Short posts to provoke daily meditation as you go through a 21 day fast.
The most recent posting is listed at the top of the page.
DAY 21 - THE
RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can
some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the
dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised,
then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to
be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ,
whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
For
if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has
not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then
those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have
hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from
the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came
death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all
die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ
the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Then comes the end, when he delivers the
kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and
power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The
last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "God has put all things in
subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in
subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection
under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also
be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be
all in all. (ESV) 1Co 15:12-28
Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet
shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26 KJV
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as
dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the
first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and,
behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:17-18 KJV
And you, being dead in your sins and
the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers,
he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let
no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday,
or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things
to come; but the body is of Christ. Colossians 2:13-17 KJV
HAVE A GLORIOUS RESURRECTION SUNDAY!
DAY
20 - WHO'S AFRAID OF THIS DEAD MAN, OR IS HE…!?
Now the next day, that followed the day of
the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto
Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver
said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day,
lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people,
He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the
first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go
your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the
sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27:62-66
KJV
As
far as the chief priests and Pharisees were concerned, Jesus was dead! Right?
Yet they were not satisfied! They were remembering a statement that Jesus made several
times while yet alive! He will rise again after three days! All they wanted was
to ensure that He was proven wrong! Once three days passed it was okay and
nothing else mattered. I mean with a secure check made of the tomb, a huge
stone covering the only opening and a set of Roman soldiers standing watch,
what can happen? After all Jesus was
beaten nearly to death by the Romans, nailed and hung from heavy wooden beams
stuck in the ground, had a lance thrust through His side into His heart and
lungs, securely bound from head to toe with linen burial cloth, placed in a
tomb alone and unattended for three days, with a huge boulder covering the only
opening. No way is He getting out of there! Right? If they had only, really
knew their God! But academic and intellectual knowledge never impressed God! Why do the heathen
rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set
themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against
his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast
away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:
the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalms 2:1-4 KJV For the wisdom of this
world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their
own craftiness. 1 Corinthians 3:19 KJV He
disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform
their enterprise. 13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness:
and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. Job 5:12-13 KJV
The
chief priests and Pharisees secured, sealed and set the tomb, trying to put Jesus
in what they think is His place. This is where many people today, would like
Jesus to be! In the place they put Him! They want Him out of the way; secured,
sealed and safeguarded by all their reasoning, rationale and ridicule! As far
as many are concerned God is dead, bound, buried, and behind a big boulder.
They have removed Him out of their lives, out of other people's lives, out of
the way, and out of sight forever. Those who followed Him are cowering in fear,
afraid to show themselves, afraid to speak, afraid to draw attention to themselves
for fear of ridicule, retaliation, retribution and restraints. Because sadly,
many like the disciples, have had their hopes crushed, their dreams destroyed,
and their future uncertain. This is what happens when men think God no longer
matters, and that they, puny mortal men, have everything under control. This is
what happens when believers are afraid, doubtful and uncertain of the
miraculous any more. This is what happens when we allow the enemy to make us
doubt God's Word and Promises!
Whether the saying is true, or not, that you can't keep a good man down, the question actually is, how can you keep The Good God down? How can you even begin to think in your puny mind that you have all the answers when you come up against Yahweh, Who is infinite in all His ways? They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. 7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? 8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Psalms 59:6-8 KJV
Nothing
could be more open and public than a Roman crucifixion! No gimmicks, secret
devices or sleight of hand! All who passed by and cared to observe, could see
Him naked, beaten, battered, torn, scarred and marked beyond recognition hanging
there on the cross. With His hands stretched out wide and nailed, and His feet fastened.
Suspended there without clothes He is saying "See? No tricks up my sleeves for I have no clothes! Nowhere to
hide any devices or gadgets! No use of hand or feet! Behold and observe
well!"
So there He is! In the tomb, secured and sealed, and soldiers of the world's super power posted, to ensure no entrance or 'exit'! That is the extent of man's efforts! They can go no further! And when all seems loss to the believer, and all seems settled to the unbeliever, God does what only God can do! He says, "Hi there!" And we look, and behold, and we see the stone's been rolled away by angelic hands, but His body isn't there! For death cannot keep Him, and the grave cannot hold Him, and the multitude of plots and schemes by men and devils are confounded, and brought to nothing, before the breathtaking grandeur of His Majesty and Divinity, The King of kings and the Lord of lords! And all the enemy can do is make desperate attempts at damage control, by lies and deception, and subterfuge and trickery, and threats and violence, but we're no longer afraid, because Jesus Christ lives, and we shall live also, for He said, I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 14:18-19 KJV
Almighty Father
we shout with glorious joy and triumphant praise, for You are our Lord and our
God! We rejoice in your victory over the enemy, and we rest in your love and
covenant promises to us! May we evermore dwell in Your presence and reflect
Your glory to others!
Verses
for the Heart: Be it known unto you all,
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man
stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of
you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12 KJV
DAY 19 - IT'S DONE WHEN HE SAYS IT'S DONE!
When Jesus therefore had received
the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the
ghost. John 19:30 KJV
"It is finished!" The other three gospels recorded that
Jesus cried with a loud voice before giving up the ghost. Luke also records And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice,
he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he
gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46 KJV
It is in John's gospel that we know what it was Jesus shouted out
before he gave up the ghost! "IT IS FINISHED!"
"It is finished" is translated from one Greek word "tetelestai".
The word was used when the priest had examined an animal for the sacrifice and
found it faultless. It was used when a writer completed his manuscript or an
artist finally finished his painting. It was used when a servant had completed
the task he was ordered to do. When one had completed paying off a debt the
word would be stamped or written on the certificate showing that the debt was
paid in full!
When Jesus shouted before He gave up the ghost it was no cry of
despair or desolation. It was a glorious declaration that reverberated in
heaven, earth and beneath the earth!
TETELESTAI! The Lamb of God was the perfect sacrifice having been thoroughly
vetted, examined, inspected and found to be faultless! Forasmuch
as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV
TETELESTAI!
The masterpiece was completed and the great work was finished and
it was flawless and magnificent in its perfection! And there came a voice from heaven,
saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:11 KJV
For he received from God the Father
honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 2 Peter 1:17 KJV
TETELESTAI! The
work that the Father sent Him to do was concluded and thoroughly done! Jesus
saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish
his work. John 4:34 KJV
But I have greater witness than that
of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works
that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. John 5:36 KJV
TETELESTAI!
The great debt of sin and transgression that had been hanging over
our heads, with impending eternal imprisonment looming before us, had been
canceled, thoroughly and finally! Blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to
us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14 KJV
TETELESTAI!
It's done because He said it's done! All we need to do is believe on Him and His
finished work!
Gracious Father we thank you for the finished work. We thank you
for Jesus the great sacrifice offered on our behalf. We bow in Your presence
and say Father we believe and live in Your grace love and mercy!
Verses
for the Heart: And you, being dead in
your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with
him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting
of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of
the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled
principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them
in it. Colossians 2:13-15 KJV
DAY
18 - OUR KINGDOM AFFILIATION!
