Passage of the Day: Ephesians 5: 21 [see underlined/bold below] … 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
My Journal for Today: As John MacArthur reminds us in his Strength for Today devotional on this date, the concept of “submission” is not one which is esteemed in our western, post-modern culture. For the world at large, “submission” usually denotes weakness or being out of control. And yet, this is the attitude sought after by God’s Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, in his exhortation to the Ephesians, the church, and all Christians in today’s passage.
Our natural tendency, which of course comes from our sin nature, is to desire control over situations and others. However, according to our model of Christlikeness, Jesus Himself, we must, as His disciples, try to be like Him, especially in our attitude (see Phil. 2: 5); and Jesus was the model of surrender and submission. He even used surrender terms to describe Himself. In the only two self-descriptive terms ever quoted from Jesus, he called himself “humble” and “meek,” (see Matt. 11: 29) both of which speak of Christ being willing to surrender His glory to humbly serve others, rather than to take on the majesty which was rightly His (see Phil. 2: 5 – 11). During his three year ministry, Jesus continually referred to doing nothing but submitting His all to the will of His Father.
In today’s verse, the term “hupotasso” is used as the Greek concept for “submit;” and this term is derived from a word picture of a soldier surrendering his will – voluntarily – to his officers. And for the Christian the outcome of mutual submission is aptly described by Paul in Phil. 2: 3 – 4 [another of the verses that I hope you have memorized] where the Apostle teaches individual surrender to our Lord Jesus in the context of Christian fellowship. It reads as follows; “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Remember, … from Scripture (again specifically from Phil. 2: 5), Christians are exhorted to have the attitude of Christ; and in today’s devotional we read that the ultimate attitude for Christians, in the context of the fellowship of man, is to elevate the needs of others over the desires of self; and this becomes the expression of our desire to model how Christ lived His life. And surrendering self to the Holy Spirit, i.e., allowing Him to take the lead in our lives, should be the first expression of our mutual submission in the context of the church. And what would this look like in our lives, especially our church lives? Well, one such action of surrender to God would be to submit [“hupotasso”] to the leaders or elders of our church (see Hebrews 13: 17 and 1st Peter 5: 5). For as long as there is evidence that the leaders of any church are following God and His word (see this in the life of Paul in 1st Cor. 11: 1), our surrender to their authority and lead is what this devotional emphasizes in our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
But do we? Do we as Christians find that we overcome our selfish nature and our desire to control others, submitting our will, first to the leaders of our church, and then in mutual surrender to one another? I think not! Because if we did exhibit Christlike surrender, there would not be the degree of strife that we see in today’s churches. How often do we see churches splitting because the will of a few, who desire control? Too often, I’m afraid, we see splinter groups buffeted against the will of the designated or recognized leaders of the church or the Pastor. And how often do we see people gossiping or angry because of their unwillingness to submit to others, especially the leaders of the church? Yes, all too often.
The point here is that mutual surrender or submission, being humanly unnatural, is a definite sign, when it occurs, that an individual Christian has allowed God’s Spirit to take control of his/her spirit so that the love of God can become expressed in Christian surrender to the needs of others. And when this happens in a body of believers, Christ, being lived out in His disciples, becomes evident to a lost and dying world (see also John 1: 7 or 13: 34).
My Prayer Today: Lord, I surrender all! Ame
Showing posts with label God's peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's peace. Show all posts
Monday, September 19, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
August 17, 2011 … Finding True Contentment
Passage of the Day: Philippians 1:21 … For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
My Journal for Today: Short verse ... powerful implications. The Apostle Paul says it – flat out – in today’s verse (copied above). To Paul, as it should be for all Christians, Christ was his all-in-all. And John MacArthur, in today’s devotional from Strength for Today, clearly states, “… true contentment is found only in Christ.”
However, it is unfortunately the case that many people, and even many Christians, have bought into the worldly view of life summarized by the bumper sticker … “The man who dies with the most toys wins!” And it’s time for all of us to stop and honestly see if that sticker applies, even remotely, to our lives; because, if it does, for us to live is fleshly gain and to die is cheapened by our greed.
The Apostle Paul went on (in Phil. 4: 11 – 12) to express God’s truth about contentment; and he did so from his own personal witness [writing while he was imprisoned!]. He declared that having things or not having things was (or is) not where contentment is found. Real contentment, to Paul, only comes from a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus, … THE Christ.
