No Ordinary Baby

The angel Gabriel was busy.  Six months earlier he had visited Zachariah with the news that the long-forgotten prayers of he and his wife for a child would be answered in this very late season of their lives. Now this angelic messenger was on another assignment, "sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary" (Luke 1:26b-27, AMP).  The subsequent events around this visit are at the heart of the Christmas Season, a time most of the world set aside to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

It is not difficult to understand how babies born into royal families become kings.  However, never in the history of the world has a king become a baby.  Yet that was one of the significant messages in Gabriel's announcement to Mary.  The baby that would be born was making an entrance into the world, but He was doing so from another place.  He was promised from as far back as in the Garden of Eden when God said to the serpent, "And I will put enmity (open hostility) between you and the woman, and between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, and you shall [only] bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15).  Through various dispensations, prophets prophesied about Him and the religious establishment looked for Him.  He was expected, but nobody knew exactly where, when, or how.  But since He existed before His arrival as a baby, who was He?  The apostle John unveiled the divine Jesus when he wrote, "In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.  In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]" (John 1:1-5).

This same baby Jesus was the Word, He was with God, He was God Himself . . . continuously existing with God.  In other words, there was never a time that He never was. Creator and sustainer of all, king of heaven and earth.  At the appointed time, John tells us, "the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception)" (v. 14).  Matthew Henry observes, "By His divine presence He always was in the world, and by His prophets He came to His own. But now that the fulness of time was come He was sent forth after another manner, made of a woman (Gal. 4:4); God manifested in the flesh." In other words, God's gift to the world - to reconcile the world to Himself - was the incarnate Christ.

It is this unique entrance into the world that we celebrate this and every Christmas season.  Jesus was born not in a lofty place, but at birth was placed in a manger amongst the animals.  Luke tells us there was no room in the guest room (Luke 2:7, NIV). Isacc Watts, in 1719, penned the words that start the well-known carol: "Joy to the World, the Lord is come / Let earth receive her king / Let every heart prepare Him room / And heaven and nature sing." On the night when joy came into the world, there was no room for the King of kings and Lord of lords. Now every heart is charged with the responsibility to make room for Him.  Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, is there room in your heart and life for Jesus?

To you and yours, a very Merry Christmas!

God Remembers the Prayers We Forget

One had to feel some sympathy for Zacharias.  Here was a man, trying to serve God faithfully and carrying out his duties as a priest.  On this particular day "as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense [on the altar of incense].  And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense" (Luke 1:9-11, AMP).  Understandably, "when Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear" (v. 12).  

 

While Zacharias was clearly not expecting this other-worldly visitor, this visitor was expecting him.  Not only that, but he called him by his name as he delivered his special and very specific message: "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John" (v. 13).  According to the narrative, the message continued for another four verses (vv. 14-17), but it wouldn't be surprising if all 

​the old priest​

 heard was verse 13.  A son?  He and Elizabeth?  Prayers that were previously prayed when they were younger had not been answered and so were now forgotten.  Yet, here was this visitor basically telling him those forgotten prayers had not been forgotten by God. He and Elizabeth, in their advanced years, would 

​have​

 a son.  Luke tells us, "Zacharias said to the angel, 'How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age'" (v. 18).  This was a perfectly legitimate question!   According to some sources, he was 

​now ​

ninety-nine years old and Elizabeth eighty-eight.  For sure he would have known about Abraham and Sarah, but in the moment that did not come to mind.  His thoughts were on his and Elizabeth's situation. 

 

This moment of questioning would cost him, albeit temporarily, for "the angel replied and said to him, 'I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Listen carefully, you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time'” (vv. 19-20). 

​  The narrative confirms​

 that when Zach came out of the temple, he could only make signs to the people and remained mute (v. 22).  Struck dumb for questioning God's ability to do the impossible; for considering the physical limitations of himself and his wife instead of trusting in the sovereignty, power, and awesomeness of the God he worshipped.

 

Isn't it a bit of a relief to know that God doesn't exercise the same type of discipline He did on Zacharias on those of us who doubt His ability today?  More than a few of us would be mute and using sign language!  Prayers we have prayed and forgotten have not been forgotten by God.  We are told that after Zacharias went home, "his wife Elizabeth became pregnant . . . and she gave birth to a son" (vv. 24, 57).  Words "fulfilled at their proper time," just like the angel had said (v. 20).  Just like God had promised.  

 

Have you forgotten unanswered prayers you have prayed because so much time has passed and things have changed significantly against you? You can still believe God for the now seemingly impossible.  He hasn't forgotten your prayers.  Just ask Zacharias!

Betrayed & Hurting

David was blindsided.  Something unexpected had befallen him and he needed God's attention. His words were urgent: "Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my plea. Listen to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and distracted. . . . My heart is in anguish within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling have come upon me;

​ ​

horror has overwhelmed me." (Psalm 55:1-2, 4-5, AMP).  It is difficult to read this psalm and not feel David's pain. An anguished heart, great fear that caused him to tremble, and overwhelming horror.  It would be fair to say he was in mental, emotional, and psychological distress. 

What was the source of this distress? We find the answer in his continued lament: "For it is not an enemy who taunts me-then I could bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently exalts himself against me-then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man my equal and my counsel, my companion and my familiar friend; we who had sweet fellowship together, who walked to the house of God in company" (vv. 12-14).  To be betrayed by an enemy is to be expected; to be betrayed by a "familiar friend" hurts to the core.  It was a hurt that provoked David to want to get away from everything: "And I say, 'Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would wander far away, I would lodge in the [peace of the] wilderness'" (vv. 6-7). 

