Tag: Inspirational Bible Stories

Then and Now | Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant

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Although I am not the greatest at it, I really do try not to waste.  I am a saver.  Sometimes to my own detriment.  Admittedly, I hold on to things probably much longer than I should.  At times, the truth of it will show up in clutter, confusion, and mess.  There are times when we must be willing to let go of the old to make space for and welcome the new.

There are various reasons we cling to the things of our past.  Some are sentimental or have historical value to us.  Some reasons can revolve around more.  But whatever the reason, one thing I am slowly learning is, that if it is not serving a purpose in the day and time I am currently living in, I must categorize its usefulness and see if it is something I am going to choose to actively hang on to or if I need to trash, donate, or keep (but have it stored somewhere out of my everyday space). 

Old things have their place.  Whether it was in things that served us for a time or in experiences we lived through, but to mature and find greater peace in the space of your life right now, they must be kept in their proper place and that place may not look like what it used to look like or serve the way we were used to being served by it.

Spiritually speaking, we see the truth of this from the Hebrew writer when he was explaining the differences between the old and the new covenants.  There was a future designed for the people of God that some could not yet fathom, therefore they desired to hold on to the old way of connecting and relating to God. 

But what Galatians 3:23-25 teaches us is, “Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”  The law was only a tutor for a time, showing our need for a Savior, showing us how to live in anticipation of what Christ would wholly fulfill in His person through His death, burial, and resurrection.

With that being revealed and accomplished, what now has come, and how one’s relationship with God would transpire from here on out, would be much different, but better.  For what was coming was no longer going to deal with the letter of the law, but the relationship we would have with our heavenly Father would be from the position of a transformed heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:10).  This heart transformation would be spawned from the finished work of Jesus Christ, on the cross.

In Hebrews 12:18-21, the writer teaches from the history of their previous experience, explaining, “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)”.

This was a “that was then” moment.  Thinking back, he recalls through their history that it was two months after God delivered the children of Israel, He brought them to Mount Sinai.  Upon their arrival, they were given very specific commands to follow because life and death depended upon it.  During the time of His visitation, if any attempted to look at God or break through the boundaries that were set up to protect the perimeter of the mount, that individual would be killed.  Even if a beast of any sort were to touch the mount where the manifested presence of God would make Himself known, it too was to be killed.  No exceptions.

The thunder and lightning, along with the sound of the trumpet that blasted to signal their approach to the mount, and the blackness and the voice of words, all made the event very terrifying for the people.  Their request was that Moses would be the intermediary between God and man; that Moses would hear the instructions that were coming from the mouth of God and relay them to the people.  The awesomeness of God’s manifested presence on that mountain was just too much to bear. 

At one point, even Moses himself, a man who would meet with God up close and personal, “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friends” (Exodus 33:11), was described at this event as saying, “I exceedingly fear and quake” (Hebrews 12:21).  God’s power that showed forth on that mount was terrifying to behold for sure.

Moses and the representation of the Mosaic Law had its time and there were currently still teachers of it in operation (Acts 15:21), but let’s talk about the now of the new.

In this “now moment,” God has a new covenant, a new mount experience, with a new intermediary in place.  It is not based on the event portrayed at Mount Sinai.  He wasn’t looking for ordinances written on stone as the old covenant was, but a spiritual difference in the heart of mankind that would lead one to heaven through the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 12:22-24 he further explains, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

This is now where our access to God lies, in the faith, hope, and grace afforded to us through the new covenant, through the blood of Jesus Christ, which is spiritual.  Not in the old system or order of doing things that were contingent on coming to God through the outward conformity of the law which is physical.  Now our access through Jesus Christ brings us to the place where God is in heaven.

He, Jesus, is the mediator of the new covenant (see also Revelation 14:1). And if heaven is your goal, then Jesus is the way there.  While on earth Jesus spoke, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” (John 14:6).  The only way to get to where God is, is through the door of Jesus Christ Himself; through accepting Him as Savior (John 10:9).  There is no other way around it.  The old way is obsolete and no longer in effect.  Mount Sinai stood to symbolize the old covenant while Mount Sion stood to symbolize the new.  Jesus is the way to the new.