So, I come to this place in life with my own testimony of this truth, after many years in my past seeking contentment as the world would have it … looking for the accumulation of “stuff,” especially monetary accumulation to produce security and contentment. Now I can clearly, and very personally, support what Paul is saying in today’s verse … that my contentment has been found in a pursuit to know God through my relationship with Christ. I now know, as Paul witnessed, that only pursuing Christ can and will bring me contentment. And to this end, my pursuit will continue until I’m with my Lord in glory.
My Prayer Today: Thank You for teaching me that You are everything, Lord! Amen
My Journal for Today: Short verse ... powerful implications. The Apostle Paul says it – flat out – in today’s verse (copied above). To Paul, as it should be for all Christians, Christ was his all-in-all. And John MacArthur, in today’s devotional from Strength for Today, clearly states, “… true contentment is found only in Christ.”
However, it is unfortunately the case that many people, and even many Christians, have bought into the worldly view of life summarized by the bumper sticker … “The man who dies with the most toys wins!” And it’s time for all of us to stop and honestly see if that sticker applies, even remotely, to our lives; because, if it does, for us to live is fleshly gain and to die is cheapened by our greed.
The Apostle Paul went on (in Phil. 4: 11 – 12) to express God’s truth about contentment; and he did so from his own personal witness [writing while he was imprisoned!]. He declared that having things or not having things was (or is) not where contentment is found. Real contentment, to Paul, only comes from a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus, … THE Christ.
So, I come to this place in life with my own testimony of this truth, after many years in my past seeking contentment as the world would have it … looking for the accumulation of “stuff,” especially monetary accumulation to produce security and contentment. Now I can clearly, and very personally, support what Paul is saying in today’s verse … that my contentment has been found in a pursuit to know God through my relationship with Christ. I now know, as Paul witnessed, that only pursuing Christ can and will bring me contentment. And to this end, my pursuit will continue until I’m with my Lord in glory.
My Prayer Today: Thank You for teaching me that You are everything, Lord! Amen
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011 … The Necessity of Grateful Prayer
Passage of the Day: Philippians 4: 6 - 7 … 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My Journal for Today: If any Christian is looking for a scripture to “hang your hat” upon in this unpredictable and threatening world in which we live, go no further than this exhortation from the Apostle Paul as he wrote to believers who were being buffeted by some dangerous heresies and teachings (such as Judaism and Gnosticism) as well as persecution from Rome. There was much over which Christians could be anxious in Paul’s day; and there is even more today. And so, Paul’s admonition and prescription for handling the worries of life couldn’t be more pertinent for you and me today.
I truly believe, as Paul posits above in today’s highlight passage, that only Christians can find God’s peace to guard their hearts in the midst of the storms and tribulations of life. Paul exhorts that the Christian need not fret, worry, or be anxious about “ANYTHING.” That’s a tall claim; but it’s either true or not; and the more mature my faith in Christ has become, the more truth I’ve found in what Paul claims about God’s peace in today’s text. In fact, I maintain that our belief in and use of the truth of today’s passage, as well as that in Romans 8: 28, provides a measure of the maturity of the Christian. [And hopefully you have this latter verse memorized as well as today’s passage; if not, let me provide it here!]
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8: 28 … And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
If you can find peace trough prayer and know that a trying situation is for your ultimate well being as a believer, your faith is mature. However, to the degree we wallow in self-pity and anxiety, rather than looking for God’s will from prayer in the midst of trials, we need to grow in our faith. Right now, I think of the promise in Peter’s prayer of 1st Peter 5: 10 …
SCRIPTURE: 1st Peter 5: 10 … And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
When we’re in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, knowing and believing the truths of God’s word and His promises [see those above], … we Christians truly can find God’s peace, no matter what life may throw at us.
I’ve still got some growing to do; … how about you?
My Prayer Today: Lord, I so want to find your peace in the midst of the storms of life. Amen
Passage of the Day: Philippians 4: 6 - 7 … 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My Journal for Today: If any Christian is looking for a scripture to “hang your hat” upon in this unpredictable and threatening world in which we live, go no further than this exhortation from the Apostle Paul as he wrote to believers who were being buffeted by some dangerous heresies and teachings (such as Judaism and Gnosticism) as well as persecution from Rome. There was much over which Christians could be anxious in Paul’s day; and there is even more today. And so, Paul’s admonition and prescription for handling the worries of life couldn’t be more pertinent for you and me today.