One of the beauties of the book of the psalms is the wide range of emotions the writers felt and expressed. Some of us have walked in David's shoes; we too have been blindsided.  However, unlike some of us, David took his case straight to God and he had very strong opinions as to what God should do with those who had become his enemies: "Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them" (v.15, KJV), and while he was at it, he would "call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (vv. 16-17, KJV). In other words, his prayers would be relentless! This he would do because "He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me" (v. 18, AMP). 

David said of his friend, "He [my companion] has put out his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken his covenant [of friendship and loyalty]. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but his heart was hostile; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords" (vv. 20-21). We do not know what motivated the betrayal, but clearly David took it hard.  Are you relating to him? It is worth remembering his admonition: "Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). But You, O God, . . . I will [boldly and unwaveringly] trust in You" (vv. 22-23). Read those verses again.  It is comforting to know that in the midst of adversity, especially when we have been blindsided, we can release our burden to the One who is able to sustain and uphold us. Just ask David. 

Looking Inward - Part III

They were now alone. Jesus and her, standing in the center of the court (John 8:9, AMP).   We are told nothing about her disposition, whether she was trembling, afraid, or terrified.  She would have known the law.  If she was guilty as charged she knew death by stoning was her punishment.  We are told nothing about whether she knew who Jesus was.  What we do know is that for a moment no words were exchanged between them.  Then, John tells us, "when Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?'  She said, 'No man, Lord'" (vv. 10-11a). 

It is worth remembering that this woman was on trial for her life.  Her guilt was established by the religious leaders and all that was left was for the punishment to be carried out.  But the case against her crumbled when Jesus provoked the prosecutors to self-examination and having come face-to-face with their hypocrisy, they all walked away.  Interestingly, Jesus asked her two questions and she responded only to the second.  She did not know where her accusers were; all she knew was that in that moment, there was no one to condemn her.  But there was still one problem.  While none of her prosecutors were without sin, He who was standing in front of her was!  He was qualified to throw the first stone and here they stood together.  What would He do?  In that moment, Jesus spoke words that must have sounded like music to her ears: "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (v. 11b).  

When Jesus spoke those words, the condemned prisoner was set free.  Not free to go back to the same lifestyle as Jesus made it clear to her that she shouldn't.  As Matthew Henry observes, "Christ will not condemn those who, though they have sinned, will go and sin no more, Ps. 85:8; Isa. 55:7. He will not take the advantage He has against us for our former rebellions, if we will but lay down our arms and return to our allegiance."  In that moment, the woman received what she did not deserve - a measure of God's grace, His unmerited favour, His forgiveness. The religious crowd, still caught up in their self-righteousness, missed the opportunity to have received the same.

Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of famed evangelist Billy Graham, observes, "Until we see how bad we are we will never see how good God is. Grace will become nothing more than white noise to us unless we recognize just how desperately we need it." Read the statement again.  We can only recognize that need when we look inward and acknowledge that the only difference between us and the persons we seek to condemn is that we may sin differently than they do.  At the foot of the cross we are all flawed and constantly in need of grace.  When we receive it, given to us freely and unconditionally, we should graciously, unconditionally, and freely extend the same grace to others. In doing so we become like Jesus.  Isn't that your ultimate goal?

Looking Inward - Part II

Thud! Thud! Thud!  The sound of stones dropping on the ground as the self-righteous accusers, convicted by their own consciences, went out one by one from the presence of Jesus and the accused woman.  That they were convicted is not to be overlooked. After all, they were right in their black-and-white thinking that the adulteress should be dealt with according to the Mosaic law.  There was no middle ground in the law. She was either innocent or guilty and in this instance she was allegedly caught in the act (John 8:3).  However, what the religious crowd failed to realize was that Jesus was not about religion; His passion was people. His mission was not to bring condemnation to those who broke the laws and the commandments (John 3:16-17), but rather to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

As the religious crowd demanded an answer from Jesus, what they overlooked was their own sinful state.  It is easy to become blind to our own faults and failures when we are busy looking for and pointing out the faults and failures in others.  Truth be told, being able to point out the sins of others makes some of us feel good about ourselves. At least we are not as bad as they are; we feel we are better than they are.  However, we fail to remember what Paul stated to be true - that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). All sins - so called big and little ones - belonged in the same bucket.  And just in case we had not given it much thought, that "all have sinned" include you and me. It included the religious folks as much as it included the accused woman.

It is no wonder then that when Jesus affirmed their right under the law to stone her, that He included one condition.  Let the person, religious leaders included, who was free of sin, faults, and failures throw the first stone.  In that instant, their own lives flashed before their eyes. Maybe it played out like a movie in slow motion.  Whichever way, something happened.  As Matthew Henry observes, "They came with design to accuse Him, but they were forced to accuse themselves. Christ owns it was fit the prisoner should be prosecuted, but appeals to their consciences whether they were fit to be the prosecutors." Having been forced to look inward, none among them met the condition.  They were convicted by their own consciences. 

Henry follows up with two very important lessons we should learn and keep in mind: "1) Whenever we find fault with others, we ought to reflect upon ourselves, and to be more severe against sin in ourselves than in others. 2) We ought to be favourable, though not to the sins, yet to the persons, of those that offend, and to restore them with a spirit of meekness, considering ourselves and our own corrupt nature." 

How do you deal with people? Are you overlooking or excusing your own faults and failures while being quick to point out and condemn the faults and failures of others?

