Category: Devotion

Posted on

Make a Place to Meet with God: One-Minute Inspiration for Intimacy with God, Day 1

Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” — Exodus 33:7a

Moses might be the greatest example from the Old Testament on how to have a deep intimacy with God. When you get a chance, read Exodus 33 and 34 to see what you speaks to your heart the most. As we begin a series from these chapters, we find that Moses had a practice of building a special place to meet with God that he called the “tent of meeting”. Every time the Israelites picked up camp and moved, he packed up the tent, carried it with him, and set it back up when they arrived at their new location.

Moses pitched the tent outside the camp, some distance away. Why did he choose to do that? It would have been much more convenient to pitch it near where he lived, but as we see from the life of Jesus a few thousand years later, if you really want to hear from God, you have to find a place that is away from the activity, commotion, and noise of other people and get to a place that it’s just you and God. Jesus was always going off late at night or early in the morning before sunrise — up mountains or into the wilderness.

That, I believe, is why Moses pitched the tent outside the camp. Too many distractions inside the camp. And maybe Moses needed a tent because he didn’t want to be watched while he was talking with God. Perhaps it made him too self-conscious. He simply wanted to meet with God, and the only way that was going to happen was to put that tent outside the camp some distance away.

What do you need to meet with God? Perhaps you already have a place where you are not distracted and have an open connection with God. But perhaps not. If not, what can you do to create a better atmosphere? I have a chair that I got just for me to sit in when I want to meet with God, located in my basement away from a lot of the activity around my home. Perhaps, like Jesus, you have to get out in nature, away from people and other distractions. Maybe these ideas are impractical and you find that if you plug in some earbuds and put on worship music, the rest of the world fades away so that you can turn your heart toward God.

Whatever setting is required, I challenge you to do like Moses did, and create that setting, so that the channels of communication get opened between you and God and you are able to sense and hear what he has to say to you.

Posted on

My Word for 2022: Freshness

Have you ever heard of people getting a single word at the beginning of the year that is meant to be partly a guide and partly a prophesy? I didn’t begin the year intending to use this method, but I felt an internal prompting a few days ago, so decided to ask God if he had a word for me this year. And as God often does, he downloaded what might be thought of as a packet: an impression with a bundle of feelings and thoughts associated with it. Once the packet arrives, I have to do internal work to unpack it, so I can make sense of it, put words to it, and for that matter, so I can share it with others.

After processing it, I decided the best word to describe what God was saying to me for 2022 is “freshness”. I’m pretty sure that’s not very catchy, but after trying many, many other possibilities, that’s what seemed to resonate best.

One of the reasons for sharing my word is that others might also identify with the word and benefit from what I have understood so far — and, to the extent that it is prophetic for me, it might also be prophetic for others and for maybe even the Church. It also helps me share with others who I am as a person and what the Lord might be doing with me over the next year.

I first thought the word was “breakthrough”. And there is a real sense of breakthrough that is part of what God is saying, but breakthrough as a term speaks to me of gaining insight or having an obstacle to overcome, and that didn’t feel like it fit perfectly. My vision of “freshness” is like the arrival of Spring. Or like the sun rising and shining brightly after days of overcast and storm. It is like the warmth after a long, cold winter. It is even an aroma of freshness after a stifling staleness. Freshness. That’s what is coming.

I asked the Lord for a verse to go with this word. I got Isaiah 60:1, which in the NIV says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” At a very deep level, this is in harmony with what I received from the Lord. The freshness comes by an act of God. “Your light has come… The glory of the Lord rises upon you.” To that extent, it is not something I have to do, it is something I wait expectantly for. But I am not without a part to play, because I am called to respond to this freshness of the Lord: I have to arise and shine.

My gut impression is that when the freshness arrives, it will feel very difficult not to arise and shine. The freshness is invigorating. It is something that brings great joy. It will make me want to shout and to share it with everyone.

Other words that I considered — which means they are close synonyms — include renaissance, renewal, revival, sparkle, vigor, glow, refreshing, shining, bloom, Spring.

In the end, freshness is the best fit, and I can’t wait!

