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"Don't put your life in the hands of experts..." (Psalm 146:3, The Message).
If you've been around long enough you will have by now discovered that the experts, for the most part, do not know much more than any of the rest of us. With very few exceptions they are, at best, only one page ahead of us in the book -- and that page is blank.
Look at the scrambling that is going on in the economic sector as the "experts" come up empty; their "solutions" aren't working, and the problem is only escalating.
It's no different in the exalted halls of Congress -- where men and women are out of their depth, facing extraordinary problems for which they can find no palatable, workable solutions.
The Psalmist exhorts us to place our confidence in God alone, who, by the gracious and faithful exercise of His power in goodness to the needy, is singularly worthy of our implicit trust.
Elsewhere the Psalmist wrote, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." ((Psalm 118:8-9).
If you haven't figured that out by now, then here's your chance to make the leap. The old year has passed, and a new one is just around the corner. Make the shift that changes everything else. Take you trust out of the hands of the experts, and place it solely in God!
You will be glad that you did!
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Kids Say the Darndest Things
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"Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" (Matthew 21:16).
Art Linkletter became renowned for his ability to capture the innocence of children on his famed television show, “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”
On one show a little boy said “My daddy is a policeman. He catches robbers and burglars and thieves.” Linkletter then asked him, “What does your mommy think about this?” The boy answered without hesitation, “Oh, she thinks it’s great. Dad always brings her watches and rings and jewels.”
Kids do say the darndest things! The following are children's answers to Sunday School questions in a Church of England, as they were reprinted by St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Seattle, Washington:
Abraham begat Isaac and Isaac begat Jacob and Jacob begat twelve partridges.
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day but a ball of fire at night.
The fifth commandment is: Humor thy father and mother.
Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
Christians can have only one wife. This is called monotony.
A Republican is a sinner mentioned in the Bible.
These bloopers give us quite a chuckle. We see the humor of the children’s innocence, and cannot help but laugh. Wouldn’t it be great if we somehow could apply this same sense of kindness to the bloopers we each make as adults?
The fact is adults say the darndest things, too. “But,” someone protests, “adults are supposed to know better!” Of course we are, but that doesn’t mean that we always do.
Next time you hear something that seems outlandish and misinformed -- give the benefit of the doubt to the one who said it. It might be nothing more than an innocent blooper. After all, kids say the darndest things!
.
"Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" (Matthew 21:16).
Art Linkletter became renowned for his ability to capture the innocence of children on his famed television show, “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”
On one show a little boy said “My daddy is a policeman. He catches robbers and burglars and thieves.” Linkletter then asked him, “What does your mommy think about this?” The boy answered without hesitation, “Oh, she thinks it’s great. Dad always brings her watches and rings and jewels.”
Kids do say the darndest things! The following are children's answers to Sunday School questions in a Church of England, as they were reprinted by St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Seattle, Washington:
Abraham begat Isaac and Isaac begat Jacob and Jacob begat twelve partridges.
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day but a ball of fire at night.
The fifth commandment is: Humor thy father and mother.
Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
Christians can have only one wife. This is called monotony.
A Republican is a sinner mentioned in the Bible.
These bloopers give us quite a chuckle. We see the humor of the children’s innocence, and cannot help but laugh. Wouldn’t it be great if we somehow could apply this same sense of kindness to the bloopers we each make as adults?
The fact is adults say the darndest things, too. “But,” someone protests, “adults are supposed to know better!” Of course we are, but that doesn’t mean that we always do.
Next time you hear something that seems outlandish and misinformed -- give the benefit of the doubt to the one who said it. It might be nothing more than an innocent blooper. After all, kids say the darndest things!
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Monday, December 29, 2008
Thy Kingdom Come
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"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
This is the first thing Jesus told us pray for in the Model Prayer. We open the prayer with deep love and great respect, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."
Then, almost in the same breath, Jesus tells us what is of utmost priority in our prayers -- "Thy Kingdom come."
Notice that there is a period, which means a complete sentence has been spoken. What follows next is, therefore, very interesting, for it serves as a fuller explanation of what Jesus means by the phrase, "Thy Kingdom come."
He says, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." In other words, the Kingdom comes into any life or circumstance at the moment God's will is done on earth in perfect harmony with what He has already done in heaven above.
So what does this mean for us today?
Simply this -- whatever God says that He has already done, even if the situation on earth contradicts it in every way, we may be sure that His power will work on our behalf to make every change necessary in order for things to line up with His will.
Furthermore, in light of the fact that we are ambassadors for Christ entrusted with the message and ministry of reconciliation, we may go about our day with the full assurance that we are backed up by the power of God -- especially in those moments when we are faced with the powers of darkness, which ever work to contradict God's will.
"Thy Kingdom come!" will be our declaration -- and we will see God's will done on earth, just as it in heaven.
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"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
This is the first thing Jesus told us pray for in the Model Prayer. We open the prayer with deep love and great respect, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."
Then, almost in the same breath, Jesus tells us what is of utmost priority in our prayers -- "Thy Kingdom come."
Notice that there is a period, which means a complete sentence has been spoken. What follows next is, therefore, very interesting, for it serves as a fuller explanation of what Jesus means by the phrase, "Thy Kingdom come."
He says, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." In other words, the Kingdom comes into any life or circumstance at the moment God's will is done on earth in perfect harmony with what He has already done in heaven above.
So what does this mean for us today?
Simply this -- whatever God says that He has already done, even if the situation on earth contradicts it in every way, we may be sure that His power will work on our behalf to make every change necessary in order for things to line up with His will.
Furthermore, in light of the fact that we are ambassadors for Christ entrusted with the message and ministry of reconciliation, we may go about our day with the full assurance that we are backed up by the power of God -- especially in those moments when we are faced with the powers of darkness, which ever work to contradict God's will.
"Thy Kingdom come!" will be our declaration -- and we will see God's will done on earth, just as it in heaven.
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Sunday, December 28, 2008
The God Who Makes Things Happen
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"You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do -- You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph." (Psalm 77:14,15, The Message).
The great epic event of the Old Testament was the Exodus -- the day God delivered His people out of bondage in Egypt. They were in the worst kind of trouble, and God brought them out of it.
They were up against the impassable Red Sea, and God brought them through it on dry ground. He made a way where there was no way. The armies of Pharaoh were pressing down upon them, but they escaped -- while the horse and the rider were drowned in the sea.
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The things that were written in ancient times are alive and relevant for us today. We are filled with hope in our times of difficulty as we gaze back upon what God has done in the past for His people.
And we know that even unto this very day, He is the God who makes things happen. He will make a way where there seems to be no way possible.
As turmoil increases in our world, a noticeable shift will occur in the global mindset -- a shift against the Christian Faith. This shift will be the signal that the spirit of Antichrist is making its move. The world will increasingly turn against the God of Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and against all those who profess Him in any manner.
And as this shift happens, we ourselves will be set up for yet another remarkable, earth-shaking act of God. He will again show the world what He can do; He will pull His people out of the worst kind of trouble, even though it means we will have to be in it first.
So when the trouble comes, then know that Deliverance is also on the way. Rejoice my brothers and sisters -- we serve the God who makes things happen!
.
"You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do -- You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph." (Psalm 77:14,15, The Message).
The great epic event of the Old Testament was the Exodus -- the day God delivered His people out of bondage in Egypt. They were in the worst kind of trouble, and God brought them out of it.
They were up against the impassable Red Sea, and God brought them through it on dry ground. He made a way where there was no way. The armies of Pharaoh were pressing down upon them, but they escaped -- while the horse and the rider were drowned in the sea.
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The things that were written in ancient times are alive and relevant for us today. We are filled with hope in our times of difficulty as we gaze back upon what God has done in the past for His people.
And we know that even unto this very day, He is the God who makes things happen. He will make a way where there seems to be no way possible.
As turmoil increases in our world, a noticeable shift will occur in the global mindset -- a shift against the Christian Faith. This shift will be the signal that the spirit of Antichrist is making its move. The world will increasingly turn against the God of Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and against all those who profess Him in any manner.
And as this shift happens, we ourselves will be set up for yet another remarkable, earth-shaking act of God. He will again show the world what He can do; He will pull His people out of the worst kind of trouble, even though it means we will have to be in it first.
So when the trouble comes, then know that Deliverance is also on the way. Rejoice my brothers and sisters -- we serve the God who makes things happen!
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Questions Only You Can Answer
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"And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions." (1 Kings 10:1).
Solomon, as a young man ascending to the throne of Israel, asked the Lord for wisdom. God granted him his request. As a result the fame of Solomon spread not only around the known world, but also down through the ages. When the Queen of Sheba came to prove him with hard question, he passed the test with flying colors.
How do you fare when others prove you with hard questions? Do you flinch? Do you balk? Do you divert the pressure by changing the subject? Or, do you stand and deliver? Here's your chance to let us know. Here are a series of questions only you can answer -- and there are many waiting to see what your answers will be.
There’s a well in the valley; do you dig it? There’s a mountain in the hills; do you climb it? There’s a song on your lips; do you sing it? There’s a bell in the tower; do you ring it? There is love in your heart; do you show it? There’s a chance every day; do you blow it?
There’s a life full of joy; do you live it? There’s a coin in your pocket; will you give it? There’s a reason you are here; do you know it? There’s a seed in your soul; will you grow it?
There’s a calling on your life; do you hear it? There’s a time to take a stand; do you fear it? There’s a way to change the world; do you see it? There’s a dream that’s locked away; will you free it?
There’s a word to be spoken; will you speak it? There’s a faith from above; will you keep it? There’s a truth to be told; will you tell it? There is freedom in the air; can you smell it? There’s a path less traveled; will you take it?
There is glory up in heaven; will you make it? There’s a door that’s opened wide; will you enter? Will you cross the finish line as a winner?
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"And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions." (1 Kings 10:1).
Solomon, as a young man ascending to the throne of Israel, asked the Lord for wisdom. God granted him his request. As a result the fame of Solomon spread not only around the known world, but also down through the ages. When the Queen of Sheba came to prove him with hard question, he passed the test with flying colors.
How do you fare when others prove you with hard questions? Do you flinch? Do you balk? Do you divert the pressure by changing the subject? Or, do you stand and deliver? Here's your chance to let us know. Here are a series of questions only you can answer -- and there are many waiting to see what your answers will be.
There’s a well in the valley; do you dig it? There’s a mountain in the hills; do you climb it? There’s a song on your lips; do you sing it? There’s a bell in the tower; do you ring it? There is love in your heart; do you show it? There’s a chance every day; do you blow it?
There’s a life full of joy; do you live it? There’s a coin in your pocket; will you give it? There’s a reason you are here; do you know it? There’s a seed in your soul; will you grow it?
There’s a calling on your life; do you hear it? There’s a time to take a stand; do you fear it? There’s a way to change the world; do you see it? There’s a dream that’s locked away; will you free it?
