Prophetic Bulletin from John Paul Jackson Posted on September 19, 2008
I originally wrote this Prophetic Bulletin for the Streams Ministries Partners at the beginning of August. At the urging of my Board, I am now making it a public Prophetic Bulletin. When I first wrote it, little did I know the events that were soon to happen concerning Todd Bentley, the Gulf Hurricanes, Russia’s invasion of Georgia, the trains that would collide near Los Angeles, Sarah Palin’s nomination and the stir that would cause, or September 15’s Stock Market plunge. All of these are early elements of what the Lord called “The Coming Perfect Storm.
THE COMING PERFECT STORM
by John Paul Jackson
For those of you who have followed this ministry, you have heard me say more than once during the past eight years that from 2009 or 2010, things will become very difficult. I have been praying and hoping that what I am about to write may be averted. However, I am now concerned that without prophetic people speaking up, we will not play our redemptive part in bringing change for the good.
FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE BREWING PERFECT STORM
As in the movie The Perfect Storm, the storm I see coming to the United States is a combination of more than one element, and when the elements unite, the storm becomes exponentially more dangerous. However, unlike the movie, this storm is not just a storm of merging weather patterns. This storm is worse; it involves five different elements: religion, politics, economics, war and geo-physical events. At times these five elements will be so intertwined that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish which events are driving a particular manifestation of the storm. Massive problems in these five areas will come often, or in combination, and sometimes repeatedly. Each element has potentially several events that will have national and international ripple effects. Some ripples will be worse than others, depending on where you live and how you make your living. Different areas of the United States will experience different severities. Some will experience more economic elements, others more geo-physical elements; some will experience all elements. Remember, it is the combination and the rapidity that will make the storm problematic.Also, this does not mean all five elements will hit at the most devastating levels. For example, on a scale of 1–10 with 10 being the worst, one element may strike at a six while another strikes at an eight. It is the particular combinations of elements — the proximity of each element as well as the intensity of each element — that will make this storm so difficult and seem to last so long. This storm will not be short-lived; it will come in waves, one after another.
WHY IS THE STORM COMING?
This storm is coming because the Church (the Body of Christ) is no longer the backbone of this nation. From our inception, the Christian faith has been the plumb line of decisions made at all levels of life. The Christian founding of this nation is what makes it different from every other nation, other than perhaps Israel. Other nations may have become Christian in their focus, but none were initially formed with Christianity as the core of its DNA.The Church is to make known God’s manifold wisdom to the world and the powers of the air (Ephesians 2:2). This demonstration to the heavens is not accomplished by speaking to those powers but through righteous living. How we live opens or closes doors for Satan to legally afflict us and even rule over us via leaders who do not know the ways of God. From Adam and Eve through today, the actions of humankind have given room for the enemy to strike and attack us. The only legal way the enemy has access to us is when the hand of God lifts from us, resulting in a space between Him and us. This space increases as we distance ourselves from Him and His ways.Anytime there is an increased distance between God and humanity, it leaves room for attack to come and for principalities and powers of the air (rulers of darkness) to take up residence. The longer dark powers reside over an area, the more the people begin to call right wrong and wrong right. Here in the United States, leaders arise from the people; in other words, as the people believe and think, so do the leaders who rise from their ranks. Eventually, the lines between right and wrong, as well as the holy and profane, become blurred. The way to God through Jesus and the Cross is no longer seen as an absolute. In fact, absolutes become touted as “intolerance” first in the world and then even within the Church. Yes, there are exceptions to this thinking within the Church, but through compromise, the absolutes of Heaven and eternity are clearly evaporating.
GOD CAN FASHION A DISASTER
We are living in the days of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, who prophesied that God can bring disaster on a nation if that nation continually chooses to walk according to its own plans. God spoke this to Jeremiah: “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’” And they said, “… We will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.” — Jeremiah 18:7–12
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE COMING?
What are some of the things/consequences that will come? In time, water will be more expensive than oil, and cities will evacuate thousands because there is not enough water to meet their needs. (As Amos 4:7 says, “I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city.”) Earthquakes will strike not only coastal areas but devastate the Midwest as well. Israel will bomb Iran, and anti-Semitism will escalate as fuel costs soar. A dirty bomb will explode in a coastal city. There will be thunderstorms with huge hail, 24 inches of rain in 24 hours, three feet of snow in six hours, record-setting tornadoes with winds of more than 350 miles per hour and tornadoes in unusual places. There will be an unexpected blight that will hit various hybrid seed crops and weaken the yield. In addition, drought and devastation from storms will dramatically cut into various harvests and the national food storage will deplete.“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’” — Jeremiah 18:11—
FOUR THINGS THE CHURCH MUST DO
First, the Church must return to knowing God and His ways rather than just knowing about God. We have replaced power with programs, revelation with administration and the Father’s heart with organizational skills.
Second, the Church must learn how to contend for the faith again. We are weak, and we fall away so easily when crisis is not at hand. We have not been tested, and we have lost our resolve. We understand little of the adversary’s plans. We do not know how to debate our faith without becoming angry, and thus we have so few strong, clear, godly voices in political arenas. We have lost our witness — the witness that convicts others and strongly testifies that God is still God and is very, very real. We have lost the witness that demonstrates that God is a personal God in a very impersonal world, the witness that says, “What I do proves God exists.”
Third, the Church must return to the love of God’s Word and the belief that it is infallible and inerrant. This would include the conviction, understanding and knowledge that God is absolute, and there is only one way to know Him: through Jesus the Messiah. We need a new revelation that God’s power is unlimited, His knowledge is unending, His presence is with us always and He never changes. We have made God far too small, and our lives prove it.
Fourth, we will need to declare sacred and solemn assemblies of repentance and corporate fasting in many parts of this nation — a time set aside for rending our hearts before God.“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him — A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD.”— Joel 2:12–17
CRISIS IS THE FRUIT OF FOLLOWING THE WRONG GOD
God allows calamities to happen in order to draw us to Himself. What does that mean? It means that God allows us to reap the fruit of that which we serve. Walking in God’s ways brings blessings and fullness of life, while walking in the ways of the “god of this world” will bring the fruit of the god of this world: decay, destruction, deterioration and death. We make our choice, then the choice makes us. Sadly, we are developing a history of wrong choices.
Throughout Scripture, when crises hit the people of God, they turned their hearts to Him, and He heard and took action. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.— Jeremiah 29:12–13
May the people of the United States seek the Lord … and find Him. Remember, we still have the promise that if we turn from our wicked ways, God will heal our land.
Serving God and His Kingdom,
John Paul Jackson
August 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
THE CRUCIFIXION OF SELF
(From a letter by Jeanne Guyon)
All the graces that are produced in a Christian grow out of the death of self. Bear patiently the trials and sufferings which retard this overflowing life. When you suffer with much confusion and uncertainty, the suffering is even harder to bear.
Unlimited patience is necessary to bear not only with yourself, but with others whose personalities and moods are not compatible with your own. Offenses will happen while we live in the flesh. Bear these offenses in silence and submit them to the Spirit of Grace. Because you are human, you are still affected by your environment.
As you seek to honor the true cross (the affliction that God allows for us), remember that all the disagreeable situations that fall in your daily path are part of that true acceptance of the cross. Do not insult the work of the cross in your life by complaining about your problems. Welcome trials, for they teach you what you are and leave you to renounce yourself and yourself is, of all possessions, the most dangerous.