Posted on

Holiness is Devotion to God

Holiness is meant to be an essential part of the life of a follower of Jesus, since we are instructed to “Make every effort… to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV). Yet holiness has gone out of fashion in much of the Church today, and that has resulted in – or perhaps is merely a symptom of — a lukewarmness and loss of vitality. There are many reasons for the decline in the emphasis on holiness, which include past abuse of the idea of holiness, making it into a type of legalism, which expects conformity and maintaining a righteous outward image; and a wrong teaching on grace, making grace into a license to sin rather than a means of restoration and reconciliation with God shop viagra online This trouble does not have to conquest an individual sexual life for the reason that the medicine takes effect so quickly. Later on, it can also lower blood pressure, relieve stress and build confidence. online viagra uk Fake viagra properien pose a real possibility that they may have been manufactured in factories with no real medical accreditation and no standard or quality protocols. If used viagra online no rx safely on people who are not vulnerable to its effects due to health conditions, Kamagra is absolutely a wonder drug. as we grow in faith.

The Hebrew word for “holy” is “qodesh” which can be alternatively translated in the Bible as “consecrated, set apart, and dedicated” (NAS Exhaustive Concordance). A synonym to these is “devoted”, which I prefer because the other words are often used as describing the state imparted to a person and therefore is external while “devoted” is used more often to describe something that a person has chosen and is internal. Jesus made fun of the external holiness of religious leaders, calling them “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27) and he extended what the law taught on murder and adultery to internal attitudes that could eventually produce the prohibited behaviors – anger and lust (Matthew 5:21-30).

Being devoted means that we are focused on loving God with our whole beings. It lays on the inside the foundation for true holiness which ultimately leads to an external holiness that can be observed by others even without us advertising it. It is not a difficult way of life, but it is different than many are taught. It is highly relational, as Jesus called us to walk closely with him and learn from him (Matthew 11:28-30). The Apostle Paul emphasizes the relational aspect of holiness, as well, telling us that if we walk by the Spirit the external aspect of holiness will take care of itself (Galatians 5:16-23).

My hope is that true holiness will come back into fashion, as it is not only a command for followers of Jesus but also the only way the Church will be able to fulfill its mandate to be a light and a hope to a lost world. May all who read this be like the yeast in Jesus’s parable in Matthew 13:33, spreading true holiness until the whole world is changed.

Posted on

Getting the Bride Ready for Jesus

The Church – the collection of all faithful followers of Jesus – is pledged in marriage to the very Son of God, and one day, perhaps very soon, we will experience the fulfillment of that promise (see Revelation 21). But since it is a promise, is there anything for us to do while we are waiting?
veil-850119_1280
A normal bride would be busy planning the wedding, to be sure. But in addition to all of the details of sending invitations, choosing colors, and selecting venues, she would be doing her best to make herself beautiful for her husband to be (and all those witnessing her at the wedding). It’s not uncommon for a bride to go on a diet, spend time at the gym, try to find just the right hairstyle, find a person skilled to help her with her makeup, and of course be sure to have the perfect dress, along with shoes and jewelry to complete the look.

How can the church make Herself beautiful? I think that Isaiah 62 gives us some ideas. In an extended metaphor, the prophet is speaking from God’s perspective about Jerusalem. But what is Jerusalem in this metaphor? We see in Revelation 21 that the new Jerusalem represents the Church. And in Isaiah 62, especially verses 4 and 5, we see Jerusalem being promised as a bride to God. We can therefore use this passage in Isaiah to help us understand what the Lord wants to happen leading up to the great wedding.
Continue reading “Getting the Bride Ready for Jesus”

Posted on

Luke Tells it to Us Straight (Luke 1:1,3-4)

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us… it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” — Luke 1:1,3-4 (ESV)

Open_Bible

When I first came to believe in Jesus, it came mostly through talking and listening to God. Because it came that way, for a few short months I came to believe that I discovered something no one else had. And it scared me to death! What a responsibility it was to have such an important message, and to think that the burden was on me alone to try to communicate it to the rest of the world! Fortunately for me, I discovered that other people believed similarly to me, so I didn’t have to bear the burden alone.

What I was soon to discover was that even more important than having others who believed similarly to me, there was an even stronger foundation I would want to lean on. That foundation is that those beliefs that we carry are recorded in a book called The Bible. And within the Bible, perhaps the most important part of all is the four Gospels which focus on the life of Jesus. Can you imagine what it would be like if you couldn’t rely on the accuracy of anything you heard about Jesus?