Looking Inward - Part I

Some of us know her story.  Caught in the act of adultery, she was brought before Jesus by "the teachers of religious law [the Scribes] and the Pharisees" (John 8:3, NLT) who, intent on trapping Him "into saying something they could use against Him" (v. 6),  asked for His opinion as to what they should do with her.  With self-righteousness oozing from their personalities, they posed the question: "'Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?'” (vv. 4-5, KJV).  As Matthew Henry points out, "Here they call Him Master whom but the day before they had called a deceiver, in hopes with their flatteries to have ensnared Him."  Clearly, based on the teachings of Jesus up to that point, they expected Him to say something contrary to the law at which time they could make their case against Him.

They did not ask the question and waited patiently for an answer.  As Jesus ignored them, having stooped down to write in the dust with His finger, John tells us "they kept demanding an answer" (v. 7a, NLT) at which point Jesus "lifted up Himself, and said unto them, 'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground'" (vv. 7b-8, KJV).  The reaction of the religious folks must have been a sight to behold.  According to narrative, "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst" (v. 9).

With His singular statement, Jesus shifted the focus of these men from the woman to themselves.  So full of their own self-righteousness, they had no problem pointing out her sin and stood ready to impose the legal sentence. Matthew Henry observes, "The Pharisees, by their vigorous prosecution of this offender, seemed to have a great zeal against the sin, when it appeared afterwards that they themselves were not free from it; nay, they were within full of all uncleanness, Matt. 23:27, 28. Note, It is common for those that are indulgent to their own sin to be severe against the sins of others."

Read that last sentence again. Slowly.  For some of us, pointing out the sins of others is something we are good at while being totally blind to our own.  We see the faults and failure of others, yet stand haughtily silent in acknowledging our own.  However, as an anonymous writer reminds us, "there is so much good in the worst of us / and so much bad in the best of us / that it hardly behooves any of us / to find fault with the rest of us."  Before we make an issue of the speck in the eye of another, how about we first try removing the plank in ours? (see Matthew 7:1-5).  It is no wonder as Jesus spoke to them that day, the religious but hypocritical zealots were "convicted by their own conscience."

Jesus' statement resonates through the ages to us today: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." If you were standing in the crowd that day, what would you have done with your stone? 

Conformed to the Image of Christ

I can still hear it in my head, one of the choruses from my childhood: "To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus / All I ask is to be like Him / All through life's journey / From earth to glory / All I ask, is to be like Him." These words came to mind as I reflected on the words of Paul as recorded in perhaps one of the most well-known couple of verses in the Bible, Romans 8:28-29: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (KJV).

Of course, many are the souls that have taken and continue to take encouragement in verse 28; that incredible assurance that allows us to navigate the challenges, disappointments, and tragedies we experience in our lives. In the midst of our confusion and pain, our hearts experience a lift when we remember that Christ came "to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified" (Isaiah 61:2b-3). Armed with such promises, some are able to stand tall in the face of adversities. We pick up the pieces, lean on God's grace, and we keep going.

However, if that is all we do we miss out on something that is even more significant in both portions of Scripture. From Paul we learn that God's purpose in using "all things" for good in the lives of those who love Him and who are the called according to His purpose is so that we - our lives, our thoughts, our minds, our attitudes, our ways of being - be conformed to the image of Christ. In other words, so that everything about who we are reflect Christ. From Isaiah we learn that everything Christ does in our lives is not for us to claim spiritual brownie points or to show how spiritual we are, but that we "might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified." Taken together systematically, God is at work in our lives, using all things to shape/mould us to the image of Christ and for His glory.

At the heart of the Christian experience is transformation (Romans 12:2). Fruits of the flesh give way to fruits of the spirit in what is effectively a life-long process. Each day, as we surrender to Him, the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives moulding, shaping, recreating and comforting. The more we resist, the more we are broken and refashioned as God works to accomplish His purposes in and for our lives. James remind us "under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way" (James 1:3-4, The Message).  Why? Just so you and I can become just like Jesus.

The Glory of God on Display

I don't do it as often as I should, but one of the things I enjoy doing is walking, usually in parks or along trails. Not only is it good exercise if done consistently, but it is also a great way to empty the mind of mental clutter. One of the greatest benefit for me is the opportunity to meditate, to pray, and to feel the embrace of my Heavenly Father in the surroundings. Then there are the times when I am simply enjoying the walk, and nature, and it is during those times that it become evident that the glory of God is everywhere to be seen. 

I think the Psalmist David shared those experiences as he sat outdoors tending sheep. I believe that as he probably laid on his back, looking up into the skies, the words that became a part of Psalm 19 took form in his mind - "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (vv.1-4a, KJV). It is as Matthew Henry states, God "not only glorifies Himself, but gratifies us, by this constant revolution; for as the light of the morning befriends the business of the day, so the shadows of the evening befriend the repose of the night; every day and every night speak the goodness of God, and, when they have finished their testimony, leave it to the next day, to the next night, to stay the same." 

Day after day, night after night, a constant revolution. The Message paraphrase reads, "Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening", no words are spoken, no voices are recorded, "but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere." It is no wonder that when Carl Boberg, while on a two mile walk through a thunderstorm from a church meeting, considered the power of God on display in the universe, he later penned the words:

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How great Thou art, how great thou art!

We couldn't miss the glory of God if we tried. Day and night it is always on display no matter where in the world we are.  God has made Himself known and we who have found Him can testify that the "revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of GOD are clear and point out the right road" (v.7, The Message). For those still waiting to find Him, there really is no excuse. How great He is indeed!

Dis-appointing God!

