Jeremiah was busy. He was active as a priest in Anathoth before the call of the Lord came upon him. This was a young man who already had something going for him. All his life he had been groomed to be a priest. After all, his father and grand father, and for multiple generations on were all priests. This was the destiny of Jeremiah, or so he thought. On this fateful day, as seen in Jeremiah 1, he receives a call from God that changes his life forever. God speaks to him about his destiny, purpose and future. The future Jeremiah envisioned was completely changed. He is called to be the lamenting prophet declaring God’s judgement to Jerusalem and all Judah.
Has God spoken things about your destiny to you? Are you a youthful person like Jeremiah, or at least young at heart? See I believe God speaks specific dreams in the heart of the young. Do you remember as a youth having dreams and hopes? Some of these you may have dismissed as childhood fancies, which they probably could be. However others might have been sincere God given aspirations unable to be decoded because you were just a youth. Maybe God has spoken specifically to you, then like Jeremiah, begin to fulfill your calling, but if you are unsure about your God given purpose and mission here in this life, then ask him to do what he did to Jeremiah for you also.
Jeremiah however did not passively wait for this encounter for God. He was actively living his faith out. You might have heard the saying it’s much easier to steer a moving car (than one that is parked). Granted you may not know the details of the future, but are you actively living for God? Jeremiah as a priest was committed to certain things. Surely he would have a consistent time of devotion with God’s law as prescribed. In addition he had certain tasks and sacrificial duties he would do unto the Lord. You may remember Zechariah whom while performing his annual priestly rites heard from God. Or even Cornelius in Acts 10, who had an angelic visitation during one of his regular devotion times. Thus, we shouldn’t underestimate the daily acts of devotion and service that we do for our Lord, however mundane they might feel. God’s prophetic voice could be a day away, or an act of love and kindness away. You never know.
Are you craving to hear God’s voice, I ask again? Then position yourself as Jeremiah. Live for God in devotion and service every day, starting with today. Further, purpose in your heart to be childlike, humbly open to hear God’s leading, then watch to see what God does.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
New Heavens and New earth
I am captured by the phrase “I make all things new” (Revelations 21:5). Does God really mean all things? Would that include the sun, stars, moon, the people around us, our bodies, our clothes and even our shoes?
Consistently through the Bible there is an apocalyptic hope of the end of days. Where God disposes of this depraved world, and brings in a new order. This order includes a new heaven, and earth including even the dust particles according to Isaiah 65. In this new age everything is new. Even the relationship dynamics between beasts and men. We are told in scripture the lion will lie down with the lamb, and animals will be timid towards us.
While these things may seem outlandish, yet scripture boldly affirms the certainty of these events. This new order however though it ends in a re-creation of all things begins with an internal catharsis. Mark’s gospel presents Jesus as ushering in the kingdom age. Here Christ begins the new order by modelling it for us. This order was one in which he overturns societal hierarchy as he dines with the poor and treats women as equals. Bondage and oppression melted away in his presence. His death and resurrection paved the way for us to share in this new order. As our death became his, his life became ours. The kingdom of heaven finally was in the grip of humanity indeed in the hearts of those who believed on him. For them a new heaven had been created, deep in their hearts.
Though we as Christ’s followers live in the reality of a new heaven, this earth’s effects of earthquakes, tsunamis, and sinful human actions relay the harsh realities of the old earth. Creation as it were seems to writhe in agony, waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. (Romans 8). You and I as believers are the sons of God. We groan along with creation, anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have been to places of the earth that have been ravaged by the enemy, and I long to see the restorative glory of God working in these broken contexts.
As we anticipate this new order, what keeps us in active hope? I say active because some mentally assent to their trust in God’s restoration, but it doesn’t affect their daily faith. I believe it is only a vibrant and intimate relationship with Christ that can spur us on to persist in waiting. Whether in devastated Haiti or privileged Canada, it is the daily whispers and nudging of Christ’s intimate assurance that can foster hope to the meaning of life. As we walk hand in hand with Christ, his loving touch empowers us to bring a spiritual heaven to earthly chaos. Our little of acts of love go a long way, as we bring spiritual hope to this “old” earth, depositing strands of heaven in those around us. Bits and pieces of heaven that will one day culminate in a brand new earth.
