A number of years ago, Los Angeles used to have a major pollution problem. For those of you that weren't around during that time - it was really bad. Visibility was like a hot fog that hung over the city and the issue of breathing was a major concern. Denise's granpa used to joke around by saying - "I I don't like to breathe anything I can't see." I thought that was funny.
In order to deal with the problem the City Of Los Angeles paid a huge amount of money for a 'study' to be made on how to clean the pollution problem. After many month and thousands of dollars they came back with their findings. In front of TV camera's, newspaper reporters - the person in charge simply said, "We don't know what to do. They only thing to fix this is that a wind needs to come from elsewhere and blow all this pollution away."
I've thought about that a lot - "a wind from elsewhere" aka - The WIND Of The Holy Spirit.
It's interesting in the Bible - the word SPIRIT is mentioned more than 800 times.
In the OT, the Hebrew word is RUWACH, which literally means “a violent exhalation, a blast of breath, a strong wind.”
In The New Testament, the Greek word for this same kind of breath is PNEUMA, which translates “a breath or wind, a current of air, a strong breeze.”
If the Holy Spirit is like breath or wind – then let’s think through the characteristics of wind and perhaps we can gain a clearer, more concrete idea of who the Spirit is and His role in our lives.
INVISIBLE WIND
Wind is something we feel and experience but don’t see. While we can observe its effects and see its impact on leaves and trees, kites and windmills, we never actually see the wind itself.
But the fact that we can’t see it doesn’t keep us from acknowledging it as a reality.
Similarly, we must realize that while the Spirit can’t be seen, He can be felt, experienced and observed in action.
Have you ever been in a service and can just feel that something is different in the service?
People get frustrated sometimes because we can’t quantify and objectify the Spirit; we can’t catch Him and take Him apart and study Him in a scientific way.
Instead, we must rely on faith. The Bible defines faith this way:
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
UNPREDICTABLE WIND
From the cool summer breeze that caresses us on a front porch swing to the furious tornado whipping at more than 100 miles per hour, we know that wind changes speed and direction frequently.
Despite the best efforts of our weather satellites and Doppler-radar reporters, we still experience the unpredictability of the wind. It goes where it wants.
The Holy Spirit moves in different ways as well. In fact, there’s one instance in the scripture where English translators use the word wind instead of spirit.
Jesus told the Pharisee Nicodemus…
John 3:8 (NIV) The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Wind – PNEUMA – This wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from where it is going.
So… it is with everyone born of the Spirit (John 3:8).
Jesus made it explicitly clear that the Holy Spirit moves like the wind – a seemingly unknowable way. This unpredictability makes a lot of us uncomfortable.
Most people like everything orderly and it ins place. Yet the Spirit wind can blow through and quickly change that order.
If this quality makes us so uncomfortable, they why does it seem to be a key part of the Spirit’s essence?
I suspect if He were predictable, then we’d put our trust in a system – the structure, the kind of cause-and-effect behavior that leads to legalism rather than relationship.
If we could consistently predict the Spirit’s movement, then we would figure out a way to accomplish things without Him.
God wants us to depend on Him and interact with Him on a daily, ongoing basis.
To receive all He has for you, you’ll have to get comfortable with the unexpected and unpredictable. You’ll have to rely on Him instead of just what your senses, scientific method or research experts tell you. You’ll have to accept mystery as part of the relationship.
POWERFUL WIND
Wind can generate electricity, sail a ship or destroy an entire city. Wind has power.
At the heart of it all, the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, is about power – supernatural power.
This kind of divine, unseen, unpredictable power has been part of our faith since Pentecost.
In 19th-century America, revivalist Charles Finney, whose ministry reportedly led more than 500,000 people to Christ, was a major leader in the Second Great Awakening. While training to be a lawyer, Finney became intellectually curious about Christ but resisted turning his life over to God for a long time. However, he eventually felt so drawn to the Spirit that he could no longer resist. He later described his first encounter with God’s Spirit like this: “The Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love; for I could not express it any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God.”
All of us want that kind of power in our lives, even if we think it’s easier to serve God on a merely intellectual level.
If we can contain something in our thoughts, understand and analyze it, then we feel like we have at least some control over it.
If we truly want to experience a breath of fresh air in every area of our lives, we have to allow God’s breath to resuscitate us.
I’ve been serving the Lord all my life and I have found out that if there’s anything we need to do – it’s to not hold back with God. We need to go all in.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
As you consider how to let go of your own fears and misperceptions of God’s Spirit, imagine that you’re wading away from the shore of self into the open water of God’s love.
Ezekiel 47:3-5 (NIV) As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in--a river that no one could cross.
God calls us to let go of our attempts to control and find the place where He directs us.
In the shallow water, we tend to feel in control because we can touch bottom. But in the middle, God invites us to swim, to immerse ourselves in all that He has for us.
Many of us prefer just to wade in the river, experiencing some of God’s mystery while staying in control by keeping our feet firmly on the river bottom.
Yet the Spirit of God invites us to go from an ankle-deep faith to one that’s knee-deep, then waist deep, and finally to one which we can no longer touchy the bottom at all.
It’s a faith where we dive into the middle and swim in the powerful current of God’s love and joy.
So many people are afraid to jump in because they want to stay in control. But the truth is - none of can ultimately control our lives, nor do we really want to try.
We long for the safety of our Father’s arms and the intimate friendship of His Spirit. I dare you to go for what you long for most. I challenge you to put yourself on a spiritual adventure where you experience the breath of God’s spriit filling your sails.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
A DEVOTIONAL FROM HOSEA 14:4-7
A dear friend of mine, Robin John, wrote me the other day with something God had put on his heart in regards to me and my life. I think it is worthy of blogging on this morning and might be a help to others who read these blogs. Notice the passage from Hosea 14:4-7.
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:4-7 NKJV)
Let's break this down a bit:
- "I will love them freely" - The Message Bible states it this way - "I will love them lavishly." Think about that statement and the fact that you are loved by God in this manner.
