Sunday, April 22, 2012

Where two or three have gathered.

     For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.
     Matthew 18:20 NASB

     Today millions will enter churches around the world. Sadly, most will not experience the presence of God in it's fulness. To most this verse is mere sentiment. It is quoted often but not experienced in reality.
     The presence of God is a very real thing. When He is there in Glory and power, there is no mistaking it. This is what He desires. He wants to come and meet with us in such a way. We often stand in the way of His entering in. To gather in His name is to come seeking Him. It is to come desiring Him to be honored, it is to come in awe of him, it is to seek His will and way. Two or three gathered together speaks of unity of purpose, fellowship based upon something held in common. Where two or three come seeking God with all their heart, desiring to meet with Him, seeking His glory, desiring Him to have His way in everything, He will be there.
     Come expecting.








    











Friday, April 20, 2012

Coming out of the world.

     By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
     Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV.

     We need to understand that Abraham left a country that was filled with wealth and knowledge. He left the world that he knew, and was comfortable in. He did this at the command of God. He left on a promise. He was to receive the land of Canaan, as an inheritance. In his lifetime he only owned a burial plot in this land, dwelling in it as a stranger. He had his eyes on God, looking forward to what was to come.
     What about us? Do we fix our eyes on Christ and eternal things, or are we absorbed by this world? We must live in this world as strangers, foreigners. There can be no compromise with worldly ways, we must leave it all behind. No conformity, we are called to be pure, children of light in a perverse generation.
    

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Seek My face.

     2 Chronicles 7:14 is a verse that we are familiar with. It speaks of prayer, and repentance, and promised restoration. When we think of revival, this verse often comes to mind.
     One thing I see in this verse, is the need to seek the face of God. When an individual, a church, or nation, drifts away from God, His presence departs. Along with a humble repentant heart, God is looking for those who desire Him. He is looking for those who desire His presence, who desire to fellowship with Him. He calls out "Seek my face.".
     Our greatest need is the person of Christ Himself!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The stone is rolled away.

     7And he said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” 8But they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.” 9While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10And it came about, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went up, and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
The Lockman Foundation (2009-03-19). Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible (NASB 1977 edition) (Kindle Locations 1048-1053). The Lockman Foundation. Kindle Edition.

     These verses remind me of pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lives! The stone is rolled away. He is waiting to fill us with living water! Like the 120 in the upper room waiting for the coming of the Spirit, we too need to gather in unity of purpose, desiring nothing but more of Him. Where two or three gather in His name, He promises to be there with them in their midst. Cling to this promise and seek God to pour out His Spirit upon you and your Church, your community, and your nation!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Friday, April 6, 2012

The depth of sin.

     He who would know holiness must understand sin: and he who would see sin as God sees it, and think of it as God does, must look at the cross and grave of the Son of God, and must know the meaning of Gethsemane and Golgotha.
Horatius Bonar (2010-04-14). God's Way of Holiness (Kindle Locations 203-205). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

     Sin is no small matter. Sin is not merely a mistake, or something that cannot be helped. It cannot be excused by "I was born that way", or worse yet, "God made me that way, and God don't make junk".
     The mind set on the flesh, is hostile to God. It does not submit to Him or His ways (Romans 8:5-8). The sin nature is in actuality, rebellion against God.
     The cross demonstrates God's love for a sinning world. It also shows us the ugliness of sin, the depth of man's depravity. It shows us that a holy and just God cannot tolerate sin. Jesus suffered and died that we may truly live. We are called to holiness, pure hearts and clean hands!