There’s a word to be spoken; will you speak it? There’s a faith from above; will you keep it? There’s a truth to be told; will you tell it? There is freedom in the air; can you smell it? There’s a path less traveled; will you take it?
There is glory up in heaven; will you make it? There’s a door that’s opened wide; will you enter? Will you cross the finish line as a winner?
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Friday, December 26, 2008
Jesus the Messiah -- From a Jew's Perspective
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"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in -- we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen!" (1 John 1:1-2, The Message).
These are the words of the first devout Jews who walked with Jesus. And down through the ages these words have been echoed in the hearts and lives of faithful Jews and Gentiles who still walk with Jesus today.
One example is Alfred Edersheim. Born in the early 1800s in Vienna, Austria to Jewish parents, Edersheim was well educated both in the secular subjects of the day and in the Talmudic traditions of his family's faith. As a young man he converted to Christianity and then went on to study to become a Presbyterian minister and eventually a vicar in the Church of England.
His love for Christ was unsurpassed, as is evident in these inspiring words taken from his classic work --The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.
"To the question whether One has appeared Whose claims to Messiahship have stood the test of investigation and of time - impartial history can make only one answer. It points to Bethlehem and to Nazareth.
If the claims of Jesus have been rejected by the Jewish Nation, He has at least, undoubtedly, fulfilled one part of the mission prophetically assigned to the Messiah. Whether or not He be the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to Him, assuredly, has been the gathering of the nations, and the isles have waited for His law.
Passing the narrow bounds of obscure Judea, and breaking down the walls of national prejudice and isolation, He has made the sublimer teaching of the Old Testament the common possession of the world, and founded a great Brotherhood, of which the God of Israel is the Father.
He alone also has exhibited a life, in which absolutely no fault could be found; and promulgated a teaching, to which absolutely no exception can be taken. Admittedly, He was the One perfect Man - the ideal of humanity, His doctrine the one absolute teaching. The world has known none other, none equal. And the world has owned it, if not by the testimony of words, yet by the evidence of facts.
Springing from such a people; born, living, and dying in circumstances, and using means, the most unlikely of such results - the Man of Nazareth has, by universal consent, been the mightiest Factor in our world’s history: alike politically, socially, intellectually, and morally.
If He be not the Messiah, He has at least thus far done the Messiah’s work. If He be not the Messiah, there has at least been none other, before or after Him. If He be not the Messiah, the world has not, and never can have, a Messiah."
Jesus is the Messiah; the Lord and Savior of the World. May we be so blessed as those who have gone before us, to know and walk with this Man. May the Word of Life Himself appear right before OUR very eyes in these days that are upon us!
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"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in -- we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen!" (1 John 1:1-2, The Message).
These are the words of the first devout Jews who walked with Jesus. And down through the ages these words have been echoed in the hearts and lives of faithful Jews and Gentiles who still walk with Jesus today.
One example is Alfred Edersheim. Born in the early 1800s in Vienna, Austria to Jewish parents, Edersheim was well educated both in the secular subjects of the day and in the Talmudic traditions of his family's faith. As a young man he converted to Christianity and then went on to study to become a Presbyterian minister and eventually a vicar in the Church of England.
His love for Christ was unsurpassed, as is evident in these inspiring words taken from his classic work --The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.
"To the question whether One has appeared Whose claims to Messiahship have stood the test of investigation and of time - impartial history can make only one answer. It points to Bethlehem and to Nazareth.
If the claims of Jesus have been rejected by the Jewish Nation, He has at least, undoubtedly, fulfilled one part of the mission prophetically assigned to the Messiah. Whether or not He be the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to Him, assuredly, has been the gathering of the nations, and the isles have waited for His law.
Passing the narrow bounds of obscure Judea, and breaking down the walls of national prejudice and isolation, He has made the sublimer teaching of the Old Testament the common possession of the world, and founded a great Brotherhood, of which the God of Israel is the Father.
He alone also has exhibited a life, in which absolutely no fault could be found; and promulgated a teaching, to which absolutely no exception can be taken. Admittedly, He was the One perfect Man - the ideal of humanity, His doctrine the one absolute teaching. The world has known none other, none equal. And the world has owned it, if not by the testimony of words, yet by the evidence of facts.
Springing from such a people; born, living, and dying in circumstances, and using means, the most unlikely of such results - the Man of Nazareth has, by universal consent, been the mightiest Factor in our world’s history: alike politically, socially, intellectually, and morally.
If He be not the Messiah, He has at least thus far done the Messiah’s work. If He be not the Messiah, there has at least been none other, before or after Him. If He be not the Messiah, the world has not, and never can have, a Messiah."
Jesus is the Messiah; the Lord and Savior of the World. May we be so blessed as those who have gone before us, to know and walk with this Man. May the Word of Life Himself appear right before OUR very eyes in these days that are upon us!
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Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years
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"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:16-18)
Phillips Brooks, Rector of Philadelphia, wrote the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine especially at night time; hence the lyrics.
His church organist, Lewis Redner, wrote the melody for the Sunday school children's choir.
There is a line from in the first verse that almost gets lost in the bigger picture of the song. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."
Hopes and Fears represent the polar ends of a wide range of feelings.
As we gaze back into that historic moment laid out before us in the Gospels, there we see a most remarkable assortment of figures gathering round about this infant boy. And unknowingly they unite to send a singular message down through the Ages.
We can come together in the presence of Christ.
This is the message of Christmas -- kings and shepherds, angels and men, rich and poor, foreigner and citizen, influential and powerless -- all ALIKE in one unforgettable moment of Community in the presence of the infant Christ.
Now consider -- if the Babe in the Manger was orbed with such compelling influence that He could bring together those who otherwise would have nothing to do with one another, how much more so is this possible now that He is crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
The hopes and fears of all the years were once gathered and resolved in a sacred evening long ago. O Lord, do it again in our world today -- for night has fallen upon us, and we need Your light to show us the way.
May the full blessings of that first Christmas be yours on this blessed day, and everyday hereafter through the remaining days of your journey!
Merry Christmas!
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"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:16-18)
Phillips Brooks, Rector of Philadelphia, wrote the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine especially at night time; hence the lyrics.
His church organist, Lewis Redner, wrote the melody for the Sunday school children's choir.
There is a line from in the first verse that almost gets lost in the bigger picture of the song. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."
Hopes and Fears represent the polar ends of a wide range of feelings.
As we gaze back into that historic moment laid out before us in the Gospels, there we see a most remarkable assortment of figures gathering round about this infant boy. And unknowingly they unite to send a singular message down through the Ages.
We can come together in the presence of Christ.
This is the message of Christmas -- kings and shepherds, angels and men, rich and poor, foreigner and citizen, influential and powerless -- all ALIKE in one unforgettable moment of Community in the presence of the infant Christ.
Now consider -- if the Babe in the Manger was orbed with such compelling influence that He could bring together those who otherwise would have nothing to do with one another, how much more so is this possible now that He is crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
The hopes and fears of all the years were once gathered and resolved in a sacred evening long ago. O Lord, do it again in our world today -- for night has fallen upon us, and we need Your light to show us the way.
May the full blessings of that first Christmas be yours on this blessed day, and everyday hereafter through the remaining days of your journey!
Merry Christmas!
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Just When You're Minding Your Own Business...
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"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8).
No one knew but Joseph and Mary, and their closest relatives. To all other observers Mary was a pregnant girl shrouded in scandalous rumor; and Joseph was a rascal. This may account for the added disinterest shown to them when they needed a place in crowded Bethlehem for the Babe to be born.
An Inn Keeper showed them kindness and offered the stable behind his Inn. And there the Baby was born. No one knew but Joseph and Mary, and their closest relatives, that this Baby was the Messiah; the Savior of the World.
Who would be first outside the Holy Family to hear the news? It was the Shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
At first telling this strikes us as strange -- but not any more so than all the other unexpected turns and twists in the story thus far. And then we may deem it rather quaint that humble shepherds would be told first; after all, haven't we all read, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Maybe God has a tender place in His heart toward shepherds, and so decided to let them in on it first.
In reality, there was a very specific and important reason why the Shepherds were first to hear the announcement.
In his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim explains that these particular shepherds were distinct from all others in Israel; and their flocks, which they tended so closely at night, were also very special. For you see, these shepherds were a part of the priesthood, and these sheep were specifically set aside to be sacrificial lambs in the Temple services.
The shepherds had the responsibility to make sure that a lamb without spot or blemish be preserved from harm, until it could be brought forth for sacrifice. It was only fitting therefore that the angels would make the news known to them, just when they were minding their own business.
And listen carefully to the words the Angel spoke. "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
In other words, the Spotless Lamb has come. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the World!" said John, as he saw Jesus walking by the Jordan some years later.
Seeing these priest shepherds were about to be put out of business once the ultimate Lamb was sacrificed, it was only fitting that they were given notice well in advance!
.
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8).
No one knew but Joseph and Mary, and their closest relatives. To all other observers Mary was a pregnant girl shrouded in scandalous rumor; and Joseph was a rascal. This may account for the added disinterest shown to them when they needed a place in crowded Bethlehem for the Babe to be born.
An Inn Keeper showed them kindness and offered the stable behind his Inn. And there the Baby was born. No one knew but Joseph and Mary, and their closest relatives, that this Baby was the Messiah; the Savior of the World.
Who would be first outside the Holy Family to hear the news? It was the Shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
At first telling this strikes us as strange -- but not any more so than all the other unexpected turns and twists in the story thus far. And then we may deem it rather quaint that humble shepherds would be told first; after all, haven't we all read, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Maybe God has a tender place in His heart toward shepherds, and so decided to let them in on it first.
In reality, there was a very specific and important reason why the Shepherds were first to hear the announcement.
In his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim explains that these particular shepherds were distinct from all others in Israel; and their flocks, which they tended so closely at night, were also very special. For you see, these shepherds were a part of the priesthood, and these sheep were specifically set aside to be sacrificial lambs in the Temple services.
The shepherds had the responsibility to make sure that a lamb without spot or blemish be preserved from harm, until it could be brought forth for sacrifice. It was only fitting therefore that the angels would make the news known to them, just when they were minding their own business.
And listen carefully to the words the Angel spoke. "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
In other words, the Spotless Lamb has come. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the World!" said John, as he saw Jesus walking by the Jordan some years later.
Seeing these priest shepherds were about to be put out of business once the ultimate Lamb was sacrificed, it was only fitting that they were given notice well in advance!
.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
He Did Descend, Undressing All the Way
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"He stripped Himself of all privileges and rightful dignity, so as to assume the guise of a slave, in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself still further and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8, Amplified Bible).
Bruce Shelly, a professor at Denver Seminary, published a book titled Church History in Plain Language. His opening sentence of the first chapter is one of the most compelling statements I’ve ever come upon. He writes, “Christianity is the only major religion which has as its central event the humiliation of its God.”