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremiah 31:3 ESV)
- "For My anger has turned away from him" - Think about that - God has turned His anger away from you. He has completely forgiven you.
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:15, 17 ESV)
ALL that you've done in the past is now in the past. God has forgiven you completely and chooses to dwell in your midst right now.
- "I will be the like the dew of Israel" - I wrote yesterday about how dew brings a refreshing to the earth. It is the same with God's Word. Every morning I am refreshed from spending time in The Word and it penetrates (just like dew) my spiritual ground.
The Bible teaches that we will receive a fresh anointing every day (Psalm 92:1). The Holy Spirit is desiring to come into your life and fill you with His presence on a daily basis.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; (Psalm 45:7 ESV)
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (1 John 2:20 ESV)
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2:27 ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV)
- "He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree" - This is a healthy growing plant or tree. It is one who is growing and spreading. It is a look of God wants each of us to live our lives in the spiritual realm - with much growth and much health.
But (the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly) his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:2-3 ESV)
- "HE will lengthen your roots" - This speaks of greater stability and favor in the ministry that The Lord has called you. You will be marvelled and imitated by many and you won't get worn out easily or frustrated because you will be strongly rooted in the ways of The Lord.
There will be more and more stability and favor in the ministry the LORD has called you (marveled and imitated by many), so that you would never get easily worn out or frustrated because you are strongly rooted in the LORD.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7 ESV)
- "His branches shall spread" - God will make your branches spread by enlarging your borders to the extent of influencing people. You will be a shade to many and you will walk in the ways of the LORD.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. (Isaiah 54:2-3 ESV)
- "His beauty shall be like an olive tree" - Olive trees are a vital part of the Israel landscape. Every part of the tree is used - the olives, the oil, the wood from the tree. This passage state that HE (God) will make you beautiful like an Olive tree speaking of fruitfulness and productivity.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:8 ESV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:3 ESV)
- "And his fragrance like Lebannon" - Your fragrance will be like a sweet aroma unto the LORD which would draw people to you and you would in turn point them to the LORD JESUS.
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, (2 Corinthians 2:14-15 ESV)
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3 ESV)
"Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon" - Those who dwell under your shadow or being ministered through you will return to the LORD, be Revived and Spiritually grow and be blessed like the Vine and bear good fruit and lasting fruit.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 ESV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16 ESV)
Have a blessed and fruitful day!
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:4-7 NKJV)
Let's break this down a bit:
- "I will love them freely" - The Message Bible states it this way - "I will love them lavishly." Think about that statement and the fact that you are loved by God in this manner.
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremiah 31:3 ESV)
- "For My anger has turned away from him" - Think about that - God has turned His anger away from you. He has completely forgiven you.
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:15, 17 ESV)
ALL that you've done in the past is now in the past. God has forgiven you completely and chooses to dwell in your midst right now.
- "I will be the like the dew of Israel" - I wrote yesterday about how dew brings a refreshing to the earth. It is the same with God's Word. Every morning I am refreshed from spending time in The Word and it penetrates (just like dew) my spiritual ground.
The Bible teaches that we will receive a fresh anointing every day (Psalm 92:1). The Holy Spirit is desiring to come into your life and fill you with His presence on a daily basis.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; (Psalm 45:7 ESV)
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (1 John 2:20 ESV)
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2:27 ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV)
- "He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree" - This is a healthy growing plant or tree. It is one who is growing and spreading. It is a look of God wants each of us to live our lives in the spiritual realm - with much growth and much health.
But (the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly) his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:2-3 ESV)
- "HE will lengthen your roots" - This speaks of greater stability and favor in the ministry that The Lord has called you. You will be marvelled and imitated by many and you won't get worn out easily or frustrated because you will be strongly rooted in the ways of The Lord.
There will be more and more stability and favor in the ministry the LORD has called you (marveled and imitated by many), so that you would never get easily worn out or frustrated because you are strongly rooted in the LORD.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7 ESV)
- "His branches shall spread" - God will make your branches spread by enlarging your borders to the extent of influencing people. You will be a shade to many and you will walk in the ways of the LORD.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. (Isaiah 54:2-3 ESV)
- "His beauty shall be like an olive tree" - Olive trees are a vital part of the Israel landscape. Every part of the tree is used - the olives, the oil, the wood from the tree. This passage state that HE (God) will make you beautiful like an Olive tree speaking of fruitfulness and productivity.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:8 ESV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:3 ESV)
- "And his fragrance like Lebannon" - Your fragrance will be like a sweet aroma unto the LORD which would draw people to you and you would in turn point them to the LORD JESUS.
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, (2 Corinthians 2:14-15 ESV)
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3 ESV)
"Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon" - Those who dwell under your shadow or being ministered through you will return to the LORD, be Revived and Spiritually grow and be blessed like the Vine and bear good fruit and lasting fruit.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 ESV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16 ESV)
Have a blessed and fruitful day!
Monday, September 8, 2014
THE DEW FROM HEAVEN
“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:4-7 NIV)
Today I want to talk to you about a salvation experience that is not marked by spiritual downpours of joy, but by the dew of heaven saturating and penetrating your soul and your walk with God. So many times we are looking for those great downpours from heaven which often comes like the summer rain when we should be looking for that gentle constant dew from heaven that continues to fill our souls with the blessings of heaven.
In this text in Hosea, God says He will be as the dew to Israel, and more especially to backslidden Israel when they have returned to Him.
Dew is used in the scriptures as an example of the blessing of God. Isaac prophetically pronounced a blessing over Jacob that included dew:
Ge 27:27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son [is] as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
Ge 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
In an arid climate, moisture is an especially valued commodity. The dew Isaac spoke of is the, "dew of heaven," in a desert land all water is believed to be God given. So when He gives it, it is viewed as a blessing and a sign of His favor.
Dew withheld, likewise, is considered a curse or judgment:
1Ki 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Hag 1:9-11 Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed [from] her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land...
Dew is used as an example of being blessed by the word:
Too many Christians get hung up wanting, "Showers of Blessing," and don’t understand the value and greatness of the, "Dew of Heaven". So to help with that lets talk about some of the qualities of dew and how they relate to a real and genuine work of the Holy Spirit.