When Jesus died on the cross, He not only became the Author of the new covenant, but He became the mediator, the go-between of God and man.  He stood in the gap that we would have fallen into that leads to eternal death.  But through His death, through Him as the new covenant and mediator of our faith, we cross over the gap that sin caused and follow Him to eternal life.  He is the way, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father,” (Ephesians 2:18; see also Romans 5:2).  Jesus is the bridge that leads us to our heavenly home.

Jesus is our only hope that draws us near to the Father.  Fear of the quaking, thunderous mountain is not there.  But a welcoming receptivity of new life and reconciliation that only love in its truest form can bring is now what we get to experience. That past mount, we could not go to and touch, but today, because of what now is established through Jesus, we have a Savior who has come and touched us.  The beauty of His nearness is extraordinary, and the experience of what He has done is like no other.  The new has overtaken the old.  While the old was good for its time and place, the new is better.  The culmination of everything we need to spiritually succeed can be found in Christ Jesus alone, with no added additions.  

“Take it to the Cross!”

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Every worry and every fear, take it and leave it at the foot of that blood-stained banner that was raised for our freedom.

Every doubt and every hurt, take it to Him who is stretched wide upon those old rugged beams to experience fully the troubles we face.

Every sorrow and every tear, take it to Him whose nail-pierced hands flow with a life poured out for you and me.  He that endured the pain of the piercing knows of the rejection, the betrayal, and the indecency of evil we all face in this life.  He knows this and more for in His bearing, He held the crushing weight of all sin upon those beaten and slumped shoulders even as His heart cried out to the Father the agony of separation.

There is nothing we feel that He hasn’t already felt.

There is no experience so unique to us that He has not already carried the weight of.

There is no trouble we face that He hasn’t looked in the eye and gained the victory of it on that cross.

On that cross, He became authority and victor over all.  His kingship may have been inscribed in writing by man: “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS,” (John 19:19), but God declared Him Ruler over all through His atoning sacrifice of the blood on that cross (Revelation 1:5; Romans 3:25; Matthew 28:18).

Whatever you are facing, take it to the cross and trust Him who was hung there so that you may rise to a life of victory today!

Why take it to the cross?

It’s the place where the King would suffer for our healing: “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 53:5

It’s the place where reconciliation takes place and hostility is put to death: “He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.” – Ephesians 2:16, CSB

It’s the place where we find the truest form of peace: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” – Colossians 1:20

It’s the place where our sins were blotted out: “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.” – Colossians 2:14

It’s the place where we are given the opportunity to lay down the dead and pick up a life of righteousness: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

And, it is the place where we experience true love: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Take it to the cross today!

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“Watch What You Eat!”

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What we put into our bodies matters.  The foods we eat can either help or hinder our health.  Sometimes, in our house, we stop at fast food restaurants to eat, but it is not an everyday occurrence.  I value what goes into my body.  Is every food choice the best choice?  No, but I try to make it a point to have the majority of what I eat be of nutritional value; to be something that will build me up and not tear me down.

Our spiritual lives work in the same manner.  We are what we eat, spiritually.  If all that we ever digest is the negatives of this world then we are robbing our spirit of the vital nutrients that can increase our awareness and spiritual health.  The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” (Rom. 10:17).  What we assimilate in our being is what will be produced in our spirit and in our lives.

God’s word has everything we need.  A daily diet of letting Him speak to us through His word, through His preachers and teachers will enrich our spiritual lives and make us stronger in Him.  When adversity and the storms of life arise, His word, which has already been deeply instilled in us pops into action and carries us through to the other side.

We need God’s word every day.  We need it to grow.  We need it to learn.  We need it to increase our faith.  We will never be the healthy Christians that we need to be if we leave the word of God out of our daily routines. God’s word will build you up and make you stronger in Him.   Many are diligent about their natural health but watch what you eat spiritually.  It can make the difference between spiritual health and spiritual sickness.

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It’s a Promise!

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“I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth,” Genesis 9:13

This morning I was reminded of a day long ago when I woke up feeling, well . . . .  blah!!!  That day, I had a headache, no energy, and not feeling really with it.  It had been a hard week and it took its toll on my body.  That day, and the original post I wrote, came to mind this morning and I decided to share some of it again here.

