THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL
And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.   Isaiah 12:1-6

Jesus is the comfort of Israel.  He came to seek and to save her.  He loves her with an everlasting love.  How wonderful!!   The Consolation of Israel is a title for the Messiah among the Jewish people.  Simeon, a believer in Jesus, declared at the seeing of the Christ child that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived:
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:25-32 


 Have you ever been comforted or loved deeply in a dry and weary land?  Have you ever had your heart consoled or your soul refreshed?  Have you ever been saved from your enemies?  Have you ever had a savior?  If you have ever known  deep comfort and consolation, then you know that there are wells of water in this salvation--streams of thankfulness, rivers of joy, springs of refreshing.  Jesus is the consolation of Israel--giving her praise, joy, and refreshing. 

Today, enjoy Jesus in spirit and in truth!

FORBID THEM NOT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

FORBID THEM NOT

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought  them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

There is so much violence against children.  The innocent ones are so often scorned and set aside.  As adults, many of us care not to tolerate the distractions that little ones bring.  We want quiet and order and an undisturbed environments.  We want adult talk, and adult conduct and conversation.  But Jesus says that we are to "suffer the little ones."  Yes, we are to move aside for the little ones.  We are to make room for them; ensure that our environments are child friendly, child welcoming, child permitting.  Jesus obviously doesn't see little ones as ramunctious creatures to be put aside.  He instead wants us to learn lessons from our children.  They are beautiful.  Their eyes are full of wonder and innocence.  They are caring, holding us close--trusting and believing in our good.  They are full of energy and life and creativity.  They are like the kingdom of God.

This brings me to thoughts of the Christmas story.  Do you think that there was no room at the inn in Bethlehem because the innkeepers didn't want to be bothered with the possibility of a newborn in their midst?  I wonder if the innkeepers ignored the birth of Mary's firstborn son, leaving him outside in the manger (read Luke 2:7).

Today, let us not ignore the little ones...let  us not forbid them. 

UPHELD IN INTEGRITY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

UPHELD IN INTEGRITY

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
Psalm 41:12

Trials and persecution come to all of us.  Nevertheless, as we live lives of purity, sincerity, and truth, we are divinely protected in every situation.  God will uphold you in your integrity, but the wicked walk in slippery places. 

Today, know that your integrity will bring you to peace.

HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORDDAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLD

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18:19

It takes a lot of hard work to keep your children and household under the rule of God.  You must preserve them from the influences and affections of the world.  But God knew that Abraham would overcome the trials and frustrations to command his children and household.  God knew that Abraham would keep, guide, secure his children and household in the way of the LORD.

Today, I pray that God will give you the strength to do that which is difficult, but expected. 

OUR FAITH SHALL NOT FAIL

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 17, 2012

  OUR FAITH SHALL NOT FAIL

And the Lord said,Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31,32

Satan is busy trying to sift us.  He uses everyone and everything to attack us, in hopes of disouraging us and destroying our faith.  But Jesus is praying for us, and he has determined to sustain our faith. Regardless of life's circumstance, we are divinely sustained in and through every situation. "It is  God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man" (Psalm 18:47, 48).  "It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man" (2 Samuel 22:48,49).
Even as great forces rise against you, the Lord will keep you and raise you up above the conflict. He will make your faith strong and secure. 
Today, our faith shall fail not.

BEHOLD, AND BE WHOLE

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 16, 2012
BEHOLD, AND BE WHOLE

“And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” Numbers 21:9

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:14, 15

“Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed.”  Isaiah 53:4

I often meditate on the cross.  I behold it in my mind, and think on the goodness of Jesus.  We must learn to behold Christ on the cross; for as we consider the blood of Jesus, the blessed sacrifice that our Savior gave, we are made whole.  Yes, we are healed in the beholding.  Not only are we healed, Jesus will take our grief and sorrow to himself, when we call on Him.  Moreover, in a divine and supernatural way, the body of Christ is now afforded beauty instead of regrets, joy instead of mourning, and the ability to praise instead of the heaviness (weariness).  Scripture says it like this: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because he hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek,; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;  To proiclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified" (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Do you realize the power of the cross?  We have a priest “after the order of Melchisedec” (see Hebrews, Chapter 7).  Jesus' sacrifice has the “power of an endless life” (Hebrews 7:16); for Jesus “abideth a priest continually” (Hebrew 7:3).  The cross is not a dead symbol representing a one time occurance that  we are to recall on Good Friday.  No, we must live in the power and the eternality of the cross.  We must receive the newness of life that Christ purchased for us, and not only the priceless gift of salvation, but health and wholeness.  Jesus was once bruised, wounded and chastised so that the people of God would  be forever blessed, forever whole, forever healthy, forever safe in Christ Jesus. 

