Isaiah 53: 8
Who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?
Our Father told us ahead of time so clearly and detailed what He is going to do. But our understanding is dull, and we do not see what is right before our eyes. Only after He has accomplished His Word are we able to comprehend what was laid out so succinctly before us.
Even those who were the experts in the Law, who had spent their lives studying what He revealed, did not mix their knowledge with faith to trust God, so did not recognize when Jesus fulfilled every detail of what Isaiah wrote in this chapter, and other Scriptures.
The disciples and apostles could perceive what they personally witnessed only after God's Holy Spirit opened their eyes and understanding.
Father, please open our eyes today to see Your Truth, and teach us how to share with others who need to know these things, so that we all will be preparing for what is ahead, and be ready to greet our Sovereign King, Lord Jesus, when He appears in His glory!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Don't Be In A Hurry
Proverbs 19: 2, 8
It is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who makes haste with his feet errs.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good.
O my Father, I found these words and took them to heart back in 2009, when I was preparing to move. But You did not see fit to bring me a buyer until 2018. For 15 years I wanted to sell that property. I felt it was holding me hostage, that I couldn't leave it until I could sell it, to be able to move on.
But I didn't want to be hasty. I knew that You would bring the right people in Your time, not mine. And I wouldn't turn that corner until You knew I was ready. I did not "make haste with my feet," and waited for You to first show me what needed to be done, what I needed to learn and put into practice in my life.
I had no idea what would be around that blind corner, but I knew I could trust You. Now I have sold that place and moved out.
I didn't know then where I would move to, or if I would begin to travel right away, or what You had planned for me in this interim. But I knew that it would be good, because You are good, Father.
Now You have rewarded my patience with a beautiful little house, perfect for me. Show me, Father, how You would have me care for this abode while I dwell here, as I continue to prepare to be Your witness in all the World.
Help me, Father, to take each step confidently, straight on Your path for me, not wandering off to the right hand or to the left, and not pulling away in my own pride and rebellion. Lead me on, one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time, incrementally progressing toward Your goal, Your destination for me, ultimately into Glory, at the Glorious Appearing of Your beloved Son, my Lord, my King, my Sovereign, and my betrothed Husband.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
It is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who makes haste with his feet errs.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good.
O my Father, I found these words and took them to heart back in 2009, when I was preparing to move. But You did not see fit to bring me a buyer until 2018. For 15 years I wanted to sell that property. I felt it was holding me hostage, that I couldn't leave it until I could sell it, to be able to move on.
But I didn't want to be hasty. I knew that You would bring the right people in Your time, not mine. And I wouldn't turn that corner until You knew I was ready. I did not "make haste with my feet," and waited for You to first show me what needed to be done, what I needed to learn and put into practice in my life.
I had no idea what would be around that blind corner, but I knew I could trust You. Now I have sold that place and moved out.
I didn't know then where I would move to, or if I would begin to travel right away, or what You had planned for me in this interim. But I knew that it would be good, because You are good, Father.
Now You have rewarded my patience with a beautiful little house, perfect for me. Show me, Father, how You would have me care for this abode while I dwell here, as I continue to prepare to be Your witness in all the World.
Help me, Father, to take each step confidently, straight on Your path for me, not wandering off to the right hand or to the left, and not pulling away in my own pride and rebellion. Lead me on, one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time, incrementally progressing toward Your goal, Your destination for me, ultimately into Glory, at the Glorious Appearing of Your beloved Son, my Lord, my King, my Sovereign, and my betrothed Husband.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
God's Love In Us
John 17: 20, 26
I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who [will] believe in Me through their word. ... And I have made Thy Name known to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them, and I in them.
This chapter has been called Jesus' High Priestly Prayer.
Jesus prayed for His friends, and He also prayed for us, even today, as we who believe have been taught by their words written in Scripture.
And He has given even us His Love, the same Love that the Father loves Jesus with. I find this incredible: That I am loved as much as the Father loves His Son. And that I can give this Love to others, without diminishing it in me.
O my Father, the Righteous One, I pray that this request be done in me; that Your love whrewith You loved Your own Son Jesus be in me, and He living in me, taking over my life to live His life in me, loving others through me.
O Father, so many years ago I gave my life to You, and You took over my life that same hour. You have done so much for me and in me and to me and even through me to bless others!
But I have, in so many ways, taken back parts and areas of my life to try to control them myself--I now release these faults, these sins, back to You again. Please take over my every thought, every desire, every dream, every motive, every goal, every purpose; that I may be all Yours, speak only Your words, do only Your actions, to accomplish Your purposes in my life, for Your glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who [will] believe in Me through their word. ... And I have made Thy Name known to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them, and I in them.
This chapter has been called Jesus' High Priestly Prayer.
Jesus prayed for His friends, and He also prayed for us, even today, as we who believe have been taught by their words written in Scripture.
And He has given even us His Love, the same Love that the Father loves Jesus with. I find this incredible: That I am loved as much as the Father loves His Son. And that I can give this Love to others, without diminishing it in me.
