Rest

Jesus rested peacefully as the disciples cried out in panic in the midst of the storm.  He likewise tells us and enables us to rest in the midst of our storms.  

In the midst of life's ups and downs, one consistent word from God is this: rest in Him.  Jesus gave a beautiful illustration in John 15 of how to bear fruit, simply by abiding in the vine.  Hebrews 4:1 speaks of a promise that remains of entering His rest, and a few verses later the exhortation to "strive to enter that rest."  The next verse, Hebrews 4:12, gives us the key: the Word of God is living and powerful.

The children of Israel, through unbelief and disobedience, earned the wrath of God that declared, "They shall not enter My rest."  The explanation states that the Word was not mixed with faith.  Their example is given so we do not make the same mistake, but rather consider and observe God's truth.  

On the seventh day God rested from all His works.  When asked about the work of God, Jesus answered "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent." (John 6:29)  The reason is simple, Jesus came to do all that was required to bring man back to God, and with that final, "It is finished," the work is already done.   Now the challenge is to be still and know that He is God and rest in the mercy and goodness that His promises declare.  Psalm 132 gives further insight about God's resting place where He abundantly blesses provision, satisfies the poor with bread, clothes priests with salvation and saints shout aloud for joy.  

God wants His children to rest in Him and His accomplished work.  In times of struggle, remembering Jehovah Jireh, "my needs are met according to His riches," gives rest.  In times of physical challenge, we are called to declare by His stripes we were healed and to rest in this truth.  Those who seek the Lord will lack "No good thing."  Faith pleases God and He takes pleasure in any choice we make to stand in the power of His Word rather than live in anxiety, fear, and defeat.  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  

Therefore, God's Word to you is whatever your challenge, Jesus has already accomplished what is needed, and you can rest in Him.  Instead of worry, give thanks that it is done.  As Philippians 4:6 states, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

Be still and know He is God.  As we look into His face and His everlasting love for each one of us, we choose to rest in His abundant goodness and enter into His peaceful rest.    

Let Him Who Has Ears to Hear, Hear

Jesus declared one of the greatest blessings given 

to man, "My sheep hear My voice and I know them, 

and they follow Me."

In John 10, there is an amazing dichotomy between 

Jesus as the door and as the shepherd.  In verse 3, 

He declares, "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the 

sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by 

name and leads them out." A few verses later Jesus 

reveals He is the door., "Most assuredly, I say to you, 

I am the door of the sheep.  If anyone enters by Me, 

he will be saved, and will go in and out and find 

pasture."  Jesus is the door, as the One who shed 

His blood on the cross for all sin that all men must 

enter into as the only way into God's kingdom.  

Nobody can come to the Father except he hear the 

divine call to "Come to me, I will give you rest." 

and responds to His love.  

However, Jesus, the risen Lord, is also the shepherd 

who now by the Spirit of God leads all believers into 

a place of knowing Him and His voice so they can 

follow Him. Once a person has acknowledged His 

call to repent and accept Jesus' death for his sins, 

the believer is now able to walk by faith in response 

to His voice in following Him.  Isaiah talks about 

hearing a voice saying, "This is the way, walk in it."  

Jesus declares that believers know His voice so 

clearly and are so familiar with His voice, that they 

will not know or listen to the voice of strangers.    

My question is how desperately do we desire to 

hear His voice and how do we respond?  Jacob 

wrestled with the angel and refused to let go until 

the angel blessed him.  With that kind of deter-

mination and resolve, we need to come into God's 

presence (through thanksgiving, praise, singing, 

and the truth of His Word according to Psalm 100) 

and then quietly be still until we get a word from 

God. 

Linger.   Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew 

their strength as declared in Isaiah.  How long do we 

wait, how important is it to us to wait, until we can 

receive His voice that quickens our inner man?  It 

may be helpful to continue by declaring Jesus' words,

"My sheep hear My voice" in order to focus your soul 

that you are waiting in faith.   

God told Moses to write a book of remembrance 

and told Habakkuk to write the vision.  Following 

this pattern, wait on the Lord until you hear His voice 

and can write down what you believe He is saying 

to you.  Like Jacob, refuse to let go until you "know" 

His word to you.  He will speak peace to His 

people (Psalm 85:8).  

Hunger enough to take time and ask the Holy Spirit 

to teach you to hear and to know His voice.  Jesus 

said those who hear and do what He says will be 

blessed (Matthew 7:24), bear much fruit 

(John 15:8), and never be led astray (John 10:28).  

Let him who has ears to hear, hear!

---

 

Rejoice at Judgment?

   May God's peace fill your heart and soul because of what the Lord has done for you, when you consider this amazing truth found in Psalm 96.  It declares that the heavens will be glad, the earth will rejoice, the sea will roar, the field will exult, the trees of the forest will sing for joy at a coming event.  What could possibly be the reason why?  

