"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, 'After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.' " Mark 1:2-7
John is an interesting person. John was so focused on preparing the way for Jesus, he obviously didn't put a lot of stock in nice tunics and robes. He wore camel's hair and a belt to cover himself, and that was it. Some people would have a problem with this lack of concern for a man of God's outward appearance.
Truthfully, you could have frizzy hair on the fritz, mismatched socks, and overalls, and all that would truly matter is whether you were preparing the way. Jesus is coming again, and the responsibility of every God-lover now is to prepare the way for the second coming: tell the world the Gospel! God-lovers, stop focusing on the presentation, but rather start screaming the message for the world to hear! Prepare the way. Prepare the world. That's our responsibility now.
---Joy
Monday, October 7, 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
"Shinning Lights"
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Daniel and his friends understood the need to be faithful to their God. They understood that as they served Him, they were a testimony to who He was and they let Him shine in their lives on a daily basis. We know this because of the words that heathen kings declared as they witnessed God in the lives of these young men who put God first and brought glory their Father in heaven.
The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, The Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret." Daniel 2:47
Nebuchadnezzar called Him the 'Most High God' as he called the three from the fiery furnace as well as making a decree 'that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut into pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.' Daniel 3:29
Darius used these words as he was putting Daniel in the lion's den, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.' Daniel 6:16
His proclamation as he took Daniel out was even better! "To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:25-27
So let your light shine before men! People will see and glorify our Father in heaven!
Daniel and his friends understood the need to be faithful to their God. They understood that as they served Him, they were a testimony to who He was and they let Him shine in their lives on a daily basis. We know this because of the words that heathen kings declared as they witnessed God in the lives of these young men who put God first and brought glory their Father in heaven.
The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, The Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret." Daniel 2:47
Nebuchadnezzar called Him the 'Most High God' as he called the three from the fiery furnace as well as making a decree 'that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut into pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.' Daniel 3:29
Darius used these words as he was putting Daniel in the lion's den, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.' Daniel 6:16
His proclamation as he took Daniel out was even better! "To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:25-27
So let your light shine before men! People will see and glorify our Father in heaven!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Giving Away Victory
The people of Israel did evil again. The Lord gave them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan. When the people of the Lord cried to him for help, God raised up Barak.
The prophetess, Deborah, was judging Israel at that time. She summoned Barak from Kedesh-naphtali. When he came to her, she spoke the Lord's words to him, "Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, 'Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulum. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand'?"
Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go."
And she said, "I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." (Read the full story in Judges chapter 4.)
Sometimes when God calls us to a task, we jump up and do it. There are other times when we don't move. And more times when we look to man and say, "I can't do it without you."
Has not the Lord, our God, commanded us? Has not the Lord, our God, called us? Why look to man for help in God's quest?
The ending sequence is never the way it could have been. Sometimes we are undoubtedly blessed, and God will give us another chance. But there are battles to be won, and if you don't take up your sword, someone else will...
Why take the chance? Why give away the victory God gave to you?
---Joy
The prophetess, Deborah, was judging Israel at that time. She summoned Barak from Kedesh-naphtali. When he came to her, she spoke the Lord's words to him, "Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, 'Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulum. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand'?"
Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go."
And she said, "I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." (Read the full story in Judges chapter 4.)
Sometimes when God calls us to a task, we jump up and do it. There are other times when we don't move. And more times when we look to man and say, "I can't do it without you."
Has not the Lord, our God, commanded us? Has not the Lord, our God, called us? Why look to man for help in God's quest?
The ending sequence is never the way it could have been. Sometimes we are undoubtedly blessed, and God will give us another chance. But there are battles to be won, and if you don't take up your sword, someone else will...
Why take the chance? Why give away the victory God gave to you?
---Joy
Friday, October 4, 2013
"Doing His God Thing"
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10
I feel really drawn to Daniel these days. This one verse contains so much information about what kind of man he was. First, it tells us that when Daniel knew that when the writing was signed he purposely went home and did his normal God thing for the day. He knew he would be caught going against the new ruling. He didn't go pray in a corner, he went straight to the window, so that anyone with eyes to see could know that he chose his God first and foremost.
Second it says that he prayed and gave thanks everyday as was his custom. Gave thanks for what? He had been in captivity for a long time. At this point I wonder would I have given up, gotten bitter towards God and blamed Him. Or would I be like Daniel who was still praying, and giving thanks for the favor that God was continually providing even though he was being held captive in a heathen nation. Daniel was a walking, talking, breathing testimony of God's glory to a whole nation. Despite his circumstances he continued to pry and give thanks!
Third it says that it was his custom from early days. That means he made it a habit. Since his early days he prayed, gave thanks and served his God. Since eary days implies a time span here. For years it was his habit to take time to pray at his window three times a day. He had a habit of spending time with God. He had a habit of talking with Him. He had a habit of giving thanks. It was his custom since early days and the secret to his success! It was his custom from early days to do his God thing!
I feel really drawn to Daniel these days. This one verse contains so much information about what kind of man he was. First, it tells us that when Daniel knew that when the writing was signed he purposely went home and did his normal God thing for the day. He knew he would be caught going against the new ruling. He didn't go pray in a corner, he went straight to the window, so that anyone with eyes to see could know that he chose his God first and foremost.