Notice the following about dew...
1- Dew falls silently.
Commenting on dew, Spurgeon said, "You will notice, first of all, that grace, like the dew, often comes down imperceptibly into man’s heart. When did the dew tell us that it was about to fall? Who ever heard the footsteps of the dew coming down upon the meadow grass? Who ever knew when it was descending? We see it when it has fallen; but who saw it come? And so with Christianity: it is very often imperceptible in its operations."
A scripture that comes to mind is in Luke 24, and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They meet Jesus and converse with Him for quite a while and don’t realize who it is. Later their eyes are opened, He leaves, and when rehearsing the event among themselves, they realized the whole time He was there and opening the scriptures to them, their hearts were burning. (My doctrine shall distill as the dew.) Spending time in the word, allows the dew of heaven to saturate you in ways that may not be perceptible at first.
One more point about the validity of dew like experiences in God. Some people think that only loud and exuberant worship is genuine, a scriptural example would be:
Ps 47:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
But the next example is just as valid an experience in God:
Ex 34:8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
It is not the volume that matters to God, but the sincerity of heart. It’s not about whether or not you lift your hands during worship. A quiet person can worship, as great or greater, than the loudest singer in church. In fact Jesus described some of those outspoken worshippers as complete frauds. (Mt. 23:14)
2 - Dew is cooling and refreshing to the tenderest of plants.
As opposed to the potential dangers of a torrential downpour. The drooping plant it will be revived, without being overwhelmed. The root systems on some plants can’t handle a downpour, additionally dew often satiates more completely. It feeds, it produces growth, it sustains, it completely satisfies the plants needs without overwhelming.
3- Dew is penetrative.
A visitor to Mt. Hermon said the dew penetrated everyone and everything and saturated everything, the floor of the tent was soaked, their beds were covered, guns were dripping and dew drops hung everywhere. The area around Mt. Hermon is drought stricken yet its base is clad with beautiful orchards and gardens, because of the dew in that area.
"Mr. Maundrell says that "with this dew, even in dry weather, their tents were as wet as if it had rained the whole night." (Clarkes commentary). Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s dew to meet your needs as fully as His downpours!
4- Dew usually falls in times of low visibility.
It falls most generally in the pre-dawn hours, while men are asleep, and at the darkest part of the night. Even in our dark times God is moving. Even when we can’t see the hand of God, His dew is forming and moisturizing in unseen and quiet ways.
The dew of heaven is just as important and valid as the rivers of living water. Sometimes we overlook this phenomenom in the Kingdom of God by always looking for the loudest, most boistrous, most outgoing ministries when in essence God is bringing His gentle Holy Spirit in the form of dew on an everyday basis. The Holy Spirit is with us - even we don't see it or even when we don't feel it. Trust God today that He is with you and that He will never ever leave or forsake you. And, even when thing seem dark and tough - God is still moving and ministering on your behalf.
Today I want to talk to you about a salvation experience that is not marked by spiritual downpours of joy, but by the dew of heaven saturating and penetrating your soul and your walk with God. So many times we are looking for those great downpours from heaven which often comes like the summer rain when we should be looking for that gentle constant dew from heaven that continues to fill our souls with the blessings of heaven.
In this text in Hosea, God says He will be as the dew to Israel, and more especially to backslidden Israel when they have returned to Him.
Dew is used in the scriptures as an example of the blessing of God. Isaac prophetically pronounced a blessing over Jacob that included dew:
Ge 27:27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son [is] as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
Ge 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
In an arid climate, moisture is an especially valued commodity. The dew Isaac spoke of is the, "dew of heaven," in a desert land all water is believed to be God given. So when He gives it, it is viewed as a blessing and a sign of His favor.
Dew withheld, likewise, is considered a curse or judgment:
1Ki 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Hag 1:9-11 Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed [from] her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land...
Dew is used as an example of being blessed by the word:
Too many Christians get hung up wanting, "Showers of Blessing," and don’t understand the value and greatness of the, "Dew of Heaven". So to help with that lets talk about some of the qualities of dew and how they relate to a real and genuine work of the Holy Spirit.
Notice the following about dew...
1- Dew falls silently.
Commenting on dew, Spurgeon said, "You will notice, first of all, that grace, like the dew, often comes down imperceptibly into man’s heart. When did the dew tell us that it was about to fall? Who ever heard the footsteps of the dew coming down upon the meadow grass? Who ever knew when it was descending? We see it when it has fallen; but who saw it come? And so with Christianity: it is very often imperceptible in its operations."
A scripture that comes to mind is in Luke 24, and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They meet Jesus and converse with Him for quite a while and don’t realize who it is. Later their eyes are opened, He leaves, and when rehearsing the event among themselves, they realized the whole time He was there and opening the scriptures to them, their hearts were burning. (My doctrine shall distill as the dew.) Spending time in the word, allows the dew of heaven to saturate you in ways that may not be perceptible at first.
One more point about the validity of dew like experiences in God. Some people think that only loud and exuberant worship is genuine, a scriptural example would be:
Ps 47:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
But the next example is just as valid an experience in God:
Ex 34:8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
It is not the volume that matters to God, but the sincerity of heart. It’s not about whether or not you lift your hands during worship. A quiet person can worship, as great or greater, than the loudest singer in church. In fact Jesus described some of those outspoken worshippers as complete frauds. (Mt. 23:14)
2 - Dew is cooling and refreshing to the tenderest of plants.
As opposed to the potential dangers of a torrential downpour. The drooping plant it will be revived, without being overwhelmed. The root systems on some plants can’t handle a downpour, additionally dew often satiates more completely. It feeds, it produces growth, it sustains, it completely satisfies the plants needs without overwhelming.
3- Dew is penetrative.
A visitor to Mt. Hermon said the dew penetrated everyone and everything and saturated everything, the floor of the tent was soaked, their beds were covered, guns were dripping and dew drops hung everywhere. The area around Mt. Hermon is drought stricken yet its base is clad with beautiful orchards and gardens, because of the dew in that area.
