From Judgement To Joy

“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil”

Matt 4:1

Before Jesus began to preach, John the Baptist prepared Judea for His appearance. And God did a preparatory work in Christ’s own life!

Biography: John the Baptist

John was Jesus’ cousin, about six months older than Christ. He had been filled by the Spirit from his birth, being readied for his mission (Luke 1:14-17). We don’t know how long John lived a hermit’s life in the Judean wilderness (Matt 3:4). But when Jesus was about 30, John appeared on the banks of the Jordan and began to preach.

John’s appearance excited the Jewish population. Burdened by heavy taxes and ruled by an increasingly brutal Herod, there was an intense yearning for the Messiah to appear. John, austere and ascetic, burning with passion for God and holiness, seemed a likely candidate. His announcement that “the kingdom of heaven is near” stirred Jewish yearning into bright expectation of a better future.

John persistently denied that he was the Messiah (John 1:19-28). Instead he called for his listeners to confess their sins, repent, and prepare themselves spiritually for the true Messiah, whom God had revealed to him was even then living among them.

Matthew quotes from Isaiah 40 to define John’s role. That passage launched the second half of the mighty Old Testament prophecy; a half in which the dominant theme shifts from judgment to joy. John’s mission of preparation was to ready the people spiritually, for in a brief moment “the glory of the Lord [would] be revealed, and all mankind together will see it” (Isa 40:5).

I suspect that when John denied being Messiah, many turned away. “Nothing but a messenger,” they may well have thought. Yet this messenger readied hearts for Jesus, and thus for endless joy.

There is no greater ministry any of us can have than John’s. We cannot meet the deepest needs of others. But we can introduce them to Him who meets every need.

Wants And Wishes

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Ephesians 5:8

The third class of blessing consists of spiritual treasures which are ours by blood atonement but which will not come to us unless we make a determined effort to possess them. To make things clearer let me set forth four propositions touching this blessing of joy which God has set before us; we looked at two in the last post. Here are two more:

3. You will have as little as you are satisfied with.

God gives to all men liberally, but it would be absurd to think that God's liberality will make a man more godly than he wants to be. The man, for instance, who is satisfied to live a defeated life will never be forced to take victory. The man who is content to follow Christ afar off will never know the radiant wonder of His nearness. The man who is willing to settle for a joyless, barren life will never experience the joy of the Holy Spirit or the deep satisfaction of fruitful living. It is discouraging to those who care, and surely a great grief to the Holy Spirit, to see how many Christians are content to settle for less than the best.

4. You now have as much as you really want.

Every man is as close to God as he wants to be; he is as holy and as full of the Spirit as he wills to be. Our Lord said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6). If there were but one man anywhere on earth who hungered and was not filled the word of Christ would fall to the ground. Yet we must distinguish wanting from wishing. By "want" I mean wholehearted desire. Certainly there are many who wish they were holy or victorious or joyful but are not willing to meet God's conditions to obtain. That God has placed before us, his children, a vast world of spiritual treasures and that we refuse or neglect to claim is a great tragedy.

Let's not be satisfied with little when He provides so much!

Prayer

O Lord, give me a consuming discontent with spiritual poverty! I am a child of the King of kings and the Lord of lords and I should live as one blessed of the Lord. Amen.

Possessing What Is Promised

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks,
the door will be opened.
— Matthew 7:7-8

The third class of blessing consists of spiritual treasures which are ours by blood atonement but which will not come to us unless we make a determined effort to possess them. To make things clearer let me set forth four propositions touching this blessing of joy which God has set before us:

1. You will get nothing unless you go after it.

God will not force anything on you. As Joshua fought his way into possession of the Promised Land you also must fight for these blessings, meeting and defeating whatever enemies would stand in the way to challenge your right of possession. The land will not come to you; you must go to the land and on up into it by the way of continually looking to God to lead you to breakthroughs.
2. You may have as much as you insist upon having.

"Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you" (Josh. 1:3) said God to Joshua, and this principle runs throughout the entire Bible. The history of Israel is dotted with stories of those who pressed boldly on to claim their possessions; such, for instance, as Caleb who, after the conquest of Canaan, went to Joshua, demanded the mountain Moses had promised him, and got it. Again, when the daughters of Zelophehad stood before Moses and pleaded, "Give unto us . . . a possession among the brethren of our father" (Num. 27:4) their request was granted. Those women received their inheritance, not by the indulgence of Moses but by the command of God whose promise was involved. When our requests are such as honour God we may ask as largely as we will. The more daring the request the more glory accrues to God when the answer comes.

A Prayer for Today

Father, when I ask for bread You will not give me a stone. You delight in opening to me the treasures in Christ when I ask, seek and knock.Teach me to be bold and courageous in my asking!

Every Spiritual Blessing From Above

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3

Those spiritual blessings in heavenly places which are ours in Christ may be divided into three classes: The first is those which come to us immediately upon our believing unto salvation, such as forgiveness, justification, regeneration, sonship to God and baptism into the Body of Christ. In Christ we possess these even before we know that they are ours, such knowledge coming to us later through the study of the Holy Scriptures.

The second class is those riches which are ours by inheritance but which we cannot enjoy in actuality until Jesus returns. These include ultimate mental and moral perfection, the glorification of our bodies, the completion of the restoration of the divine image in our redeemed personalities and the admission into the very presence of God to experience Him forever.

These treasures are as surely ours as if we possessed them now, but it would be useless for us to pray for them while we journey here on earth. God has made it very clear that they are reserved for the time of the manifestation of the sons of God (Rom. 8:18-25).

The third class of blessing consists of spiritual treasures which are ours by blood atonement but which will not come to us unless we make a determined effort to possess them. These are deliverance from the habitual sins, victory over self, the constant flow of the Holy Spirit through our personalities, fruitfulness in service God, awareness of the presence of God, growth in grace, and an unbroken spirit of worship.

These do not come to us automatically nor must we wait to claim them at the day of Christ's coming. They are to us what the Promised Land was to Israel, to be entered into as our faith and courage arise.

What immense spiritual wealth is ours in Christ! Some to experience today and some tomorrow. Some which is ours because of spiritual birth as a child of God. Some to be experienced only by exercising deliberate faith.

A Prayer for Today

Forgive me, Father, for living in spiritual poverty when You have provided such blessings. I want to experience them all that I may be what You desire me to be.

A Fortress Of Friends

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

If you were alone on a fully furnished island that was stocked with all the food, drinks, and non-human entertainment you needed, would you be happy? There would probably be an initial period of enjoyment as you soaked up the uninterrupted alone time. But at some point that enjoyment would start to give way to boredom if you had no one to share it with. The isolation would drive you mad.

We were not designed to live in isolation. If we look back to the beginning in the book of Genesis, we will see that isolation was not part of God's plan for humanity. He created Adam then saw fit to give Adam a human companion. We need social interaction. And that's why God designed relationships.

Many times in our culture we focus on the negative influence of relationships. We highlight the back-biting and betrayal and encourage people to believe that relationships are overrated and unneeded. You may have been scarred by previous relationships and have isolated yourself from others. But that is not God's plan for our lives. He wants us to build strong relationships that will encourage us and help us move forward.

I thank God for my friends. This past week I was at the Pastors' Prayer Summit spending four great days with great friends amidst a great God! We laughed, we ate,we prayed, we received the Word, we worshipped and were so strengthened because that is what happens when you are in the fortress of friends.

The right friend can say the perfect thing you need to hear during a difficult time, know just how to celebrate after a success, or take your mind off the pressures of life and help you enjoy the moment. Relationships are the building blocks of our lives. Don't allow yourself to live out in the cold of loneliness unprotected. Instead, surround yourself with the fortress of great friends.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, in a culture that focuses so much on the negative aspects of relationships I am so thankful for the fortress of friends that you have given me to share my life with. I pray that you will continue to strengthen our relationships with each other as we stay connected to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Behold Your King

Devotional For Matt 1:18-2:6

Babies are cute. They are not supposed to inspire awe.

Perhaps that’s one reason why people find it so easy to trivialize Christmas. Baby Jesus, lying helpless in the manger, can be viewed with mild affection. Folks can smile down at Him, and then move on to the real business of the season – shopping, vacation, being with the family, sending e-cards that say “holiday greetings” with some Christmas jingles and so are unlikely to offend with an overly religious message.