I remember looking for something to wear and I reached into my closet and pulled out a white shirt (black and white shirts are a standby for me because they usually don’t have to be ironed 🙂 – telling on myself, I know).  But, even though it didn’t need to be ironed, I put it back declaring, in my dreariness that day that I needed a pop of color.

As I was going through the drudgery of ironing my pop of color, I wondered if that’s why God made His covenant with Noah and all the earth in the form of a rainbow.  After the rains and the storms of life, after the hardships and turmoils, after being tossed about to and fro, maybe we all need that promise in a pop of color. We all need that beautiful and colorful covenant to gaze upon to let us know that despite what we are going through, God’s got this and His promises never fail (Joshua 21:45).  

Today, I don’t know where life may find you or what you are going through.  I don’t know if you have rain and storms with the possibility of seeing a physical rainbow at the end.  I don’t know how your day begins or ends, but God does.  I don’t know how it will all turn out, but our Heavenly Father is still watching over His children.  He is sovereign, beautiful, and perfect in plans (Jeremiah 29:11), and He does all things well. 

Friends, the rainbow is just one of the beautiful reminders of God’s hand and promise in our lives.  Never are we left to fight these circumstances alone (Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5).  Never are we left without the assurance we have in our God who is for us (Psalm 56:9; 118:7; Romans 8:31).  So today, if you need it, here is your promise in a pop of color.  

Blessings ~

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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When God Turns It Around

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To appreciate a good turnaround story, you must first appreciate the history behind the story.  For the returning captives, their story is simple, and yet, not so simple.

In a short simple version: they sinned (repeatedly), ignored warnings (often), and as a result they went into captivity to serve their years of their disciplinary sentence.  After the allotted time, they were released to return home and rebuild.  Rebuild their homes, their lives, and their worship.  And so, it came to pass.

The not-so-simple version shows in detail many behind-the-scenes factors that came into play for them to get from point A to point B. 

One fascinating factor was Cyrus himself, who was prophesied by name some 100 years before as the one who would initiate this returning plan before they even went into captivity.  It was his decree, which he gave credit to God, for instructing and supporting the return. 

By and by, they faced setbacks, the authority of the kings was transferred, and enemies consistently interrupted the work, instigating trouble for the people to halt their rebuilding efforts (Ezra 4). 

Even the complacency of the once-captive people who were now experiencing freedom settled in until they were encouraged once again to get on with rebuilding (Ezra 5:1; Haggai 1).

And build they did, but of course, this progress once again incited trouble.  So, those who were set on discouraging the work appealed to the now, King Darius, to investigate this matter of rebuilding in hopes of stopping it again as before. 

But God used their unrighteous complaint to propel the work forward in a way quite unexpectantly to the people and enemies alike.  What the enemy meant for evil, God made something good out of it.  He performed a complete turnaround from the enemy’s expectations, as Darius’ response indicates:

“Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.” – Ezra 6:6-12

When God does a turnaround, support can be found in unlikely places.  In this story, it was through a pagan king, and eventually, the very enemies that instigated the matter were forced into a position of giving assistance and help to the people.

The king’s command was set, and it would not be altered – they were to leave it alone.  Leave the people alone.  Leave the work alone.  Stop getting in the way and let the house of God be built.

The Bible reminds us, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.  The seasons of adversity, challenge, and change are never a season where God is taken off guard.  When the Lord is on our side, He, being the Sovereign Rule overall –  really think about this point, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 

They may come.  They may form weapons.  They may hatch plans.  They may try to discourage your efforts.  Ultimately, it is God who will have the last say. 

Enemies can only go as far as He gives them permission (Job 1), and even then, they must stay in the confines of the limits the Lord places upon them.  And if He commands it, as we see in the story above, they could even be forced to further His work whether they like it or not. 

With God on our side, we are never a product of our circumstances.  Circumstances can only tally up so much in our lives, but when the Lord is ready to turn it around, it shall be turned and there is nothing that anyone, anywhere can do about it.