All the graces that are produced in a Christian grow out of the death of self. Bear patiently the trials and sufferings which retard this overflowing life. When you suffer with much confusion and uncertainty, the suffering is even harder to bear.
Unlimited patience is necessary to bear not only with yourself, but with others whose personalities and moods are not compatible with your own. Offenses will happen while we live in the flesh. Bear these offenses in silence and submit them to the Spirit of Grace. Because you are human, you are still affected by your environment.
As you seek to honor the true cross (the affliction that God allows for us), remember that all the disagreeable situations that fall in your daily path are part of that true acceptance of the cross. Do not insult the work of the cross in your life by complaining about your problems. Welcome trials, for they teach you what you are and leave you to renounce yourself and yourself is, of all possessions, the most dangerous.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
OUT OF SORTS
Why are you so out of sorts? (1 Kings 21:5 MSG)
The other day I was out of sorts. I found myself in a dark mood and kind of sulky. I didn’t feel special, things were not going my way, I seemed to be at the mercy of others, and all my plans had fallen in a heap of rubble around my feet. I was wanting to pout and be snarky. (I am not exactly sure if snarky is a real word or exactly what it means, but it sure seems to fit).
This happened to King Ahab once. (Like I bet it only happened once!) He wanted Naboth’s vineyard, and Naboth would not sell it to him nor trade it. King Ahab went home in a dark mood, sulky, and out of sorts. He would not eat and went to bed. In my own defense, I did eat, and though I wanted to go back to bed, I didn’t. (I had to go to work).
One thing I discovered as I went through that day is that being in a dark mood and sulky distracts you from what is important, causes you to miss details, and totally focuses you on yourself and everything that you think is against you.
Of course our feelings are effected by our thoughts and our actions are effected by our feelings. Following are some thoughts about thinking, feelings and actions, none of which probably originated with me.
What we think determines how we feel and how we feel determines how we act.
Consistent wrong thinking produces wrong thought patterns resulting in negative emotions followed by wrong reactions and behavior.
Lower nature thinking will produce feelings associated with the old nature, resulting in actions consistent with the deeds of the flesh.
Higher nature thinking will produce feeling associated with the new nature and actions consistent with the fruit of the Spirit.
I did get over myself before the day was over ..... everyone else got over me a long time ago.
The other day I was out of sorts. I found myself in a dark mood and kind of sulky. I didn’t feel special, things were not going my way, I seemed to be at the mercy of others, and all my plans had fallen in a heap of rubble around my feet. I was wanting to pout and be snarky. (I am not exactly sure if snarky is a real word or exactly what it means, but it sure seems to fit).
This happened to King Ahab once. (Like I bet it only happened once!) He wanted Naboth’s vineyard, and Naboth would not sell it to him nor trade it. King Ahab went home in a dark mood, sulky, and out of sorts. He would not eat and went to bed. In my own defense, I did eat, and though I wanted to go back to bed, I didn’t. (I had to go to work).
One thing I discovered as I went through that day is that being in a dark mood and sulky distracts you from what is important, causes you to miss details, and totally focuses you on yourself and everything that you think is against you.
Of course our feelings are effected by our thoughts and our actions are effected by our feelings. Following are some thoughts about thinking, feelings and actions, none of which probably originated with me.
What we think determines how we feel and how we feel determines how we act.
Consistent wrong thinking produces wrong thought patterns resulting in negative emotions followed by wrong reactions and behavior.
Lower nature thinking will produce feelings associated with the old nature, resulting in actions consistent with the deeds of the flesh.
Higher nature thinking will produce feeling associated with the new nature and actions consistent with the fruit of the Spirit.
I did get over myself before the day was over ..... everyone else got over me a long time ago.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
SUCCESSFUL LIVING
He stores up success for honest people. (Prov 2:7 NIrV)
We were having devotions with our children the other evening and my wife was reading Proverbs 2 aloud from my daughter’s Bible. I was taken by the first part of verse 7 and what it stirred in me.
Now, we know that Proverbs is about wisdom, and not just wisdom, but godly wisdom. What stirred in me was that it is wise to be honest, to be a person of integrity. The fruit of that honesty will be success which God has a whole supply of stored up and ready to be released by the drawing of that honesty.
We must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and honest with others. The degree of our honesty will determine the richness of our success. But let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking that honesty here is just admitting what is true. The honesty we are talking about here is the living out of the Truth, the integrity of righteous living, the lived out passion for justice blended with the compassion of mercy - and all of these defined by God.
Yes, this will bring success in life. It is the secret to successful living, the wisdom whose fruit is success.
We were having devotions with our children the other evening and my wife was reading Proverbs 2 aloud from my daughter’s Bible. I was taken by the first part of verse 7 and what it stirred in me.
Now, we know that Proverbs is about wisdom, and not just wisdom, but godly wisdom. What stirred in me was that it is wise to be honest, to be a person of integrity. The fruit of that honesty will be success which God has a whole supply of stored up and ready to be released by the drawing of that honesty.
We must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and honest with others. The degree of our honesty will determine the richness of our success. But let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking that honesty here is just admitting what is true. The honesty we are talking about here is the living out of the Truth, the integrity of righteous living, the lived out passion for justice blended with the compassion of mercy - and all of these defined by God.
Yes, this will bring success in life. It is the secret to successful living, the wisdom whose fruit is success.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Real Questions
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 1 Pe 1:18 NLT
Do not ask whether something is enjoyable. Ask if it is worthy of love. Ask is you should depend upon it.
How will you find an answer? Is there an infallible argument or a verse of scripture that will enlighten you? Can you think of any example or axiom or sacrament that will prepare you to discover these things?
You can tell if something is made of gold. But how can you know if it is worth your love, or if you can depend upon it? Being gold is one thing, but being worthy of love is something else.
Desiring exquisite food and clothing is like painting firewood. These things are consumables. Clothes keep you warm regardless of the color. Common foods will satisfy your hunger. Desire what is right for you. -Guigo 1: Meditations
Do not ask whether something is enjoyable. Ask if it is worthy of love. Ask is you should depend upon it.
How will you find an answer? Is there an infallible argument or a verse of scripture that will enlighten you? Can you think of any example or axiom or sacrament that will prepare you to discover these things?
You can tell if something is made of gold. But how can you know if it is worth your love, or if you can depend upon it? Being gold is one thing, but being worthy of love is something else.
Desiring exquisite food and clothing is like painting firewood. These things are consumables. Clothes keep you warm regardless of the color. Common foods will satisfy your hunger. Desire what is right for you. -Guigo 1: Meditations
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Gift
I heard today
Of a decrepit native woman
Who walked mile after mile
Under the blistering sun
To bring a small gift of embroidery
To the missionary she deeply loved.
Hour after hour she trudged
Over rough, rugged roads
Clutching tightly her small gift.
Her weary body sagged
Her vision blurred
Her bare feet bled from the jagged rocks
Grateful but overwhelmed,
The missionary wept.
The trembling old woman spoke softly:
"Please understand.
The walk is part of the gift."
My Lord
My commitment to You is for life.
I give myself to You unreservedly
To do with me as You please.
But may I not forget
That the tears, the fears
The strain and the painThe sunless days
The starless nights
Are all part of the whole.
In my total commitment
I give full consent:
The walk is part of the gift.