In various sectors of business, it is not unusual to read or hear of high profile appointments. According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, to appoint is "to choose (someone) to have a particular job; to give (someone) a position or duty." The opposite is also true in that we also hear of individuals being relieved of the duties to which they were appointed; a somewhat softer way of saying they were fired or at the very least, demoted. Initially appointed to their positions and later evaluated against a set of predetermined standards and expectations, these individuals came up short and ended up dealing with the consequences of their actions or inaction. One could say they were "dis-appointed."

Provoked by the song "Jesus at the Center" by Israel and New Breed, these thoughts came to mind as I reflected on God's place in my life and generally, in the life of the believer. When we first accepted Jesus and made Him Lord over our lives, it was our high-profile appointment. We resolved to grow spiritually, to, as John Ortberg describes it, "live increasingly as Jesus would in our unique place - to perceive what Jesus would perceive if He looked through our eyes, to think what He would think, to feel what He would feel, and therefore to do what He would do." However, somewhere along the way, amidst the hustle and bustle of every day living and jaded by our experiences, we have dis-appointed God; we have relieved Him of His duties and appointed ourselves in His place.

Often times the change is subtle and without constantly examining who is really in charge of our lives, it is easy to believe that because we still go through our spiritual exercises, that God is in charge.  But the question we must ask ourselves is: how much of what we say, do, and think reflect His ways, His mind, His heart? To quote a line from the song, "Nothing else matters, nothing in this world will do." If He is in charge and we live as if we are, our disobedience is insubordination in disguise. To us Jesus asks the question: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46, KJV). Ouch!

So, in this our time together we come full circle. I challenge you in the same way I challenge myself with the question: who is really in charge? When Jesus is at the center of our lives then everything - our thoughts, actions, attitudes, decisions, the way we live our lives - revolves around Him and His words. Where is He in yours? Has He been relieved of His duties? Have you dis-appointed Him? If Jesus is your co-pilot, it is time to swap seats. Today is a good time to make things right.

Small In Your Own Eyes

For some people, success is very difficult to handle. The more successful they become, the more they become strangers to humility. Irving Berlin shone a spotlight on the dilemma of the successful when he observed, "The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success." In other words, it comes with its own seduction. Microsoft's co-founder Bill Gates summed it up well when he said, "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." 

King Saul found himself in such a situation. God had sent him to destroy the Amalekites, but he felt he could do as he wanted instead of what God had instructed (1 Samuel 15). Drunk with his success, the narrative tells us that he left for Carmel to set up a victory monument in his honor (v.12). Matthew Henry observes, "By his wars and victories he hoped to magnify and perpetuate his own name and honour." The narrative tell us about God's conversation with Samuel which resulted in Samuel's conversation with Saul. Totally ignorant of his haughtiness, Saul boasted to Samuel of his obedience (v.13) which the prophet immediately challenged (vv. 13) before pronouncing judgment upon him (vv. 16-31). 

The primary verse of interest is verse 17, "And Samuel said, 'When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?'" The most convicting words, "when thou was little in thine own sight." While Saul was still humble, God made him king, but as success came he forgot to remain humble. He started working his agenda instead of God's; he forgot that it wasn't about him, but all about God. Unfortunately, this problem is not unique to Saul. Many, including ministers of the Word, have become caught up in the success that God has allowed them. Believing their own hype and that of others around them, they lose sight of the fact that the God who promotes is the same God who demotes. None of us, no matter how successful, can afford to forget where we are coming from. We are where we are all because of God's grace.

As you move in the realm of success, how do you see yourself? Are you still little in your own eyes and following God's agenda, or are you all grown up and following your own?

Praying One for the Other

I often chuckle when as a part of greeting another how often the words "How are you?" are used. I chuckle not so much because I think it is funny, but because the question seems more one of social etiquette than it is of genuine care. Think about the times you used those words and ask yourself the question, "Did I really want to know?" Chances are you really didn't, but the question seemed a good filler at the time.

I think the same thing applies among believers when it comes to prayer. How many times have we committed to praying for someone and promptly forgot to do so once we put the phone down or the person has left our presence? It is a tragedy of our times that we are so often occupied with our own lives that we can hardly make the time to invest in the spiritual well-being of another, especially to pray for them. How many times has someone crossed our minds without our giving any thought to whether or not that person needed to be prayed for at that moment? It could be that the Holy Spirit allowed that intrusion in our thoughts so we could intercede on that person's behalf.

Praying one for the other is an integral part of Christian fellowship. James reminds us that "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV). The Apostle Paul assures Philemon, "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers. . . .That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 4, 6). We need to remember that "the power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being prayed to." For God to act, He needs the cooperation of someone praying a prayer; making that request known. He most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.

Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer, at one time praying, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine" (John 17:9). If He found it necessary to pray for the disciples then, and seeing He continues to intercede on our behalf (Romans 8:34), how much more are we to pray for one for the other?

I challenge you to think about this the next time you commit to pray for someone or someone crosses your mind. Each one of us may be that link to another person's breakthrough. May God grant us sensitive hearts and the conviction to be obedient to that which the Holy Spirit has prompted us to do.

The Gift of Today

There is something extra special about today. If we are following our regular schedule, most things, people, and places are familiar to us because we have seen them before; we are accustomed to them. Yet it is this routineness and familiarity that often cause us to lose appreciation for today. Have you ever stopped to consider that it is a day like no other day? That is because though we may be familiar with all that is around us, we have never seen today. Yesterday was another day and so will be tomorrow and that makes today rather unique. Once the clock strikes midnight, it is gone and can never be reclaimed or relived. Therefore, it stands to reason that with each passing day we are writing history. The things we say and do will be the legacy we leave behind. 