John 18:36 KJV Jesus answered, My
kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence.
Jesus has a kingdom! According to the Word of God it's not earthly
nor of this world! It is not detectable with physical eyes, for this kingdom is
within us, and will be manifest in the end! In His kingdom the humble, and those
persecuted for righteousness sake, are blessed. This kingdom existed before any
earthly kingdom. This kingdom of God spreads universally, and cannot be
conquered. It is the stone cut off without hands in Nebuchadnezzar's dream,
that shatters all earthly kingdoms, whether past, present or future, turning
them into dust that disappears!
The penitent thief's dying petition was, Lord,
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him,
Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43
KJV To
gain entrance into this kingdom, or to even see it, we must be born again! To enter this kingdom we have to be converted, and become
as little children for flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption. 1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV
When we are born physically into this world's kingdom, we are able
to use our physical senses to observe and discern. In like manner, when we are
born again into the kingdom of God as spiritual babes, we learn to exercise our
newly acquired spiritual senses to discern and observe the spiritual kingdom. Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born
when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be
born? 5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:3-5
KJV
Without
physical senses we are severely handicapped, if not dead, in the physical world.
We will not know what is going on or how to respond! In like manner without spiritual senses being
exercised, we're unable to discern and operate in the spiritual kingdom! For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17 KJV For the kingdom of God is not in word,
but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 KJV Continuous and
proper use of our spiritual senses exercises them, and cause them to develop,
enabling effective discernment between good and evil. But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 KJV
To become effective in the spiritual kingdom, we must feed on the kingdom
food and breathe in the kingdom atmosphere! It is only as we dwell in the presence
of the Lord and feed on His Word, that we are strengthened and able to rise up
to the challenges of everyday. We need to make a deliberate choice in our
affiliation with God's Kingdom for No man can serve two masters: for
either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 KJV
Eternal
Father we ask for your enlightenment and wisdom in our daily walk in the
Spirit. Like Mary we chose that good part which You said shall not be taken
away! Strengthen us daily as we exercise our spiritual senses and learn from
You to live as Citizens of the Kingdom of God!
Verses
for the Heart: Wherefore we receiving a
kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God
acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming
fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 KJV
DAY 17 - HEARING AND HEEDING THE VOICE OF TRUTH!
Pilate
therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that
I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world,
that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth
heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when
he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find
in him no fault at all. John 18:37-38 KJV
Men with their own agenda are not interested in the truth! They are only interested in, and seeking ways to enhance their image and position in the eyes of the world!
As believers are we
interested in the truth? Do we seek out the truth of a matter? Or do we just
run with whatever our friends, family and those we like tells us! Many out of a
misplaced sense of loyalty, will take the side of that which they feel is the
wronged party! They set themselves up as judge, jury and executioner! Many
become self anointed in their personal crusade, and leave themselves as open
prey to the enemy who loves to distort truth and embellish it with a lie!
Pilate himself admitted
not once, but three times in John's gospel, that he found no fault in Jesus.
Yet he refused to act in truth and justice, and instead gave Jesus over to be
crucified. Why? Because of popularity and political correctness!
He was warned by his
wife to have nothing to do with that just man, but all Pilate did was wash his
hands and declared himself innocent of any wrong doing! The Jewish leaders
cleverly played him, probing at his vanity and ambition, and he fell right into
their hands! In effect he said "Away with truth! I look out for my own!"
As Christians today in
an increasingly hostile and anti Christian world, we are faced daily with
challenges to our Christian standards and faith!
As
more and more yield to compromise, the line between truth and lie becomes
blurred, and Christians find themselves living in a fuzzy zone. They become
content to let things roll along, refusing to take a prayerful stand, until
they find themselves being rolled over!
Let's
not be like Pilate, refusing to recognize Truth standing before him and instead,
backing down like a coward before political pressure! Jesus said Every one that is of the truth hears His voice!
The Bible warns that the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV
But
Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, If ye
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32 KJV
Father of Truth,
help us to walk as children of the Truth. Help us to speak the truth in love,
and to continuously embrace the truth of the gospel! Let our faith be
uncompromising in declaring and upholding the truth, that we may constantly hear the voice of
Jesus.
Verses
for the Heart: Therefore seeing we have
this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2
Corinthians 4:1-2 KJV
DAY 16 - THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF HUMBLE SERVICE!
So
after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down
again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye
call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I
then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one
another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should
do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The
servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he
that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do
them. John 13:12-17 KJV How often have we refused to do something in His service, simply
because it was not glamorous enough, or because it would not be recognized and
applauded by men? How often have we refused because we thought something was
too demeaning and beneath us and our status?
Christ has a lot to say
about service and humility, not by words alone but by His actions. Of a
certain group He said, But
all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, Matthew 23:5 KJV. Jesus continued, Neither
be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But
he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted. Matthew 23:10-12 KJV
At
one time when the disciples were arguing about privilege and greatness, Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know
that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over
them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But
so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be
your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest,
shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark
10:42-45 KJV
We
live in a culture today that is extremely narcissistic from leaders to
followers! The Word refers to such as murmurers, complainers,
walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words,
having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 1:16 KJV In today's culture
we see this same tendency for ministers to
be exalted and given fancy titles and privileges, and even demanding such! We are
obsessed with ourselves and self importance,
and we tend to forget that the word 'minister'
in the Word refers to those who are in a position of service.
As
mentioned earlier, Jesus has much to say about service and humility. He also demonstrated
this by His own lifestyle when He made himself of
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:7-8 KJV As
believers let us likewise examine ourselves before God, humble ourselves like
He did, and follow His steps.
Gracious Father,
we pray that we will constant look to the Beloved Son as our example of
ultimate servant hood, and follow His steps, in obedience to his command
"Follow Me" We pray that we will be humbly eager to serve Him without
regard to our reputation or status in society.
Verses
for the Heart: But so shall it not be among you: but
whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And
whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For
even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45 KJV
DAY 15 - THE PRODIGAL EXTRAVAGANCE OF GOD'S
LOVE!
John
12:3 KJV Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly,
and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of
the ointment
The alabaster box
exploded with a profusion of fragrance, that invaded every crevice of the
dwelling, and in a clarion olfactory tone, demanded to be noticed!
And it indeed caught the attention
of all present! None could ignore its aromatic voice as it dripped with imperious
authority from the just anointed feet of Jesus! Mary, who had accomplished this
act, suddenly was the focus of all stares, both curious, and censorious.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas
Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold
for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared
for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was
put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her a,lone: against the
day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me
ye have not always. John 12:4-8 KJV
Jesus
defended the action and commended Mary, and at the same time noted that her
action had a prophetic significance. She had kept the ointment in preparation
for His burial! Did Mary understand the deeper significance of her act? We are
not told but Jesus made it clear that she had committed a beautiful deed in
doing what she did. Furthermore He declared that wherever the gospel is
preached in the whole world, the incident will be related as a memorial of her!
