THE 5 W’s & 1 H
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Jeremiah 29:11
Call me crazy, but I loved doing term papers in school. It is a joy that has never left, even now that I am years out of school. The fact of learning something new or digging deeper into a topic I already had some knowledge in thrilled me. But in each paper, my goal was always to find a way to answer the five W’s and one H. If you remember them, say them with me. Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Ah yes, some things are never forgotten. But then again, some things learned in school still apply to life even after the elementary and secondary school tests.
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke to us that He had a plan for our life. It wasn’t just some old plan that was drawn years before and stuck on a shelf collecting dust, but rather was a plan for someone specific, someone like you. The blueprints show prosperity and safety, hope and a future. God is the Who, and His plan is the What. But then the question becomes our next W, When? We can somewhat ascertain that the Where is sometime in the future, but outside of that we cannot really narrow it down. And the Why is pretty obvious in that the answer is because of His love for us. Lastly we look at the How, and again we can get stuck.
Some people go out on their own and expect God to bless it. I will confess that I did that. When I was engaged to my first wife, I had a feeling that I was not fully listening to God. We had moments of hugs and kisses, but also had moments where we shared our frustrations with each other about each other. Now I know that arguments are normal in any relationship, but it seemed like we were constantly frustrated with each other. When the day of the wedding finally came, my mind was made up that I was going forward into marriage and because God hates divorce, God was going to have to make it work out. After nine years of marriage, we were still having the same arguments and did divorce. This is not a pattern I want to take into a second marriage, so I have no intention of going out on my own again and expecting God to bless it.
If we look at the apostle Paul, though, we see that he too had moments where he was in God’s will, and moments when he was not. In Acts 13:2, Paul and Barnabas were set aside by God to a work God had called them to. As they went on their first journey, God blessed them. But then look over at Acts 16:6-10 and we see that Paul had every intention of going into Asia but was prevented by the Spirit and led to Troas instead. His mind was made up, but God had a different plan. What if he had gone on his own into Asia? He may have been working for God, but in his own might.
God has a plan for us, but He doesn’t always tell us the W’s and H right away. If He did, would we be so overwhelmed and draw back in fear? Would we go forward on our own strength? God shares with us what we need to know for that moment; He shares enough with us to keep us coming back to Him for more direction. At a young age God told me that I would be a pastor, but He never told when, where, or how. These are still questions I seek Him concerning daily. In time He will share with me more of the plan He has, but for now I am to trust Him with what He has already told me. What has God told you? Are you moving ahead of Him on your own strength? Or are you seeking Him daily for the rest of the pieces that are needed to bring about His plan for your life? Jeremiah 33:3 says to call on the LORD and He will tell you the things you do not know. He just might not tell you all of it today.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
MOVING TOWARD SODOM
“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.”
Genesis 13:12-13
The families of both Abram and his nephew, Lot, had grown to numerous for the land to support them both. Because of this, the two parted ways. Abram gave Lot the choice of which direction he wanted to go, and then Abram would travel in the opposite direction. As Lot looked out over the area to the west and to the east, he then chose the east, toward Sodom. Soon after, Lot pitched his tents near Sodom. But note that he didn’t stay near Sodom too long before eventually residing in Sodom. As we see in Genesis 14:12, “They [the four attacking kings] also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.” In just the next chapter over Lot had moved from near Sodom to in Sodom.
But isn’t this the way of sin? We look out and see that famed greener grass on the other side. We see that movie of the gigolo who has multiple partners and it lures us. Or we see that behavior of a friend and it beckons to us. We may even see the money that others have and begin to covet it. In all these ways, and multiple others, we see this land toward the east, toward Sodom, and we choose it. As we move that direction we pitch our tent near the city of sin. Notice, there was nothing wrong with Lot and Abram splitting, but the wrong came when he moved close to Sodom. Our wrong comes when we chase sinful dreams and park close to sin itself. In the end, Lot became a resident of the sinful city, just as we too will become a resident of sin.
But God has an answer; His own drawing near and residing in of a city. James 4:8 tells us to, “Come near to God and He will come near to you…” This is how Lot started. He drew near, just near the wrong thing. To this, though, we also read Acts 17:28, which serves to remind us that in Him we live, and move, and have our being. We live, the Greek word ZAO, meaning we breathe, we enjoy life, we are active within. When we physically live in a city are we not in some way active in it? Was Lot not active within Sodom? Yes he was, for Genesis 19:1 tells us he was stationed at the gateway of the city.
So then, where have you been drawn near, and where are you now living? Have you been drawn to Sodom and now live in it, or have you been draw to God and live in Him? Confessing Him is the same as having a P.O. Box. Anyone can have a P.O. Box for any city without having to reside there, just as anyone can confess they are a believer. But a true resident takes ownership within the land. A true resident breathes the air, enjoys the life, and is active in the community. Are you living in, moving in, and having your true being in God? In the end, Sodom was destroyed because of its wickedness. If you are drawing near or already living in Sodom now, I would make the strong suggestion that you move away now. The value of that town is going under. Instead, draw near and reside in the prosperous city of God and have true life.
“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.”
Genesis 13:12-13
The families of both Abram and his nephew, Lot, had grown to numerous for the land to support them both. Because of this, the two parted ways. Abram gave Lot the choice of which direction he wanted to go, and then Abram would travel in the opposite direction. As Lot looked out over the area to the west and to the east, he then chose the east, toward Sodom. Soon after, Lot pitched his tents near Sodom. But note that he didn’t stay near Sodom too long before eventually residing in Sodom. As we see in Genesis 14:12, “They [the four attacking kings] also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.” In just the next chapter over Lot had moved from near Sodom to in Sodom.
