October 5, 2010 The Best Mystery Is A Solved One

I love a mystery, don't you?  What I enjoy most about a mystery is finding out the solution.  If there's only mystery, and no revelation, the thrill is lost and the only thing left is frustration!  That's good news when it comes to the gospel!  It's a mystery revealed: "the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints" "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1: 26, 27b

I'm going to let the Holy Spirit speak to you about that, because it's such a packed statement it really takes the whole New Testament to unfold it!  I felt, though, that I needed to be forthright in clearing up an apparent mystery as to why I have not kept up writing in Daily Manna.  Be assured, I haven't back-slidden, and I'm still reading my One Year Bible, as I hope you are.  I certainly hope my silence has not been a discouragement to you.

I have felt great pressure to "spew" while I've been reading the prophets-- everything I read is so vividly relevant to the present condition of our nation.  But the Holy Spirit had not released me to speak what's been on my heart.  Just because I have a daily blog does not mean I have permission to speak daily!  This is a human expectation (mine included) that can cause pressure.  Again I remind you, the designation "Daily Manna" refers to the daily reading of God's Word, not my daily words!! 

The Lord has made it clear to me that I am under no compulsion to write daily; rather He has strongly gotten it across to me that I am NOT to do so, at least not now.  I will, however, write when He tells me to.  This will keep me from blowing off steam that is supposed to build and give me momentum to accomplish the things He has given me to do.  It's a hard lesson to learn, for all of us, that just because we have something to say (referring here to something TRUE to say), doesn't mean we should always say it.  The goal is to be like Christ, and He only did and said what He saw His Father doing and saying at any given time.

Scriptures are clear about what is wrong and what needs to be done about it.  I hope you have been brave and have continued to sludge (if you felt that way) through the prophets' words of wrath and judgment, and that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you the things you needed to see and discuss with Him in prayer.  I hope these passages have given you great impetus for intercession.  I hope you were comforted and inspired by the many words of hope and pictures of Christ in Isaiah, as was I.   

What I want to do today, dear brother or sister, is to encourage you and bless you.  I do not curse my country as some people do, but neither do I wish to bless evil as some others do all the time.  So what I will do is what I see my Father doing, and that is bless His people, His HOLY nation!  Who is His holy nation, if not those who fear Him?  Those whose hope of salvation is Christ the Lord.  In His name I bless you!  You ARE blessed because you belong to HIM!  In Jesus Christ, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

It is time to SEE the mountain of the Lord, His kingdom growing in the earth.  It is time to run to the mountain!  God is lifting up His banner of love-- even as the trumpet of battle is blowing-- lifting up His covering which is Christ's blood.  Under this covering we are protected from God's wrath against evil.  Yes, there is wrath.  I feel it inside many times, and maybe you do too, against corruption, injustice and plain stupidity.  There is a separation of light from darkness as the Spirit hovers, brooding over the earth.  What He is forming in you is CHRIST!  Not the world's lying definition of that, but Christ Himself, the Word of Truth.  This is your hope of glory, the light shining out into the darkness.  There will definitely be a separation-- not of church and state, as many are calling for, but a separation of the wicked from the righteous.  The separation will be for judgment, because this world is judged.  We are under the blood, if we are His.  We are not appointed to wrath (this doesn't mean we don't get some discipline at times when we need it-- we are His children, the children of light.)   Let's just make sure we are in Him.  As the light rises in you, the darkness will flee from you as the dark of night flees from the rising of the dawn!

This is not a time for finger-pointing or blame, but time for serious consideration, and time for deep intercession.  God can and does choose nations, when they submit to Him; He can revive our nation, making it again a "nation under God", but the people of the nation need to be revived!  When I say revival, I mean taking hold of the kindgom of God.  Nationwide repentance is needed: Repentance for desiring a king other than God.  Repentance for trusting in government for provision and safety rather than trusting in the Lord.  Repentance for running after and serving other gods.   Repentance for the sacrifice of children to the evil spirits of old.  Repentance for allowing the freedom that Christ bought for us, that we have fought so desperately to retain, to be traded in for slavery.  There are many other things to be repented of, as the Word and Spirit will testify. 

The Church must from the heart repent for its lack of discernment and from hiding from her duties: "These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” him the people will curse; nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them." Proverbs 24: 23-25 

As citizens of an earthly nation, we must come before God to repent for the sins of our nation; as citizens of Heaven, we must call our earthly nation to come under the blood of Christ and be reconciled to God.  Then, as citizens of both Earth and of Heaven, when it's time, we must get out and vote as the Holy Spirit, Scripture and conscience direct. 