Friends, no matter how discouraging the journey may be toward your turnaround, be encouraged today in the God who is on your side.  Be encouraged that the times and seasons are at His command and disposal.  Be encouraged that whatever you face, this too shall pass because ultimately, our heavenly Father is in charge and when He turns it around, it will be turned around.  

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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“Location, Location, Location” – Word For Life Says

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“Location, location, location,” that’s the real estate mantra.  No matter what a house looks like or the sad condition it may be in it can always be repaired or rebuilt.  The location, however, is not so easily changed.  Particularly, if there is a certain view that can’t be matched with landscaping caressing the horizon which can’t be found in another location.  So, location for some is the deciding factor of whether or not they want to purchase a certain property.

As I was thinking about this and I realized location is really involved in many areas of our lives, not just our actual residence because location is where we center things.  It’s where we place and position our stuff.  It’s where we are established.

When it comes to our Christian faith, where we are established and what is placed in position in us speaks volumes about where our heart is, and in it, what resides there?

The Bible tells us, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28).  “In Him” is the location of the believer.  Our hearts readily admit that God is our source and reason for existence.  Every fiber of our being recognizes that because He is, we are.  In the innermost parts of us, we see not only our physical lifeline being shored up in Him but our spiritual as well.

As the source of all life, God is also the source of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  He is the reason we believe (Hebrews 11:6).  In Him, we are located.  In Him, we are found.  God is the reason for us, and we, by faith, plant ourselves in that truth.  Through Jesus Christ, our eternal lives are secured in Him.

When we get connected with God in such a way, God gets connected to us.  He dwells in us (John 14:23; Ephesians 3:17) and He strengthens us by His Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16).

Plain and simple, when we are found in Him, He can be found in us.  It’s all about location.  And, in order to have Him here with us, we need to be where He is.

The first step is to make sure you are “in Him.”  That you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.  That your eternal life is secured on the foundation of God’s loving sacrifice of His Son.

When you do that, you open the door of your heart to receive Him, to receive His Spirit in you.  Acts 2:38 explains it like this, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” (see also John 3:5).

God’s Spirit locates Himself in the crevice of your heart and soul and you move and order your life according to His leading and guiding.  “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,” (John 14:26).  When we are centered in Him and Him in us, our eternal location shall be established forever and we can live this life with full assurance that we will not be moved from His everlasting promise.  On that coming day, as we come into our heavenly home, we can say we are there because we allowed Him in our hearts while we were here.  It’s all about location.

His Stripes | Healing for Every Area of Life

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“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 53:5

Those words from the prophet Isaiah are words we are reminded of when facing sicknesses or other health crises.  It’s the first go-to verse others will use when attempting to encourage those dealing with such maladies.  Yet, the Bible doesn’t narrow the power and authority of this verse or its meaning to only travel down the avenue of physical pain and/or illness.  No, my friend.  Its scope and range are mighty for so much more.

Healing is not limited to only what the body is dealing with.  As a whole person, we may have other areas that may seem out of whack that need the touch of the Savior’s sacrificing blood to flow toward its troubles and restore, fix, and yes, heal, whatever ails a person.

What’s to stop the power of His sacrifice from flowing into the crevices of relationships or to help in any number of places and with the many decisions we face, along with the hope of health for the body?

The stripes that tore His flesh cannot be confined to just the healing of the flesh.  Today, when you think of the word healing, what area of your life instantly comes to mind at this moment?  It may be a physical illness that you are dealing with, and I stand in prayer with you over it.  But, does something else come to mind?  A hurt that is not physical?  Resoration sought in another area?  His stripes come to heal all areas of our lives, and I pray for the places where you need His healing touch, be it heart, mind, body, life, relationships, or wherever.  Don’t limit the power of His sacrifice.  Do not limit the impact this great word and promise can have in your life.

Whatever came to mind when I asked you, “when you think of the word healing, what comes to mind?”, even this, even that thing that instantly came to mind, He is able to heal and cure the worst of it.

O Lord, we pray, that You would touch us and keep us under Your healing flow, no matter what issues we may encounter today.  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, AMEN!

