Understand the times...

     

By Christine Wyrtzen

www.daughtersofpromise.org  

I UNDERSTAND MY TIMES

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

         Am I fully awake? Has God caused my spiritual senses to arise out of twilight sleep? Like one who drives a ten-hour trip, I can numb out and not recall the last four hours of the trip. Unaware of the scenery. Unaware of traffic. Just marking time and watching the mile markers change. 'You know the time' has biblical history. Oh, how I can't afford to miss it. It's not about eschatology either.

         In Matthew 16, the Jewish leaders came to Jesus and asked for a sign, a sign that would confirm who He was and that what He was saying was true. Jesus was firm that there were signs all around them but they refused to see them.

         An even better understanding of this phrase comes from I Chronicles 12. When David was king at Hebron, a group of warriors came to his aid. (The men of Issachar predominantly.) They are described as those 'who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.' Is there anything better than keeping company with those who are spiritually astute, who know the mind and heart of God and are able to interpret the times and events! I shouldn't have to rely on those who have a prophetic gifting to understand God's heart on a matter. Yes, they possess a keen sense of God's thinking on issues but that wisdom is available to all who seek Him and seek the truth.

         'Wake me up!' is what I'm praying. I don't want to be like someone who is falling asleep; slowly ceasing to hear the creaking in the floors and the din of noise from the other room. I want to put off the mindset of the world, which is hard to do if I'm on their journey of moral and spiritual decline. If Jesus were to step into my world today, read the headlines, watch the news, visit a local school, how would He react to the spiritual condition of my city, my church, my children, my home life, my marriage, and to me - most of all? Would He tell me to wake up or would He just hone my present skills and make me a more effective watchman on the wall? I don't want to assume it's the latter. I'm asking Him about it and making sure my own sin isn't numbing out my spiritual senses.

I bind my mind to your mind. Amen

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Look and Live

When we are sick and told to do something that is good for us, we tend to bristle at the direction.  Go to bed early. Flood your system with Vitamin C.  Drink plenty of water.  Don't go to work - let your body rest.  Eat well.  How do you respond to these directives?  My husband tells me I am the WORST patient. He also manages to mention that perhaps it is my running on empty that may have allowed me to get sick. Ugh...more information than I want to hear!

We can only imagine what the Israelites felt like when God told them to look at a bronze serpent that Moses was instructed to make. It would be the source of healing for the people who were bitten by real serpents  in the desert.  They were dying all over the place from venom of the serpents and God was telling them to look at a fake bronze serpent!  And yet, if they did not do what He said, they would surely die.  Do you know that some refused to do it?  I can be just as stiff-necked.

Today's devotional in  the Check Book of the Bank of Faith by Charles H. Spurgeon rang my bell.  Hope it rings yours too.

                                    Look and Live

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shalt come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live." (Numbers 21:8)

This is a glorious gospel type. Jesus, numbered with the transgressors, hangs before us on the cross. A look to Him will heal us of the serpent-bite of sin; will heal us at once -- "When he looketh upon it, he shall live." Let the reader who is mourning his sinfulness note the words -- "Everyone that looketh upon it shall live." Every looker will find this true. I have found it so. I looked to Jesus and lived at once, I know I did. Reader, if you look to Jesus you will live, too. True, you are swelling with the venom, and you see no hope. True, also there is no hope but this one. But this is no doubtful cure -- "Everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."

The brazen serpent was not lifted up as a curiosity to be gazed upon by the healthy; but its special purpose was for those who were "bitten." Jesus died as a real Savior for real sinners. Whether the bite has made you a drunkard, or a thief, or an unchaste or a profane person, a look at the great Savior will heal you of these diseases and make you live in holiness and communion with God. Look and live.

The Glory of Israel Lives!
 

"Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness over the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising."   Isaiah the prophet spoke to Israel and the Nations that their Glory was to come from Zion.

  
Two thousand plus years later, Simeon, a righteous and devote Jew said to the Lord in the presence of the infant Jesus, "for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 

This day commemorates the Resurrection of Messiah. For Gentiles, He is our light.  Is He your light?  If not, you are walking in darkness. For Israel, He is their glory.  Is He your glory?  If not, in what do you glory? 


references: Isaiah 60:1-3,  Luke 2:30-32

A Dinner Date

Friends of ours are moving.  We met them about 4 years ago and they helped us through a special season in our lives. The decision to move came somewhat quickly.  So, we say good bye until our paths cross again.  We are not sure when that will be, but as followers of the Messiah Jesus, we have a future dinner date planned. If we don't see them here, I know we will see them there!  Farewell dear friends.  May God bless your pilgrimage and the work of your hands.


                                         World's Longest Table

"I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom." Matthew 26:26-30

On Sunday, July 18, 2010, one of the busiest highways in Europe became what some called “the longest table in the world.” Officials closed a 60-kilometer (37-mile) section of the A40 Autobahn in Germany’s Ruhr region so people could walk and bicycle or sit at one of 20,000 tables set up on the roadway. An estimated 2 million people came to enjoy an event the director hoped would connect people from many cultures, generations, and nations.

This event made me think of an even grander table around which believers gather to share the Lord’s Supper. During communion, we remember Jesus’ death for us as we anticipate the culmination of history at His return.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He shared the Passover meal with His disciples, telling them, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29).

The Lord’s Table unites everyone Christ has redeemed by His blood “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). One day, in a scene of reunion and joy, all who belong to Jesus will sit down together with Him at a table that will dwarf the Autobahn gathering. We joyfully anticipate sharing that table together!"

