Daily Devotional for March 7, 2011
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalms 133:1
for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalms 133:1
“There is a wave of My presence which is about to sweep this whole earth. I will cause the people to be affected in diverse ways,” says the Lord. “No longer will My people be able to deny that I am among them. No longer will you who have ignored My voice be able to escape My judgment.”
It’s obvious to anyone that has ever read this psalm, that the theme that leaps very obviously at one that is interwoven throughout the fabric of the verses of this short Psalm is the theme of unity. It is believed that this Psalm was written on or for the occasion of the nation’s coming together at the coronation of David becoming the king of both the southern and the northern kingdoms of Israel. Up until this point there had been what is called by scholars the “divided monarchy”. In other words, the people of Israel have now split; and there is the northern kingdom and there is the southern kingdom. David, in 2nd Samuel, around chapter 2, has already become the king of Judah. Now he comes to be crowned the king of Israel, thus becoming the unifying king and once again unifying Israel. It is also believed that the writing of this Psalm was not only to celebrate what God had done in the kingship of David; but it is believed that David wrote this Psalm instructively to his sons, who had become antagonistic towards each other. If you remember Absalom murdered Amnon and Adonijah tried to thwart Solomon’s ascension to the throne. Thus it is believed that David writes this Psalm, not only as a celebration of his coronation in unifying the kingdom; but that he writes this Psalm as a father filled with wisdom, writing it to his sons who are family but acting like they are enemies.
This Psalm teaches us that there is power in unity. It suggests that unity produces an atmosphere and ambiance by which the anointing of God can flow. The anointing of God cannot flow where there is strife, division or backbiting. When the people of God begin to walk in unity, then the Spirit of God can begin to move, and when the Spirit of God begins to move, things begin to happen. When the Spirit of God begins to move lives will be transformed; sickness and disease will be healed and shackles will be broken. When the Spirit of God is allowed the freedom to move, then there is nothing that cannot be broken in the body of Christ. This requires major thought because what it means is the reason more miracles may not take place, might not be because of a lack of faith. But it might be because of a lack of unity. If there is one thing that needs to return to the church, it is the message of unity. God has called us to work TOGETHER. You nor I alone do a kingdom make.
I’m not a kingdom and you are not a kingdom. God has not made any of us to function alone without the necessity of other people in our lives. God has not made us good enough to where we don’t need other people to be connected to us in order for us to flow in who God made us to be. I don’t care if my title is Apostle, Reverend, Doctor, Deacon, Bishop or Prophet, God has not made me anointed enough to make a church what is should be without the connection of other people. It takes unity!!! He has not made us to function alone. You and I need relationships. And we need to understand today the concept of unity. Because in this modern day church, particularly in an age of the mega church era, you run the risk of simply being a collection of strangers that show up at the same place for their own reasons on a given Sunday; and when it’s over we go to our separate lives as we’ve never been there together. And one of the dangers of becoming a “clique-ish” church is that you run the risk of losing the necessary intimacy that it takes to be connected to each other in order to flow in each other’s lives.
Tragically, the reason some people go to big crowds is so they can get lost in anonymity, because they don’t want anybody to know their business. When, in reality, you ought to be in the church to be free to let people know what you’re going through, because you trust that the people there will pray for you when times get rough. Unity is the greatest gift you and I can give to the Spirit. Listen, my preaching is not the greatest gift because unity is greater than preaching. In fact, unity is greater than singing; unity is greater than vision; unity is greater than ministry; unity is greater than activity; unity is greater than all of the buildings you can come up with. Unity is greater than any preacher, any deacon, any staff, any trustee, any member or any usher. Bottom line?....
This Psalm teaches us that there is power in unity. It suggests that unity produces an atmosphere and ambiance by which the anointing of God can flow. The anointing of God cannot flow where there is strife, division or backbiting. When the people of God begin to walk in unity, then the Spirit of God can begin to move, and when the Spirit of God begins to move, things begin to happen. When the Spirit of God begins to move lives will be transformed; sickness and disease will be healed and shackles will be broken. When the Spirit of God is allowed the freedom to move, then there is nothing that cannot be broken in the body of Christ. This requires major thought because what it means is the reason more miracles may not take place, might not be because of a lack of faith. But it might be because of a lack of unity. If there is one thing that needs to return to the church, it is the message of unity. God has called us to work TOGETHER. You nor I alone do a kingdom make.