I truly believe, as Paul posits above in today’s highlight passage, that only Christians can find God’s peace to guard their hearts in the midst of the storms and tribulations of life. Paul exhorts that the Christian need not fret, worry, or be anxious about “ANYTHING.” That’s a tall claim; but it’s either true or not; and the more mature my faith in Christ has become, the more truth I’ve found in what Paul claims about God’s peace in today’s text. In fact, I maintain that our belief in and use of the truth of today’s passage, as well as that in Romans 8: 28, provides a measure of the maturity of the Christian. [And hopefully you have this latter verse memorized as well as today’s passage; if not, let me provide it here!]
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8: 28 … And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
If you can find peace trough prayer and know that a trying situation is for your ultimate well being as a believer, your faith is mature. However, to the degree we wallow in self-pity and anxiety, rather than looking for God’s will from prayer in the midst of trials, we need to grow in our faith. Right now, I think of the promise in Peter’s prayer of 1st Peter 5: 10 …
SCRIPTURE: 1st Peter 5: 10 … And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
When we’re in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, knowing and believing the truths of God’s word and His promises [see those above], … we Christians truly can find God’s peace, no matter what life may throw at us.
I’ve still got some growing to do; … how about you?
My Prayer Today: Lord, I so want to find your peace in the midst of the storms of life. Amen
Saturday, May 14, 2011
May 13, 2011 … Endless Preparation for Trials
[Blogger's Note: On 5/12/11 there was an interruption in service from this site; and I could not post here for two days. My 5/12 blog was posted and stored and is now available for reading. This post, for 5/13, is now being posted on 5/14. Then you will see my 5/14 devotional entry posted as well.]
Passage of the Day: 2nd Timothy 1: 7 … 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
My Journal for Today: It is all too easy for Christians to become oppressed by a spirit of fear when we see the strength and cunning of the enemy and we know and acknowledge our own weaknesses. Solomon wrote in Prov. 29: 25, however, that trusting God is the way to overcome the snare of fear; and in today’s verse we read Paul mentoring Timothy (and, by extension, you and me) to be lifted up and away from fear by the truth of God’s love and power, which we have through His Spirit.
Jesus promised His disquieted, confused, and fearful Disciples that in His physical departure from them He would provide them with His peace (see John 14: 27); and Paul instructs Christians on how to capture that peace (see Phil. 4: 6 – 7).
SCRIPTURE: John 14: 27 … Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
SCRIPTURE: Phil. 4: 6 – 7 … 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
To the extent that we can believe and apply the truths of the Apostle Paul, written to fellow Christians, above and the words of Jesus to His Disciples, we will live with that Spirit of love, power, and self-discipline to which Paul encouraged Timothy in today’s verse.
God’s word is loaded with truths and promises to lift us up and bolster our courage in the face of fears produced by the trials of life. I strongly exhort anyone who reads this to memorize and internalize a number of pertinent and powerful passages, which, when believed and claimed, will overcome fears and provide the faith to act with the power that God provides for believers.
May I suggest these scriptures, as well as those above: Isaiah 26: 3 … Isaiah 41: 10 … 1st Corinthians 10: 13 … 2nd Corinthians 12: 9 … and, my personal favorite, the verse which brought me to Christ [long story!], Philippians 4: 13. These passages, as well as today’s highlight passage, I have deeply embedded in my heart; and when I get anxious or fearful, I call them up (or rather God bubbles them into my consciousness) to give me the reassurance I need to handle the trials and troubles of this world and life. I pray that these truths will also do so for you.
But if you’re reading this and you’re willing to take a few minutes, may I refer you through this link to one of my favorite Christian songs, written and sung by Steven Curtis Chapman, who needed God’s perfect strength a few years ago when his teenage son accidently killed his little adopted daughter. Go to this You Tube piece and be lifted up by God’s strength as you worship the God of all strength. Yes, my friend, … God’s strength is perfect to overcome our weakness.
My Prayer Today: Dispel all my fears, Lord with Your truth. Amen
Passage of the Day: 2nd Timothy 1: 7 … 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
My Journal for Today: It is all too easy for Christians to become oppressed by a spirit of fear when we see the strength and cunning of the enemy and we know and acknowledge our own weaknesses. Solomon wrote in Prov. 29: 25, however, that trusting God is the way to overcome the snare of fear; and in today’s verse we read Paul mentoring Timothy (and, by extension, you and me) to be lifted up and away from fear by the truth of God’s love and power, which we have through His Spirit.
Jesus promised His disquieted, confused, and fearful Disciples that in His physical departure from them He would provide them with His peace (see John 14: 27); and Paul instructs Christians on how to capture that peace (see Phil. 4: 6 – 7).