There came unto him a woman having an
alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat
at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had
indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For
this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman?
for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11 For ye have the poor always
with you; but me ye have not always.
12 For in that she hath poured
this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the
whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a
memorial of her. Matthew 26:7-13 KJV
In
a splendidly significant way, the act also illustrated the extravagance of
God's love. His Beloved Son came into the world as an ordinary human, but
locked up within Him was all the goodness, love and grace of the Father. His
was the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Then
came that dreadfully, glorious day on Calvary, when that ordinary body was
broken for us! And the lavish love of Father God spilled in copiously abundant
waves from His only begotten Son, and filled the whole world with its
fragrance! There is nothing in this world, or in any other time, place or
dimension, that can even begin to compare in value to the precious aroma of His
forgiving love and grace, as it flowed freely that day. We are the unworthy
recipients of the glorious shower of sweetness and grace, and we are invited to
stand under this outpouring. We are invited to be anointed and covered from
head to feet in the prodigally extravagant fragrance of His love. We are invited to carry with us, wherever we
go, this sweet savor of His love and grace that overwhelms all, and demands
attention whether commending or condemning. Let us endeavor to carry His
fragrance faithfully, and not allow anything to diminish the splendor of His
love!
Beloved Father
we are so thankful that your alabaster box of love was broken and spilled out
for us to be saturated with the sweetness of Your love. Help us that we also
may be broken and spilled out for You every day of this life.
Verses
for the Heart: Be ye therefore followers
of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved
us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling
savour. Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV
From the west, heading toward Jerusalem, came a procession
with pomp and splendor, guards and armored security, flashing blades and
horses! Pilate, the representative of the world's super power had come to the
Passover convention, later being joined by Herod!
From the east, also heading toward Jerusalem, came another
procession, with common people waving palm branches and yelling Hosanna to a
Man on a donkey! Jesus, the Creator and Ruler of the Eternal Kingdom riding in
meekly on His way to His purpose, and the fulfillment of prophecy.
The heads of the two processions were heading towards a confrontation, resulting in a finale, where one who would seek to gain fame and popularity, would go down in history as a weak, compromising and indecisive leader. Pilate, who to his everlasting shame and infamy, despite warnings from his conscience and wife, when the chips were down, failed to stand up for what was right, and condemned to death Truth and Righteousness, releasing lawlessness and mayhem in its place.
And while Pilate went into shameful obscurity, Truth and
Righteousness which he ordered crushed, would rise again, triumphant over every
system and rule ever devised by man or devils, to reign forever over all.
On the next day much people that were come
to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried,
Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And
Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's
colt. John 12:12-15 KJV
The people gave Jesus a tremendous welcome and cried out Hosanna with great urgency. Hosanna…Save now! They looked for relief from an oppressive government and a tyrannical dictator, and anticipated a physical showdown, as the good guy rode in from the east to confront the bad guys! The interim showdown in the temple must have heartened the people, who anticipated a full scale uprising against the oppressor. What they did not realize was that God was moving toward a greater confrontation with the very forces of evil, with intent to destroy him who had the power of death!
At the time the followers could not understand what was going on, and why everything appeared to be lost. However the triumphant resurrection of Jesus from the grave, and His glorification by the Father, created the way for an everlasting victory and a powerful response to the cry of Hosanna! Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 KJV. Therefore Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9 KJV
As our
hearts constantly reach out to Him in its desperate cry of Hosanna, let us
remember that He has already won the victory on our behalf. Let us reach out in
faith and rest with confidence in Him Who is able to save to the utmost, and
Who is the same to all who call on Him!
Merciful Father we thank You for Jesus who
is able to respond most effectively to the hunger cry of Hosanna! We thank you
that You have responded to our cry with far more that we expected or deserved.
Help us to forever glorify You for this eternal salvation.
Verses for the
Heart: For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For
the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For
there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over
all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:10-13 KJV
DAY 13 - THE ABSURDITY
OF AGREEING TO DISAGREE!
Can
two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3 KJV.
The world, and in
particular the US has coined many phrases, clichés or idioms to describe their
philosophy, feelings or point of view. Some can be sublime, while others are
inane and ridiculously bizarre! Christians usually hop on the bandwagon and adopt
these phrases without testing their validity by the Word and sometimes frame
their whole lifestyle thereafter on an absurdity!
Strangely though, one of
the popular clichés, "agree to disagree", seems to have originated
within Christian circles in the18th century by a preacher!
Simply defined, people
are agreeing that they will disagree over a debatable point or argument.
Neither side will accept that the other is right, so they agree to disagree in
order to end the argument! Problem solved right? Wrong! The issues remains and
none is willing to touch it due to the friction and heat resulting! We become
like the little child with eyes closed, in the middle of a crowded room
believing that because she can't see them then they can't see her too. Burying
our heads in the sand does not make the issue or problem go away. Rather it
continues to fester and worsen and can only result in grave consequences.
Many of God's children
close their eyes to sin in the church, just to keep the peace. Many are fully
aware of the unscriptural behavior and habits of their Christian friends or
relatives, but prefer to turn a blind eye in the interest of "peace"
and "harmony".
But agreeing to
disagree may result in inaction and complacency, and solves no problems. There
are times when people just can't get along, and agreeing to disagree just
doesn't cut it!
Agreeing to disagree
usually assumes that both sides have valid points but are willing to let things
flow for the sake of unity and peace.
Agreeing to disagree is
the philosophy behind the moves to unite various branches of professed
Christians, and also various religious groups and bodies. Chrislam comes to
mind!
When we agree to
disagree there is no solution! Paul had to rebuke Peter to his face for
dissimulating. There was no agreement there! It was a matter of what was right
and what was wrong.
As a Christian the Bible
is the final Word on the matter, not what a man feels, or what a group feels. The
problem comes when each group comes up with their own interpretation of what
the Word says! We should bear in mind that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2
Peter 1:20-21 KJV
Be
certain of this one thing, that God's Word does not disagree with itself, but
is a harmonious whole. God's opinion of sin and its consequences has not
changed, and will not change. Jesus died for a reason that was vital enough to
warrant His death. No other plan or philosophy can change God's mind concerning
the consequences of sin. We need to agree with God about what God said. There
is no room for agreeing to disagree in God's heaven!
Holy
Father help us to seek your will in all things. Strengthen us so that we will
not compromise your truth but will in love continue to preach, proclaim and
teach it regardless of the consequences.
Verses for the Heart: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV
DAY 12 - GOD NOTICES WHEN WE FAIL TO GLORIFY HIM!
God takes notice when
you glorify and give thanks to Him! He also notices when you neglect to do so
and wants to know why!
In Luke chapter 17, ten
lepers cried out to Jesus for mercy. All ten were told to go show themselves to
the priests, all ten obeyed, and while they were going, all ten were cleansed!
Then just one turned back and with a loud voice glorified God.
And
as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers,
which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said,
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said
unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as
they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that
he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16
And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a
Samaritan. Luke 17:12-16 KJV
Before the healing their common misery united them, even though the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. After the healing they went their separate ways.
