Senseless Slaughter

Jesus makes a way
to avert sudden destruction
from s.enseless s.laughter

Sacred Moments

Because God is Holy Holy Holy there really is a sacred moment of sharing in Christ's sufferings every time a believer ministers directly unto the LORD.

To begin: It is like when you bind the wound of another, you are doing it unto him through a physical act of love (Matt 25: 40). So too when you find a tangible way to help bear the burdens of another in love (1 Cor 13: 7), you are participating in bringing forth God's plan and purposes in their life. Rightly so, these physical-tangible deeds are noteable ways in which we may seek to fulfill God's commandments to actively love Him and to love others too (Matt 22: 37 - 40). Accordingly, we should ascribe greatness to his name because he daily grants to every human being an opportunity to show their love for him and others.

To continue: There is a lesser known privilege granted to the saints who love God first, above all else: that is to physically and tangibly suffer for the LORD (Phil 1.29). Yes, it is power of God at work inside them to willingly suffer on his behalf. This is no small feat inside the kingdom of God but born out of a great love for him, a genuine gratitude for his sacrifice, and a thankful heart for the gift of substitutionary atonement.

To explain: It is Jesus who suffered and died. He literally bore on his body all our sin, transgressions, pain, afflictions and disease (Isaiah 53: 3 - 5) in a physical-tangible way. On top of that he holds first hand knowledge of all our personal woes for he was despised, scarred, scared, scorned, rejected and more. How else can it be other than his act of substitutionary atonement deserves all praise, his perfect love demands our affections, and his wounds our tender human attentions. Therefore, let us not deny his personal need in this hour by turning a blind eye to his sufferings or deaf our ears to his cry Why have you forsaken me? . . . Ah! Do you hear the hammer even now, nailing his precious hand to the cross? I do hear that resounding throng of a hammer pound. It is nothing less than a direct blood-shedding blow taken on my behalf. Do you see him hanging on the cross with eyes of sorrow and his head hung low? I sometimes do when others are around reveling in lesser glories of mere human success. Quite truthfully he longs and patiently waits for my silent fellowship with him alone.

To encourage: Go ahead and take another sacred step forward. Go directly to him. Cast your eyes upon him for a sacred moment alone . . . you'll find hind in the Holy of Holies and just past the veil of focusing on temporal things. It's your calling, your walk of faith, and your heritage to minister directly to the LORD.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2: 9

To commission: Now go forth knowing Jesus Christ paid the price for you (Rom 5: 8). Nothing can separate you from the love of God and loving him (Rom 8: 35 - 39). Like the priests who have gone on before, you are invited to enter into the Holy of Holies and minister unto him. He likes to hear your praise and your small voice reminding him of what he has already done. Speak the truth in love to others. Speak the truth in love to Him -- for this sacred moment is hidden in Christ and meant to be found.

God Never Fails

Whenever Moses spent significant "quiet" time with God he began to reflect the glory of the LORD. And through every desert place of adversity, wherever he walked, Moses learned more fully the undenying fact that God is FAITHFUL!

Do you regularly spend face-to-face time looking into the eyes of your maker?

If not, please take time to examine each benefit . . . for as you spend real quality time gazing-up at Christ you will begin to shine like the stars, become more fully formed into his image, and reflect God's faithfulness?

Therefore, since He is FAITHFUL in everything (whether good, bad, or ugly), I too want to be faithful in all that I can. Good intentions are no longer enough for me. I want to do great feats for kingdom - - in and through every opportunity that God allows to cross my path - - and at the end of the day I want to look in the mirror and rejoice.

My cheer: I'm beginning to resemble him because he's always on my mind.

Short Course on Intercession

Biblical Text: Genesis 26 - 36
Main Character: 'the supplanter'.

His story goes something like this:
Jacob, when young, took advantage of his brother.
He crafted 'such a deal!' not to look like a steal, but instead of giving to others he chose to grab at a chance to make some wealth for himself.
The hidden cost was priceless; something money can't buy.
Something God calls precious; plus what is true and wise?
The way of brotherly love.