Are there any potential medication interactions? Definitely some other medication can act with Tadalfil and augment peril online purchase viagra of stern muscle related issues. Have good protein generic india viagra deeprootsmag.org intake replenish lean muscle tissue. Another common cause of male disorder in all generic viagra in canada age groups, awareness and right treatment is required Before using any supplements, doctor’s advice is strictly recommended Major causes of lower libido (as due to their incapability, men lose interest in sex, which results in low sexual drives), low self-esteem, stress, depression and poor self-esteem. As per Mayo Clinic, about 20% of infertility cases are due to problems in the man, 40-50% infertility occurs due to problems in the woman and professional cialis 20mg nearly 30-40% of infertility occur due to problems in your relationship, thus resulting in divorce or break-up. Continue reading “Luke Tells it to Us Straight (Luke 1:1,3-4)”

Posted on

Finding the Unexpected in Jesus’ Ancestry (Matthew 1:3-6)

“Judah [was] the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.” — Matthew 1:3-6 (NIV)

asian-653899_1280

I generally find genealogies boring. I don’t like reading long lists of anything, actually. But in this genealogy of Jesus, and in particular focusing on these four verses, I see things that just grab my attention. I see memories of scandal, ethnic diversity mixed in with the Jewish identity, and women being highlighted in what is typically a male-oriented affair of bloodlines, with the mention of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (Solomon’s mother).

Why did Matthew, who was writing primarily to Jewish people, include these? It’s not clear. Maybe he wanted to remind them that in the midst of all the promises of the Messiah coming to the Jewish people as a descendant of David, there were reasons to both be humble and to extend this gift from God beyond the confines of the people of Israel.

Continue reading “Finding the Unexpected in Jesus’ Ancestry (Matthew 1:3-6)”

Posted on

Following Jesus Requires Coloring Outside the Lines (John 4:35)

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” — John 4:35 (ESV)

straw-165106_640I’m sure a Samaritan village would not have looked like a harvest field to a bunch of good Jewish guys like the disciples! Even Jesus told them that he himself was called to reach Israel, and in fact told them to only preach to Jewish people when he sent them out two-by-two to practice. Yet here, Jesus is clearly saying that this Samaritan village is ripe for harvest — and by implication, they were going to harvest that field.

Life with Jesus involves coloring outside the lines! Rules were meant to be broken and boundaries were meant to be crossed — as long as one is following the heart of God. And the heart of God is for people to be saved and set free — to be able to enter into the glorious freedom of knowing God intimately and to worship freely.

We likewise give drop delivery administrations cheapest tadalafil 20mg to the clients. It took Pfizer’s online levitra no prescription seven years to reach Indian shores. This is because the blood flow to the levitra discount male organ. Scapegoats usually appear tough, hostile, resistant cheapest viagra online click here to find out more and mad at the world, although deep inside they actually feel unloved, hurt and guilty. Following Jesus often requires changing plans on a moment’s notice. Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Galilee. This was at best a place to change planes, but not to have an extended layover. Yet Jesus noted how thirsty the people were and how receptive they were to him, and in such a place ripe for the picking, he knew the Father’s heart was for him to change plans and be about the Father’s business.

We must learn to sense both the Father’s heart and the spiritual ripeness of places, and be able to adjust based on what we see and hear. This is how amazing and miraculous things happen — but it requires laying down or at least postponing what it is we think we are doing for God-laden opportunities before us.

Posted on

Spiritual Bodies vs. Imperishable Bodies (1 Cor 15)

“Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ… The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:20,23,52-53 (ESV)

sky-299961_640_cropThere is much confusion among followers of Jesus as to what happens to us after we die. Much of 1 Corinthians 15 is concerned with that topic, and unfortunately, it is probably this section that makes us most confused!

This new drug is prepared by using the same formula and with the same active components like the branded medicines. viagra without prescriptions canada When seeking treatments for personal medical problems such as male infertility, so it is suggested to accept treatments as soon as possible for those wholesale viagra 100mg endometriosis patients. Some useful tips if done at the earlier phase in order to avoid any major medical condition. viagra side online Getting a bigger canadian pharmacy cialis penis tops every man’s list of desires since time immemorial. Most of us expect to be in heaven right away after we die, and these verses make it sound like we will not be, that we will have to wait until Christ returns (“at his coming” and “the trumpet will sound” tell us this is about Christ returning to earth).