Nine kept going, back
into the anonymity of their now ordinary lives. One, the Samaritan, was overwhelmed
with joy at what God had done for him, and he returned to glorify God. He was
not quiet about it! He caught the Lord's attention and we therefore know more about
that one than of the nine! Their lives deviated at the point of their healing
encounter with The Lord. We can only offer unsubstantiated speculation why the
nine did not return with the Samaritan. But the Lord noticed and He commented
on it. He also pointed out that a stranger, the Samaritan, returned to thank
Him, and we can only guess at the identity of the others! And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten
cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that
returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luke 17:17-18 KJV You can
feel the sadness in the Lord's voice as He wonders at the indifference and neglect
of the other nine.
Maybe we can excuse them by saying that they were obeying the command to show themselves to the priests, and were probably thankful in their hearts and glorifying Jesus as they went. Yet one man disrupted this legal requirement, because something else was of far greater importance to him. The priests could wait! Gratitude was more important and glorifying God took precedence over any other activity. He fell down at Jesus' feet and gave Him thanks!
Do we take for granted what God has done in our lives? Do we express our gratitude and thanks to Him for what He has done? More important are we prepared to disrupt our normal walk to give Him our complete attention and time?We should not be satisfied with a return to anonymity of a routine normal existence and lifestyle! We have had an encounter with the King of kings and Lord of lords! It's no longer business as usual, and we should not let anyone ever convince us otherwise! It's time to glorify God loudly! We always get His attention with our praise. He notices our action and draws attention to it! Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalms 50:23 KJV
Jesus pointed out that only one returned to give glory to God! Of course that earned him, not only the commendation of the Lord, but complete wholeness as well. He received more than a physical cleansing! And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke 17:19 KJV. This Samaritan not only knew who healed him, but he also realized that the Healer took precedence over everything, and every other person. The priests could wait! God came first! It is a timely reminder that we need to get our priorities right! Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Eternal Father help me today to see that You
take pre-eminence over all things. Open my eyes daily to Your benefits, help me
to seek after You with gratitude, thanksgiving and praise for You alone are
worthy!
Verses for the Heart: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for
the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34 KJV
DAY 11 - THE TALEBEARER VS. THE PEACEMAKER
Remember the story of the repentant Gossip who promised to retract the lie from
everyone it was told to? The Rabbi told the Gossip to take a feather
pillow, open it and shake it out in the wind. He then tells the Gossip to
pick up every single feather he had scattered, but since they had been blown
far and wide by the wind, it was of course an impossible task. The moral?
Gossiping or tale bearing like the feathers, once they leave you
are gone, and can never all be retrieved.
There is
always a feather or two left somewhere!!
Please be careful what you say about others, and what you
share with others!
God specifically forbids tale bearing or gossiping. Thou shalt not go up and down as a
talebearer among thy people:neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy
neighbour: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:16 KJV
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and
they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 18:8 KJV. This was repeated for emphasis! The words
of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the
belly. Proverbs 26:20-22 KJV
The gossip or talebearer uses words to hurt their fellowman
in a very deep way. Some people keep loaning their tongue to the devil. The
tragedy is that there is always someone ready to listen to the distasteful
story! You may say you don't want to, but that itching curiosity urges you to
listen.
Paul in his instructions to Timothy, cautioned him about the
gossipers saying, And withal they
learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but
tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 1
Timothy 5:13 KJV.
Backbiters and whisperers are listed right there along with
the other malignant sins in Paul's list: And even as they did
not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate
mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled
with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;
full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,
without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing
the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death,
not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:28-32
KJV
A malicious gossip can destroy a very good friendship, but a
faithful child of God will seek to protect the honor of the brethren. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth
chief friends. Proverbs 16:28 KJV He that
covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter
separateth very friends. Proverbs 17:9 KJV
Often the gossiping Christian portrays themselves as being
concerned and caring, but yet they go right ahead and destroy others with their
slanderous tongue! They feel righteous when they speak evil about others, and
display the faults of others! As Christians we are called to be peacemakers,
and it's our job to build up the brethren rather than destroy them!
The Bible says to beware of the talebearer and not to meddle
with them: He that goeth about as a talebearer
revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 20:19 KJV
If we constantly refuse to listen to
the talebearer they will soon be out of a job! Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:20 KJV
Be aware that in no way does this
condone sin, for He that covereth his sins shall not
prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 KJV
However
it is not our job or ministry to broadcast a man's faults. Remember when Jesus
said He that
is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John 8:7 KJV?
Remember also
that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones!
Again we are called to be peacemakers not talebearers! Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God. Matthew 5:9 KJV
We are cautioned To speak evil of no
man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Titus 3:2 KJV
Let's not destroy with our tongue those for whom Christ
died!
Precious
Father please help us to keep a guard on our tongue. We pray that we will be swift
to hear but slow to speak. We pray that we will endeavor to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace. Help us as we seek daily to build up the
brethren rather than tear them down, and that any correction to be done should
be done in patience and love, considering ourselves lest we be tempted.
Verses
for the Heart: Let no corrupt
communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And
grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32 KJV
DAY 10 - DETOURS TO DESTINATION OR WE'RE NOT LED
IN STRAIGHT LINES!
Jesus said Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is
the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew
7:13-14 KJV
The gate may be
"strait" but the traveling is not straight! Our Christian path is not
always in straight lines. The ultimate goal is before us, but we may go through
many detours on our way there! Sometimes detours happen because we strayed from
the way, and failed to move along His directed path, while others are His
carefully laid out experiences for exercises in maturity! How we respond and
handle them will determine our progress.
Joseph had what appeared
to be a straight forward dream, but he did not have a straight path to his
destiny! From being hated by his brothers, to being tossed into a pit,
sold into slavery, falsely accused, then tossed into a prison, all over a span
of twenty plus years, does not seem
like a way to fulfillment, yet it was
the way God took him! Hear what Joseph tells his brothers: Now
therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither:
for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For
these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years,
in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7 And
God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save
your lives by a great deliverance.
8 So now it was not you that
sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord
of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Genesis 45:5-8
KJV
"…it was not you that sent me hither, but God…!" Who would have thought that because his brethren hated him,
they would have been instrumental in launching him on the road to his destiny?
Note that even though they had planned to kill him, God had decreed otherwise! Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of
wrath shalt thou restrain. Psalms 76:10
KJV
Another young man, David,
was anointed to be king over Israel while he was still a teenager. However his
life was no picnic after that, for he was kept on the run for his life by a
jealous king. David was kept on the run,
in a direction opposite from that given to him by the anointing! Even though he
had opportunity to kill Saul, he refused to do so, trusting Yahweh to work out
His plan! David was thirty years old when he actually became king over all
Israel!