Despite what people may assume, Matthew wasn’t interested in having us meet “Baby Jesus.” We know, because over and over this Gospel writer quoted from the Old Testament. And the passages he selected and applied directly to Christ are passages that insist we see not an Infant but a King; not a Babe, but the Master of the universe.

Who is Jesus to Matthew? Matthew 1:23 identifies Him with a virgin-born Child predicted by Isaiah. What did Isaiah say about Him? He is “Immanuel,” a name that in Hebrew means “With Us Is GOD!” Look at the Babe in the manger, not with mild affection, but in awe. For in this Child all the glory of God shines through.

Matthew also quoted from Micah 5, which predicted the birth in Bethlehem of a Ruler who would be the Shepherd of God’s people Israel. Looking in Micah, we discover that “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord.” In fact, “in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.” His people will be secure, for His greatness will “reach to the ends of the earth.” Why not, when His strength is the strength of God, and His majesty the name of the Lord, which He bears!

And when Christmas comes again, at the end of 2008, don’t be concerned with the displays of crèche and cradle. The wooden replicas, however cute, hardly represent the King of kings.

To catch the spirit of Christmas, read again Matthew’s account – and the prophecies he quotes. And then bow down in awe for He is worthy of all our worship.

Personal Application

The Christ we need to keep in Christmas is not the Babe so much as the King of kings.

Quotable

“Napoleon was right when he said, “I know men, and I tell you, Jesus is more than a man. Comparison is impossible between Him and any other human being who ever lived, because He was the Son of God.” Emerson was right when he replied to those who asked him why he did not include Jesus among his Representative Men, “Jesus was not just a man.” Arnold Toynbee was right when he said, “As upon the farther shore a simple figure rises from the flood and straightway

fills the whole horizon of history. There is the Saviour.” – Billy Graham

Obedience Releases Blessings

Matt 2:19-23.

“He went and lived in a town called Nazareth”

Matthew 2:23

After Herod died, an angel directed Joseph to return. The family settled in Nazareth, in Galilee, and there Jesus grew up and began His ministry.

This is the third occasion on which Joseph is given guidance by an angel appearing to him in a dream. How responsive Joseph was to the Lord. In each case the text says that “when he woke up” Joseph did what the angel of the Lord commanded. In verse 14 we read that “he got up, took the Child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.” Joseph was not only willing to obey, he did so without hesitation.

Mary is rightly honoured as the mother of Jesus. She was a special young woman, highly honoured by God. Yet what a human surrogate father Jesus had in Joseph! He was truly a special man, and his obedience was highly honouring to God. May you and I honour Him as much, and as well, by our readiness to obey.

It is obedience that releases blessings. Look back at your life. Isn't it true that every time you obeyed the promptings of the Lord, however difficult that step of obedience was, blessing
followed? It is really better to obey.

Life For The Future

Read Matt 2:13-17.

“Take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt”

Matthew 2:13

Though the wise men never returned to direct the demented Herod to Jesus, Herod determined to see Him killed. To be sure he destroyed one Child, Herod ordered all male children under two in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem killed.

The act underlines the cruelty of Herod, and also the futility of such cruelty. God had spoken to Joseph again in a dream and, no doubt using the gifts brought by the magi to finance the journey, Mary and Joseph escaped with the Christ Child to Egypt.

Matthew quoted here from Jeremiah 31:15, picturing the anguish of those who lost their children in Herod’s purge. Yet Matthew 2:16-17 reminds us of a great truth. Even as the people of Jeremiah’s day were told that after their suffering “they will return from the land of the enemy,” so through the Cross, the infants who died will live again. “So,” the Lord declared through Jeremiah, “there is hope for your future.”

Jesus did live to die for us. Because of Him, even when we suffer painful tragedies, we too have hope for our future. In God's economy, no suffering that we have to bear for the sake of keeping true to the Word of God will go to waste. Out of our dying, God always releases life for the future.

The Margin Of The Magis

Read Matt 2:1-8

“Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?”

Matthew 2:2

The familiar story of the magi, a name given to a philosopher class in Persia, is told in order to further define who Jesus is. Alerted by the appearance of an unusual star, the magi traveled to Judea to honour One born to be King. Their arrival caused consternation, and Herod demanded to know where such a person might be born. The answer was found in Micah 5:2: the promised Ruler was to be born in Bethlehem.

