The Faithful Remnant (Read Isaiah 10:20-34)

A remnant will return to the Mighty God (Isa. 10:21).

 

It is amazing what a small group of people can achieve when their hearts are invested in a matter and they set about it with dedication and enthusiasm. Mighty political parties have come into being because of the dedication of a few “fanatics.” Christianity has become a world religion as a result of twelve disciples who carried out Jesus’ command to go into the world and spread His message.

Throughout the Scriptures, God carried out His salvation plan by means of small groups of people. When Noah and his family built the ark, God made the truth of His existence known to only one family. When Jacob sent his sons to Egypt in search of grain, God again used one small community. Then God called a few believers to maintain faith in Him. After the judgment over Assyria was carried out, there was a small “remnant” that would return to God in remorse.

The Christian community is usually a “faithful remnant.” They remain true to their faith and in spite of opposition, the body of Christian believers lives on. At times it seems to be on the brink of extinction. In some groups it is brought back to life, and revival brings new hope and trust. Sometimes the community itself is guilty of confusing the faith with other forms and systems. Then God sends a prophet or evangelist to call them back to their true calling.

Are you one of the faithful remnants? Don’t be discouraged by mass-unbelief, failure or godlessness around you. Persevere with your faith in Jesus. You will find your reward in heaven.

 

Lord Jesus, strengthen the faith of the remnant. Amen.

The God of Fire (Read Isaiah 10:8-19)

The LORD, the Light of Israel, will be a fire; the Holy One will be a flame. He will devour the thorns and briers with fire, burning up the enemy in a single night (Isa. 10:17).

It is said that God is many things and that there is nothing He cannot do: He is a Rock and a Refuge; He is the Good Shepherd who looks after His sheep; He is a Wind that blows, bringing life; He is a King who rules; and He is a Warrior who defends. Fire is an image often used to represent God.

While a fire provides warmth, it can also destroy. In the Scripture above, Isaiah prophesies the fate of the boastful king of Assyria, who was too big for his boots and didn’t realize that he was no more than a servant of God. God would appear like a fire and destroy everything in His way; in the process Assyria would also be destroyed.

The fire image is seen again on Pentecost when “tongues of fire” appeared and settled on the disciples who were gathered together to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3). It is symbolic of the presence of God and also of His judgment.

Ironically, some of the Christians who were filled with the Holy Spirit were later burnt at the stake because of their loyalty to Christ. Through the ages, believers understood that they needed the purifying fire of God to purge them spiritually.

Holy Spirit, purifying fire, come and purge my life of all that is dirty and impure. Amen.

The Necessity of Conversion (Read Isaiah 9:8-21)

 For after all this punishment, the people will still not repent. They will not seek the LORD of Heaven's Armies (Isa. 9:13).

Never assume that it is more difficult in our times to live life close to God than what it was a thousand years ago. In the olden days, people who battled to steer their lives in accordance with God's will often failed. This applies to people throughout the biblical period that spans about two thousand years.

The prophets called on the nations to be converted. They saw people worshiping false gods, doing immoral things and failing to walk close to God. In particular, they ignored His commandments. Even when they returned, only a brief period of spiritual dedication followed. In spite of the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, there were many indications that these people lived a crumbling Christian life at most.
We must also repent, confess and turn back to God. If you gave your life to Jesus years ago and are trying to live a Christian life, it is essential that you are regularly filled with remorse for the mistakes you have made, and start over again.
To be remorseful is to admit that you had the wrong attitudes, that you were quick to judge, and that you sought your own will above that of God. It is to admit that you lacked love and were selfish in your relationships. Take another look at the way you spend your money and to find ways of being more charitable. Re-commit your life to God, and become more and more like Jesus.

Holy Father, help me to regularly rethink my walk with You. Amen.