But there are some wonderful consistencies that accompany each new day. We can borrow the words of the Psalmist when he declares, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24, KJV). Amidst the hustle and bustle of our day and the various challenges we have to deal with, we are often jaded to this reality. Being blessed enough to have woken up every morning for the number of years each of us has been around, it is easy to take today for granted. Each day is a gift from God, one to be celebrated, and like the Psalmist we too should "rejoice and be glad in it." 

Our obligation to have such an attitude to today becomes clearer when we realize, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Not only are we beneficiaries of God's mercies every morning, but of spiritual blessings as well. Psalm 68:19 reminds us, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." In other words, we have been blessed "with all spiritual blessings, with an abundance of grace, as well as with temporal mercies, for which He is, and ought to be, praised day by day." And just in case we are not aware, today we can see God all around us for "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:1-4).

As you make your way through today, take some time to reflect on this wonderful gift. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is nothing but a promise; the only "real" time we have is now. What attitude do you bring to it? Are you using it wisely? What legacy are you leaving behind?

The Value of Time

It was one of those chain e-mails, author unknown, which landed in my Inbox. Friends who forward them along know the kind of stuff they can send to me and this one was good! 

It said:"To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed a final exam. To realize the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of one minute, ask the person who has missed the train, bus, or plane. To realize the value of one second, ask a person who has survived an accident. To realize the value of one millisecond, ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special."

There is a lot of truth in that poem. Though we may not think of it in those terms, time has value; a value that we should endeavor to use wisely. It does not mean that every waking minute must be spent immersed in activities, but we should have an awareness that time lost cannot be regained. Author Henry David Thoreau reminds us, "It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?" For professing believers, we are to be good stewards of our time. Paul reminds the believer, "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, Amplified).

To truly live and to live purposefully means that we will live fulfilling the purpose that God intended for us. To do so means we have to see ourselves the way He sees - living lives of purpose - and resolve to using our time to achieve that goal. M. Scott Peck, noted psychiatrist and author, was right when he states, “Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” Paul encouraged the Ephesian church to "make the very most of the time because the days are evil." How much more evil are the days now? 

Let's not be like the man who said, "If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done!" Instead, let us use our time wisely and effectively. God, our Heavenly Father, expects nothing less.

Quality Matters!

Have you ever thought about the quality, yes, the quality of what you are giving to God?  For some of us, we take great care in making sure the things we give to others meet a certain standard. If it is someone we truly love, we aim for the best. The reverse is also true. We are offended if we receive a gift that is of questionable quality because no matter the size of the gift, we regard the quality of the gift as an indicator of the giver's feelings towards us. That's because quality matters. If we feel that way, how do you think God feels?

These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on Proverbs 3:9, "Honor GOD with everything you own; give Him the first and the best" (The Message). While this admonition may have referred to certain Old Testament practices, the practical applications extend to and beyond our times. It is worth remembering that everything we own, our money and other possessions, really belong to the Lord. We are simply stewards - people who manage property or other affairs for someone else - of those possessions.  The psalmist reminds us, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1, KJV), and from the Chronicles writer, "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all" (1 Chronicles 29:11).

It stands to reason that if we are giving back to the Owner what is rightfully His, then the quality of what we give matters.  Beyond our own logic, however, is the fact that this is what He requires.  When we offer something to God, He pays attention to how we offer it and the quality. To the dishonouring priests of the day, His rebuke was unmistakable: "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? . . . And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 1:8, KJV).  In other words, if the governor would not accept what was offered, why would you think it good enough for Me, the LORD? Instead of offering God the best, they offered Him what they did not want and the leftovers. His response included this indictment, "I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand" (v. 10). Clearly, He was not amused!

Jesus affirmed quality when He said to the enquiring lawyer, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:37). Notice He used the words " with all" in the three domains - heart, soul, and mind. Loving God this way involves offering the best of ourselves, our substance, and our service. It is what He requires and He accepts nothing less. "Honor GOD with everything you own; give Him the first and the best." How are you doing in this area? What is the quality of what you are giving back to God?

Do You Know Jesus?

The disciples were in a state of despair. Jesus had previously told them He would be leaving them (John 13:33) and after a bit of going back-and-forth between them, during which He assured them that He was going to His Father and would prepare a place for then before returning, Philip said unto Him, "Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied" (14:8, Amplified).  According to the narrative, Jesus said unto him, "Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'" (v. 9). 

From Jesus' perspective, Philip did not get it. Though this disciple had followed Jesus, saw Him perform miracles, was instructed by Him and His ministry, he did not know who Jesus was.  As Bible scholar John Gill puts it, Jesus was saying to Philip, "Surely you cannot be so ignorant as this comes to; as you have seen me with your bodily eyes, as a man, you must, know that I am God by the doctrines I have taught you, and the miracles I have wrought among you." In other words, this disciple saw Jesus with natural eyes and not with the eyes of his understanding and so his request for Jesus to "show us the Father" betrayed what Gill refers to as "great weakness and understanding." Jesus was not done with Philip for He continued, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power]" (v. 10).  What Philip was asking for was right before His eyes, yet He did not know it.

Jesus' question at the start of His exchange with Philip was a piercing one: "Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am?" As I reflected on this question, it occurred to me that some of us may be standing in the same place as the disciple.  We hang out and spend time with Jesus and some of His followers, we read and listen to His words, we see or hear of demonstrations of miracles, and we listen to testimonies of His work in the lives of some of those who trust Him. Yet none of this means that we know Him.  We can have a head knowledge of Him and know the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, yet none of this means that we know Him experientially, intimately, or that we understand (know and comprehend) who He is. 

