Reflections and the future

And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, that He may take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people.

And the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.

And Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole, and if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of bronze [attentively, expectantly, with a steady and absorbing gaze], he lived. Numbers 21:7-9 AMP

The Israelites had again been complaining about their circumstances. They knew they had sinned. God gave them a way out of their circumstance - a way to live. They had to look, attentively and expectantly at what God had provided for them.

We are the same. We complain. We sin. We need to not look at our circumstances, but to look attentively and expectantly at what God has provided for us. An opportunity to have life, life forever.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],

In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:14-16

As 2015 ends and 2016 begins, we can reflect on many things that have happened, or not happened, within the year. One thing that I am reflecting on this year, is how often did I look to Jesus for help, and how often did I choose to wallow in self-pity, fear and doubt? How often did I let my devotion to Christ wain?

But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 

2 Corinthians 11:3 AMP

And furthermore when in those times of self-pity, fear and doubt, how long did it take me to shift my mind back to Jesus? How long did I let myself get distracted by the things that are not of God? 

Thankfully, by the grace of God, after time reading His word, prayer and worship I was eventually able to return to that place of looking to Jesus. And then His peace returned to my mind.

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

In 2016 I know there will be times of that self pity, fear and doubt, but my prayer is that they will be fewer, and I will be quicker to return my focus to Jesus. 

Question for today, when you reflect on 2015 and the place you gave Jesus in your life, how would you like to see that change in 2016? Let's take a moment now to ask God to help us with that change in 2016. We cannot make that change alone, rather only under His guidance and in His strength.

​THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 AMP

In the wilderness

In the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God] came to John son of Zachariah in the wilderness (desert). Luke 3:2 AMP

Where was John when he heard from God about salvation through Christ? He was in the wilderness. We all have times in our lives when our life seems like the wilderness - overwhelmed with circumstances, directionless, obstacles everywhere we look. 

We don't normally choose to go into the wilderness, as Jesus did after He was baptised by John in the Jordan. 

Immediately the [Holy] Spirit [from within] drove Him out into the wilderness (desert). And He stayed in the wilderness (desert) forty days, being tempted [all the while] by Satan; Mark 1:12-13a AMP

We then read how the devil tried and tested Jesus. But we also read that He was not alone in the wilderness. 

and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him [continually]. Mark 1:13b AMP

For us, it may seem as though we have stumbled into the wilderness. It is difficult at the time to see it as part of a bigger picture that God has for our lives, and often the lives of others. God can do wonderful things in us and for us when we are in the wilderness. 

Marvelous things did He in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan [where Pharoah resided]. He divided the [Red] Sea and caused them to pass through it, and He made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime also He led them with a [pillar of] cloud and all the night with a light of fire. He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as out of the deep. He brought streams also out of the rock [as Rephidim and Kadesh] and caused waters to run down like rivers. Psalm 78:12-16 AMP

Our challenge is to lift our eyes off our circumstances in the wilderness long enough, to see what God is doing. And to remember what He has done. Not like the Israelites.

They remembered not [seriously the miracles of the working of] His hand, nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy, how He wrought His miracles in Egypt and His wonders in the field of Zoan [where Pharoah resided] Psalm 78:42-43 AMP

Our challenge, when in the wilderness, is to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit. Listen and obey His direction for our lives.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as [happened] in the rebellion [of Israel] and their provocation and embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness Hebrews 3:7-8 AMP

Questions for today, does it seem like you are in the wilderness, alone, with no one to help you? Why not take some time right now to call out to God and ask Him to help you see His provision for you? 

Do you want to hear from God as John did? Why not right now, stop, be still, and listen. Wait for the revelation to come. 

Does the situation seem hopeless, with no good to come from it? Again, why not ask God to help you trust Him, and fill you with confidence in Christ.

And Moses certainly was faithful in the administration of all God's house [but it was only] as a ministering servant. [In his entire ministry he was but] a testimony to the things which were to be spoken [the revelations to be given afterward in Christ]. But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father's] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. Hebrews 3:5-6 AMP

So God created man

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 AMP

We are all made in the image of God, whether we choose to believe in Him or not. Recently I have been reading a book that has been challenging my thoughts about church and it's reflection of God's love for people. All the people He created, not just the ones that are inside the church. Not just the ones that are outside the church living 'respectful' lives. Not just the people who are 'similar' to us. But all people. Here is some of what this book, 'Crossing the chasm' by Kent Hodge has to say about this,

"We need a reviewed view of the church. We have had a Western view, a church in so many ways attached to Western culture and to our social traditions. We feel that if we open our doors to others too wide we will lose this. We forget that today the strongest growing Christian populations are in countries like India and China and in parts of Africa and South America. Western culture is not the equivalent of Christianity, despite the many benefits from its Christian heritage." P24