 God is coming to judge the earth!  

 Do you remember being called to the principal's office? (or to your boss' office)  Was there a sudden drop in your heart, an instant panic? In our natural response the first thought is "uh oh, what did I do wrong?"  So this Scripture is totally contrary to our feelings where an immediate red flag goes up.  How can this be?

 Deep in our hearts we long for good to be honored and evil to be dealt with; in short, justice.  We know the good tree has good fruit, and the bad tree bears bad fruit.  Of course, God is all just and every sin will receive its consequence.  But, what if there is evil or sin in us?  

That is the point.  Jesus promised to send the Spirit (John 16:7-11) to convict of sin and righteousness and judgment, which is His provision to reconcile and give His peace to us.  Paul said he couldn't even judge himself, but called on God to judge him before taking communion.  When we are judged and repent of what the Lord exposes, then we can stand righteous before God. Jesus who knew no sin, became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)  His righteousness and His perfect love cast out all fear. 

We can rejoice that God is coming to judge the earth.  We know in our hearts that Jesus has taken our sin and given us His righteousness.  So rather than instill fear, the coming of the Lord to judge brings peace and joy because we are already judged and the Jesus' righteousness we now have is perfect.  You don't have to panic if you are being followed by a police car when you know you are going the speed limit.  Obviously part of Jesus reigning is removing all sin and setting up a holy kingdom on earth. Romans 14:17 declares this kingdom is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."   We rejoice that this kingdom that is in us, will also be established on earth as it is in heaven! 

Good Plans

Every school teacher spends most of August planning and preparing for the next school year.  It is a time to look at ways we can improve and to imagine how much we are going to accomplish.  It seems that good intentions, like hope, spring eternal.  . 

There is nothing wrong with making good plans, but.....     Proverbs 16:9 points out "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  In other words, unless the Lord is in it to "will and to work for His pleasure," the plan will not bear fruit.  Isaiah 30:1 even goes so far as to say "Woe to those who devise plans, but not of My Spirit."

We know God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Part of that "for good" is opening our heart to realize we need Him, because the temptation in the garden was for man to think he is "like God," and therefore, does not need the God's help.  Yet Ephesians 1 points out that as we grow in "wisdom and revelation of Him" our understanding will be enlightened until He becomes "all in all." 

Jesus spoke and demonstrated that love is laying down His life for His friends.  This same principle can be applied to loving God with all our mind.  We love God by laying down our thoughts and plans and submitting to His.  God wants us to use our mind, only in harmony with His ways.  Therefore, the necessity of seeking Him and learning to hear His voice must preceed the making of plans.  He is not far away, but literally is within our spirits ready to help us know the way.

My instruction, if you wish to walk in victory, is to lay down your thoughts before Him, and ask Him for His plans for the day.  Then be obedient to do what you beleive He is directing.  This step may be easier if you write down what comes to mind as you wait on Him. blessed are those who hear and do His Word.   There is such a sense of peace and accomplishment when you obey and see the fruit of your deeds.  Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph. 

Moses prayed in Exodus 33:13, "Show me now Your way, that I might know you."   The more we seek and find God's way or plan to overcome, the more we will experience knowing the character of God.  God promises to satisfy those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  The key is to desire God's right way of doing things and refuse to settle for anything less than what his peace confirms.  May His peace keep your mind and heart in Christ Jesus as you follow His good plans.  

Come, Thy Kingdom!

 The torch has been handed to you.  "I have given you authority" (Luke 11:19)  God established His kingdom with the designation that you have His authority to declare with your mouth "life and death" (Proverbs 18:21), and tells you to "Choose life" (Deut. 30:19).  Both the phrase They kingdom come and Thy will be done are actually imperatives, translated in common English to read "Come, Thy kingdom" and "Be done,Thy will."  These are declarations that we as believers are instructed to make so God's power can be released on the earth.  God confirms His Word that we speak. (Mark 16:20)

Jesus declared repeatedly in His ministry that the kingdom of God "is here" and "has come."  It refers to God establishing a whole new order of life where Jesus is Lord and all things are transformed to submit to His love and rule.  When Jesus declared, "It is Finished," Satan was defeated and all the consequences of sin were totally paid for.  However, Hebrews 2:8-9 reminds us that even though everything is now in subjection to Jesus and under His feet, we don't see this complete victory manifested yet.  God calls on us to agree with His Word, to cry out "Come, Lord Jesus!", and to "hasten the day of His coming" by our declaring this simple request, Come, Thy Kingdom!  Revelation reveals the day is coming when the kingdoms of the earth will become the kingdoms of our Lord, on earth as it is in heaven.  Every enemy of love will be removed.  Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.  Amen, let it be so.