There is no more time for excuses or laziness.  Let the Sun rise in you and enlighten the darkness!

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1: 19-20

Questions to ponder:

What parts of the Word have been a mystery to you?  Have you asked God to reveal them to you?  What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you lately?

What influences have you come under in your life that have stolen the freedom you have in Christ?  Are you a slave to anything right now, other than Christ?  Do you know how to get free?

How much do you value your freedom?  Are you willing to fight for it? 
What enemies do you see that want to destroy your freedom?  What part of the battle is physical, and what part is spiritual?

August 5, 2010 When All Seems Lost, God Makes A Way

I was suicidal once, years back; for a month or more, I struggled with thoughts of how I could end my life because chronic depression had left me hopeless, and my circumstances seemed unchangeable.  I had lost connection with my faith in God, although I would not have denied it consciously.  The only thing that kept me going was that I needed to take care of my children.  I thank God for a dad who heard God, comprehended where I was at, and offered to pay for therapy.  This was the beginning of a long journey of healing and restoration for me.  That I now have abiding peace and joy in my life, and a stable environment and relationships, is a great example of the power of the cross of Christ.  It is in Him alone that I have found reality, sanity and purpose.

I share this because it is the first thing I thought of when I saw the heading for today's reading in Ezra: End of the Babylonian Captivity.  What I saw in the passage was that if God could stir up the spirit of Cyrus, He can do whatever needs to be done to rescue us from our distresses.  He did do that for me.  When I thought no good could come from my life (that was of course, a deception), God broke through my darkness and brought me out.  My sinful choices had gotten me into captivity in the first place.  God used it for good in my life anyway. 

When humanity had fallen into the depths of depravity, God made a way.  When Jesus went to the cross to die, He took upon Himself the whole of mankind's mess.  He came back from the depths of death bringing our deliverance with Him.  As Paul said, it sounds like foolishness to a lot of people, but I say, foolishness or not, it's wisdom and life.  I can testify first hand-- I'm only alive because of Him.

The Corinthians passages are some of the most powerful and hopeful I know of: I love them!  When you put them together with the Ezra account, the Psalms and the Proverbs, today's reading packs a powerfully hopeful punch! I completely embrace being a "foolish thing"!  It means I'm chosen to put to shame the "high and mighty" things of the world.  I just said to my husband this morning, that I didn't belong in the big, bad world-- that I just wanted to hide out "in a cave" and be a little girl.  The fact is, I am God's little girl!  I don't have to fit in with, or be accepted by, the world (that's perishing anyway); I don't belong!  I belong to the Kingdom!  I'm in Christ and Christ is in God.  I can be strong in the power of His might!  I  can glory in Him!  I don't have to be anything, because He is everything.  However, as I keep pressing into Him, the foolishness that is me gives way to the wisdom that is Him.  I begin to realize that in the Kingdom I have substance, significance, sustainability.

If you are lost, Jesus is the Way.  If you have been found by Him, Jesus is still the Way.  Along the Way you find Truth and Life.  These things are worth living for!  Whether you know it or not, Jesus already died for you and proclaimed you "forgiven."  Your future love relationship with God began at that moment.  Whenever you awake to this reality and say "yes," the adventure begins.  Never give up on your life!  You will be totally surprised at the wondrous things He has in store for you, even if you feel like a foolish thing right now.   

Bonus: Negativity is the beginning of the suicidal road; here's how not to get there, ever:

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD."
Psalm 27:13-14

Questions to ponder:
Have you ever struggled with despair or suicidal thoughts? How did you get out from under them?
If you have had victory in this area, have you ever shared it with others?
Do you know anyone who struggles with depression or suicidal thoughts?
How do you deal with that? 
Even if these things are far from your own experience, what have you learned that is applicable to you?

Truth: Whatever you've overcome in your life is what the Lord will use to minister life to others through you.

July 26, 2010 Bridge Over the Chasm of Doubt

I often have to be reminded of what I already know.  Although I may feel ashamed for having "forgotten" something I had revelation on, and really felt I understood, I am grateful for the prodding I get from the Holy Spirit.  He gently reminds me, and somehow gets across His desire that I do what He's saying.

Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV

I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated.  No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again.  We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway.  Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation!  But that's not what I'm talking about here.  What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming.  What is that bridge anyway?  We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.

Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge.  We are put in the position of having to build it.  We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.

I'll use myself as an example.  Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life.  Depression is one of them.  Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation.  Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression.  But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt. 

All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life,  knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart.  Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light.  Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence.  Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression.  Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.

Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God.  All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act.  This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key."  Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch!  And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere.  We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas.  Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.

I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation.  I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress.  The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy.  I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me.  So why am I not getting saved in those areas?  Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth.  I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it.  I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.

Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God.  The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved.  We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again.  We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection.  Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation.  We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.

What hinders you from confessing your faith?  Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.

July 17, 2010 The Robe of Righteousness

God's ideas about righteousness are very different from the ones we come up with as human beings.  God says righteousness can only be received, by believing Him.  He says there's nothing we can do, even from the Mosaic law, to make us righteous.  If we want to be accepted by God, we're going to have to come to Him on His terms.  We can't go before His throne of grace in filthy rags (our own efforts to be righteous).  We have to go before Him in a robe of righteousness.  We are given this robe when we receive Christ as our savior.  His righteousness is placed on us, and then we are clothed properly. 

When we are in right standing with the Father based on our faith in Christ, we can then come before Him in our time of need (which is all the time, isn't it?).  Now that we have been given a right relationship with the Father God through Christ our Brother, we are going to have the opportunity to grow up in Him.  The end result is people who are just like Jesus, walking in righteousness that flows from the inside out because He lives in us.  This delights the Father, but it is never what makes us right with Him.   

July 12, 2010 What We're All About

This simple statement is so powerful on its own that I really don't feel the need to say much about it:  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NKJV  It was the Apostle Paul's mission statement in a way, if I remember rightly what that term means.  It was what he was all about, in a nutshell.

After reading in Acts about the conversion and ministry of Paul, I am quite ready to learn from him (via the Holy Spirit) about the power and righteousness of God, the walk of faith, and the message of the gospel of Christ.  I want to have his heart, for truth and for souls, imparted to me-- you? 

I think I enjoyed, more than ever before,  vicariously going on those mission trips as I imagined sailing on the numerous ships to various places, seeing the miracles and rejoicing in the people who received Christ.  Now I am looking forward to sitting at that preacher's feet, in a way, and letting the things that motivated him to so lay down his own life get into me and motivate me.  There is no time barrier in the Kingdom of God.  It's just as real and alive now as it was then.  With this attitude, then, I plan on diving into the letters and coming out changed.  Want to join me?    

July 3, 2010 Turn At the Light

God's word testifies today of the power that His light and truth have to turn a person, or even a nation to Himself.  God had mercy on Josiah because he turned to the Lord, but the nation still had major consequences to deal with because of their great idolatry.  Paul the Apostle had a magnificent conversion when he encountered the glorious Christ on the road to Damascus.  He had a lot of suffering to deal with in his life, but the Lord used him to reach many souls for Him-- his letters minister to us so much even today.

I remember many years ago-- as a backslidden young woman lost in darkness-- coming to myself just like the progidal son did.  The description in today's 2 Kings reading reminds me so much of how I felt back then.  Suddenly, my eyes were opened, and I was overwhelmed when the Lord showed me how every area of my life was sin!  But because I turned to Him when He revealed himself to me, He cleansed me and healed me, and is in the process of restoring all that was lost through my rebelliousness and idolatry.  God is so good!  He will do the same for anyone that turns to Jesus as their Lord and Savior in true repentance, and He will lead them in the Way, the Truth and the Life.

I pray, on the anniversary of our "independence," that our nation will likewise have a great conversion.  We may still have to accept hard consequences for our mistakes, rebellions and idolatries.  But God will have mercy on any one who comes to Him humbly.  If enough of us turn to Him with our whole heart, perhaps this country may again shine His light as we are called to do.  As a nation, as well as individually, we must not trust in our wealth or our power to save us; we must humble ourselves before God and rely on Him alone.

"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility." Proverbs 18:11-12 NKJV  

May 6, 2010 The Seed of Blessing

I've always loved the story of Ruth and Boaz.  Besides being a great study of ancient Hebrew culture, it is a powerful vision of the redemptive power of love.  In Ruth's story, I see the law of increase at work, as words of blessing and acts of kindness are planted, growing into a harvest of favor and blessing.  Ruth's words of blessing and acts of kindness towards Naomi, her mother-in-law, brought a harvest of favor to her through Boaz.  Boaz's words of blessing and acts of kindness to his own workers, family, and Ruth, a foreigner, brought him a harvest of favor and blessing from God.  Together, these people who loved God, knew His goodness, and followed Him in word and deed, brought forth the Seed of blessing into the world.  Through them came the earthly lineage of Jesus.