I’m not a kingdom and you are not a kingdom. God has not made any of us to function alone without the necessity of other people in our lives. God has not made us good enough to where we don’t need other people to be connected to us in order for us to flow in who God made us to be. I don’t care if my title is Apostle, Reverend, Doctor, Deacon, Bishop or Prophet, God has not made me anointed enough to make a church what is should be without the connection of other people. It takes unity!!! He has not made us to function alone. You and I need relationships. And we need to understand today the concept of unity. Because in this modern day church, particularly in an age of the mega church era, you run the risk of simply being a collection of strangers that show up at the same place for their own reasons on a given Sunday; and when it’s over we go to our separate lives as we’ve never been there together. And one of the dangers of becoming a “clique-ish” church is that you run the risk of losing the necessary intimacy that it takes to be connected to each other in order to flow in each other’s lives.
Tragically, the reason some people go to big crowds is so they can get lost in anonymity, because they don’t want anybody to know their business. When, in reality, you ought to be in the church to be free to let people know what you’re going through, because you trust that the people there will pray for you when times get rough. Unity is the greatest gift you and I can give to the Spirit. Listen, my preaching is not the greatest gift because unity is greater than preaching. In fact, unity is greater than singing; unity is greater than vision; unity is greater than ministry; unity is greater than activity; unity is greater than all of the buildings you can come up with. Unity is greater than any preacher, any deacon, any staff, any trustee, any member or any usher. Bottom line?....
If we don’t work TOGETHER, then nothing will really be accomplished
Word For Today: Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous – 1st Peter 3:8 – There is a certain state of mind which exists when we enter into the feelings of others as if they were our own.
[ 06 March, 2011 ] • [ icem ]
Daily Devotional for March 2, 2011
Then saith He unto His disciples,
The harvest truly is plenteous,
but the labourers are few
Matthew 9:37
The harvest truly is plenteous,
but the labourers are few
Matthew 9:37
The voice of the Lord would say to you today: “Call on My name for I am nearer to you than you thought. I am here and perhaps the reason why you have not felt My presence is because you have not earnestly sought My face. Have I ever let you down in the past?”
As I continue along my journey up the King’s highway, I have witnessed some eye-opening situations in the church today. The Lord has allowed me to observe some troubling signs of the times. I’ve had the opportunity to see what I believe is perhaps the greatest problem facing us today. It is a problem that I believe has plagued, infected, and infested the body of Christ; the church as a whole. Let me suggest to you that the greatest problem facing us is not the gang problem on the outside, not the drug pusher on the outside, not the moral values of our youth, not ungodliness. Not unrighteousness, not darkness on the outside, not sin on the outside. Let me suggest to you that the greatest problem facing us today is not what’s going on, on the outside; but what isn’t going on, on the inside. We’ve taken on the mindset of the Laodicean church, which was neither hot nor cold concerning the things of God. They went about their usual routine of doing things. The fact of the matter is that they were in such a state, that the Lord Himself said that because they were neither hot nor cold, that He would literally ’spit them out of His mouth!’ I believe the problem is that our lukewarm churches of today are rapidly becoming a nausea, which grieves the heart of God.
I once read a book written by Dr. Rex D. Edwards entitled “Every Believer, A Minister” in which he graphically paints the pathetic picture of far too many Christians today. He says, “We sing the words of the hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldier,’ and wait to be drafted into His service. We sing ‘Oh, For A Thousand Tongues,’ but don’t use the ones we have… ‘Serve the Lord with Gladness,’ yet we complain when someone asks us to do something”. To prevent ourselves from falling into this category, we need to change our mindset about the church, God’s church! It’s time that we, as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, move from a state of survival to a state of revival! That is what the church is doing today, surviving! It’s time that we move from a state of existence to a state of persistence concerning Kingdom business. We have a survival mentality in the church; we’re neither hot nor cold. We’re just lukewarm; operating at room-temperature. Unenthusiastic, nonchalant, just simply surviving. And because of our lukewarm, narcosis-like attitude towards the things of God, we’re finding many vacant seats among the pews!
But this morning I want to let someone know that God has called the church to do more than survive! God has called the church to do more than exist. He wants us to move from a place of survival to a place of revival. In order for us to be successful, there are some concepts that we must grab hold of. Jesus shows us here in our text that there is a job to be done… There is a need that must be fulfilled… I believe what Jesus is telling us here is that there is a need for some workers. There is a need for some labourers. There is a need for some folks who are willing to get their hands dirty for the cause of Christ.
