This Week's Focal Passage:
"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 10:9, 11 (NKJV)
Strong's:
Door #2374 thura - used of any opening like a door, an entrance, way or passage
Pasture #3542 nome - food
Good #2570 kalos - good, excellence in its nature and characteristics, genuine, approved
The Christmas season is upon us once again and the world is in a frenzy of last minute shopping, parties, social events, wrapping, traveling, and trying to make sure everything is in order and ready for the big event. Unfortunately, the "big event" to some people is based on family, gifts, and time off of work and school. Certainly, those things are not bad things. In fact, each one is actually a reason to celebrate; however, the problem with that is that some people focus their celebrating on those things alone. They miss the true meaning we have Christmas.
I am sure we are all familiar with the Christmas story, but let's take a moment to read through it.
"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"…And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger…Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told to them." (Luke 2:1, 3-14, 16, 20)
Christmas is the time for the world to reflect upon the birth of Christ Jesus. Why? "There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit. The poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are their ways; And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:10-18) "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) My Friend, without Christ Jesus coming to earth to live, die and rise again, no one would have hope. No one would have peace. No one would escape eternal damnation (hell). And worst of all, no one would have salvation that provides access to the Most High God. By coming to earth in the form of a man, yet being fully God, Christ Jesus became the door by which we have access to the Lord God. "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come, that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:9- 11)
The Christmas story began way before the birth of Christ. The Christmas story was put into motion before the foundations of the world were formed through Christ Jesus (John 1:1-4). God knew that man would chose to sin against Him, yet His love for man provided a perfect sacrifice that would pay that sin debt. A debt that man himself could never pay. Nothing man does, says, achieves, provides or makes restitution for would erase the sin and provide access to a holy God. Because God is love (1 John 4:8), HE put His prophecies in the mouths of the prophets informing the generations that the Messiah was coming and HE would bear the sins of the world and set His people free from sin and self thus glorifying Himself. Isaiah foretold the coming of the King of kings in verses 6-7. "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgement and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
God's heart toward us is peace (Jeremiah 29:11) and His purpose is to provide for us a way to glorify Him through the salvation that Christ Jesus alone offers. Let's pause here a moment. Did you hear that with your heart? God's heart toward us is peace? How can that be?!?! We are sinners whose sins crucified Christ Jesus His Son, yet God's thinks thoughts of peace, hope, eternal future towards us. That alone is a reason to celebrate, and not just one day a year, but ALL day EVERY day until we draw our final breath!! God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8); however, God took the time to record in His Word who HE is, how much HE loves us, and the way in which sinners can be set free and enter into His presence (2 Timothy 3:16-17). My Friend, that Truth should make our hearts sing with overflowing joy, our feet dance in pure delight, and our mouths praise Him forever and ever without ceasing!!
May we each sit at the feet of the One who gave Himself for us and praise Him with a heart of purity, righteousness, and in holy reverence because HE gave us that privilege and that new heart. HE alone made us new creations in Him when we surrendered our life to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). If you are reading this today, and your heart has been prompted by the Lord God and HE has opened your eyes to your need for His salvation, please do not hesitate. Bow your head and confess that need to the Lord God, ask Him to heal you through the forgiveness of His blood and to make you a new creation in Him and for Him. May God pour Himself upon you and in you and fill you with His Truth.
As we gather with our families and friends during this Christmas season, may the Lord not allow us to open a gift without first recognizing that HE alone is the only gift with eternal worth the only gift worth having or receiving. And that HE alone is the One who came, died and rose again so that we would have a reason to celebrate. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday Morning Devotion #260
This Week's Focal Passage:
"One thing I have desired of the LORD That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple." Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)
Strong's:
Desired #7592 shael = beg, pray
Dwell #3427 yashab = to remain, to settle, to sit quietly, to marry, habitation
House #1004 bavith = family, inside, home
Behold #2372 ehazah = mentally to perceive
Inquire #1239 baqar = to inspect, admire, care for, consider, to seek out, search
Nineteen years ago, when Glen and I first met, we spent many hours getting to know one another. We listened and talked to one another (well, for those of you who know me, you know I did most of the talking! Heehee). We enjoyed getting to know one another's likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests, and discovering what we had in common. When we were apart, we eagerly awaited the time that we would be together again and we cherished those moments. When we had to choose between spending time together or spending time apart, we would always choose the former.
As I studied our focal passage this week, the Lord asked me this question, "Michelle, do you desire getting to know me as much as you desire getting to know others in your life?" My heart sank because I knew the Lord already knew that answer. I had to answer honestly, "Not always, Lord." When the Lord first revealed to me my sin and my desperate need of a Savior, I was only six years old. Unfortunately, I did not follow my salvation with earnest study of God's Word or application of His truth in my life. I lived my life for self and spent very little time getting to know the Lord. When I was a teenager, I fell prey to my flesh and rebelled against the Lord God. At 19 years of age, I was a real mess and desperately wanted to end my life. I cried out to the Lord and asked Him to remove this rebellion and replace it with Himself.