Consistently through the Bible there is an apocalyptic hope of the end of days. Where God disposes of this depraved world, and brings in a new order. This order includes a new heaven, and earth including even the dust particles according to Isaiah 65. In this new age everything is new. Even the relationship dynamics between beasts and men. We are told in scripture the lion will lie down with the lamb, and animals will be timid towards us.
While these things may seem outlandish, yet scripture boldly affirms the certainty of these events. This new order however though it ends in a re-creation of all things begins with an internal catharsis. Mark’s gospel presents Jesus as ushering in the kingdom age. Here Christ begins the new order by modelling it for us. This order was one in which he overturns societal hierarchy as he dines with the poor and treats women as equals. Bondage and oppression melted away in his presence. His death and resurrection paved the way for us to share in this new order. As our death became his, his life became ours. The kingdom of heaven finally was in the grip of humanity indeed in the hearts of those who believed on him. For them a new heaven had been created, deep in their hearts.
Though we as Christ’s followers live in the reality of a new heaven, this earth’s effects of earthquakes, tsunamis, and sinful human actions relay the harsh realities of the old earth. Creation as it were seems to writhe in agony, waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. (Romans 8). You and I as believers are the sons of God. We groan along with creation, anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have been to places of the earth that have been ravaged by the enemy, and I long to see the restorative glory of God working in these broken contexts.
As we anticipate this new order, what keeps us in active hope? I say active because some mentally assent to their trust in God’s restoration, but it doesn’t affect their daily faith. I believe it is only a vibrant and intimate relationship with Christ that can spur us on to persist in waiting. Whether in devastated Haiti or privileged Canada, it is the daily whispers and nudging of Christ’s intimate assurance that can foster hope to the meaning of life. As we walk hand in hand with Christ, his loving touch empowers us to bring a spiritual heaven to earthly chaos. Our little of acts of love go a long way, as we bring spiritual hope to this “old” earth, depositing strands of heaven in those around us. Bits and pieces of heaven that will one day culminate in a brand new earth.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Shaken has begun
It’s been a few days now since we came back from Haiti. I and over a dozen of friends had embarked on a mission endeavour to bring relief, aid and encouragement to the people of Carrefore, Haiti. What we saw was expected, but what we experienced wasn’t. Despite the aid we offered, we left Haiti feeling quite insignificant. Ultimately we had to accept that we are but babes, and our faith and hopes for Haiti rests in the hand of God almighty. Our recent Bible reading in Hebrews 12 sheds some light along these lines.
26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once
more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[w] 27The words
"once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created
things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us
be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe
This shaking that is spoken of in verse 26 is prophetic. It speaks of the last days. Essentially God is saying that in these days we will be tested. The shaking might not be a literal shaking as in Haiti, but it will occur.
While for Haiti, it was literal. The statistics are staggering as we know. Lives have been lost, an economy in further shambles and people desolate. Despite this reality, we were encouraged to see many brethren embodying verse 28. They were choosing to look beyond the earthly circumstances and focus on God’s unshakable kingdom. For these ones, despite the homelessness, joblessness, bereavement, etc, they refuse to let their faith be shaken.
What will you do if Haiti happened in your locale? Would you be shaken? Does a calamity need to occur before you re-examine your foundation? How about you let God’s word speak to your soul right now? Be assured, there will be a shaking as the scripture predicts, and God’s desire is that you will be found on the unshakable rock of his kingdom – Christ. Examine your values, tastes, desires, aspirations and wants. Who do you live for and why? Is it God, to please others or yourself. Discipline yourself in prayer and fasting, and seek to hear God’s voice and direction. Maybe you will go on a missions trip to encounter privation in another culture. The key is to strip yourself to the core as it were, to see what’s really there. Then trusting God to put the pieces back together. As you embark upon this process my prayer is that you will develop a strong cemented foundation, built to last in these uncertain times.
