"The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back." Psalm 114:3
In context this scripture is referring to the time when the Lord delivered His people from Egypt and were taking them to the land that He had promised to give to the descendants of Abraham. During this transition from one location to another we have the accounts of two miraculous, supernatural events that dealt with bodies of water- the partings of the Red Sea and the Jordan River.
God had made a promise to Abraham centuries earlier and the fulfillment of that promise was in the process, but there were a couple of things in the natural realm that stood in the way- these two bodies of water. I want to encourage you this morning that when God is in the process of fulfilling His promise, when the physical manifestation is being revealed, there is nothing that can stand in His way to stop it. There is not a sea too wide, a river too deep, a mountain too high, a storm too violent to hinder God. All He has to do is speak to it, wave His hand over it, breath on it and it no longer stands in the way.
This morning maybe you have come to the "sea" and you don't see a way to cross it. Don't worry about it. God can cross it! God can remove it out of the way, God can cause it to flee and become dry ground, God can give you a boat and the grace to paddle across it, He can give you the strength to jump in the water and swim. The point is, it may be an impossible obstacle to you, but it is not an obstacle or impossible to God.
Have a great day. Nothing can stand in the way of God's plan going forward-- nothing in the natural or spiritual realms.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
"It's Little"
"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Song of Solomon 2:15
What is keeping you out of the presence of God? What hinders you from pressing in? What holds you back from going up the mountain to meet with Him? What causes you to only go so far then turn back? What keeps you from fulfilling God's plan for your life? What stops you in your tracks each time you begin to advance forward?
Often we get frustrated because we can't figure it out- we don't know what the problem is that is standing in our way. That's because we are usually looking for some "big" thing to account for the problem. Most of the time it is not a "big" thing, but something "little". The little things that case as much, if not more, problem for us than the big ones. I remember a time when I was having trouble with my automobile. It would be running fine then the next time I got in it I could not get it cranked. The problem turned out to be something small- the battery cable just needed tightening. But that "little" problem shut down the whole automobile and my ability to go any where.
If you are having a problem going deeper in your relationship with God, in pressing into that secret place, in hearing His voice, in total surrender and submission to Him but you don't know why, and you know there is nothing "big" that is causing it- go a little deeper and look for something "little".
Have a great day. Little things often cause a bigger problem than big things.
What is keeping you out of the presence of God? What hinders you from pressing in? What holds you back from going up the mountain to meet with Him? What causes you to only go so far then turn back? What keeps you from fulfilling God's plan for your life? What stops you in your tracks each time you begin to advance forward?
Often we get frustrated because we can't figure it out- we don't know what the problem is that is standing in our way. That's because we are usually looking for some "big" thing to account for the problem. Most of the time it is not a "big" thing, but something "little". The little things that case as much, if not more, problem for us than the big ones. I remember a time when I was having trouble with my automobile. It would be running fine then the next time I got in it I could not get it cranked. The problem turned out to be something small- the battery cable just needed tightening. But that "little" problem shut down the whole automobile and my ability to go any where.
If you are having a problem going deeper in your relationship with God, in pressing into that secret place, in hearing His voice, in total surrender and submission to Him but you don't know why, and you know there is nothing "big" that is causing it- go a little deeper and look for something "little".
Have a great day. Little things often cause a bigger problem than big things.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
"Led Up"
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." Matthew 4:1
Ever been in a "wilderness"? So many Christians think that the "wilderness" is something the devil does to them. That is not the case. He tempts you "in" the wilderness. "And when the tempter came to him." (Mt. 4:3a) But the wilderness is often God's doing. Who led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness? According to this morning's verse, Jesus was led "by the Spirit" into the wilderness. The wilderness is God's plan on occasion for our lives.
For years I didn't know that. Once I learned that, it helped me look at these times in my life in a different way. If God led me there it was ultimately for my good and intended to accomplish His purpose in my life. I began to view the wilderness as "not such a bad place" any longer. This past week I was reading this verse and saw something I never paid attention to before- it was such a revelation. It says that the Spirit led Jesus "up" into the wilderness.
"Jesus was led 'up' into the wilderness". We have got to completely change our view of the wilderness. The wilderness is "up". Jesus had to go "up" to get to the wilderness. The wilderness takes you higher. It's not a "low" area that brings you down. It accomplishes a higher plan of God for your life. It takes you to a new level- a higher level. After Jesus came out of the wilderness He came out with power. After the wilderness is when His ministry started. After the wilderness He went about doing good. After the wilderness He chose His disciples. After the wilderness He began to preach the kingdom of heaven, He began to heal the sick, walk the shores of Galilee, taught the sermon on the mount, etc.