God's plan for lives may
take us in a direction which may puzzle us. Often we may want to question the
way He leads, but we can be assured that He leads well, and His purposes are fulfilled
to His glory! That's why the apostle Paul could say, But I would ye should understand, brethren,
that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in
all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in
the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word
without fear. Philippians 1:12-14 KJV
Jesus said These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world. John 16:33
KJV
There we have it! Peace
and good cheer! The tribulations will come He says, but in Him we will have
peace. It's a peace which the world will never understand, but this peace keeps
the believer, and lets him know he is in God's will! That is the reason to be
of good cheer, to be courageous because He overcame, and in Him we overcome! So as we walk in this Way, we remember that
he is the Way! If we are traveling along the Way it means we are moving in
Christ Jesus because He is the Way. Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. John 14:6 KJV
That Way led to a cross! If we will follow Him we will have to go the way of
the cross. but He's there with us for he hath said, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my
helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:6 KJV
Paul,
whose life was a series of detours on his way to glory, was able to say, For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless
I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
Heavenly Father
we are grateful that you show interest in us as individuals, and have purposed
to lead each one of us along a unique path, to glorify Your Name. May our
lives be yielded to You, and may our walk be in obedience and submission to You
always.
Verses
for the Heart: And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 KJV
DAY 9 - YOKING AROUND WITH THE MASTER!
A yoke is an implement of subjection and surrender. It was a wooden beam with two recessed areas on the underside, to fit over the necks of animals such as oxen, used to pull carts, ploughs or other loads. Usually in training, a new animal attached to the yoke with a seasoned animal. The experienced animal serves as a guide and stabilizing influence.
Like it or not we are all yoked to something. Being born into this
world, we are yoked to sin and evil, but have become so accustomed to a
lifetime of servitude to the enemy, that it seems a natural state of life and
existence. It's why so often people are deaf and even violently opposed to
the gospel of Jesus Christ. But if our gospel be hid, it
is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
KJV
Being yoked to sin and evil is a lifetime of bondage and slavery
which only results in eternal death. For
the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 KJV
That
is why Jesus came into the world! He came to set us free from that grievous
yoke which was steering us into a lost eternity! Forasmuch
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise
took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through
fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV
Jesus
wants to lead us in a new and better direction, so He invites us to break free
from the grievous, burdensome yoke of death. He wants us to yoke up with him
and follow His lead. Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
It
is a wonderful thing to exchange the burdensome yoke of the harsh taskmaster, who rewards with nothing
but death, for the easy and light yoke of the King of kings and the Lord of
lords! Jesus yokes Himself with us and all we have to do is follow His lead!
As
we go 'yoking' around with the Master, we need to be aware that the enemy would
like to get us back in his yoke. He will entice us away from the freedom in
Christ, and try to tie us up in all forms of legality and burdens that will
slow us down, or bring us to a standstill in our walk with the Lord! Stand fast therefore in
the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with
the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
As
we continually look into the Word of liberty, we learn what we should avoid in
order to walk in the liberty of Christ. So let us continue to walk in the
liberty of the Spirit For, brethren, ye have been called unto
liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve
one another. Galatians 5:13 KJV
Father God, by
your Spirit within us grant us illumination and understanding of Your Holy
Word, so that we can walk in the freedom of Your Spirit and the liberty of Your Word. Help us to be
securely yoke to You so that our steps will be guided by Your slightest tug.
Verses
for the Heart: Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God
with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will
dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you, 18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
DAY 8 - DON'T BE WILLINGLY IGNORANT!
While many live by, and
believe in the old saying 'ignorance is bliss', wouldn't you like know that
your pilot can really fly? or the chauffeur can really drive? We would not
trust ourselves to be a passenger simply because we like the person, or the way
he speak or look! Lack of knowledge can be dangerous in such, and similar circumstances!
I would certainly like
to know that the person I trust, whether it be a pilot, a professor, a
politician or a preacher, is qualified to justify that trust! Being ignorant of
the facts is something that can often be easily remedied, by seeking out the
truth, thereby getting rid of the ignorance, for as the Word says: The
heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh
knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 KJV
Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV
The
heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools
feedeth on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14
KJV
There are many today who
place their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, at high risk, by ignoring
or choosing to be ignorant of the truth, even to the point of becoming offended
with those who dare to share the truth! God said My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing
thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4:6 KJV An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but
through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Proverbs 11:9 KJV
If we are willingly ignorant, there remains no solution, but the painful reality that comes, when we are finally confronted with the consequences of our deliberate ignorance and rejection of the truth:
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of
God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the
water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in
store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men. 2Pe 3:5-7 KJV
For
if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:26-27 KJV
In this world there are men who would deliberately keep the truth from us, in order to exploit us to their advantage. Whether it is in the work place, or in the political arena, or in the church, repressing the truth or substituting with a half truth (which is a half lie), or a barefaced lied, is usually done to misdirect the gullible, and often the intelligent who is just too lazy to sort out the truth. I have often heard members from various churches pompously echo "trust no man". Yet these same members will swallow whole, the baloney being peddled by men and women of this world, with an axe to grind, or an agenda to accomplish! For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13 KJV
In this world there are men who would deliberately keep the truth from us, in order to exploit us to their advantage. Whether it is in the work place, or in the political arena, or in the church, repressing the truth or substituting with a half truth (which is a half lie), or a barefaced lied, is usually done to misdirect the gullible, and often the intelligent who is just too lazy to sort out the truth. I have often heard members from various churches pompously echo "trust no man". Yet these same members will swallow whole, the baloney being peddled by men and women of this world, with an axe to grind, or an agenda to accomplish! For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13 KJV
We need to know! Lack of
knowledge results in destruction of effectiveness in the believer's life and
loss of what God planned for us. However The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 KJV
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge:
but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Proverbs 12:1 KJV
It
was the apostle Paul's constant desire and prayer That
I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10 KJV
Father of Lights,
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,
help me today as I meditate on Your Word. Let the light of its entrance
illuminate my heart and life, and help me to share the knowledge of your truth
to others, so that their path can also be illuminated with Your light.
Verses
for the Heart: Wisdom crieth without; she
uttereth her voice in the streets:
21 She crieth in the chief place
of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words,
saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love
simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate
knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour
out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Proverbs 1:20-23
KJV
DAY 7 - OUR REASON
TO GLORY!
What
is it that I glory in, that I am proud of? What do I like to steer the
conversation around to eventually? There are always so many things that men are
proud of, and delight to point out to others!
Many
frame and put their multitude of certificates in prominent positions on their
walls to catch the eyes of those who enter. Many are proud of the job they
do, the houses they own and their achievements. Many show off their skills and
talents hoping for approval and praise!
Nebuchadnezzar
was proud of his achievements and did not
hide it At the end of twelve months he walked in the
palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is
not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the
might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? Daniel 4:29-30 KJV. Despite the warning vision
from God and the advice of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar went ahead and talked himself
into madness! While the word was in the king's mouth,
there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is
spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from
men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make
thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou
know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will. Daniel 4:31-32 KJV
Some
boast of their mischief and the wicked things they have done. Instead of being
ashamed, they glory in it and promote it. When Doeg the Edomite came and told
Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. David
responded in these words: Why boastest thou
thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth
continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp
razor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying
rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou lovest all devouring
words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he
shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee
out of the land of the living. Selah. Psalms 52:1-5 KJV
The
bodybuilder tries to flex and show off his well defined muscles at every
opportunity. The learned promote their wisdom and learning. The rich with their
flagrant displays and excessive lifestyle flaunt their wealth in the face of
others!