~Ruth Harms Calkin
HT: http://www.windscraps.blogspot.com/
Of a decrepit native woman
Who walked mile after mile
Under the blistering sun
To bring a small gift of embroidery
To the missionary she deeply loved.
Hour after hour she trudged
Over rough, rugged roads
Clutching tightly her small gift.
Her weary body sagged
Her vision blurred
Her bare feet bled from the jagged rocks
Grateful but overwhelmed,
The missionary wept.
The trembling old woman spoke softly:
"Please understand.
The walk is part of the gift."
My Lord
My commitment to You is for life.
I give myself to You unreservedly
To do with me as You please.
But may I not forget
That the tears, the fears
The strain and the painThe sunless days
The starless nights
Are all part of the whole.
In my total commitment
I give full consent:
The walk is part of the gift.
~Ruth Harms Calkin
HT: http://www.windscraps.blogspot.com/
Saturday, April 26, 2008
A Heart Full of Fear
Do not fear, for I am with you;Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (Is 41:10 NASB)
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
(Ez 36:26 NASB)
I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret." (Col 2:2-4 MSG)
"You can't think straight with a heart full of fear, for fear seeks safety, not truth. If your heart's a stone, you can't have decent thoughts—either about personal relations or about international ones. A heart full of love, on the other hand, has a limbering effect on the mind." —William Sloane Coffin
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
(Ez 36:26 NASB)
I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret." (Col 2:2-4 MSG)
"You can't think straight with a heart full of fear, for fear seeks safety, not truth. If your heart's a stone, you can't have decent thoughts—either about personal relations or about international ones. A heart full of love, on the other hand, has a limbering effect on the mind." —William Sloane Coffin
Burning Bushes
The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, "I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up." (Ex 3:1-3)"Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes - The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Set A Straight Course
My son, if you aspire to be a servant of the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set a straight course, keep to it, and do not be dismayed in the face of adversity. (Ecclesiasticus 2:1-2)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Home Alone … Well, Not Really
My wife and daughter are in New York City with friends and family and Zach and I are bacheloring it. For supper tonight he has already had pizza, spaghetti, 4 small powdered donuts, and 2 strawberry pop tarts. I have some oven baked barbeque wings cooking.
Tomorrow my daughter Rebekah is singing at St Patrick’s Cathedral with the chorus from her last year’s school in Cape Coral, Florida. She was invited to sing with them again this year. Today her and her friends Sarah and Rachel had a birthday party at the American Doll Store and left with more than they went in with. I hear I bought my daughter a small doll for her American Girl Doll. They are doing the open top bus tour tonight.
Zachariah and I are doing well so far. I have stopped up one toilet but should be able to unplug it. He has hid the TV remote for the living room and, so far, has not revealed its hiding place. Hopefully it is not in the garbage. Yes I did look, but did not see it. I also looked under the couches, the tables, in the cabinets, bedrooms, closets, toy bucket, kitchen, drawers, bathrooms, the fridge and even the cat’s litter box.
God Is Also In The Ordinary
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Ro 12:1-2 MSG)
If what God does has to be some big spectacular thing in order for us to recognize it as being His activity, then we will probably miss a lot of what God is doing around us. God is involved in the ordinary everyday living of life and is constantly revealing Himself, His purpose and His ways in ordinary life.
I like it when God shows up and does something incredible, but if that is the only time I am excited about Him or even recognize His activity around me, then I am mostly missing out on God’s involvement in my life and the lives of those around me.
We must live in the now, interacting with God and others in the present moment we are in. Anything other than that and we are disengaged with life, out of balance with its rhythm, and out of sync with God’s Spirit.
Let us cry out to God that we might see Him not only in His extraordinary supernatural dealings, but also in His involvement in the ordinary issues of life.
If what God does has to be some big spectacular thing in order for us to recognize it as being His activity, then we will probably miss a lot of what God is doing around us. God is involved in the ordinary everyday living of life and is constantly revealing Himself, His purpose and His ways in ordinary life.
I like it when God shows up and does something incredible, but if that is the only time I am excited about Him or even recognize His activity around me, then I am mostly missing out on God’s involvement in my life and the lives of those around me.
We must live in the now, interacting with God and others in the present moment we are in. Anything other than that and we are disengaged with life, out of balance with its rhythm, and out of sync with God’s Spirit.
Let us cry out to God that we might see Him not only in His extraordinary supernatural dealings, but also in His involvement in the ordinary issues of life.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Wake Up, Pay Attention, And Pray
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time (emphasis mine). The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber (emphasis mine), because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Ro 13;8-12)A few mornings ago the Lord seemed to be saying to me that this is not a time to have our eyes shut, to be not paying attention, or to be slumbering. It is a time to be awake and alert.
Shut eyes, drowsiness, and slumbering indicate a lack of understanding, a lack or ignoring of revelation, and inattentiveness to warning signs or problems.
For it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, (emphasis mine) rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ep 5:14-17) (Emphisis mine)
We need to be paying attention to what is going on around us, what is happening in this country, and what is happening around the world. We need to be awake, alert, and prayerful.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ep 6:18)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Be Present
Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.(Is 43:19 MSG)
Have you ever had someone start talking to you, and your mind was elsewhere and you neither heard them nor answered them. You will usually end up receiving a rather loud “Helloooooooooo, anybody there?” In that moment we were not living in the present.
When we are obsessed with the past, we are always looking back over our shoulders in time and are frozen in place, never able to move on. Disappointment with our present life and circumstances will result in us discrediting the present and always looking to the future when it is going to happen, what ever it may be, that will result in our being able to enter into our destiny, and again we are unable to move on. Either way we are neither living in the present nor in His presence.
We neither live in the past nor the future. We live in the here and now. If we are not alert and present, we will miss what God is saying and doing right now. Destiny is a journey to be lived out, not a destination to be arrived at. Value the journey, value the sights, value the places, value the people, and value His presence. When we are present, we give value to the things that are important, and we are engaged in the process of living out our destiny.
Steering Lesson
Then they were quite willing and glad for Him to come into the boat. And now the boat went at once to the land they had steered toward. [And immediately they reached the shore toward which they had been slowly making their way.]
(Jn 6:21 AMP)
The other evening the family and I went to the grocery store, pure adventure for the kids My son decided nothing would do except that he push the shopping cart. The last time I let him push the cart, he all of a sudden did a 180 with it and took off at high speed. Having learned from that experience (me, not him), I knew it would be needful for me to keep my hands on the cart and steer it.
Wow! What an adventure! He rocketed along at excessive speed while I tried to slow the pace, miss other shoppers and displays, steer in the direction we were supposed to be going, make stops so my wife could stock the cart, and all the while act like I was the one in control!
In the middle of it all I had a thought. Well, actually I had a lot of thoughts, but this one might have value. My thought was something along the lines of “Wow, this must be what it is like for God sometimes when He is guiding me.”
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
(Ps 23:3 NASB)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Bad Tongue Moment
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (Jas1:19-20 NIV)
Most of us have had bad hair days. It is not something we usually enjoy because we do not want to be seen with ugly up on top of our heads. However, a bad tongue moment gives people a glimpse of the ugly in our hearts.
After a bad tongue moment the other day, I came to the same conclusion that I am sure others have already come to. That I sometimes live out the opposite of the above verse. I have been know to speak quickly and abundantly, listen poorly and misunderstand, and be angered easily because of being overly sensitive or misinformed.
