Looking for the Consolation of Israel...

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”—Luke 2:25-32

I loved reading these verses last night.  Such beautiful truth spoken by the Holy Spirit here through Simeon.  So much in the news, today, and well...really every day, that is not good.  We live in a fallen world, among fallen human beings where sin abounds.  BUT where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.  What a wonderful example Simeon is, always looking for the Consolation of Israel. 

Simeon was just and devoted...a man upon whom the Holy Spirit rested.  A man who listened to the voice of His God and believed that he would not die until he saw His Lord's Messiah.  How excited and watchful he must have been after John the Baptist came on the scene!  Thinking more on this, Simeon own personal expectation for the Messiah was probably not one of a tiny, helpless baby.  Nevertheless, he believed God's Spirit when He spoke to his heart and was able to see beyond what his own desires and expectations were, and embrace God's plan. 

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant—Psalm 25:14

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.—Amos 3:7

Father...Draw me by your Spirit into Your everlasting embrace.  May my soul thirst for You and my flesh long for you. Oh, that I would live my life in Your presence in a continual awareness of my never-ending need for You!  

In my fear, weakness and insufficiency, Jesus, be my help. 

In my grief and loneliness be my consolation and comfort...

in my unrest be my peace...

in my need be my provision...

in my waywardness be my path and my direction...

in my forgetfulness be my “rememberer”...

in my darkness be my light...

in every question be my answer...

in my sin be my forgiveness and way of escape...

And it will be said in that day:

“Behold, this is our God;

We have waited for Him, and He will save us.

This is the LORD;

We have waited for Him;

We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”—Isaiah 25:9

14 For this is God,

Our God forever and ever;

He will be our guide

Even to death.—Psalm 48:14

But Be Zealous for the Lord ALL the Day...

Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

For surely there is a hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off.—Prov 23:17-18

If you are anything like me, you might find yourself as you go about your day focusing on and caring about things that have no eternal value.  All the world is truly a stage and very often we can get caught up and entrapped in its trappings. We forget truth and begin to live as the non believers around us...for ourselves and not for God. 

Beloved...don’t envy sinners...sin brings nothing but despair and death.  Instead, be zealous for the Lord all the day long. For surely there is a hereafter and our hope will not be cut off. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  Lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. Desire instead, the pure milk of the word and grow in His grace and knowledge as you meditate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.  

Oh Father! Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your good and right way.  Oh, that I would be wise!   May my soul follow hard after You and may Your right hand uphold me.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.—Colossians 3:2-4

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:1-4

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.—Psalm 112:1

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.—1 Corinthians 9:24-27

With All of Your Heart...

 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? 14 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. 15 The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. 21 He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.—Deuteronomy 10:12-16; 20-21

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.”—Luke 1:76-80

As I read today’s readings my heart was convicted but also thankful...

Thankful that there is forgiveness with God. 

Thankful that His mercies are new every morning.  

Thankful that He is so faithful even and especially when I am not. 

Thankful that He is sufficient for all I face because I know I am not.  

Thankful that You, Father, by Your tender mercies have delivered me from the power of darkness and conveyed me into the kingdom of the Son of Your love.  

Thankful that You go before me and guide my feet in Your way of peace. 

Oh Father...fill me with Your fullness. Renew in me a right spirit....enable me to give You the pre-eminence in my life...to love You with all heart, soul, mind and strength.  You are my praise...You are my glory and You are my God.  Your desire toward me is good and Your working in my life is wonderful.  Encourage me to love those around me with Your unselfish love...the love that grows out of Your love for me. May my service toward others be motivated by and seasoned with Your love. Remove the fat that surrounds my heart and enable me to be stiff-necked and stubborn no longer. Help me to live today and every day worshiping You and walking in Your ways. 

Forgive me for making this life so often about me.  Forgive my lack of love.  My lack of mercy.  Forgive my wayward heart that forgets You and neglects to bring me with You as I go about “my” day.  Forgive me for rejecting You...the One who set His affections on me...who took upon Himself my sin and suffered and died in my place so that I could live forever with Him. Forgive me for allowing my heart to become unthankful...blinded by pride, fear and a lack of faith to Your blessings that surround me and follow me.  You bid me to come to You with my burdens and to cast my cares at Your feet...Forgive me for not obeying You in this.  You want always and only what is best for me.  Your yoke is “kind” and Your burden light.  Unite my heart to Yours and enable me hold tightly to You always. 