But isn’t this the way of sin? We look out and see that famed greener grass on the other side. We see that movie of the gigolo who has multiple partners and it lures us. Or we see that behavior of a friend and it beckons to us. We may even see the money that others have and begin to covet it. In all these ways, and multiple others, we see this land toward the east, toward Sodom, and we choose it. As we move that direction we pitch our tent near the city of sin. Notice, there was nothing wrong with Lot and Abram splitting, but the wrong came when he moved close to Sodom. Our wrong comes when we chase sinful dreams and park close to sin itself. In the end, Lot became a resident of the sinful city, just as we too will become a resident of sin.
But God has an answer; His own drawing near and residing in of a city. James 4:8 tells us to, “Come near to God and He will come near to you…” This is how Lot started. He drew near, just near the wrong thing. To this, though, we also read Acts 17:28, which serves to remind us that in Him we live, and move, and have our being. We live, the Greek word ZAO, meaning we breathe, we enjoy life, we are active within. When we physically live in a city are we not in some way active in it? Was Lot not active within Sodom? Yes he was, for Genesis 19:1 tells us he was stationed at the gateway of the city.
So then, where have you been drawn near, and where are you now living? Have you been drawn to Sodom and now live in it, or have you been draw to God and live in Him? Confessing Him is the same as having a P.O. Box. Anyone can have a P.O. Box for any city without having to reside there, just as anyone can confess they are a believer. But a true resident takes ownership within the land. A true resident breathes the air, enjoys the life, and is active in the community. Are you living in, moving in, and having your true being in God? In the end, Sodom was destroyed because of its wickedness. If you are drawing near or already living in Sodom now, I would make the strong suggestion that you move away now. The value of that town is going under. Instead, draw near and reside in the prosperous city of God and have true life.
Monday, January 24, 2011
THE GARMENT OF PRAISE
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:1a, 3
Have you ever experienced those moments when you just feel weighed down? I liken the feeling to a thumb squishing an ant. A huge weight just comes over you and you are not sure how or if you can come out from under it. This feeling is one I have known in waves over the past few weeks. Actually, if I was to be honest, I have been feeling these waves over the past few years. It has just been felt strongly again over the past few weeks. But how do we escape this feeling of heaviness, depression, or oppression? How do move away from this ill feeling of weakness and find ourselves again in a moment of strength? God reminded me last night of the exit, and from this lesson I write to you today.
In Acts 16 we read a section of one of Paul’s three missionary journeys. While traveling with Silas and spreading the good news of Christ, they found themselves being followed by a young girl who kept calling out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” It wasn’t that these words were false, but rather that the spirit in her was causing frustration and was flat out obnoxious. So, on the third straight day of this chant, Paul turned to her and commanded the spirit out of her. At that moment the spirit left. But, as the owners of the girl realized their money-making prophetess was delivered, they began to grow angry at Paul and Silas. The two were flogged by many within the town and then thrown in jail.
Acts 16:25 tells us that around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God. With their feet in stocks and nowhere to go and no way to run, Paul and Silas could have let themselves be defeated. They could have embraced this spirit of heaviness. But they did not. Instead, they traded the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise. As they worshiped God, their joy increased. As their joy increased, so also their faith increased. And when faith is stretched out, God has open reign to work His wonders. Suddenly – oh how I have grown to love this word when God is on the other side. Suddenly, an earthquake violently rocked the jail. The doors flew open and the shackles were released allowing all the prisoners their freedom.
Their freedom didn’t come because they were good singers, but their freedom came because they threw off heaviness. Instead of allowing a pity party of depression to sink them lower, they began to praise. As Isaiah 61:3 says, the Spirit of God has come to give us the “oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Are you in despair? Then cry out to God. Exchange your clothing. Rip from off you this spirit of heaviness that wants to weigh you down. Command it off you in the name of Jesus Christ. The devil has no power over you if you are a child of God. Rip it off, and instead put on the garment of praise.
Too often we see the junk and not the reason for joy. But the more we see this trash heap in front of us, the more we focus on it and allow it to consume us. We think of all the times we have been let down, of the times we have been treated unjustly, of the times ill fate has happened to us. But stop! This spirit of heaviness is weighing you down. Instead, put on His garment of praise and worship Him despite the current circumstance you are in. Paul and Silas were in jail. They had just gotten done being flogged by an angry mob. Yet still, they wore the garment of praise and worshiped God in their cell. Suddenly. Suddenly! Suddenly God came through. Give God praise in your pain, your cell, your hurt, and suddenly God will come through for you also. Stripe off the spirit of heaviness and wear the garment of praise.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:1a, 3
Have you ever experienced those moments when you just feel weighed down? I liken the feeling to a thumb squishing an ant. A huge weight just comes over you and you are not sure how or if you can come out from under it. This feeling is one I have known in waves over the past few weeks. Actually, if I was to be honest, I have been feeling these waves over the past few years. It has just been felt strongly again over the past few weeks. But how do we escape this feeling of heaviness, depression, or oppression? How do move away from this ill feeling of weakness and find ourselves again in a moment of strength? God reminded me last night of the exit, and from this lesson I write to you today.
In Acts 16 we read a section of one of Paul’s three missionary journeys. While traveling with Silas and spreading the good news of Christ, they found themselves being followed by a young girl who kept calling out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” It wasn’t that these words were false, but rather that the spirit in her was causing frustration and was flat out obnoxious. So, on the third straight day of this chant, Paul turned to her and commanded the spirit out of her. At that moment the spirit left. But, as the owners of the girl realized their money-making prophetess was delivered, they began to grow angry at Paul and Silas. The two were flogged by many within the town and then thrown in jail.
Acts 16:25 tells us that around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God. With their feet in stocks and nowhere to go and no way to run, Paul and Silas could have let themselves be defeated. They could have embraced this spirit of heaviness. But they did not. Instead, they traded the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise. As they worshiped God, their joy increased. As their joy increased, so also their faith increased. And when faith is stretched out, God has open reign to work His wonders. Suddenly – oh how I have grown to love this word when God is on the other side. Suddenly, an earthquake violently rocked the jail. The doors flew open and the shackles were released allowing all the prisoners their freedom.