In Matthew 12 we see that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What comes out of us when we are jostled speaks loudly about what is inside of us. When what comes out is displeasing to God, we need to take appropriate steps.
Proverbs 10:19, which is worded When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise, should surely slow down how quickly we speak and the amount of words that we say. A good prayer about this is ‘Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD and keep watch over the door of my lips. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.’ (Ps 141:3; 19:14)
I came across the following prayer by Don Schwager and it also seems to fit here: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt let me sow faith. Where there is despair let me give hope. Where there is darkness let me give light. Where there is sadness let me give joy."
Sunday, March 9, 2008
John Dixon Wilson
Born December 12, 1919Crossed Over March 2, 2008
The Passing Of John
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Cor 2:15-16)
John is surrounded by life as he is passing from life to Life. The sounds of family life fill the air around him. Those he loves, sit and love him. Those he used to stroke, now stroke him. He may be passing from this earth, but the earth has been changed by his love. Generations surround him who have been effected by his love. Loved ones celebrate his love, and loved ones who have passed over await his arrival. John won’t need his wheel chair anymore - he will be able to soar. He will live above, yet he shall live on in the hearts of those he loved and those who love him. We are his legacy, the fruit of his life.
Let us remember the words of Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
John’s Poem
My family and friends got to say goodbye
I saw my children’s faces one more time
I held hands with my Rosa who was at my side
Yes, we all got to say goodbye
Preparations were made for me to pass
And my body prepared for the grave
All was quiet in the room as I left
And I was free at last
Family and friends were waiting for me
Here and the other side
One group waiting with me to pass
The other for me to arrive
Don’t mourn for me that I have passed
For I am looking into the face of Christ
It was worth all that has been
For I am with Him at last
Yes, we all got to say goodbye
And then I was free at last
There were others waiting for me to arrive
And I’m with Jesus at last
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Trusting And Loving
All is not lost when things go contrary to your wishes. You ought not judge according to present feelings, nor give in to any trouble whenever it comes, or take it as though all hope of escape were lost. And do not consider yourself forsaken if I send some temporary hardship, or withdraw the consolation you desire. For this is the way to the kingdom of heaven, and without doubt it is better for you and the rest of My servants to be tried in adversities than to have all things as you wish. I know your secret thoughts, and I know that it is profitable for your salvation to be left sometimes in despondency lest perhaps you be puffed up by success and fancy yourself to be what you are not. (From "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis)
"Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am-- a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself and reach out towards others." (Prayer attributed to Clement XI of Rome)
"Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am-- a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself and reach out towards others." (Prayer attributed to Clement XI of Rome)
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Death And Disappointment
"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”(Jn 11:21)
Have you ever felt like God has let you down? Mary and Martha certainly did when their brother got sick and died. They could not understand why Jesus had let it happen. They had sent word to Him that Lazarus was sick and to come quickly. But He didn’t, and Lazarus died.
True knowledge of God comes experiencelly. We cannot have a theological relationship with God. We can know about Him theologically, but our relationship with Him must be personal, vibrant, and life changing.
God wanted to expand the understanding of Mary, Martha, the disciples, and the mourners.
Lets imagine a conversation between Jesus and Martha:
Jesus: Martha, I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
Martha: I know You are Lord.
Jesus: No Martha, I really Am the Resurrection and the Life
Martha: I know you really are Lord.
Jesus: No Martha, I Am the Resurrection and the Life right now
Martha: I know that Lord and that on the last day You are going to raise the dead.
Jesus: Martha, I am the Resurrection and the Life, I Am always the Resurrection and the Life, not just on a certain day, but all the time.
But Martha, focusing on Jesus as Healer, couldn’t seem to grasp the reality of Him also as the Resurrection and the Life in her right now everyday world. She knew He could have healed her brother if he had gotten there sooner, but the tomb was beyond her relational knowledge of and experience with Jesus.
The tomb of disappointment can become a womb of expanded understanding.
Sometimes we think the Lord has let us down, when in reality He is simply taking us to a larger place.
From my distress I called upon the LORD; The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. (Ps 118:5)
Monday, February 4, 2008
Dead Dreams
One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him. Elisha said to him, "Tell her, `You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?' " She replied, "I have a home among my own people." "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old." Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. (2 Kings 4:11–17)I am sure there was a time when the Shunammite dreamed of having a son. Year after year she probably hoped and prayed for one. Year after year there was no son. Finally a time came when the season had passed them by, her husband being old and decrepit. The dream died, it was no longer even something to be hoped for. When the man of God asked her what she wanted, she did not even mention a son. It was now impossible, she had given up hope, and her dream was dead.
As I read the scriptures above I asked God what He was saying to me. He said “I AM the God of dead dreams.” God resurrects dead dreams, He fulfills lost hope, He breaths life into what is old and decrepit, He makes the impossible to happen.
"About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." What an unexpected promise! Her response was "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" She thought he was teasing with her but the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
Talk about new life for an old dream! Now, if you have read the whole chapter, you know that after the child has grown he dies.
But this time it is different! This time her dream didn’t die, her hope did not diminish, her faith stayed strong. She went and got Elisha, he came back with her and raised her son from the dead.
Maybe you used to have a dream in your heart, but now it is dead, the season has passed, your hope is gone, and it seems so impossible you don’t even mention it any more. This God we are talking about, who did all this for the Shunammite, is our God also. Let God breath new life into your dream, fresh vision into your heart, listen as He says “ I AM the God of dead dreams.”
So what is God saying to you with these scriptures?
The LORD Keeps Faith Forever
How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry
The LORD sets the prisoners free.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;
The LORD protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
The LORD will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
(Ps 146:5-10)
I have been thinking about these scriptures on and off for a couple of days. When I posted them this morning, I liked them, but did not have to hang on to them. Within a couple of hours I did.
We don't know what a day may bring forth, but we know Who goes forth with us. It is the same God we read about in the scriptures above.
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry
The LORD sets the prisoners free.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;
The LORD protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
The LORD will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
(Ps 146:5-10)
I have been thinking about these scriptures on and off for a couple of days. When I posted them this morning, I liked them, but did not have to hang on to them. Within a couple of hours I did.
We don't know what a day may bring forth, but we know Who goes forth with us. It is the same God we read about in the scriptures above.
We can count on everything He has ever promised us. His Word is true and His promises sure. He is the LORD Who keeps faith forever!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Naked
“and they knew they were naked” (Gen 3:7)We were having family devotions the other night out of Genesis chapter 3. As soon as my daughter heard “and they knew they were naked”, she let out an “Ouuuuuuu, they were naked?”, which was followed by a louder cry of “We’re not going to be naked in heaven are we?” closely followed by “I’m not, I’m bringing clothes!”
It kind of reminded me of that dream. You know the one, you’re at school and you are naked. You’re wandering around looking for something to put on, and nobody is really noticing you. Then you find a wash cloth, cover yourself with it, and everyone starts staring at you.
Genesis 3:7 is worded in the NASB “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.” The NLT words the first part of that verse “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. “ Biblically, shame and nakedness seems to go together, for instance, Isaiah 47:3 begins "Your nakedness will be uncovered, Your shame also will be exposed.” Gen 3:7 NLT says, “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
We are ashamed of being seen as sinful as we really are. We do not want the things in our past or present that we are ashamed of to be exposed. We want those things covered. Praise God for the blood of Jesus!