But
God is not pleased with this, and spoke to Israel through Jeremiah: Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his
wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that
he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things
I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV
What
does God require us to glory in? That we understand and know Him! That we know
God is the One who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the
earth.
What
makes you proud today? Do ye think that the
scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But
he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble. James 4:5-6 KJV
When
we are in service for Him we should remember His words : So
likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you,
say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to
do. Luke 17:10 KJV
Gracious
Father forgive us for boasting of that which brings no glory to You. Help your
servants to remember that when we have done what we need to do, we are unprofitable servants, not deserving of Your
love and grace. Thank You for bestowing such love and grace on us.
Verses
for the heart: Go to now, ye that say, To
day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and
buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the
morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little
time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will,
we shall live, and do this, or that.
16 But now ye rejoice in your
boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17 Therefore to him that knoweth
to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:13-17 KJV
DAY
6 - WHO TOUCHED ME?
And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all
denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng
thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus
said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
Luke 8:45-46 KJV
Who
touched me? What a question!
The
response of the disciples to Jesus' question reveals a tremendous truth to us.
Many were touching him but in the accumulated touches He felt one particular
touch! And Jesus said, Who touched me?
The
point exactly! Many were touching Him because they were thronging and pressing
Him. Jesus was hemmed in by the crowd of people touching Him constantly. In all
this close contact this lonely woman came, not in front but from behind, and
touched, not His person, but the BORDER of His garment! AND HE FELT IT!!!
Sort
of gives you some goose bumps huh?
Mark
5:30 has Him asking, Who touched my clothes?
Somewhat
like us today. We’re so many experts on the LORD and His theology. We can
probably pride ourselves on being in contact with Him; that we know His will
and are close to Him, touching Him every day, all the time. Then along comes a
stranger, not even accepted in society, probably has no friends on
Facebook...well who needs those?
But
here she comes...an outcast of society, certainly not in our circle of
friends...no! no! no! we pick our friends with care. But she comes and is not
noticed by us, or ignored by us, and she makes the slightest of contacts with
His garment's border...and POWER FLOWS! HEALING IS ACTIVATED! SHE IS MADE
WHOLE!!!
And
we cry! "Is that fair?" I have served so long! I have prayed! I have
cried over and over again. But You did not do it for me! Why? Why Lord?
Yet
He saw you praying! He saw you and loved you! He longed to help you but could
not, because it required something to make it work! It required the same thing
that Jesus commended the woman for!
"Thy
FAITH hath made thee whole!"
Yes
she touched in desperate faith...with a desire that superseded her pride, fear
and pain. She believed with all her heart that if she could only get near
enough to touch His clothes she would receive it.
YES!
She
removed the insulation and made close contact because of faith and God requires
faith to work on your behalf because without faith it is impossible to please
Him. We on the other hand go through the motions of connecting with Him but we
have insulated ourselves from Him.
Note:
Many pressed against Jesus but only one touch received healing!
And
in all the noise, press and crowd confusion Jesus felt that single solitary
touch! Why? Because it was a touch of faith, and it drew something out from
Him. Power flowed from Him at that touch!
Wherever
we are today in our lives, regardless of how rejected we may feel, or how
lonely, or how needy we are, we can so touch Him that He will be aware of our
action. The curious, indifferent and inquisitive touch is of no significance,
but when we reach out in our desperation, need and faith to Him, something in
Him responds and He is aware of us.
This
woman was in the place where many of us find ourselves today. Unaccepted,
rejected and outside the socially accepted circles. We have reached the point
where we even doubt God cares about us or will accept us. We have reached the
place where we desperately want something but feel we're not good enough to
approach God openly. It is vital for you to know that God cares!!! Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for
you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV He said Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 KJV. He said All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him
that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:37 KJV
He
cares about you even if you think He does not, and His healing whether it be
for your body, soul or spirit is for anyone who will believe Him and His
Word!
Our Father in
Heaven help us to recognize and realize today that we can still reach out and
touch You. Help Your people to realize that You have not ceased to care for
them. Grant that daily we may see You as our Source, the Author and finisher of
our faith! Help us to reach out to You for our needs and for the needs of
others, and that You be glorified in all.
Verses
for the Heart: For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV
So often we see
it happen! A huge stage, bright spotlights, flashing disco type colored lights,
even some colored smoke! There are hundreds or thousands, gathered before the
stage, where a performer, or performers, plays to the crowd with a self
gratifying response. When it is all over and the crowd has gone the questions
linger. What do they remember? What did they take away? How have they changed?
And of vital importance, Who did they see?
And
there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of
Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:20-21
KJV
In all our
frenzied activity and efforts to put on a great or outstanding presentation who
are we presenting? Is it Jesus? In our missionary efforts and in church
activities who are we presenting? Is it Jesus?
When it comes
down to the basics, where the rubber meets the road this whole thing is all
about Jesus.
When we preach or
teach it is all about Jesus, not about how fashionable we look or how well we
can speak, or how charismatic we are. No church can survive as a church of
Jesus Christ unless it jealously exalts, lifts up and glorifies Jesus continuously.
Without this it can no longer be called a church. It is just a gathering of
people with another purpose, an organization, a club call it what you will.
When we worship
it is all about Jesus, not about how good we can sing, how flashy we look, how
well I can play. It's not about who plays better, or who sings better or who
leads better? It's all about if people have been lifted up to the realm of
worshiping Jesus and seeing no one saves Jesus! We are not heard because of our
much speaking and singing...or maybe they hear only us and never hear
Jesus!
When we
testify, we are not the hero or star. Some testimonies are so full of self and
a show of flesh that it is difficult to see the part Jesus played.
It is possible
for a person to leave a service or church gathering with a filled feeling but
with no nourishment. This is because they have not fed on the Bread of Life.
They have not drank from the Water of Life. The satisfied feeling is purely
deceptive and ultimately destructive.
We have
exchanged the Spirit for fleshly feelings, God for the glitter and glamour of
excessive exhibition and have gathered around altars of strange fires! No flesh
shall glory in His presence for flesh brings Him no glory! God is not pleased
when fleshly demonstrations replace Him. I am the LORD:
that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to
graven images. Isaiah 42:8 KJV
Hath a
nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed
their glory for that which doth not profit. 12
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very
desolate, saith the LORD. 13 For my people have committed two evils; they have
forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken
cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:11-13 KJV
Our hearts' cry
and desire should always be "We would see Jesus!"