We live in a world today where everybody is looking for somebody. Major corporations are looking for college graduates with marketable skills. Hospitals are looking for medical students and scientists who have graduated at the top of their class. Financial institutions are looking for people with MBA’s and top-notch portfolios ready to take on Wall Street. The U.S. Marines are looking for The Few and the Proud. The U.S. Army is looking for those who are willing to Be All That They Can Be. The U.S. Navy is looking for those who want not just A Job, But An Adventure. The U.S. Air Force is looking for those who want to Aim High! Everybody is looking for somebody! You’ve got men looking for women… Women looking for men… And unfortunately in some cases, you’ve got men looking for men and women looking for women…! Everybody is looking for somebody…! And because we’re living in such perilous times, because we’re living in such a messed up world, because there’s much to be done, our text informs us that the Lord likewise is looking for somebody. The Lord is looking for someone who is willing to give their all. The Lord is looking for someone who is willing to help in the harvest of the lost. The Lord is looking for someone who is willing to labor for the Kingdom…
I once read a book written by Dr. Rex D. Edwards entitled “Every Believer, A Minister” in which he graphically paints the pathetic picture of far too many Christians today. He says, “We sing the words of the hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldier,’ and wait to be drafted into His service. We sing ‘Oh, For A Thousand Tongues,’ but don’t use the ones we have… ‘Serve the Lord with Gladness,’ yet we complain when someone asks us to do something”. To prevent ourselves from falling into this category, we need to change our mindset about the church, God’s church! It’s time that we, as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, move from a state of survival to a state of revival! That is what the church is doing today, surviving! It’s time that we move from a state of existence to a state of persistence concerning Kingdom business. We have a survival mentality in the church; we’re neither hot nor cold. We’re just lukewarm; operating at room-temperature. Unenthusiastic, nonchalant, just simply surviving. And because of our lukewarm, narcosis-like attitude towards the things of God, we’re finding many vacant seats among the pews!
But this morning I want to let someone know that God has called the church to do more than survive! God has called the church to do more than exist. He wants us to move from a place of survival to a place of revival. In order for us to be successful, there are some concepts that we must grab hold of. Jesus shows us here in our text that there is a job to be done… There is a need that must be fulfilled… I believe what Jesus is telling us here is that there is a need for some workers. There is a need for some labourers. There is a need for some folks who are willing to get their hands dirty for the cause of Christ.
We live in a world today where everybody is looking for somebody. Major corporations are looking for college graduates with marketable skills. Hospitals are looking for medical students and scientists who have graduated at the top of their class. Financial institutions are looking for people with MBA’s and top-notch portfolios ready to take on Wall Street. The U.S. Marines are looking for The Few and the Proud. The U.S. Army is looking for those who are willing to Be All That They Can Be. The U.S. Navy is looking for those who want not just A Job, But An Adventure. The U.S. Air Force is looking for those who want to Aim High! Everybody is looking for somebody! You’ve got men looking for women… Women looking for men… And unfortunately in some cases, you’ve got men looking for men and women looking for women…! Everybody is looking for somebody…! And because we’re living in such perilous times, because we’re living in such a messed up world, because there’s much to be done, our text informs us that the Lord likewise is looking for somebody. The Lord is looking for someone who is willing to give their all. The Lord is looking for someone who is willing to help in the harvest of the lost. The Lord is looking for someone who is willing to labor for the Kingdom…
Is that YOU?
Word For Today: The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it. – Psalms 68:11 - Oh for that kind of zeal in the church today, that, when the gospel is published, both men and women would eagerly spread the glad tidings of great joy.
[ 02 March, 2011 ] • [ icem ]
Daily Devotional for February 28, 2011
The LORD will preserve him,
and keep him alive;
and he shall be blessed upon the earth:
and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
Psalms 41:2
and keep him alive;
and he shall be blessed upon the earth:
and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
Psalms 41:2
The season of struggle is coming to an end and doors that have been shut for a long time are being opened this week. I hear the Lord saying, “David, your wife is coming home. Restoration and reconciliation is your portion. This is a new season for your life; a change of address is also coming and a bountiful financial harvest. Indeed, this is your season of release.”