To purpose to know Christ requires commitment on our part to pursue that as a goal. For sure, it is God through the Holy Spirit who opens our understanding to the person of Christ.  A shallow or passing knowledge is not good enough as it is impossible to experience the joys that come with having a personal and intimate relationship with the Saviour. In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul spoke of his resolve and the sacrificial steps he willingly took "so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely]" (Philippians 3:10). That's what it means to know Jesus. So, how about you, do you really know Him?   

On the Winning Side

As he stepped out that morning, Elisha's servant could not believe his eyes.  The city of Dothan, where he and his master were staying, was surrounded by soldiers from the army of Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, and he knew they had come for Elisha (see 2 Kings 6:8-17). Filled with fear and trepidation, he ran to the man of God and exclaimed, "Oh, master! What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15, The Message). In other words, "How are we going to get out of this? We are surrounded; there is much more of them than they are of us. They are armed and we are not and even if we were, we stand no chance against them.  We are doomed!"

Elisha listened intently. Unmoved by the report, he answered, "Don't worry about it--there are more on our side than on their side" (v. 16). One could excuse the servant if he thought, "What? Don't you get it? There is an army out there!" However, he did not get a chance to say a word as according to the narrative, "Then Elisha prayed, 'O GOD, open his eyes and let him see.'" (v. 17a). Before the young man could even think "MY eyes?," "the eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!" (v. 17b).

What does all of that have to do with us?  One important principle we take away is that there are eyes that look and there are eyes that see (perceive, discern). The JFB Commentary on this portion of text notes, "The opening of the eyes, which Elisha prayed for, were those of the Spirit, not of the body - the eye of faith sees the reality of the divine presence and protection where all is vacancy or darkness to the ordinary eye." When we look it is easy to be intimidated by what is happening around us; we experience times when the pressure gets to us and it feels there are more of those against us than there are for us. Like the servant, it is difficult to see past what we are looking at. At a time when he thought they were all alone, two against an army, he was unaware of what the psalmist David would later declare: "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them" (Psalm 34:7, KJV). He was on the winning side and he did not know it. 

Years after this incident, when the prophet Nehemiah and the Israelites were threatened by other enemies, Nehemiah told the people, "Our God will fight for us!" (Nehemiah 4:20). Or, as the apostle Paul puts it, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).  We do not have to be intimidated when we feel or are surrounded and overwhelmed. It is worth remembering that as Christians we are not fighting for victory, but from a position of victory. Read that sentence again and get it into your spirit. Because of Christ's victory we are also victorious and as long as we are in the will of God, He will indeed "fight for us" and that puts us on the winning side. Every time.  His track record is perfect; He has never lost a battle.  Is there a better place to be?

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

There were seventy-two of them though some manuscripts say seventy.  On this particular day, according to the narrative, Jesus had appointed "and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go" (Luke 10:1, NIV). This was no sight-seeing city tour for He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves" (vv. 2-3), before giving them specific instructions as to what to do on their mission (vv. 4-11, 16).

We do not know how long they were on task, but after a while "the seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.'" Undoubtedly they were all excited about what they had experienced. The sick had been healed and devils had been cast out. These ambassadors of Christ were astonished at the powers they were able to exercise, all in the name of Jesus.  It was in the midst of all this euphoria that the sobering voice of the Master spoke words of caution: "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (vv. 19-20). In other words, in the big scheme of things, keep the main thing the main thing.

It is instructive that Jesus did not allow them to enjoy what they had accomplished. He was no kill-joy for Luke tells us that at that time Jesus was "full of joy through the Holy Spirit" (v. 21a).  However, these men were not the main show but rather the table setters.  They had been sent in pairs "ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go" with the message He had given them.  Maybe that is why the Holy Spirit did not see it fit to record any of their names so we could know them. No matter what we are able to accomplish in the work of ministry, it is not as important as knowing that our names are written in heaven.

This presents a challenge for some of us.  We love the "bright lights" as well as the admiration and recognition (titles, special privileges, etc.) that comes with success. We feel slighted and unappreciated when our names are not mentioned, and some of us quit our God-given assignment.  While there is nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated, in God's economy things are not always that straightforward. We are not defined by what we do, but by who we are. Sons and daughters of the most high God, eternally grateful our names can be found where it matters most. That, more than anything else, is worth celebrating.  Just ask Jesus.

Being Led by the Spirit

Christians everywhere are encouraged to walk in the Spirit; to walk as guided or directed by the Spirit of God. The apostle Paul was so sure of the benefits that he exhorted the church in Galatia, "This I say then, 'Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh'" (Galatians 5:16, KJV). The mining of the treasures in this verse is beyond our devotional scope, but suffice it to say that with the Holy Spirit as our guide, He will not lead us in ways that are contrary to the will of God. What we do not know is how and where the Spirit will lead. It is not always easy following where He leads.

These thoughts came to mind as I read Paul's exhortation to the elders of the church in Ephesus. After some words about his service to them, he continued, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me" (Acts 20:22-23). Eugene Peterson paraphrases verse 23, "I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead" (The Message). Really? Repeatedly and clearly? Hard times and imprisonment while doing God's work? Isn't this where we get off the bus? How about praying for deliverance from Satan's plans and schemes? Pick your most attractive option!
For Paul, none of these options were viable. The only thing that seemed to matter was that whatever the Spirit had told him was in fact God's will for his life at that point. In other words, God was going to allow him to meet with a predetermined fate. With that in mind, he did not seem bothered by what awaited him for he continued, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (v. 24). In reflecting on his attitude, the one word that readily comes to mind - WOW!