We have to change our perspective of the wilderness. No, it's not a pleasant place- it's exactly what it's name implies-- wilderness. But the wilderness is "up", it's on a higher level and it takes us to a higher level spiritually. So when the Spirit leads you into the wilderness, don't go in with dread, don't go in with fear and trembling, don't go in murmuring and complaining, kicking and screaming. Just follow the Spirit and go in with joy, knowing that it's purpose is to take you to a higher plain, and let it.
Have a great day. Always remember that the wilderness is intended to take you "up".
Ever been in a "wilderness"? So many Christians think that the "wilderness" is something the devil does to them. That is not the case. He tempts you "in" the wilderness. "And when the tempter came to him." (Mt. 4:3a) But the wilderness is often God's doing. Who led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness? According to this morning's verse, Jesus was led "by the Spirit" into the wilderness. The wilderness is God's plan on occasion for our lives.
For years I didn't know that. Once I learned that, it helped me look at these times in my life in a different way. If God led me there it was ultimately for my good and intended to accomplish His purpose in my life. I began to view the wilderness as "not such a bad place" any longer. This past week I was reading this verse and saw something I never paid attention to before- it was such a revelation. It says that the Spirit led Jesus "up" into the wilderness.
"Jesus was led 'up' into the wilderness". We have got to completely change our view of the wilderness. The wilderness is "up". Jesus had to go "up" to get to the wilderness. The wilderness takes you higher. It's not a "low" area that brings you down. It accomplishes a higher plan of God for your life. It takes you to a new level- a higher level. After Jesus came out of the wilderness He came out with power. After the wilderness is when His ministry started. After the wilderness He went about doing good. After the wilderness He chose His disciples. After the wilderness He began to preach the kingdom of heaven, He began to heal the sick, walk the shores of Galilee, taught the sermon on the mount, etc.
We have to change our perspective of the wilderness. No, it's not a pleasant place- it's exactly what it's name implies-- wilderness. But the wilderness is "up", it's on a higher level and it takes us to a higher level spiritually. So when the Spirit leads you into the wilderness, don't go in with dread, don't go in with fear and trembling, don't go in murmuring and complaining, kicking and screaming. Just follow the Spirit and go in with joy, knowing that it's purpose is to take you to a higher plain, and let it.
Have a great day. Always remember that the wilderness is intended to take you "up".
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
"They Come And Go"
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14
During our first year of marriage we lived in a rental house in a small community about fifteen miles from here. We decided to purchase a mobile home instead of continuing to pay rent and put it on my dad's property. In order to reach the spot where we set up the mobile home we had to build a rather long gravel driveway. This morning I was thinking about that first year that we lived here in that mobile home- today reminded me of it. (It's been overcast and rainy here for the last few days- it's raining today.) That first year was awful. It rained almost everyday for what seemed like an eternity. When it wasn't raining, it was overcast and dreary. I can't remember seeing the sun at all for weeks and weeks. I was cooped up in my little home for days without in. Leaving was a challenge that was almost impossible to win- I don't think I have to tell you what rain does (and lots of it) to a freshly poured gravel driveway.
That first year is one I will never forget. Rainy, dreary, overcast, cloudy, challenges in leaving my home, if I did try to go out I would bog down in the gravel and be stuck. As I am remembering this time in my life, I am remembering that it is only a "memory". It's past. Even though I thought I would never see the sun again, I did. It did shine again. My situation did not remain that way forever. In the years to come there were more days filled with sun than with gloom and clouds. And those days are now years behind me.
I told you that little story to let you know that your days may be cloudy and dreary, you may think that the sun will never shine again, you may feel like you are a prisoner to you situation, you may feel that making any sort of a move places challenges on you that you don't seem to be able to overcome. (I am not just talking about your physical condition- you know what I mean.) But I want to tell you it won't always be like this. You will see the sun again, it won't last forever. I am sure Job thought that he would never see the light of day again, but he did. Take heart. The rain comes and it goes. The sun comes and it goes. Clouds come and go. That's the key- they come and they go.
Have a great day. Current situations don't last forever- even if they feel like they do. They come and go.