Lord, help me! This is the desperate cry of a mother who has lost a child; or the cry of one who has lost a love one; a job; house or something precious. Lord, help me! The cry of anguish which threatens to overwhelm the soul, causing deep despair and a sense of certain doom The ensuing struggle between fear and hope; a struggle to overcome all which seems to obstruct or stand in the way of freedom. This is the curve ball which the enemy often sends our way to obliterate our faith in God’s power to deliver us and to give us His expected end.
Lord, help me! I imagine that this is a cry which is all too familiar in the corridors of heaven and often can be heard in the throne room of God. I can also imagine the smile which comes upon the face of the Master as He hears that familiar cry. The thought which lingers in His mind… “I know the plans”. There is an expected end which declares that victory is assured in spite of all that has been lost or the magnitude of the struggle. You see, the plans that God has for our lives are so great that there has to be intense pain; intense stretching and often intense manuevers which cause people and things to be removed from our lives. In reality some things and people are removed on a temporary basis for preparation, as we are positioned in a place of transition.
It is important to know that transition can bring pain, as we are in the process of preparation to give birth. Beloved, we are in preparation to give birth to that which we were created for and destined to become. We are poised to take possession of our inheritance, to take back that which the devil has stolen. However, before possession will come pain, but nevertheless victory is assured. Lord, help me!
Lord, help me! I imagine that this is a cry which is all too familiar in the corridors of heaven and often can be heard in the throne room of God. I can also imagine the smile which comes upon the face of the Master as He hears that familiar cry. The thought which lingers in His mind… “I know the plans”. There is an expected end which declares that victory is assured in spite of all that has been lost or the magnitude of the struggle. You see, the plans that God has for our lives are so great that there has to be intense pain; intense stretching and often intense manuevers which cause people and things to be removed from our lives. In reality some things and people are removed on a temporary basis for preparation, as we are positioned in a place of transition.
It is important to know that transition can bring pain, as we are in the process of preparation to give birth. Beloved, we are in preparation to give birth to that which we were created for and destined to become. We are poised to take possession of our inheritance, to take back that which the devil has stolen. However, before possession will come pain, but nevertheless victory is assured. Lord, help me!
“I know your expected end” is Heaven’s response!
Word For Today: To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. – Psalms 33:19 - God has meal and oil for His Elijahs somewhere.
[ 27 February, 2011 ] • [ icem ]
Daily Devotional for February 24, 2011
And seeing the multitudes,
He went up into a mountain:
and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him:
And He opened His mouth,
and taught them, saying
Matthew 5:1-2
He went up into a mountain:
and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him:
And He opened His mouth,
and taught them, saying
Matthew 5:1-2
My Spirit is moving throughout the land making a diligent search, says the Lord. Looking for those that will sacrifice their life, their time, their ALL to My purpose. Where are My prayer warriors? It’s time to put on your garments and take up your positions on the wall. Now is not the time to get complacent in your warfare, press in and declare that which I have already spoken for this is the season of BREAKTHROUGH.
Yesterday we began this series of devotional teachings discussing the “Be” attitudes of the Faith and the question was asked, “What’s your attitude toward God?” Let’s pick up this discourse from where we left off on yesterday. “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This naturally follows the meek person who comes to God in submission and now develops a spiritual hunger and thirst for what is right in God’s sight. Righteousness. Jesus says, they will be filled. Have you noticed that nothing in this world truly satisfies? This world is full of promises that it can’t keep. It pacifies, but it never satisfies, but here we have Jesus pronouncing God’s blessing to satisfy us. Only when you have a heavenly appetite can you find full satisfaction.
Next let’s look at four externals that Jesus pronounces God’s blessing on. Blessed are the merciful, and what do they get? Mercy. This follows on the heels of those that hunger and thirst for righteousness. People who want what is right so badly they can taste it may need the balance of this attitude. Don’t love what is right so much that you fail to have mercy on those who are wrong. It’s right to be merciful too. In fact, if you want mercy, show it to others. Giving it is the only way to get it. Aren’t you thankful for merciful people! Mercy is a vital ingredient in any relationship. Can you imagine a marriage where mercy is missing? Imagine a church without mercy among the members. Showing mercy is the fruit of one who has seen his condition before God, grieved over it, meekly submitted to God, comes out hungry for what is right in God’s sight, and then sees this all as a gift of God’s grace. Merciful are those who recognize the mercy of God shown to them.