When the Greeks
requested to see Jesus it was not mere curiosity, for all they had to do was simply
stand and stare to see Him physically! No, they wanted something more! They
wanted communion with Him, close discussion with Him. They had come to
Jerusalem to worship at the feast. They had already seen Jesus riding into
town! They had seen the crowds adoring and exalting him. They had also seen
Jesus clear the temple courts of the commercialism...a welcome
relief! They were not interested in the commercialism or glitter. They
wanted to see Jesus. To speak to Him. To commune with Him. To interact with Him
who had impressed them so much. And here is the "wide open"
secret! The only moving principle in the church is Jesus! Without Him we're
just playing charades, where we're at liberty to guess at what is being
presented for it will certainly not be Jesus!
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."
Helen H. Lemmel
Beloved Father, even as you spoke on the Mount of
Transfiguring, "This is My Beloved Son Hear Him", so let us listen
only for Jesus, in every hymn we sing, in every sermon we preach and in every
lesson we teach. May our worship always be only Jesus! May our testimony
glorify Jesus! May our lives reflect and radiate Jesus!
Verses for the Heart: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech
or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For
I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear,
and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of
power: 5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power
of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 KJV
DAY 4 - THE EMBODIMENT OF THE RESURRECTION!
It's always a thrill to
revisit the scene before Lazarus' tomb! A crowd of skeptical mourners. Sympathetic but bemused followers. Hurting and
disillusioned relatives. All assembled near the tomb when Jesus said, Take ye
away the stone!
More protests and skepticism
follow, but the stone is removed. Then His voice, 'as the sound of many waters',
saturated with authority, filled the surroundings and reverberated with power,
as He thundered "Lazarus come forth!"
And he that was dead
came forth! As simple as that! Why? Because of who Jesus is!
Jesus
said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26 KJV
Verily,
verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall
hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. John 5:25 KJV
Jesus had to redirect
Martha's perspective twice when it came to the resurrection. Martha told Jesus
that if He had been there her brother would not have died. She even tried to
demonstrate her confidence in Jesus by saying, But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will
give it thee. John 11:22 KJV.
Isn't that what we often
say? If only this had happened, or that
had been done, things would have been different! We are prone to muse over the past with regret
and sorrow, thereby crowding out the present. When Jesus told Martha, 'Your
brother shall rise again', Martha is unable to grasp the implication of the
statement, and so she fast forwards in her established theology, to a future
resurrection day!
That's when Jesus released
that awesome revelation! Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the
life…!
And it flew right over
Martha's head! She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that
thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 28 And
when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly,
saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. John 11:27-28 KJV. Martha went about business as usual! How often have we been
exposed to overwhelming revelation knowledge, only to move back to our routine walk
and life?
Jesus was saying to
Martha that the resurrection is not a future day. The resurrection is not an
event. The resurrection is not a moment in time! The resurrection is not an impersonal
experience. The Resurrection is a Person and that Person is Him! Wherever He is
there is resurrection! When He is in residence the Resurrection is in residence.
And you know what? He lives in you, and he lives in me! YES!!! Say it loud! RESURRECTION
LIVES IN ME! Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 14:23 KJV
Our bodies are His temple
and He lives in us. The Resurrection and the Life is present now in us. Wherever
we go we're not alone, we're not deserted, we have company. We have Him. Our bodies,
His temples!
What is noteworthy is
that short verse in the incident!
Jesus
wept. John 11:35 KJV
Yes Jesus wept!
He went back to Bethany
for one purpose, to raise Lazarus from the dead! Yet He wept!
He groaned in spirit and
was troubled!
He already knew what He
was going to do! Yet He wept!
Those two words speak
volumes to me! Jesus feels for our pain. He cares about us! He is indignant
about the pain, sorrow and hurt that faces and affect us daily because of sin. He knows what He will do, what He has
already done to effect a change, but it does not stop Him from feeling our
pain, hurt and sorrow…and He weeps with us, but proceeds to demonstrate His
Power over that which hurts us and bring us pain. Therefore we remain confident
that He has everything in control and though He grieves with us He is not
helpless but He is the resurrection and the Life working NOW in our lives
Gracious Father we thank You for loving us with
a Forever Love! We thank you for You Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who
is the Resurrection and Life. We rejoice that You chose to live in us and to
remind us daily that Your resurrection power is in us. Be glorified in our
lives Father.
Verses for the Heart: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is
none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead
because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But
if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his
Spirit that dwelleth in you.
DAY 3 - HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR LOVE!
I
am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are
not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth,
because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am
the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As
the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for
the sheep. John 10:11-15 KJV
And
other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,
that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay
it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it
again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:16-18 KJV
It's not just that Jesus
came and died!
It's that He died for
us!
He was not a victim of
political intrigue.
He was not a victim of
circumstance!
It was not just a tragic
coincidence or accidental incident!
It was planned and
foreordained that He should die. He died for LOVE!
Greater love hath no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 KJV
Jesus
declared that He has power to lay down His life and He has power to take it up
again! No one could take His life from Him unless he allowed them.
Jesus
give Himself to be crucified because it was the only Way the Law of God could
be satisfied and completely fulfilled. His death has given mankind the chance at
eternal life and fellowship with God!
All
history can record is what was actually observed to occur. History records that
a good man, a religious leader, was killed because He opposed the status quo of
the day and was seen as a threat to the establishment.
The
Word of God declares that Jesus gave His Life and arose triumphant over death
and the grave with power to give this life to all who would come to Him.
He
said: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And
ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40 KJV
He
said: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
He
willingly gave His life so that we might have access to eternal life, so that
we can have access to His Father, now our Father! The Good Shepherd willingly
laid down His Life to destroy the works of the devil. As the Good Shepherd, He
is bringing all His sheep into one fold with one Shepherd! Neither pray I for
these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their
word; 21
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,
that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent
me. 22
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be
one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be
made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:20-23 KJV
Beloved
Father, as we look unto Jesus daily, help us to behold your glorious love and to
live daily in your presence. Strengthen us as we share this great love that you
have bestowed on us, so that others may be drawn to you as we exalt Your Son
and magnify His Name!
Verses
for the Heart: For when we were yet
without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For
scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some
would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 KJV
DAY 2 - DO YOU KNOW THE SHEPHERD'S VOICE?
In Psalm 23 David called
the LORD his shepherd. As a shepherd David knew sheep and also knew what a
shepherd's job was like. He provided for the sheep, he protected the sheep and
he persuaded them in the right direction by speaking constantly to them. They
knew his voice. David went the distance for his sheep risking his life when
necessary. Reflecting on his life as a shepherd caring for his sheep, David
realized that YAHWEH was just like a Shepherd to him - his Shepherd!
As a result David composed the beautiful psalm which we know and love today!
The
LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He
restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's
sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalms 23:1-6 KJV
Then Jesus came! He
confirmed and declared: I
am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are
not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth,
because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am
the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As
the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for
the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd. John 10:11-16 KJV
Earlier in His
introduction He said: And
a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the
voice of strangers. John 10:5 KJV
Later on He said: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me: John 10:27 KJV
Is His voice familiar to
you? Do you recognize when He speaks? Can you tell the difference between His
voice and the voices of strangers?
