During this Christmas season I read the early days of Christ.
I was struck by how ordinary lives were visited by God to do extraordinary things. Through the Holy Spirit a virgin conceived the Son of God. Mary was one of the many thousands of young Jewish women living in her day but God chose this woman of no notable birth or means. Joseph was a righteous man who descended from a long line of kings stretching back to David yet he lived his life in simplicity as a carpenter.
Then there is Jesus. The Son of God who without sin lived thirty years a quiet and ordinary life as Joesph and Mary's son before His ministry commenced at thirty three years old. The Scriptures are silent during those years when he grew into a man.
If I could speculate Jesus must have looked around the world in which He lived (and the one we are in today). He witnessed the every day experiences of people stricken by poverty or greed, cruel oppression, sickness and death. There had to be an inward groan growing louder in his heart with each passing year until His Father released Him to preach the good news as Savior of the world.
Think of how many times His fingers traced over the smooth wood he had carved reflecting on a day when an inward groan would escape His holy lips while dying on the tree! Such a groan would reverberate through the corridors of history and shake the foundations of hell. It is finished!
Now we are on the edges of entering a new year.
With passing year there should be a deepening groan for Christ to change us in His likeness. A groan for His return so that in seeing Him face to face we are made complete (1 Corinthians 13:12). Paul described it in Romans 8:22, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies." (NIV).
As sons and daughters of God we are no ordinary people so our groan is not rooted in natural or worldly things. I believe that in many churches around the world there is an ever increasing cry being expressed through prayer. One day our groaning will give way to glorious praise as He unfolds His purposes in our lives no matter how small or ordinary our lives may seem.
Enter into 2015 with a cry God change me and make me more like you!
Blessing my brothers and sisters.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
After All This You Still Love Me?
The Scriptures tell of Israel's history marked by glorious victories and at other times deeply marred by sin and rebellion but God still says, "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jeremiah 31:3).
What is true of His people then is true for us today.
The God of indescribable light will draw us to Himself right where we are even in the most darkest of places. The place does not matter to God as much as a heart that is crying out for Him. He will go to great lengths to visit the hungry heart to make Himself known. This is same God who walks right through walls.
Remember He sat and ate with tax collectors and other so called sinners of His day. He was not corrupted by them rather they were changed in His presence. No matter if the place is a crowded smoke filled bar or a prison cell or lonely hospital room Jesus will visit the broken man or woman.
Jesus heard such a cry from across the Sea of Galilee of a man tormented by demons (Luke 8:26). Yes, this man cried out in pain from his bondage but there was a deeper cry for deliverance that only God could discern. So Jesus stopped His ministry and got in a boat to sail to the other side. He battled through a raging storm for a man who was confined to tombs who could never get to Him.
After he was set free Jesus told him to go and tell all that God did for him (Luke 8:39). Perhaps this man's testimony left a question for some who asked, "After all this does God still love me?" Perhaps he showed them the scars where he tore his flesh with rocks when the voices in his head screamed and howled. The scars were a reminder God came to him in the most darkest hours of his life to show His love right where he lived.
And on that day the Son of Man will extend His nailed scarred hands to welcome us home. A God who loved us with an everlasting love after all our sin, failure and rebellion. Yes, He loves us after all the things that has occurred in our lives.
Will we in turn love Him after all the deliverance and victories He has performed and not resist Him but rather be drawn by His cords of kindness (Hosea 11:4)?
What is true of His people then is true for us today.
The God of indescribable light will draw us to Himself right where we are even in the most darkest of places. The place does not matter to God as much as a heart that is crying out for Him. He will go to great lengths to visit the hungry heart to make Himself known. This is same God who walks right through walls.
Remember He sat and ate with tax collectors and other so called sinners of His day. He was not corrupted by them rather they were changed in His presence. No matter if the place is a crowded smoke filled bar or a prison cell or lonely hospital room Jesus will visit the broken man or woman.
Jesus heard such a cry from across the Sea of Galilee of a man tormented by demons (Luke 8:26). Yes, this man cried out in pain from his bondage but there was a deeper cry for deliverance that only God could discern. So Jesus stopped His ministry and got in a boat to sail to the other side. He battled through a raging storm for a man who was confined to tombs who could never get to Him.
After he was set free Jesus told him to go and tell all that God did for him (Luke 8:39). Perhaps this man's testimony left a question for some who asked, "After all this does God still love me?" Perhaps he showed them the scars where he tore his flesh with rocks when the voices in his head screamed and howled. The scars were a reminder God came to him in the most darkest hours of his life to show His love right where he lived.
And on that day the Son of Man will extend His nailed scarred hands to welcome us home. A God who loved us with an everlasting love after all our sin, failure and rebellion. Yes, He loves us after all the things that has occurred in our lives.
Will we in turn love Him after all the deliverance and victories He has performed and not resist Him but rather be drawn by His cords of kindness (Hosea 11:4)?
Saturday, December 13, 2014
The Case For The Lonely
God has a word to those who are lonely. Yes, even to those who may be surrounded by loving friends and family but may feel alone. Godly men and women who have walked with Him for many years can experience times of loneliness like David who cried, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted" (Psalms 25:16 NIV).
The definition of loneliness is not only an absence of meaningful relationships but a sense of being disconnected. No matter how hard you may try to sustain a friendship (or marriage) it seems to go wrong. Perhaps your history of relationships tend to sour quickly or some unexpected change fractures the relationship. Something hurtful was said or an offense committed which only deepens the isolation and disconnectedness.
If someone should hold your hand or gather you into their arms you find little comfort from their touch. There are things in your heart that are too painful for words. So you pull away though your heart is hungry for a touch and kind words. These walled up places in the heart are known only by God. And He knows how to soothe away the discomfort and ease the pain.
And that is why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter (John 14:26). The Greek word used in this verse for comforter is a legal advocate. A legal advocate is one who assists, defends, or pleads for another; one who renders legal advice and aid and pleads the cause of another before a court (Black's Law Dictionary Free Online Legal Dictionary 2nd Ed).
We have no greater advocate than Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).
So that His people are never alone or lacking comfort Jesus presents the case for the lonely to His Father who is also the Judge. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16 KJV).
Jesus knew firsthand what it was to be without a place to rest his head (Luke 9:58) so He charges the Comforter to place the lonely in homes (Psalms 68:6). He gives such abundance of comfort we can in turn comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4). And we have this promise we will never be forsaken (Deuteronomy 31:8). The Lord has ruled in favor of the lonely to know the depths of His comforting presence.
His word to the lonely and the alone?
I'm with You to fill your heart with comfort in those places once indefensible against the onslaught of loneliness that has driven you into a barren waste land. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19) So shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. (Isaiah 49:13, NIV)
The definition of loneliness is not only an absence of meaningful relationships but a sense of being disconnected. No matter how hard you may try to sustain a friendship (or marriage) it seems to go wrong. Perhaps your history of relationships tend to sour quickly or some unexpected change fractures the relationship. Something hurtful was said or an offense committed which only deepens the isolation and disconnectedness.
If someone should hold your hand or gather you into their arms you find little comfort from their touch. There are things in your heart that are too painful for words. So you pull away though your heart is hungry for a touch and kind words. These walled up places in the heart are known only by God. And He knows how to soothe away the discomfort and ease the pain.
And that is why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter (John 14:26). The Greek word used in this verse for comforter is a legal advocate. A legal advocate is one who assists, defends, or pleads for another; one who renders legal advice and aid and pleads the cause of another before a court (Black's Law Dictionary Free Online Legal Dictionary 2nd Ed).
We have no greater advocate than Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).
So that His people are never alone or lacking comfort Jesus presents the case for the lonely to His Father who is also the Judge. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16 KJV).
Jesus knew firsthand what it was to be without a place to rest his head (Luke 9:58) so He charges the Comforter to place the lonely in homes (Psalms 68:6). He gives such abundance of comfort we can in turn comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4). And we have this promise we will never be forsaken (Deuteronomy 31:8). The Lord has ruled in favor of the lonely to know the depths of His comforting presence.
His word to the lonely and the alone?
I'm with You to fill your heart with comfort in those places once indefensible against the onslaught of loneliness that has driven you into a barren waste land. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19) So shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. (Isaiah 49:13, NIV)
Saturday, December 6, 2014
The Holy Spirit's Winnowing Process
One morning I sat praying and mediating when the Lord spoke a single word that best describes the growing agitation in my heart.
