Archive - December 2007

December 31, 2007
Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 11
To Everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven... He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy...
Today marks the last day of our calendar year and tomorrow is the first day of a brand new year. As you look toward the future do you sense that God is doing something beautiful in your life? He wants you to live with divine expectancy. He has already planted hope within you but often that hope is bogged down by the details of life. If you don't sense that hope turn to the One who put it there! Turn your focus to God. He is good and He loves you! Your heart will be infused with faith and renewed in purpose because God is at work within you. May this coming year mark a new season of discovering His great love!
 
December 29, 2007
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]...
As you look toward the new year do you sense expectation within you or do you subconsciously find yourself thinking "same old, same old"? Do you think that God could possibly want to do something new in your life? Of course He does. God wants to cover our lives with His finger prints. The question then, is not "Will He?" the question is "Are you willing?"
Are you willing to allow God to work in your life? Are you willing to allow Him to change you even more than He has already? More than an easy nod to His will, we must be open to His handiwork and allow Him to change us.  Change is not always welcomed; we all find comfort in the familiar. However, I encourage you as the new year opens up before us to trust God, purpose in your heart that you will look to Him for direction for this coming year. Dedicate yourself and your work to Him; rekindle that childlike faith that is full of expectation and see His handiwork change and empower your life.
 
December 23, 2007
John 11:40
Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?
God is faithful. Consider the promise of the Messiah. For thousands of years Israel awaited the coming King and when the time was perfect, God kept His promise. Then Jesus promised His disciples that if they would meet and wait in Jerusalem, the Father would give them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once again, the promise was fulfilled.
The Word of God is full of promises for those who believe. Be encouraged, do not be ignorant concerning the will of God for His people. Know the promises and believe with all your heart that God always keeps His Word. As we live with this faith and expectancy, you and I will see the excellencies of God unfold before our eyes.
Merry Christmas
 
 
December 19, 2007
 Jeremiah 33:9
And [Jerusalem] shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and the peace, prosperity, security and stability I provide for it.
At this Christmas season when much of the world is reminded of the gift of Christ, it's important to remember those precious to the heart of God: the Jewish community. I encourage you today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and as you do, pray that God's people would receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
May those who are dear to His heart, also be dear to our heart.
 
 
December 16, 2007
Ezekiel 16:14
And your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty, for it was perfect through My majesty and splendor which I had put upon you, says the Lord God.
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. Everyone brings out the best they have - decorations, food and music. The entire season is filled with beauty. It can capture the heart. At this season and all year long you and I should bring out the best that God has given us: love, grace, mercy and generosity, and display it for all to see. It's a thing of beauty to see the grace of God shining through a person's life - it captures the attention of people and brings glory to God.
This holiday season be inspired and follow the words of the prophet Isaiah - Arise! Shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! - Isaiah 60:1
 
 
 
December 11, 2007
Colossians 3:1&2
If then you have been raised with Christ, aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith and is also the Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]....
Our thoughts are like pictures set before our mental "eyes". Though thousands of thoughts may fly through our mind during the day, we have control over what we focus on. God's word is full of scripture to inspire us to live focused, disciplined lives. He knows that the character of a man is crafted by his thoughts. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Pr 23:7 Keeping our mind "set" on the good days is easy - on the rough roads, it's a little more challenging, but that's where focus matters most.
The message today is very simple: Stay the course - keep doing what's right even when everything seems to be going wrong. This is accomplished through a faith focused mind. Whenever you are walking through a storm, whether it's one of rejection or disappointment or failure - don't stop, stay the course. I once heard it said "When you're walking through hell - don't stop, keeping going."
Jesus has a way of calling out the brave and leading them out of the boat. It's never comfortable outside the boat - think of Peter. You are not the first to attempt to follow Christ onto raging waves. Don't let the storm around you get inside your head. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is aware of your circumstances and He is at work within you - co-operate with Him and He will work all things together for your good. Don't quit in the middle of the process. Don't give in to what you see and hear around you. Set your mind, especially when the storm is raging. Focus on Jesus and you won't sink, you will walk with Him to the other side - just as He promised. 
 
 
December 10, 2007
Philippians 3:13&14
I do not consider, brethern, that I have captured and make it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
This powerful portion of scripture is difficult to post as only a couple verses - the entire chapter is so convicting. As believers and leaders in this generation, set in place to inspire others to follow Christ, we must direct and protect our focus. Our focus is critical. We must set our face like flint, as the Old Testament prophet said, and keep our eyes fixed forward.
The greatest deterrent to our success is to have our focus misplaced. Unless we determine to place our attention and our expectation on God, who is before us, we cannot move ahead. I am so glad to be among people like Paul, who openly states that it requires great effort to live with focus. I don't do well with people who make light of matters of discipline. Focus is a matter of discipline and it involves a straining effort.
If you are intent on living a vibrant Christian life at some point you will have to push past history and press into the future that God has prepared for you. By His grace you will succeed - His strength is perfect in your weakness. Don't stop - press into the promise of God and see His salvation unfold before your eyes.
 
 
December 8, 2007
Psalm 24:6
This is the generation of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face...
There is a popular phrase used this time of year on Christmas cards and plaques that says "Wise men still seek Him". The truth in that statement goes without saying. Think about it; there were three men who gave up a large portion of their lives, consumed by hope and curiosity they set out on a journey to find the fulfillment of a Divine promise. They made history by seeking God.
It causes me to look at my life and consider the intensity of my own search. Often in the Christian life there are season of quiet, okay silence, and we can assume that we've reached some plateau of all there is of God and His glory. There is a temptation to call off the search and settle.  I pray that you and I will never stop and dwell forever in the season of silence. I pray that the light of God's promise will always shine before us like that famous star that drew those men toward the Messiah. And I pray that you and I will press past what causes common men to settle and become an uncommon generation who will pursue God to the very end.
May it be said of us, that we are the generation who passionately seek God.
 
December 7, 2007
Isaiah 12:4b
 ... declare and make know His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted!
God is so great! His goodness never waivers and His love endures forever! I hope today you have spent some time considering the greatness of our God. Be thankful and enjoy His goodness. Allow the knowledge and enjoyment of His faithfulness to consume you and overflow into every other relationship in your life. Never let it be a secret that you love God; never conceal His acts of kindness in your life - let the whole world know - God is great! Those around you want to know that God is alive and moving on the earth today. Your testimony will encourage some to look to God for the first time and inspire others to trust Him in dark times.
I encourage you to lift up your voice and "declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted!"
 
December 6, 2007
Romans 9:16
So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]
 Wow - is that Good News or what! Aren't you glad that salvation comes from the Lord and not from human effort? There is such incredible peace in the knowledge of His mercy toward us. You and I could never rack up enough "spiritual points" needed to be able to be called the righteousness of God. Thank God - He has done everything necessary to bring us back into perfect relationship with Himself. Personally, I feel a great sigh of relief when I think about that truth.
Take the time today to really embrace the gift of salvation. He has done everything required to save and deliver us. Let's take hold of it - and let Him finish the great work He's started in us. Let's surrender to His workmanship and live for His glory!