What God Expects (Read Isaiah 9:1-7)

What God Expects (Read Isaiah 9:1-7)

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will guarantee this! (Isa. 9:7).
When Christians speak about God and His will they normally think of it in terms of what He expects of them personally: "Would it be God's will if I give up this job and look for another?" or "What does God expect me to do or give for His work?" God does have a will for the individual, but He also has a will for the whole world.
In this verse, Isaiah sets out his wish for the tiny Judah and what God expects from His world as a whole. Omnipotence is part of God's royal rule. There cannot be a power vacuum, but what God expects is responsible use of power and integrity from those who exercise it. He wants them to acknowledge that their power and authority are from Him, and they will account for the way they exercise it.
The fact is that many people are after power for their own selfish purposes. God wants peace on earth and He expects that it will not only be in the form of a short break between one war and the next, but forever. Too often peace is sacrificed by rulers driven by a need for more power.
The bottom line is: Everything God expects from His world boils down to justness and righteousness; the healthy warmhearted, sincere moral order of those things that allow people to live creatively and peacefully under Christ's dominium.

Almighty God, let righteousness and peace flourish all over Your world. Amen.

Spiritual Discipline (Read Psalm 86:1-17)

Teach me Your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to Your truth! (Ps. 86:11).

 

It is an uncontrollable human tendency to go your own way, do your own thing and then ask God for His blessing on what you are doing. And then when things go wrong, you wonder why God allowed it and you become rebellious. After all, you did ask for godly blessing on your efforts, so why is everything falling apart?

 

As a child of God, you must learn to accept His discipline. Just like students need to be corrected if they want to make progress at school, Christians also need their heavenly Father’s discipline. Without it, there can be no spiritual growth.

 

However, God’s discipline is never prejudiced. He does not punish some and not others. The discipline you undergo is mostly self-imposed. When you have disobeyed what you know is God’s will, you have to pay the price. If you deliberately disobey His rules and thought in your foolishness that you could side-step the consequences, don’t rebel against God when it seems that circumstances are turning against you. What you sow, you will definitely reap.

 

When God disciplines you, it always has a constructive purpose. His love for you is constant and His aim is to bring you into a deeper and richer relationship with Him. The discipline you experience is part of your spiritual development and should be experienced with joy - even with thanksgiving.

 

Merciful Master, grant me the wisdom to learn the lessons You want to teach me through Your holy discipline. Amen.

The Discipline of Service (Read Joshua 24:16-28)

“We will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:21).

 

Your conversion is a special occasion in your life. Whether you experience emotional ecstasy or quiet reassurance, you are filled with an indescribably wonderful peace. There is no doubt that it could only come from Christ, the Lord you gave your life to. In the holy mystery of the moment, it is the most natural thing to devote yourself to God, and at that moment nothing and nobody can keep you from making that decision.

 

You must be ready for the after-effects. In the wake of your sublime joy of conversion, moments of uncertainty and doubt will follow. As you become more and more involved in the activities of His church, there will be times that you don’t agree with other believers; you will most likely experience disillusionment and disappointment. Your faith will be tested in many different ways and you will experience hurt.

 

All these tough times form part of Satan’s armory that constantly bombards Christians in the hope that their faith will fade and their testimonies about God will lose power. To resist this, cling to Jesus’ promise that His grace is enough for you. Discipline yourself to look up to Jesus all the time and to trust Him. He will lead you away from temptation on to the path of dedication and service to this God whom you surrendered your life to.

 

Savior and Redeemer, help me, comfort me, strengthen me, hold me and carry me through. Amen.

Son Of God (Read Romans 1:1-7)

He [Jesus Christ] was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the death by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:4).

 

You might sometimes reflect on the wonder that the life of a Galilean carpenter, dating back 2,000 years, has been admired and worshiped by millions of His followers ever since. What was it about Jesus that made so many people love Him so intensely? Why are so many lives radically changed by His impact on them?