SCRIPTURE: John 14: 27 … Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
SCRIPTURE: Phil. 4: 6 – 7 … 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
To the extent that we can believe and apply the truths of the Apostle Paul, written to fellow Christians, above and the words of Jesus to His Disciples, we will live with that Spirit of love, power, and self-discipline to which Paul encouraged Timothy in today’s verse.
God’s word is loaded with truths and promises to lift us up and bolster our courage in the face of fears produced by the trials of life. I strongly exhort anyone who reads this to memorize and internalize a number of pertinent and powerful passages, which, when believed and claimed, will overcome fears and provide the faith to act with the power that God provides for believers.
May I suggest these scriptures, as well as those above: Isaiah 26: 3 … Isaiah 41: 10 … 1st Corinthians 10: 13 … 2nd Corinthians 12: 9 … and, my personal favorite, the verse which brought me to Christ [long story!], Philippians 4: 13. These passages, as well as today’s highlight passage, I have deeply embedded in my heart; and when I get anxious or fearful, I call them up (or rather God bubbles them into my consciousness) to give me the reassurance I need to handle the trials and troubles of this world and life. I pray that these truths will also do so for you.
But if you’re reading this and you’re willing to take a few minutes, may I refer you through this link to one of my favorite Christian songs, written and sung by Steven Curtis Chapman, who needed God’s perfect strength a few years ago when his teenage son accidently killed his little adopted daughter. Go to this You Tube piece and be lifted up by God’s strength as you worship the God of all strength. Yes, my friend, … God’s strength is perfect to overcome our weakness.
My Prayer Today: Dispel all my fears, Lord with Your truth. Amen
Friday, May 06, 2011
May 6, 2011 … Trial’s Lessons: Contentment
Passage of the Day: Hebrews 11: 24 - 27 … [Note verse 26 in bold] ... 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.
My Journal for Today: In the 21st century, post-modern culture in which we live, most of us will do anything we can to circumvent trials or to prevent pain, especially when we’re in a position where we can take “the easy way” out or we can manipulate the circumstances in our favor to avoid pain and suffering. How many medication commercials, especially for pain killers do we see on TV?
Moses was also into such a culture of opulence, materialism, and power, being raised as a prince in the court of pharaoh. He had been insulated from the sufferings of his Hebrew birthright as a young man. But God showed Moses that he would have to participate in the trials and tribulations of his birth culture to appreciate his destiny and so that Moses’ trust would only be in the God Who would deliver His children from bondage (see today’s passage).
And that is the message that Jesus pointedly taught His people (see Matt. 6: 24) … that NO ONE can serve both Go and riches (including power or sensationalism). It is in our nature – our sin nature – however, to rely on position, power, money, or pleasure to avoid troubles or to dampen the pain or suffering in our lives. But it is only God who can give us the light and life we seek.
As I meditate on what Moses did in faith, following God’s leading, I’m drawn once again to the words of the old hymn, written by Helen Lemmel in 1918, … Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus; and as I do often during my morning devotionals, I’ve gone to listen to this old hymn on my Ipod with my earphones so that I won’t waken my dear wife, Elly, who sleeps so peacefully near me. What a song to bring contentment, especially in light of my love sleeping so peacefully near me. This is contentment; but nothing compared to that brought about by the same God who delivered Moses and God’s people from oppression. Oh, how I pray these thoughts on all who might read here.
---------------
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, …
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, …
In the light of His glory and grace.
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It’s only when we, like Moses, come to focus all our life on our God that the trials and troubles of this world can be dimmed by the light of His love and grace.
My Prayer Today: You are my only Light, dear Lord. Amen
My Journal for Today: In the 21st century, post-modern culture in which we live, most of us will do anything we can to circumvent trials or to prevent pain, especially when we’re in a position where we can take “the easy way” out or we can manipulate the circumstances in our favor to avoid pain and suffering. How many medication commercials, especially for pain killers do we see on TV?
Moses was also into such a culture of opulence, materialism, and power, being raised as a prince in the court of pharaoh. He had been insulated from the sufferings of his Hebrew birthright as a young man. But God showed Moses that he would have to participate in the trials and tribulations of his birth culture to appreciate his destiny and so that Moses’ trust would only be in the God Who would deliver His children from bondage (see today’s passage).
And that is the message that Jesus pointedly taught His people (see Matt. 6: 24) … that NO ONE can serve both Go and riches (including power or sensationalism). It is in our nature – our sin nature – however, to rely on position, power, money, or pleasure to avoid troubles or to dampen the pain or suffering in our lives. But it is only God who can give us the light and life we seek.