And Blessed is She That Believed...

 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord—Luke 1:39-45 NKJV

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.—Luke 1:45 KJV

Mary’s faith is extolled here...Mary believed God and because she did, she would experience His grace and His power.  There would be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from her Lord. 

BLESSED are we, also, when we believe the word of God because His Word will not fail us.  God keeps His promises. 

They looked to Him and were radiant,

and their faces were not ashamed.—Psalm 34:10

Spurgeon says the faithfulness of God is the blessedness of the faith of the saints.  I love that.  Beloved, don’t lose heart...only believe.  Faith is ALWAYS the right response.

10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.—Isaiah 55:10-11

Rain and snow come from above and do not return without accomplishing the purpose for which they were sent. Beloved...God’s word is the same...it will not return to Him empty.  It will accomplish what He pleases and will prosper in the thing for which He sent it.  There is much comfort in those two verses.  Take them into Your heart.   Abide in His word.  Surrender to it...For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Hear Jesus’ gentle voice speaking to you...Do not be afraid, beloved, only believe.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;—Hebrews 10:23

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.—2 Corinthians 1:20

and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.—Romans 4:21

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.—Psalm 27:13

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”—John 11:40

27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."

28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:27, ESV

And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." Luke 1:20, ESV

You Shall Love the Lord Your God with all Your Heart...

 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates—Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  He is to have the preeminence in our lives. Love for Him (not legalism or concern for outward appearances) is to be the underlying motive for all we do and say here on this earth.

How does that happen practically?  It happens when we make God’s word to us part of our daily life...when we think on it, teach it and discuss it with those around us as we go about our day.  It happens when we purposely allow His word to penetrate and take root in our heart. James tells us to receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save our soul.  Meekness means without argument. Surrender to it...meditate on it...pray it through...memorize it and most of all...do it!  

Beloved...God wants our obedience to be from our hearts. He wants us to obey His word with understanding. He wants us to obey Him because we KNOW His way is right and best because we KNOW His will for us comes from His heart of love. Thinking on the word and saturating our hearts with it transforms us from the inside out.  It makes God’s desires our desires. We amazingly no longer want what we want...we want what HE wants. 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.—Romans 12:2

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure”—Philippians 2:13

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”—Joshua 1:8

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.—Psalm 19:7–9

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16, 17

How Precious is God’s Lovingkindness...

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

—Psalm 36:7

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.—John 3:16-17

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.—Matthew 11:28-30

How precious is Your lovingkindness...Your favor, Your mercy...Your steadfast love...toward me, O God!  Therefore, I put my trust under the shadow of Your wings. Your steadfast love encompasses me.  Your thoughts toward me are precious and are more in number than the sand.  Deep calls unto deep.  All Your waves and billows have gone over me. But You, O Lord, will command Your lovingkindness in the daytime and in the night Your song shall be with me. The Lord is my Shepherd...in Him, I have everything I need. 

Beloved, our God is mercy...He embodies it.  The Lord our God is compassionate and good...ready to forgive. He is gracious, long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth. He turns toward us in our need and infuses us with strength.  He is our Helper and our great Comforter. When life becomes crazy and as of late...even bizarre...it is Your relationship with God that will calm Your soul and bring you perfect peace.  It is in Jesus that a believer lives and move and have his being.

I LOVE this quote from Matthew Henry and will end with it:

Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God.—Matthew Henry

1 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me.—Psalm 63

21 This I recall to my mind,

Therefore I have hope.

22 Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I hope in Him!"

25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.—Lamentations 3:21-25

4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,

And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

5 For His anger is but for a moment,

His favor is for life;

Weeping may endure for a night,

But joy comes in the morning.

10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me;

LORD, be my helper!"

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever—Psalm 30:4-5; 10-12

This Mess is So Big And So Deep and So Tall...

 19 “So we departed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw on the way to the mountains of the Amorites, as the LORD our God had commanded us. Then we came to Kadesh Barnea. 20 And I said to you, ‘You have come to the mountains of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. 21 Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

22 “And every one of you came near to me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.’