God’s humiliation began with the Incarnation, and ended with the Crucifixion. "The God of power, as He did ride in His majestic robes of glory, resolved to light; and so one day He did descend, undressing all the way."(George Herbert).
"He stripped Himself of all privileges and rightful dignity, so as to assume the guise of a slave, in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself still further and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8, Amplified Bible).
Bruce Shelly, a professor at Denver Seminary, published a book titled Church History in Plain Language. His opening sentence of the first chapter is one of the most compelling statements I’ve ever come upon. He writes, “Christianity is the only major religion which has as its central event the humiliation of its God.”
God’s humiliation began with the Incarnation, and ended with the Crucifixion. "The God of power, as He did ride in His majestic robes of glory, resolved to light; and so one day He did descend, undressing all the way."(George Herbert).
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Consider that He restrained His omnipotence within the frailty of human flesh; He confined His omniscience within the limitations of human thought, and He contained His omnipresence within the body of one human – Jesus of Nazareth. This in itself is humbling, but there's more.
In addition to this, He came as a Servant, instead of One who is served. A King willing to be treated as a slave! But there is still more.
In the ultimate descent and undressing, He humbled Himself unto a horrible death on a despised cross. Shelly is right, “Christianity is the only major religion which has as its central event the humiliation of its God.”
Any why did He so willingly humble Himself? Why, it was so that He might lift us up!
The greatest gift you can give to Jesus is a life lived above the common. He descended that you might ascend; he came down that you might go up; He became sin, that you might be made righteous. He died that you might live.
Yes, He did descend, undressing all the way.
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In addition to this, He came as a Servant, instead of One who is served. A King willing to be treated as a slave! But there is still more.
In the ultimate descent and undressing, He humbled Himself unto a horrible death on a despised cross. Shelly is right, “Christianity is the only major religion which has as its central event the humiliation of its God.”
Any why did He so willingly humble Himself? Why, it was so that He might lift us up!
The greatest gift you can give to Jesus is a life lived above the common. He descended that you might ascend; he came down that you might go up; He became sin, that you might be made righteous. He died that you might live.
Yes, He did descend, undressing all the way.
.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Word Became Flesh
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"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14).
Looking upon the Babe in the Manger we realize that there is something more to this scene than meets the eye – something awesome, staggering, and absolutely incomprehensible. Something mysterious, magnificent, and undeniably Divine. God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, has Himself become a man!
The word Incarnation comes from the Latin in carne, and it means “in the flesh.” Paul the Apostle wrote to Timothy, saying, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16).
Church tradition holds that Four Homilies were preached on the four Sundays of the Advent season. The Third homily records a conversation between God and Gabriel concerning the Incarnation.
At one point Gabriel says, “Strange is this matter; passing comprehension is this thing that is spoken. He who is the object of dread to the Cherubim, He who cannot be looked upon by the Seraphim, He who is incomprehensible to all the heavenly powers – how can the womb contain Him who cannot be contained in space? How can the womb sustain the fire of divinity? Thy throne, O God, blazes with the illumination of its splendor, and can the virgin receive Thee without being consumed?”
According to the homily, the Lord answered that even as the bush in the desert was ignited with the fire of His presence and yet was not consumed, so would it be with Mary.
And is it yet possible for the Word to become flesh in you and me? Oh, not in the same manner as with Mary -- certainly not. But nonetheless, Christ may be made manifest in each one of us everyday in a number of ways.
The Word itself stirs us to this great longing -- "that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh!" (2 Corinthians 4:11).
In what ways might others see Jesus in you today?
.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14).
Looking upon the Babe in the Manger we realize that there is something more to this scene than meets the eye – something awesome, staggering, and absolutely incomprehensible. Something mysterious, magnificent, and undeniably Divine. God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, has Himself become a man!
The word Incarnation comes from the Latin in carne, and it means “in the flesh.” Paul the Apostle wrote to Timothy, saying, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16).
Church tradition holds that Four Homilies were preached on the four Sundays of the Advent season. The Third homily records a conversation between God and Gabriel concerning the Incarnation.
At one point Gabriel says, “Strange is this matter; passing comprehension is this thing that is spoken. He who is the object of dread to the Cherubim, He who cannot be looked upon by the Seraphim, He who is incomprehensible to all the heavenly powers – how can the womb contain Him who cannot be contained in space? How can the womb sustain the fire of divinity? Thy throne, O God, blazes with the illumination of its splendor, and can the virgin receive Thee without being consumed?”
According to the homily, the Lord answered that even as the bush in the desert was ignited with the fire of His presence and yet was not consumed, so would it be with Mary.
And is it yet possible for the Word to become flesh in you and me? Oh, not in the same manner as with Mary -- certainly not. But nonetheless, Christ may be made manifest in each one of us everyday in a number of ways.
The Word itself stirs us to this great longing -- "that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh!" (2 Corinthians 4:11).
In what ways might others see Jesus in you today?
.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Visited Planet
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"What is man, that thou should magnify him? and that thou should set thine heart upon him? What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visiteth him?" (Job 7:17 and Psalm 8:4).
J.B. Phillips, in The Visited Planet, tells the Christmas story from the viewpoint of the angles. In one dramatic scene, a senior angel is showing a very young angel around the splendors of the universe. They view whirling galaxies and blazing suns, and then flit across the infinite distances of space until at last they enter one particular galaxy of 500 billion stars.
As the two of them drew near to the star which we call our sun and to its circling planets, the senior angel pointed to a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis-ball to the little angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of all he had already seen.
“I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger.
“Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What’s so special about that one?”
The little then angel listened in stunned disbelief as the senior angel told him that this terrestrial ball was, in fact, the renowned Visited Planet.
“Do you mean that our great and glorious Prince...went down in Person to this fifth-rate little ball? Why should He do a thing like that?" the little angel asked, his face wrinkled in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me,” he said, “that He stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?”
“I do,” said the senior angle. “And I don’t think He would like you to call them ‘creeping, crawling creatures’ in that tone of voice. For, strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.”
The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension.
O Lord, make me more and more like You.
.
"What is man, that thou should magnify him? and that thou should set thine heart upon him? What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visiteth him?" (Job 7:17 and Psalm 8:4).
J.B. Phillips, in The Visited Planet, tells the Christmas story from the viewpoint of the angles. In one dramatic scene, a senior angel is showing a very young angel around the splendors of the universe. They view whirling galaxies and blazing suns, and then flit across the infinite distances of space until at last they enter one particular galaxy of 500 billion stars.
As the two of them drew near to the star which we call our sun and to its circling planets, the senior angel pointed to a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis-ball to the little angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of all he had already seen.
“I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger.
“Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What’s so special about that one?”
The little then angel listened in stunned disbelief as the senior angel told him that this terrestrial ball was, in fact, the renowned Visited Planet.
“Do you mean that our great and glorious Prince...went down in Person to this fifth-rate little ball? Why should He do a thing like that?" the little angel asked, his face wrinkled in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me,” he said, “that He stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?”
“I do,” said the senior angle. “And I don’t think He would like you to call them ‘creeping, crawling creatures’ in that tone of voice. For, strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.”
The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension.
O Lord, make me more and more like You.
.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Why Bethlehem?
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"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2).
Why Bethlehem? Of all the places Jesus could have been born, why Bethlehem. And mind you, it wasn't a random happenstance that He was born there -- it was foretold. He was ordained by God to be born there, and the prophets of old declared it. Bethlehem was the chosen city of His birth. But why?
Maybe we might suppose that Bethlehem was chosen specifically because it was so small and insignificant. After all, God seems to take special delight in exalting the lowly and humbling the proud. He forever is taking the things that are foolish and confounding the wise; the things that are nothing, to bring to nothing the things that are thought to be something.
So, maybe this is why He chose Bethlehem. Maybe. But I think there is still something more to this that is worthy of our consideration.
The name Bethlehem means "House of Bread."
Jesus said of Himself, "I am the Bread of Life."
Don't you find it it more than a little remarkable that the Bread of Life was sent down from Heaven to be born in the House of Bread. But there is still one more detail, too important to overlook.
We know that Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. But what we may not know is that the manger in which He was placed was actually a feeding trough.
And now the full picture unfolds before us -- the Bread of Life was sent down from Heaven above into the House of Bread, and placed in a feeding trough. Why? That we might eat and live!
This is what Jesus was talking about when He said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If you eat this bread, you will live forever. The bread that I will give you is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live." (John 6:51)
The plain meaning of the passage is, that by his body and his blood offered in sacrifice for sin, He would procure pardon and life for man; that they who partook of that, or had an interest in that, should obtain eternal life. He uses the figure of eating and drinking because, among the Jews, eating and drinking was expressive of sharing in or partaking of the privileges of friendship.
You hungry?
.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2).
Why Bethlehem? Of all the places Jesus could have been born, why Bethlehem. And mind you, it wasn't a random happenstance that He was born there -- it was foretold. He was ordained by God to be born there, and the prophets of old declared it. Bethlehem was the chosen city of His birth. But why?
Maybe we might suppose that Bethlehem was chosen specifically because it was so small and insignificant. After all, God seems to take special delight in exalting the lowly and humbling the proud. He forever is taking the things that are foolish and confounding the wise; the things that are nothing, to bring to nothing the things that are thought to be something.
So, maybe this is why He chose Bethlehem. Maybe. But I think there is still something more to this that is worthy of our consideration.
The name Bethlehem means "House of Bread."
Jesus said of Himself, "I am the Bread of Life."
Don't you find it it more than a little remarkable that the Bread of Life was sent down from Heaven to be born in the House of Bread. But there is still one more detail, too important to overlook.
We know that Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. But what we may not know is that the manger in which He was placed was actually a feeding trough.
And now the full picture unfolds before us -- the Bread of Life was sent down from Heaven above into the House of Bread, and placed in a feeding trough. Why? That we might eat and live!
This is what Jesus was talking about when He said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If you eat this bread, you will live forever. The bread that I will give you is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live." (John 6:51)
The plain meaning of the passage is, that by his body and his blood offered in sacrifice for sin, He would procure pardon and life for man; that they who partook of that, or had an interest in that, should obtain eternal life. He uses the figure of eating and drinking because, among the Jews, eating and drinking was expressive of sharing in or partaking of the privileges of friendship.
You hungry?
.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Away in a Manger?
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"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:16).
The parents were aglow with pride and joy as their children lined the choir loft and prepared to sing before the church. There was little Bobby picking his nose, pretty Becky primping her hair, dutiful John standing at attention, bored Nancy rolling her eyes, clueless Billy scratching a persistent itch, and little Mary Lou adoringly focused on Mrs. Parker, the children's choir director.
In what can only be appreciated by a mother, the youngsters join their voices together in several different keys, and offer their best rendering of the beloved traditional Christmas song....