Adam and Eve suddenly saw themselves as they really were. They knew they had sinned by being disobedient to God and they were ashamed. We all have to get to that point before God can cover us. Our eyes must be opened, we must know that we are naked, our sin bare before God, and we have only shame for our covering.
How awful the state is of the person who has had their conscience seared by sin to the point they no longer have opened eyes and no knowledge that they are naked.
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev 3:17-23 NIV)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
A Big Blue Rubber Band
It was a really nice rubber band. It was blue, had about a six inch diameter, and was hanging off the pastor’s wrist … I wanted it.My rubber band was beige, had about a two inch diameter, was squeezing my wrist, and slowing down the blood flow into my hand.
As we came into the service this AM, we were each given a rubber band. We didn’t get to choose which one we got. Some got big ones, some medium sized ones, and there were also different colors.
I had not realized that everyone had gotten one, so I was kind of proud that I had and wore it on my wrist even though it was a bit too tight. At a point in the service, the pastor asked if everyone had gotten a rubber band. He then held up his wrist, showing us his rubber band, and asked if anyone else had gotten one like his. Like I said, it was nice, it was blue, and it was big. There were about twenty people who had a rubber band like his and he had them stand up.
By now I was comparing my rubber band to theirs, and I was feeling slighted. I also noticed that there were nicer colors. I wasn’t as happy as I had been. I probably even asked myself “Why them? Why not me?“ The pastor then said some folks had a larger role to play than others, and that gave them more accountability. He then used “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” to try and make those of us who were immature enough to be jealous of the “big rubber band people” to feel better. I didn’t feel better.
I was thinking how proud I would have been if I had been given a big rubber band, how special I would have felt. That is when he told the “big rubber band people” they shouldn’t feel proud of having big rubber bands, because they didn’t pick them, but had arbitrarily been given them. Now I really didn’t feel better because I was proud just thinking about if I had gotten one. Now I’m thinking “I’m not good enough to have gotten a big rubber band, I didn’t deserve one, and God is giving me a secret message with this whole ordeal.” I guess some people can handle big rubber bands and some people can’t.
I quietly took the rubber band I had been given off and put it in my pocket. At least my hand began to feel better.
In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. (Ro 12:4-6 MSG)
God Is Light
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 Jn 1:5)As soon as you see daylight, begin to pray in this manner: O Lord You are the greatest and most authentic Light. The light of this day comes from You. O Light, You lighten everyone in this world! O Light, You know no night or evening! It is always midday with You. Without You all is darkness. Enlighten my mind. Let me see only the things that please You. Blind me to all else. Grant that I may walk in Your ways and find light in nothing else. -John Bradford: Daily Meditations
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. (Prov 4:18)
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (Ps 18:28)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Look Unto Me
“Look to Me, and be saved.” (Is 45:22)
Looking Up
Lord, You’ve given me so much - so much that I can’t even see You anymore! Maybe I should stop looking at all the good things You’ve give me. Maybe I should set all this stuff aside and just start looking for You. (from Jan 22 of Jesus Wants All of Me)
WHAT AM I LOOKING AT?
Do we expect God to come to us with His blessings and save us? He says - Look unto Me, and be saved. The great difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and it is His blessings that make it difficult. Troubles nearly always make us look to God; His blessings are apt to make us look elsewhere. The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is, in effect - Narrow all your interests until the attitude of mind and heart and body is concentration on Jesus Christ. "Look unto Me." (from Jan 22 of My Utmost For His Highest)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:11-3 NIV) (Emphasis mine)
God is always previous, God is always there first, and if you have any desire for God, and for the things of God, it is God himself who put it there.- A. W. Tozer
Looking Up
Lord, You’ve given me so much - so much that I can’t even see You anymore! Maybe I should stop looking at all the good things You’ve give me. Maybe I should set all this stuff aside and just start looking for You. (from Jan 22 of Jesus Wants All of Me)
WHAT AM I LOOKING AT?
Do we expect God to come to us with His blessings and save us? He says - Look unto Me, and be saved. The great difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and it is His blessings that make it difficult. Troubles nearly always make us look to God; His blessings are apt to make us look elsewhere. The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is, in effect - Narrow all your interests until the attitude of mind and heart and body is concentration on Jesus Christ. "Look unto Me." (from Jan 22 of My Utmost For His Highest)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:11-3 NIV) (Emphasis mine)
God is always previous, God is always there first, and if you have any desire for God, and for the things of God, it is God himself who put it there.- A. W. Tozer
Monday, January 21, 2008
Stay The Course
I'm sure that won't happen to you, friends. I have better things in mind for you—salvation things! God doesn't miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you've shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.
Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.
God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
(All from The Message: Heb 6:9; Jam 5:10; Ps 119:1; Ps 119:33 - All emphasis mine)
Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.
God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
(All from The Message: Heb 6:9; Jam 5:10; Ps 119:1; Ps 119:33 - All emphasis mine)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Uplook vs Outlook
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7 NKJV)One of the gifts I received this Christmas was a mug. The picture was of a guy sitting at his kitchen table. The scene outside his window was a dark cloud with a rainstorm going on. The caption reads, “ It’s not the OUTLOOK, but the UPLOOK that counts!
This was a good pick for me, as I can tend to get a bit gloomy now and then. I have been know to sometimes let circumstances dictate my outlook and attitude.
One of the things our pastor talked about this morning was the twelve spies sent in to spy out the promised land. Ten of them were taken by what they saw and reported "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there” (Nu 13:27-28). “We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are. "And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." (Nu 13:31-33)
Two were taken by what God had said. “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel” (Nu 13:2). Their report was "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Nu 13:30 NIV)
The ten had their eyes upon circumstances, upon what they could see, the temporal, and made their report based upon that.
The two had their eyes set upon the eternal, the unseen truth behind the seen circumstances guided their report.
Let’s be counted as those who believe God’s Word over their circumstances. Let us not stand upon that which is seen and subject to change, but upon that which is invisible, rock solid, and eternally unchanging. For we live by believing and not by seeing. (2 Cor 5:7 NLT)
It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. (2 Cor 5:7 MSG)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Legalism, Grace, and Mercy
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" (Mk 2:16)
Pharisee-ism repels, pushes away, judges, compares, binds, conforms, weighs down, and imprisons. It says, ”Behold I stand at my door and judge. Prove you are worthy.” It is a legalistic view saying, “ They don’t deserve it, they are not as good as we are. We have to keep them away from us.”
God’s grace and mercy seek. draw, attract, welcome, heal, restores rescue, comfort, help, transform, loosen, lighten, and free. Their cry is, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whosoever. Come, drink freely of the Waters of Salvation."
What draws us to the throne of God's mercy and grace? Mark tells us that many people were drawn to Jesus, including the unwanted and the unlovable, such as the lame, the blind, and the lepers, as well as the homeless such as widows and orphans. But public sinners, like the town prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors, were also drawn to Jesus. In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest of men – a tax collector who by profession was despised by the people. Why did the religious leaders find fault with Jesus for making friends with sinners and tax collectors like Matthew? The orthodox Jews had a habit of dividing everyone into two groups: those who rigidly kept the law and its minute regulations and those who did not. They latter were treated like second class citizens. The orthodox scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table fellowship. Jesus' association with the latter, especially with tax collectors and sinners, shocked the sensibilities of these orthodox Jews. - Don Schwager.