Their freedom didn’t come because they were good singers, but their freedom came because they threw off heaviness. Instead of allowing a pity party of depression to sink them lower, they began to praise. As Isaiah 61:3 says, the Spirit of God has come to give us the “oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Are you in despair? Then cry out to God. Exchange your clothing. Rip from off you this spirit of heaviness that wants to weigh you down. Command it off you in the name of Jesus Christ. The devil has no power over you if you are a child of God. Rip it off, and instead put on the garment of praise.
Too often we see the junk and not the reason for joy. But the more we see this trash heap in front of us, the more we focus on it and allow it to consume us. We think of all the times we have been let down, of the times we have been treated unjustly, of the times ill fate has happened to us. But stop! This spirit of heaviness is weighing you down. Instead, put on His garment of praise and worship Him despite the current circumstance you are in. Paul and Silas were in jail. They had just gotten done being flogged by an angry mob. Yet still, they wore the garment of praise and worshiped God in their cell. Suddenly. Suddenly! Suddenly God came through. Give God praise in your pain, your cell, your hurt, and suddenly God will come through for you also. Stripe off the spirit of heaviness and wear the garment of praise.
Friday, January 21, 2011
SEEDS AND WEEDS
“’Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.’”
Matthew 13:43
Jesus spoke most often in parables when trying to get a point across, and as easy as they can be to understand, they sometimes still left the crowd confused. The parable of the weeds in Matthew 13:24-30 is one of those that left even the disciples a little baffled. Jesus spoke that the Kingdom of Heaven was like a man who sowed seeds of wheat. But during the night, his enemy came and also sowed seeds. These seeds, however, were weed seeds. His enemy planted them alongside the wheat, so that when they all began to spring up there was a mix of both wheat and weed. When the servants of the man came to report the details of the crops, they questioned just what type of seed had been laid. Knowing full well, the man replied that the enemy had come in and corrupted the crop by planting the weeds. They would all have to grow together and await the harvest before being separated. At that time, the wheat would be kept and the weeds thrown in the fire.
It was a little later that the disciples came to Jesus and asked for a more understandable explanation of this parable. We pick up the conversation between Jesus and His disciples in verses 36-43. The one who sowed the good seed, the wheat, was the Son of Man. He sowed this seed within His field, which is the world. We understand this because John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His Son to the world. The enemy who came in and planted the weeds is the devil who in truth has planted his own seeds in the world. These seeds can be negative attitudes, people, addictions, or anything that would cause us to detour ourselves from Him. These seeds are also those who do not choose God.
The harvest, as explained in Matthew 13:39, is the end times. Christ will come back and take His followers, His seeds. The weeds will be bundled up and throw in the fire. These are the people who have chosen not to follow after God. But for those who do choose, for those who are not bundled up in the weed pile, they enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus then makes one more final note concerning this parable when He states, “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear” (Mt 13:43).
Are you one of the righteous? Just recently I touched on this aspect, and how outside of Christ we have nothing righteous to offer. We are sinful beings who live in a sinful place. But, when we offer ourselves to Him, because He was holy, we then take on His character. Jesus was righteous. In accepting Him we wear His righteousness. In accepting Him we become the wheat seeds that were planted by the land owner. In rejecting Him, however, we become the weeds and our destruction will come when Christ returns and we are separated. I make this point not to urge you to buy ‘fire insurance’, but rather to help you consider where your fate lies. Consider, are you a seed or a weed? When the harvest comes, will you be found as wheat, taken to the barn of the Master? Or will you find yourself as a weed, bundled and set into the fire? Choose before it is too late, for no one knows when the harvest day comes.
“’Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.’”
Matthew 13:43
Jesus spoke most often in parables when trying to get a point across, and as easy as they can be to understand, they sometimes still left the crowd confused. The parable of the weeds in Matthew 13:24-30 is one of those that left even the disciples a little baffled. Jesus spoke that the Kingdom of Heaven was like a man who sowed seeds of wheat. But during the night, his enemy came and also sowed seeds. These seeds, however, were weed seeds. His enemy planted them alongside the wheat, so that when they all began to spring up there was a mix of both wheat and weed. When the servants of the man came to report the details of the crops, they questioned just what type of seed had been laid. Knowing full well, the man replied that the enemy had come in and corrupted the crop by planting the weeds. They would all have to grow together and await the harvest before being separated. At that time, the wheat would be kept and the weeds thrown in the fire.
It was a little later that the disciples came to Jesus and asked for a more understandable explanation of this parable. We pick up the conversation between Jesus and His disciples in verses 36-43. The one who sowed the good seed, the wheat, was the Son of Man. He sowed this seed within His field, which is the world. We understand this because John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His Son to the world. The enemy who came in and planted the weeds is the devil who in truth has planted his own seeds in the world. These seeds can be negative attitudes, people, addictions, or anything that would cause us to detour ourselves from Him. These seeds are also those who do not choose God.
The harvest, as explained in Matthew 13:39, is the end times. Christ will come back and take His followers, His seeds. The weeds will be bundled up and throw in the fire. These are the people who have chosen not to follow after God. But for those who do choose, for those who are not bundled up in the weed pile, they enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus then makes one more final note concerning this parable when He states, “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear” (Mt 13:43).