"Mr. Maundrell says that "with this dew, even in dry weather, their tents were as wet as if it had rained the whole night." (Clarkes commentary). Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s dew to meet your needs as fully as His downpours!
4- Dew usually falls in times of low visibility.
It falls most generally in the pre-dawn hours, while men are asleep, and at the darkest part of the night. Even in our dark times God is moving. Even when we can’t see the hand of God, His dew is forming and moisturizing in unseen and quiet ways.
The dew of heaven is just as important and valid as the rivers of living water. Sometimes we overlook this phenomenom in the Kingdom of God by always looking for the loudest, most boistrous, most outgoing ministries when in essence God is bringing His gentle Holy Spirit in the form of dew on an everyday basis. The Holy Spirit is with us - even we don't see it or even when we don't feel it. Trust God today that He is with you and that He will never ever leave or forsake you. And, even when thing seem dark and tough - God is still moving and ministering on your behalf.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
CAN YOU HEAR THE WHISPER OF GOD?
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)
While I was in the hospital recently, connected to all sorts of wires and hoses, I kept asking God what was going on and what it is that He wanted me to "get" while I was there. I kept waiting for that whisper from God that so often happens in my life when I'm going through some major life change or decision. Everytime I asked, I heard God speak to my heart, "I have you right where I want you, I'm in this."
That isn't exactly what I wanted to hear but it was nevertheless the whisper of God's heart over me.
Over the years, I've learned to listen for the whisper of God. It is that quiet inner voice that comes to us from God Almighty over the course of our lives. A whisper from God can change destinies and can change the course of direction for your life..
Bill Hybels wrote a book called THE WHISPERS OF GOD. He states "If you will be sensitive to the whispers of God in your life - amazing things will start to happen."
Jesus said in John 10 - "My sheep know my voice and they heed it."
Usually His voice is not going to scream. His voice is going to whisper. Adam and Eve heard the sound of God's voice as they came into the garden. When God speaks to us - it is usually through whispers.
When God whispers into your life to risk everything - failure, reputation, it is so important that you be obedient to that inner voice that God is speaking to you.
When Samuel was in the temple as a little boy - God was trying to speak to Him. God would call his name at night, "Samuel, Samuel..." - 1 Samuel 3. He thought it was Eli the priest because they were the only two who lived in the temple. He went to Eli over and over and said, "Why did you call my name?" Eli said, "I didn't call your name." Eli finally gets it - "If you're hearing someone call your name - it could be God whispering to you."
The next time you hear that voice say, "Lord, Here am I. Speak, your servant hears."
We should all make that our declaration - "Speak, your servant hears."
By being obedient to the whisper of God - Samuel heard God's plan for his life.
Here's the thing - GOD IS STILL SPEAKING TO MEN AND WOMEN AND BOYS AND GIRLS. HE DOES NOT WAIT UNTIL WE ARE GROWN. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE VOICE OF GOD ON YOUR CHILDREN. God speaks to all generations.
I like what Jentezen Franklin says - "God's biggest whispers in your life are yet to come."
YOU ARE ONE WHISPER AWAY FROM EVERYTHING CHANGING.
If God can speak to Eli and to Samuel and even to me - THEN I KNOW FOR A CERTAINTY - GOD CAN SPEAK HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO YOU.
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV)
There was Example of the whisper of God on Elijah in a cave. Queen Jezebel was trying to pursue and destroy him. He did what a lot of us do - go hide in a cave.
Sometimes because of pressure we allow our lives to cave in. Sometimes because of the pressure of life allow other voices to speak into our lives. Unbelief. Depression. Discouragement. Health. Family, etc.
God came and talked to him "What are you doing here - come outside and hear the whisper of God."
You've been the cave long enough. It's time to come out and hear the voice of God! You've been grieving, crying and depressed long enough. God has new orders for your life. He has a new whisper for your. He wants to bring you out of your cave.
They put Jesus in a cave and He came out after three days. I'm sure He knows how to get you out of your cave. It might come through a whisper from God about His plans for your life and future.
Some of you are in need of destiny changing words. You are in a cave and God is calling you out.
When God called Elijah out of the cave there was an earthquake and a mighty wind - but God was not in it. Fire fell but God was not in the fire.
It's not that God is never in the wind as we was in the wind in the upper room. It's not that God is never in the earthquake as we was in the earthquake when Paul and Silas were in prison. It's not that God has never been in the fire. Just ask Shaddrack, Messhack and Abendego. They will tell you that God is the God who walks with His children through the fire.
Sooner or later in life you will go through the fire and your life will feel like there's been an earthquake. The winds of adversity are coming against you. And... God's not in it. You're going through hell and you don't know why.
That's when a still small voice (that God was in) spoke to Elijah.
We have a God who knows how to speak to His children when the world is shaking and the winds of adversity are blowing.
When... it feels like the fire of trials and tribulations are just consuming you and everything you have.
That's when you need (as the Amplified Bible puts it) "a gentle whisper."
God came in a gentle whisper.
God spoke to him and told him to go and anoint 3 different people - Jehu, Hazael, and Elisha. What is interesting - he only anointed one of the three - Elisha, and then went to heaven.
It's interesting - Elisha then anointed Jehu and then Jehu anointed Hazael. Three generations passed off the blessings of one little whisper.
You may be going through the fire, the wind and the earthquake spiritually speaking, but one whisper from God can impact 3 generations. One whisper of God can send an anointing. When God sends a whisper it can change everything.
We need to pray for Samuel ears where we say "Speak Lord, for your servant hears."
God can give you a whisper in a storm you might be going through. The disciples were in a storm and Jesus sent them (in the will of God) to the other side.While they were out in the middle a storm came up and Jesus came walking on the water and spoke one word to Peter - "Come." Peter got out of the boat and walked to Jesus.
You might be needing a gentle whisper to your spirit today that says, "You're going to the other side. You're going through this storm. You're going to make it. You're going to come out of the cave."
