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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Could a Child Bring Dry Bones to Life?

"And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry."  (Ezekiel 37:2--ESV)

"
Very many" and "very dry"---   Have you felt like one of them in recent days/months/years?  Later we discover that the Lord God was speaking of the "whole house of Israel."  This is not unusual for the People of God, but certainly not enviable.  Why it happens could probably fill a library.  Yes, the context suggests that it is a lack of the Word and Holy Spirit, "So I prophesied (the Word) as he commanded me, and the breath (the Spirit) came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceeding great army."  But could there be something more we may have overlooked? 

I remember that every great spiritual revelation/move in my life was preceded and accompanied by a very childlike life style.  I was open, teachable, and when I encountered the "Word of the Lord," and saw Him at work, I responded with boundless enthusiasm.  Could it be that dryness comes when we "grow up," and are no longer a child before the Lord Jesus?  "
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."  Check your "childhood" status today.  It may hold the key to a great breakthrough.  Revival could be just a "child" away.

Father, in Jesus' Name, where I have gone too far, take me back, back to the childlike anticipation, trust, and wonder of a little child.  Amen.



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Friday, March 21, 2008

"Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed....For Such A Worm As I?"

"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.'"  (Luke 23:39)
 
That's exactly what Jesus was doing.  The poor thief did not realize that in Jesus' death was his life.  If Jesus had saved His Life, we would have lost ours.  His Life is Life.  His Life is our life.  The Judean border was just minutes away.  A few hours before, Jesus could have escaped the Jewish leaders, the Romans, all.  "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done."  It was, and you and I are "saved," forgiven of all sin, healed, made whole, delivered from judgment and the fires of Hell, and on our way to Heaven because our Savior, our King did not attempt to save His Life, or save face by demonstrating His Godhead Power in coming "down from the Cross."  Those were six very agonizing hours on that Roman cross, watching many of the people to whom He had shown love and compassion, now cowering in the background, disowning Him, fearful for their own lives-----and Father's Face, skies darkening, thunder------------ all because of me!  
 
But today, what of you and me?  I tell you that in the days ahead there will be others saying to us what was said to Peter in the cold air around that fire.  "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."  What will your response be?  Would else can my response be?--------

Alas! and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
      Would he devote that sacred head
      For such a worm as I?

[Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, thine,
And bathed in its own blood,
While all exposed to wrath divine
The glorious Suff'rer stood!]

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When God, the mighty Maker, died
For man, the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face,
While his dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'Tis all that I can do
.     !

 




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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Seek God Or Die

"Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers....Whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel was to be put to death...."  (2 Chronicles 15:12, 13) 

This was a tough church.  Seek God or die.  I know, someone is saying, "That's Old Testament"--- Right.  Face it, most today live as though the Bible is a good devotional book, self help, a sort of smorgasbord to choose how they live.  But seeking the Living Triune God revealed in Jesus Christ is no less a life or death matter today than it was in the time of Asa.  Everywhere you look in the Bible, seeking Jesus Christ is life's most important endeavor.  It was the "
one thing" David sought after.  It was the "one thing" which Jesus told Martha was "needful." It was the "one thing" which the Apostle Paul said was his driving ambition, motivation, and goal in life.  And in our text, a king, a politician, if you will, realized that the survival of his country was totally dependent on seeking the Living Triune God.  Tell me this isn't relevant to the nations of the world today! 

Salvation is solely in Jesus Christ.  His salvation is health, deliverance, protection, peace, and most importantly, it is fellowship now and eternally in the Blessed Trinity.  But make no mistake.  The salvation of governments and nations
also depends solely on Jesus Christ.  Only when I really understand this, will I understand the gravity of Asa's covenant.  It is not some king or spiritual leader who will kill us if we don't seek God.  We will kill ourselves.  The great promise of the Word is, "You who seek God, your hearts shall live."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I can think of no greater love command than to seek You.  Holy Spirit, remind me constantly.  Amen.



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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

How Good is Your Aim?

"Finally, brothers, rejoice.  Aim for restoration...."(2 Cor.  13:11--ESV)
 
The word here for, "restoration," means,  to "perfectly join, repair, adjust."  If we "aim for restoration," in marriages, local congregations, among cultures, and ultimately, the world community, a whole lot of "repair" and "adjustment" will be required.  Some people who read my stuff think that I don't like Arabs, Latinos, Blacks, Democrats, or women.  If that is true, then I don't like myself, because everything I share always speaks to my own need of "repair" first.  The Word of God applies to everyone on the planet.  There is just no dispensation for anyone based on "race, creed, national origin," or gender.
 
Restoration does not take place when everyone around you finally sees things your way.  It takes place when we are all "conformed to the image of His Son," Jesus Christ, and when His Word rules in us.  When our conformation is our gender, our race, our culture, our political party, anyone or anything other than Jesus and His Word, restoration is impossible.  But when Jesus rules in us, we can "aim for restoration" and hit the mark. 
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, deliver us all from any hidden prejudices which could blur our "aim."  Amen.



Monday, March 17, 2008

To Keep Going I Must Keep Remembering

"Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.  They did not remember His power...."  (Psalm 78:41, 42a)

If I don't "
remember His power," I will limit "the Holy One of Israel" in my life.  Forget the, "I can do all things;" forget, "And nothing shall be impossible to you."  That kind of power comes only to the one who remembers-------------- but remembers what?  Remember what He has already done in your life, yes.  But most of all, remember His Mighty Acts revealed in His Mighty Word.

To keep going, I must keep remembering. Jesus said, "
This do in remembrance of Me."  It is not a memorial remembrance.  It is a reminder remembrance, a remembrance of the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus, a "reminder-remembrance" of the overcoming power of His Life, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Return.  This is why we read the Scriptures daily.  New information will not save you.  Everything for living in this life and sealing your home in Heaven is already written for you.  Just keep reading, remembering, reminding.  If you do, the Limitless Living Triune God, revealed in Jesus Christ will be your limitless possibilities!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have limited You so much in my life.  Holy Spirit, today, bring the "all things" of Jesus to my remembrance.  Amen.

  



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