Throughout the Bible we are told to wait on the Lord. Psalms 47:7 is clear, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself…..”
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…...” Again in Romans 12:7 we are told, “…..let us wait on our ministering…..”
Webster’s Dictionary defines wait as to stay in a place or remain in readiness; a second meaning is to serve food at a meal. The meaning in Psalms is obvious, it’s saying to stay in place and remain ready. I’m not so sure about the verses in Isaiah and Romans; I believe wait in those verses involves service to the Lord. It reminds me of the old cliché, “Good things come to he who waits so long as he works like a dog while he waits”. It’s clear the Lord wants us to watch and wait, but I don’t believe He wants us to wait in a sitting position.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Mind of Christ
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5) In this particular verse Paul was referencing humbleness and an attitude of servitude, but it is also applicable in so many other aspects of our lives. I’m thinking of discouragement and allowing ourselves to be overcome by our circumstances.
Sometimes I let “things”, “people”, “circumstances”, “situations”, “conditions”, “tasks”, “responsibilities”, “problems”, or other temporary events overwhelm me and discourage me; Even to the point of despair; I become afraid and apprehensive; I lose my courage and confidence. In my mind I want to give in, or give up to the elements. At such times I certainly do not have “the mind of Christ”, and my attitude is certainly not pleasing to Him.
There are two verses that comfort and encourage me through these events.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are true and honest, just and pure, lovely and of a good report. Get your mind off your problems, stop meditating and concentrating on your circumstances and count your blessings.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.
Sometimes I let “things”, “people”, “circumstances”, “situations”, “conditions”, “tasks”, “responsibilities”, “problems”, or other temporary events overwhelm me and discourage me; Even to the point of despair; I become afraid and apprehensive; I lose my courage and confidence. In my mind I want to give in, or give up to the elements. At such times I certainly do not have “the mind of Christ”, and my attitude is certainly not pleasing to Him.
There are two verses that comfort and encourage me through these events.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are true and honest, just and pure, lovely and of a good report. Get your mind off your problems, stop meditating and concentrating on your circumstances and count your blessings.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Our Part
Jesus said, “Take ye away the stone”; John 11:39. Then in verse 43 he said, “Lazarus come forth”. With those two statements he raised Lazarus from the dead.
A couple of thoughts jumped into my mind. First, how precise Jesus had to be with his words. If he had said, “Come forth” and forgot to say “Lazarus”, that graveyard would have looked like a new plowed field.
Then, since a word from Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, don’t you know how easily He could have ordered that stone to remove its’ self? Why did he tell those around him to remove the stone?
Every promise from God requires an action on our part. If we’ll do “this”, He’ll do “that”; He requires our participation in the fulfilling of all promises.
“Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do”, Deuteronomy 29:9
“If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods…..and serve Him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines”; I Samuel 7:3
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”; II Chronicles 7:14
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”; Romans 10:9
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”; Romans 9:13
If it seems the Lord is not listening or is not responding to our prayers, we need check out our side of the equation and see if we’re doing our part.
A couple of thoughts jumped into my mind. First, how precise Jesus had to be with his words. If he had said, “Come forth” and forgot to say “Lazarus”, that graveyard would have looked like a new plowed field.
Then, since a word from Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, don’t you know how easily He could have ordered that stone to remove its’ self? Why did he tell those around him to remove the stone?
Every promise from God requires an action on our part. If we’ll do “this”, He’ll do “that”; He requires our participation in the fulfilling of all promises.
“Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do”, Deuteronomy 29:9
“If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods…..and serve Him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines”; I Samuel 7:3
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”; II Chronicles 7:14
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”; Romans 10:9
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”; Romans 9:13
If it seems the Lord is not listening or is not responding to our prayers, we need check out our side of the equation and see if we’re doing our part.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Holy Spirit
Is the Holy Spirit “with” us, or “in” us; or “upon” us? Various expressions are used in the scriptures. Luke 1:15 says that John the Baptist was “filled” with the Holy Ghost. Mark 1:8 says you will be “baptized” with the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:44 says the Holy Spirit fell “upon” all them which heard the word. John 14:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit will abide “with” us forever.
I believe the Holy Spirit has been “with” us always. He was with the children of Israel during their flight from Egypt in the form of a pillar of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). and
The Holy Spirit has been “in” all believers since His coming at Pentecost to form the church, the body of Christ (Acts 2:4). and
The Holy Spirit is “upon” us at our discretion, when we yield ourselves to Him.
However, this verbal is much less important than the reality of His presence. Jesus said, “…..the Spirit dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17)…”He will guide you into all truth”…..”He will show you things to come” (John 16:13)…..”He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance”. (John 14:26)
He is our comforter, our teacher, our reminder, our constant companion, and prays for us when we don’t how we should pray for ourselves.
I believe the Holy Spirit has been “with” us always. He was with the children of Israel during their flight from Egypt in the form of a pillar of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). and
The Holy Spirit has been “in” all believers since His coming at Pentecost to form the church, the body of Christ (Acts 2:4). and
The Holy Spirit is “upon” us at our discretion, when we yield ourselves to Him.
However, this verbal is much less important than the reality of His presence. Jesus said, “…..the Spirit dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17)…”He will guide you into all truth”…..”He will show you things to come” (John 16:13)…..”He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance”. (John 14:26)
He is our comforter, our teacher, our reminder, our constant companion, and prays for us when we don’t how we should pray for ourselves.
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