"Away in a Manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head; the stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing the baby awakes, the little Lord Jesus no crying He makes....oh, well, you know how it goes.
There is something here that is soft, safe and sweet – the Baby Jesus. Something serene, composed, and peaceful. It’s enough to make us say, “Oh, isn’t that precious.”
But He is more than this. The angels said to the shepherds, "Unto you is born this day in the house of David, a Savior -- who is Christ the Lord." The Baby became a Man; the Man is both Lord and Christ.
Is it possible some may prefer to keep Him away, rather than near; in a manger, rather than on a throne?
They say Christmas is for children, and there is a lot of truth in that. But Christ is for all ages. And while we may delight in the innocence with which our kids sing the sweet chorus, "Away in a Manger" -- let's make sure that that is not where we leave Him.
By the way, Merry Christmas!
.
"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:16).
The parents were aglow with pride and joy as their children lined the choir loft and prepared to sing before the church. There was little Bobby picking his nose, pretty Becky primping her hair, dutiful John standing at attention, bored Nancy rolling her eyes, clueless Billy scratching a persistent itch, and little Mary Lou adoringly focused on Mrs. Parker, the children's choir director.
In what can only be appreciated by a mother, the youngsters join their voices together in several different keys, and offer their best rendering of the beloved traditional Christmas song....
"Away in a Manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head; the stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing the baby awakes, the little Lord Jesus no crying He makes....oh, well, you know how it goes.
There is something here that is soft, safe and sweet – the Baby Jesus. Something serene, composed, and peaceful. It’s enough to make us say, “Oh, isn’t that precious.”
But He is more than this. The angels said to the shepherds, "Unto you is born this day in the house of David, a Savior -- who is Christ the Lord." The Baby became a Man; the Man is both Lord and Christ.
Is it possible some may prefer to keep Him away, rather than near; in a manger, rather than on a throne?
They say Christmas is for children, and there is a lot of truth in that. But Christ is for all ages. And while we may delight in the innocence with which our kids sing the sweet chorus, "Away in a Manger" -- let's make sure that that is not where we leave Him.
By the way, Merry Christmas!
.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Coincidence of Christmas
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"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." (Luke 2:1-3).
We know that Joseph and Mary lived in lowly Nazareth, and that they were relatively poor. We also know that the prophets of old foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is about 70 miles south of Nazareth. And we know that somehow Joseph and Mary, despite their financial challenges, would need to move to Bethlehem before the child is born.
But there is more to this story than at first meets the eye.
An angel could have appeared to them and said, "It's time to go." And a miraculous provision could have been made whereby the trip was rendered effortless. I mean, Elijah's flaming chariot could have swooped down and whisked them away in seconds. Or, for that matter, the Spirit could have mysteriously transported them like He did with Ezekiel, or with Philip the Evangelist after he baptized the Ethiopian.
But no, it was a donkey ride for a very pregnant Mary.
Furthermore, it was necessary that Bethlehem be very crowded -- in fact, over-crowded, so as to insure that there would be no room for them in the Inn; thus leaving them to the one place no one would choose on purpose -- a stable behind the Inn, where a manger would serve as the Baby's bed.
And, mind you, all this had to happen in ways that could not be detected as divine.
So God put it in the heart of Caesar Augustus to issue a decree that all the world be taxed, requiring every man to return to his home town. Thus Joseph, against his better judgement, had to submit to the law of Caesar and make the perilous trip to Bethlehem. Arriving at such an hour that all rooms had been taken -- he settles into the stable and unknowingly finds himself at the epicenter of human history.
The Bible tells us that "God works all things after the counsel of His will." So while Caesar regarded himself as the Emperor of the world, it was the Lord of Heaven and Earth who directed the King's heart to accomplish His divine will.
When we carefully examine all the extraordinary events that each had to occur in an exact order and with specific timing so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, in a manger -- we cannot but be staggered at how the hand of God worked in all these things.
This was more than mere coincidence -- it was the Coincidence of Christmas.
Let me close by asking a question. Is it possible that the hand of God is still working in coincidental ways today, both in our world as well as in our personal lives, in order to bring more and more of Jesus into our daily affairs? And instead of murmuring and complaining about disruptions and inconveniences -- might we all be better served by looking for how God's hand is working, and then start thanking Him for what He is doing?
.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." (Luke 2:1-3).
We know that Joseph and Mary lived in lowly Nazareth, and that they were relatively poor. We also know that the prophets of old foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is about 70 miles south of Nazareth. And we know that somehow Joseph and Mary, despite their financial challenges, would need to move to Bethlehem before the child is born.
But there is more to this story than at first meets the eye.
An angel could have appeared to them and said, "It's time to go." And a miraculous provision could have been made whereby the trip was rendered effortless. I mean, Elijah's flaming chariot could have swooped down and whisked them away in seconds. Or, for that matter, the Spirit could have mysteriously transported them like He did with Ezekiel, or with Philip the Evangelist after he baptized the Ethiopian.
But no, it was a donkey ride for a very pregnant Mary.
Furthermore, it was necessary that Bethlehem be very crowded -- in fact, over-crowded, so as to insure that there would be no room for them in the Inn; thus leaving them to the one place no one would choose on purpose -- a stable behind the Inn, where a manger would serve as the Baby's bed.
And, mind you, all this had to happen in ways that could not be detected as divine.
So God put it in the heart of Caesar Augustus to issue a decree that all the world be taxed, requiring every man to return to his home town. Thus Joseph, against his better judgement, had to submit to the law of Caesar and make the perilous trip to Bethlehem. Arriving at such an hour that all rooms had been taken -- he settles into the stable and unknowingly finds himself at the epicenter of human history.
The Bible tells us that "God works all things after the counsel of His will." So while Caesar regarded himself as the Emperor of the world, it was the Lord of Heaven and Earth who directed the King's heart to accomplish His divine will.
When we carefully examine all the extraordinary events that each had to occur in an exact order and with specific timing so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, in a manger -- we cannot but be staggered at how the hand of God worked in all these things.
This was more than mere coincidence -- it was the Coincidence of Christmas.
Let me close by asking a question. Is it possible that the hand of God is still working in coincidental ways today, both in our world as well as in our personal lives, in order to bring more and more of Jesus into our daily affairs? And instead of murmuring and complaining about disruptions and inconveniences -- might we all be better served by looking for how God's hand is working, and then start thanking Him for what He is doing?
.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Great Disruption
.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." (Luke 2:1-3)
The mighty Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, seeing that the economy needed a boost -- made a decree that threw the ancient world into an upheaval of inconvenient travel and disgruntled activity. And thus was born what has been with us to this very day -- the hustle and bustle of Christmas.
Philip Yancey, in The Jesus I Never Knew, writes, "“Sorting through the stack of cards that arrived at our house last Christmas, I noted that all kinds of symbols have edged their way into the celebration.
"Overwhelmingly, the landscape scenes render New England towns buried in snow, usually with the added touch of a horse-drawn sleigh. On other cards, animals frolic: not only reindeer, but also chipmunks, raccoons, cardinals, and cute gray mice. One card shows an African lion reclining with a foreleg draped affectionately around a lamb.
“Angles have made a huge comeback in recent years, and Hallmark and American Greetings now feature them prominently, though as demure, cuddly-looking creatures, not the type who would ever need to announce “Fear not!” The explicitly religious cards (a distinct minority) focus on the holy family, and you can tell at a glance these folks are different. They seem unruffled and serene. Bright gold halos, like crowns from another world, hover just above their heads.
“Inside, the cards stress sunny words like love, goodwill, cheer, happiness, and warmth. It is a fine thing, I suppose, that we honor a sacred holiday with such homey sentiments. And yet when I turn to the gospel accounts of the first Christmas, I hear a very different tone and sense mainly disruption at work.”
But, as I will point out tomorrow, there is a very specific reason for this great disruption. One that will amaze you, and lift your faith higher in these tumultuous days in which we now live.
See you tomorrow.
.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." (Luke 2:1-3)
The mighty Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, seeing that the economy needed a boost -- made a decree that threw the ancient world into an upheaval of inconvenient travel and disgruntled activity. And thus was born what has been with us to this very day -- the hustle and bustle of Christmas.
Philip Yancey, in The Jesus I Never Knew, writes, "“Sorting through the stack of cards that arrived at our house last Christmas, I noted that all kinds of symbols have edged their way into the celebration.
"Overwhelmingly, the landscape scenes render New England towns buried in snow, usually with the added touch of a horse-drawn sleigh. On other cards, animals frolic: not only reindeer, but also chipmunks, raccoons, cardinals, and cute gray mice. One card shows an African lion reclining with a foreleg draped affectionately around a lamb.
“Angles have made a huge comeback in recent years, and Hallmark and American Greetings now feature them prominently, though as demure, cuddly-looking creatures, not the type who would ever need to announce “Fear not!” The explicitly religious cards (a distinct minority) focus on the holy family, and you can tell at a glance these folks are different. They seem unruffled and serene. Bright gold halos, like crowns from another world, hover just above their heads.
“Inside, the cards stress sunny words like love, goodwill, cheer, happiness, and warmth. It is a fine thing, I suppose, that we honor a sacred holiday with such homey sentiments. And yet when I turn to the gospel accounts of the first Christmas, I hear a very different tone and sense mainly disruption at work.”
But, as I will point out tomorrow, there is a very specific reason for this great disruption. One that will amaze you, and lift your faith higher in these tumultuous days in which we now live.
See you tomorrow.
.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?
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"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied. (John 1:46, NLT).
You can probably think of some place near you that everybody considers to be a dump. That part of town that good people simply stay away from, or that neighboring city that is crime-ridden, or that part of the country that is backwards, or immoral. Nazareth was just such a place in the estimation of others.
Indeed, the whole country of Galilee was held in contempt by the Jews; but Nazareth was so mean a place, that it seems it was even despised by its neighbors, the Galilaeans themselves -- for Nathaniel is from Galilee. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" he asked.
Nathaniel thought that surely the Messiah would come from Jerusalem, Hebron, or some other prominent city. But, Nazareth? "You got to be kidding me!" See in this how close he came to letting his prejudice and false assumptions prevent him from meeting Jesus.
Is it possible that you may be "looking for Jesus" to come to you in so exalted a manner that you risk missing Him because He comes lowly, and riding upon a donkey?
What is your Nazareth? What is that thing or place -- or person -- through which the Lord wants to reveal Himself to you; but in order to see Him, you must get past your prejudice and opinions?
"Come and see," Phillip said to Nathaniel -- and he did so. And is so doing He found Jesus -- Jesus of Nazareth. And He can still be found today by those who are willing to "come and see."
Here's a poem I wrote about this --
N is for the nothing you will find there.
A is for the awful sight you see.
Z stands to say that it is last there.
A is anger walking in the streets.
R is really wanting so to leave there.
E is evil coming for to dwell.
T is trouble standing on the corner.
H of course has got to stand for hell.