Paul's experience reminds us that God often puts His servants in difficult situations in order to accomplish His purposes. It could very well be that some of the situations we are praying and/or fasting against, binding and loosing, and blaming Satan for, are situations that have been divinely orchestrated for us to experience for our spiritual growth, for God's glory, or both.  Spiritual discernment is important. The apostle's attitude reminds us that above all else it is far better to be in the nucleus of God's will, even in hardships, than to be in comfort outside of that will. There really is no safer place to be.

What would your attitude be if the Spirit of God made it known to you that He would be lead you in a way filled with challenges? Could it be that you are already in that way? Regardless of where we find ourselves, may we strive always to bring glory to God. After all, it is all about Him and not about us. It never was and never will be (see Revelation 4:11).

Dealing With An Anxious Heart

Anxiety. Webster defines it as a "painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill;" "an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it." Does any of that sound familiar?

As global economies continue to struggle and it seems we are greeted every day by news of more companies in trouble and people losing jobs, it is in these environments that anxiety becomes even more acute. These are challenging times for many and there are real fears and concerns that provoke thoughts and worry minds. The Christian is not immune from these events, fears, and concerns. If we are not careful, we could easily find ourselves overwhelmed by our individual circumstances. Instead of keeping our eyes on the God of our salvation, we focus instead on the "contrary winds" howling around us. To avoid such a situation, we hear the Psalmist cry out, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer ... when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me]. For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me" (61:1,2b,3a, Amplified). When faced with life's storms, a shelter and a refuge are exactly what we need. The good news is that we can find them both in God.

The disciples of Jesus faced their own anxious moments as He spoke to them about His departure (John 13:31-36). We find in His response words that should encourage the heart that is anxious over any circumstances. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" (14:1). Things may not look too good, but let not your heart be troubled. Bad news every where, but let not your heart be troubled. The pattern is obvious. God is not limited by what the global economies are doing. He knows how to take care of His own and "those who trust in, lean on, and confidently hope in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides and stands fast forever" (Psalm 125:1, Amplified). Now is as good a time as any to cast those cares and fears upon Him. Why not give it a try?

Faith: Walking the Walk

The story is told of a village that was in the midst of a drought and the local minister called upon his parishioners to come out for a day of prayer; they would pray from rain. On the day designated, quite a number of people including the church's officers turned out. Standing out like a sore thumb among them was a little boy. Not because of his physical appearance, or what he was wearing, but because he was the only one who came with an umbrella.

What is the point of praying if one isn't going to believe that the thing being prayed for is going to be received? In Christian circles it is called praying in faith. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, "Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (Hebrews 11:1, AMP). While most of us are familiar with that portion of text, how many of us have actually walked it out? I recall sometime ago asking someone, "If you have no food to cook and prayed for God to provide some, what do you do next?" The reply was, "I believe God so I would wait for the answer." Now while that sounds fairly reasonable, the fact is that because faith moves a person to action, the person standing in faith would not just wait for an answer, but actually put the pot on the stove while thanking God for the food that hadn't yet arrived. Remember, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV). In our example, to wait until we see the food to put on the pot doesn't require faith. That is an action based on what is in front of us; it takes faith to put on the pot when the food hasn't yet arrived.

Without doubt that goes against our natural way of being and thinking. Jesus reminds His disciples, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24, KJV). Notice that it is faith coupled with the act of speaking to the "mountain" that produces the desired result.

Genuine faith in God demands action. We have to do something that demonstrates our conviction that we have those things which we said will come to pass and which are consistent with God's will for us. Just like the little boy with his umbrella. If you were standing in the crowd that day, would you have had yours?

An Attitude of Ingratitude

English novelist and essayist Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) was on point when he said, "Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." It is not that we purposefully set out to be that way, but it is easy for us to become so accustomed to certain things that we become indifferent to them; we accept them without thankfulness or a thought.

Let us stop and consider some of these things. When was the last time you thanked God for the ability to feed yourself? To tie your shoe laces? For the sense of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, touching? For family, friends, spiritual leaders? When was the last time you thanked your children for helping with the chores? Your spouse for taking care of the home; for being a hard working husband or wife who put his or her family's needs ahead of himself or herself? A friend for always being there when needed? When was the last time you thanked anybody for anything and really meant it? If we take the time to stop and count our blessings, we would be surprised at how much there is to be thankful for. Yet how much have we given thanks for?

Our inability to be aware of and express thankfulness for what God has blessed us with is indicative of an attitude of ingratitude. The Apostle Paul exhorts the church at Colosse to "cultivate thankfulness" (Colossians 3:15, The Message). The same message applies to us today. Instead of being murmurers and complainers, let us resolve to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. To the Thessalonians Paul affirms, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Yes, it is God's will that we have an attitude of thankfulness not only towards Him, but towards those in our sphere of influence. 

To be unthankful is to be in a dangerous place; it is to live on the level of the depraved (Romans 1:21, 28-30). In Deuteronomy 28:47-48 we see it is an attitude that God frowns upon: "Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you" (Amplified). If we are not attaining a thankful spirit then we are slipping toward a depraved mind.

The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart. Such a heart does not know ingratitude, but seeks to continually thank God for His blessings, no matter how routine and insignificant they may seem. Do you have such a heart? If not, how about asking His help, starting today, to cultivate a thankful heart? Try it! I guarantee it will change your life and that of at least one person around you.