This statement can be challenging to us who have lived in a comfortable white middle class society for most of our lives. It can be challenging for our children who have listened to and seen the news and heard commentary about other religions. Yesterday, on Christmas Day, the celebration of Jesus birth, our family had an opportunity to step out of that comfort zone and mix in the caravan park with families of another faith. The mixing was initiated via a game of soccer. During the soccer game one of our children was injured. The love and care that was shown to our child helped our children to breakdown the stereo-typical image that had been built up in their minds from media reports. Kent Hodge talks about this in his book,

"As a young boy growing up in Sydney, I was bullied at school for having what people in those days derogatively referred to as a "WOG" friend (a friend from Italy). I didn't mind, because my friend's father cooked good fish and chips for us! Now, the social 'phobias' are against Middle Easterners, Muslims, sinners, or those of different classes. We really need to change, to open up and to see people as Christ sees them. Then, our churches will begin to look more like Jesus' mission: "Go out into the highways and byways and compel them ALL to come in." The separation of nations at the Tower of Babel has been overcome by Christ and Pentecost. We now live in a new world, where Christ's kingdom is breaking through in people's hearts." p 26

Due to various circumstances our 2015 Christmas Day celebrations had shifted from our normal white middle class world, and I am now so grateful that they did, because what God did in all of our hearts last night, could not have been done in any other way. He taught each of us a little more about the reason Jesus came to this earth all those years ago. He opened our hearts to see people more the way that He sees us all, with love. We could never have foreseen that blessing on our Christmas Day.

For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike].

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His ways (His methods, His paths)! Romans 11:32-33

Our challenge now is to keep growing in that understanding, looking for more ways to learn about God's love for all people, and ways to show His love to all people. To indeed grow in our understanding and ability to live out of these scriptures,

Jesus answered, The first and principal one of all commands is: Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord;

And you shall love the Lord your Godout of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul (yourlife) and out of and with all your mind (withyour faculty of thought and your moral understanding) and out of and with all your strength.This is the first and principal commandment.

The second is like it and is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31

Let's take time today to ask God to show us what He wants us to learn about His love for everyone that He has created on this earth. And then take it one step further and demonstrate His love.

May the Lord direct your hearts into [realizing and showing] the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ and in waiting for His return. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 AMP

Make a joyful noise

Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth; Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise glorious! Psalm 66:1-2 AMP

Today and tomorrow all around the earth there will be a joyful noise made unto God. A declaration sung of God's love, His grace, His authority and power. This Psalm goes on to say,

Say to God, How awesome and fearfully glorious are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power shall Your enemies submit themselves to You [with feigned and reluctant obedience]. All the earth shall bow down to You and sing [praises] to You; they shall praise Your name in song. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 66:3-4 AMP

I once heard a Pastor say that he regularly prayed that, some people he knew that didn't know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, would 'see God'. The Holy Spirit has since prompted me to pray a similar prayer, especially those in the midst of very difficult circumstances, that they would see God in the midst of those circumstances. 

But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honour because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favour) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for every individual person. Hebrews 2:9 AMP

My prayer is that they would sense Jesus' love for them despite their pain and loss. That they would start to know that He understands their pain.

For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. Hebrews 2:18 AMP

I know how hard it can be to make a joyful noise unto God when everything around you is making anything but joyful sounds. But that is what God tells us to do - count it all joy - and doing exactly that creates a pathway to maturity and peace.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 The Message

I know too that sometimes it can be a long very windy pathway, but sticking to the path and sticking with Jesus brings its own eternal rewards, and enables us to come to the place where we truly can say 'How awesome and fearfully glorious are Your works.'

Question for today, as we make a joyful noise today or tomorrow in celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, let's make each word a declaration from our heart of His goodness. And let's pray for those in our world who are yet to make that declaration, that they will see and receive the love of Jesus.

All together now - applause for God!

Sing songs to the tune of his glory,

set glory to the rhythms of his praise.

Say of God, "We've never seen anything like him!"

When your enemies see you in action,

they slink off like scolded dogs.

The whole earth falls to its knees-

it worships you, sings to you,

can't stop enjoying your name and fame.

Psalm 66:1-4 The Message

Let's remember who God is

And they [earnestly] remembered that God was their Rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer. Psalm 78:35 AMP

Today let's take a few moments to read some other scriptures that help us remember who God is. He is the First and the Last.

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6 AMP

There is no other God aside from Him. He created us. He created the heavens and the earth.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer; and He Who formed you from the womb; I am the Lord, Who made all things, Who alone stretched out the heavens, Who spread out the earth by Myself [who was with Me]? Isaiah 44:24 AMP

He is our Saviour.

Yes I am the Lord your God from [the time you became a nation in] the land of Egypt, and you shall know or recognise no God but Me, for there is no Saviour besides Me. Hosea 13:4 AMP

Our Saviour - Jesus, the Son of God, whose birth on this earth we will celebrate in three days time.

She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Saviour], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. Matthew 1:21 AMP

Let's not be like the Israelites in the wilderness, who forgot ....

But they hastily forgot His works; they did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires] in the desert. Psalm 106:13 AMP

And made their own idol ...