Are you one of the righteous? Just recently I touched on this aspect, and how outside of Christ we have nothing righteous to offer. We are sinful beings who live in a sinful place. But, when we offer ourselves to Him, because He was holy, we then take on His character. Jesus was righteous. In accepting Him we wear His righteousness. In accepting Him we become the wheat seeds that were planted by the land owner. In rejecting Him, however, we become the weeds and our destruction will come when Christ returns and we are separated. I make this point not to urge you to buy ‘fire insurance’, but rather to help you consider where your fate lies. Consider, are you a seed or a weed? When the harvest comes, will you be found as wheat, taken to the barn of the Master? Or will you find yourself as a weed, bundled and set into the fire? Choose before it is too late, for no one knows when the harvest day comes.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
INTIMATE MOMENTS
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”
I Corinthians 7:3
Isn’t funny that the holidays seem to be rushed these days? Just a few weeks back we were celebrating Christmas still, and now Valentine’s is already invading the stores. As I was strolling through the grocery store and Wal-mart yesterday I felt the pressure to buy chocolate and stuffed animals…and I’m single still. But the thought of a relationship caused my mind to think on the words of Paul when he spoke concerning marriage to the Corinthians in his first letter.
In I Corinthians 7, Paul takes the time to write to each person in the relational place they are in. He speaks to the married, to the single, to the widowed, and to the young. And although he speaks about a martial duty in verse 3, we can all benefit from these words. Now please understand that the ‘duty’ that Paul is referring to is not just the act of sexual intimacy, but rather the repayment of love overall. In the King James Version it reads ‘due benevolence’. Benevolence is love expressed through goodwill and kindness. Therefore, we are called, not just in marriage but also in life, to perform our act of due benevolence to our spouse and to others.
Now keeping in the theme of marriage, however, I want to look again at Ephesians 5:25. It is here that Paul shares in a separate letter that Christ loved the church, and husbands are supposed to follow this example of love in our own physical marriage to our spouse. With Christ as our role model then, let us consider His ways of intimacy with us. I once heard intimacy defined as – into me, see. Christ allowed us to see into Him; to see His heart. It was His love for us that drove Him to the cross and kept Him there, suffering a brutal death in exchange for our life. It was His love that healed the broken, and drew the hurting to Him. It was His words of love that lured us in and helped us to see the void we held and needed filled.
In marriage, we invite our spouse in, to see all of us. It is with our spouse that we become vulnerable. Our spouse is the only one who is to receive our sexually intimate moments; the only one who should be given the invitation to see inside of me. Others may see a phase of me, but the deep intimate moments are saved for my spouse. Trust is broken in marriage when those intimate moments are shared with someone else.
Christ longs to see us sharing benevolence with others, but He also longs for these intimate moments with us. He longs to let us see into Him and for us to let Him see into us. So then, the question is, are we? With Christ as our husband, and we as His bride, do we give our all in this marriage? Have we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and transparent before our spouse as He is vulnerable and transparent before us? As one who has been married, I can say that to my former spouse I was not. I lived a secret life, and the trust was broken. I am tired of living this way before God as well; of seeing His all and giving Him only a portion in return. Today I make the choice that I will be intimate with Christ. I will put aside the walls and barriers and fears and expose myself fully to Him as He has to me.
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”
I Corinthians 7:3
Isn’t funny that the holidays seem to be rushed these days? Just a few weeks back we were celebrating Christmas still, and now Valentine’s is already invading the stores. As I was strolling through the grocery store and Wal-mart yesterday I felt the pressure to buy chocolate and stuffed animals…and I’m single still. But the thought of a relationship caused my mind to think on the words of Paul when he spoke concerning marriage to the Corinthians in his first letter.
In I Corinthians 7, Paul takes the time to write to each person in the relational place they are in. He speaks to the married, to the single, to the widowed, and to the young. And although he speaks about a martial duty in verse 3, we can all benefit from these words. Now please understand that the ‘duty’ that Paul is referring to is not just the act of sexual intimacy, but rather the repayment of love overall. In the King James Version it reads ‘due benevolence’. Benevolence is love expressed through goodwill and kindness. Therefore, we are called, not just in marriage but also in life, to perform our act of due benevolence to our spouse and to others.
Now keeping in the theme of marriage, however, I want to look again at Ephesians 5:25. It is here that Paul shares in a separate letter that Christ loved the church, and husbands are supposed to follow this example of love in our own physical marriage to our spouse. With Christ as our role model then, let us consider His ways of intimacy with us. I once heard intimacy defined as – into me, see. Christ allowed us to see into Him; to see His heart. It was His love for us that drove Him to the cross and kept Him there, suffering a brutal death in exchange for our life. It was His love that healed the broken, and drew the hurting to Him. It was His words of love that lured us in and helped us to see the void we held and needed filled.
In marriage, we invite our spouse in, to see all of us. It is with our spouse that we become vulnerable. Our spouse is the only one who is to receive our sexually intimate moments; the only one who should be given the invitation to see inside of me. Others may see a phase of me, but the deep intimate moments are saved for my spouse. Trust is broken in marriage when those intimate moments are shared with someone else.
Christ longs to see us sharing benevolence with others, but He also longs for these intimate moments with us. He longs to let us see into Him and for us to let Him see into us. So then, the question is, are we? With Christ as our husband, and we as His bride, do we give our all in this marriage? Have we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and transparent before our spouse as He is vulnerable and transparent before us? As one who has been married, I can say that to my former spouse I was not. I lived a secret life, and the trust was broken. I am tired of living this way before God as well; of seeing His all and giving Him only a portion in return. Today I make the choice that I will be intimate with Christ. I will put aside the walls and barriers and fears and expose myself fully to Him as He has to me.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
CONFUSED SERVANTS
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Matthew 6:24
Don’t worry. I have no plans to take up an offering at the end of today’s devotional. If you are one of those who reads the word ‘money’ in the Bible and quickly puts a death grip on your wallet so that it has to be rescued by the jaws of life, well then you can relax today. Actually I want to dissect this scripture a little. When I woke up this morning this verse came to mind as if God was asking me what I am serving right now.
I took a few minutes this morning to look up some of the key words in this verse. Now as I will save you from a Greek lesson this morning, I would also encourage you to take the time to study to Bible in its original form. With the help of the Holy Spirit, as well as a Commentary or Concordance, the Bible can come alive.