Herod’s claim that if the Child were identified he would

“go and worship Him” was a revealing lie! It was a lie, because the aging Herod, destined to live only a few more months, intended to kill the Infant. The determined king, who had ordered the execution of his own sons when he thought they threatened his throne, could not bear the thought of anyone but him ruling his domain. The phrase “go and worship” was revealing, because the word “worship” helps us realize that scholarly Jews in the first century understood the Old Testament to teach that the Messiah would be God as well as man (cf. Micah 5:4).

It’s never enough to know who Jesus is. Those who acknowledge His supernatural birth, but fail to commit themselves to Him as Saviour, are very like Herod. They too are unwilling to acknowledge Jesus’ right to the throne – this time the throne of their lives. If Jesus is King and we are His devoted followers, then we gladly open the doors of our lives to Him. We surrender all of our lives to His rule and reign.

Read Matt 2:9-12.

“They were overjoyed”

Matthew 2:10

The magi serve as a positive model of response to Jesus, even as Herod serves as a negative model. These foreign visitors came joyfully to the house where the little family lived. There they worshiped the Baby, and “opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts.”

The gifts recorded are the traditional gifts given to royalty – gold, incense, and myrrh. More significant, however, is the pattern we see here. They worshiped Jesus. They then opened their treasures. And then presented Him with gifts.

Too often we human beings worship our treasures. Money, or the things money can buy, become the focus of our lives. When we worship wealth we have no room for Jesus, or for others. We hug our treasures close to us, unwilling to part with them for any cause. This leads to a life that is denied of financial margin.

Worshiping Jesus frees us from materialism. Our “treasures” lose their grip on our hearts. We willingly give to the Lord and that brings Him to rule and reign over our financial world .

Doing The Right Thing When You Have Been Wronged

Read Matt 1:18-25

“Joseph her husband was a righteous man”
Matt 1:19

Joseph is one of the most admirable characters in Scripture. Following Jewish custom, he had sealed the betrothal contract that was the first but binding stage in marriage. Many assume that Joseph was an older man, and that after the betrothal Mary stayed with her parents until she was old enough to conclude the marriage and move into Joseph’s home. When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he showed unusual compassion. Despite his feelings of hurt and betrayal, he “did not want to expose her to public disgrace.”

Explaining this, Matthew called Joseph a “righteous” man. Why, in view of the fact that the Law’s penalty for adultery is stoning, would this suggest righteousness? Some might feel it would have been more “righteous” to demand Mary be punished to the full extent of the Law!

The answer lies in the fact that “righteousness” in the Old Testament is conformity to God’s heart as well as His Law. Even Saul realized that grace better displays righteousness than strict legality, for he once cried out to David, “You are more righteous than I… You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly” (1 Sam 24:17). Joseph took this principle to heart, and though he thought Mary had treated him badly, he determined to treat her well, both in a spiritual sense as well as in a physical sense. Joseph was truly a “son of David” (Matt 1:20).

The New Testament tells us little about Joseph beyond this. But how much these few words convey. He was a man like his ancestor, who had a heart for God and deep compassion for others. No matter how little known beyond our circle of family and friends you or I may be, we are spiritually great if Matthew’s word about Joseph is true of us as well.

Are you a righteous person? Do you treat those who treat you badly with kindness and compassion?

Messed Up Lives In The Messiah's Line

Read Matt 1:2-17.

“Whose mother was Rahab”

Matt 1:5.

Hebrew genealogies characteristically mentioned only male ancestors. Matthew departed from this pattern, and included four women, three of whom were Gentiles, and the fourth of whom he noted had been married to a Gentile (Bathsheba, who “had been Uriah’s [a Hittite’s] wife”). Furthermore, with the exception of Ruth, the women were hardly models of morality! Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba had all engaged in adultery, even though by the first century they were highly regarded by the Jewish people.

What point was Matthew making? We can perhaps suggest several. Perhaps Matthew was telling us that in the new era Christ introduced, women would have an increasingly important role alongside men. Very possibly Matthew was reminding us that Jesus has come to be the Saviour of the world, not just of the Jewish people. God introduced gentile blood into the Saviour’s line as a grand reminder that He values every human life, and sent His Son to redeem us all. And, perhaps, these particular women are there to remind us that human flaws do not cut us off from being recipients of God’s grace. In fact, it is our flaws that led God to send His Son.