The same God who spoke in a still small voice to Elijah is speaking to someone today saying, "I have not abandoned my plans for your life. I have not torn up your birth certificate in the spirit because you have failed or have messed up."
God still loves you and calls you by name. He has a gentle whisper for direction for your life.
When you get a word from God - it can impact generations. It is just like Elijah who got a word that impacted three generations.
It is my pray today that you and I would develop that "inner ear" that would be sensitive to the gentle and quiet whisper of God over our lives. May God help us all in this regar.
While I was in the hospital recently, connected to all sorts of wires and hoses, I kept asking God what was going on and what it is that He wanted me to "get" while I was there. I kept waiting for that whisper from God that so often happens in my life when I'm going through some major life change or decision. Everytime I asked, I heard God speak to my heart, "I have you right where I want you, I'm in this."
That isn't exactly what I wanted to hear but it was nevertheless the whisper of God's heart over me.
Over the years, I've learned to listen for the whisper of God. It is that quiet inner voice that comes to us from God Almighty over the course of our lives. A whisper from God can change destinies and can change the course of direction for your life..
Bill Hybels wrote a book called THE WHISPERS OF GOD. He states "If you will be sensitive to the whispers of God in your life - amazing things will start to happen."
Jesus said in John 10 - "My sheep know my voice and they heed it."
Usually His voice is not going to scream. His voice is going to whisper. Adam and Eve heard the sound of God's voice as they came into the garden. When God speaks to us - it is usually through whispers.
When God whispers into your life to risk everything - failure, reputation, it is so important that you be obedient to that inner voice that God is speaking to you.
When Samuel was in the temple as a little boy - God was trying to speak to Him. God would call his name at night, "Samuel, Samuel..." - 1 Samuel 3. He thought it was Eli the priest because they were the only two who lived in the temple. He went to Eli over and over and said, "Why did you call my name?" Eli said, "I didn't call your name." Eli finally gets it - "If you're hearing someone call your name - it could be God whispering to you."
The next time you hear that voice say, "Lord, Here am I. Speak, your servant hears."
We should all make that our declaration - "Speak, your servant hears."
By being obedient to the whisper of God - Samuel heard God's plan for his life.
Here's the thing - GOD IS STILL SPEAKING TO MEN AND WOMEN AND BOYS AND GIRLS. HE DOES NOT WAIT UNTIL WE ARE GROWN. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE VOICE OF GOD ON YOUR CHILDREN. God speaks to all generations.
I like what Jentezen Franklin says - "God's biggest whispers in your life are yet to come."
YOU ARE ONE WHISPER AWAY FROM EVERYTHING CHANGING.
If God can speak to Eli and to Samuel and even to me - THEN I KNOW FOR A CERTAINTY - GOD CAN SPEAK HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO YOU.
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV)
There was Example of the whisper of God on Elijah in a cave. Queen Jezebel was trying to pursue and destroy him. He did what a lot of us do - go hide in a cave.
Sometimes because of pressure we allow our lives to cave in. Sometimes because of the pressure of life allow other voices to speak into our lives. Unbelief. Depression. Discouragement. Health. Family, etc.
God came and talked to him "What are you doing here - come outside and hear the whisper of God."
You've been the cave long enough. It's time to come out and hear the voice of God! You've been grieving, crying and depressed long enough. God has new orders for your life. He has a new whisper for your. He wants to bring you out of your cave.
They put Jesus in a cave and He came out after three days. I'm sure He knows how to get you out of your cave. It might come through a whisper from God about His plans for your life and future.
Some of you are in need of destiny changing words. You are in a cave and God is calling you out.
When God called Elijah out of the cave there was an earthquake and a mighty wind - but God was not in it. Fire fell but God was not in the fire.
It's not that God is never in the wind as we was in the wind in the upper room. It's not that God is never in the earthquake as we was in the earthquake when Paul and Silas were in prison. It's not that God has never been in the fire. Just ask Shaddrack, Messhack and Abendego. They will tell you that God is the God who walks with His children through the fire.
Sooner or later in life you will go through the fire and your life will feel like there's been an earthquake. The winds of adversity are coming against you. And... God's not in it. You're going through hell and you don't know why.
That's when a still small voice (that God was in) spoke to Elijah.
We have a God who knows how to speak to His children when the world is shaking and the winds of adversity are blowing.
When... it feels like the fire of trials and tribulations are just consuming you and everything you have.
That's when you need (as the Amplified Bible puts it) "a gentle whisper."
God came in a gentle whisper.
God spoke to him and told him to go and anoint 3 different people - Jehu, Hazael, and Elisha. What is interesting - he only anointed one of the three - Elisha, and then went to heaven.
It's interesting - Elisha then anointed Jehu and then Jehu anointed Hazael. Three generations passed off the blessings of one little whisper.
You may be going through the fire, the wind and the earthquake spiritually speaking, but one whisper from God can impact 3 generations. One whisper of God can send an anointing. When God sends a whisper it can change everything.
We need to pray for Samuel ears where we say "Speak Lord, for your servant hears."
God can give you a whisper in a storm you might be going through. The disciples were in a storm and Jesus sent them (in the will of God) to the other side.While they were out in the middle a storm came up and Jesus came walking on the water and spoke one word to Peter - "Come." Peter got out of the boat and walked to Jesus.
You might be needing a gentle whisper to your spirit today that says, "You're going to the other side. You're going through this storm. You're going to make it. You're going to come out of the cave."
The same God who spoke in a still small voice to Elijah is speaking to someone today saying, "I have not abandoned my plans for your life. I have not torn up your birth certificate in the spirit because you have failed or have messed up."
God still loves you and calls you by name. He has a gentle whisper for direction for your life.
When you get a word from God - it can impact generations. It is just like Elijah who got a word that impacted three generations.
It is my pray today that you and I would develop that "inner ear" that would be sensitive to the gentle and quiet whisper of God over our lives. May God help us all in this regar.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
SEEING OBSTACLES THROUGH GOD'S EYES
Here is a good word for us today By Dr. Charles Stanley
Joshua 2
Jericho was the first city that the Israelites needed to conquer in their quest for the land of Canaan. When Joshua sent a pair of spies to check it out, he probably didn't realize that he would receive a glimpse of God's impressive behind-the-scenes activity.