We must ask ourselves, “Am I helping or hindering people from entering the Kingdom of God? What does my life, reactions, and responses say about what I believe?” The following poem may best describe us.
The Star Market
by Marie Howe
The people Jesus loved were shopping at the Star Market yesterday.
An old lead-colored man standing next to me at the checkout
breathed so heavily I had to step back a few steps.
Even after his bags were packed he still stood, breathing hard and
hawking into his hand. The feeble, the lame, I could hardly look at them: shuffling through the aisles, they smelled of decay, as if the Star Market
had declared a day off for the able-bodied, and I had wandered in
with the rest of them—sour milk, bad meat—
looking for cereal and spring water.
Jesus must have been a saint, I said to myself, looking for my lost car
in the parking lot later, stumbling among the people who would have
been lowered into rooms by ropes, who would have crept
out of caves or crawled from the corners of public baths on their hands
and knees begging for mercy.
If I touch only the hem of his garment, one woman thought, could I bear the look on his face when he wheels around?
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 4th century)
Pharisee-ism repels, pushes away, judges, compares, binds, conforms, weighs down, and imprisons. It says, ”Behold I stand at my door and judge. Prove you are worthy.” It is a legalistic view saying, “ They don’t deserve it, they are not as good as we are. We have to keep them away from us.”
God’s grace and mercy seek. draw, attract, welcome, heal, restores rescue, comfort, help, transform, loosen, lighten, and free. Their cry is, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whosoever. Come, drink freely of the Waters of Salvation."
What draws us to the throne of God's mercy and grace? Mark tells us that many people were drawn to Jesus, including the unwanted and the unlovable, such as the lame, the blind, and the lepers, as well as the homeless such as widows and orphans. But public sinners, like the town prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors, were also drawn to Jesus. In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest of men – a tax collector who by profession was despised by the people. Why did the religious leaders find fault with Jesus for making friends with sinners and tax collectors like Matthew? The orthodox Jews had a habit of dividing everyone into two groups: those who rigidly kept the law and its minute regulations and those who did not. They latter were treated like second class citizens. The orthodox scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table fellowship. Jesus' association with the latter, especially with tax collectors and sinners, shocked the sensibilities of these orthodox Jews. - Don Schwager.
We must ask ourselves, “Am I helping or hindering people from entering the Kingdom of God? What does my life, reactions, and responses say about what I believe?” The following poem may best describe us.
The Star Market
by Marie Howe
The people Jesus loved were shopping at the Star Market yesterday.
An old lead-colored man standing next to me at the checkout
breathed so heavily I had to step back a few steps.
Even after his bags were packed he still stood, breathing hard and
hawking into his hand. The feeble, the lame, I could hardly look at them: shuffling through the aisles, they smelled of decay, as if the Star Market
had declared a day off for the able-bodied, and I had wandered in
with the rest of them—sour milk, bad meat—
looking for cereal and spring water.
Jesus must have been a saint, I said to myself, looking for my lost car
in the parking lot later, stumbling among the people who would have
been lowered into rooms by ropes, who would have crept
out of caves or crawled from the corners of public baths on their hands
and knees begging for mercy.
If I touch only the hem of his garment, one woman thought, could I bear the look on his face when he wheels around?
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 4th century)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Walk In Love
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
(1 Jn 4:16 NASB)
… and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ep 5:2 NASB)
… and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ep 5:2 NIV)
Love is not a set of rules, that if we just follow them, we will be doing it right. As a matter of fact, love is more about being than about doing, Love is more about being Jesus to those we are around, than it is about doing something for them.
If we approach walking in love as doing, we will not draw close to the heart of God, nor will we enable others to. We can do and say a lot of good things, without caring about the individual, but only that we respond correctly. However, we will never be Jesus to those around us without loving Him and them. It is far more than a general love for mankind, though we should have that. It has to be individualized. It has to be towards the person who is before us right now.
Love cares … Love helps … Love gives … Love adds … Love values … Love always wants God’s best for whoever is before us. To quote from 1 Corinthians 13 “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;
The kind of love that God requires we walk in cannot be worked up. It can only be walked out as we worked out what God has put within us. It doesn’t come by study, though that illumines our mind. It doesn’t come by being encourage to, though that will increase our resolve. It only comes as we take time to let the tide of God’s Spirit and God’s Word wash through us, flowing in and flowing back out changing us, changing our motives, and changing those around us.
I came across the following poem which seem to fit well with these thoughts.
Walk In Love
By Curtis R. McComis
As sunshine is to the earth, so is love to a person
Without sunshine, a plant will die
So without love a person will also die
Love is our breath of life
Love is the first gift of the Holy Spirit
Love holds a sick person's hand
Love looks beyond our faults and meets our needs
Love is the vitamins that keeps us healthy
Love stays in all types of weather
Love is the same today and forever
Love heals the broken-hearted
Love is not some kind of feelings and emotions
but love is actions comforting the lonely
Love has eyes to see, and ears to hear
(1 Jn 4:16 NASB)
… and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ep 5:2 NASB)
… and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ep 5:2 NIV)
Love is not a set of rules, that if we just follow them, we will be doing it right. As a matter of fact, love is more about being than about doing, Love is more about being Jesus to those we are around, than it is about doing something for them.
If we approach walking in love as doing, we will not draw close to the heart of God, nor will we enable others to. We can do and say a lot of good things, without caring about the individual, but only that we respond correctly. However, we will never be Jesus to those around us without loving Him and them. It is far more than a general love for mankind, though we should have that. It has to be individualized. It has to be towards the person who is before us right now.
Love cares … Love helps … Love gives … Love adds … Love values … Love always wants God’s best for whoever is before us. To quote from 1 Corinthians 13 “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;
The kind of love that God requires we walk in cannot be worked up. It can only be walked out as we worked out what God has put within us. It doesn’t come by study, though that illumines our mind. It doesn’t come by being encourage to, though that will increase our resolve. It only comes as we take time to let the tide of God’s Spirit and God’s Word wash through us, flowing in and flowing back out changing us, changing our motives, and changing those around us.
I came across the following poem which seem to fit well with these thoughts.
Walk In Love
By Curtis R. McComis
Without sunshine, a plant will die
So without love a person will also die
Love is our breath of life
Love is the first gift of the Holy Spirit
Love holds a sick person's hand
Love looks beyond our faults and meets our needs
Love is the vitamins that keeps us healthy
Love stays in all types of weather
Love is the same today and forever
Love heals the broken-hearted
Love is not some kind of feelings and emotions
but love is actions comforting the lonely
Love has eyes to see, and ears to hear
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Why And Where
I received a question from a friend and thought I would post the answer here also.
WHY IS YOUR BLOG CALLED 'OPEN UP THE GATES", AND WHERE ARE THE REFERENCES FOR THE SCRIPTURE VERSES UNDER IT.
I called it 'Open Up The Gates' to signify a life opened up to God. Not just being open to God and His input, but being opened up to God totally, no holding back, not waiting to see what He will do or say or require, but saying "Yes" to Him before any of that is know.
The Scripture References
I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw… This is from proverbs 24:32, but you need to look at the whole proverb. It is about how God speaks to us with everyday ordinary circumstances, and sometimes not ordinary, to reveal himself, His purposes, His ways, life principles, etc. But we have to observe, think about it, and learn from it.