Then we see Jesus, walking through Cana of Galilee.  He had already blessed them at the wedding, where He did his first miracle.  Again He blessed them with His words, "Go your way; your son lives."  Wherever He went, He sowed words of blessing and acts of kindness.  Whoever believed Him reaped God's favor.  Look how much increase had come down through Boaz and Ruth! 

We are part of this lineage of blessing-- through Christ we have been grafted in.  There has been no end to the increase of His Kingdom by His word and His power.  His word is planted in us, and by faith, we can also receive the blessing and give it.  As our character is established in Christ and our obedience is built by training and practice, we should see the same power of God's favor coming from the words of blessing and acts of kindness the Spirit prompts us to sow.  If we could only get a hold of how overly-abundant-beyond-all-we-can-think-or-ask God's favor is through Christ, there would be no lack of provision, no lack of the power of God.

May 1, 2010

The essence of evangelism: "We have found the Messiah.  Come and see."  First of all, we have to have a revelation of the Lord.  It helps to tell people how we got that revelation.  Next, we introduce them to Jesus.  Telling about Him is never enough-- people have to meet Him themselves.  Then, in His presence, they experience Him-- He looks at them and speaks into their heart.  Then they know He is God.  After that, it is between them and God.  People have to make their own choice, but trying to convince them without introducing them to a REAL PERSON is of little value.  Once you've done that, though, you've done your part, except to pray for them and be a good example of a person who maintains a real relationship with Christ.

April 22, 2010

The Scriptures in which Jesus talks about the end times are, to me, some of the most important ones we can study, and hear His voice in, for NOW.  He tells us these things not to frighten us, but to prepare us and comfort us.  All these "dreadful portents" are indications that the Kingdom of Heaven is soon to be Christ's reign on Earth!  How could these things be our doom?  They are only foreboding to those who reject Christ, and to the rebellious kingdoms of the earth.  If we endure, we very well could be among the generation to see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" ! 

Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth.  "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28  Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ.  It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him.  It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.  

It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King.  We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of.  We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.

I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally.  But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus".  "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7

Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV

"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV

"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR

"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV

"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV


"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV

It has already been done!  Can you hear the music?  Will you sing it with Him?

P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us. 

P.P.S  PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2

Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!

I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.

"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10

April 21, 2010

I love how the Bible illuminates itself!  Saying it that way sounds funny to me, but really, it's Jesus, the Word, shedding His light on the written Word that I'm talking about.  Somtimes though, in the One Year Bible, the Scriptures come together in just the right way to really light up the truth of the gospel, enlightening the eyes of our understanding.

While the Sadducees asked some totally irrelevant questions, Jesus brought reality into clear focus.  He spoke of an "age" in which "those who are considered worthy of a place in that age" will have resurrected bodies that will not die, like the angels. It doesn't say that we will be angels, as some believe!  He also didn't say "in heaven"-- clearly this is an "age" on Earth.  He continues to discuss the Kingdom of God, speaking of the Messiah, giving them a chance to get some revelation about Who the Messiah was.

Psalm 89 gives us so much revelation about the promises of David to which Jesus referred.  The whole psalm prophesies of Christ!  Of course, we know that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah).  "I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.  Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm." vs 27-28  The awesome thing is that the covenant is between God and Christ, who will never break the covenant.  As long as we are "in Him", the benefits of the covenant are ours.  Jesus took care of the fact that, in our natural state, we are consistent covenant breakers. He's got us covered while we grow as children of God (grace).

Part of God's covenant is that Christ's throne will be established forever.  Only a person who cannot die could have a throne "as long as the heavens endure."vs 29 Just as Jesus was the Messiah then, even though most of the Jews didn't see it, or receive Him as such, Jesus is the King now, even though many don't receive Him as such, or recognize the Kingdom. While He was on the earth, He said the Kingdom of God is at hand.  Then He rose from death, and went to sit at the right hand of the Father, telling us that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him.  Doesn't that mean He's the King?  The highest of all?  I guess that means we're already in the Kingdom Age! 

If we recognize and serve the King, we acknowlege that we are in the Kingdom age already, although it is not yet visible on Earth.  At Christ's return, it will be.

What does it mean to have a King?  How real is this to you? 

Bonus:
Jesus is not dead, awaiting the resurrection-- He's alive!  That says to me that, if it's not here already, the Resurrection Age is at hand.  If that is true, what does this mean for us?  What are the implications of walking in Christ's resurrection power and life? Are you aware of any Scriptures that give light on this subject?  As for me, I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for more understanding of what is really going on in REALITY.