26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once
more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[w] 27The words
"once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created
things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us
be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe
This shaking that is spoken of in verse 26 is prophetic. It speaks of the last days. Essentially God is saying that in these days we will be tested. The shaking might not be a literal shaking as in Haiti, but it will occur.
While for Haiti, it was literal. The statistics are staggering as we know. Lives have been lost, an economy in further shambles and people desolate. Despite this reality, we were encouraged to see many brethren embodying verse 28. They were choosing to look beyond the earthly circumstances and focus on God’s unshakable kingdom. For these ones, despite the homelessness, joblessness, bereavement, etc, they refuse to let their faith be shaken.
What will you do if Haiti happened in your locale? Would you be shaken? Does a calamity need to occur before you re-examine your foundation? How about you let God’s word speak to your soul right now? Be assured, there will be a shaking as the scripture predicts, and God’s desire is that you will be found on the unshakable rock of his kingdom – Christ. Examine your values, tastes, desires, aspirations and wants. Who do you live for and why? Is it God, to please others or yourself. Discipline yourself in prayer and fasting, and seek to hear God’s voice and direction. Maybe you will go on a missions trip to encounter privation in another culture. The key is to strip yourself to the core as it were, to see what’s really there. Then trusting God to put the pieces back together. As you embark upon this process my prayer is that you will develop a strong cemented foundation, built to last in these uncertain times.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Acts of Righteousness
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long....Psalm 71:24a
I noticed that I have been telling of your righteous acts for the past couple of days. One cannot declare God’s righteous acts except that their heart is full. However one cannot have their heart full except but the Lord fill it. Similarly, one’s heart cannot be filled except but by work. By this I mean doing the work of God.
As we have just arrived from Haiti, there is lots to report. Without the effort, energy, money and time spent in Haiti however, God would not have had substance to work with to put his words in our hearts. As people ask us how things went in Haiti, it is with pure ease that the words flow out of our hearts. We are truly full of glorious reports of the righteous acts that God allowed us to do on his behalf.
Similarly for those who maybe cannot go to Haiti, God requires them to do work so he can fill their heart. This could be evangelism, or acts of service, ie visiting the poor, or praying for the sick, or just doing a random act of kindness. Whatever it is, this work must be done. How can we expect God to work, when we don’t provide him with willing hearts and open hands.
Position yourself today to be a tool for the Lord. Reach out and serve someone else. Share your faith on the bus today. Take out a friend for coffee today, and bless them with companionship. Pray and ask God how you can be used of him today, and watch how he fills your heart with goodness, joy and gladness to his praise and glory.
I noticed that I have been telling of your righteous acts for the past couple of days. One cannot declare God’s righteous acts except that their heart is full. However one cannot have their heart full except but the Lord fill it. Similarly, one’s heart cannot be filled except but by work. By this I mean doing the work of God.
As we have just arrived from Haiti, there is lots to report. Without the effort, energy, money and time spent in Haiti however, God would not have had substance to work with to put his words in our hearts. As people ask us how things went in Haiti, it is with pure ease that the words flow out of our hearts. We are truly full of glorious reports of the righteous acts that God allowed us to do on his behalf.
Similarly for those who maybe cannot go to Haiti, God requires them to do work so he can fill their heart. This could be evangelism, or acts of service, ie visiting the poor, or praying for the sick, or just doing a random act of kindness. Whatever it is, this work must be done. How can we expect God to work, when we don’t provide him with willing hearts and open hands.
Position yourself today to be a tool for the Lord. Reach out and serve someone else. Share your faith on the bus today. Take out a friend for coffee today, and bless them with companionship. Pray and ask God how you can be used of him today, and watch how he fills your heart with goodness, joy and gladness to his praise and glory.
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