February 16, 2010

 Sometimes I just have to be quiet and comtemplate the awesomeness of the Lord. How the glory of God filled the tabernacle when they were obedient, how Jesus healed the multitudes and still took time to be alone with the Father. How He defends us and encourages us when we're weak. Isn't our God great?! "Great is the Lord who delights in the welfare of His servant." Ps 35:27

January 27, 2010

Jesus told us to be humble like a child: that is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4. Moses was humble, but he made God angry when he told God to "please send someone else," even after God said He's put the words in his mouth and had given him signs to show. Exodus 4:12-14 (I'm struck by how the Lord didn't recind the call, just made a provision for Moses' weakness.)

I've had the Lord tell me to do many things I just knew I couldn't do, and yet He was there helping me when I stepped out. Of course, there have been many, many times I didn't step out because of fear and unbelief.

Apparently, the greatest humility is to take God at His word and obey, no matter how crazy it seems, and no matter what anyone else thinks of you.

January 20, 2010

Again I am struck by the agreement of the passages for today, and the message in them. Dreams and parables, signs and wonders featured strongly. This is very timely, for aren't we in the times Jesus prophesied, the end of the age? Maybe we have heard the story of Joseph and the parables of Jesus since we were children, and take them too lightly. But they have huge significance for this time that we are in.

God will be speaking to us (and even to unbelievers) in dreams and visions, because we will need instruction! The parables are important for our time! Understanding God's spiritual language is needed for direction, wisdom and discernment. For our protection and the good of those we care for and serve, we must seek the Lord for understanding! It's not just for people who might considered weird because they are gifted prophetically, it's for anyone "who has ears to hear."

"Jesus told the crowd all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:34-35

Jesus is still speaking in dreams, visions and parables today, and He is still giving those who seek him the keys of understanding that will save the day.

January 13, 2010

Of all there is in life, nothing is more precious to me than close encounters with God. Jacob had his ladder encounter Genesis 28:12; everywhere Jesus went, people had encounters with God-- the dead were raised, the blind got their sight, people were delivered, Matthew 9. Not a day goes by when I'm not touched by Him in some way. Most of the time it's seemingly small things-- the guidance of the Holy Spirit or the strong conviction of the Word. But it's what makes my life worth living. Psalm 11:7 "the upright shall behold his face." How aware are you of the presence of God? Can you look in the mirror, view yourself and say "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." ? Can others?