How could I have missed it? I had read it, who knows how many times, but I never put it together. Jesus moved. He moved to Capernaum. But what I had missed was the reason why. John the Baptist had been preaching, preparing the way, until the day he was arrested. His message was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:2, NIV) When Jesus heard of his arrest, He made His move... into "the land of the shadow of death." (Matthew 4:16) The people "lived" in darkness; in a place where a great cloud of evil blocked the light of God, the truth of the message of God. It was as if John's arrest was the signal for Jesus to make His move.
The reason Jesus came to us was to bring light to those in darkness. John chapter 1 says, "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (vv. 4-5) John's message was a witness of what was to come. It was that "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." (v. 9) Jesus was that light.
When it comes to that "land of the shadow of death," we simply walk into it... walk through it. When we set up our "abode" among them, we are still just passing through. But it's our mission. After all WE are the body of Christ, who still goes into the darkness to rescue the lost. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.... In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14, 16, NIV) Everywhere we go, everywhere we live has it's share of "dark clouds" hiding the truth: some places more so than others.
Sometimes, in our day when fear and uncertainty invade our lives, we are tempted to bend to the pressure. If our "peace and security" has been based on our well planned and organized surroundings, our ability to "earn a living, and provide for the family," we are faced with the assault of the unsettled world. We have built our houses on a foundation of sand. It is now that we must build on the Rock. That fact that He allows us to consider such thing is evidence that we still have opportunity to come to Him. But we must hurry. We must refocus, regarding the purpose of our lives. "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12, NIV)
His purpose is our purpose. Jesus continues to take light to the darkness through His church. He has promised to be with us, to provide for us. (Matthew 28:20) Our hope and security, our peace of mind, is based on His presence. He is our Good Shepherd. In fulfilling the mission of taking this light to others, we can say "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." (Psalm 23:4, NIV) It is there where the people live in darkness, and it is there where our mission will take us. That valley is not our "time of death," of leaving this world. It is the time of LIFE, that others may have the opportunity to leave the darkness and come into the Light that gives eternal life. Focus on your mission... on HIS mission. And "fear no evil."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Why Should I Feel Discouraged?
God makes it very clear. His Word says, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 1:20, NIV) What more could we ask? Every promise God has made to us has a "pre-stamped" answer: "Yes! In Jesus' name." God has ordained it. Why should I feel discouraged when He has already promised His promises?
Now, we have a decision to make:
1) Do you accept this "promise of promises" unconditionally, and will you let God prove Himself? If you do, it will require that you do a "faithfulness check" of our own life. Are you living as if you believe as you say you do? Where you stand now, believer, is in the midst of opportunities that may not be comfortable, preferable, or desirable. Do you think God has not placed you here for a purpose. He has put you there to see if you will be faithful to your opportunity of service. Do not run from it. He has already answered His promises with a "Yes" to assure success and victory "right where you are." Don't think it will be any different for you somewhere else. Victory is not a matter of our circumstances, it is a matter of our hearts. His promises are for you, where you are now.
2) Do you accept this promise, but with certain conditions and limitations you have placed on God? He will not accept your conditions. You must measure up to His. Our failures in our service for Him are due to our failing to discover, accept and follow through with His promises. James said, essentially, "Sure you pray, and you do not receive what you pray for. Why is that? It is because you pray with your heart set on the wrong thing. You have wrong motives. You are looking for your own desires to be met instead of God's will to be done." (Personal paraphrase. See James 4:3) His promises are not for our selfish pleasure, but for His kingdom work.
If you choose this way, what difference is there, when it comes to accomplishing God's will, in your life and the person who simply does not believe? When it comes to effectiveness for the kingdom of God, there is no difference. Neither is productive. But God's Word points out a great difference in character. It calls such people "lukewarm." (see Revelation 3:15 ff) And He treats the "lukewarm" differently than He does the "cold." The "cold" have hope. The vast difference can help them hear God. The "lukewarm," however, have chosen to dwell in deeper blindness; and in that valley of shadows, there is less hope. The "appearance" of good tends to blinds them to the truth of God.
3) Do you just refuse His activity in your life, accepting none of His promises? If so, you are to be pitied, for His promises are the only way to life for eternity. They bring the purpose to your life that you have longed for. The reality of God, and the abundance of life that He brings are in His promises... and the answer to each one has already been given. It is "YES!" Don't let the work of the "lukewarm" Christian lead you down their paths. Don't listen to a voice that will lead you away from God. Trust God. Focus on Him.
Look back at your life. Does failure and disappointment seem to follow you wherever you go? It will continue to do so until you accept His offer. If you haven't trusted Him for salvation, today you can. If you have, trust the rest of His promises. There is where you will find your victory. Now is your best time. Search out His promises and trust Him. Christian, He puts you in the midst of difficulty desiring that you find victory where you are. Wonder no further. Answer your discouragement with His promises.
Now, we have a decision to make:
1) Do you accept this "promise of promises" unconditionally, and will you let God prove Himself? If you do, it will require that you do a "faithfulness check" of our own life. Are you living as if you believe as you say you do? Where you stand now, believer, is in the midst of opportunities that may not be comfortable, preferable, or desirable. Do you think God has not placed you here for a purpose. He has put you there to see if you will be faithful to your opportunity of service. Do not run from it. He has already answered His promises with a "Yes" to assure success and victory "right where you are." Don't think it will be any different for you somewhere else. Victory is not a matter of our circumstances, it is a matter of our hearts. His promises are for you, where you are now.
2) Do you accept this promise, but with certain conditions and limitations you have placed on God? He will not accept your conditions. You must measure up to His. Our failures in our service for Him are due to our failing to discover, accept and follow through with His promises. James said, essentially, "Sure you pray, and you do not receive what you pray for. Why is that? It is because you pray with your heart set on the wrong thing. You have wrong motives. You are looking for your own desires to be met instead of God's will to be done." (Personal paraphrase. See James 4:3) His promises are not for our selfish pleasure, but for His kingdom work.
If you choose this way, what difference is there, when it comes to accomplishing God's will, in your life and the person who simply does not believe? When it comes to effectiveness for the kingdom of God, there is no difference. Neither is productive. But God's Word points out a great difference in character. It calls such people "lukewarm." (see Revelation 3:15 ff) And He treats the "lukewarm" differently than He does the "cold." The "cold" have hope. The vast difference can help them hear God. The "lukewarm," however, have chosen to dwell in deeper blindness; and in that valley of shadows, there is less hope. The "appearance" of good tends to blinds them to the truth of God.
3) Do you just refuse His activity in your life, accepting none of His promises? If so, you are to be pitied, for His promises are the only way to life for eternity. They bring the purpose to your life that you have longed for. The reality of God, and the abundance of life that He brings are in His promises... and the answer to each one has already been given. It is "YES!" Don't let the work of the "lukewarm" Christian lead you down their paths. Don't listen to a voice that will lead you away from God. Trust God. Focus on Him.
Look back at your life. Does failure and disappointment seem to follow you wherever you go? It will continue to do so until you accept His offer. If you haven't trusted Him for salvation, today you can. If you have, trust the rest of His promises. There is where you will find your victory. Now is your best time. Search out His promises and trust Him. Christian, He puts you in the midst of difficulty desiring that you find victory where you are. Wonder no further. Answer your discouragement with His promises.
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