For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it… This is Job 33:14, and again I recommend reading the whole chapter. It has to do with God speaking to us in various ways even when we don't realize He is.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. This is from Ps 24:7 , and again read the whole Psalm. We have a choice about letting the Lord in (our lives, our homes, our situations, etc). We also have to open the door which takes some effort on our part and we need to have a willingness to accept what He will do or say or change, in other words, what His will will be.
WHY IS YOUR BLOG CALLED 'OPEN UP THE GATES", AND WHERE ARE THE REFERENCES FOR THE SCRIPTURE VERSES UNDER IT.
I called it 'Open Up The Gates' to signify a life opened up to God. Not just being open to God and His input, but being opened up to God totally, no holding back, not waiting to see what He will do or say or require, but saying "Yes" to Him before any of that is know.
The Scripture References
I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw… This is from proverbs 24:32, but you need to look at the whole proverb. It is about how God speaks to us with everyday ordinary circumstances, and sometimes not ordinary, to reveal himself, His purposes, His ways, life principles, etc. But we have to observe, think about it, and learn from it.
For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it… This is Job 33:14, and again I recommend reading the whole chapter. It has to do with God speaking to us in various ways even when we don't realize He is.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. This is from Ps 24:7 , and again read the whole Psalm. We have a choice about letting the Lord in (our lives, our homes, our situations, etc). We also have to open the door which takes some effort on our part and we need to have a willingness to accept what He will do or say or change, in other words, what His will will be.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Purpose of the Desert
(From TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os HillmanMonday, January 07 2008)
Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. - Hosea 2:14
If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy you could not get him to hear you? Distractions prevent us from giving our undivided attention to the messenger. So too, God has His way of taking us aside to get our undivided attention. For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.
God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert.
Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"
He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (2 Samuel 22:20).
Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. - Hosea 2:14
If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy you could not get him to hear you? Distractions prevent us from giving our undivided attention to the messenger. So too, God has His way of taking us aside to get our undivided attention. For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.
God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert.
Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"
He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (2 Samuel 22:20).
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Progression
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Prov 4:18)
The Christian life is to be progressive. It is pictured as darkness being overtaken by dawn’s gentle intrusion breaking into full day. There is to be growth. Without growth, there has been no life exchange, only unknown stumbling in shades of darkness.
Our knowledge of and fellowship with God is to be progressive. We are to be growing in the grace and knowledge of out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our intimacy with God is to be increasing, and as we are learning His ways, we should be increasingly living in such a way that pleases Him.
Our life is to be increasingly illuminated and effected by the Light. That Light dispels darkness, increasingly shows the path of righteous living, and either attracts or repels those around us.
Let’s walk in increasing light as God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 Jn 1:5)
The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travelers can't see a thing; they fall flat on their faces. (Prov 4:18-19 MSG)
The Christian life is to be progressive. It is pictured as darkness being overtaken by dawn’s gentle intrusion breaking into full day. There is to be growth. Without growth, there has been no life exchange, only unknown stumbling in shades of darkness.
Our knowledge of and fellowship with God is to be progressive. We are to be growing in the grace and knowledge of out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our intimacy with God is to be increasing, and as we are learning His ways, we should be increasingly living in such a way that pleases Him.
Our life is to be increasingly illuminated and effected by the Light. That Light dispels darkness, increasingly shows the path of righteous living, and either attracts or repels those around us.
Let’s walk in increasing light as God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 Jn 1:5)
The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travelers can't see a thing; they fall flat on their faces. (Prov 4:18-19 MSG)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Today
Today
Sometimes tomorrow seems to hold more promise than today
Or its worries creep in stealing the blessings and joy of nowEither way we are hindered from walking out the Way
Our tomorrow determined by what has slipped away
Sometimes yesterday seems brighter than today
Or its regrets and sorrows creep in stealing the blessings and joy of now
Either way we are hindered from walking out the Way
Our today determined by what has slipped away -JL
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps 118:24)
It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. -Oswald Chambers
Sometimes tomorrow seems to hold more promise than today
Or its worries creep in stealing the blessings and joy of nowEither way we are hindered from walking out the Way
Our tomorrow determined by what has slipped away
Sometimes yesterday seems brighter than today
Or its regrets and sorrows creep in stealing the blessings and joy of now
Either way we are hindered from walking out the Way
Our today determined by what has slipped away -JL
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps 118:24)
It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. -Oswald Chambers
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Early Morning
Scripture
O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. (Ps 5:1-3)
Meditation
Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict. Patience is not a waiting passivity until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are. When we are impatient we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later and somewhere else. Let’s be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand. -Henri Nouwen
Song
Miracle of the Moment
Steven Curtis Chapman
It's time for letting go
All of our if only's
'Cause we don't have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it?
Would we really want to go change everything
'Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss
the miracle of the moment
There's only One who knows
What's really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He's out there waiting
To Him the future's history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment
And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
Let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go
Let it go, yeah
You gotta let it go
And listen to your heartbeat
And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment
And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle
Of the moment
Verse For Thought
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. (Ps 5:3 MSG)
Friday, January 4, 2008
Think Upon
Think upon the following, taking time to savor their truth, and receive instruction, correction, and guidance.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.(Ps 4:8)
Never run before God's guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt - don't. -Oswald Chambers
A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another’s wounds.
-Henri Nouwen
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Prov 4:18)
Don’t stop with just reading what’s above. Think about each one separately, meditating upon it, rolling it over in your mind, letting God expand it, thereby giving you understanding.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.(Ps 4:8)
Never run before God's guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt - don't. -Oswald Chambers
A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another’s wounds.
-Henri Nouwen
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Prov 4:18)
Don’t stop with just reading what’s above. Think about each one separately, meditating upon it, rolling it over in your mind, letting God expand it, thereby giving you understanding.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Excitement Shows
I was reading Arthur’s New Puppy to my son last night when the following dialog caught my attention:
Arthur held Pal carefully, the way his puppy book showed.
“Look, he’s so excited,” said Arthur
“Look at your pants,” said DW. “You have excitement all over them.”
One thing I got out of this, besides a good laugh, was that excitement shows. People are going to know when we are excited and what we are excited about. Our excitement can be contagious, and will touch others. Therefore, what excites us is of importance, because it will effect others. Taking this thought a bit farther, those that are around us will be able to tell what it is that excites us most in life. May the great excitement of our lives be of great value.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Mt 13:45-46)
------------------------------------------------------------------
But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Ps 3:3 ERV)
Father, no matter what today brings,
Be it things that are hard,
You are a shield about me.
Be it things that are good,
It is You who are my glory.
Be it things that take me down,
You are the lifter of my head.
Be it things that life me up,
You alone are the lifter of my head.
A Shield About Me
Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,
Arthur held Pal carefully, the way his puppy book showed.
“Look, he’s so excited,” said Arthur
“Look at your pants,” said DW. “You have excitement all over them.”
One thing I got out of this, besides a good laugh, was that excitement shows. People are going to know when we are excited and what we are excited about. Our excitement can be contagious, and will touch others. Therefore, what excites us is of importance, because it will effect others. Taking this thought a bit farther, those that are around us will be able to tell what it is that excites us most in life. May the great excitement of our lives be of great value.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Mt 13:45-46)
------------------------------------------------------------------
But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Ps 3:3 ERV)
Father, no matter what today brings,
Be it things that are hard,
You are a shield about me.