23 “The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. 24 And they departed and went up into the mountains, and came to the Valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 25 They also took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought back word to us, saying, ‘It is a good land which the LORD our God is giving us.’

26 “Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; 27 and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 28 Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’

29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 32 Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God, 33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day—Deuteronomy 1:19-33

Verse 28 (bolded) brought to mind the following Dr. Seuss quote because it seemed to express the same discouragement of heart that my four year old self felt for the fish and the children when the story was first read to me.  (Also because very often my first response when something goes awry in my life is to try to hold on to some measure of control... Cleaning gives me that illusion.)

“And this mess is so big 

And so deep and so tall, 

We cannot pick it up. 

There is no way at all!”

― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Beloved, read Moses’ encouraging response in vs 29. The Israelites didn’t listen at the time, but that is no reason why we shouldn’t.  Paul in 1 Corinthians tells us that these things were for our example... for our admonition. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16-17

Praying today that the Spirit of God uses the word of God to direct my heart to respond in faith and not fear at the beginning of every trial I face.  To remember, as Moses reminded the people, that in all my trials the Lord goes before me, fights for me and carries me as a man carries his son.  He is so very faithful.  

I heard this quote yesterday as I was listening to a David Jeremiah study in the book of James. I loved it so much that I wrote it out so I could refer to it when I am tempted toward discouragement. Hoping it blesses you as much as it did me. 

(1) He brought me here. It’s by His will I am in this straight place. In that fact I will rest.

(2) He will keep me here in His love and give me grace to behave as His child.

(3) Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends for me to learn.

(4) In His good time, He will bring me out again—how and when He knows. So let me say: I am

(a) Here by God’s appointment.

(b) In His keeping.

(c) Under His training.

(d) For His time.

Choosing...

 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"  So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. --Mark 15:6-15

What a choice the people made!   Pilate knew Jesus had done no wrong and attempted to finagle Jesus' release by manipulating the people.  The chief priests, however, had already worked the crowd and stirred them up...they wanted Barabbas...who had taken a life...to be released.   Jesus who had come to give His life would, in fulfillment of much prophecy,  be crucified.   Jesus represented the law of God.  Barabbas represented lawlessness.  The people chose lawlessness.  Pilate chose to please the people rather than do what he knew was right. 

The question Pilate asked the crowd is one each one of us has to answer.... 

"What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"  

What will you do with Jesus?  The fulfilled  prophecy in the bible is overwhelming.  When you look at it,  the sheer numbers are undeniably significant.  After careful study the only conclusion you can draw is that someone outside of time wrote the book. What will you conclude?  Will you confess Him or deny Him.  Submit or rebel?  Greater more intelligent men than you or me have decided to look into the question...study the evidence and concluded that Jesus was who He said He was and submitted to His Lordship.  Your eternal destiny rides on your decision...it is worth looking into.  Eternity is a very long time

Standing and Falling - Repost

 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all said likewise.--Mark 14:29-31

To My Sweet Daughters

I so love Jesus.  Even when we have an unrealistic view of ourselves, like Peter does here, Jesus sees and loves us anyway.  Read the verses that come before....


And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP WILL BE SCATTERED.' 


It was obvious here that Peter could have imagined the other disciples stumbling, but not himself!  Beware where you think you stand the Bible tells us...lest you fall!  We know the end of the story.  As Jesus predicted, Peter denied Him three times and the word tells us that when he thought about it, he wept.

Here is what is wonderful about this story.  The Lord knows we are going to fail and He knows it ahead of time.  In fact we know from another account of this same story that Jesus prayed for Peter ahead of time...that his faith would not fail.  He knows all about us.  He knows our past, our present and future sins and loves us anyway!!  He died for us when we were ungodly and His enemy!  We can't disappoint God, girls.  He knows we are dust.  The fact that He sees our hearts, as desperately wicked as they are, is a good thing.  Peter had the right desire but his flesh was weak.  Jesus took that desire...that smoking flax...and did exceedingly abundantly in Peter's life..truly above all that Peter could ask or think.  This burly, arrogant fishermen became a pillar in the early church...strengthening others in their faith...speaking and bringing thousands to Jesus.  I am sure this incident in Peter's life taught Him much about the weakness of His flesh and the glory of God.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,  that no flesh should glory in His presence. --1Corinthians 1:27-29

Peter had such an unrealistic view of himself.  Trials show us the reality of our faith.  This is always a good thing because we see our need and cling...and isn't that what is best for us...isn't that what is needed?  My prayer today and every day for each of us is that we would not only trust Him, but would yield ourselves up to Him to receive His life and to let that life work out its results in us.  To live in Him, to Him, for Him and by Him.

