Author: kezha1

The lesson that Jesus taught in Luke 15:11-31 went far beyond just a story of a young son squandering his inheritance. The teaching was directed towards the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law, (the older brother) whose self-righteousness was based on their works & merit, and their attitude that they somehow “deserved” God’s favor. For Romans 3:23 reminds us that, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” And without His Divine Grace we’d all be lost forever. But it took contrition…a coming to his senses…with true godly remorse and repentance, followed by the seeking of forgiveness and redemption by the young man that we then see the father forgiving and loving his wayward son.

We know that God doesn’t want us to dwell on the past…for that usually includes guilt, shame, and regrets. But He does want us to remember…recollecting His mighty works, reflecting upon His past deeds, and commemorating how He’s worked in our life. Many times this will happen after we have walked out of that dark valley into the sunshine…after the storm of life has passed and we can see clearly for the first time in a while. It’s not that we can’t feel His Presence within the storm…it’s just that in its midst, we’re overwhelmed and hanging on by a thread…so it’s not usually until we’re on the other side can God show us His mighty acts. Then, remembering is an act of worship, of recognizing our dependence on God, and the importance of meditating on both His deeds recorded in Scripture as well as our personal experiences… that help to strengthen our faith. So remembering is good…for it inspires gratitude, encouragement, and hope to face the future.

The enemy loves to get us ensnared in verbal division, disunity, and stubborn decisiveness. So if we find ourselves constantly arguing politics but rarely talking about Jesus…we need to seriously consider that our heart is in the wrong place. That’s because the Kingdom of God is eternal, and someday all kings, political parties, and world rulers will bow down to Him. (Psalm 72:11) We also need to realize that across history powerful governments have risen, only to fall. An example of this is king Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty king of Babylon…one of the most powerful kingdoms on earth…who humbly proclaimed in Daniel 4:3, “How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders. His Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.” God is the King of kings and Lord of lords and the very best thing for us to pray is, “Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

When we’re in a season of waiting, it’s never just a season of waiting. Rather, it’s a season of preparation, self-improvement, giving, servanthood, and always sanctification. Throughout the Psalms we see Scripture encouraging us to wait patiently before the Lord…all the while being strong, confident, and keeping His ways. (Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37: 7,34) That’s because waiting can never be passive where we’re just standing by enduring our current situation. No, it’s a time of preparation for God’s purposes and responsibilities to come…and it’s a time of intentional growth in our relationship with the Lord. For a season of waiting requires our responsibility and effort…understanding that the struggle is real to forge on ahead in hope.

It was quite the entertaining spectacle for the people…the likes of which they had never seen before. And so the clamoring crowds followed Jesus, waiting for more impressive public displays of miraculous signs and wonders. To many though, it was just an amusement…with Jesus acting as a performer on a stage. For despite the crowds witnessing numerous miracles, they remained skeptical, insincere, and superficial in their faith. And sadly, this struggle between doubt & resistance and faith & belief is timeless… continuing even today in the hearts & minds of all human beings. For just as witnessing miracles didn’t guarantee faith for those crowds…belief in Jesus has to be a very personal journey of openness and willingness to accept God’s Truth.

Over the past forty years, I’ve been a firm believer in giving God the very first part of my day. Way before the chaos of the world has a chance to seep in and its noise becomes deafening in my mind. For I know He doesn’t want my left over minutes, rushed thoughts, or the remnants of a harried and exhausted day. No, what God desires are those quiet, undivided moments when it’s just Him and me…no distractions, no diversions…just His illuminated Word.

I wanted to build on the Devotional from yesterday about achieving happiness in our lives, and living for today. When the enemy can keep us either consumed with our past, or fearful of the future…we are oblivious to the present. We walk through the day unaware of the needs around us, and with no mindful attention to the blessings available. When we dwell in the past, it shows lack of dedication, commitment, and forward focus. (Luke 9:62) Isaiah 65:16 reminds us that all our former troubles are forgotten and hidden from God’s eyes…so if He does that, we must also. As for worrying about the future, this also shows lack of faith and trust in God…for anxiety is incompatible with trust. (Philippians 4:6) So today, fix your mind on Jesus and practice mindfulness in the here and now…refusing to let your thoughts wander to things you have no control over.

We’re all striving for peace and happiness in life, and Mother Teresa has given us a road map to achieve it Biblically. First, Isaiah 43:18 tells us to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” That’s because God is not part of the past…but rather the God of restoration and renewal. So we should also let go of the past and embrace the new things of God in our life. Secondly, we should enjoy the present…for each new day is indeed a gift from God. Hebrews 3:13 says we are to, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it’s called Today.” For today is all we have, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. Finally, we need to trust God for our future. Ecclesiastes 8:7 makes it quite clear, “No man knows the future.” Life is unpredictable, and it takes humility and trust in God to face what is to come, but we can rest assured that God’s love will be ever constant and unchanging in the years to come. (Romans 8:38)

In the verse prior, Isaiah was made acceptable as a minister of God’s Word by the purification of his lips. The Lord then allowed him to ease drop in on a session of the royal, heavenly court. That’s because, God’s call was not directed specifically towards Isaiah or a select few, but for everyone. Though whether we hear that call or not depends entirely on our spiritual attitude. Jesus made this clear in Matthew 22:14 when He said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” In other words, few prove that they are worthy of the call of God on their lives. So how can we hear the Voice of God? It takes open ears and open hearts…for the Lord will never plead, beg, or pressure you…rather it will be a quiet, yet passionate insistence of, “Follow Me.”

God has shown His unfailing love and mercy by replacing the Tablets that Moses had smashed at the sight of the golden calf. This rhetorical question calls the wayward people to justice, mercy, and humility in their walk with God…for with God, love and obedience go hand and hand. (John 14:23) Moses ends his speech with the practical application and benefit of obedience to the One True God…protection, guidance, and a covenantal relationship…for His glory and their good.