During our first year of marriage we lived in a rental house in a small community about fifteen miles from here. We decided to purchase a mobile home instead of continuing to pay rent and put it on my dad's property. In order to reach the spot where we set up the mobile home we had to build a rather long gravel driveway. This morning I was thinking about that first year that we lived here in that mobile home- today reminded me of it. (It's been overcast and rainy here for the last few days- it's raining today.) That first year was awful. It rained almost everyday for what seemed like an eternity. When it wasn't raining, it was overcast and dreary. I can't remember seeing the sun at all for weeks and weeks. I was cooped up in my little home for days without in. Leaving was a challenge that was almost impossible to win- I don't think I have to tell you what rain does (and lots of it) to a freshly poured gravel driveway.
That first year is one I will never forget. Rainy, dreary, overcast, cloudy, challenges in leaving my home, if I did try to go out I would bog down in the gravel and be stuck. As I am remembering this time in my life, I am remembering that it is only a "memory". It's past. Even though I thought I would never see the sun again, I did. It did shine again. My situation did not remain that way forever. In the years to come there were more days filled with sun than with gloom and clouds. And those days are now years behind me.
I told you that little story to let you know that your days may be cloudy and dreary, you may think that the sun will never shine again, you may feel like you are a prisoner to you situation, you may feel that making any sort of a move places challenges on you that you don't seem to be able to overcome. (I am not just talking about your physical condition- you know what I mean.) But I want to tell you it won't always be like this. You will see the sun again, it won't last forever. I am sure Job thought that he would never see the light of day again, but he did. Take heart. The rain comes and it goes. The sun comes and it goes. Clouds come and go. That's the key- they come and they go.
Have a great day. Current situations don't last forever- even if they feel like they do. They come and go.
Monday, January 5, 2009
"Productive Year"
"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Corinthians 3:12,13
We have just begun a new year. Many people have been making resolutions. Some plan to start a diet, get in shape, make more money, read their Bible more often- they'll have their list of things they either will or won't do this year. Personally, I don't make resolutions, but I do reflect on the past year and look back to determine just how much of my year was fruitful. Did I waste the year or was it productive?
When I say productive, I define it by what was accomplished for Christ and His kingdom, not by personal gain. It's like the old saying- "One life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last". What did I do for Christ this past year? Was what I did considered wood, hay, stubble? Or was it gold, silver, precious stones? If my "works" were put in the fire today, which ones would stand the test? Which ones would be burnt up?
He has blessed us with one life, and one life only. What we do here is important. What we do for Christ is more important. I don't want to come to the end of a year- or the end of my life- and discover that I did not make a difference for His glory. I don't want to waste the time I have been given. I want to gather eternal treasures. I want to have something to lay at His feet one day. I want to touch lives that need to be pointed to Him. I want to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" now as well as when I stand before Him on that day.
They say that you aren't to look back. You don't look back with guilt and condemnation over the things you did or didn't do, or the mistakes you made. But you look back to learn from it. If there was more "flammable" material (works/deeds) in your past year than there was "non-perishable" ones learn from it. Then ask God to help you be more productive for His glory in the year ahead.
Have a great day. Was last year full of wood, hay or stubble? Then work on making this year productive- full of gold, silver and precious stones.
We have just begun a new year. Many people have been making resolutions. Some plan to start a diet, get in shape, make more money, read their Bible more often- they'll have their list of things they either will or won't do this year. Personally, I don't make resolutions, but I do reflect on the past year and look back to determine just how much of my year was fruitful. Did I waste the year or was it productive?
When I say productive, I define it by what was accomplished for Christ and His kingdom, not by personal gain. It's like the old saying- "One life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last". What did I do for Christ this past year? Was what I did considered wood, hay, stubble? Or was it gold, silver, precious stones? If my "works" were put in the fire today, which ones would stand the test? Which ones would be burnt up?
He has blessed us with one life, and one life only. What we do here is important. What we do for Christ is more important. I don't want to come to the end of a year- or the end of my life- and discover that I did not make a difference for His glory. I don't want to waste the time I have been given. I want to gather eternal treasures. I want to have something to lay at His feet one day. I want to touch lives that need to be pointed to Him. I want to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" now as well as when I stand before Him on that day.
They say that you aren't to look back. You don't look back with guilt and condemnation over the things you did or didn't do, or the mistakes you made. But you look back to learn from it. If there was more "flammable" material (works/deeds) in your past year than there was "non-perishable" ones learn from it. Then ask God to help you be more productive for His glory in the year ahead.
Have a great day. Was last year full of wood, hay or stubble? Then work on making this year productive- full of gold, silver and precious stones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)