The first word I researched this morning was the word ‘serve’. It seems like a simple word, and in looking it up, it is. Here Jesus is simply saying that no one can be a slave to or be subject to two different masters. A slave is owned, but is owned only to one master. He may do service for another person, but he belongs only to one. We, in essence, are the servant, and we cannot serve two different masters without our devotion being compromised.
Let us look at a few key words in the next section. The word ‘hate’ equals detest. ‘Love’ means to welcome or entertain. ‘Devoted’ is translated in the Greek as enduring or withstanding. And finally, ‘despise’ means to think little or nothing of. With these definitions, let us look once again at this scripture. In serving two masters we are in essence suffering an identity crisis. To each we must stay true without the other knowing. We can detest and care little for one master and then welcome and stand true to another. But then the question, are we standing true to the one who owns us, or are we standing true to the one who doesn’t? The verse ends saying we cannot serve both God and Money. The true word here is not money, but rather Mammon, which is defined as anything opposed to God. So are we serving something opposing to God; is that where our devotion and welcoming rest?
I am reminded of my younger days in third grade. Not that I really knew anything about love, but I remember having two girlfriends. The trick was to be nice to each and spend time with each, while not letting the other one know. One day, however, during lunch while holding one’s hand, the other spotted me and I knew I was in trouble. The girls didn’t turn on each other like I hoped, having a battle over me for the rights of girlfriend, but rather they both spewed their anger on me. At that young age I realized the stupidity of trying to love too many at the same time. My devotion was split and in the end they both split from me.
Are you living a double life? Are you a confused servant, not being faithful to the one who has bought you but rather secretly serving another? I urge you to check your devotion. Whether you have accepted Christ as your Savior or not, He has already paid the price for you. His death on the cross paid for you. Now He asking that you serve Him with your devotion. You must put aside the other master that is working against Him for your devotion. You cannot serve both masters, you must make a choice.
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Matthew 6:24
Don’t worry. I have no plans to take up an offering at the end of today’s devotional. If you are one of those who reads the word ‘money’ in the Bible and quickly puts a death grip on your wallet so that it has to be rescued by the jaws of life, well then you can relax today. Actually I want to dissect this scripture a little. When I woke up this morning this verse came to mind as if God was asking me what I am serving right now.
I took a few minutes this morning to look up some of the key words in this verse. Now as I will save you from a Greek lesson this morning, I would also encourage you to take the time to study to Bible in its original form. With the help of the Holy Spirit, as well as a Commentary or Concordance, the Bible can come alive.
The first word I researched this morning was the word ‘serve’. It seems like a simple word, and in looking it up, it is. Here Jesus is simply saying that no one can be a slave to or be subject to two different masters. A slave is owned, but is owned only to one master. He may do service for another person, but he belongs only to one. We, in essence, are the servant, and we cannot serve two different masters without our devotion being compromised.
Let us look at a few key words in the next section. The word ‘hate’ equals detest. ‘Love’ means to welcome or entertain. ‘Devoted’ is translated in the Greek as enduring or withstanding. And finally, ‘despise’ means to think little or nothing of. With these definitions, let us look once again at this scripture. In serving two masters we are in essence suffering an identity crisis. To each we must stay true without the other knowing. We can detest and care little for one master and then welcome and stand true to another. But then the question, are we standing true to the one who owns us, or are we standing true to the one who doesn’t? The verse ends saying we cannot serve both God and Money. The true word here is not money, but rather Mammon, which is defined as anything opposed to God. So are we serving something opposing to God; is that where our devotion and welcoming rest?
I am reminded of my younger days in third grade. Not that I really knew anything about love, but I remember having two girlfriends. The trick was to be nice to each and spend time with each, while not letting the other one know. One day, however, during lunch while holding one’s hand, the other spotted me and I knew I was in trouble. The girls didn’t turn on each other like I hoped, having a battle over me for the rights of girlfriend, but rather they both spewed their anger on me. At that young age I realized the stupidity of trying to love too many at the same time. My devotion was split and in the end they both split from me.
Are you living a double life? Are you a confused servant, not being faithful to the one who has bought you but rather secretly serving another? I urge you to check your devotion. Whether you have accepted Christ as your Savior or not, He has already paid the price for you. His death on the cross paid for you. Now He asking that you serve Him with your devotion. You must put aside the other master that is working against Him for your devotion. You cannot serve both masters, you must make a choice.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A LIFE OF PASSION
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Passion. What an interesting word. It can define what a husband and wife share between each other. This same word can define a feeling or craving for something, whether sinful or not. Webster defines it as a violent agitation of mind in anger or an intense desire. Passion can be good or bad and is only able to be determined based on whom or what we are passionate is for. I read an article yesterday that defined passion as such:
Passion is a double-edged sword: it can be the energy that catapults us to freedom from sleepwalking through life; or it can be the powerful force, the gravitational pull, which keeps us in a self-destructive cycle.
So then, whom or what are we passionate for?
For most of my life I named one passion but lived passionately for another. At the time I was five I remember accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This confession was soon followed by the action of baptism. But within a matter of years I would take a walk down a dirt path that was quickly becoming a junk yard and stumble upon my first pornographic magazine. Although I would continue to confess God as my passion, my heart would eventually gravitate toward this sin. Only later would I realize the true effects of this self-destructive cycle.
Through events in which God uses to grab our attention, God found a way to grab mine. It was in this time that I was forced to make a decision as to whom I would live for. Would I continue to live in this destruction, knowing that I was killing myself, or I would I grab hold of Him whose hand was reaching out? I chose the latter, to take God’s hand.
Paul chose the same, to give up living for the wrong things and start living with passion for Christ. He considered himself crucified with Christ. As such, the actions and desires of Christ became the actions and desires that he walked in. And with that spark of Christ in him, Paul changed the world. Not only did he go on three missionary journeys preaching Christ, suffering hardships, but he also wrote a majority of the New Testament which we still have today to encourage us in our relationship with Christ. His example of passion for Christ is the example that I strive to have even now.