March 13, 2010

Reading the Luke account of the story of Zechariah's visitation in the temple, I saw a different scenario than I had ever seen before.  Not that anything different happened, but I saw it in a different way. 

The angel Gabriel says to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13.  Gabriel went on to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would finally bear him a son.  I had always assumed that Zechariah had been praying for that son; but then I realized that, since he was standing before the altar of incense in the temple doing his priestly duties, when "the whole assembly of the people was praying outside,"  vs 10  that his prayers were for Israel: that God would "turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." vs 16.

If bearing a son had simply been a private matter for Zechariah and Elizabeth, perhaps Gabriel would have visited them at home.  But the angel's visit to the temple during worship and prayer marked a significant turn of events for Israel.  I don't think Zechariah would have been quite so terrified when the angel showed up if it was usual then for the glory of God to appear in the temple.  This must not have happened to him before, and was unexpected. 

I also don't think that Zechariah had an expectation of receiving an answer to prayer about finally having a son.  His reaction to the news, and Gabriel's response to it, indicate that he had given up having faith about that.  I think it was Elizabeth who had the faith to have her womb opened.  Her statement was, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." vs 25  I don't believe she had ever stopped entreating the Lord about her barrenness.

God's goodness and wonderful timing are showcased here, answering two separate prayers concerning barrenness: a woman's and a nation's.  God had a plan to not only bless a righteous couple who served Him, but to prepare His chosen people to receive the promised Messiah and the redemption He would bring. 

I see an application for us personally.  When we see the trouble around us, and take our cities and nations before the Lord in intercession, He will find a way to make us part of the answer.  It may just be that the long-awaited answer to the deepest longing of our heart is part of God's plan to bring His redemptive power to work in our own personal area of influence.  Isn't God awesome?

March 6, 2010

We could think God contradicted Himself if we read (out of context) "Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it.  For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice that one should live on forever and never see the grave." Psalm 49: 1-20.  But if we read on, the same psalm states: "But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me." vs 15.  What a great prophesy of Christ's ransom for us!  It truly shows that there was no way of redemption except Him, but that God, indeed, had always promised a Way. 

Obviously, the first verse speaks of a person trying to redeem himself or another, and that there is no amount of riches capable of redeeming us.  Christ's life and sacrifice was SO valuable that it sufficed to redeem any and all who would receive Him-- forever!  As an aside, these verses really shows how valuable we are to God, and should increase our own concept of worth, and change how we value ourselves and others.

Unfortunately, (pun intended), there are many people who still trust in riches to save them, and many nations who do as well.  Is ours one of them, do you think?  Do you think that false messiahs who come along-- with schemes to deceive-- might try to wield worldly wealth and power as a means of solving the world's problems?  Have you ever seen this type of deception in the Church itself?  Does it seem logical to you that any amount of wealth could help with the types of trouble that Jesus prophesied for the end times, and that we see ourselves in the midst of now?  Mark 12: 7-8

Jesus was also clear that much of the end-time trouble would be between people, with rampant betrayal and hatred, even among relatives: "because of my name."  He directed us to trust the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say, and told us to "endure until the end."  vs 9-13 

I see a flip-side to the principle that no amount of wealth can redeem us.  It seems to me that no amount of wealth (which equates to worldly power) can "buy God off" either!  Who could pay God enough to "un-redeem" us?  Who could be wealthy enough to take us to court and condemn us when we have a Righteous Advocate on our side?  Christ!  If God is for us, who can be against us?  An entire nation?  The whole world system?  None of these powers could redeem us, and none of them can destroy us either.  We are truly safe IN the Lord!  It might be unpleasant or painful for a while, but all we need is endurance to see the salvation of God, and His promise of eternal life.

"Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?"  Psalm 49: 5-6

Jesus is not swayed, influenced or impressed by riches and worldly power.  This is clear in the beginning of the Mark passage.  He does not judge by outward appearance, but sees the heart.  He saw through the pomp of the religious leaders of the day, and He commended the poor widow for offering all she had because of her love for God.  He hasn't changed!

When we give ourselves totally to Him, this is a great treasure that He accepts.  In return, He gives Himself totally to us.  What, then, have we to fear?

February 5, 2010

When Jesus talked about the signs of the end of the age in Matthew 24, it definitely seems to speak of these times. I see some instructions for us:

1) Don't be led astray by false prophets.
2) Don't be alarmed.
3) Don't let your love grow cold.
4) Endure until the end.
5) Preach the gospel of the Kingdom.

No matter what happens, we have the promise of the return of Christ! In the midst of all the calamity, the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven to the earth is truly "good news"!