Put them all together, they spell Nazareth.
Lowly town of ancient Galilee.
Can anything good come from such a place as this?
The answer is surprising as you'll see!
For out of ashes beauty has arisen,
and out of darkness light has come to be.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the answer.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth is He.
And now...
N is for the new life found in Jesus.
A is for the all He is to me.
Z stands for Zion's walls around me.
A says I'm absolutely free.
R is for redemption's blessed story.
E says that He is mine eternally!
T is for the thankfulness I give Him.
H is for the heaven where I'll be!
Can anything good come from Nazareth?
Can anything good come from me?
JESUS!!!
.
"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied. (John 1:46, NLT).
You can probably think of some place near you that everybody considers to be a dump. That part of town that good people simply stay away from, or that neighboring city that is crime-ridden, or that part of the country that is backwards, or immoral. Nazareth was just such a place in the estimation of others.
Indeed, the whole country of Galilee was held in contempt by the Jews; but Nazareth was so mean a place, that it seems it was even despised by its neighbors, the Galilaeans themselves -- for Nathaniel is from Galilee. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" he asked.
Nathaniel thought that surely the Messiah would come from Jerusalem, Hebron, or some other prominent city. But, Nazareth? "You got to be kidding me!" See in this how close he came to letting his prejudice and false assumptions prevent him from meeting Jesus.
Is it possible that you may be "looking for Jesus" to come to you in so exalted a manner that you risk missing Him because He comes lowly, and riding upon a donkey?
What is your Nazareth? What is that thing or place -- or person -- through which the Lord wants to reveal Himself to you; but in order to see Him, you must get past your prejudice and opinions?
"Come and see," Phillip said to Nathaniel -- and he did so. And is so doing He found Jesus -- Jesus of Nazareth. And He can still be found today by those who are willing to "come and see."
Here's a poem I wrote about this --
N is for the nothing you will find there.
A is for the awful sight you see.
Z stands to say that it is last there.
A is anger walking in the streets.
R is really wanting so to leave there.
E is evil coming for to dwell.
T is trouble standing on the corner.
H of course has got to stand for hell.
Put them all together, they spell Nazareth.
Lowly town of ancient Galilee.
Can anything good come from such a place as this?
The answer is surprising as you'll see!
For out of ashes beauty has arisen,
and out of darkness light has come to be.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the answer.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth is He.
And now...
N is for the new life found in Jesus.
A is for the all He is to me.
Z stands for Zion's walls around me.
A says I'm absolutely free.
R is for redemption's blessed story.
E says that He is mine eternally!
T is for the thankfulness I give Him.
H is for the heaven where I'll be!
Can anything good come from Nazareth?
Can anything good come from me?
JESUS!!!
.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Never Hesitate to Say Yes to God's Plan for Your Life
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"Be it unto me according to Thy Word." (Luke 1:38).
Os Guinness writes, " Our passion is to know we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are on earth. All standards of success -- wealth, power, knowledge, position, fame -- grow tiny and hollow if we do not satisfy this deeper longing."
Nothing short of God’s will obeyed can both ground and fulfill the truest human desire for significance. And we are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts and callings that are truly us.
Abraham was called by God out of a dead religion practiced by pagans, and became the Father of Faith. He was without children until God spoke a promise. Abraham believed God and became the Father of Nations. He said yes to God.
Moses was a stuttering stammering sheep herding Bedouin in the high deserts of Midian, when a burning bush caught his eye. Approaching the Bush, he heard a voice. That Voice spoke of great and mighty things to come. Moses answered, "Who am I?" The Voice called him out of his own sense of inability and limitations, and ushered him forth into the great drama of human history as one of the greatest and most influential men who has ever lived. He said yes to God.
David was the runt of the litter; the eighth born son in a family where seven was enough. Last on the food chain, there was usually nothing left when his turn came along. God spoke a promise to his young heart in the isolated fields of unseen worship. He believed God and rose to become the greatest King Israel has ever known. He said yes to God.
Mary said yes to God and rose from humble surroundings to be the mother of our Lord.
Now it's your turn. Whatever the situation of your life, or the circumstances in which you presently find yourself -- it is never too late to say yes to God's will for your life. He can still do the impossible with the improbable.
He CAN do what He says He can do. And He WILL do what He says He will do!
Never overlook the extraordinary potential of the ordinary! Never under-estimate the power of a personal word from God! And, never hesitate to say yes to God’s plan for your life! These are the three great lessons we learn from a peasant girl named Mary.
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"Be it unto me according to Thy Word." (Luke 1:38).
Os Guinness writes, " Our passion is to know we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are on earth. All standards of success -- wealth, power, knowledge, position, fame -- grow tiny and hollow if we do not satisfy this deeper longing."
Nothing short of God’s will obeyed can both ground and fulfill the truest human desire for significance. And we are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts and callings that are truly us.
Abraham was called by God out of a dead religion practiced by pagans, and became the Father of Faith. He was without children until God spoke a promise. Abraham believed God and became the Father of Nations. He said yes to God.
Moses was a stuttering stammering sheep herding Bedouin in the high deserts of Midian, when a burning bush caught his eye. Approaching the Bush, he heard a voice. That Voice spoke of great and mighty things to come. Moses answered, "Who am I?" The Voice called him out of his own sense of inability and limitations, and ushered him forth into the great drama of human history as one of the greatest and most influential men who has ever lived. He said yes to God.
David was the runt of the litter; the eighth born son in a family where seven was enough. Last on the food chain, there was usually nothing left when his turn came along. God spoke a promise to his young heart in the isolated fields of unseen worship. He believed God and rose to become the greatest King Israel has ever known. He said yes to God.
Mary said yes to God and rose from humble surroundings to be the mother of our Lord.
Now it's your turn. Whatever the situation of your life, or the circumstances in which you presently find yourself -- it is never too late to say yes to God's will for your life. He can still do the impossible with the improbable.
He CAN do what He says He can do. And He WILL do what He says He will do!
Never overlook the extraordinary potential of the ordinary! Never under-estimate the power of a personal word from God! And, never hesitate to say yes to God’s plan for your life! These are the three great lessons we learn from a peasant girl named Mary.
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Sunday, December 14, 2008
Never Under-estimate the Power of a Personal Word from God
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"With God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
Sometimes important things can be lost in translation. This verse is one example of that. The word nothing fails to convey into English the fullness of its Greek beginnings. In order to get a better sense of what is being said, we first need to split the word into two words -- as in "no thing" instead of "nothing."
Next we examine the Greek word rhema, which is translated as "thing." It literally means "that which is spoken by a living voice." It refers to the power that is inherent within any thing that God says.
In fact, the full meaning of the word "nothing" would look like this if translated into English -- "Each and every thing God says; any and all words that proceed from His mouth; the whole of what He speaks, and not just a part, shall not under any circumstance of any sort be impossible in any way or at any time."
Or, as the English puts it, "With God nothing shall be impossible."
The point is both powerful, and personal. Whenever God speaks a word to your heart and places a promise upon your life -- you can take it to the bank! He will do what He has said He will do.
"God said it, and it was so." This phrase fills the first chapter of Genesis and introduces us to the God who does what He says. Even foolish Balaam has at least enough sense to state the obvious -- "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).
So, then, what has God spoken to you? What promise has He made, what dream has He given, what hope has He placed in your heart? Whatever it is, know this for certain -- "Each and every thing God says; any and all words that proceed from His mouth; the whole of what He speaks, and not just a part, shall not under any circumstance of any sort be impossible in any way or at any time."
Never under-estimate the power of a personal word from God! That's the second of three great lessons we learn from Mary's humble response to God's amazing invitation. Lesson Three will come tomorrow.
.
"With God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
Sometimes important things can be lost in translation. This verse is one example of that. The word nothing fails to convey into English the fullness of its Greek beginnings. In order to get a better sense of what is being said, we first need to split the word into two words -- as in "no thing" instead of "nothing."
Next we examine the Greek word rhema, which is translated as "thing." It literally means "that which is spoken by a living voice." It refers to the power that is inherent within any thing that God says.
In fact, the full meaning of the word "nothing" would look like this if translated into English -- "Each and every thing God says; any and all words that proceed from His mouth; the whole of what He speaks, and not just a part, shall not under any circumstance of any sort be impossible in any way or at any time."
Or, as the English puts it, "With God nothing shall be impossible."
The point is both powerful, and personal. Whenever God speaks a word to your heart and places a promise upon your life -- you can take it to the bank! He will do what He has said He will do.
"God said it, and it was so." This phrase fills the first chapter of Genesis and introduces us to the God who does what He says. Even foolish Balaam has at least enough sense to state the obvious -- "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).
So, then, what has God spoken to you? What promise has He made, what dream has He given, what hope has He placed in your heart? Whatever it is, know this for certain -- "Each and every thing God says; any and all words that proceed from His mouth; the whole of what He speaks, and not just a part, shall not under any circumstance of any sort be impossible in any way or at any time."
Never under-estimate the power of a personal word from God! That's the second of three great lessons we learn from Mary's humble response to God's amazing invitation. Lesson Three will come tomorrow.
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Saturday, December 13, 2008
Never Overlook the Potential of the Ordinary
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"Despise not the day of small beginnings." (Zechariah 4:10, NLT).
God always does extraordinary things with ordinary stuff. Just look at what He made with dirt -- YOU! How amazing is that? The Bible tells us that He made everything out of nothing. He is the CAN DO God. With Him nothing is impossible.
One day a young boy showed up at a crowded event to hear a traveling preached talk about wonderful things. He never dreamed for an instant that he would become the central character in an epic moment of history. The preacher was Jesus. The young boy was the lad with a small sack lunch containing two fish and five loaves of bread.
It was just a sack lunch on any other day, but on this day it became the stuff of miracles. It is amazing what can happen when you place something in the hands of Jesus. What do you think could happen if you placed your life in His hands?
You may be just an ordinary person, with ordinary looks, and ordinary thoughts, ordinary talents and ordinary dreams -- but Jesus can do something amazing with that sack lunch of yours. If you just let Him have it.
Most people never reach their full potential in life simply because they overlook the potential of the ordinary. If you simply start where you ARE, instead of waiting to start until you get to where you hope to go -- you will become all you ever dreamed of being!
Little by little. Step by step. Day by day.
Like Mary did on that first night when God told her of extraordinary things, say yes to God and let the miracle begin to slowly grow inside you.
Never overlook the potential of the ordinary. That's the first of three great lessons we learn from Mary's humble response to God's invitation. Lesson Two will come tomorrow.
.
"Despise not the day of small beginnings." (Zechariah 4:10, NLT).
God always does extraordinary things with ordinary stuff. Just look at what He made with dirt -- YOU! How amazing is that? The Bible tells us that He made everything out of nothing. He is the CAN DO God. With Him nothing is impossible.
One day a young boy showed up at a crowded event to hear a traveling preached talk about wonderful things. He never dreamed for an instant that he would become the central character in an epic moment of history. The preacher was Jesus. The young boy was the lad with a small sack lunch containing two fish and five loaves of bread.
It was just a sack lunch on any other day, but on this day it became the stuff of miracles. It is amazing what can happen when you place something in the hands of Jesus. What do you think could happen if you placed your life in His hands?
You may be just an ordinary person, with ordinary looks, and ordinary thoughts, ordinary talents and ordinary dreams -- but Jesus can do something amazing with that sack lunch of yours. If you just let Him have it.
Most people never reach their full potential in life simply because they overlook the potential of the ordinary. If you simply start where you ARE, instead of waiting to start until you get to where you hope to go -- you will become all you ever dreamed of being!
Little by little. Step by step. Day by day.
Like Mary did on that first night when God told her of extraordinary things, say yes to God and let the miracle begin to slowly grow inside you.
Never overlook the potential of the ordinary. That's the first of three great lessons we learn from Mary's humble response to God's invitation. Lesson Two will come tomorrow.
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Friday, December 12, 2008
Say Yes to God
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"Be it unto me according to Thy Word." (Luke 1:38, KJV).
As you travel up this mountain -- and to call it a mountain is more than a little overstated; actually it’s more like a rocky hill. But as you travel up it you come to this town. And to call it a town is somewhat ambitious; it’s more like a mobile home park that sprang up around a truck stop.
It is a nowhere town, with nothing going for it. No one would ever want to live there, and the people who do were either born there and don’t realize they can leave, or they were forced there by economic circumstances that left them powerless. The other group that rounds out the citizenship of this sad place are outlaws and social misfits.
To make matters worse the people of this particular place are of an ethnic group that is reviled by the dominant culture of the land. Yet, though they suffer from discrimination, there exists within their own social structure a similar misbehavior. They discriminate against one another.
But, inasmuch as it cannot be based on ethnicity, the discrimination is based on position and influence; it is based upon gender and wealth. Thus, wealthy men are the top of the pile…and poor girls are at the bottom. The worst thing you could be in the pitiful place is a poor girl.
One such girl lived in this town. And like any girl, she dreamed of something more. God took note of her tender hopes, and one special night He spoke to her of unimaginable things. She said “Yes” to God’s will and then walked into history.
We know her today as Mother Mary.
There are three great lessons we may learn from Mary's humble response to God's amazing invitation, and if we will follow her example and say YES to God's will for our lives -- we just might step into history as well.
Lesson One tomorrow.
.
"Be it unto me according to Thy Word." (Luke 1:38, KJV).
As you travel up this mountain -- and to call it a mountain is more than a little overstated; actually it’s more like a rocky hill. But as you travel up it you come to this town. And to call it a town is somewhat ambitious; it’s more like a mobile home park that sprang up around a truck stop.
It is a nowhere town, with nothing going for it. No one would ever want to live there, and the people who do were either born there and don’t realize they can leave, or they were forced there by economic circumstances that left them powerless. The other group that rounds out the citizenship of this sad place are outlaws and social misfits.
To make matters worse the people of this particular place are of an ethnic group that is reviled by the dominant culture of the land. Yet, though they suffer from discrimination, there exists within their own social structure a similar misbehavior. They discriminate against one another.
But, inasmuch as it cannot be based on ethnicity, the discrimination is based on position and influence; it is based upon gender and wealth. Thus, wealthy men are the top of the pile…and poor girls are at the bottom. The worst thing you could be in the pitiful place is a poor girl.
One such girl lived in this town. And like any girl, she dreamed of something more. God took note of her tender hopes, and one special night He spoke to her of unimaginable things. She said “Yes” to God’s will and then walked into history.
We know her today as Mother Mary.
There are three great lessons we may learn from Mary's humble response to God's amazing invitation, and if we will follow her example and say YES to God's will for our lives -- we just might step into history as well.
Lesson One tomorrow.
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
When Evil Increases -- DO GOOD!
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"And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will become cold." (Matthew 24:12).
Jesus foretold of a coming day of great darkness; a time when evil would be so prevalent that it would cause many to harden their hearts and grow cold and distant in their affection for others. I'm not saying that Day has come, but we certainly are living in Times that try men's souls.
There is an undeniable increase of wickedness in all quarters -- political, industrial, religious, educational, and so on. There is scarce a place to be found that is not in some measure polluted with the infectious presence of selfishness and sin.
So what are we to do? Should we buy a farm in the Rocky highlands, and stockpile our cellars with Bibles, beans and bullets? No. Rather, we should let our light so shine before men that they see our good works and glorify our Father, who is in heaven. When evil increases -- we must DO GOOD.
Listen to Paul's advice, "Rejoice in the Lord always," he says; and then to make sure we got it, he adds, "and again I say, Rejoice." Joy is a powerful antibiotic to the creeping spread of hopelessness caused by rampant sin.
Paul goes on to say, "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." In other words, conduct yourself in a balanced manner, being unextreme in the things you are about.
"Be careful for nothing," Paul then writes, "but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
A man or woman who is filled with peace and marked by joy, can single-handedly do much to stem the rising tides of evil within the sphere of their influence. How then can you and I become such a person? Paul answers that question with his concluding words --
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." ((Philippians 4:4-8).
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. These are the thoughts that fuel the flame in a heart that never grows cold. When evil increases -- DO GOOD!
.
"And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will become cold." (Matthew 24:12).
Jesus foretold of a coming day of great darkness; a time when evil would be so prevalent that it would cause many to harden their hearts and grow cold and distant in their affection for others. I'm not saying that Day has come, but we certainly are living in Times that try men's souls.
There is an undeniable increase of wickedness in all quarters -- political, industrial, religious, educational, and so on. There is scarce a place to be found that is not in some measure polluted with the infectious presence of selfishness and sin.
So what are we to do? Should we buy a farm in the Rocky highlands, and stockpile our cellars with Bibles, beans and bullets? No. Rather, we should let our light so shine before men that they see our good works and glorify our Father, who is in heaven. When evil increases -- we must DO GOOD.
Listen to Paul's advice, "Rejoice in the Lord always," he says; and then to make sure we got it, he adds, "and again I say, Rejoice." Joy is a powerful antibiotic to the creeping spread of hopelessness caused by rampant sin.
Paul goes on to say, "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." In other words, conduct yourself in a balanced manner, being unextreme in the things you are about.
"Be careful for nothing," Paul then writes, "but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
A man or woman who is filled with peace and marked by joy, can single-handedly do much to stem the rising tides of evil within the sphere of their influence. How then can you and I become such a person? Paul answers that question with his concluding words --
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." ((Philippians 4:4-8).
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. These are the thoughts that fuel the flame in a heart that never grows cold. When evil increases -- DO GOOD!
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
When You Can't Go Back -- MOVE FORWARD!
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"One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14).
Have you ever seen those Tractor Pull competitions on ESPN? The further the tractor moves down the track, the heavier the weight becomes on the rig that is dragging behind it.
There are a lot of people whose lives are like that. Holding on to stuff in their past, or letting stuff in their past hold on to them -- the further they go, the more bogged down they become. Until, at length, they can go no further.
But we were made for eternity. This means, among a million other things, that TIME and SPACE cannot confine us, and therefore do not define us.
You are not a WHAT -- but a WHO. Whatever has happened to you in the past, whether good or bad, is not WHO you are. It is merely WHAT happened to you. Who you are is determined by how you respond to what has happened.
And herein we discover the power of a forward view. "Forgetting those things that are behind," Paul wrote, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
We can follow Paul's example. It doesn't mean that we are experts, or that we have arrived and have it all together. But, while we may not be all we should be, we have still got our eye on the goal and are focusing all our energies on this one thing: to be like Jesus. It is our one aspiration.
And so we lengthen our stride and stretch forth our hands, doing our best to reach everything that God has provided for us up ahead. We keep working toward that day when we will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved us for, and wants us to be.
Join us in this ageless cause -- and together we will MOVE FORWARD!
.
"One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14).
Have you ever seen those Tractor Pull competitions on ESPN? The further the tractor moves down the track, the heavier the weight becomes on the rig that is dragging behind it.
There are a lot of people whose lives are like that. Holding on to stuff in their past, or letting stuff in their past hold on to them -- the further they go, the more bogged down they become. Until, at length, they can go no further.
But we were made for eternity. This means, among a million other things, that TIME and SPACE cannot confine us, and therefore do not define us.
You are not a WHAT -- but a WHO. Whatever has happened to you in the past, whether good or bad, is not WHO you are. It is merely WHAT happened to you. Who you are is determined by how you respond to what has happened.
And herein we discover the power of a forward view. "Forgetting those things that are behind," Paul wrote, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
We can follow Paul's example. It doesn't mean that we are experts, or that we have arrived and have it all together. But, while we may not be all we should be, we have still got our eye on the goal and are focusing all our energies on this one thing: to be like Jesus. It is our one aspiration.
And so we lengthen our stride and stretch forth our hands, doing our best to reach everything that God has provided for us up ahead. We keep working toward that day when we will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved us for, and wants us to be.
Join us in this ageless cause -- and together we will MOVE FORWARD!
.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
When Everything is Going Down -- LOOK UP!
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"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." (Psalm 5:3)
You know the routine -- it happens every morning. First, you wake up. Next, you get up. Why not go ahead and finish the process and LOOK UP. That's the best way to begin a day. Especially if things around you are on a downward spiral. You can look up when things are going down. Furthermore, you must.
It is a proven fact that a person will head in the direction they are looking. This is literally true, as well as figuratively true. Stop and consider for a moment what it is you spend most of your time "looking" at. Your eyes see it, your mind thinks it, your imagination dwells upon it, your soul desires it -- and eventually you do it.
Why not give this pattern a chance to work in ways that matter most?
Look up unto to the Lord in the morning, while your mind is poised and your energies are fresh. Look up, and move up. See what He is saying to you, and then see yourself doing what He wants you to do. If you will cultivate this simple practice, this spiritual discipline, you will find yourself doing what the Lord wants you to do.
On the other hand, if you look down and see yourself defeated and depressed -- then you will surely spend your day in a pit of despair. Look down; and you will go down. Look up; and you will go UP.
The Bible says, "They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces were not ashamed!" (Psalm 34:5). Isaiah put it this way, "Lift up your eyes all around.......then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy" (Isa.60:4,5).
One of the most beloved lyrics of all time says it simply the best -- "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." (Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
My friend, look up. When everything around you seems to be going down -- look up. If you will look up -- the Lord will lift you up. So LOOK UP.
I'll see you at the top!
.
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." (Psalm 5:3)
You know the routine -- it happens every morning. First, you wake up. Next, you get up. Why not go ahead and finish the process and LOOK UP. That's the best way to begin a day. Especially if things around you are on a downward spiral. You can look up when things are going down. Furthermore, you must.