As I meditate on what Moses did in faith, following God’s leading, I’m drawn once again to the words of the old hymn, written by Helen Lemmel in 1918, … Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus; and as I do often during my morning devotionals, I’ve gone to listen to this old hymn on my Ipod with my earphones so that I won’t waken my dear wife, Elly, who sleeps so peacefully near me. What a song to bring contentment, especially in light of my love sleeping so peacefully near me. This is contentment; but nothing compared to that brought about by the same God who delivered Moses and God’s people from oppression. Oh, how I pray these thoughts on all who might read here.
---------------
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, …
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, …
In the light of His glory and grace.
---------------
It’s only when we, like Moses, come to focus all our life on our God that the trials and troubles of this world can be dimmed by the light of His love and grace.
My Prayer Today: You are my only Light, dear Lord. Amen
Sunday, October 31, 2010
2010 – October 31 – Prince of ... Division?!
BLOGGER’S NOTE: ... Last day of a very productive and enlightening month from my daily devotionals. I hope/pray that others who've been here with me or have experienced a similar charge of discipleship from the sharing of God's truth ... <'BB><
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Study from God’s Word… Parallel passages, primarily from Matthew, chapters 9-11, Mark 6, and Luke 9 about Jesus challenging, charging, and instructing His Disciples to go out in Galilee, two-by-two, and preach the Gospel and heal the people … Passage for Reflection: Matthew 10: 34 - 36 … NIV 34 [Jesus to His Disciples] "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - 36; a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' [from Micah 7: 6]
My Journal for Today: Jesus had been prophesied to be the “Prince of Peace” [see Isaiah 9: 6]. So what do we make of Jesus calling Himself to be a “prince of division” in today’s highlight passage when The Messiah was charging, instructing, and sending out His disciples into the countryside to preach the good news of the Gospel and representing Him, Jesus, as THE Messiah? And we see this conflict as Jesus even quoted a contemporary of Isaiah, Micah, who had prophesied the division of the world which would occur when The Messiah came among God’s people. But Isaiah, as we read above, had prophesied The Messiah as the “prince of peace;” ... so which is it?
And the answer, of course, is BOTH. Jesus was the Lamb of God, who came as the Babe in a manger to become the giver of peace in his death and resurrection; but then again, He was also a Messiah who would set brother against brother, father against son, and nation against nation as those who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord would be pitted against those who reject Christ’s Lordship.
And some of you, like I have, may have personally experienced this division which is precipitated when non-believing family members are confronted by those in their family who have given their lives, as have I, to Christ as Lord and Savior. I have a sibling who has yet to surrender her heart to Christ; and my being a Minister of the Gospel, as an open and publicly declared Christian, always presents a divisive force in our relationship. And there have been times when my sister is openly hostile, almost mocking of my faith, though she has been less so in recent years Oh, I’ve presented God’s plan of salvation to my sis; but she blatantly rejected all I had to share when the message of salvation through Christ alone was laid out plainly and directly for her.
Maybe you’ve seen this division in our world; and it’s impossible to ignore that the schism between Christian and non-Christian is becoming more polarized in our world with many religions, notably Islamic radicals, being hostile to the point of declaring outright terror and warfare against Christianity. And we see political forces, like the ACLU and others, trying to eradicate any open reference to “God” or “Christ” from the public or governmental arenas.
Yes, Jesus was right. His coming as the Messiah was a fulfillment of Micah’s prophesy; and He definitely is a force of division, calling attention to the truth and the reality that one must either accept or reject Jesus as The Messiah. And we, who call ourselves “Christian,” must go out, as declared by Jesus, into a field “white unto harvest,” to share the good news of Christ as the one-and-only Savior of mankind. And if we face what Jesus’ Disciples faced, resistance ... and even martyrdom, ... well then, SO BE IT!
Because those in God’s field, who’ve heard the good news of Christ, must make a decision; and decision sometimes come from division and clear choices. Is it YEA or NAY? ... We must choose. Is Jesus the prince of division or is He the Prince of Peace?!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, for me You’ve become my Prince of Peace, King of kings, and Lord of lords! Amen
My Journal for Today: Jesus had been prophesied to be the “Prince of Peace” [see Isaiah 9: 6]. So what do we make of Jesus calling Himself to be a “prince of division” in today’s highlight passage when The Messiah was charging, instructing, and sending out His disciples into the countryside to preach the good news of the Gospel and representing Him, Jesus, as THE Messiah? And we see this conflict as Jesus even quoted a contemporary of Isaiah, Micah, who had prophesied the division of the world which would occur when The Messiah came among God’s people. But Isaiah, as we read above, had prophesied The Messiah as the “prince of peace;” ... so which is it?