O my Father, the Righteous One, I pray that this request be done in me; that Your love whrewith You loved Your own Son Jesus be in me, and He living in me, taking over my life to live His life in me, loving others through me.
O Father, so many years ago I gave my life to You, and You took over my life that same hour. You have done so much for me and in me and to me and even through me to bless others!
But I have, in so many ways, taken back parts and areas of my life to try to control them myself--I now release these faults, these sins, back to You again. Please take over my every thought, every desire, every dream, every motive, every goal, every purpose; that I may be all Yours, speak only Your words, do only Your actions, to accomplish Your purposes in my life, for Your glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, August 13, 2018
A Cool Spirit
Proverbs 17: 27-28
He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.
This is good advice. Keeping our cool is the best way to go, as a hot-head talks his way into trouble.
If you don't know what to say, just keep quiet. This is something Peter had to learn: "not knowing what to say, he said..."(Luke 9:33).
O my Father, thank You for being with me, for putting Your guard on my mouth and tongue. I ask that You use what I have said to prick hearts, and show Yourself to those who don't know You yet.
Father, help me to continue to seek Your face and Your ways. Keep me humble, so that I may not be lifted up in pride in seeing what You do through me, in answer to my prayers. I know I am not someone who is great--You are great, my El Shaddai, God Almighty. I am but dust, a clay pot that You are shaping. Keep me maleable in Your hands.
Help me, Father, to say only Your words, in Your timing, to the people You have brought across my path. Keep me aware of my surroundings, and who is listening, so that You will be lifted up, not me.
Let others see what good works I am able to do in Your power, and give the credit, the praise to You. That You may be magnified, Your Name be exhalted, and Your Kingdom come.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.
This is good advice. Keeping our cool is the best way to go, as a hot-head talks his way into trouble.
If you don't know what to say, just keep quiet. This is something Peter had to learn: "not knowing what to say, he said..."(Luke 9:33).
O my Father, thank You for being with me, for putting Your guard on my mouth and tongue. I ask that You use what I have said to prick hearts, and show Yourself to those who don't know You yet.
Father, help me to continue to seek Your face and Your ways. Keep me humble, so that I may not be lifted up in pride in seeing what You do through me, in answer to my prayers. I know I am not someone who is great--You are great, my El Shaddai, God Almighty. I am but dust, a clay pot that You are shaping. Keep me maleable in Your hands.
Help me, Father, to say only Your words, in Your timing, to the people You have brought across my path. Keep me aware of my surroundings, and who is listening, so that You will be lifted up, not me.
Let others see what good works I am able to do in Your power, and give the credit, the praise to You. That You may be magnified, Your Name be exhalted, and Your Kingdom come.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, August 12, 2018
All Men Will Know
John 13: 35
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Love is the embodiment of all of the Law: to love God and to love one another. It is the basis and foundation to all the laws in the Universe. God's love put order into the stars and contellations, into the solar systems and our own relationship on Earth to the Sun and Moon and other planets. All the Heavenly bodies love God by obeying the laws He gave for them.
And we are to display to the World His love for us by loving one another as He has loved us: unconditionally and responsibly.
O my Father, please, I pray, that You would continue to wake up Your church! Please wake us up to the sins we are denying, hiding from ourselves; that we may confess them and forsake them. Cleanse us, purify us, that we might love one another as You love us, forgiving one another and "washing one another's feet."
Let those who are not Yours depart from Your churches, and let us not fight and bicker and complain. Please teach us to love one another, as You have said, so that others will be able to see our love, and be drawn to You.
O Father, so often those who are of this World seem to display more love than Your own children! Please display the hidden things, make plain the obscure things, broadcast from the mountaintops what has been whispered in secret--let the Truth be known of who are Yours and who are not, that all people will see our love for one another and Your Truth will be made known; and all Your lost sheep will be found from every tribe, every nation, every tongue; and there will be one fold and one Shepherd!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Love is the embodiment of all of the Law: to love God and to love one another. It is the basis and foundation to all the laws in the Universe. God's love put order into the stars and contellations, into the solar systems and our own relationship on Earth to the Sun and Moon and other planets. All the Heavenly bodies love God by obeying the laws He gave for them.
And we are to display to the World His love for us by loving one another as He has loved us: unconditionally and responsibly.
O my Father, please, I pray, that You would continue to wake up Your church! Please wake us up to the sins we are denying, hiding from ourselves; that we may confess them and forsake them. Cleanse us, purify us, that we might love one another as You love us, forgiving one another and "washing one another's feet."
Let those who are not Yours depart from Your churches, and let us not fight and bicker and complain. Please teach us to love one another, as You have said, so that others will be able to see our love, and be drawn to You.
O Father, so often those who are of this World seem to display more love than Your own children! Please display the hidden things, make plain the obscure things, broadcast from the mountaintops what has been whispered in secret--let the Truth be known of who are Yours and who are not, that all people will see our love for one another and Your Truth will be made known; and all Your lost sheep will be found from every tribe, every nation, every tongue; and there will be one fold and one Shepherd!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Our Passions
Proverbs 14: 30
A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion [envy, jealousy; runaway emotions] is rottenness to the bones [like bone cancer].