I am done putting my desires to no use. The things I chased after years ago are not things that interest me anymore. I want to follow after the desires that God has placed in me. But in order to that, I too must be crucified with Christ and live the life of faith in the One who loves me. I encourage you to question who you are passionate about. If not Christ, then are you truly living, or just getting by?
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Passion. What an interesting word. It can define what a husband and wife share between each other. This same word can define a feeling or craving for something, whether sinful or not. Webster defines it as a violent agitation of mind in anger or an intense desire. Passion can be good or bad and is only able to be determined based on whom or what we are passionate is for. I read an article yesterday that defined passion as such:
Passion is a double-edged sword: it can be the energy that catapults us to freedom from sleepwalking through life; or it can be the powerful force, the gravitational pull, which keeps us in a self-destructive cycle.
So then, whom or what are we passionate for?
For most of my life I named one passion but lived passionately for another. At the time I was five I remember accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This confession was soon followed by the action of baptism. But within a matter of years I would take a walk down a dirt path that was quickly becoming a junk yard and stumble upon my first pornographic magazine. Although I would continue to confess God as my passion, my heart would eventually gravitate toward this sin. Only later would I realize the true effects of this self-destructive cycle.
Through events in which God uses to grab our attention, God found a way to grab mine. It was in this time that I was forced to make a decision as to whom I would live for. Would I continue to live in this destruction, knowing that I was killing myself, or I would I grab hold of Him whose hand was reaching out? I chose the latter, to take God’s hand.
Paul chose the same, to give up living for the wrong things and start living with passion for Christ. He considered himself crucified with Christ. As such, the actions and desires of Christ became the actions and desires that he walked in. And with that spark of Christ in him, Paul changed the world. Not only did he go on three missionary journeys preaching Christ, suffering hardships, but he also wrote a majority of the New Testament which we still have today to encourage us in our relationship with Christ. His example of passion for Christ is the example that I strive to have even now.
I am done putting my desires to no use. The things I chased after years ago are not things that interest me anymore. I want to follow after the desires that God has placed in me. But in order to that, I too must be crucified with Christ and live the life of faith in the One who loves me. I encourage you to question who you are passionate about. If not Christ, then are you truly living, or just getting by?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
WITHERED HAND
“Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.”
Matthew 12:13
We read of the many healings that Jesus performed throughout the Gospels, but today I want to focus on just one of them. I want us to look specifically at the man who had the withered hand. The muscles, joints, bones, veins, and tendons had been lacking their abilities, and as such the man’s hand was unable to be used. Why it was withered and for how long it had been is not found within the text, but we are told it was on a Sabbath day that Jesus saw the man. Jesus saw him through eyes of compassion, as if he was an injured sheep in His flock.
Matthew 12:10 points out that the temple priests were looking for a reason to find Jesus guilty. This indeed could be that time, they thought. As they waited on Jesus, He asked them a question that was never answered. Jewish law states that no work should be done from dusk on Friday to dusk on Saturday, in honor of the day rest that God, Himself, took (Gen 2:2). Work was defined as anything that caused a sweat. However, if life was on the line, the greater sin was not working on the Sabbath, but rather not helping. Jesus posed this scenario to those watching by asking how much more valuable was a person in need of help verses an animal. Following these words, Jesus asked the man to stretch forth his hand.
I want us to look at what a hand represents. The obvious is a hand, right or left, it does not matter. But, the hand represents power and authority. When Jesus is said to sit on the right hand of the Father, not only is He sitting on the right side, but He is sitting next to the right power – God. Therefore, this man’s power was withered. He was looked down on not only because there were actions he could not do, but also because he was no longer seen as having authority. In the end, not only did his body suffer, but his status suffered, and eventually his faith suffered.
But Jesus, having compassion on him, looked at him as a sheep needing help. Jesus, caring not that it was the Sabbath, reached out and extended the hand of life to this man, this sheep. With only a few words, Jesus asked the man to extend his hand. In this extension, however, Jesus was asking him to extend his physical hand, his faith, and his hand of authority. Jesus was asking him to allow Himself in, through faith, to sit as the authority in the heart of this man. As the man reached out with his, he also reached out in faith and in so doing allowed Christ to have authority in his life.
I want to ask you, while the year is still so young, have you reached out your hand and allowed Jesus to heal your withered hand? Physically you may be fine, but remember the hand signifies power and authority. Have you given all power and authority over to Him? If not, why not do it now? Reach out to Him in faith and allow Him the power and authority in your life. Perhaps your withered hand is your finances, smoking, drugs, porn, or any other plague that keeps you down. Do you want to be healed of this? Then the answer is simple although the action may be tougher. Jesus is saying even now, “Stretch out your hand.”
“Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.”
Matthew 12:13
We read of the many healings that Jesus performed throughout the Gospels, but today I want to focus on just one of them. I want us to look specifically at the man who had the withered hand. The muscles, joints, bones, veins, and tendons had been lacking their abilities, and as such the man’s hand was unable to be used. Why it was withered and for how long it had been is not found within the text, but we are told it was on a Sabbath day that Jesus saw the man. Jesus saw him through eyes of compassion, as if he was an injured sheep in His flock.
Matthew 12:10 points out that the temple priests were looking for a reason to find Jesus guilty. This indeed could be that time, they thought. As they waited on Jesus, He asked them a question that was never answered. Jewish law states that no work should be done from dusk on Friday to dusk on Saturday, in honor of the day rest that God, Himself, took (Gen 2:2). Work was defined as anything that caused a sweat. However, if life was on the line, the greater sin was not working on the Sabbath, but rather not helping. Jesus posed this scenario to those watching by asking how much more valuable was a person in need of help verses an animal. Following these words, Jesus asked the man to stretch forth his hand.