But another balance comes next. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mercy doesn’t mean sacrificing purity. Purity stands for clean, innocent, and sincere. Jesus shows us that our vision of God is only clear when we have a pure heart. You can’t see God and be phony. You can’t see God and have wrong motives in your heart. Pure hearted people got that way by the earlier blessings of God. They had to see themselves in spiritual poverty, grieve over their sins, meekly submit to God, develop a taste for righteousness, and become merciful. To these God cleanses their hearts and shows them Himself! When you’ve seen God, you’ve found peace. More than that, it’s time for you to help others find it. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Think about this with me. Seeing God and being called his son! What a blessing! Pure hearted peacemakers: these are on the top of the list of the life God blesses.
Notice Jesus didn’t say a peace “lover,” but a peacemaker. Some people don’t really love peace, they just hate conflict. They flee every time they see conflict. Peacemakers are God’s children and they can’t help but share the peace of God with others. Peacemakers enter the conflicts that darkness and sin bring into the lives of people. Peacemakers work to build God’s peace there. Not everyone appreciates the peacemaker’s work. There are many persecutors out there. They don’t see their own spiritual poverty and are offended when told the truth. They are not grieved over their sins, in fact, they embrace them. They are not submissive to God in meekness but are filled with pride and blinded by selfishness. They are not hungry and thirsty for righteousness but are driven by cravings of fleshly passions and sinful desires. Their cravings are never satisfied. Instead of mercy, they have tolerance for sin. Instead of pure hearts that see God they have wicked hearts that see only darkness. Instead of making peace with God they persecute His children.
And so Jesus concludes His beatitudes with this final blessing. This one He stresses and elaborates on the most. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” If you notice the pronoun shift Jesus has now made it personal – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”. Now that’s a position of spiritual maturity. A person who like Jesus, will endure suffering for the kingdom. The first suffering that receives a blessing is the suffering for sin within, the final suffering that receives a blessing is the suffering for sin without.
Where are you on this ladder of blessings? Have you seen your spiritual poverty? Have you mourned over sin in your life and in others lives? Have you meekly submitted to the will of God? Have you developed a strong appetite for God’s righteousness? Are you merciful toward others? Is your heart clean enough to see God? Are you building God’s peace in the world around you? Are you enduring the world’s resistance to Jesus in your life?
Jesus says that heaven will surely be worth it all! People endure hardship and difficulty in life for so much less. Is not heaven worth the sacrifice? God thought so, that’s why He sent Jesus. God thought that saving you for heaven was worth sacrificing His only begotten Son on the cross. Worth it? Will you say yes to Jesus and no to sin? What is your condition before God today… right now? Would Jesus look at you today and say, “blessed are you?”
Next let’s look at four externals that Jesus pronounces God’s blessing on. Blessed are the merciful, and what do they get? Mercy. This follows on the heels of those that hunger and thirst for righteousness. People who want what is right so badly they can taste it may need the balance of this attitude. Don’t love what is right so much that you fail to have mercy on those who are wrong. It’s right to be merciful too. In fact, if you want mercy, show it to others. Giving it is the only way to get it. Aren’t you thankful for merciful people! Mercy is a vital ingredient in any relationship. Can you imagine a marriage where mercy is missing? Imagine a church without mercy among the members. Showing mercy is the fruit of one who has seen his condition before God, grieved over it, meekly submitted to God, comes out hungry for what is right in God’s sight, and then sees this all as a gift of God’s grace. Merciful are those who recognize the mercy of God shown to them.
But another balance comes next. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mercy doesn’t mean sacrificing purity. Purity stands for clean, innocent, and sincere. Jesus shows us that our vision of God is only clear when we have a pure heart. You can’t see God and be phony. You can’t see God and have wrong motives in your heart. Pure hearted people got that way by the earlier blessings of God. They had to see themselves in spiritual poverty, grieve over their sins, meekly submit to God, develop a taste for righteousness, and become merciful. To these God cleanses their hearts and shows them Himself! When you’ve seen God, you’ve found peace. More than that, it’s time for you to help others find it. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Think about this with me. Seeing God and being called his son! What a blessing! Pure hearted peacemakers: these are on the top of the list of the life God blesses.