Second it says that he prayed and gave thanks everyday as was his custom. Gave thanks for what? He had been in captivity for a long time. At this point I wonder would I have given up, gotten bitter towards God and blamed Him. Or would I be like Daniel who was still praying, and giving thanks for the favor that God was continually providing even though he was being held captive in a heathen nation. Daniel was a walking, talking, breathing testimony of God's glory to a whole nation. Despite his circumstances he continued to pry and give thanks!
Third it says that it was his custom from early days. That means he made it a habit. Since his early days he prayed, gave thanks and served his God. Since eary days implies a time span here. For years it was his habit to take time to pray at his window three times a day. He had a habit of spending time with God. He had a habit of talking with Him. He had a habit of giving thanks. It was his custom since early days and the secret to his success! It was his custom from early days to do his God thing!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Quality Talking Time
"And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." Mark 10:35-36
Now, while it would be awesome to be at Jesus' right or left hand in Heaven, and you can't blame them for trying, there was an agenda here.
They went to Jesus with this big, "Don't say no to us," statement. Then, in an effort to earn some brownie points, they asked that one of them be seated on Jesus' right, and the other on His left in Heaven.
Sometimes we make our time with God so conditional. And then instead of spending time with God, we try to butter Him up for our requests.
At my first writing conference, the welcoming class speaker, an editor, tried to calm those of us who were on the verge of puking because we were about to pitch our lives and souls to real editors and agents. She said the normal about relaxing and being yourself, and then she said something that stuck. She told us that sometimes it's really great for them to not hear about another story. That sometimes the biggest impressions were made by the authors that just talked to them for the sake of talking.
We need to spend more time talking to Jesus just for the sake of talking to Him. No to-do lists or agendas. No trying to earn brownie points with Him. Just us and God. The sound of His voice as we talk.
We will end up in His glory, right now. It can be yours for the low, low price of quality time talking with Jesus.
---Joy
Now, while it would be awesome to be at Jesus' right or left hand in Heaven, and you can't blame them for trying, there was an agenda here.
They went to Jesus with this big, "Don't say no to us," statement. Then, in an effort to earn some brownie points, they asked that one of them be seated on Jesus' right, and the other on His left in Heaven.
Sometimes we make our time with God so conditional. And then instead of spending time with God, we try to butter Him up for our requests.
At my first writing conference, the welcoming class speaker, an editor, tried to calm those of us who were on the verge of puking because we were about to pitch our lives and souls to real editors and agents. She said the normal about relaxing and being yourself, and then she said something that stuck. She told us that sometimes it's really great for them to not hear about another story. That sometimes the biggest impressions were made by the authors that just talked to them for the sake of talking.
We need to spend more time talking to Jesus just for the sake of talking to Him. No to-do lists or agendas. No trying to earn brownie points with Him. Just us and God. The sound of His voice as we talk.
We will end up in His glory, right now. It can be yours for the low, low price of quality time talking with Jesus.
---Joy
"Its All About The Believing"
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that Believing you may have life in His name. John 20:27-31
Its all about the believing! Believing means life in Him! It says here that Jesus did lots of other signs, wonders, and miracles that we don't get to know about. It says that everything that is written is for a single purpose, that we too would believe and get to have life in and through Him.
What about this example: Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. Daniel 6:23
Daniel survived the lions. Why? Because he believed in his God. You and I get eternal life. Why? Because we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God!
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that Believing you may have life in His name. John 20:27-31
Its all about the believing! Believing means life in Him! It says here that Jesus did lots of other signs, wonders, and miracles that we don't get to know about. It says that everything that is written is for a single purpose, that we too would believe and get to have life in and through Him.
What about this example: Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. Daniel 6:23
Daniel survived the lions. Why? Because he believed in his God. You and I get eternal life. Why? Because we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
The Wise Royalty
When Judah went into captivity, the King of Babylon instructed his men, "to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace." Daniel 1:3b-4a
Among the royals of Israel, Daniel was found.
Here Daniel was, a noble, who despite being taken into captivity, was receiving favor. He was even being fed like a king! (Daniel 1:5)
I think it would have been really easy for him to become puffed up with pride.
But this young noble did not fall for the grass-is-greener-as-king lie. He didn't fall for the deceits of royalty, not even in this new land (Daniel 1:8-16). He became a wise man. "And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magician and enchanters that were in all his kingdom." Daniel 1:19-20
As sons and daughter of the Most High, it could be very easy for us to become puffed up. To have an attitude like Simba, singing, "Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" We can't allow ourselves to fall into that trap. Daniel had favor in Babylon because he put God first, and sought after wisdom.
Is it better to be a wise man or a prince? Why not take after Daniel? Let's be both. Be princes and princesses who put God first, and seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
---Joy
Among the royals of Israel, Daniel was found.
Here Daniel was, a noble, who despite being taken into captivity, was receiving favor. He was even being fed like a king! (Daniel 1:5)
I think it would have been really easy for him to become puffed up with pride.
But this young noble did not fall for the grass-is-greener-as-king lie. He didn't fall for the deceits of royalty, not even in this new land (Daniel 1:8-16). He became a wise man. "And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magician and enchanters that were in all his kingdom." Daniel 1:19-20
As sons and daughter of the Most High, it could be very easy for us to become puffed up. To have an attitude like Simba, singing, "Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" We can't allow ourselves to fall into that trap. Daniel had favor in Babylon because he put God first, and sought after wisdom.
Is it better to be a wise man or a prince? Why not take after Daniel? Let's be both. Be princes and princesses who put God first, and seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
---Joy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)