They made a calf in Horeb and worshipped a molten image. Thus they exchanged Him Who was their Glory for an image of an ox that eats grass [they traded their Honor for the image of a calf]! They forgot God their Saviour, Who had done such great things in Egypt, Psalm 106:19-21 AMP

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to be our Saviour. Please forgive us when we forget what You have done for us. Please forgive us when we put other things or people in front of You. Please help us to remember that You are the First and the Last, you are our Creator. Please help us to remember Jesus, our Saviour. Please help us to live the way You want us to live, as Your vessels on this earth. Amen

For the grace of God (His unmerited favour and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldy (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realisation of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be pecularily His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. Titus 2:11-14 AMP

She who believed

And blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 AMP

As I re-read the story of Jesus birth my thoughts turn to Mary and how the whole "event" would have been for her. Starting with the visit from the angel Gabriel telling her that she will become pregnant, but not by 'normal' means. How trusting is she when she replies to the angel,

Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. Luke 1:38 AMP

The Message bible puts it this way,

And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.  Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 The Message

I wonder if I had been Mary, would I have had the trust to listen and the faith to believe what the angel said? How different was her response to Zachariah who had had a visit from the angel Gabriel a few months before? When Gabriel told Zachariah that his elderly wife Elizabeth will bear a son, Zachariah replied,

By what shall I know and be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.
Luke 1:18 AMP

He doubts and questions Gabriel's message and authority. So Gabriel states his authority quite clearly,

And the angel replied to him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent to talk to you and to bring you this good news. Luke 1:19 AMP

And furthermore the angel Gabriel gifts Zachariah with the opportunity to be silent and ponder more on who God is and what He is doing.

Now behold, you will be and will continue to be silent and not able to speak till the day when these things take place, because you have not believed what I told you; but my words are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time. Luke 1:20 AMP

What a contrast to Mary, who, although initially afraid of the angel, was ready to believe and ready to serve. It makes me wonder what sort of relationship she had with God before this visitation. We know that Zachariah was serving as a priest. But we know little of Mary's background, other than she was a girl who had never been married and she was a virgin. However, when we read her response to Elizabeth, Zachariah's wife, we can see she had a great understanding of God and His heart, purpose and love.

And Mary said, My soul magnifies and extols the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour, for He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations [of all ages] will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied!

For He Who is almighty has done great things for me - and holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty and glory]! And His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. 

He has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and designs of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree. He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty-handed [without a gift].

He has laid hold of His servant Israel [to help him, to espouse his cause], in remembrance of His mercy, even as He promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Luke 1:46-55 AMP

Question for today, has God spoken to you about something that will come to pass, and are you having difficulty believing what He said? Let's ask God to help us to be more like Mary, to trust Him enough that we can be ready to serve and let God have His way in our lives.

There is one more thing about Mary that I wanted to highlight. It relates to what Mary did (or actually didn't do) when the shepherds came to visit Jesus.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.

And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, and all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart. 

Luke 2:15-19 AMP

Mary heard from God via His angel, she believed what He said, she obeyed Him. She could have shouted the news from the roof tops, as it was very good news! But no, she didn't, rather she showed restraint and wisdom, letting God be in complete control of His plan including His timing and method of communication of this great news. How important was Mary's wisdom when we read of in Matthew, of Herod's plan to destroy Jesus.

So today, let's ask God to give us wisdom when He speaks to us about His plans. Wisdom to know what to share, when to share and to whom to share with. 

A shelter and a refuge

For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary. Psalm 61:3 AMP

Sometimes when a storm comes into our lives, we are in the shelter, seemingly untouched by the storm, but able to see the damage it is doing around us. Other times there appears to be no shelter and the impact of the storm penetrates our heart. At the precise moment the storm hits it appears that there is no escaping it. We are hit by it's full force. And it hurts. Really hurts.

We can't live in denial, the storms do come. They can cause deep deep pain, pain that seems like it will never go away. I am not an expert on grief, but I know someone who is. Someone that we can call out to when we are in pain. Someone that will help guide us through the pain.

God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. When I'm far from anywhere, down to my last gasp, I call out, "Guide me up High Rock Mountain!"

Psalm 61:1-2 The Message

And what's more He doesn't work 9 to 5. He doesn't have specific office hours. He is always available.

You've always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, a lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. Psalm 3-4 The Message

And no matter how many people call out to Him, there is never a queue. We don't have to wait to be heard. He can talk to us all at the same time! Can't quite get my head around that.

Furthermore He doesn't charge for His wisdom and advice. His Son already paid the price so we could freely come to Him.

Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. Matthew 20:28 AMP

Question for today, have you been in a storm recently seemingly without shelter, and there is hurt and pain to process? Why not take time today to talk to your always available, always loving Heavenly Father, asking Him to help you navigate through the pain. He wants to be our shelter and refuge. He is a safe place to be.

My help and glory are in God - granite-strength and safe-harbour-God - So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.

Psalm 62:7 The Message