It is a proven fact that a person will head in the direction they are looking. This is literally true, as well as figuratively true. Stop and consider for a moment what it is you spend most of your time "looking" at. Your eyes see it, your mind thinks it, your imagination dwells upon it, your soul desires it -- and eventually you do it.
Why not give this pattern a chance to work in ways that matter most?
Look up unto to the Lord in the morning, while your mind is poised and your energies are fresh. Look up, and move up. See what He is saying to you, and then see yourself doing what He wants you to do. If you will cultivate this simple practice, this spiritual discipline, you will find yourself doing what the Lord wants you to do.
On the other hand, if you look down and see yourself defeated and depressed -- then you will surely spend your day in a pit of despair. Look down; and you will go down. Look up; and you will go UP.
The Bible says, "They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces were not ashamed!" (Psalm 34:5). Isaiah put it this way, "Lift up your eyes all around.......then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy" (Isa.60:4,5).
One of the most beloved lyrics of all time says it simply the best -- "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." (Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
My friend, look up. When everything around you seems to be going down -- look up. If you will look up -- the Lord will lift you up. So LOOK UP.
I'll see you at the top!
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Monday, December 08, 2008
Just When I Need Him Most
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"God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1).
If you had your choice, which would you pick: 1) to have God's presence with you, or 2) to have God's presence really, really with you? If your smart, you'll choose number two. But, you must realize that by making that choice, you are accepting the fact that there's gonna be trouble.
God is with us always, but He is really, really with us in trouble.
Trouble? What exactly are we talking about here? The Hebrew word means tightness. The kind that is caused by adversity, anguish, distress, or tribulation. It refers to a situation or a time of extreme discomfort, any affliction which comes for many different reasons.
God delivers His people from this condition.
"God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in trouble." It was this verse that led a tried and harried former Augustinian monk named Martin Luther to pen his famous Reformation hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." Its message is timeless and its encouragement unceasing.
Jacob built an altar at Bethel to "the God Who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me wherever I went." (Gen.35:3). Job's friend, Eliphaz, assured him that "from one disaster after another He delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can't touch you" (Job 5:19). David tells us that God is "a sanctuary during bad times" (Psalm 9:9).
"Just when I need Him, Jesus is near, just when I falter, just when I fear; ready to help me, ready to cheer, just when I need Him most. Just when I need Him, Jesus is true, never forsaking, all the way through; giving for burdens pleasures anew, just when I need Him most.
"Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, bearing my burdens all the day long; for all my sorrow giving a song, just when I need Him most. Just when I need Him, He is my all, answering when upon Him I call; tenderly watching lest I should fall, just when I need Him most." (William C. Poole, 1907).
Jesus is there for you -- just when you need Him most.
.
"God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1).
If you had your choice, which would you pick: 1) to have God's presence with you, or 2) to have God's presence really, really with you? If your smart, you'll choose number two. But, you must realize that by making that choice, you are accepting the fact that there's gonna be trouble.
God is with us always, but He is really, really with us in trouble.
Trouble? What exactly are we talking about here? The Hebrew word means tightness. The kind that is caused by adversity, anguish, distress, or tribulation. It refers to a situation or a time of extreme discomfort, any affliction which comes for many different reasons.
God delivers His people from this condition.
"God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in trouble." It was this verse that led a tried and harried former Augustinian monk named Martin Luther to pen his famous Reformation hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." Its message is timeless and its encouragement unceasing.
Jacob built an altar at Bethel to "the God Who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me wherever I went." (Gen.35:3). Job's friend, Eliphaz, assured him that "from one disaster after another He delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can't touch you" (Job 5:19). David tells us that God is "a sanctuary during bad times" (Psalm 9:9).
"Just when I need Him, Jesus is near, just when I falter, just when I fear; ready to help me, ready to cheer, just when I need Him most. Just when I need Him, Jesus is true, never forsaking, all the way through; giving for burdens pleasures anew, just when I need Him most.
"Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, bearing my burdens all the day long; for all my sorrow giving a song, just when I need Him most. Just when I need Him, He is my all, answering when upon Him I call; tenderly watching lest I should fall, just when I need Him most." (William C. Poole, 1907).
Jesus is there for you -- just when you need Him most.
.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
I'd Rather Have Jesus
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"As for me....I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake to find myself beholding Your form and having sweet communion with You." (Psalm 17:15, Amplified Bible).
What is it that you want -- that you really, really want? What is it that, by having it, your life will be filled with joy and deep satisfaction?
We all want something -- something that will satisfy us to the depths of our being. And the world displays its many fares for us to consider. For some it is money. "Yea, gimme money; that's what I want; and if I have it I will be happy." Others want power, or sex, or knowledge, or whatever.
As for me? All I really, really want is to walk in unbroken friendship with Jesus; to hear His voice, to see Him at work, to join with Him in what He is doing, and to rejoice at His side.
"I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand...
"I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name...
"Than to be the king of a vast domain, and be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today." (Rhea F. Miller, 1922)
How about you? What is it that you really, really want?
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"As for me....I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake to find myself beholding Your form and having sweet communion with You." (Psalm 17:15, Amplified Bible).
What is it that you want -- that you really, really want? What is it that, by having it, your life will be filled with joy and deep satisfaction?
We all want something -- something that will satisfy us to the depths of our being. And the world displays its many fares for us to consider. For some it is money. "Yea, gimme money; that's what I want; and if I have it I will be happy." Others want power, or sex, or knowledge, or whatever.
As for me? All I really, really want is to walk in unbroken friendship with Jesus; to hear His voice, to see Him at work, to join with Him in what He is doing, and to rejoice at His side.
"I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand...
"I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name...
"Than to be the king of a vast domain, and be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today." (Rhea F. Miller, 1922)
How about you? What is it that you really, really want?
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Saturday, December 06, 2008
Deep Calls Unto Deep
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"You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (Psalm 27:8, English Standard Version).
The New Living Translations says, "My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk with Me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." There is an old saying, "Deep calleth unto deep." It suggests that something deep within us is ever hungering after, and always listening for that Voice that gives us life.
This aptly fits many of us today who remember the beginnings of our journey with Jesus. The move of the Spirit was strong and widespread, the preaching of the Word was without manipulation, and Worship was innocent -- unchained from the love of money.
But these days are rather mediocre in comparison. The presses are filled with over-stated claims of how God is moving here and there, while people are running to and from to jump in the river. Preaching has all but been stripped of prophetic power, opting instead for power-point presentations that give neat and tidy tips on how to improve just about anything in your life. And, as for worship -- send in the clowns!
Deep calls unto deep. We long for a renewal; a return to the days of our first love; a fresh awakening in our fellowship with the Lord. If these longing are present in your heart, then be encouraged -- for it is the Lord calling you back!
Back to that place where you delighted in God's ways and learned how to discern God's will. Back to that place where you desired God's Word above all other things, and could always be found doing His work. Back to that place where faith was passionate, and devotions were enlightening. Back to that place where worship was real, and prayer was sweet.
"Sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the Tempter's snare by thy return -- sweet hour of prayer!
"Sweet hour of prayer; the joys I feel, the bliss I share with those whose hungry spirits burn with strong desire for Thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows His face. I gladly take my station there, and wait for thee -- sweet hour of prayer.
"Sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear to Him, whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless; and since He bids me seek His face, believe His word, and trust His grace -- I'll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee: sweet hour of prayer."
Deep calleth unto deep. The Lord calling you back! And He is even now awaiting your reply.
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"You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (Psalm 27:8, English Standard Version).
The New Living Translations says, "My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk with Me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." There is an old saying, "Deep calleth unto deep." It suggests that something deep within us is ever hungering after, and always listening for that Voice that gives us life.
This aptly fits many of us today who remember the beginnings of our journey with Jesus. The move of the Spirit was strong and widespread, the preaching of the Word was without manipulation, and Worship was innocent -- unchained from the love of money.
But these days are rather mediocre in comparison. The presses are filled with over-stated claims of how God is moving here and there, while people are running to and from to jump in the river. Preaching has all but been stripped of prophetic power, opting instead for power-point presentations that give neat and tidy tips on how to improve just about anything in your life. And, as for worship -- send in the clowns!
Deep calls unto deep. We long for a renewal; a return to the days of our first love; a fresh awakening in our fellowship with the Lord. If these longing are present in your heart, then be encouraged -- for it is the Lord calling you back!
Back to that place where you delighted in God's ways and learned how to discern God's will. Back to that place where you desired God's Word above all other things, and could always be found doing His work. Back to that place where faith was passionate, and devotions were enlightening. Back to that place where worship was real, and prayer was sweet.
"Sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the Tempter's snare by thy return -- sweet hour of prayer!
"Sweet hour of prayer; the joys I feel, the bliss I share with those whose hungry spirits burn with strong desire for Thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows His face. I gladly take my station there, and wait for thee -- sweet hour of prayer.
"Sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear to Him, whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless; and since He bids me seek His face, believe His word, and trust His grace -- I'll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee: sweet hour of prayer."
Deep calleth unto deep. The Lord calling you back! And He is even now awaiting your reply.
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Friday, December 05, 2008
The Power of Prayer
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"The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4, Good New Bible).
We have an arsenal not made by human hands, but is stocked full with the powerful weapons fashioned by God Himself. They aren't for marketing or manipulation of any sort, but are specifically designed to demolish demonic strongholds -- putting down every false argument raised against Truth. These weapons have the power of God to destroy the enemy's efforts against our Faith.
Prayer is one of these weapons, and when it is coupled with the Word of God it possesses a power that is invincible. That's why the early disciples said, "We will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word." When we follow their example, we will experience the same results that happened for them.
Let's look at a remarkable example found in the Scriptures.
When Joshua was battling the armies of the Amalekites in the valley of Rephidim, the Bible tells us that Moses was on the mountain lifting up the Rod which God had given him. As long as the Rod was held up, Joshua advanced in battle. When Moses' arms grew weary and he lowered the Rod, the enemy began to make advances against Joshua. Aaron and Hur, two of Moses' friends, stood beside him and held his arms up -- the result was a overwhelming victory for Joshua. (see Exodus 17:8-13).
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Jesus said that when we pray in secret, God will reward us openly. An example of this happened in Jerusalem when the disciples gathered in prayer and "the place where they were assembled was shaken." They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and preached the Word of God with boldness -- even in the face of death threats.
This brief scan of the biblical record proves the age old adage -- "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!" (James 5:16). Prayer makes tremendous power available, the kind of power that is dynamic in its working and effective in its results; great power that produces wonderful results.
Why not pray today and look for happens as a result. You just might find yourself praying every day!
.
"The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4, Good New Bible).
We have an arsenal not made by human hands, but is stocked full with the powerful weapons fashioned by God Himself. They aren't for marketing or manipulation of any sort, but are specifically designed to demolish demonic strongholds -- putting down every false argument raised against Truth. These weapons have the power of God to destroy the enemy's efforts against our Faith.