 

Jesus was more than human. He was also totally and completely God. Jesus was the Son of God and He came from God. When He rose from the grave on Easter Sunday, it was the final declaration that He was God who had come to earth. This confirmed His sovereignty over the forces of evil and proved that He had triumphed over death.

 

The gospel of God is always the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. Because He was raised from the dead, we can rule over temptation. This gives us the hope that life is always greater than death. Because He lives forever, we can experience joy instead of sorrow; hope instead of despair; inner peace instead of confusion. We don’t achieve or earn these blessings by becoming involved in spiritual gymnastics. They come as God’s gift to us through faith in His resurrected Son, Jesus, the Living Christ.

The Human Savior (Read Romans 1:1-7)

The Good News is about His Son. In His earthly life He was born into King David’s family line (Rom. 1:3).

 

There have been many great and famous men and women of God through the ages. Some were prophets, some devout believers; many of them were very holy; others worked their fingers to the bone in serving their fellow men; yet others were great teachers. Which one of these people describes Jesus best?

 

All these people were sent by God, yet they were ordinary people who God used in an exceptional way. Jesus was also a human being in the full sense of the word. He had the same physical appearance as anybody else. He ate and drank, worked and slept. He got tired and sometimes yearned for refreshing solitude. He prayed and was given the power of God to perform miracles. In biblical times a person’s identity was not determined by an entry in a central register or a number, but by mentioning the person’s parents. This could be extended by referring to the person’s grandparents and their parents. Jesus is described as “born into King David’s family line.

 

Only a person who is fully human can be your Savior. He needs to experience your fears; battle with your temptations; and understand your sorrow and heartache to enable Him to give you life in all its abundance. Because Jesus became totally human, He raised the standard of humankind because He was a perfect human being. He added a new quality or dimension to human life and made it what God intended it to be. Have you experienced this miracle yet? Has Jesus turned you into what God intended you to be?

 

Holy Father, make me more and more like Jesus. Amen.

The Irritations of Life (Read Job 19:1-12)

How long will you torture me? How long will you try to crush me with your words? (Job 19:2).

 

All of us experience irritations at some time in our lives. If you tend to be irritable,then you are easily offended; you might use strong language, and you are difficult to live with.

 

It is foolish to allow people, things or circumstances to annoy you and in this way gain control of your life. To free yourself from this danger, you must work on controlling your reaction to the things that irritate you. The irritations won’t simply go away if you say you won’t allow them to get the better of you. Rather tune in to God and become aware of all the beautiful, pleasant things in life. Then a feeling of harmony and peace will fill your heart and thoughts.

 

In order to overcome the petty irritations of life, it is of the utmost importance to cling to the concept of God. If your idea of God is petty and insufficient, almost every human relationship and set of circumstances will carry the seed of irritation. When your concept of God is worthy of Him, you will be able to overcome every obstacle that comes your way.

 

Look at your life in the light of God’s eternity and greatness. You will find that nothing is so important that it will irritate you up to the point where you lose your positive concept of God and the balance in your life.

 

Loving Father God, when I realize how great You are, it keeps me from allowing irritations to influence me. Amen.

Comforting Love (Read Jude 17-240

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life (Jude 21 NIV).

 

Despite the fact that Christians receive eternal life from the hand of and that it is our final aim and objective, the death of a loved one leaves us in a shocked state when we have to experience the reality of separation. In spite of the fact that we rejoice in the knowledge that the loved one, if a believer, has left us to enjoy the glory of God’s kingdom, we don’t really know how to fill this void in our hearts.

 

When our Savior prepared His disciples for His farewell and return to His Father, He proclaimed His peace over them. Then He poured His Holy Spirit over them so that the enveloping love of God would fill their lives on earth with the kind of love that would raise them up to the kingdom of God.

 

That same love and peace is Christ’s gift to you. Trust Him to open your heart and life to Him; let Him lead you on paths of service in His name. Make your love and mercy available to others so that the Living Christ may work in and through you to the advantage of His people. In this manner, you will be embraced by Jesus’ love. He will carry you through the disappointments in this life, until you see the glory of God in eternity.

