Yesterday we looked at God’s words to Israel telling them that if they would return to Him, they would find rest and be saved. The offer was rejected.
Nearly 750 years after God made His appeal through Isaiah, He came again to His people, not by a prophet but in His own Son. A handful of people were waiting for Him. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:25–26).s This Spirit-anointed man came into the temple as Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to be presented before God as the law required. I can’t imagine taking the hope of Israel and nations into my arms, holding God incarnate and realizing that all human history was changing because of this child. No wonder Simeon “took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word” (2:28–29). Simeon’s life was satisfied at this moment, at complete rest. Does Jesus Christ mean that much to you? Do you have complete rest in Him?
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Where do we go when circumstances bring pressure and stress into our lives that are beyond our ability to solve at the moment. I am sure we have all been in that place at some time. The current stress of Covid-19 has certainly put many in that situation.
Our minds often run to physical situations as being the most stressful. When our hearts are out of tune with the Lord, we often try to solve the stress with material things which are never the real answer. God gave Israel an answer to their complaints about oppression and circumstances that came from living in exile caused by disobedience. “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling” (Isaiah 30:15). This is not our natural response to times of difficulty, but it is the right response. We will not know how God can intervene unless we are willing to return to Him and rest in HIS solutions! This ministry has been privileged to train many dear brothers and sisters around the world, often in difficult and dangerous places. You and many others have prayed for us over the years and God has been so good to shield us in countless ways. Now Nigeria is heavy on our hearts as persecution against Christians increases and many give their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Randy has trained many in Nigeria, and most recently at the end of 2019. Some were EMS missionaries working in Alawa Minna DCC (Niger state North Central Nigeria). One of these missionaries and a co-worker was kidnapped December 5th on their way home from Minna. As yet, no news has been received about where they are or their condition. Please pray for their release. He was one of the participants of God's Plan for His Church training in Suleja Centre. When news like this comes to my ears, I often think of Hebrews 13:3; “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” As we pray, think of the conditions they might be experiencing at this moment. This helps us pray as if we were right there with them. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING! It is good for us to ponder the incarnation – the birth of Jesus. “There was no room for them in the inn” but the “glory of the Lord shone around” the shepherds (Luke 2:7, 9). “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (2:13-14).
There is a tremendous contrast between the way the world and religious leaders received the King of kings and Lord of lords. Zacharias pointed out, “the Lord God of Israel…spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of old” (1:68, 70). The coming of Jesus should not have been any surprise to any Jew because of the volume of prophetic writings concerning His birth. The world still misses the point of Christ’s coming. Perhaps the most shocking fact is that most of the Church is still missing the point. Not heaven though. The angels and heavenly host could not be silent at the entry of Jesus into the sin-stained world He created. A deeper question might be ‘how extravagant is our worship of the Savior?’ It would not cost any money to let our hearts and voices declare praise for such a glorious salvation. If we are silent about the glory of Jesus, will His creation burst forth in thunderous worship? My mind and heart is so full! As I have blogged about the glory of Jesus as Creator of all things, my thoughts keep turning to the wonder of Jesus coming into the creation He spoke into existence. Even more amazing is that He entered this creation as a lowly babe. If He had entered in a way that He really deserved, every knee would have been bent in prostrate worship, and every earthly authority would have immediately submitted to Jesus’ royal presence and authority.
It did not happen that way. There were so few that recognized His entry with a sense of awe and majesty. Among these few, the father of John the Baptist, Zechariah, stands out for many reasons. “And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David” (Luke 1:67–69). It was not by bringing a revolution, coup or public resistance, but by visiting His creation and people called out of the nations through being humble and a servant. God’s way was right, and it is still the way He wants us to carry the message to every people group. As Zechariah was filled with the Spirit to make this proclamation, so God wants to fill us to proclaim His salvation. That is the way it will reach the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The blog yesterday got me thinking again about the ultimate end (goal) of all things. Sadly, we tend to live just in the “now” without relating everything in life to a great divine purpose. This thought took me to Colossians 1:16.
“For by Him [Christ Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). Notice the two major points in this verse: · Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things. The list of created things is all inclusive. · All that Jesus Christ created was “for Him” – for His glory. I am sure you will agree with me that because Jesus is both Creator and Redeemer, that in itself is enough reason for everything to have its highest goal of existing for His glory. As part of His creation, and given the capacity to think, we must conclude that our lives have only one goal, one purpose, and one end: to be “to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12, 14). Let us check our priority list and see if it stands in agreement with this end. “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” (1)
“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth”” (Revelation 5:9–10). This is the position I take on missions as well. When we become weary and doubts drag us down, we must invite God the Spirit to inform our hearts and minds with His eternal perspective. This will reenergize our purpose in missions so we seek to be more effective because of the final end. (1) John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions, Baker Academy, 1993, page 203. Many have asked the question; ‘why should we take the gospel to the nations when God knows who is going to be saved?’ They base this question on Scriptures like Romans 8:29 which points to God’s ‘foreknowledge’ and that He ‘predestined’ some for salvation. There are a couple of points I want to mention regarding this subject.
First, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This being so, we cannot use one Scripture in violation or negate another. If they seem contradictory, there must be something we are not understanding about the ones we are reading and need the Spirit to help us. Second, there are commands of God as we have in Matthew 28:19; “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This command is not qualified or limited to a certain people who are only known by God. The same principle is stated in other Scriptures such as Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15. Third, we must distinguish between a command given us in the Scripture which these last two verses are, and Scriptures that help us understand the character and nature of God. Having a better grasp of who God is does not cancel out what He wants us to do in order to fulfill His plan. “Go therefore!” Israel not to forget all the mighty things “the Lord your God” did for them over forty years in the wilderness. Moses says, “take care lest you forget the Lord your God” and then list all the things God dis for them (Deuteronomy 8:11).
What happens when we forget all that God has done for us? “Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God” (14). “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth” (18). We may think this attitude cannot happen with us, but the warning Moses gives us is a good reminder to take time often to be thankful. If we fail to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we will not be any different than Israel who gave themselves credit for what they had. According to the event in Luke 17:11-19, only one tenth (1/10) of those who receive good things from the Lord give Him thanks for what He has done. This point is made clear by Jesus’ comment; “Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”” (Luke 17:17–18). What percentage are you and I in? “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you…If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:18,20)
Open Doors reports: “Every day, 8 Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith. Every week, 182 churches or Christian buildings are attacked. And every month, 309 Christians are imprisoned unjustly.” There are very few places in the world where fellow Christians are persecuted and killed more than in Nigeria. Just this past Saturday, over 110 Christians were killed by Boko Haram terrorists in the northeastern state of Borno. Since 2009, Boko Haram has killed more than 30,000 Nigerians and forced millions from their homes, many of whom live in over-crowded camps. Most of these are widows and orphans. In spite of the unrest all around them, some brave and devoted followers of Christ are still taking the gospel to the most difficult places in their country. We are working with some of these courageous Christians who press on through oppression and opposition. Even today, four dear brothers with whom we work very closely are in rural areas sharing in the suffering of their fellow believers. What are we to do in light of this? PRAY! Let us join in their suffering by praying for protection and peace for our brothers and sisters. Ask God to break through the hardened hatred of Boko Haram and Fulani bandits by bringing them to faith in Jesus. Let us intercede for provisions of food, clean water and medical help for those who have fled their homes. Call on God that His gospel will spread quickly in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is more we can do than pray, but there is nothing we can do until we pray. Ask God what He wants you to do to “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8). |
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