It's A Heart Thing

There is something delightfully pleasing about doing something with one's whole heart. Even the dreariest of tasks can take on meaning and purpose when we put all of ourselves, so to speak, into it. It is the highest expression of effort and even if the end results were not as expected, not very many people would argue with maximum effort. We can deduce, therefore, that it is possible to do a thing half-heartedly or even without much 'heart' into it. Sort of like going through the motions.

I thought of this as I read and reread David's "I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart" (Psalm 9:1a, KJV), taking note of two important determinations in that desire. Firstly, a casual reading of the verse does not capture the emphatic nature of the expression "I will". The "will" is the mental faculty by which we deliberately choose or decide upon a course of action and implies a diligent purposefulness. Among all the options available to the Psalmist, he chose diligently and purposely to praise. That totally ignores whatever circumstances he found himself in at the time. His praise would not be situational. Secondly, he was not just content to praise but he purposed to do so "with my whole heart". On this verse, I agree with noted Bible Scholar Matthew Henry who writes, "If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our hearts, and not only with our lips, and be lively and fervent in the duty, with our whole heart."

In Old Testament times, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Joel, to name a few, all challenged the people to serve/love God "with all your heart". Through Jeremiah God declares, "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (29:13). When Jesus was asked which was the great commandment in the law, He mentioned two, the first being, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37). God has not changed. What He desired then, He still desires now: nothing but the very best of ourselves, all of our hearts, in love, in praise, and in worship.

It is not enough to merely go through the motions as God takes no delight in such actions. In this quiet time of reflection, now is as good a time as any for a heart check. "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart"; can you say that? Remember, it is not based on situations or emotions; it is a heart thing.

Who Is Jesus to You?

According to the book of Matthew, Jesus had just finished feeding four thousand men, besides women and children, with seven loaves and a few little fishes when He had a private conversation with His disciples at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 15:32-38; 16:13). Despite all the teachings He had done and the miracles He preformed, He asked the disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" to which they answered, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets" (16:14). In other words, people were saying just about everything other than who He really was.

Jesus then turned the tables and asked, "But who do you say that I am?" We are not told if there was a pregnant pause as they contemplated the question, but we know that Simon Peter, my favorite disciple, replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (16:15-16).

The entire exchange affirmed an important truth. A person can have good thoughts of Christ, and yet not the right ones; a high opinion of Him, yet not high enough. The people had seen Jesus and the works He did. His life and ministry were as spoken by the prophets, yet even in His midst they did not know who He was. The disciples all agreed He was the promised Messiah, the Son of God, yet even in that declaration, they still missed all that Jesus was. Yes, He was the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14), but to those who believe in Him, He is much more than that.

While most Christians understand Jesus as stated by Peter, we too miss fully understanding all that He is to us. Scriptures teach that He is our Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the True Vine, Comforter, Friend, Healer, the Good Shepherd, Redeemer, Savior, the Fountain of Living Water, Burden Bearer, Deliverer, Great High Priest, Provider, among many other things. Anything that the believer needs Him to be that is consistent with the Bible's revelation of Him, He is all that and more! How our lives could be much different if we grasped this important truth?

Who is Jesus to you? Is He just the Son of God? I challenge you to get more intimately acquainted with Him; get to know Him better. There is no area of our lives that He is incapable of stepping into and making a difference. May He so reveal himself to you as you spend time in His presence.

"Hast Thou Considered My Servant Job?"

Satan was probably minding his own business.  As a matter of fact, when asked by the LORD "Whence comest thou?" he replied, "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" (Job 1:7, KJV). But the LORD did not stop there. His next question to Satan was one that Christians everywhere are probably familiar with: "Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" (v.8).
 
The events following this interaction are acutely detailed in the Old Testament book of Job. Some believe this to be the oldest book in the Bible; God allowing man a glimpse into the unfolding of the drama behind evil and suffering, especially in the lives of some of His people. A glimpse that not only shows Him initiating events, but in His sovereignty allowing Satan limited room to orchestrate those events. The question, "Hast thou considered my servant Job?" is profound. Job, whom God described as "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil," was doing His best to serve the LORD. Yet, God not only saw it fit to bring him to Satan's attention, but to later remove His hedge of protection from around him (vv. 12; 2:6) for him to be afflicted with seemingly incomprehensible and unjustifiable suffering.
 
Interestingly, in his second discussion with Satan regarding Job, the LORD not only asked the same question, but added "and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause?" (2:3). For standing firm, Job was "rewarded" with more affliction. With God's permission, Satan "smote [him] with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown" (2:7). Despite the challenge from his wife to "curse God and die" - a somewhat understandable cry of bitter disappointment with God - the writer tells us, "In all this did not Job sin with his lips" (v. 10).
 
What does all of this have to do with us, especially those who are serving the LORD faithfully? Good question! What if He brought you to Satan's attention? Could you be Job? What if He has already brought you to Satan's attention? The trials and tribulations you are going through testifying to God's temporary removal of His protective hedge. Can you be Job in the midst of your afflictions? Three observations from the narrative that should help us on our journey:  1) The LORD was always in control of the situation. Satan could do nothing without His permission; 2) Satan was limited by the LORD in what He could do to Job; 3) Job's faith in God and God's faith in Job were both vindicated and God gave him double for his trouble. 
  
"Hast thou considered my servant Job?" Replace Job's name with yours. Could God trust you to remain faithful amidst very challenging circumstances the way He trusted Job?