At first glance, Jesus would seem cold and uncaring to this grieving man who had just lost his father. But Jesus’ vision was eternal…His focus far-reaching. Jesus was calling this man to greater things…things everlasting and imperishable.
Month: April 2015
Luke 9:57-58 ” As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, ‘ I will follow You wherever You go.’ Jesus replied, ‘ Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’ “
Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for the final time when a Teacher of the Law approached Him professing his faith. The crowds followed Jesus to watch the miracles and listen to His parables. The Disciples followed Jesus because they had been called by Him. But others followed Him because they were seeking the Messiah.
Psalm 12:8 ” The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.”
When despicable acts are given high regard, people tend to have a morbid fascination…not only with the crime, but with the perpetrators. That prideful, self-important swagger can be seen splashed across the screen anywhere evil and violence are applauded.
Romans 8: 26-27 ” In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
There have been times when mere words could not express the anguish and pain I felt…when fear and dread were overwhelming, and all I could do was weep. Those were the times that the Holy Spirit interceded on my behalf…pleading when I had no words…serving as a go-between when I had no idea what even to pray for. For when the Holy Spirit intercedes…it’s in agreement with the will of God, thus the perfect prayer on my behalf.
II Timothy 2:22 ” Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
When it comes to your walk with the Lord, it makes a huge difference what kind of people you associate with. If the crowd you hang around with are wild, crazy people who love to look for trouble…you’ll probably end up on the wrong side of the law…or at least bailing them out of messes. But if your friends are Believers, on fire for the Lord, and wanting to do His Will…your adventures will be every bit as fun, but much less dramatic.
Psalm 68:6 ” God sets the lonely in families…”
Among us you’ll find the isolated and lonely…or maybe you might be the one far away from close family and relatives. As the Family of God, we are called to be brothers and sisters to our fellow Believers. Look around you, the Lord will show you hurting, lonely people who just want to feel part of a family…a home. In extending hospitality, you will be the hands and feet of our Lord… and those lonely ones will feel they belong.
Job 6: 24 ” Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.”
When we’re doing all the talking, we can’t listen to God. And when we’ve wandered astray from God’s path, we tend to jabber even more…trying to justify what we know deep down is wrong. It’s time then to be quiet and listen…and God will guide the way.
Acts 9:18 ” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again…”
When the world gets very hectic, I’m seeing but not perceiving. I’m doing things automatically, but not listening for the Holy Spirit. That’s when I need to slow down, take a deep breath, and ask the Lord for fresh vision. The scales of distraction and commotion need to fall from my eyes, so I can then see clearly God’s path and plan.
Proverbs 11:12 ” A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbors, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.”
Who is my neighbor? Is it the family living next to us…or the couple down the street…or the lady working with me everyday? It really doesn’t matter to the Lord who exactly I think my neighbor is…what matters to Him is how I treat them. God wants me to be kind to those I have contact with daily – not ridiculing and mocking – but displaying wisdom and discretion.
II Corinthians 1:9 ” Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
Our confidence can’t be in ourselves. For to paraphrase Jeremiah 17:5-7, ” Cursed is the one who trusts in man and his own strength.” Our reliance and trust can only be in the Lord… who can overcome what we are unable to.
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