by Wayne and Cathy Perrin (John W. Peterson Music Company, 1988). 14. Isaiah 6:1-7; Revelation 4:1-11 15. Exodus 33:18-23 Copyright Information --------------------- All original material in Aspects is Copyright (C) 1995 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 1995 David S. Lampel."). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, or spoken messages. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture is from the New International Version. NIV quotations are from the Holy Bible: New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission. NASB quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Subscription Information ------------------------ Aspects is published monthly. There are two preferred methods of receiving it on a regular basis: 1) You may subscribe to the laser-printed (hard copy) edition, which is sent out via regular mail. This edition is different from this file you are reading in the following ways: - a "typeset" look, with italics, larger titles and headings, etc. - Scripture text and quotations are more obviously set apart - lines printed for your notes after each question - arrives pre-punched for a 3-ring binder - generally looks better 2) You may subscribe to the e-mail edition, which will be "mailed" to you directly each month. This edition will be formatted just like this file you are now reading--which still contains all the text of the printed edition. There is no charge for either option. For a free subscription to Aspects, send a note to "dlampel@dlampel.com" Please specify the method by which you wish to receive Aspects. Be sure to include your postal mailing address if you choose the printed edition. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Aspects is distributed free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. Reader opinions are always welcome, as are insights into the published material. Send all comments to the above address. We always appreciate hearing when someone has been edified by this work. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes on the "online" Format ---------------------------- Certain adaptations to the text are necessary for distribution of this ASCII edition of Aspects. Endnote reference numbers are enclosed in parentheses (); quotations are enclosed by quotation marks " ", and are further set apart from original text by indentation and the presence of a following endnote reference; Scripture references are indented, and either cite the reference or are accompanied by a following endnote reference. If you would prefer reading Aspects in its more native, printed form, we would encourage you to subscribe to the edition that is mailed out every month. ---------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/aspects: asp-008.txt