MONDAY MORNING!

"... the Spirit of counsel and power ..."

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him ---

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of power,

the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD ---

and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.

-- Isaiah 11:2-3

Of course this scripture reference from Isaiah has to do with the coming of Messiah.  We see it fulfilled in Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:21, John 1:32) and in Luke 4:18 where at the synagogue in Nazareth on a Sabbath day He stood and read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2) and then declared for all to hear that -- "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Just some thoughts:

It has been my observation in scripture that the Holy Spirit always, always, always, comes in power. It is so obvious in the life of Jesus as we read through the Four Gospels. It is obvious in Genesis 1:2 -- "... and the Spirit of God was hovering (brooding, moving, fluttering) over the waters."  In my humble thinking -- you cannot move or brood or hover without energy, without power. The Holy Spirit power at the ready to hear and to jump to obedience at the sound of the voice of Creation. It is obvious when we read time and time again of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon people in the book of Judges. 

Concerning Othniel: "The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war." -- Judges 3:10

Concerning Jephthah: "Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah." -- Judges 11:29

Concerning Sampson: "and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him..." -- Judges 13:25

"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power ..." -- Judges 14:6 

"Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power." -- Judges 14:19

"...The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power." -- Judges 15:14

The prophet Joel prophesied the pouring out of the Spirit: " ... I will pour out My Spirit on all people." -- Joel 2:28.  And, Jesus words -- "...but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." -- Luke 24:49. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you:" -- Acts 1:8. Lastly, "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." -- Acts 2:4

Bottom Line: The same Holy Spirit power that was present at creation, that was present with Othniel, Jephthah, Sampson and others I did not name. The same Holy Spirit that come upon Jesus. The same Holy Spirit that was poured out upon people in the upper room on the first Pentecost after Jesus' crucifixion is the same Holy Spirit that indwells believers today, this hour, this minute, this moment. May you believe it! Amen? Amen! 

MONDAY MORNING!

"If ..."

If (no pun intended) we are honest with ourselves we would probably find that we all use the word, "if", more times than we care to mention or keep up with. It can mean: 1. in the event of; allowing that; on condition that; 2. whether; 3. an exclamation expressing a wish; 4. even though. Here I think we will find it  means -- "on condition that".  In all of scripture where "if" is used we find that 54% of the time that is the meaning. Let's look at the entire verse:

The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Obed. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you."

-- 2 Chronicles 15:1-2

To paraphrase: "on the condition you seek Him, He will be found, but on the condition you forsake Him, He will forsake you." Now, I know the Word here is speaking specifically to King Asa and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Nevertheless, I do not want to entertain for even a brief moment the thought or idea of me forsaking God and He forsaking me. 

But, that "if" denotes a choice for King Asa. We read later in 2 Chronicles 16 that King Asa chose not to seek the LORD. In essence, forsaking Him.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.

-- 2 Chronicles 16:12

What an extremely sad way to end -- not seeking help from the LORD. So hard for me to understand because of knowing that Asa knew better. He was warned! Which brings me to another scripture that I hope we all let rule in our lives.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-- Matthew 6:33

Bottom Line: May we come to realize without a doubt that when the LORD is with us we are with Him. May we come to realize that as we seek Him and His righteousness He will never leave us nor forsake us. And, may our "if" always be one of seeking Him so that He will be found by us. Amen? Amen! 

 

  

MONDAY MORNING!

"...and would not listen"

 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." -- Zechariah 7:9-10

Administer (execute, bring about) 
--- true (assured) justice (a verdict to restore order)

Show (grant, practice, provide) 
--- mercy and compassion to one another

Do not oppress (defraud, deceive, violate) 
--- the widow (one without a husband, her covering)
--- the fatherless (one without parents, the orphan)
--- the alien (a guest traveling in your country)
--- the poor (the afflicted, lowly, needy)

In your hearts do not think (contrive, imagine, plot) 
--- evil (calamity, harm, trouble) of each other

Just reading that scripture kind of spelled out and expanded should make us consider a lot of things differently. The words were spoken to God's people while they were in exile and captivity in Babylon. They could be spoken to us today as well. In verse 12 the word of the LORD through Zechariah says, "They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen ..." May that never be us.

 Bottom Line: Even in these words spoken to a rebellious people may we pay attention. May we not turn our backs on these words. May we not stop up our ears to these words. And, may we not harden our hearts to these words. Amen? Amen.
 

MONDAY MORNING!

"Be joyful always ..."

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I want to say, "Wow. Really Paul?  Really?" But then I remember what he wrote to Timothy: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

So, now I am saying, "Okay, God, show me." And He does. 