Our God is very passionate, jealous of His glory, because He alone is worthy of worship. And He has placed strong, passionate emotions in us, also.
Here we are cautioned to have control over our hearts, to not let our lives be run on emotions, but to temper them with reason and our knowledge of God.
O my Father, help me to recognize the emotions I am experiencing, to be able to name them and thereby have power over them. Help me to control my response to whatever I am feeling with discernment and discretion, with prudence and understanding.
Teach me to live my life in Your righteousness, and to promote Your righteousness in my family and in the society I live in.
May Your guard be on my mouth--my thoughts and attitudes--to see with Your eyes and hear with Your ears, and so speak only Your words; so that the sweet fragrance of Your Spirit would be upon me, that those I see and interact with would be drawn to You, not be impressed with me.
And may my life, every day of my life, be a journey along Your path for my feet, with my hand in Yours, conversing with You continually along the way, promoting Your Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion [envy, jealousy; runaway emotions] is rottenness to the bones [like bone cancer].
Our God is very passionate, jealous of His glory, because He alone is worthy of worship. And He has placed strong, passionate emotions in us, also.
Here we are cautioned to have control over our hearts, to not let our lives be run on emotions, but to temper them with reason and our knowledge of God.
O my Father, help me to recognize the emotions I am experiencing, to be able to name them and thereby have power over them. Help me to control my response to whatever I am feeling with discernment and discretion, with prudence and understanding.
Teach me to live my life in Your righteousness, and to promote Your righteousness in my family and in the society I live in.
May Your guard be on my mouth--my thoughts and attitudes--to see with Your eyes and hear with Your ears, and so speak only Your words; so that the sweet fragrance of Your Spirit would be upon me, that those I see and interact with would be drawn to You, not be impressed with me.
And may my life, every day of my life, be a journey along Your path for my feet, with my hand in Yours, conversing with You continually along the way, promoting Your Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, August 10, 2018
Equal Before The Law
Numbers 15: 14-16
Suppose foreigners are visiting you or living among you in future generations. If they bring an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord, they must do as you do.
There is one law for the whole assembly: for you and foreigners who are living with you. It is a permanent law for future generations. As far as the Lord is concerned, you and foreigners are the same.
The instructions and rules are the same for you as well as foreigners who are living with you.
God's intention from the very beginning was to bring to Himself people from all Nations, not just Israelites. God chose Israel to be the ones through whom His Law, His Word would be delivered to the rest of the World: "To the Jew first, and also to the gentile."
God established the order of authority, those who were responsible to teach and care for others: Moses and Aaron, then the Priesthood, then the Levites, the heads of the rest of the tribes of Israel, then the Nations of the World.
When Korah, with Dathan and Abiram and On and 250 leaders of the congregation tried to usurp the authority of the priests and Moses and Aaron, defying the order of authority that God had established, they paid with their lives--an example for the rest (Numbers 16:1-40).
O my Father, You are serious; You must be taken seriously. Those who disrespect You by taking You lightly and disregarding Your Word and ways will not escape judgment.
Yet You offer Redemption to all equally. "The ground is level at the foot of the Cross." We are all born into sin, and we all commit sins, so we all deserve death. That's why You sent Your Son, that's why Jesus came: to fulfill those Laws carved in stone and written on parchment--to take our death upon Himself for each one of us, so that He can give us His own life, the Holy Spirit, and be cleansed to live with You where You are, forever.
Thank You, Father, for Your Love and Your faithfulness and Your beauty. Thank You for Your compassion and mercy, as well as Your Justice and righteousness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Suppose foreigners are visiting you or living among you in future generations. If they bring an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord, they must do as you do.
There is one law for the whole assembly: for you and foreigners who are living with you. It is a permanent law for future generations. As far as the Lord is concerned, you and foreigners are the same.
The instructions and rules are the same for you as well as foreigners who are living with you.
God's intention from the very beginning was to bring to Himself people from all Nations, not just Israelites. God chose Israel to be the ones through whom His Law, His Word would be delivered to the rest of the World: "To the Jew first, and also to the gentile."
God established the order of authority, those who were responsible to teach and care for others: Moses and Aaron, then the Priesthood, then the Levites, the heads of the rest of the tribes of Israel, then the Nations of the World.
When Korah, with Dathan and Abiram and On and 250 leaders of the congregation tried to usurp the authority of the priests and Moses and Aaron, defying the order of authority that God had established, they paid with their lives--an example for the rest (Numbers 16:1-40).
O my Father, You are serious; You must be taken seriously. Those who disrespect You by taking You lightly and disregarding Your Word and ways will not escape judgment.
Yet You offer Redemption to all equally. "The ground is level at the foot of the Cross." We are all born into sin, and we all commit sins, so we all deserve death. That's why You sent Your Son, that's why Jesus came: to fulfill those Laws carved in stone and written on parchment--to take our death upon Himself for each one of us, so that He can give us His own life, the Holy Spirit, and be cleansed to live with You where You are, forever.
Thank You, Father, for Your Love and Your faithfulness and Your beauty. Thank You for Your compassion and mercy, as well as Your Justice and righteousness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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