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ON THE ROAD TO ZION

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How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head. Psalm 133:1–2

What is the life of the church? What makes it different from all other societies and organizations? The answer is Christ, He is the difference and our source of life. Recently, I found myself fixating on what I perceived as weaknesses or blemishes in our church. The Lord began to correct me only as He can, His correction came in the simplest yet most profound way. It was as if I heard a whisper throughout the day, during the preaching (we had a guest speaker that morning in church), and during the prayer time. The whispering voice just repeated one word, “Christ”. After a while I began to get it, it wasn’t about my gifts, our excellence of ministry, or really any human effort at all, the uniqueness and blessing of the church is simply Christ. He is all in all. After all, He is what makes us a true community marching on our way to the heavenly city. Here are some thoughts from Watchman Née on today’s verses.

“Psalm 133 is a Song of Ascents, sung three times a year by those going up to worship at Jerusalem. There were all kinds of people on that road, but they had one thing in common: they were all heading for Zion, the abode of God. These men in their great variety were all brothers in unity. How? The illustration explains. It is like the oil. There is one “holy anointing oil”: the Spirit of God Himself. And the flow of oil is down, not up! In other words, His anointing is not directly on the members but upon Christ the Head. The Spirit finds rest and satisfaction in Christ and nowhere else. Hold fast the Head, obey Him in all things, and you will be found walking in step with all who do the same.”
That’s it, Christ is the very life that we share together. In Christ we have revelation, encouragement, power, moral strength, compassion for the hurting, and love for our brother’s and sisters in Christ. Like the pilgrims of old in their journey to the joyful festivals in Jerusalem, we too are on the road, our destination is the Heavenly Jerusalem. Our journey will end in a place of joy and celebration, our joy in the journey increases with anticipation as we draw near to our destination.

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FLOW


Pas. 133:1 ¶ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

God’s creation is absolutely bursting out with pictures of God’s kingdom and of God Himself. Recently, Parris and I were snorkeling and saw all sorts of God’s creatures in the sea. It was quite amazing, if you would be still and “flow” you were no longer a spectator or intruder but you found yourself as part of the “dance”. We saw starfish, sea urchins, and of course a wide range of fish. There was a large sea snake and a sting ray and sometimes you would be surrounded by thousands of small fish. I think the thing that grabbed my attention the most was the group of squids that were flowing in a formation (a group of squids is called a squad). It was as if they were not a group of creatures but were actually flowing as one in some sort of formation. It reminded me of the local church when it is flowing together as one in the ocean of God’s presence. There are always obstacles that try to take us out of the flow and causes us to strike out on our own. The place of safety and blessing is to stay in formation, moving together as one in the flow of His Spirit. Here are some thoughts from William Bridge on today’s verse.
“It is a pleasant thing for the saints and people of God to agree together; for the same word which is used here for “pleasant”, is used also in the Hebrew for a harmony of music, such as when they rise to the highest strains of the viol, when the strings are all put in order to make up a harmony; so pleasant is it, such pleasantness is there in the saints’ agreement. The same word is used also in the Hebrew for the pleasantness of a corn field. When a field is clothed with corn, though it be cut down, yet it is very pleasant, oh, how pleasant is it; and such is the saints’ agreement. The same word in the Psalmist is used also for the sweetness of honey, and of sweet things in opposition to bitter things. And thus you see the pleasantness of it, by its being compared to the harmony of music, to the corn field, to the sweetness of honey, to the precious ointment that ran down Aaron’s beard, and to the dew that fell upon Hermon and the hills of Zion: and all this to discover the pleasantness, profitableness, and sweetness of the saints’ agreement.”
So if you feel a little out of step get back in the flow. You can’t stay full of the Spirit, full of God’s love, and be out of step with His people. Become like the squid and flow with the squad.

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NORTH SHORE FACILITY

We want to announce the purchase of the old “Funland” on the West Approach in Mandeville. This is the latest satellite church plant for Victory Fellowship. We have been conducting services in a rental facility in Convington for 2 ½ years. We are excited about the growth of the church and this great opportunity for expansion.

As I have shared repeatedly, we have no intentions of starting a new church in Mandeville. We view this as part of Victory Fellowship and our vision to have one church in multiple locations.

As the psalmist says in Psalm 133,

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing; life forevermore.

As we continue to flow together in unity with all of our churches we are expecting a great move of the Holy Spirit. We believe unprecedented acts of God are on the horizon.