I begin to see that the "joyful" comes from what He has deposited inside of me and is not dependent upon my outward circumstances or situation. I begin to see that prayer is part of my communication with "the creator of all things." I begin to see that giving thanks is from a grateful heart remembering the perfect sacrifice of love for me on the cross. And, I begin to see that all of this --- being joyful, praying, being thankful --- is His will -- His choice -- for me in being connected to His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

My prayer right now? "Father, I want (I will -- I choose) to know You more. I want (I will -- I choose) to be joyful always. I want (I will -- I choose) to pray continually. I want (I will -- I choose) to give thanks in all circumstances. I want (I will - I choose) Your will for me in Christ Jesus. Amen"

Bottom Line: May we realize God's will -- His choice -- for us in Christ Jesus. May we be joyful always. May we be praying continually. And, may we give thanks in all circumstances. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

"... keep in step..."

 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ... But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come." -- John 16:7 & 13

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." -- Galatians 5:25

One of the many purposes of the Holy Spirit being sent is to keep us in step with Father. If I should want to go one way and the Spirit wants me to go another way --- I am not in step with the Spirit.

Spirit: "Go encourage that person over there."

Me: "No, I am not in a place to do that."

Spirit: "Go pray for that person over there."

Me: "No, I'm not good at that."

Spirit: "Go this way not that."

Me: "Really? But I want to go that way not this way."

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires paying attention -- yes. But, it also requires obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires having hearing ears -- yes. But, it also requires  obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires seeing -- yes. But, it also requires obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires not talking -- yes. But, it also requires obedience. 

He, the Holy Spirit, will gently nudge, quietly speak, lovingly show and mindfully still our lips   --- all of which will keep us in step with Him and Father --- if only we obey.

Bottom Line: May we know, may we learn, may we accept that truly living by the Spirit is being in lock step with Him in all matters, on all occasions, for every situation and circumstance. May we come to know His gentle nudge, His quite voice, His loving sight, His mindful closing of our lips --- and obey Him. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

Salvation

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." -- I Peter 1:8-9

In simple terms "salvation" means: safe keeping, deliverance from difficulty.

Moses speaks of salvation in Exodus 15:2 -- "The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

David speaks of salvation in I Chronicles 16:23 --  " Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day." And, in Psalm 51:12 -- "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."

Isaiah speaks of salvation in Isaiah 25:9 --- in that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."  And, of "everlasting salvation" in Isaiah 45:17 -- "But Israel will be saved by the LORD, with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgrace, to ages everlasting."

Zechariah prophesied of the salvation of Jerusalem coming riding on "the foal of a donkey" in Zechariah 9:9 -- "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Peter states in Acts 4:12 -- Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 

Moses never saw the One, David never saw the One, Isaiah never saw the One, Zechariah never saw the One, Peter did see the One but encourages those who have not seen Him -- the One -- to love Him, believe in Him and in so doing be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy in receiving the salvation of our souls.

Bottom Line: Can you say with inexpressible and glorious joy that even though you have not seen Him -- the One -- that you love Him and believe Him and have received the salvation of your soul? May all come to know the salvation -- safe keeping -- of their souls. Amen? Amen.  
  

MONDAY MORNING!

There is life in death.

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24

For many years I planted a small garden in my back yard. Tomatoes, beans, squash, turnips. For the last couple of years I have helped my dad plant a small garden -- mostly green beans and purple hull peas. All that is required is sun, soil, water, and the seeds. I would till the soil, add some fertilizer, form the rows, plant the seeds, water and then depended on God for the sunshine. After a week you could begin seeing little green sprigs breaking the ground. There is life in death. There is life in the burying of a seed and it produces an abundance of fruit and other seed. We ate the fruit of the garden all summer and into the fall.

We recently celebrated resurrection Sunday. Remembering that Jesus' death produced a life that no one had known before.  His death became the beginning of a new life and an everlasting life for all who believe.

For God so loved the world the He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -- John 3:16

Our life in Christ is a new beginning for us here on earth. There is life in us dying to our old ways. We become a new creation in Him (II Corinthians 5:17).  So, I ask us all -- What we we doing with this new life? Are we reproducing? Are we new? Yes, indeed! But are we letting our new life bring forth "many seeds". Are we helping others who do not know to see the new life in Him? Are we living our new life for all to see? Are we taking our new life seriously enough to share it with others? Are we telling them that there is life everlasting through Him?

Bottom Line: Jesus' death brought life and continues to bring forth life. Even life everlasting. May our new life in Him continue to produce "many seeds" of new life. May we share our new life in Him with others so they to may have everlasting life. Amen? Amen.