God wants us to look at every obstacle through the lens of His unlimited strength and resources. Anything that appears to block His plans is an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His sovereign power. Just because we don't see anything happening, that doesn't mean He's inactive.
Always remember that God is at work on the other side of our obstacles, arranging the details and bringing His plans to fruition. When the spies returned to Joshua, they reported that the people of Jericho were scared to death. Having heard about the Jews' deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, they were gripped by fear of the Lord.
The stage was set for the conquest, yet by that point, Joshua had done nothing. Sometimes we think we need to be involved in the solution to our problem, but God is not limited with regard to whom or what He can use to accomplish His will. In this case, He worked in the hearts of the enemy by instilling demoralizing fear.
For Christians, great obstacles need not be reasons for discouragement. Although much of the Lord's activity is silent and invisible, we can be sure He is dynamically working out His will for our lives. When the pieces of His plan are in place, He will move us on to victory.
Joshua 2
Jericho was the first city that the Israelites needed to conquer in their quest for the land of Canaan. When Joshua sent a pair of spies to check it out, he probably didn't realize that he would receive a glimpse of God's impressive behind-the-scenes activity.
God wants us to look at every obstacle through the lens of His unlimited strength and resources. Anything that appears to block His plans is an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His sovereign power. Just because we don't see anything happening, that doesn't mean He's inactive.
Always remember that God is at work on the other side of our obstacles, arranging the details and bringing His plans to fruition. When the spies returned to Joshua, they reported that the people of Jericho were scared to death. Having heard about the Jews' deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, they were gripped by fear of the Lord.
The stage was set for the conquest, yet by that point, Joshua had done nothing. Sometimes we think we need to be involved in the solution to our problem, but God is not limited with regard to whom or what He can use to accomplish His will. In this case, He worked in the hearts of the enemy by instilling demoralizing fear.
For Christians, great obstacles need not be reasons for discouragement. Although much of the Lord's activity is silent and invisible, we can be sure He is dynamically working out His will for our lives. When the pieces of His plan are in place, He will move us on to victory.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
DRY BONES LIVE
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 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. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. (Ezekiel 37:1-10 ESV)
Having done hundreds of funerals over my lifetime - I've come to find graveyards are just not one of my favorite places to go. It's where life ends. It's a place of finality. It's a place of tears.
Yet, this passage comes to us today right from a graveyard where some amazing things take place.
Here's a little background...
In 586 BC Jerusalem was totally ruined by Nebuchadnezzer and his great Babylonian army. Solomon’s Temple, which had been the pride and glory of Israel for almost 400 years was reduced to ashes; all the inhabitants of Jerusalem had been taken either to Chaldea or to Babylon in captivity, including Mattaniah, last king of Judah who was blinded and taken in chains to Babylon (present day Iraq). They had been warned repeatedly by God through His prophets, yet they had turned a deaf ear!
The Psalmist records: "By the rivers of Babylon ... we sat down, (and) we wept ....". Ezekiel adds his own lament to this bleak situation as he records in Ezekiel 1:1 that: " . . .I was among the captives by the river of Chebar."
Of all the prophets, Ezekiel (Who’s name meant "God strengthens") was probably the most colorful. He used pantomime, would cry and wail and slap his thighs, ate a scroll, and did many other unusual things to burn his messages into the minds of the people.
Historians tell us that Ezekiel was probably only about 25 years old when taken into captivity. Here was a young man who had been raised literally in the shadow of the great Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. He would follow in the footsteps of his father, a Zadokite priest. He had undoubtedly trained for this his entire life. Jewish law provided for a man to enter into the priesthood at the age of 30.
He looked forward to this with great anticipation. He would be revered and respected by an entire nation. Perhaps he would even become one of the chief priests of the Temple.
Undoubtedly he had grandiose plans and dreams. But now, instead of being in the lofty position of priest of Israel, he find himself "among the captives by the river of Chebar".
But God had a plan! He had not misplaced Ezekiel. He had not lost track of where he was. God's plan was to use him in a different place. He thought his place would be as a priest in Jerusalem but God's plan was for him to be used as a prophet in Babylon.
God's knows exactly where you are and He promises to "never leave nor forsake you."
Undoubtedly those who found themselves incarcerated in the land of Babylon felt their life had ended. They felt they had become one of many "corpses" in the great Babylonian Graveyard. They felt their lives had been reduced to ashes, and yet God has promised to ". . .give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;" We find in Scripture that "Testimonies can even emanate from a Graveyard!" Even in the graveyard of captivity, there is hope!
If ever a man was made to look upon an impossible situation, it was Ezekiel. Scripture records that the hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel, carrying him out and setting him down in the midst of a valley which was full of bones". He was taken to the graveyard! It was a symbol of the impossibility of his situation.
Not only was this graveyard filled with bones, it was filled with dry bones. Not only were the bones dry, scripture graphically portrays them as very dry. These corpses had undoubtedly been dead a long while.
If Ezekiel had been taken to a valley filled with people who were dying there would have been a glimmer of hope. Perhaps some would be healed and survive. If the valley had been filled with the corpses of people who had just died, there would have been the possibility of a mass resurrection.
Even if the valley had been filled with complete skeletons, there would be some hope. But this valley was filled with very dry, scattered bones. This points to the absolute hopelessness of the situation. There is only a remnant left of what once was!
God speaks to Ezekiel in v.3 and asks "Son of man, can these dry bones live?" God was asking: "What do you think about it, Ezekiel? Is this a hopeless situation?"
The very asking of this question brought a glimmer of hope to the prophet. "Lord, you alone know the answer to that."
Scripture reminds us that "with God all things are possible." Is it possible that the scattered, very dry bones that are in a heap in this valley might really live again?
Notice God's plan...
Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. (Ezekiel 37:4 ESV)
Notice first that he was to listen to "the word of The Lord." Life comes through God's word.