Notice Jesus didn’t say a peace “lover,” but a peacemaker. Some people don’t really love peace, they just hate conflict. They flee every time they see conflict. Peacemakers are God’s children and they can’t help but share the peace of God with others. Peacemakers enter the conflicts that darkness and sin bring into the lives of people. Peacemakers work to build God’s peace there. Not everyone appreciates the peacemaker’s work. There are many persecutors out there. They don’t see their own spiritual poverty and are offended when told the truth. They are not grieved over their sins, in fact, they embrace them. They are not submissive to God in meekness but are filled with pride and blinded by selfishness. They are not hungry and thirsty for righteousness but are driven by cravings of fleshly passions and sinful desires. Their cravings are never satisfied. Instead of mercy, they have tolerance for sin. Instead of pure hearts that see God they have wicked hearts that see only darkness. Instead of making peace with God they persecute His children.
And so Jesus concludes His beatitudes with this final blessing. This one He stresses and elaborates on the most. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” If you notice the pronoun shift Jesus has now made it personal – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”. Now that’s a position of spiritual maturity. A person who like Jesus, will endure suffering for the kingdom. The first suffering that receives a blessing is the suffering for sin within, the final suffering that receives a blessing is the suffering for sin without.
Where are you on this ladder of blessings? Have you seen your spiritual poverty? Have you mourned over sin in your life and in others lives? Have you meekly submitted to the will of God? Have you developed a strong appetite for God’s righteousness? Are you merciful toward others? Is your heart clean enough to see God? Are you building God’s peace in the world around you? Are you enduring the world’s resistance to Jesus in your life?
Jesus says that heaven will surely be worth it all! People endure hardship and difficulty in life for so much less. Is not heaven worth the sacrifice? God thought so, that’s why He sent Jesus. God thought that saving you for heaven was worth sacrificing His only begotten Son on the cross. Worth it? Will you say yes to Jesus and no to sin? What is your condition before God today… right now? Would Jesus look at you today and say, “blessed are you?”
Or would He say something else?
Word For Today: Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. – Luke 6:23 - It is an honor to you, as it is to a brave hero to be employed in the wars, and in the service of his king.
[ 24 February, 2011 ] • [ icem ]
Daily Devotional for February 23, 2011
And seeing the multitudes,
He went up into a mountain:
and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him:
And He opened His mouth,
and taught them, saying
Matthew 5:1-2
He went up into a mountain:
and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him:
And He opened His mouth,
and taught them, saying
Matthew 5:1-2
“Length of days is before you, time is of the essence” says the Lord “for I have prepared everything for you. Have I not been there for you since you were a child? Did I not comfort you when no one else was there? I Am He who is and who is to come, hearken unto My voice today. Length of days is before you,” says the Lord.
Someone has called Matthew 5:1-12 the “Be” attitudes of the Faith, so as I begin this devotional for today I want to start by asking this question: What’s your attitude toward God? In the story surrounding our devotional scripture Jesus lists several attitudes that challenge us all. Actually, they show the way to spiritual maturity in 8 steps. Four are internal and preparational and four are external and expressional. For the next few days let’s look at these together and hear the voice of the Lord speaking to our hearts and minds, calling us to His own attitude. Calling us to hold His attitudes and practice them in our lives.
I love the way Matthew begins this. Jesus, the word of God is about to speak to us. Notice the compact detail here. He sees the multitudes; He goes up, sits down, gathers the disciples and then Matthew gets very specific. Jesus opens his mouth. Right. What’s the point? Matthew’s formality here depicts Jesus as preparing to proclaim an oracle. Some translations cut out the formality here and just say “He began to teach them, saying.” The NIV does this. Personally I believe that is a mistake. Matthew intentionally drags out the details here in a three-fold introduction. Jesus opens His mouth, He teaches them, He is saying. Matthew could have simply put it, “Jesus said.” But what follows is so important that Matthew doesn’t want you to get there unprepared. So let’s prepare ourselves for these words of our Master. Open your hearts and minds. Receive the lessons taught. Listen carefully to what Jesus says. Blessed… 9 times Jesus uses this word. It means one who has received a gift or favor from God. We are not just talking about “happy.” Blessed is the opposite of cursed. One is a favor the other is a punishment.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Who are these? People who recognize their own poverty spiritually are blessed by God. This is the first step into the light of truth. It is the first step of recognizing our condition before God. To be poor in spirit is more than to be humble, it is like comparing myself to the perfection of Jesus and seeing the truth and accepting it as truth. I not only do not measure up, but I am like a miserable beggar standing by a King. Remember the story of the publican and the Pharisee Jesus talked about who were going up to pray? One bragged on himself before God. One wouldn’t even look up, but begged, “Lord have mercy on me a sinner!” Which one was poor in spirit in his own eyes? Which received God’s blessing? Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus will begin and end these eight steps talking about the kingdom of heaven. But the person who recognizes his spiritual poverty can’t stop there. This is only the launch pad for abundant blessings from God.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. After recognizing my spiritual condition, it ought to bring me grief. Have you ever known someone who was deep into sin and knew it, but wasn’t sorry about it at all? One who is honest about their spiritual poverty but who is not moved to godly sorrow can’t know God’s grace. You can’t see yourself as a sinner and look by faith at Jesus suffering on the cross for our sins not be moved to mourn. But there is comfort in Christ for the man who mourns because of his sin. In fact, this very attitude leads directly into the next.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. This word meek is translated gentle, submissive and humble in other places. Follow Jesus on this. A person sees his spiritual poverty; he grieves over it, and comes in meekness before God, willing to submit to God’s will and way. Jesus said God will give the whole world to people like that. All through the Bible God sees the proud and takes their stuff away and gives it to the meek who love him. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.