It all comes down to one
vital thing. We need to be able to recognize His Voice! It's only as we listen
constantly to His voice, that we learn to recognize that voice, and
differentiate it from the others which would seek to imitate Him, and lead us
astray!
We cannot know the
Shepherd's voice if we do not spend time with the Shepherd, and listen to Him! A
person who hardly spend time in fellowship with the Lord, listening to Him, is
opening himself to deception, since he has no way of differentiating between
all the strange voices in the world, and the voice of God!
He promised to be with
us always! He will never leave us nor forsake us, so we know He's near, but we
cannot afford to ignore Him!
So often many of us are
led astray because we listen to strange voices.
Regardless of how pleasant and wholesome they may sound they are not of
God!
A baby knows the sound
of his mother's voice, because she spends so much time talking to him while he
listens! He is able to distinguish that voice across a room full of
strangers!
Constant prayerful
meditation in the Word of God goes a great distance in helping us to hear His
voice! The Shepherd is constantly talking to His sheep. If only we would take
time off to listen! He said Every
one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 18:37 KJV
In order to know and recognize His
Voice when He speaks, we need to become familiar with it. We become familiar
with his voice when we get into the habit of listening to it constantly. This
means, that many times, we need to shut up, shut out other voices, and pay
attention to Him until we become acquainted with every nuance and timbre, until
we can almost unconsciously distinguish
His voice from the multitude that clamor for our attention.
Remember that He will
NEVER tell you ANYTHING contrary to His written Word!
Gentle Shepherd of my soul I pray today for
wisdom to know You more. I ask that you will open my eyes to behold the truth
of Your Word, and to delight in the wondrous beauty of your voice. Help me to
hear Your Voice as I meditate on Your Word. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations
of my heart be acceptable in your sight Oh Lord!
Verses for the Heart: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me. 21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as
I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He
that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:20-22 KJV
Is serving Jesus a priority, or only a matter of convenience for you?
And after certain days, when Felix came with his
wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning
the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for
this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26
He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he
might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and
Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Acts 24:24-27
KJV
Paul was given an opportunity to testify
concerning his faith in Christ, and he used it well. He seized the opportunity
given to him, and give such a reasoned witness of righteousness, self-control
and judgment to come, that the governor Felix became afraid, listening to Paul
preach. The tragedy is that instead of following through, Felix procrastinated
and waited for a more convenient time, hoping for monetary gain, rather than
looking out for his eternal destiny. We see that for the sake of monetary gain
and popularity, he left Paul bound, thus losing out on an eternal opportunity.
Today we need to remind ourselves that it's not
about finding a convenient time! It's about "making time"! So often we find ourselves "without enough
time!" We are in a constant struggle to juggle appointments and events,
which is never a good thing!
Again so often we usually find ourselves making
time for everything else, yet neglecting that one important thing...time for
Him!
Is there a family gathering, friends getting
together, hanging out with peers, movies, dinner, picnics, trips, entertaining
events and sports? You Name It! We ALWAYS find time!
But Jesus? Church? Fellowship with the saints?
Prayer meetings? Sorry Lord! But You understand how busy I am!
Why is it, that it's fellowship with Him and the
saints, which always suffer when we're faced with a choice? Yet that which we
neglect and ignore is what Jesus called the good part which is needful!
Martha was engaged in useful activity, and
believed herself rightfully frustrated, at what she thought was time wasting
idling by her sister Mary, who was sitting, listening to Jesus! Yet Jesus commended
Mary, saying that she had chosen that important part, which shall not be taken
away from her!
Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as
they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named
Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which
also sat at Jesus 'feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much
serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister
hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus
answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about
many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her.
When it comes to
time the Paul writes: We then, as workers
together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in
vain. 2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation
have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day
of salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the
ministry be not blamed: 2 Corinthians 6:1-3 KJV
And
that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now
is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the
day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put
on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in
rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and
envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:11-14 KJV
Don’t wait; for
the night cometh! I must work the works of him that sent me,
while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4 KJV
Dear Father we pray to You in whose hands reside our
time. Help us to willingly take time for You, just as You took time for us,
coming into this world to the death of the cross, to redeem us unto Yourself.
Help us to joyfully look for time and ways to serve You more with joy and
gladness, so that we can truly say like David "I was glad when they said
unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord" Amen
Verses for the Heart: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV
THE DANIEL FAST
WAS NEVER A DIET!
The episode in chapter 1, when Daniel challenged the king's diet
by choosing to eat pulse and water was not a planned fast. He did it to
maintain his integrity before God, for he had purposed in his heart that he
would not defile himself with the king's meat.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile
himself. Daniel 1:8 KJV
Nebuchadnezzar's table food was in all probability contrary to the
Laws God gave to Israel.
Daniel and his friends consumed pulse and water, pulse being
another word for vegetables. That could probably rightly be called the Daniel
diet!
Concerning the twenty one days mentioned in Daniel 10, Daniel did
not wake up one day and said, "I will do a 21 day fast!" More likely
he woke up one day, determined to seek the face of God for wisdom and revelation,
in matters concerning his nation and the world. The only reason it lasted
for 21 days was because Daniel did not receive his answer until after 21 days! Daniel was prepared to remain on the fast
until he received an answer from God! And that is what the Daniel fast is
really all about!
In Daniel 10 we find the following verses: In the third year of Cyrus
king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called
Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he
understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In
those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no
pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint
myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:1-3 KJV
For three whole weeks Daniel mourned and ate no pleasant bread,
flesh, nor wine, neither did he anoint himself.
Why 21 days?
When the angel arrives he gives Daniel an explanation:
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that
thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy
God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But
the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but,
lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there
with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:12-13 KJV
Daniel was prepared to continue until the revelation came. Daniel had set himself to seek God for a
revelation. He did not know how long it would take before he received the
answer, so this by now, quite elderly prophet, provided himself with the bare
necessities, to maintain strength while seeking the wisdom of God.
From the angel's message we understand that Daniel was heard the
first day he began praying. The answer was also sent back that first day but,
due to opposition and obstruction by the enemy in the spirit realm, the
response was delayed for 21 days! Of course Daniel being unaware of this, kept
on praying and fasting, resulting in the arrival of reinforcements that allowed
the angel to deliver the message on the twenty first
day!
Daniel earnestly desired a revelation from God and set out to seek
His face. Daniel considered this so important that he abstained from fancy
foods in order to wait on God. He ate the minimal, barest essentials of plain
food to sustain himself during his intense seeking of the fast. Too much has
been read into the statement "I ate no pleasant bread..."
So as we embark on this "Daniel Fast" the questions we
need to ask ourselves are,
"Why am I doing this?"
"What am I seeking God for?"
"How much I you really want it?"
"How far am I prepared to go to receive from God?"
Once we
prioritize our motives, and are seeking God for that which is in His will to
bestow, then we can proceed with His blessing, confident of His support and
strength!
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