We see religious persecution…but Paul saw only the good that was coming from his imprisonment. We see oppression and cruel treatment…but he only saw the furtherance of the Gospel. Paul saw prison as the means of advancing Jesus despite all the hardships he went through…and to him, it was well worth it.
Month: November 2015
Judges 6:12 ” When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘ The Lord is with you mighty warrior.’ “
On hearing himself called a powerful and brave warrior, Gideon responded as most of us would. In verse 15 he whimpered, ” But Lord, Gideon asked, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” But God saw past this scrawny young man filled with doubt…and instead spoke His vision into Gideon’s life. And so it happens when God speaks His vision into your life…you will take on and become that vision, through His work in you.
Matthew 24: 6 ” You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.”
What was Jesus trying to tell us in this passage? In this broken world, Nation will rise up against Nation…hostilities and conflict will erupt more and more in the world. But the Lord also instructed us here…as you see this, be careful not to be afraid. Lift your eyes up from the carnage and devastation and look to Me, for I am the answer. Keep your eyes on Me, and you will find peace.
Numbers 14:24 ” But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
When you look at an obstacle or challenge in your life – do you view it through your vision or God’s? When we ask God to give us His vision in the matter…suddenly we can see opportunities in place of those obstacles, and cooperation in place of challenges…for our vision is so small. And when we have grasped God’s vision, we can move forward without doubts or reservations, totally confident in Him.
I Corinthians 8: 1-3 ” We know that we possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But a man who loves God is known by God.”
In our vain human nature, great understanding often brings with it boastful self-importance…that somehow we know much more than others. But the Lord doesn’t want us to be wise in our own eyes, but rather, if we want to boast about anything, let us boast that we’re loved by God.
Mark 3: 4-5 ” Then Jesus asked them, ‘ Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? ‘ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts. He said to the man, ‘ Stretch out your hand. ‘ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
Jesus was in the Synagogue on the Sabbath when He came upon a man with a shriveled, deformed hand. The questions He posed to the Pharisees were simple and to the point…what is more important – the Sabbath’s laws and rituals or human life? No wonder Jesus was so exasperated at their callous and insensitive silence. For all the Pharisees saw was the Law, while all Jesus saw was the suffering.
Matthew 15:32 ” Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘ I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’ “
Along the shore of the Sea of Galilee people had brought the lame, blind, and crippled for Jesus to touch. In the midst of this healing service, Jesus was giving them spiritual food…but now the Lord was looking very practically at the needs of their physical bodies. Meeting the basic needs of a person – food, shelter, or clothing – was an essential part of the Gospel Jesus taught. No one can listen if their stomach is growling loudly and they’re shivering from cold.
II Corinthians 3: 14-16 ” But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”
When we turn and embrace Jesus, the scales fall off our eyes and we’re able to see the truth. The light invades our minds, and we are then able understand with clarity and certainty the new covenant offered to us by Jesus Christ. When we say yes to the Lord, the shroud is lifted up and removed from our hearts, minds, and souls…and we are finally set free.
Isaiah 25:1 ” O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your Name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”
Thanking God and being grateful should be an everyday occurrence for us. Thanking Him for the many blessing we see and experience…but as importantly, the many blessings we’re totally unaware of… Blessings of safety, security, and certainty in His love. Today, take a moment to thank the Lord for the many wonderful things in your life.
Romans 12:21 ” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
While Jesus walked this earth He had many enemies who hated and despised Him…but He never returned that anger with rage of His own. We need to look at His example daily as we deal with unlovable people around us. People may be hostile, but we don’t need to have hostility against them. We may be hated, but we don’t need to be hateful back. Anger will never be calmed by more anger.
Safetypinlove 