The most unexpected people made it into the lineage of the King; they all became related to Him. Isn't that assuring? You and I may be nobodies, sinful, broken, unworthy but He came for us and for a world of people just like us. Come, let us adore Him!

Lineage Of The KING!

Dear Readers

Beginning today, I am starting a devotional commentary on the book of Matthew. I invite you to open the Word in Matthew with me on weekdays (Monday to Friday) where we will journey through chapter by chapter in Matthew. On the weekends, I will post a summary devotional on the week's commentaries.

In this way, we get to explore an entire book of the Bible systematically. It's my way of helping us maintain a devotional plan for the year.

I really welcome your comments and tags on how these devotional commentaries are a blessing to you. So once in a while, if you would post comment or a tag, it will be such an encouragement.

________________________________________________________

“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David,

the Son of Abraham”

Matt 1:1.

The Greek phrase, “a record of the genealogy,” is found in the Septuagint only in Genesis 1 and 5. This indicates Matthew intended this phrase to mean “record of the origins.” Thus the first verse launches us immediately into the central issue of the New Testament. Who is Jesus? What is His role in God’s plan, and in our lives?

Matthew’s answer is given in this two-chapter introduction, which demonstrates that Jesus is the “Anointed One” predicted in the Old Testament. That term, “Messiah” in Old Testament Hebrew and “Christ” in New Testament Greek, is Jesus’ title. It means that He is the One through whom all God’s promises will be fulfilled.

As the “Son of David” Jesus fulfilled the promise God gave David that a descendant of his would sit on Israel’s throne, and rule a universal kingdom (cf. 2 Sam 7:12-16; Isa 9:6-7). Additional quotes from the prophets in these two chapters are from Old Testament passages that underline the theme of Messiah’s rule (Jer 23; Hosea 11; Micah 5).

As “Son of Abraham” Jesus fulfilled the promise given by the father of the Jewish race. He is the “Seed,” through whom the entire human race would be blessed (Gen 12:1-3; cf. Gal 3:16).

Thus Matthew’s very first words alert us. Jesus is the focus of all Scripture. He is the essence – the substance and the spirit of its message. He is both Lord and Saviour. Hence, our response to Jesus determines our destiny. Our future and the future of our own lineage is very much tied to our response to Jesus.

Mary And Margin

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Everyone is busy these days. We've got a million things to do. We have so much going on that we can barely focus on what we are doing right now. Some of you are even trying to focus on the verses you just read while fighting thoughts of work, family, and other responsibilities. We all have moments when we are extremely busy, but we cannot be so consumed with a "million things" that we forget about the most important thing.

Martha had a million things to do when Jesus came. She was responsible for making Jesus' stay at her house comfortable and enjoyable. Martha wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus, but she had so much to do for him before she could sit with him. Can you relate? You would like to sit with Jesus, but there are so many things that need to get done first. A lot of those things are good things. Some of them may even be things you want to do for Jesus. But Jesus doesn't want us to get so caught up in doing good things that we forget about the greatest thing, which is spending time with him.

Don't wait to accomplish your "million things" before you spend time with Jesus. Learn from Mary and sit at Jesus' feet. Mary factored in margin. When you spend time at the feet of Jesus, he will help you sort out your "million things" and protect you from being fragmented in so many directions.

A Prayer For Today

Lord, there are times when I get so caught up in my busy schedule that I forget to spend time with you. Help me to resist spending more time doing the good things and concentrate more on the greatest thing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Perfect Getaway

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:16

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

Luke 22:39

When most people think of the perfect getaway, they picture themselves at a resort on a secluded beach, a rustic cabin in the hills, or on the shore of a quiet lake. But it can actually be as close as your balcony or in a quiet, undecorated corner of your house. The perfect getaway does not have to be exotic or elaborate but a quiet place where you can have some alone time with God.

Jesus knew the importance of having a quiet place to get away. He didn't seek out the most beautiful temple or some exclusive prayer resort. He often went onto a small mountain because he knew that the importance of meeting with God regularly, by himself, would help him recharge after dealing with the pressures of the world.

If you are walking around drained, stressed, and frazzled, you cannot effectively live the way that God wants you to live. We all need to have a place to regularly meet with God. It is a needed margin for a life of power. It is refreshing and recharges us to be able to handle life's distractions.