Something about the Name Jesus

The Gift of God Read Isaiah 2:1-5

Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore (Isa. 2:4)

 

There is a place in Jerusalem that is at the same time beautiful and hopeful, but also dismal and tragic. It is the Western Wall, also referred to as the Wailing Wall. It is the only remaining part of the big temple that was built by Herod the Great, in Jesus’ time. Massive rocks were chiseled and piled up to form a wall. As time passed, deep, narrow crevices formed between these rocks. Dedicated Jews visit this wall, touch it and pray. Thousands of non-Jewish visitors do the same. Many of those who go there write messages or prayers on pieces of paper and push these in between the cracks in the rock wall. Most people who do this pray either for peace in Jerusalem or for world peace.

 

It is right that people turn to God for peace in the world. Human structures and strategies may avoid certain conflicts, but they are by no means successful. The prophet Isaiah looked far into the future, not to when things would be “sorted out,” but when God would bring the final chapter of history to fulfillment, and His kingdom of righteousness and peace came into existence. Ultimately, God is the only one who can bring perfect peace in the strife, conflict and chaos of the world. Only He can judge people and forgive their sins. If inner peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, intended peace is also a gift from God. We look forward to the time that He will give it - at His appointed time.

 

Lord Jesus, let there be peace on earth and let it start with me. Amen.

Hope for World Peace (Read Isaiah 2:1-5)

The LORD will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks (Isa. 2:4).

 

Throughout the ages, many people have dreamt of a time when wars would end. Some of the wars were said to be “the war to end all wars.” Greed, national pride, intolerance, fear, personal ambition and malicious trouble making are all factors that make sure this dream does not come true. There is always war somewhere, and rumors of war.

 

Isaiah lived in a very small country that was often attacked by mighty armies on their way to do battle with other powerful armies. Yet he dreamt of peace, not because he sat down and calculated the relative power of any of the armies of his time, but because of his faith in God.

 

Approximately 700 years later (and a number of wars in, between), Jesus was born as the “Prince of Peace.” At His birth, the angels sang, “Peace on earth to all whom God favors.” It is of the utmost importance that Christians are not cynical, fearful and doubtful. They need to hold on to the hope that people will turn their spears into pruning hooks. Hope is not wishful thinking. It admits that there are problems, troubles and disasters, but also dares to believe that on the other side of chaos there will be order; on the other side of conflict there will be peace. Hope believes this because God is God and in the end, He is in charge and in control. Christians must also work for peace and pray for those who negotiate for international peace and understanding.

 

God of grace, in addition to all the blessings You shower on us, bless us with peace. Amen.

Peace through Prayer (Read Hosea 7:1-16)

All of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers. All their kings fall, and none of them calls on me (Hosea 7:7 NIV).

 

Throughout the ages, the world we live in has known violence and war. Millions have suffered terribly and died as a result. If you analyze the reasons for this, you will find that they include greed, hunger for authority, jealousy, a thirst for revenge and blind aggression - to mention but a few.

 

While we are not for one moment trying to defend this conduct, it is, however, also true that the victims often react with counter revenge that leads to more bloodshed. The international battlefield proves the destructive results of war. It was like this in Old Testament history and it is still the case today.

 

There is an essential urgency for all people in positions of authority to seek God’s help - not only when danger is imminent, but at all times. The Lord undertook to listen to us and to answer our prayers. Therefore, we must be praying people, seeking God’s guidance right through life in an effort to put an end to the atrocities born of violence and war.

 

Jesus instructed us to love. Do precisely this and see the amazing results. “Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you” (Job 22:21 NIV).

 

Prince of Peace, let the day come quickly then war will end and our hearts are filled with love. Amen.

 

Dry Fountains and Mists (Read 2 Peter 2:15-22)

These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as a mist blown away by the wind (2 Peter 2:17).