For years, the Lord has been faithfully revealing layer upon layer of pride and rebellion. At times, I have eagerly followed Him and allowed Him to do the work necessary for my healing, restoration, reconciliation, and renewal, while other times, I simply refused. "If we are faithless, HE remains faithful, HE cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) God is true to His Word, My Friend. Not once has the Lord walked away from me, ignored me, withheld His love from me, or given up on me. HE loves me with an everlasting love and HE will never allow me to be comfortable in my sin and rebellion. "…For HE Himself has said, "Never will I leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28) "Who can separate us from the love of Christ?…For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which in is Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35a & 38-39)
The same is true for you today. God loves you with an everlasting love and HE is more than willing and able to transform you into His image. HE is not limited because of your past or even your present. HE is the Lord God and there is none like Him!! "…I AM the First and I AM the Last; Besides ME there is no God!" (Isaiah 44:6) "…For I AM God, and there is no other; I AM God, and there is none like ME." (Isaiah 46:9) If you are drowning today in your sin and shame, come to the Lord. Call upon Him and HE will answer you. Confess your sin and REPENT from it. We must understand; however, that confessing and repenting are two different actions. To confess means that you admit to God that you are a sinner and that you have sinned against Him. To repent means that you not only admit that you have sinned against Him, but that you STOP sinning against Him.
Absolutely, we are not perfect and we will sin from time to time, but when we repent, we commit to leave the former way of life behind and walk faithfully with the Lord. HE knows our weaknesses and HE is more than able to overcome them. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Habitual sin has no place in the life of a Christian. When we are bound by sin, we are not living in the abundance that Christ Jesus came to give (John 10:10). When we are living a life fulfilling our flesh, we miss the opportunity to be used by God for His glory and our eternal purpose. We are a poor testimony to the mighty power, grace, mercy and holiness of the Lord God. And My Friend, HE deserves ALL our honor, praise, worship and attention!! When we are living outside the boundaries that God has established for His children, we place ourselves in danger, spiritually, emotionally, socially, relationally, and physically. God will allow consequences in our lives to bring us back to Him. Not because HE does not care about us, but because HE DOES!!
My Friend, our world is fading. All the "things" that we once held so dear are perishing before our very eyes. Christ is preparing to return and gather His children together and we have to start preparing for His return. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!" (Matthew 25:6) "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright…" (Revelation 19:6-8) No matter what this world offers, no matter what false doctrine is preached, no matter how many people refuse to believe in the Lord God, HE is God and HE will judge sin! God's existence is not dependant, nor determined, by man's belief in Him. HE is and was and always will be!! "For it is written: "As I live, say the LORD, Every knee shall bow to ME, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." (Romans 14:11-13) And when God's children do not live according to God's Word, we ARE stumbling blocks to those around us!! Forgive us, Father!!
Read our focal passage once more. "One thing I have desired of the LORD That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple." (Psalm 27:4) At the end of our lives or when Christ returns, whichever is first, we will stand before the Lord God and give account of the way we lived - either for the Lord God or for self. If we do not return to our first love - Christ Jesus - we will have nothing to offer Him in eternity. We will stand before Him bare and ashamed. Christ Jesus gave Himself for us because HE desires an intimate relationship with us. In and of ourselves, it is impossible to come to Him, walk with Him, grow close to Him…That is why HE came, lived, died, and rose again!! "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were sinner, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
If we want an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, we must come to Him according to His Word. The psalmist in our focal passage had a heart for God. His one desire was to spend time in God's Word, listening to Him and meditating on His Truths. Through that discipline in his life, the psalmist got to know the Lord God and he fell in love with Him. He desired to know Him more and to follow His commands, statutes, and precepts. In following the Lord God, the psalmist lived to glorify God and not self. He was able to withstand the temptations of this world and focus on what really mattered - eternity. His life was an example for others to follow and his love for the Lord pointed others to the Lord. At the end of his life, he stood before the Lord God and heard, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Is that the desire of your heart today? If not, bow your knees before your Creator and confess that sin to Him. Ask Him to anoint your with His Holy Spirit and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Ask Him to create in you a heart that desires Him above all else and to equip you with the wisdom, discernment, and commitment necessary to fulfill the purpose for which you were created - to glorify the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Great I AM, the Holy One of Israel, your personal Lord and Savior!! "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon ME and go and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you shall seek ME and find ME, when you search for ME with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
"One thing I have desired of the LORD That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple." Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)
Strong's:
Desired #7592 shael = beg, pray
Dwell #3427 yashab = to remain, to settle, to sit quietly, to marry, habitation
House #1004 bavith = family, inside, home
Behold #2372 ehazah = mentally to perceive
Inquire #1239 baqar = to inspect, admire, care for, consider, to seek out, search
Nineteen years ago, when Glen and I first met, we spent many hours getting to know one another. We listened and talked to one another (well, for those of you who know me, you know I did most of the talking! Heehee). We enjoyed getting to know one another's likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests, and discovering what we had in common. When we were apart, we eagerly awaited the time that we would be together again and we cherished those moments. When we had to choose between spending time together or spending time apart, we would always choose the former.
As I studied our focal passage this week, the Lord asked me this question, "Michelle, do you desire getting to know me as much as you desire getting to know others in your life?" My heart sank because I knew the Lord already knew that answer. I had to answer honestly, "Not always, Lord." When the Lord first revealed to me my sin and my desperate need of a Savior, I was only six years old. Unfortunately, I did not follow my salvation with earnest study of God's Word or application of His truth in my life. I lived my life for self and spent very little time getting to know the Lord. When I was a teenager, I fell prey to my flesh and rebelled against the Lord God. At 19 years of age, I was a real mess and desperately wanted to end my life. I cried out to the Lord and asked Him to remove this rebellion and replace it with Himself.
For years, the Lord has been faithfully revealing layer upon layer of pride and rebellion. At times, I have eagerly followed Him and allowed Him to do the work necessary for my healing, restoration, reconciliation, and renewal, while other times, I simply refused. "If we are faithless, HE remains faithful, HE cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) God is true to His Word, My Friend. Not once has the Lord walked away from me, ignored me, withheld His love from me, or given up on me. HE loves me with an everlasting love and HE will never allow me to be comfortable in my sin and rebellion. "…For HE Himself has said, "Never will I leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28) "Who can separate us from the love of Christ?…For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which in is Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35a & 38-39)
The same is true for you today. God loves you with an everlasting love and HE is more than willing and able to transform you into His image. HE is not limited because of your past or even your present. HE is the Lord God and there is none like Him!! "…I AM the First and I AM the Last; Besides ME there is no God!" (Isaiah 44:6) "…For I AM God, and there is no other; I AM God, and there is none like ME." (Isaiah 46:9) If you are drowning today in your sin and shame, come to the Lord. Call upon Him and HE will answer you. Confess your sin and REPENT from it. We must understand; however, that confessing and repenting are two different actions. To confess means that you admit to God that you are a sinner and that you have sinned against Him. To repent means that you not only admit that you have sinned against Him, but that you STOP sinning against Him.
Absolutely, we are not perfect and we will sin from time to time, but when we repent, we commit to leave the former way of life behind and walk faithfully with the Lord. HE knows our weaknesses and HE is more than able to overcome them. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Habitual sin has no place in the life of a Christian. When we are bound by sin, we are not living in the abundance that Christ Jesus came to give (John 10:10). When we are living a life fulfilling our flesh, we miss the opportunity to be used by God for His glory and our eternal purpose. We are a poor testimony to the mighty power, grace, mercy and holiness of the Lord God. And My Friend, HE deserves ALL our honor, praise, worship and attention!! When we are living outside the boundaries that God has established for His children, we place ourselves in danger, spiritually, emotionally, socially, relationally, and physically. God will allow consequences in our lives to bring us back to Him. Not because HE does not care about us, but because HE DOES!!
My Friend, our world is fading. All the "things" that we once held so dear are perishing before our very eyes. Christ is preparing to return and gather His children together and we have to start preparing for His return. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!" (Matthew 25:6) "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright…" (Revelation 19:6-8) No matter what this world offers, no matter what false doctrine is preached, no matter how many people refuse to believe in the Lord God, HE is God and HE will judge sin! God's existence is not dependant, nor determined, by man's belief in Him. HE is and was and always will be!! "For it is written: "As I live, say the LORD, Every knee shall bow to ME, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." (Romans 14:11-13) And when God's children do not live according to God's Word, we ARE stumbling blocks to those around us!! Forgive us, Father!!
Read our focal passage once more. "One thing I have desired of the LORD That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple." (Psalm 27:4) At the end of our lives or when Christ returns, whichever is first, we will stand before the Lord God and give account of the way we lived - either for the Lord God or for self. If we do not return to our first love - Christ Jesus - we will have nothing to offer Him in eternity. We will stand before Him bare and ashamed. Christ Jesus gave Himself for us because HE desires an intimate relationship with us. In and of ourselves, it is impossible to come to Him, walk with Him, grow close to Him…That is why HE came, lived, died, and rose again!! "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were sinner, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
If we want an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, we must come to Him according to His Word. The psalmist in our focal passage had a heart for God. His one desire was to spend time in God's Word, listening to Him and meditating on His Truths. Through that discipline in his life, the psalmist got to know the Lord God and he fell in love with Him. He desired to know Him more and to follow His commands, statutes, and precepts. In following the Lord God, the psalmist lived to glorify God and not self. He was able to withstand the temptations of this world and focus on what really mattered - eternity. His life was an example for others to follow and his love for the Lord pointed others to the Lord. At the end of his life, he stood before the Lord God and heard, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Is that the desire of your heart today? If not, bow your knees before your Creator and confess that sin to Him. Ask Him to anoint your with His Holy Spirit and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Ask Him to create in you a heart that desires Him above all else and to equip you with the wisdom, discernment, and commitment necessary to fulfill the purpose for which you were created - to glorify the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Great I AM, the Holy One of Israel, your personal Lord and Savior!! "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon ME and go and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you shall seek ME and find ME, when you search for ME with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
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