Winnowing.
I was undergoing a divine and necessary processing of winnowing out the chaff (the superfluous and superficial things) from the wheat (the wholesome truth of God's Word).
According to Wikipedia "Wind winnowing is an agricultural method developed by ancient cultures for separating grain from chaff. It is also used to remove weevils or other pests from stored grain. Threshing, the loosening of grain or seeds from the husks and straw, is the step in the chaff-removal process that comes before winnowing."
There is nothing like the wind of the Holy Spirit to stir and sift our hearts where we may have grown indifferent, settled or comfortable with spiritual things. It's easy to get stuck in a routine and lose our passion for the things of God.
Jesus tells Peter that Satan demanded (as translated from the original) be shifted like wheat (Luke 22:31). Despite the Devil's demands this is a divine winnowing process. A process ordained by the Holy Spirit to cause purification and sanctification. The Greek word for shift means an inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow. God is the one who oversees the winnowing process so despite the Enemy intentions of overthrowing our faith it serves to only strengthen us. That is if we are willing to undergo the winnowing process rather than resist the work of the Holy Spirit.
Peter's faith may have faltered when denying Christ but God was faithful to restore Peter. Beloved, God is for us so who can be against us - including the winnowing fork of the Devil! So our faith remains but the chaff of worldly pursuits and desires are winnowed out - blown away by the breath of God's Spirit - so only the implanted Word of of God remains in our hearts. We know the Word of God remained in Peter's life as demonstrated by a passionate love for His Savior. Gone was the self seeking, flesh driven ambitious and brash Peter but one who would lead some 3,000 souls to Christ on the day of Pentecost.
Beloved, we must ask the Lord for a willing spirit to be shifted so only the things of God remain. If we don't allow His Spirit to do the work of winnowing in our lives there will be a day when every man or woman's work will be tried with fire (1 Corinthians 3:13).
As I experience even while writing this devotional, this is a painful work but together we can draw comfort from the Holy Spirit to reminds us our faith will only be stronger and so will our devotion to Him. Our faith will not be overthrown but every work of the Devil will be thrown down by the power that flows from purified lives!
Winnowing.
I was undergoing a divine and necessary processing of winnowing out the chaff (the superfluous and superficial things) from the wheat (the wholesome truth of God's Word).
According to Wikipedia "Wind winnowing is an agricultural method developed by ancient cultures for separating grain from chaff. It is also used to remove weevils or other pests from stored grain. Threshing, the loosening of grain or seeds from the husks and straw, is the step in the chaff-removal process that comes before winnowing."
There is nothing like the wind of the Holy Spirit to stir and sift our hearts where we may have grown indifferent, settled or comfortable with spiritual things. It's easy to get stuck in a routine and lose our passion for the things of God.
Jesus tells Peter that Satan demanded (as translated from the original) be shifted like wheat (Luke 22:31). Despite the Devil's demands this is a divine winnowing process. A process ordained by the Holy Spirit to cause purification and sanctification. The Greek word for shift means an inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow. God is the one who oversees the winnowing process so despite the Enemy intentions of overthrowing our faith it serves to only strengthen us. That is if we are willing to undergo the winnowing process rather than resist the work of the Holy Spirit.
Peter's faith may have faltered when denying Christ but God was faithful to restore Peter. Beloved, God is for us so who can be against us - including the winnowing fork of the Devil! So our faith remains but the chaff of worldly pursuits and desires are winnowed out - blown away by the breath of God's Spirit - so only the implanted Word of of God remains in our hearts. We know the Word of God remained in Peter's life as demonstrated by a passionate love for His Savior. Gone was the self seeking, flesh driven ambitious and brash Peter but one who would lead some 3,000 souls to Christ on the day of Pentecost.
Beloved, we must ask the Lord for a willing spirit to be shifted so only the things of God remain. If we don't allow His Spirit to do the work of winnowing in our lives there will be a day when every man or woman's work will be tried with fire (1 Corinthians 3:13).
As I experience even while writing this devotional, this is a painful work but together we can draw comfort from the Holy Spirit to reminds us our faith will only be stronger and so will our devotion to Him. Our faith will not be overthrown but every work of the Devil will be thrown down by the power that flows from purified lives!
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