In verse 7 we see the results of the Word of God: "So I spoke these words from God, just as he told me to;"
Here's the thing:
Don’t water it down
Don’t try to improve upon it
Don’t try to rationalize it
Don’t feel you have to apologize for it
Don’t philosophize over it
Don’t be timid with it
Simply tell the Word as it is --- just as he tells us to! It’s not our Word, it’s His Word! It didn’t originate with us -- it originated with Him! It's His Word!
He prophesied exactly as God told him to and...
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. (Ezekiel 37:7-8 ESV)
When I get to heaven I want to replay this scene over and over and over.
Death became life. Impossibility became a possibility.
My prayer today is "do it again Lord."
Verse 5 says - "I am going to make you live"; verse 10: "they lived".
...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:11 ESV)
No matter what your impossible situation is - God can bring a miracle your way.
Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:12-14 ESV)
Do you feel you are in a graveyard surrounded by "very dry bones?" The Lord says to you this evening, "I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again."
For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV)
Here's a good worship song about dry bones that I think you will enjoy... http://youtu.be/fVHT9VcfCN8
Having done hundreds of funerals over my lifetime - I've come to find graveyards are just not one of my favorite places to go. It's where life ends. It's a place of finality. It's a place of tears.
Yet, this passage comes to us today right from a graveyard where some amazing things take place.
Here's a little background...
In 586 BC Jerusalem was totally ruined by Nebuchadnezzer and his great Babylonian army. Solomon’s Temple, which had been the pride and glory of Israel for almost 400 years was reduced to ashes; all the inhabitants of Jerusalem had been taken either to Chaldea or to Babylon in captivity, including Mattaniah, last king of Judah who was blinded and taken in chains to Babylon (present day Iraq). They had been warned repeatedly by God through His prophets, yet they had turned a deaf ear!
The Psalmist records: "By the rivers of Babylon ... we sat down, (and) we wept ....". Ezekiel adds his own lament to this bleak situation as he records in Ezekiel 1:1 that: " . . .I was among the captives by the river of Chebar."
Of all the prophets, Ezekiel (Who’s name meant "God strengthens") was probably the most colorful. He used pantomime, would cry and wail and slap his thighs, ate a scroll, and did many other unusual things to burn his messages into the minds of the people.
Historians tell us that Ezekiel was probably only about 25 years old when taken into captivity. Here was a young man who had been raised literally in the shadow of the great Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. He would follow in the footsteps of his father, a Zadokite priest. He had undoubtedly trained for this his entire life. Jewish law provided for a man to enter into the priesthood at the age of 30.
He looked forward to this with great anticipation. He would be revered and respected by an entire nation. Perhaps he would even become one of the chief priests of the Temple.
Undoubtedly he had grandiose plans and dreams. But now, instead of being in the lofty position of priest of Israel, he find himself "among the captives by the river of Chebar".
But God had a plan! He had not misplaced Ezekiel. He had not lost track of where he was. God's plan was to use him in a different place. He thought his place would be as a priest in Jerusalem but God's plan was for him to be used as a prophet in Babylon.
God's knows exactly where you are and He promises to "never leave nor forsake you."
Undoubtedly those who found themselves incarcerated in the land of Babylon felt their life had ended. They felt they had become one of many "corpses" in the great Babylonian Graveyard. They felt their lives had been reduced to ashes, and yet God has promised to ". . .give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;" We find in Scripture that "Testimonies can even emanate from a Graveyard!" Even in the graveyard of captivity, there is hope!
If ever a man was made to look upon an impossible situation, it was Ezekiel. Scripture records that the hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel, carrying him out and setting him down in the midst of a valley which was full of bones". He was taken to the graveyard! It was a symbol of the impossibility of his situation.
Not only was this graveyard filled with bones, it was filled with dry bones. Not only were the bones dry, scripture graphically portrays them as very dry. These corpses had undoubtedly been dead a long while.
If Ezekiel had been taken to a valley filled with people who were dying there would have been a glimmer of hope. Perhaps some would be healed and survive. If the valley had been filled with the corpses of people who had just died, there would have been the possibility of a mass resurrection.
Even if the valley had been filled with complete skeletons, there would be some hope. But this valley was filled with very dry, scattered bones. This points to the absolute hopelessness of the situation. There is only a remnant left of what once was!
God speaks to Ezekiel in v.3 and asks "Son of man, can these dry bones live?" God was asking: "What do you think about it, Ezekiel? Is this a hopeless situation?"
The very asking of this question brought a glimmer of hope to the prophet. "Lord, you alone know the answer to that."
Scripture reminds us that "with God all things are possible." Is it possible that the scattered, very dry bones that are in a heap in this valley might really live again?
Notice God's plan...
Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. (Ezekiel 37:4 ESV)
Notice first that he was to listen to "the word of The Lord." Life comes through God's word.
In verse 7 we see the results of the Word of God: "So I spoke these words from God, just as he told me to;"
Here's the thing:
Don’t water it down
Don’t try to improve upon it
Don’t try to rationalize it
Don’t feel you have to apologize for it
Don’t philosophize over it
Don’t be timid with it
Simply tell the Word as it is --- just as he tells us to! It’s not our Word, it’s His Word! It didn’t originate with us -- it originated with Him! It's His Word!
He prophesied exactly as God told him to and...
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. (Ezekiel 37:7-8 ESV)
When I get to heaven I want to replay this scene over and over and over.
Death became life. Impossibility became a possibility.
My prayer today is "do it again Lord."
Verse 5 says - "I am going to make you live"; verse 10: "they lived".
...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:11 ESV)
No matter what your impossible situation is - God can bring a miracle your way.
Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:12-14 ESV)
Do you feel you are in a graveyard surrounded by "very dry bones?" The Lord says to you this evening, "I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again."
For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV)
Here's a good worship song about dry bones that I think you will enjoy... http://youtu.be/fVHT9VcfCN8
Monday, September 1, 2014
A RENEWED HEART
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26 ESV)
I've been reading through the Book Of Ezekiel in the Old Testament with a knowledge that this passage (Ezekiel 36) would be coming up in my reading, a passage about the heart. (Something of interest to me right now).