From RBC "Our Daily Bread" devotional written by David McCasland for the April 5th, 2012

You're Beautiful

You, yes you, are beautiful.  You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His.  Remember, it was for you He went to the cross.  He loves you.  He loves you madly, enough to die for you.  You are beautiful in His eyes.  And mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C2o0jHNRuU&noredirect=1


 

So the Scripture was fulfilled...

I have been doing some Spring cleaning and came across a little book.  It was the New Testament.  As I looked at the handy size and pondered who could use it, I thought of all the times the New Testament tells us, "This was done so that Scripture was fulfilled."

In order to fully know that Jesus is the promised One, we need the Scriptures in their entirety; what was prophesied and what was fulfilled.  Jesus speaks to the disciples saying, “Therefore,” He said to them, “every student of Scripture instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old.” Considering that the New Testament wasn't even written yet - He was illustrating the precious truth in the Hebrew scriptures that the church calls the Old Testament and His new teachings to the disciples that are now called the New Testament.

So don't throw out the Old and read just the New - you will only be getting half of the story of love!

Here are just a few examples to ponder how we need all of scripture to understand scripture.

1. Luke 4:21
   He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”
   Luke 4:20-22 (in Context) Luke 4 (Whole Chapter)  Isaiah 61:1, 2  
2. John 13:18
   I’m not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: The one who eats My bread has raised his heel against Me.
   John 13:17-19 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)  Psalm 41:9
3. John 15:25
   But this happened so that the statement written in their scripture might be fulfilled: They hated Me for no reason.
   John 15:24-26 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter) Psalm 35:19,  Psalm 69:4
4. John 17:12
   While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
   John 17:11-13 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter) Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8
5. John 19:28
   [ The Finished Work of Jesus ] After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!”
   John 19:27-29 (in Context) John 19 (Whole Chapter) Psalm 69:21
6. John 19:36
   For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of His bones will be broken.
   John 19:35-37 (in Context) John 19 (Whole Chapter)Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20
7. Matthew 2:17
   Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
   Matthew 2:16-18 (in Context) Matthew 2 (Whole Chapter)
8. Matthew 2:23
   And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
   Matthew 2:22-23 (in Context) Matthew 2 (Whole Chapter)
9. Matthew 4:14
   so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
   Matthew 4:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 4 (Whole Chapter)
10. Matthew 13:14
    Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
    Matthew 13:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 13 (Whole Chapter)
11. Matthew 26:54
    But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
    Matthew 26:53-55 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
12. Acts 1:16
    “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David spoke in advance about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
    Acts 1:15-17 (in Context) Acts 1 (Whole Chapter) Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8
13. Matthew 26:56
    But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
    Matthew 26:55-57 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
14. Matthew 27:9
    Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel,
    Matthew 27:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 27 (Whole Chapter)
15. Mark 1:15
    and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
    Mark 1:14-16 (in Context) Mark 1 (Whole Chapter)
16. Mark 14:49
    Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”
    Mark 14:48-50 (in Context) Mark 14 (Whole Chapter)
17. Luke 1:20
    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 1:19-21 (in Context) Luke 1 (Whole Chapter)
18. Luke 21:24
    They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
    Luke 21:23-25 (in Context) Luke 21 (Whole Chapter)
19. Luke 22:16
    For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
    Luke 22:15-17 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
20. Luke 22:35
    [ Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus ] And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
    Luke 22:34-36 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
21. Luke 22:37
    For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
    Luke 22:36-38 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
22. Luke 24:44
    Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
    Luke 24:43-45 (in Context) Luke 24 (Whole Chapter)
23. John 12:38
    so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
    John 12:37-39 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter)
24. John 17:13
    But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
    John 17:12-14 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
25. Acts 3:18
    But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
    Acts 3:17-19 (in Context) Acts 3 (Whole Chapter)
26. Acts 13:27
    For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
    Acts 13:26-28 (in Context) Acts 13 (Whole Chapter)
27. Acts 13:33
    this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
    Acts 13:32-34 (in Context) Acts 13 (Whole Chapter)
And more.....

God's Son

From a great devotion called Days of Praise by Henry M. Morris

God's Son in the Old Testament

March 24, 2012

 

"I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." (Psalm 2:7)

 

There are many today (especially Muslims, Jews, and Christian "liberals") who are monotheists, believing in one supreme God but rejecting the deity of Christ. They argue that the doctrine that Jesus was the unique Son of God was invented by the early Christians and that the God of the Old Testament had no Son. Orthodox Jews in particular emphasize Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."

 

The fact is, however, that there are a number of Old Testament verses that do speak of God's only begotten Son. Note the following brief summary.

 

First, there is God's great promise to David: "I will set up thy seed after thee, . . . I will be his father, and he shall be my son. . . . thy throne shall be established for ever" (2 Samuel 7:12, 14, 16).

 

Consider also the rhetorical questions of Agur. "Who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" (Proverbs 30:4).

 

Then there are the two famous prophecies of Isaiah, quoted so frequently at Christmas time. "Behold, a (literally 'the') virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (meaning 'God with us')" (Isaiah 7:14). "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

 

Perhaps the most explicit verse in this connection is our text. "The LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son" (Psalm 2:7). Then this marvelous Messianic psalm concludes with this exhortation: "Kiss the Son, . . . Blessed are all they that put their trust in him" (Psalm 2:12).