Today, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.

INTENSIVE CARE

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012
INTENSIVE CARE

And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Matthew 8:14-17

 Jesus not only purchased our salvation, he heals our diseases.  In Psalm103:3 the Lord is the one “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.”  Throughout the New Testament Jesus is the one who loves mankind and restores health:  “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24).

 Sometimes we forget how much of our ministry to others is to help them feel better.  With love and gentleness, we are to serve one another... and care.  The Apostle Paul said of his ministry, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us” I Thessalonians 2:7, 8  Wow.  That is intensive care. 

Today, and forevermore, let us be gentle among one another, restoring health through the Spirit of God.

TAKE AWAY THE DROSS

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

TAKE AWAY THE DROSS

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.  Proverbs 25:4

Fit for the master’s use…that is God’s goal for us.  So, He must take away the dross from our lives--  that which is impure, unclean, unbecoming, unnecessary.  He must also take away the dross from our character—that which is unforgiving, unlovely, unlike Christ.   Whatever the process of sanctification, God’s goal is that we come forth, a vessel for the finer.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:19-21

 Today, let God take away whatever is necessary for His glory.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT MEAT AND DRINK

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 10, 2012
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT MEAT AND DRINK

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  Romans 14:17

How often does the world attempt to minimize God?  How quickly the world attempts to depreciate the significance of His kingdom.  Why are the saints of God troubled by so many things other than that which is essential?  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST. 

The story of Martha and Mary comes to mind when thinking of that which is significant in the Kingdom of God.  This story of Martha and Mary can be found in the book of Luke, and reads as follows: 

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42

 Throughout history people have continually tried to infer that the kingdom was about meat, drink, circumcision, holydays --taking the focus off of Jesus.  But we are warned in Scripture to beware of such vain deceits:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

 Colossians 2:8-17

 Jesus Christ has destroyed, spoiled and triumphed over every lesser thing.  He has triumphed over every thing that would consume your time, take your mind, or exalt itself above the power of God.  In Christ, you are complete.  He has accomplished your salvation.  Rise above every vain pursuit and hold onto Christ as you dwell in the Kingdom of God!

 Today, let us thank God that the kingdom of God is not in meat and drink but wholly and completely in Christ Jesus.

SACRIFICE MADE NEW

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 9, 2012
SACRIFICE MADE NEW
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26,27

In the Old Testament, it is quite easy to see God’s desire for sacrifice. God commanded blood sacrifices to be given as an offering unto the Lord. These sacrifices were necessary in order to approach the presence of God and for fellowship with God.  But in the New Testament, Jesus becomes the one sacrifice needed for entry into the presence of God.  The blood of Jesus is atonement for all of our sins, past, present and future.  Now we may rest in the one-time sacrifice of Christ, which purchased our salvation.  But we must still sacrifice:  for we must bear our cross.

In the New Testament, sacrifice is still essential, but it is altogether new.  Jesus gives us insight into the heart of sacrifice when he says, “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).  It is true that in order to love and serve God, we must sacrifice the lifestyle of Mammon.  We must hate the lordship that money attempts to impose over our lives.  Our decisions should not be based primarily on money, but our decisions must be governed and ruled by God.  What career will you choose?  How many children will you have?  Will you go to college... or just fast forward to millionaire status?  The Scriptures teach us to sacrifice our love for money, and instead, love the life that God deems best, whether rich or poor. 

In the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul states, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:9)  No doubt, if we truly love righteousness, we must hate iniquity.  If you love honoring God and keeping his commands, you must hate cheating, stealing, fornication and slander.  As servants of Christ, we must sacrifice corrupt communication. “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37).

God models sacrifice when he declares: “Jacob have I loved ; but Esau have I hated” ( Romans 9:13).  God chooses and promotes whomsoever he chooses.  He lifts up one and puts down another.  This is the essence of sacrifice.  What are you lifting up in your life today?  What do you need to sacrifice? 

Sacrifice is often the price we must pay to accomplish a task.  Have you ever tried working with opposing forces? Perhaps you have been on a team where two members are in opposition.  Nothing can get accomplished, right?  That is how it is in our lives when we refuse to sacrifice the things of the flesh.  “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).  The flesh desires the things that hinder the Spirit and the Spirit desires the things that crush the flesh.  No wonder the bible tells us , “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). 

Today, let us  sacrifice that which is necessary to accomplish our tasks in the Lord.