Girls, without Jesus, we are withered branches, not good for anything but the fire.  There is no purpose or reason for our existence except that which we find in Him.   May each one of our lives be hidden with Christ in God!!

Love
Mom

Worship - Repost

 To My  Daughters...

I was in Genesis 22 this morning as well as Mark 14 and 1 Corinthians 2 and, of course,  by sheer coincidence they all tied together. : D

According to Chuck Smith, the first mention of love in the bible is found in Genesis 22.  The law of first mention is a method of biblical interpretation that takes the first use of a word in Scripture and uses it to set the pattern for its use throughout the Bible.  The love spoken of in Genesis 22 is the love of a father for his son.

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”--Genesis 2:2

 The first mention of love in all four gospels speak also to the love of a father for His Son.  Specifically, God for Jesus.  Methinks someone is trying to tell us something.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” --Matthew 3:16-17

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.  Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” --Mark 1:10-11

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.  And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well 
pleased.” --Luke 3:21-22

Finally, in the Gospel of John the first mention of love bears an uncanny resemblance to Genesis 22 where Abraham was told by God to take his only son  whom he loved and offer him as a burnt offering to the Lord.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.--John 3:16

God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, but intervened at the last moment.

And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” --Genesis 22:12

God provided the sacrifice that day for Abraham and 2000 years later in the very same spot on that very same mountain, provided again...this time by giving His only Beloved Son, as a sacrifice for our sins.

Love is obedience...It says this also in Genesis 22...

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.  Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” --Genesis 22:3-5


Abraham went in obedience to His God TO WORSHIP on the top of Mount Moriah.  Girls, this is the very picture of what worship is!  To worship means to literally bow down.  To bow and lay down our wills for the will of our God.  This is what Abraham did.  Love is obedience.  Worship is submitting our wills to our Father in heaven and allowing Him to do as "seems good to Him."  Give him your heart, soul, body, mind and strength when you worship Him.  Lay it all down before Him.

It is important to note that Abraham said "we" will come back to you again.  Abraham did not know how God was going to work that out, but he believed God's promise...that in Isaac his seed would be called.  He believed that somehow, if necessary, God would bring His son back from the dead to keep His promise to Abraham.  He believed and stood fast, because God had promised.


This is where I stopped in my reading of the Gospel of Mark today. 


“Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

Jesus worshiped in the Garden of Gethsemane...He laid down His will...He became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Prayer and worship are the means God has provided for us to lay down our wills and come to that beautiful place of submission.  It is then that He can do exceedingly abundantly in our lives as He did in Abraham's life as well as in His Son's.  Worship requires us to put our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances and place them on Him who is able!

Now, of course, you can bow down before God, but still have a heart lifted in pride...think of the worship of the publican vs the Pharisee.  The publican whose heart was truly bowed down before His Lord went away justified.  The Pharisee went away unjustified, condemned and rejected by God.  Pride shuts the door on effective worship. 

The blessing comes to those whose heart is right before Him!  Worship and prayer sanctify our troubles to our highest good.   Prayerful worship unburdens our hearts and enables us to align our will with His, effectively delivering us from ourselves!  True worship drives away unbelief and while not removing the trouble, enables us to better bear it.

These were the verses I read in 1 Corinthians 2....

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,  which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:  

      “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
      Nor have entered into the heart of man
      The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Paul is speaking of heaven here, but beloved believer...we have this now!  Biblical hope is sure and certain.  It is as certain as if it already happened.  Do not be blind to the glorious, glorious fact that Christ died for you when you were against Him...when you were a sinner.  Do not esteem His grace and forgiveness here in your place of sourjourn, lightly!  Appreciate what you have right here...right now!  Death has no sting for us...no fear.  We are His. Your circumstances might not be perfect but as a believer you live, move and have your being in Him.  What could be sweeter.  Stand fast!  Worship Him in Spirit and in truth!

Love
Mom