Prayer is one of these weapons, and when it is coupled with the Word of God it possesses a power that is invincible. That's why the early disciples said, "We will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word." When we follow their example, we will experience the same results that happened for them.
Let's look at a remarkable example found in the Scriptures.
When Joshua was battling the armies of the Amalekites in the valley of Rephidim, the Bible tells us that Moses was on the mountain lifting up the Rod which God had given him. As long as the Rod was held up, Joshua advanced in battle. When Moses' arms grew weary and he lowered the Rod, the enemy began to make advances against Joshua. Aaron and Hur, two of Moses' friends, stood beside him and held his arms up -- the result was a overwhelming victory for Joshua. (see Exodus 17:8-13).
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Jesus said that when we pray in secret, God will reward us openly. An example of this happened in Jerusalem when the disciples gathered in prayer and "the place where they were assembled was shaken." They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and preached the Word of God with boldness -- even in the face of death threats.
This brief scan of the biblical record proves the age old adage -- "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!" (James 5:16). Prayer makes tremendous power available, the kind of power that is dynamic in its working and effective in its results; great power that produces wonderful results.
Why not pray today and look for happens as a result. You just might find yourself praying every day!
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Thursday, December 04, 2008
The Purpose of Prayer (Part 3)
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"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21).
Three things happen as we pray. First, we have fellowship with God. Second, we cooperate in bringing God's will to Earth. And, third, we are being prepared for Eternity.
One thing is certain about Heaven -- we will not sit around on fluffy clouds strumming harps and eating yogurt, preening our wings and polishing our halos. No; nothing like that at all. Instead, we will reign with Christ, for that's what the Bible tells us.
"To him that overcomes," Jesus said, "will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21). John gave us a glimpse into this exalted place, and we hear a mighty host of ransomed men and women from all nations singing, "You are worthy O Lord, for You have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Rev 5:10).
And the standing promise of the Ages, which fills our hearts with unshakable faith -- the kind that overcomes the world -- says it in perfect clarity: "They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign forever and ever." (Rev 22:4-5).
Our struggles here on earth, which intensify our resolve in prayer, become the very means whereby God is readying us for that place where we shall reign with Jesus. One old preacher called prayer, "reigning training." Its the process whereby God deepens our faith, broadens our vision, sharpens our discernment, awakens our passion, and unleashes His power.
The purpose of prayer is to train you to reign with Jesus. So when you bow your head to pray, remember -- every king kneels in order to be crowned.
.
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21).
Three things happen as we pray. First, we have fellowship with God. Second, we cooperate in bringing God's will to Earth. And, third, we are being prepared for Eternity.
One thing is certain about Heaven -- we will not sit around on fluffy clouds strumming harps and eating yogurt, preening our wings and polishing our halos. No; nothing like that at all. Instead, we will reign with Christ, for that's what the Bible tells us.
"To him that overcomes," Jesus said, "will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21). John gave us a glimpse into this exalted place, and we hear a mighty host of ransomed men and women from all nations singing, "You are worthy O Lord, for You have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Rev 5:10).
And the standing promise of the Ages, which fills our hearts with unshakable faith -- the kind that overcomes the world -- says it in perfect clarity: "They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign forever and ever." (Rev 22:4-5).
Our struggles here on earth, which intensify our resolve in prayer, become the very means whereby God is readying us for that place where we shall reign with Jesus. One old preacher called prayer, "reigning training." Its the process whereby God deepens our faith, broadens our vision, sharpens our discernment, awakens our passion, and unleashes His power.
The purpose of prayer is to train you to reign with Jesus. So when you bow your head to pray, remember -- every king kneels in order to be crowned.
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
The Purpose of Prayer (Part 2)
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"Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as in heaven." (Luke 11:2).
Three things happen as we pray. First, which we looked at yesterday, is that we have fellowship with God. The second thing that happens is that we cooperate in bringing God's Kingdom to Earth.
What exactly does this mean? Simply stated, it means doing our part to see God's will happen in our sphere of influence.
Practically speaking, it means you should never pray a prayer that is not already God's will. This is what the Bible is talking about when it says, "You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss; that you may consume it on your own lusts" (James 4:3). In other words, our prayers are not answered when we pray for selfish reasons, wanting to indulge our own desires.
"THY will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Whenever we pray what God has already decided to do, our prayers cannot miss! "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15).
But this not only means we are never to pray a prayer that is not already God's will; it also means that you should never pray a prayer that you are not willing to be the answer to. In other words, don't ask God to bless the poor if you are not ready to do your part in becoming the means whereby He does it.
Don't pray for change in the courts, in the schools, in the marketplace, or in the church -- if you're going to sit passively by the side to see if any change comes. Otherwise you are praying empty prayers -- mere religious words that have no meaning....and no power.
You must pray your passion -- for it is in such prayers that God's answers come; and they come through you. He gives you wisdom, opportunity, patience, resource and power from on high to actually effect the answers for which you cry out to heaven.
"Thy Kingdom come," we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Pray as though it depended totally upon God; work as though it depends totally upon you.
What are you prepared to do today to become the answer to the prayers you have been praying?
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"Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as in heaven." (Luke 11:2).
Three things happen as we pray. First, which we looked at yesterday, is that we have fellowship with God. The second thing that happens is that we cooperate in bringing God's Kingdom to Earth.
What exactly does this mean? Simply stated, it means doing our part to see God's will happen in our sphere of influence.
Practically speaking, it means you should never pray a prayer that is not already God's will. This is what the Bible is talking about when it says, "You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss; that you may consume it on your own lusts" (James 4:3). In other words, our prayers are not answered when we pray for selfish reasons, wanting to indulge our own desires.
"THY will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Whenever we pray what God has already decided to do, our prayers cannot miss! "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15).
But this not only means we are never to pray a prayer that is not already God's will; it also means that you should never pray a prayer that you are not willing to be the answer to. In other words, don't ask God to bless the poor if you are not ready to do your part in becoming the means whereby He does it.
Don't pray for change in the courts, in the schools, in the marketplace, or in the church -- if you're going to sit passively by the side to see if any change comes. Otherwise you are praying empty prayers -- mere religious words that have no meaning....and no power.
You must pray your passion -- for it is in such prayers that God's answers come; and they come through you. He gives you wisdom, opportunity, patience, resource and power from on high to actually effect the answers for which you cry out to heaven.
"Thy Kingdom come," we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Pray as though it depended totally upon God; work as though it depends totally upon you.
What are you prepared to do today to become the answer to the prayers you have been praying?
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Tuesday, December 02, 2008
The Purpose of Prayer (Part 1)
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"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4, KJV).
Three things happen as we pray. First, we have fellowship with God.
I'm talking about real friendship; not some imaginary exercise of reciting religious phrases toward some divine place in the sky. No. David said we would behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His temple. This is not some abstract thought about a make-believe world, nor merely a poetic license for things that are not literally real. I'm talking about actually talking with God....and having Him talk back.
"Call unto Me, and I will answer you," He says, "and show you great and marvelous things to wonderful to know; things of which you are unaware; things that you don't know and can't find out without asking Me; things you can never figure out on your own." (Jeremiah 33:3).
The New Living Bible says, "Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come."
Jesus invited us to pray to "Our Father, who is in heaven." This is a bond greater than any other relational connection we know. He has even placed His Spirit deep within our heart, whereby we call out, "Abba, Father."
From infancy to our elder years, God's Fatherhood is the undergirding and over-riding truth of our lives. And it is the single, most compelling factor in how we are to pray --
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11).
The purpose of prayer is to strengthen, deepen, broaden, and lengthen our fellowship with God, our Father.
Have to talked to Dad lately?
.
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4, KJV).
Three things happen as we pray. First, we have fellowship with God.
I'm talking about real friendship; not some imaginary exercise of reciting religious phrases toward some divine place in the sky. No. David said we would behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His temple. This is not some abstract thought about a make-believe world, nor merely a poetic license for things that are not literally real. I'm talking about actually talking with God....and having Him talk back.
"Call unto Me, and I will answer you," He says, "and show you great and marvelous things to wonderful to know; things of which you are unaware; things that you don't know and can't find out without asking Me; things you can never figure out on your own." (Jeremiah 33:3).
The New Living Bible says, "Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come."
Jesus invited us to pray to "Our Father, who is in heaven." This is a bond greater than any other relational connection we know. He has even placed His Spirit deep within our heart, whereby we call out, "Abba, Father."
From infancy to our elder years, God's Fatherhood is the undergirding and over-riding truth of our lives. And it is the single, most compelling factor in how we are to pray --
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11).
The purpose of prayer is to strengthen, deepen, broaden, and lengthen our fellowship with God, our Father.
Have to talked to Dad lately?
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Monday, December 01, 2008
The Privilege of Prayer
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"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (KJV)
An invitation has been extended from the High Court of Heaven. It was not sent out to a select few, but was posted for all who hunger for something higher, something better, something more real than the hoopla and hullabaloo of the world's surface traffic.
We have been granted access to the Throne of Grace, and the invitation does not require any dress code. "Come as you are," it says. No need to rehearse what you will say, no need to primp on appearance -- no cause to try and impress. And, what's more, you don't have to have it "all together" either.
"Come as you are IN YOUR TIME OF NEED," it says. What this means is that when you feel the least acceptable, THAT"S when you are the most welcomed!
Come broken, come dirty, come troubled, come fearful, come confused, come undone -- the Lord waits for you! He will meet you -- and change you! You will not leave the same way you entered. What a privilege!
The Bible says, "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need!" (Hebrews 4:16).
The old Gospel song puts it this way, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
"Have you trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
"Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He'll take and shield you -- you will find a solace there!"
The invitation has been sent to YOU -- accept it even now and come before the Throne of Grace, and discover anew the privilege of prayer.
.
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (KJV)
An invitation has been extended from the High Court of Heaven. It was not sent out to a select few, but was posted for all who hunger for something higher, something better, something more real than the hoopla and hullabaloo of the world's surface traffic.
We have been granted access to the Throne of Grace, and the invitation does not require any dress code. "Come as you are," it says. No need to rehearse what you will say, no need to primp on appearance -- no cause to try and impress. And, what's more, you don't have to have it "all together" either.
"Come as you are IN YOUR TIME OF NEED," it says. What this means is that when you feel the least acceptable, THAT"S when you are the most welcomed!
Come broken, come dirty, come troubled, come fearful, come confused, come undone -- the Lord waits for you! He will meet you -- and change you! You will not leave the same way you entered. What a privilege!
The Bible says, "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need!" (Hebrews 4:16).
The old Gospel song puts it this way, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
"Have you trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
"Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He'll take and shield you -- you will find a solace there!"
The invitation has been sent to YOU -- accept it even now and come before the Throne of Grace, and discover anew the privilege of prayer.
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