Don't you see the 'poor'[-idge] intentions had he?

1. Desiring wealth over love.

Don't you see what is hidden?

1. He gained earthly goods but lost brotherly love.
2. He got rich but it cost him everything; becoming emotionally broke.
3. He found wealth but lost relationship.

So What Now? I need my God to intervene.

Begin with Confession

Forgive me Lord for deceiving others. Forgive me Lord for lies. Forgive me Lord for seeking my own advantage. Forgive me Lord for greed. Forgive me Lord for hating my brother. Forgive me Lord for fearing for my own life!

2 Chronicles 7: 14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Follow a Truly Reformed Model of Pleading Prayer
Pray God's spoken word to you; speak aloud his guidance and clear direction. Humble yourself before him and tell of all his mighty deeds. Seek the Lord and make plain your requests. Remind God (and yourself) of his good promises.

• He is faithful to bring it to completion.
• He is not a liar.
• Every word of God proves true.

Genesis 32: 9 - 12

And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me,'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,' I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. Yet you have said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.'"

What happens at His Feet

At the feet of Jesus Christ there is wholeness. . . and at the feet of Jesus Christ there is healing. These are bold and trustworthy statements. Do you believe them?

Read the stories of healing found in Luke 8: 40 -56 and Matthew 15: 21 – 28. Take note that the first two individuals mentioned fell at Jesus’ feet and the third, a Caananite woman, came and knelt before him.

Why did these individuals humble themselves at his feet? Clearly at this point in time they recognized Jesus for who he is, the Son of God. With this revelation they placed their full trust in him. Moreover, it is through their actions that they acknowledge his Divine authority and show him the honor and respect due.

What did they find at Jesus’ feet? The answer is simple, yet multi-faceted. They received spiritual blessing and wholeness (i.e. the strengthening of their faith); physical healing; and they heard the words of Christ. Do you see, or has it been hidden from you, that when we fall at the feet of Jesus we are renewed by the very word of God? This is not new! (Hebrews 13:8). When Moses came into His Presence (e.g. into the tent of meeting) he spoke with God. . . this same intimate relationship with God is available to us today. In fact, the curtain has been torn for this purpose (Luke 23: 45). Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is our invitation. Through Christ we are invited to come before our King.

So the question is: Will you come into his presence, acknowledge him as King, and listen for his voice? It is there at his feet that we receive his spoken word to us which leads to the life abundant Jesus promised his followers.

What a wonderful promise we have in Isaiah 55: 11 that God’s word is totally trustworthy and true at all times.

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

What is his word to us today? Do you long to hear the words “Samuel, Samuel” spoken by Christ himself. God does have a plan.

The Invitation is forever printed in black and white:

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Are you intimately familiar with His Feet?

Picture in your mind the birth of a newborn child. Have tears of joy ever sprung to your eyes at the birth of a child? Do you see God’s mighty work? Did you take time to gaze upon the infant’s feet? What beauty! What love! Simeon and Anna too, like John the Baptist, knew what it meant to behold the Lamb of God as they held the Christ Child. They believed God’s revelation. They gazed upon the beauty of the Lord and caressed Him in their arms. Drawing near to his perfect feet (those that bring Good News) they knew of the Father’s great love.

Go quickly now. There's a clear picture of what Simeon and Anna intimately knew. It is found right there in Luke 2: 25 - 38.

Meditation on "Our Father"

Our Father, who art in heaven. . .

You are my Abba,
A Daddy God.

Daddy God . . .
I praise you,
For you gave me life.
It is by your hand that I live.
Job 12: 10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.

Daddy God . . .
I thank you,
For you give me eternal life.
It is through your Son Jesus Christ that I live.
John 10: 10b I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Daddy God . . .
There is none like you!
p.s. 119: 32 I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding.