Be Blessed!

"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction"- Proverbs 29:18 (NIV).

Wouldn't it be nice to have a renewal of Divine revelation and prophetic vision? Then people would follow the law! Or would they? The Old Testament is full of angels, prophets, and visions in dreams...yet, people were still disobedient. Remember how citizens of Jerusalem reacted on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12)? Everyone worked together, adding to the number of believers daily, but after awhile some lost their fervor, fell away, and persecutions only multiplied the exodus from faith. Following God requires us to be sure of our faith; to find hope in it and be certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus lamented over the people requesting miracles so they could believe (John 4:48). What is Wisdom's instruction? "Believe in the Father, believe also in Me" (John 14:1). Have faith; be blessed! 

Rise! Let us go!

"Returning the third time, He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners"- Mark 14:41 (NIV).

Jesus had asked these three, Peter, James, and John, to stay and keep watch while He prayed (v.34). The three couldn't keep their eyes open; each time drifting back off to sleep. We can't allow ourselves to think we could have done better than these three! Many of us walk through our days asleep, instead of doing what Jesus has commanded us to do: Watch and pray. Was Jesus' "Enough!" a rebuff? Whether a rebuff or a mention that the time had come, His next directive was, "Rise! Let us go!" (v.42). The events of the Messiah's arrival, crucifixion, and ascension all came in perfect accord. We know that Jesus' return is also forthcoming and Christians will, once more, hear Him say, "Enough!" For we know what our rejoicing hearts will hear next: "Rise! Let us go!" 

Light of the World

"Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter"- John 10:22 (NIV). 

It was winter. Also called the Festival of Lights, the Festival of Dedication was a ceremony marking the restoration, cleansing, and re-dedication of Jerusalem's Temple once the Greco-Syrian oppressors were driven out by the Maccabees. Jews call it Hanukkah. It was a miraculous deliverance provided by God. The symbol of God's presence in the Temple was the eternal flame, but there was only enough purified oil to keep the flame lite for one day. Miraculously, God's Holy presence allowed the flame to burn for eight days, until the supply of sacred oil was replenished. John 10:23 says Jesus was in the Temple courts, walking in Solomon's Colonnade during the Festival of Lights. What better place for the Light of the world to be walking (John 8:12). He is the Eternal Flame, the Miraculous Deliverance provided by God. One other note: Matthew 25:31-46 tells of Jesus sitting on His throne judging the world. Solomon's Colonnade is also called the Porch of Judgment. Jesus takes our scarlet sins and washes us white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). The timing of snow is one more symbolic message in today's Scripture: "It was winter."  

Understanding

"I run in the path of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding. Teach me, Lord, the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so I may keep Your law and obey it with all my heart"- Psalm 119:32-34 (NIV).

Following Christ is not a passive activity. Paul defined your Christian life as a race, exercising self-control, to be carried out to the finish line (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). The course is to be run with endurance (Hebrew 12:1); forgetting what is behind you and straining forward (Philippians 3:13-14). If you become weary, God will will refresh you and renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31). And if you persevere, fight the good fight, finish the race, you will be rewarded with a crown of righteousness. That finish line moment, when you receive your crown, it will be awarded to you by none other than Jesus the Righteous Judge. (2 Timothy 4:7-9). His congratulatory statement will be, "Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). Give us understanding Lord!

The Source

"[We are] clothed with strength and dignity; [We] can laugh at the days to come"- Proverbs 31:25 (NIV).

What is the source of your countenance? God provides the rich soil, soft rains, and life giving sun for the grass in the field. How much more valuable are you in God's eyes (Matthew 6:30)? So much so, He would send His own Son to suffer and die for you (John 3:16). It is God's good intention that everyone learn of Him and come to believe, to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). The medical field reports that laughter is good for you; that there are health benefits to laughter. Faith and trust generate strength and dignity; You know Who you belong to and Who delivers you. Yes, laugh at the days to come; who can be against you if God is for you? (Romans 8:31). People will notice the difference in you and doors will be opened for you to share the Source.