 

It is wonderful to start life with great expectations. Then nothing deems impossible and you meet each challenge with confidence, joy and an air of expectancy. Unfortunately, in the case of most people, it seems as if their hope fades and they become entangled in trivialities. Eventually they become satisfied with the mediocre, and disappointment and failure follow.

 

When this unfortunate condition develops, it should never be accepted as something unavoidable. It is necessary that you re-evaluate your values. Maybe the goals you strived for in the past are unreachable and the time has come that, in the light of what you have learnt, you must set yourself new goals that are inspiring, yet reachable.

 

If you have not succeeded in meeting the high expectations you once had, don’t give in to self-pity, or blame other people for your difficult circumstances. Create goals that are within your reach and abilities, and work hard at reaching them. If you don’t work towards a worthy purpose, your life will stay average and disappointing. No matter what happened in the past, you can meet the future with renewed energy, enthusiasm and expectation.

 

By putting my faith in You completely, Holy Master, I strive to achieve Your purpose with my life. Amen.

Tested Christian Read Romans 16:1-16

Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test (Rom. 16:10 NIV).

 

 

You have probably taken many tests in your life. At school, tests are necessary for you to improve and make progress. Passing the test for a driver’s license qualifies you to drive a car on a public road. It is necessary that you have an eye test, to determine the quality of your vision. We find some tests easy and others difficult.

 

We know that many of the first Christians were slaves, and Apelles was probably one of them. It was not always easy when a slave converted to Christianity, because his master was often not sympathetic toward this faith. It was also difficult if his master was a Christian himself, because the master-slave relationship was maintained in Christian communities. Or it could happen that the slave held an important position in the church while the master was just an ordinary believer.

 

We don’t know exactly what tests and trials Apelles was put through. Whatever it was, Apelles endured it; and he endured it “in Christ.” The strength, courage and dignity that he found in Jesus carried him through.

You and I are also put to the test. Some tests can break you. Whatever your trials and tribulations, it would be good if you meet them “in Christ.” He can and wants to give you sources of strength far beyond your abilities, and they will enable you to pass every test.

 

Lord, my God, never let me flinch from facing the trials on my path, but let me take them on in the strength of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Respected! Read Romans 16:1-16

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did (Romans 16:7).

 

Not all gifted people make the headlines or covers of magazines. Some of them remain unknown. J.S. Bach was the organist in a small village congregation. Every week he composed a new music piece for that Sunday’s service. As soon as the service was over, the composition was set aside and forgotten. After his death, all the compositions were discovered and made available to the public. Bach lived and died a poor man - an unrecognized genius.

 

When you serve Christ, you don’t do it to become famous. You do it in obedience to Christ, in pure love for Him. Your greatest joy is to see Jesus’ name glorified.

 

Today there are respected and outstanding people all over the world who spread the gospel, and don’t give reward or recognition a thought. Some deliver impressive sermons, others compose outstanding music. Some teach little children about Jesus, and others care for the elderly. Some feel called to live in underdeveloped countries and pour their energy into uplifting the poor. Some nurse people in remote mission hospitals and others do the bookkeeping for Christian organizations. There are people who feel called to do pioneer mission work in dangerous places. Never stop thanking God for these “outstanding” people in His service and pray for those you know.

 

Loving Master, help me to serve You to the best of my ability without ever thinking of what I will gain by it. Amen.

When the Spring Goes Dry (Read Jeremiah 15:10-18)

Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry (Jeremiah 15:18).

 

When a water supply pipe in a big city breaks, it causes chaos and panic. For a few short hours the taps are dry and all the activities in the city are disrupted. Telephone lines are overloaded by anxious and furious people. When the wells in rural areas dry up, life is made very difficult.

 

Jeremiah was in the grip of problems and he started doubting God. He taught us earlier on that God is “the fountain of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13). Now he wondered if he was right. He was spiritually thirsty. Deep inside he started fearing the message he brought to others was now backfiring on him. Some of the watercourses and brooks streamed with water in Israel during the rainy season. But many of them were deceptive streams. They dried up quickly and when the scorching summer heat came and the people were desperate for water, they had nothing to offer. He feared that God was acting like one of those unreliable brooks.

 

Are you afraid that God is like a stream running dry in your life? God’s answer to Jeremiah was, “No, Jeremiah, I never run dry.” No matter how scorching the heat might be, some rivers are permanent and steady and never dry up. God is one of them. He is an endless supply of goodness, grace, and strength. He will renew you and provide for you and sustain you. He flows like an everlasting stream.

 

Everlasting God and Father, flow strongly again for all who fear that You might disappoint them. Amen.

He Has His Hands on You

To Whom Do You Belong (Read Jeremiah 15:10-18)

When I discovered Your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies (Jeremiah 15:16).

 

Many military commanding officers enjoyed widespread recognition for their ability to command their troops. Just think of Pompey, Alexander, Napoleon, Wellington and Eisenhower, to only name a few. The infantrymen were proud to be called “Wellington-men” or “Napoleon-men,” and so forth.

 

Jeremiah admitted that God was superior to all the gods and he often used the name “Lord God Almighty.” The name is of military origin and is often translated as “Lord of Hosts,” the hosts being the soldiers. When a war is waged today,a general is appointed over all the others. He is known as the commander in chief. To Jeremiah, the God of Israel was the commander in chief and he was extremely proud to be on the Lord’s side. He belonged to the Lord, the Commander in Chief not only of Israel, but the Almighty over all people.

 

You have a choice who you want to belong to. You can be satisfied with a lesser god, but if you are, you will be on the losing side. It would be better to join the army of the greatest Commander in Chief of all time. He has a perfect strategy, a master plan and the hosts He commands are always victorious. Only He knows exactly how strong the enemy is, but He is not impressed by it. He knows that He can appeal to faithful soldiers - not only all over the world, but also a host of invisible spiritual warriors who serve Him. His cause is just, His weapons are love and sacrifice and His final victory is certain.

 

Thank you, Jesus, that I may belong to You, now and forever. Amen.

Temptation (Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-24)

Temptation (Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-24)

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Nobody is safe against temptation. As you grow in the Christian faith, your confidence also grows, and eventually you think nothing can disturb your spiritual balance. This is an extremely dangerous way of thinking. If you think the fact that you are a devoted Christian exempts you from temptation, watch out, because that is the forerunner of being caught in the snare of pride.

The way to feel secure in the Christian life, and live it triumphantly, is to focus your thoughts and spirit on the Living Christ. There are subtle temptations you cannot overcome in your own strength. If you are more self-confident than Christ-confident, you are certainly heading for a fall.

The Spirit of Christ reveals the subtlety of temptation. When you come face to face with temptation, you might become weak and find a good reason to give in to it. Don't try to resist temptation in your own strength, but appeal to the Living Christ to stand by you and guide you. Temptation will back away from His truth and protective love.

The Holy Spirit of God will reveal the destructive power and foulness of sin to you to enable you to discern between truth and lies. He will give you the wisdom and ability to avoid and resist it.

Through the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, Holy Master, I am able to resist temptation. Amen.,

Oversensitive Read John 15:1-17

 

 “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from Me” (John 15:4).

 

Perhaps you are one of those unfortunate people who go through life and are very easily hurt. Perhaps you are so sensitive about what others say and think about you that your whole life has become nothing but continuous misery. If you allow this condition to continue, it could seriously affect your mental and spiritual health. What a challenging thought that this is your own responsibility.

 

God gave you the responsibility of choice. You choose your thoughts and attitudes yourself, and you determine whether you will live on the mountain peaks of hope or in the valleys of despair. You might think these conditions are created by circumstances or your specific situation, but on a much deeper level it is the power of your own thoughts that shape you into what you are.

 

This thought can be overwhelming if it isn’t colored by the awareness of a Higher Authority. As it is possible for your thoughts to control your actions, it is also possible for the Spirit of Christ to control your thoughts. When you welcome the Spirit into every part of your life, He takes control of your thinking and you discover that the petty things that hurt you, don’t have the power to harm you anymore. Christ’s Spirit inside you is bigger than any influence or insult.

 

Dear Savior, because You are in me, I am able to meet and overcome all negative and evil forces. Amen.

Prosperity and Abundance (Read Isaiah 32:9-20)

Prosperity and Abundance (Read Isaiah 32:9-20)

Until at last the Spirit is poured out on us from heaven. Then the wilderness will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops (Isaiah 32:15).

Most people dream about riches and luxury. They enter competitions with fabulous prizes, they buy lottery tickets, they purchase shares that they hope will rise sky-high, or they bet on the horses. They think their problems will be something of the past if they could only make more money. Some people are stuck with the consequences of these empty dreams for the rest of their lives - even if they possess enough to live comfortably.

In the Bible there is also a dream of wealth and luxury. It is the same as the dream of righteousness, peace and healed bodies. We read that it will happen when God pours out His Spirit over us. God's dream of prosperity is not that of incredible wealth in the hands of a privileged few, but an abundance of food so that everyone is nourished. God rejoices in human undertakings that flourish, especially if everyone benefits from it.

In the south of Israel, the desert is thriving where the abundant waters of the Galilean hills are canalized to the Negev desert. Farming is flourishing there, and in many parts of the world where relevant engineering is used, the sources of nature are being developed to the advantage of humankind.

Christians will hope, pray and work for a world in which there is enough for everybody. For this reason, they pray that the Spirit of God will act and bring about abundance as well as spiritual enrichment for all.

Where God Reigns (Read Isaiah 32:1-8)

Even the hotheads will be full of sense and understanding. Those who stammer will speak out plainly (Isaiah 32:4).

The issue of poor rulers is not the only thing that affects our sense of right or wrong. There are people around us with disabilities and inabilities. Some are blind, others stammer and yet others have mental impairments. When we meet such a person, or know one, we might feel that life is unfair and even wonder why God allows it.

The writers of the Bible clearly thought this was an abnormality that was not in keeping with God's plan for complete perfection. The prophets refused to despair. They argued that if things were not like they were supposed to be, God would intervene in His time and put everything right. That's why they dreamt of a golden age in the future where there would be peace, a good government, prosperity rather than poverty on earth, and that physically, all people would be perfect. God would make all these things happen when He came to rule over the universe as the one sovereign, unquestionable King.

It might sound like wishful thinking to talk about a perfect world. Don't be too quick to brush aside this thought. Jesus Christ taught us to pray for it: "Let Your Kingdom come! Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Dreaming and praying about it awakens hope in our hearts. And when we hope for it, we declare that God will make these things happen on earth one day. We hope and pray that He will.

You Are the Message (Read Isaiah 8:11-22)

Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD almighty (Isaiah 8:18 NIV).

Some years ago, one of the great Christian preachers died at a relatively young age: Dr. Will Sangster. He inspired large crowds with his preaching and many of his sermons appeared in book form. Thousands of people flocked to his meetings to hear the Word of God. After his death, his son wrote his life story. One of the remarkable things that impressed his son was that close to 1,400 people wrote to his widow after his death. A thousand of them did not mention the major sermons that had inspired them, but some insignificant act of love and compassion that had touched them. Brilliant as his sermons were, the person himself was a resounding message of God to others.

Isaiah means "The Lord will save." Sear-Jasub means "A remnant will return." Maher-Shalal-Hash-Bas means "Swift to plunder and quick to spoil." These were the names of Isaiah and his children, and Isaiah knew that he and his children were messengers of God. Irrespective of whether the king or the people wanted to listen to what they had to say, God spoke in any case through His presence in their midst. The prophet knew this and he also knew that it was even more important for him to live close to God so that the mission of his life - to direct people to God - would be effective.

You and I are also messengers of God. If you believe in Jesus and follow Him, you convey a message. It is not necessary to speak about religion all the time. However, make sure you pass on the message that God entrusted you with.

God's Presence Read Genesis 17:1-4

God's Presence

At this, Abram fell face down in the dust. Then God said to him, "This is My covenant with you" (Genesis 17:3-4).

There are people who speak with familiarity about God, as if their relationship with Him is one of friendship: "I didn't know if I should give my wife a book or a voucher, so I said, 'Lord, what do You think she'll like?'" One could be forgiven for thinking that these people see God as a voice on the other side of a spiritual cell phone.

Abraham didn't respond to God's declaration by saying, "That's fine with me, Lord. From now on we walk together, hand in hand." He knew that he was in the presence of the Almighty, Sovereign, Holy God. Abraham didn't jump up and down with joy; he didn't shout it from the rooftops; he didn't burst into song. He fell on his face in reverence for God, in speechless worship; in this way acknowledging that God is the Sovereign Authority in the universe. This response was also an indication that he submitted himself to God and to God's covenant; that he accepted God's will without question.

The Almighty God is not a pocket-god - something you keep in your pocket and take out when you have no one else to talk to. He is the Creator God, our Heavenly Father; King of kings; Savior of humanity. Be humble and respectful and react to His commands with worship and submission.

God's Covenant Read Genesis 17:1-8

"I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants" (Genesis 17:2).

In today's world, a covenant takes on many forms. Marriage is one and so is a legal contract; employment is another; the buying and selling of goods or services also involve a covenant. Some friendships have become so strong that it could be said that they are a covenant of mutual help and support.

There are three types of covenants or commitments in the Bible. The first is a one-sided covenant in which one party makes a covenant with another. The second is where one party demands a commitment from the other. In the third,both parties agree to a commitment. When God made His covenant with Abraham, it was the first type of covenant. It was not a matter of "I will, if you agree." God presented His covenant to Abraham God made it, and by making it He called on Abraham to respond to it and submit to it in obedience.

When Christ called you to be His disciple, He called you to become part of His covenant. Just as God promised Abraham many descendants, Jesus offers you His salvation, His love, His consolation and His hope. You may also make your covenant with Him by obeying Him, loving Him, glorifying Him and serving Him. Thus you hand complete control over to Him and you promise to serve Him through thick and thin, no matter what it takes and how difficult that task might be.

Wholesome Thinking Read 2 Peter 3:1-16

Saint James Assembly of Faith·Tuesday, November 8, 2016

 

This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory (2 Peter 3:1).

 

Not all thinking that takes place in Christian circles today is altogether clear or wholesome. Sometimes people choose a specific kind of spiritual experience because many believe in it. At other times, irrational fear mounts because of this experience. Some of the current religions do not have a truly biblical origin. Superstition sometimes sneaks into our thinking.

 

The early Christians were convinced that Jesus would return in their lifetime. When some died and it still hadn’t happened, it posed a problem for those who remained. Would Jesus ever come? Peter wanted to bring about calm and wisdom in these circumstances. His task was to lead people to green pastures and give them wholesome spiritual nourishment.

 

Make sure that you attend healthy teaching regularly, as it will stimulate wholesome thinking and good practices. Always ask if the teachings are in line with the comprehensive message of the Bible.

 

Do the congregants understand what they are being taught? Were the instructors delegated to do the job by a recognized Christian church or religious body? Does their teaching spur you on to spiritual growth or does it leave you more confused? Does it give Jesus all the glory or does it lead you into a dead-end street? If a new movement proclaims new ideas, are they truly Christian or is the aim to make money?

Guaranteed Future

“God’s Word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms the circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever.”

 

~ Rick Warren ~