I want us to look at what a hand represents. The obvious is a hand, right or left, it does not matter. But, the hand represents power and authority. When Jesus is said to sit on the right hand of the Father, not only is He sitting on the right side, but He is sitting next to the right power – God. Therefore, this man’s power was withered. He was looked down on not only because there were actions he could not do, but also because he was no longer seen as having authority. In the end, not only did his body suffer, but his status suffered, and eventually his faith suffered.
But Jesus, having compassion on him, looked at him as a sheep needing help. Jesus, caring not that it was the Sabbath, reached out and extended the hand of life to this man, this sheep. With only a few words, Jesus asked the man to extend his hand. In this extension, however, Jesus was asking him to extend his physical hand, his faith, and his hand of authority. Jesus was asking him to allow Himself in, through faith, to sit as the authority in the heart of this man. As the man reached out with his, he also reached out in faith and in so doing allowed Christ to have authority in his life.
I want to ask you, while the year is still so young, have you reached out your hand and allowed Jesus to heal your withered hand? Physically you may be fine, but remember the hand signifies power and authority. Have you given all power and authority over to Him? If not, why not do it now? Reach out to Him in faith and allow Him the power and authority in your life. Perhaps your withered hand is your finances, smoking, drugs, porn, or any other plague that keeps you down. Do you want to be healed of this? Then the answer is simple although the action may be tougher. Jesus is saying even now, “Stretch out your hand.”
Saturday, January 8, 2011
KISS THE SON
“Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:33
When Jesus does something awesome in your life, what is your first reaction? Are you the kind of person that casually says, ”Thanks Jesus”? Or are you the kind of person who pays no real attention to it and moves on as if nothing really matters? Do you come in with slight judgment and say, “Well it’s about time you showed up and did something”? My prayer is no, but that you are the type of person who takes a moment to truly worship Jesus for who He is and what He has just done. That’s what the disciples did in Matthew 14.
Jesus had advised the disciples to go on ahead of Him by boat across the water. Following the beheading of John the Baptist, and the feeding of five thousand men alone, Jesus wanted some alone time to pray. The disciples obeyed and started on their way. As they sailed, the wind picked up some and began to bang the boat, but it was nothing like the storm they had seen Jesus quiet in Matthew 8. Still, something different was stirring that night.
Around the 4th watch of the night, as the disciples looked back in the direction they had come, a mysterious thing was seen. Beings that most of the disciples were fishermen, I’m sure they all had a whale of a tale to tell about the many things they had seen on the water, but this night they were all seeing the same mystery. At first they thought it was a ghost and grew scared. But as it came closer still, a voice called from it. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” It was Jesus…walking on water? They had seen Jesus do many signs and wonders, but no one had ever seen a man walk on water. Was it really Jesus, or were their minds playing tricks on them during the dark early morning hours?
Peter decided he was bold enough to find out the truth. He called back to the ghost with the voice, “Lord, if it is you then tell me to come and walk to you on this water.” The distant voice responded back, “Come.” Timidly, fearfully I’m sure, Peter braced himself on the boat’s side and brought his legs over. As he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he walked out to meet Him. But the moment the wind and waves grew tall, Peter changed his view from Jesus to what was coming at him. Without that connection, Peter began to sink.
Immediately Jesus reached down and saved Peter. He gave Peter a rebuke about his lack of faith which I know He has also given me, even recently. Please understand this, faith is present action. Faith cannot be built up like financial savings. Peter had seen Jesus do many things, but at that moment when the wind and waves raised themselves, his faith in Jesus was slim. I too have seen Jesus do many things, from healings to provision, but as I have walked new areas recently I have wavered and found Him rebuking my present day small faith in what He can do.
As Peter was helped back in the boat, he and the other disciples worshipped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” But this is where I really want to focus today. This word ‘worship’ has always puzzled me. What did they say, because I want to worship Jesus as they did. I have seen Jesus do miracles and I want to worship Him for it. The word for worship here is PROSKUNEO, and it means to kiss. Can you see it? With relief, joy, and amazement on their faces and in their hearts, they came up to Jesus and kissed His cheek and said without any doubt or hesitancy, “Truly you are the Son of God!”
Does He not still work miracles? Does He not still deserve our worship? Then let us kiss Jesus as we thank Him for who He is and what He has done. No matter what situation you have come out of, He truly is the Son of God. No matter what situation you are in now, He truly is the Son of God. He deserves more than just, “Thanks Jesus.” Let us come before Him and truly worship the true Son of God.
“Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:33
When Jesus does something awesome in your life, what is your first reaction? Are you the kind of person that casually says, ”Thanks Jesus”? Or are you the kind of person who pays no real attention to it and moves on as if nothing really matters? Do you come in with slight judgment and say, “Well it’s about time you showed up and did something”? My prayer is no, but that you are the type of person who takes a moment to truly worship Jesus for who He is and what He has just done. That’s what the disciples did in Matthew 14.
Jesus had advised the disciples to go on ahead of Him by boat across the water. Following the beheading of John the Baptist, and the feeding of five thousand men alone, Jesus wanted some alone time to pray. The disciples obeyed and started on their way. As they sailed, the wind picked up some and began to bang the boat, but it was nothing like the storm they had seen Jesus quiet in Matthew 8. Still, something different was stirring that night.
Around the 4th watch of the night, as the disciples looked back in the direction they had come, a mysterious thing was seen. Beings that most of the disciples were fishermen, I’m sure they all had a whale of a tale to tell about the many things they had seen on the water, but this night they were all seeing the same mystery. At first they thought it was a ghost and grew scared. But as it came closer still, a voice called from it. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” It was Jesus…walking on water? They had seen Jesus do many signs and wonders, but no one had ever seen a man walk on water. Was it really Jesus, or were their minds playing tricks on them during the dark early morning hours?
Peter decided he was bold enough to find out the truth. He called back to the ghost with the voice, “Lord, if it is you then tell me to come and walk to you on this water.” The distant voice responded back, “Come.” Timidly, fearfully I’m sure, Peter braced himself on the boat’s side and brought his legs over. As he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he walked out to meet Him. But the moment the wind and waves grew tall, Peter changed his view from Jesus to what was coming at him. Without that connection, Peter began to sink.