I love the way Matthew begins this. Jesus, the word of God is about to speak to us. Notice the compact detail here. He sees the multitudes; He goes up, sits down, gathers the disciples and then Matthew gets very specific. Jesus opens his mouth. Right. What’s the point? Matthew’s formality here depicts Jesus as preparing to proclaim an oracle. Some translations cut out the formality here and just say “He began to teach them, saying.” The NIV does this. Personally I believe that is a mistake. Matthew intentionally drags out the details here in a three-fold introduction. Jesus opens His mouth, He teaches them, He is saying. Matthew could have simply put it, “Jesus said.” But what follows is so important that Matthew doesn’t want you to get there unprepared. So let’s prepare ourselves for these words of our Master. Open your hearts and minds. Receive the lessons taught. Listen carefully to what Jesus says. Blessed… 9 times Jesus uses this word. It means one who has received a gift or favor from God. We are not just talking about “happy.” Blessed is the opposite of cursed. One is a favor the other is a punishment.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Who are these? People who recognize their own poverty spiritually are blessed by God. This is the first step into the light of truth. It is the first step of recognizing our condition before God. To be poor in spirit is more than to be humble, it is like comparing myself to the perfection of Jesus and seeing the truth and accepting it as truth. I not only do not measure up, but I am like a miserable beggar standing by a King. Remember the story of the publican and the Pharisee Jesus talked about who were going up to pray? One bragged on himself before God. One wouldn’t even look up, but begged, “Lord have mercy on me a sinner!” Which one was poor in spirit in his own eyes? Which received God’s blessing? Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus will begin and end these eight steps talking about the kingdom of heaven. But the person who recognizes his spiritual poverty can’t stop there. This is only the launch pad for abundant blessings from God.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. After recognizing my spiritual condition, it ought to bring me grief. Have you ever known someone who was deep into sin and knew it, but wasn’t sorry about it at all? One who is honest about their spiritual poverty but who is not moved to godly sorrow can’t know God’s grace. You can’t see yourself as a sinner and look by faith at Jesus suffering on the cross for our sins not be moved to mourn. But there is comfort in Christ for the man who mourns because of his sin. In fact, this very attitude leads directly into the next.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. This word meek is translated gentle, submissive and humble in other places. Follow Jesus on this. A person sees his spiritual poverty; he grieves over it, and comes in meekness before God, willing to submit to God’s will and way. Jesus said God will give the whole world to people like that. All through the Bible God sees the proud and takes their stuff away and gives it to the meek who love him. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.
...to be continued
Word For Today: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. – Matthew 13:35 - The life and teachings of Jesus threw a flood of light on the purposes of God long kept hidden.
[ 23 February, 2011 ] • [ icem ]
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2011
Obey them that have the rule over you,
and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls,
as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy,
and not with grief:
for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17
and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls,
as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy,
and not with grief:
for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17
I hear the voice of the Lord saying to His people, “Press in for I, the Lord your God, will surely come to your aid. Be not afraid of the tempest as though it will utterly consume you for it shall not come nigh you, neither shall it touch anything concerning you. I have sent the tempest to refine you because My will must be accomplished in your life. Be still and know that I am your God”
Leading and following are eternally etched into the fabric of human relationships. In countless ways, we are participants in this interconnected dynamic. No group or organization of people can survive without the successful dynamic of leaders and followers. Leadership is all around us. It is germane to the corporate environment as well as governmental institutions. Leadership exists in both homes and huddles. This dynamic interchange of leaders and followers is in both the larger society and smaller social groups. Leadership occurs everywhere. A lot of time, attention, and research have been devoted to helping men and women to become better leaders. Leadership has become a science and specialty amassing an unlimited number of references, resources, academic degrees, training, and conferences.