Spending time alone with God draws you into intimate moments with him. It draws you into a place that triggers your mind to let go of life's distractions and focus on his will for your life. So look for the quiet place where you can be alone with God and release your anxieties. It will give you the ammunition you need to battle any distractions that come your way.

A Prayer For Today

Lord, life's distractions can leave me feeling drained and stressed out, but I am so thankful you are always available to meet me in a quiet place of intimacy where I can be refreshed. Help me to make quiet getaways alone with you a part of my daily life in 2008. In Jesus' name, Amen

Grace Works Hard

Scripture

"For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." (1 Cor. 15:9-10)

Observation

Grace requires work! Sounds like opposites, doesn't it? Sort of like the perceived difference between faith and works. But here, Paul shares his insights on God's grace. It is not something when given, it dismisses us from any labor. Instead, it makes us labor all the more! God's grace is not an excuse. It is the very reason.

For example, if I should be fired, but instead, I am given "grace," then in keeping with that gift, I will become the best worker in the company, not the laziest. I will become the most diligent, not the least.

Grace gives me the reason to work hard and labor with passion for the Christ Who gave me grace!

I wonder if sometimes we mistake "God's grace" for God's leniency. God may be merciful, but not lenient. He is forgiving, not blind. He is a God of grace, not favoritism or partiality.

Application

I want to exude the grace of God on my life by being diligent and hard working, ethical and frugal. I am what I am because of the grace of God. And I will labour diligently, not me but the grace of God that is with me!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your grace on my life. May I example your grace at work in me.

The Margin Of Time

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34

People love to be involved in a lot of things because it makes them feel important. Think about how many leagues, associations, social clubs, and sports teams there are in the world today. It feels good to belong to something positive and have a great way to spend our leisure time, but too much of a good thing can be bad for you.

Many of us have stuffed our calendars with so many leisure commitments because we are trying to fill a void in our lives. But many of us have not realized that the void inside of us can not be filled with golf games and shopping trips. That void longs to be filled with the grace and love that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Nothing is wrong with being involved in leisure activities. But if you find your schedule so full of leisure activities that your priorities are messed up, you have chosen a life without margin! We must cut through the fluff and allow Christ to fill the void in our lives.

As the New Year is upon us and you begin thinking of how you will spend your time in 2008, be sure that your schedule is in sync with your priorities. "Seek first his kingdom" before adding any commitments to the schedule.

This Sunday, we will specifically talk about time and what it means to factor in margin in our schedule so that God can fill our lives with blessings.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, being involved in lots of things can be fun and exciting as well as an indicator of how messed up my priorities can be. As the New Year is here, help me to line my commitments up with your will for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Quiet Whispers of Power

And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

1 Kings 19:9-13

Elijah was a mighty man in Israel. He was the only prophet of the living God that opposed the wicked king and queen's religion in a showdown that got national attention. By the end of this showdown, he proved that the God of Israel was the real deal. God worked through Elijah in a mighty way that resulted in the ultimate mountain top experience.

Moments later Elijah was running scared — literally. Elijah saw God's power, yet he became so afraid of Queen Jezebel's fury that he ran from a crowded mountaintop of victory to a lonely cave of fear. Elijah had seen God rain fire from heaven, bring drought, and answer prayers for rain. He saw mighty winds, earthquakes and fires; but what he needed most was a gentle whisper.

Often times, we look for God's direction in huge, miraculous events in our lives. But life with God was designed to be more than just mountaintop highs. There will be times when God will miraculously deliver us, yet there will also be times when he quietly affirms his presence in our lives with a gentle whisper of guidance.

Satan knows that it is hard to hear the gentle whispers when the pressures of life are screaming. And he will do everything in his power to raise the decibels until the whisper is drowned out. That is why it is so important to take some time to get away from the screams of life. If you don't, you might not hear the gentle whisper that is so desperately needed. In 2008, the key to your ability to hear the Lord will not just be in the big bangs. It will also be ins the quiet whispers. Stay tuned to God through solitude. It detoxifies the soul!

A Prayer for Today

Lord, thank you for always being real and present in my life. Sometimes my life can be so out of control when I can't easily hear or see you. Help me slow down so that I can hear your gentle whispers of guidance in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.