A quick Google search will bring up dozens and dozens of references to the heart, the very core of our being. There are some organs that I can do without but without the heart I cease to live.
The Hebrew prophet Ezekiel was a captive in the land of Babylon during the seventy years of exile of Israel. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried him away when the nation was taken captive.
In his visions - he sees the terrible destruction of his homeland Israel as a result of their sinful behavior.
He preaches repentance. They were in exile but had not yet had a change of heart. They hadn't repented of their sinfulness and rebellion.
Yet, in the midst of all their trouble, Ezekiel sees hope. He begins to paint a picture of not just where they were but where they would eventually end up being.
He reminded the people that God promised to return them to their land.
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24 ESV)
This was a promise that God would restore what the enemy had taken away - even as a result of their own sinfulness and rebellion.
But that would not be the only thing God would do for them. God promised to cleanse them from their filthiness. Notice the progression of scriptures from this text..
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25 ESV)
When we're cleansed from our sins - it then makes room for the Holy Spirit to come in and dwell with us - to refresh us and restore - Ezekiel 36:26-28.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:26-28 ESV)
A "new heart" and "new spirit" is the promise of spiritual regeneration.
It's interesting - there are twenty-five references to the Holy Spirit in the book of Ezekiel. A new heart and a new spirit are themes Ezekiel reflects on several times.
The Holy Spirit dwelling in the heart of the believer will "cause you to walk in My statutes and you will be careful to observe My ordinances" (v. 27).
What Moses law could not do God does through His "Spirit within you." His dwelling within enables the "new heart." The heart of stone has been removed and replaced with a "new heart" and "a new spirit."
Only the sovereign grace of God can do that. As the believer yields to the Holy Spirit He enables us to "walk" in the statutes of God and carefully observe His "ordinances." The holy life is an exchanged life.
One of the most intriguing ideas is the people will return to the land and live in it permanently. The meaning is to "live" or dwell as permanent residents and is the opposite of the non-immigrant or alien. "You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God" (v. 28).
This was an utter impossibility. It could, wouldn't happen. It would take a miracle. It was only possible by God's intervention.
It is no different to the impossible situation you are facing right now. It might be that you've set your course and don't see the need to make any changes in your life.
Take it from me, from my bloody nose from hitting the wall a few times, God's ways are always best and if you don't turn and repent - God knows how to take you off the grid for a while.
However, repentance brings a cleansing and forgiveness which leads to a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Observe the result of giving your situation to God...
And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. (Ezekiel 36:29-30 ESV)
Wow. Talk about renewal. This is renewal on steroids. God's gracious favor will once again come into your life.
God instructs the grain to produce and the crops to yield abundantly.
The LORD God will also restore the land to better than the original. It will be like the Garden of Eden before sin invaded it.
No matter what you are going through in your - there is a better way and place ahead if you turn and trust God's sovereign plan and purpose for your life.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3-5 ESV)
I've been reading through the Book Of Ezekiel in the Old Testament with a knowledge that this passage (Ezekiel 36) would be coming up in my reading, a passage about the heart. (Something of interest to me right now).
A quick Google search will bring up dozens and dozens of references to the heart, the very core of our being. There are some organs that I can do without but without the heart I cease to live.
The Hebrew prophet Ezekiel was a captive in the land of Babylon during the seventy years of exile of Israel. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried him away when the nation was taken captive.
In his visions - he sees the terrible destruction of his homeland Israel as a result of their sinful behavior.
He preaches repentance. They were in exile but had not yet had a change of heart. They hadn't repented of their sinfulness and rebellion.
Yet, in the midst of all their trouble, Ezekiel sees hope. He begins to paint a picture of not just where they were but where they would eventually end up being.
He reminded the people that God promised to return them to their land.
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24 ESV)
This was a promise that God would restore what the enemy had taken away - even as a result of their own sinfulness and rebellion.
But that would not be the only thing God would do for them. God promised to cleanse them from their filthiness. Notice the progression of scriptures from this text..
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25 ESV)
When we're cleansed from our sins - it then makes room for the Holy Spirit to come in and dwell with us - to refresh us and restore - Ezekiel 36:26-28.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:26-28 ESV)
A "new heart" and "new spirit" is the promise of spiritual regeneration.
It's interesting - there are twenty-five references to the Holy Spirit in the book of Ezekiel. A new heart and a new spirit are themes Ezekiel reflects on several times.
The Holy Spirit dwelling in the heart of the believer will "cause you to walk in My statutes and you will be careful to observe My ordinances" (v. 27).
What Moses law could not do God does through His "Spirit within you." His dwelling within enables the "new heart." The heart of stone has been removed and replaced with a "new heart" and "a new spirit."
Only the sovereign grace of God can do that. As the believer yields to the Holy Spirit He enables us to "walk" in the statutes of God and carefully observe His "ordinances." The holy life is an exchanged life.
One of the most intriguing ideas is the people will return to the land and live in it permanently. The meaning is to "live" or dwell as permanent residents and is the opposite of the non-immigrant or alien. "You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God" (v. 28).
This was an utter impossibility. It could, wouldn't happen. It would take a miracle. It was only possible by God's intervention.
It is no different to the impossible situation you are facing right now. It might be that you've set your course and don't see the need to make any changes in your life.
Take it from me, from my bloody nose from hitting the wall a few times, God's ways are always best and if you don't turn and repent - God knows how to take you off the grid for a while.
However, repentance brings a cleansing and forgiveness which leads to a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Observe the result of giving your situation to God...
And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. (Ezekiel 36:29-30 ESV)
Wow. Talk about renewal. This is renewal on steroids. God's gracious favor will once again come into your life.
God instructs the grain to produce and the crops to yield abundantly.
The LORD God will also restore the land to better than the original. It will be like the Garden of Eden before sin invaded it.
No matter what you are going through in your - there is a better way and place ahead if you turn and trust God's sovereign plan and purpose for your life.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3-5 ESV)
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