While this emphasis on leadership is essential, it is only one side of the equation. There is no leadership when there are no followers. Like leaders, followers need to be taught, trained, encouraged, and empowered to follow.
We should not falsely assume that we know how to follow. Jesus spent His entire public ministry trying to recruit and sustain followers or disciples. The Lord was calling people to deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Him. Ultimately, His followers, would become leaders but not before they had proven their willingness and ability to follow Him!
Following is a part of life! You are not fit to lead if you are not willing to follow! Watch this, students follow teachers; teachers follow principals; principals follow boards. Athletes follow coaches; coaches follow general managers. Privates follow sergeants; sergeants follow lieutenants; lieutenants follow captains. Nurses follow doctors; doctors follow administrations; board members follow chairmen. Wives follow husbands; children follow parents; younger siblings follow older siblings. Actors follow directors; passengers follow pilots; managers follow executives; technicians follow managers. Members follow ministers and shepherds; Ministry members follow ministry leaders; choir members follow choir directors and everybody follows Christ.
Unfortunately, our culture has grown increasingly unenthusiastic about following, and that’s because the position of follower is perceived as inferior and inglorious. This role of being a follower has been stigmatized as insignificant and has become undesirable. It’s really ironic because all of us are followers of someone or something. Our aversion to following is connected to an over emphasis of the individual and a de-emphasis on the whole. We have forgotten that there is no “I” in team! When the Yankees win the World Series, everyone on the team gets a ring and shares in the history.
Leading and following in the church of our Lord is more important than leading and following in any other organization. When people don’t lead and follow in the schools, students are not educated; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, spirits are not fed the eternal Word. When people don’t lead and follow in the hospital, lives are lost; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, souls are lost. When people don’t lead and follow in the workplace, jobs are lost; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, there are no labourers for the harvest. When people don’t lead and follow in the CDC, disease spreads; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, sin spreads. When people don’t lead and follow in the FDA, contamination occurs; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, corruption occurs. So the real question is....
While this emphasis on leadership is essential, it is only one side of the equation. There is no leadership when there are no followers. Like leaders, followers need to be taught, trained, encouraged, and empowered to follow.
We should not falsely assume that we know how to follow. Jesus spent His entire public ministry trying to recruit and sustain followers or disciples. The Lord was calling people to deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Him. Ultimately, His followers, would become leaders but not before they had proven their willingness and ability to follow Him!
Following is a part of life! You are not fit to lead if you are not willing to follow! Watch this, students follow teachers; teachers follow principals; principals follow boards. Athletes follow coaches; coaches follow general managers. Privates follow sergeants; sergeants follow lieutenants; lieutenants follow captains. Nurses follow doctors; doctors follow administrations; board members follow chairmen. Wives follow husbands; children follow parents; younger siblings follow older siblings. Actors follow directors; passengers follow pilots; managers follow executives; technicians follow managers. Members follow ministers and shepherds; Ministry members follow ministry leaders; choir members follow choir directors and everybody follows Christ.
Unfortunately, our culture has grown increasingly unenthusiastic about following, and that’s because the position of follower is perceived as inferior and inglorious. This role of being a follower has been stigmatized as insignificant and has become undesirable. It’s really ironic because all of us are followers of someone or something. Our aversion to following is connected to an over emphasis of the individual and a de-emphasis on the whole. We have forgotten that there is no “I” in team! When the Yankees win the World Series, everyone on the team gets a ring and shares in the history.
Leading and following in the church of our Lord is more important than leading and following in any other organization. When people don’t lead and follow in the schools, students are not educated; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, spirits are not fed the eternal Word. When people don’t lead and follow in the hospital, lives are lost; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, souls are lost. When people don’t lead and follow in the workplace, jobs are lost; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, there are no labourers for the harvest. When people don’t lead and follow in the CDC, disease spreads; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, sin spreads. When people don’t lead and follow in the FDA, contamination occurs; but when people don’t lead and follow in the church, corruption occurs. So the real question is....
Which one are you???
Word For Today: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7 - We must endeavour to come near to God by purity and sincerity of life.
[ 20 February, 2011 ] • [ icem ]