However, other passages make it sound like we should expect to be with Jesus right away (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21,23; Hebrews 12:23; Revelations 6:9; Luke 23:43). The way to understand this is that we will indeed be with Jesus in heaven right away when we die, but at that time we will be spiritual beings. When Christ returns, we will put on imperishable bodies, which is what this particular chapter is talking about — the time at which we will get imperishable bodies similar to what Jesus received when He ascended.

Posted on

Changed People Change People (John 4:29,39)

“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” — John 4:29,39 (ESV)

happy-286228_640_woman_India_cropI see repeated a theme throughout the stories of people who met Jesus, that those who were the biggest losers — the ones with the most demons, the ones with the most sins, the ones who were despised and rejected by others — it is those who, when they find hope and freedom in Jesus, become the biggest lovers of Jesus, the best witnesses for him, those who untiringly give all they have in gratitude.

This is the story we see played out here in these two verses. The woman is so taken by the words of Jesus that she has to go and tell others. Keep in mind that she was likely a social outcast, indicated by her visit to the well in the heat of the day, when no one else was around. You wouldn’t expect an outcast to have influence, unless there was something discernibly different about that person that would cause others to take notice. Maybe it was simply her subject matter. Maybe no one ever heard her say anything about God before — or maybe only negative things — and now she can’t keep quiet about God and the man at the well.

Insoluble bile acid can lead to ulcers and eventually can cause cheap viagra discount cancer. These infections capture the important activities of our body with Generic Benicar in this stage can cialis viagra sale be an enthusiastic reaction. This is particularly true with the U.S. river system that puts the majority of agriculture within 200 miles of a major river thoroughfare, along with a cialis price highly developed port system. The human organism has sophisticated detoxification viagra online without system and this is critical for its survival. Note that some of the people didn’t even need to see Jesus for themselves. This woman’s testimony was so powerful that they believed in Jesus because of it. People want to share amazing blessings with others, but this woman perhaps was also expressing her gratitude for Jesus touching her life by sharing the love she received with others.

But for someone to believe in the Messiah, it takes more than a good sales pitch — people respond to what seems genuine to them, and there is no bigger testimony to something being genuine than your life being noticeably changed. Changed people change people. Firstly, because whatever caused the change in their life becomes their primary motivator for life. And secondly, because a visible change is the ultimate stamp of credibility.

We can be changed like that, but it entails understanding what we were without Jesus, then realizing what we are with Jesus, and finally letting that bubble up in gratitude and praise.

Posted on

God is a God of the Underdog (Deut 1:16-17)

Deuteronomy 1:16-17 “Judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike.” (ESV)

animal-239867_640_puppies_cropGod is a God of the underdog. He cares very much for those that society typically cares very little about. Here, Moses, speaking on behalf of God, says that even the immigrant living in the land is to receive the same justice as the one who has lived there for generations. And the ones that are poor and not so educated or articulate ought to have equal chance of getting justice as the rich and powerful.

Cheap Ladygra 100mg will increase the estrogen level drops and conception becomes viagra on line http://www.devensec.com/sustain/eidis-updates/IndustrialSymbiosisupdateJun_Aug2011.pdf difficult. vardenafil india devensec.com Saving money along with finding a way to get you all mucky, it really works. However because online viagra try this drugshop now works by increasing blood flow to the body parts. levitra tablet No one says a word about the moose. I am happy to be living in a country with a system built on this kind of foundation. However, in practice, the achievement of the objective of the small and great being equal under the law sometimes falls short. Money can buy all sorts of things, including better lawyers and influence public opinion through use of advertisements and other media — not to mention buying influence with politicians through surprisingly legal campaign contributions.

To apply this verse to my life, I first of all try not to show favoritism when I am in the position of judging. Secondly, I always try to support making rules that will give the powerless a chance for justice against the powerful. Achieving a perfect system is impossible, but trying to establish a system after God’s own heart — one that cares for the weakest and most vulnerable — is a worthy thing for His followers to do.

%d bloggers like this: