From THE SOURCE Dec. 31, 2014 From Resolutions to Revelation As 2014 comes to a close and gives way to a New Year, several thoughts come to mind. Many people take this time to make well-intended New Year’s resolutions only to find themselves breaking them before spring. On many a new year I have vowed to keep a promise I made to myself, only for it to end in defeat. This year I do not intend to make unkeepable promises, but rather to seek for a fresh revelation from the Lord that will be my focus and purpose for all year long. A few days ago during my devotional time the thought came to me that as we put away our Christmas ornaments for another year I don’t want us to lose or put away the truth and hope of the meaning of this season. We just might need to remember why Jesus came in the flesh as we approach the uncertain days of this New Year. Isaiah called His name, “Immanuel” meaning “God with us.” (Is. 7:14) But what does that really mean for us in the twenty first century? Regrettably for most that celebrate the earthly trappings of the season, it means little more than traditions of expected ritual with emotional attachments in hope of filling some measure of the void in their lives. But for us who truly believe in this “GOD WITH US” we have a different kind of HOPE than that which the world seeks. Our HOPE is STILL WITH US after the Christmas trimmings are put away and the New Year begins, because we know Him and why He came in the first place. But just as a reminder let me share some thoughts that recently came to me. First, it is a good biblical practice to “remind” ourselves and each other of these much needed truths, as Paul told Timothy: I am mindful of the sincere faith within you… for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you…For God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works (or abilities) but according to His own purpose and grace which He granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. II Tim. 1:5-9. God is willing to give us all that we need to accomplish His purposes for in and through our daily lives. But it is up to us to remind ourselves and others to “rekindle afresh the gift of God” which is in us. How else are we going to be prepared for what may come in the days ahead? We are not to give into fears of speculation of what may come, but to know that we have been given the same power, love and a sound mind by Christ’s Spirit within us. Rumors and conspiracy theories are the devil’s workshop. We don’t need to know what he is up to, we need to know what God is up to and how He wants to use us in His plans in these last days. We have the Hope of the AGES that is with us at all times and throughout eternity. Peter tells us that He is the Living Hope and that Hope is IN us. “…Our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:1-3) AND, “Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear their intimidations and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give and account for the HOPE that is in you…” (I Peter 3 14-15). The Christ Child came in pure innocence to grow to manhood in such a way that we have a living example of how to live out our lives pleasing to God in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Did you ever think about that “wicked and perverse generation?” What generation was that? Was it when Jesus was here, or is it now? When was there ever a generation that was not wicked and perverse? From the fall of man to the time of the flood was wicked. Even the next generation built the tower of Babel. From the patriarchs to the time of Christ people were full of perversion, and since the early Chruch until the very end is a consistent continuation of that wicked and perverse generation. So it has always been and yet Jesus lived out a godly life as an example for us, and gave us the power and grace we need to do God’s will. So then we are surely without excuse. So “God with us” means not only that He is with us at all times, but He has given us all we need to accomplish the Father’s purposes in our lives every day. We do not have this power simply because Jesus lived out a sinless life, but through His sinless life He alone was able to become our Savior and make available to us all we need to accomplish the Father’s will in 2015. May you and your family be filled with fresh revelation of God’s word and His presence throughout this New Year as we commit to Him afresh and remind ourselves of His great promises. To those who love and seek Him in these ambiguous times there awaits for us things that our eyes have not seen, nor our ears have heard, nor has it even entered our hearts all that God has for us. I have shared the following verses many times, but I believe now more than ever we need not only to hang on to them, and rekindle them in our hearts, but we need to pray them for each other. So this is my prayer for you and your family in this New Year. I pray that for each one who reads this message that Christ our Lord would grant to you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with His power through His Spirit in your inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints the revelation of what is the breath and length and height and depth of the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God in this New Year. To Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all we could ask or even think according to the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, to Him be the glory in the Church, which is us, to all generations forever and ever, Amen!!!! In Christ’s immeasurable love, Jenny
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 03:22:18 +0000
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