And the answer, of course, is BOTH. Jesus was the Lamb of God, who came as the Babe in a manger to become the giver of peace in his death and resurrection; but then again, He was also a Messiah who would set brother against brother, father against son, and nation against nation as those who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord would be pitted against those who reject Christ’s Lordship.
And some of you, like I have, may have personally experienced this division which is precipitated when non-believing family members are confronted by those in their family who have given their lives, as have I, to Christ as Lord and Savior. I have a sibling who has yet to surrender her heart to Christ; and my being a Minister of the Gospel, as an open and publicly declared Christian, always presents a divisive force in our relationship. And there have been times when my sister is openly hostile, almost mocking of my faith, though she has been less so in recent years Oh, I’ve presented God’s plan of salvation to my sis; but she blatantly rejected all I had to share when the message of salvation through Christ alone was laid out plainly and directly for her.
Maybe you’ve seen this division in our world; and it’s impossible to ignore that the schism between Christian and non-Christian is becoming more polarized in our world with many religions, notably Islamic radicals, being hostile to the point of declaring outright terror and warfare against Christianity. And we see political forces, like the ACLU and others, trying to eradicate any open reference to “God” or “Christ” from the public or governmental arenas.
Yes, Jesus was right. His coming as the Messiah was a fulfillment of Micah’s prophesy; and He definitely is a force of division, calling attention to the truth and the reality that one must either accept or reject Jesus as The Messiah. And we, who call ourselves “Christian,” must go out, as declared by Jesus, into a field “white unto harvest,” to share the good news of Christ as the one-and-only Savior of mankind. And if we face what Jesus’ Disciples faced, resistance ... and even martyrdom, ... well then, SO BE IT!
Because those in God’s field, who’ve heard the good news of Christ, must make a decision; and decision sometimes come from division and clear choices. Is it YEA or NAY? ... We must choose. Is Jesus the prince of division or is He the Prince of Peace?!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, for me You’ve become my Prince of Peace, King of kings, and Lord of lords! Amen
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
2010 – October 20 – Resting in Peace
Image #1 ... Rembrandt's - Simeon's Joy ...
Image #2 de Gelder's - Nunc Dimittis
Study from God’s Word… Luke, Chapters 1 – 2 … Passage for Reflection: Luke 2: 28 - 30 … NIV 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
My Journal for Today: I revel with peace in reading, re-reading, and mediating from the story of The Christ’s birth, being foretold some 700+ years before the Babe born in Bethlehem by the Prophets Micah and Isaiah and others. And the unfolding of the birth story of our Messiah just gives me great peace, … especially knowing that this One, Who was born in a manger stall, was, … AND IS, my Savior.
I can just imagine what must have been felt by that loving Priest, Simeon, who had been promised by God to one day see The Messiah before he died; and then to take THE ONE in his arms from His mother; and to be able to declare his “nunc dimittis,” which, in Latin, means “now dismiss me.” And this moment has been depicted often over the centuries, in song and art, such as the photos attached here, the first one by Rembrandt and the second by his student, Arent de Gelder, depicting the joy felt by Simeon as he was allowed to hold the very Author of Salvation.
But do you realize, along with me here in this moment, that we can hold the same “Rest In Peace” joy felt by Simeon, Mary, Zechariah, Joseph, and others who were there to look into the eyes of the Baby Christ child. Yes, we can also “R.I.P.” as the old cartoon depiction of death, declares. Why? Well, we can rest in peace ecause we don’t need to fear death and can experience the ultimate in peace, KNOWING that Jesus was born as a Child, lived as a Rabbi, and died as a Savior so that I can live in His peace FOREVER. And so, right now, as I write this, I feel the same L.I.P. (“live in peace”) attitude which Simeon must’ve felt when that babe was placed in his arms.
I live in the peace of knowing that no matter what happens in this life, my forever has been shaped by that Baby who was born as the God-child and Who became the God-man, … the Lamb of God, Who was sacrificed for my sin on Calvary. Yes, Jesus is my “nunc dimittis,” giving me eternal peace and assurance that He has saved me from myself.
And here I am again, declaring “Hallelujah,” my Savior!!!”
My Prayer for Today: Yes, Lord, HALLELUJAH, … for letting me rest in peace in this life and eternally with You in glory. Amen
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