Jesus also told us that the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)  Paul describes the kingdom in Romans 14:17 as "righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit," and in 1 Corinthians 4:20 as "not in word but in power."  Those who receive Jesus Christ, and believe in His name, have been given power  to become the sons of God (John 1:12).  Through salvation we have been made temples of the Holy Spirit and so the very presence of God dwells in us.  We speak and release the power of God to be "king" in us, that His righteousness, peace, and the joy of the Holy Spirit would dominate our lives.

We also call forth that His will be done.  We purpose to obey His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  By praying this phrase, we align our will with His will, and "pick up our cross daily."  The cross is where His will and our will cross.  We choose and declare to walk in the Spirit of holiness and obedience as we will forever in heaven.  

Furthermore, we can extend this prayer petition to others.  May His kingdom (righteousness, peace, and the joy of the Holy Spirit) come upon our spouses and children, on our leaders and pastors, and on those whom the Spirit brings to mind.  It is releasing the power of God to bless and transform those whom we love.  May His will be done in their lives.  3 John 2 encourages us that He desires above all things that we prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers.  Obviously, Jesus' kingdom extends to those who accept His saving work and leadership (making Him Lord.)  We become the Lord's ambassadors who cry out for all men to be reconciled to God and choose to do His will. 

Pray that His kingdom come on the earth as it is in heaven, and that men everywhere turn from their selfish fleshly desires to choosing to do His will. 

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

Lord Jesus,
You are here, moving in our midst, I worship you, I worship you. 
You are here, working in this place, I worship you, I worship you.  

The words of the song Waymaker are a great reminder that God is always here and working for our good.  The challenge is to keep this truth central in our heart and thinking.  Paul encourages us to fight the good fight of faith, because without faith it is impossible to please God.  As Hebrews 11:6 states, "for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  

Clearly a lot of things are being shaken right now.  Panic, fear, uncertainty, insecurity, worry and even doubt are influences of the enemy that can easily attack our thinking.  My prayer is, "Holy Spirit, help me take every thought captive to obey the knowledge of Christ." according to the instruction in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.  So when I am challenged with a fear or doubt, I deliberately declare a Bible verse such as "By His stripes I am healed" or "No weapon formed against me will prosper."  or "Thanks be to God who always leads me in triumph."  Jesus quoted the Word when the enemy challenged Him.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit reminds me that all authority in heaven and earth are in the name of Jesus, and He has given me authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.  So then I declare, "In the name of Jesus, fear be gone."  and often I just simply say, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" until the negative thoughts lose their power and leave.  

Jesus reminded us that after the demon is cast out, it is necessary to fill the "house" with new furniture.  So I begin filling my mind and heart with thanksgiving, with reminding myself of all God has done for me.  Or I begin thanking Jesus for taking those stripes for me and I try to picture Him being beaten.  It is also helpful to just declare God's truth from the Word about the situation.  Maybe you should write a list of verses that God quickens to you in your quiet time each day, so you have a fresh anointed Word to stand on.  

"Thou does keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee," (Isaiah 26:3)  Why does Philippians 4:7-8 encourage us to think about what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praiseworthy?  The reason is simply because our fallen human nature gravitates toward the negative.  You recall that the Israelites in the wilderness were always complaining.  Therefore, since God's ways are always the opposite of man's ways, this means we have to choose God's way, choose life, rather than the ways of death that our flesh produces.  

The best way to fight the good fight of faith is to let praise and the Word of God fill our mind.  When the battle of our thoughts gets tough, it is time to declare God's Word out loud and praise Him for all He has done.  Sing songs of worship, especially those that are Bible verses, to help us keep the Word of God in our heart and on our lips.  Several Scriptures such as Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:8, and Proverbs 4:20-23 all declare the necessity and blessing of letting the Word abide in you and continuing to speak it into life.  It is as simple as saying, "No, devil, you are a liar, I choose to declare God's truth."  Don't give up.  All those who use their faith overcome the evil one.  We will be eternally grateful that we chose to "Fight the good fight of faith."

What are You Going to Do with Your Life? (Now that You Have Graduated)

"What are you going to do with your life now that you have graduated?" is the typical question that every high school or college graduate is presented with by friends and family.  Even though people are just trying to make conversation and to encourage the graduate in his future challenges, there is a more serious aspect to the question.  Many graduates are only thinking about getting out of their current school and do not have a thoughtful answer, because they have not really stopped to ask themselves this question in a long-term way.  However, graduation is a good time to seek and ask God what is His plan for your life.
Misty Edwards has written a powerful book entitled, "What is the Point?" in which she shares her challenge to find meaning in life and to give herself to something that really matters.  The truth is that each of us has to face that basic question at some point; otherwise, we could not survive or have the inner strength to fulfill our daily responsibilities.  We need a reason for living and doing what we do.

The secular world suggests the answer is to find something where you can make money and have all the pleasures and luxury that life affords.  However, there is something else far more important to consider.  Ecclesiastes declares that God has put eternity in our hearts.  Most people have a deep desire to do something with their lives that matters (even forever), that in some way contributes something to mankind that produces a measure of satisfaction.  Yet even stronger than this general longing is the revelation found Ephesians 2:10, that clearly states "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  What an amazing thought, that God has specific works prepared for each of us to do!  All we need to do is find out what they are and do them.

Back to the key issue: What are you going to do?  How are you going to find out what those works are?  Jesus knew we would need direction, so that is why He promised to send another comforter ("another" meaning like Himself) who would guide us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is given to all who ask and is here to help us find this truth.   Romans 8:14 declares "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."  We can know the Spirit's leading, and proceed knowing with confidence our relationship with God.  

First of all, to be a son of God, one must let the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, as the One who paid the price (His blood) for your sins and to whom you willingly commit your life. 

Secondly, God promises to give to those who ask.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you God's plan.  It sounds so simple a little child could do it, which is the point.  Simply come as a little child admitting you need His help and trust Him to guide you through His peace.  As Colossians 3:15 points out, we are to "let the peace of God rule in our hearts..."  (The Amplified actually states "continually be the umpire").  So to the best of your knowledge, begin doing what is on your heart, what you feel is right.  Then let God re-direct you and guide you with His peace as you calmly present each step to Him in prayer and quietness. 

God is not mocked and cannot lie, so it follows He will faithfully guide each one who asks Him and trusts Him.  Sometimes we see this clearer when we look back at how God has led us through many ways into the place we now are.  Each one of us does not have to be some kind of big hero, but just simply be content as the person He has made us and doing the work that He has led us to do.  The rest of that Colossians 3:15 verse says "and be thankful."  With thankfulness, enjoy the peace and presence of God in all you do.  Since you are His workmanship, He will lead you into the work He has prepared for you.  He made you for this!
 

Eternity in Light of God's Gift of Peace

"When you are dead, you are dead a long time." was my father's only words to me after hearing about the stupid thing I had done.  I'm sure he wanted to say more but chose not to.
 That day on the farm I was a teenage boy working in the field with our LA Case, a strong 4-5 bottom-plow tractor.  As evening neared, rather foolishly, I chose to go home through the ditch instead of going back to the driveway.  From the bottom of the ditch the tractor jerked as it started up the steep incline.  The climb was too much and it suddenly began to lift the front wheels off the ground.  The tractor reared up so quickly that I fell to the ground.  Then I watched in utter dismay as this powerful tractor killed its motor standing straight up just over me.  I slowly crawled out from under it and walked home, in awe at what happened and mostly, that I was still alive.
 In a cartoon by Jeff Larson, a drop of water, representing our life on earth, is falling in to a bucket of water marked eternity. The point is to live your life aware of the fact that your time on earth is extremely short compared to eternity.  Our time of life actually is totally insignificant compared to the billions of years with forever to go that eternity represents, and yet everything depends on what choices or seeds we sow in this realm.
 However, eternity isn't just duration, but rather a quality of life, thanks to God sending and revealing Jesus.  "This is eternal life, that they know thee, the only true God, and the One whom He sent." (John 17:3)  Christmas clearly shows that the Heart of God is to reveal Himself to man and make a way for us to enjoy Him forever.  Jesus came to earth and manifested the very nature and greatness of God, so we could know Him. 
 We come to know Him by accepting who He is and what He has done.  It pleased the Father to provide an innocent, perfect sacrifice to pay for all of man's failures.  Jesus rose from the dead and demonstrated his complete victory over sin and death. We can live because He lives.  And finally, God sends the Holy Spirit to personally reveal Jesus to all who come to Him and desire to walk with Him.
 Peace on earth, good will toward men.  In a quiet, powerful way the little baby born in Bethlehem sends an eternal message that God longs for us to be with Him and He is willing to go to any and all costs to make it possible.   The starting point is realizing that we need His shed blood and sacrifice to cover our wrong choices, and secondly, that trusting His love enough to invite Him to rule over us, we submit to Him as "Lord" forever.
The Christmas carols tell of the quiet and peaceful night. Those who reponded, who came to adore Him, experienced the peace and quiet of God's glory.  Today He asks you to simply "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) and to receive His incredible gift of peace and quiet in your inner man.  Life is much more than these 70 or 80 years on the earth; it really does last, as Dad said, "a long time." So the most important and critical choice you will ever make is to let Jesus change your eternal destiny.  Come, taste and see that He is good.  With a grateful and sincere heart, declare "Jesus, I come to you believing you paid for my sins and I am unashamed to say, Jesus, you are my Lord."
You have just received the gift that Jesus brought for all men at that first Christmas.