Be it things that are good,
It is You who are my glory.
Be it things that take me down,
You are the lifter of my head.
Be it things that life me up,
You alone are the lifter of my head.
A Shield About Me
Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,
You're my glory and the lifter of my head
Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,
You're my glory and the lifter of my head
Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah,Hal-le-lu-jah,
Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah,Hal-le-lu-jah,
You're the lifter of my head
Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah,Hal-le-lu-jah,
You're the lifter of my head
©1980 Spoone Music. Words & Music by Donn Thomas and Charles Williams
©1980 Spoone Music. Words & Music by Donn Thomas and Charles Williams
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Expecting A Surprise
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity. -Henri Nouwen
He went out, not knowing where he was going —Hebrews 11:8
Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. -Oswald Chambers
Suddenly seems to be emphasized to me this morning. I looked at the passages that had “suddenly” in them. Matthew 28:9 seemed especially fresh, “Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Will we recognize Him when He suddenly shows up in the midst of our lives today? Will we worship Him when He surprises us with His activity?
Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son …
(Ps 2:11-12)
He went out, not knowing where he was going —Hebrews 11:8
Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. -Oswald Chambers
Suddenly seems to be emphasized to me this morning. I looked at the passages that had “suddenly” in them. Matthew 28:9 seemed especially fresh, “Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Will we recognize Him when He suddenly shows up in the midst of our lives today? Will we worship Him when He surprises us with His activity?
Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son …
(Ps 2:11-12)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Right Path
Wow … 2008 has come. May it truly be a year of new beginnings.
I liked the following entry found in its entirety at http://donteatalone.blogspot.com/2007/12/thanks-and-yes.html (Don’t Eat Alone). Following are some bits and pieces:
>… As this year rolls into the next, however arbitrary our calendars might be, we don’t know what’s coming and so we have choices to make about how we prepare for the uncertainty. What jumped first to my mind is one of my favorite borrowed prayers, by Dag Hammarskjöld, the former Secretary General of the United Nations:
For all that has been, thanks; for all that will be, yes.
How we choose to embrace what lies ahead is, in large part, determined by how we find meaning in what has already come and gone. Thanks comes before Yes.
In one of my favorite movies – also an Oscar winner, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are looking off the cliff into the water below as their pursuers are gaining ground. Sundance hesitates:
Sundance: I can't swim!
Butch: (laughs) Are you crazy? The fall will probably kill you!
… The truth is the fall is going to kill us; we don’t get to hang out here forever. The truth is most of the stuff we think we have to have or do to make us matter isn’t going to be enough. Knowing that we’re going to die and come up short (not necessarily in that order), how can we choose to live in something other than a posture of fear and self-centeredness?
The answer for me is in saying, “Thanks.”Gratitude gives birth to courage and hope. Gratitude lifts my eyes up beyond my little life. Gratitude opens my heart to love.
The year ahead doesn’t promise to be any less harrowing or hopeless than the one we are completing. There is much in our world that is dangerous, difficult, and wrong. We are in desperate need of leaders who don’t appear to be stepping forward. We have set things in motion we don’t know how to control in many different arenas. And – and – none of that gets the last word.
For the harvests of the Spirit,thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.<
As I lay in bed last night entering into this new year, I had no great promises to promise, no great prayers to pray, no great abilities to dedicate to God’s cause, no great aspirations that I had faith for the accomplishing of, and no great ambitions that I would follow through with. I could only offer myself to God, knowing it would take Him to bring value and use, passion and purpose, and vision and vitality to what was offered.
The Right Path (Psalm 1:1-3)
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Nor stand in the path of sinners,Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,Which yields its fruit in its seasonAnd its leaf does not wither;And in whatever he does, he prospers.
… Lord, may I not pay heed to or walk in ungodly counsel, travel sinful paths, nor be counted among mockers and scoffers. May my delight be in Your Word and my mind and heart captivated by it. May I be as a tree firmly planted by streams of water, yielding fruit for the weary and may I prosper in all I do as I journey on the right path with You. Thank You that blessings will follow me as I follow You …
Blessed is the man who takes his counsel from God’s Word
He will neither stand in the path of the sinner nor sit in the seat of the scoffer.
He will stand on the righteous path, walking in its way.
His delight will be in God and His Word,
And will be ever drinking from the wells of salvation.
He will release fruit to the weary and be marked by God’s presence.
May you be blessed and prosper in all you do as you follow God in 2008.
I liked the following entry found in its entirety at http://donteatalone.blogspot.com/2007/12/thanks-and-yes.html (Don’t Eat Alone). Following are some bits and pieces:
>… As this year rolls into the next, however arbitrary our calendars might be, we don’t know what’s coming and so we have choices to make about how we prepare for the uncertainty. What jumped first to my mind is one of my favorite borrowed prayers, by Dag Hammarskjöld, the former Secretary General of the United Nations:
For all that has been, thanks; for all that will be, yes.
How we choose to embrace what lies ahead is, in large part, determined by how we find meaning in what has already come and gone. Thanks comes before Yes.
In one of my favorite movies – also an Oscar winner, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are looking off the cliff into the water below as their pursuers are gaining ground. Sundance hesitates:
Sundance: I can't swim!
Butch: (laughs) Are you crazy? The fall will probably kill you!
… The truth is the fall is going to kill us; we don’t get to hang out here forever. The truth is most of the stuff we think we have to have or do to make us matter isn’t going to be enough. Knowing that we’re going to die and come up short (not necessarily in that order), how can we choose to live in something other than a posture of fear and self-centeredness?
The answer for me is in saying, “Thanks.”Gratitude gives birth to courage and hope. Gratitude lifts my eyes up beyond my little life. Gratitude opens my heart to love.
The year ahead doesn’t promise to be any less harrowing or hopeless than the one we are completing. There is much in our world that is dangerous, difficult, and wrong. We are in desperate need of leaders who don’t appear to be stepping forward. We have set things in motion we don’t know how to control in many different arenas. And – and – none of that gets the last word.
For the harvests of the Spirit,thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.<
As I lay in bed last night entering into this new year, I had no great promises to promise, no great prayers to pray, no great abilities to dedicate to God’s cause, no great aspirations that I had faith for the accomplishing of, and no great ambitions that I would follow through with. I could only offer myself to God, knowing it would take Him to bring value and use, passion and purpose, and vision and vitality to what was offered.
The Right Path (Psalm 1:1-3)
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Nor stand in the path of sinners,Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,Which yields its fruit in its seasonAnd its leaf does not wither;And in whatever he does, he prospers.
… Lord, may I not pay heed to or walk in ungodly counsel, travel sinful paths, nor be counted among mockers and scoffers. May my delight be in Your Word and my mind and heart captivated by it. May I be as a tree firmly planted by streams of water, yielding fruit for the weary and may I prosper in all I do as I journey on the right path with You. Thank You that blessings will follow me as I follow You …
Blessed is the man who takes his counsel from God’s Word
He will neither stand in the path of the sinner nor sit in the seat of the scoffer.
He will stand on the righteous path, walking in its way.
His delight will be in God and His Word,
And will be ever drinking from the wells of salvation.
He will release fruit to the weary and be marked by God’s presence.
May you be blessed and prosper in all you do as you follow God in 2008.
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