Immediately Jesus reached down and saved Peter. He gave Peter a rebuke about his lack of faith which I know He has also given me, even recently. Please understand this, faith is present action. Faith cannot be built up like financial savings. Peter had seen Jesus do many things, but at that moment when the wind and waves raised themselves, his faith in Jesus was slim. I too have seen Jesus do many things, from healings to provision, but as I have walked new areas recently I have wavered and found Him rebuking my present day small faith in what He can do.
As Peter was helped back in the boat, he and the other disciples worshipped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” But this is where I really want to focus today. This word ‘worship’ has always puzzled me. What did they say, because I want to worship Jesus as they did. I have seen Jesus do miracles and I want to worship Him for it. The word for worship here is PROSKUNEO, and it means to kiss. Can you see it? With relief, joy, and amazement on their faces and in their hearts, they came up to Jesus and kissed His cheek and said without any doubt or hesitancy, “Truly you are the Son of God!”
Does He not still work miracles? Does He not still deserve our worship? Then let us kiss Jesus as we thank Him for who He is and what He has done. No matter what situation you have come out of, He truly is the Son of God. No matter what situation you are in now, He truly is the Son of God. He deserves more than just, “Thanks Jesus.” Let us come before Him and truly worship the true Son of God.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A TIME OF PROMISE
“He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness”
Genesis 15:5-6
Abram had the promise. The first time, in Genesis 12:2-3, he was told he would be a great nation, and now in Genesis 15:5-6, he was being told his offspring would be too numerous to count. But as time continued on and his wife continued to be barren, doubt settled in. Sarai, Abram’s wife, came to him with a plan. She had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. Since God was not allowing her to have children, Sarai told her husband to take Hagar as his wife and build a family through her. In Sarai’s mind, it was a well thought out plan, but it wasn’t God’s plan. Unfortunately, it was this plan that Abram agreed to. Taking Hagar as his second wife, he lay with her and she conceived. From Hagar was born Abram’s first son, Ishmael.
It is important to note that at this point Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. Eleven years had passed since God first spoke His promise to Abram. Eleven years and the plan that Abram worked from was not even God’s plan. Abram had failed in his faith that God would do what He said. Another thirteen years would pass before God would speak with Abram again and begin to move in His plan. At the age of 99, God appeared to Abram and spoke.
“’As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.’”
Genesis 17:4-6
Abraham, the father of our faith who had just received a third confirmation from God, laughed. It wasn’t a laugh of joy but rather a laugh of ‘are you serious?’ Abraham could not believe that God would now make good on His promise when he was about to turn a century old. Not only that, but Sarai, now called Sarah, wasn’t young herself. Sarah would be 90 years old when the promise would finally be delivered. Yet God said in response to Abraham, “She will bear you a son and you will name him Isaac” (Gen 17:19).
When the time was right, when Abraham placed his trust in God’s ways and not his own, then God brought about His promise. When God’s timing and God’s Word intersect, ‘suddenly’ happens. A ‘suddenly’ was about to happen. Sarah became pregnant and in the very time God had promised, she bore a son which was named Isaac. Abraham’s past attempts were no more than failures.
God had an appointed time and an appointed means for the promise to be birthed. But are we not just like Abraham? Do we not hear a promise and then move on it when the time is not right? What has God told you that you are still waiting for? Has your moment passed, or is God still aligning His time with His Word? Your ‘suddenly’ may not have happened yet, but when it does, it will happen SUDDENLY.
“He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness”
Genesis 15:5-6
Abram had the promise. The first time, in Genesis 12:2-3, he was told he would be a great nation, and now in Genesis 15:5-6, he was being told his offspring would be too numerous to count. But as time continued on and his wife continued to be barren, doubt settled in. Sarai, Abram’s wife, came to him with a plan. She had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. Since God was not allowing her to have children, Sarai told her husband to take Hagar as his wife and build a family through her. In Sarai’s mind, it was a well thought out plan, but it wasn’t God’s plan. Unfortunately, it was this plan that Abram agreed to. Taking Hagar as his second wife, he lay with her and she conceived. From Hagar was born Abram’s first son, Ishmael.
It is important to note that at this point Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. Eleven years had passed since God first spoke His promise to Abram. Eleven years and the plan that Abram worked from was not even God’s plan. Abram had failed in his faith that God would do what He said. Another thirteen years would pass before God would speak with Abram again and begin to move in His plan. At the age of 99, God appeared to Abram and spoke.
“’As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.’”
Genesis 17:4-6
Abraham, the father of our faith who had just received a third confirmation from God, laughed. It wasn’t a laugh of joy but rather a laugh of ‘are you serious?’ Abraham could not believe that God would now make good on His promise when he was about to turn a century old. Not only that, but Sarai, now called Sarah, wasn’t young herself. Sarah would be 90 years old when the promise would finally be delivered. Yet God said in response to Abraham, “She will bear you a son and you will name him Isaac” (Gen 17:19).
When the time was right, when Abraham placed his trust in God’s ways and not his own, then God brought about His promise. When God’s timing and God’s Word intersect, ‘suddenly’ happens. A ‘suddenly’ was about to happen. Sarah became pregnant and in the very time God had promised, she bore a son which was named Isaac. Abraham’s past attempts were no more than failures.
God had an appointed time and an appointed means for the promise to be birthed. But are we not just like Abraham? Do we not hear a promise and then move on it when the time is not right? What has God told you that you are still waiting for? Has your moment passed, or is God still aligning His time with His Word? Your ‘suddenly’ may not have happened yet, but when it does, it will happen SUDDENLY.
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GOD OUR FATHER
If one were to move away from the misconception that God is so distant in His status and truly understand, as Christ so often pointed ou...