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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This Was God’s Doing! | God is the Creator of All

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Image by Barbara Jackson from Pixabay

“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.” 2 Peter 3:5

We all have a choice in what we choose to believe or not.  God is not going to arm-wrestle someone into faith.  God has blessed every human being with free will.  With that, they choose to follow Him or not.

“Willingly,” as stated above, implies that truth or no truth, those being referenced will not comply.  Their minds are made up to purposely follow their own ideas, their own beliefs, the dictates of their own heart, and a life of sin.  Their ignorance will not allow them to believe in the order of Creation as it was written in the Bible.  For too long man has opposed God’s grand truth and has tried to whittle it down to his own finite theories and ideas on how the world came to be.

But we read in Scripture, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).  All of creation begins with God:  “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).

Before God stepped in there was just chaos.  He is the one “who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain” (Psalm 104:2).  Can a man even fathom catching one star that falls from the sky, let alone stretching out the “heavens” with galaxy upon galaxy and universe upon universe?

God can.

In the beginning, all He had to do was speak a word and creation obeyed and came into existence.  All that is in the sky, that looks like a cosmic “curtain” twinkling above our heads is because God is the one who made it to be so.

Peter addressed this truth in a rebuttal against the voice of scoffers and those who refuse to believe that by the very “word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.”  

This was God’s doing, he insisted!   Nothing that we see in this world today existed, nor did it evolve from some microscopic species.  But on the third day of creation, referencing Peter’s point above, God said, “Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together in one place, and let dry land appear: and it was so.  And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering of together of the waters called he seas: and God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:9-10).

Although the order of creation is apparent and evident some still choose to disbelieve and remain ignorant.  But, the apostle Paul comes in and says this doesn’t excuse them.  “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20).

In the book of Genesis, we read the day-by-day detailed account of the story of Creation. All life begins and ends with God.  Acts 17:24, 28 says, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands . . . For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”  He has the power to give breath (Genesis 2:7) and He has the power to take away breath (Psalm 104:29).

All of creation, man and beast, land, and those things that are in the sea and sky, are here because God made it so.  Many may try to refute this truth and remain ignorant of the fact, but this was God’s doing and His creative credit cannot be attributed to any other, nor can it be ignored.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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The God-Placements | Carriers of the Ministry

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What does effective ministry look like to you?

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“This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:” Numbers 4:4

Every believer has a place in the calling or ministry of God. There is no such thing as someone who has been saved by grace that is not equipped in one or more ways to operate in a particular gift (s) by His grace (Rom. 12:6). And while the area you are called to work in may not look like the ministry of another (1 Cor. 12:4), it is no less critical in its impact for God’s kingdom.

Like a well-functioning body, every member is needed to step up to the plate with their gifts (comp. 1 Cor. 12:12, 14). While the spotlight tends to fall naturally on those in the front, there are many behind-the-scene positions, if they were not managed by capable persons working in their gifts, then whatever is going on upfront would not be going on at all.

After watching a good movie, especially one with multiple twists and turns, I love to scroll through the credits to see those who participated in the making of the movie. My goal is to see who the writer is. Many eyes may be drawn to the main characters, but the real star of the show is the one who wrote the story. The one who allowed him or herself to spend much time in relative obscurity, working their gift to pull the story off according to their specific design.

There are no wasted behind-the-scene moments when working to help the service of God go forward, when helping to get His story out there. There is no work that we do for our heavenly Father that is to be considered unimportant if we are working where He has called us to work. There is great value in every calling (1 Cor. 1:26, 27).

And it was God who called the Kohathites for a special job. In the days of their wilderness wanderings, when the people were ready to journey, and the tabernacle had to be disassembled into its specific pieces by the priests, it was the sons of Kohath who were commissioned by God to be there to help in the process by being carriers of the holy vessels that were inside (Num. 4:15).

Because they were not priests; because they were not the upfront guys, the items would first be covered (for their protection) so they could not see or touch them (4:17-20), but they were still called upon to help carry the things of God, to help carry the ministry.

Where they were needed to work for the kingdom of God may not seem glamourous (after all, they didn’t get the special garments, with the special office of preparing the special offerings), but the work was helpful in successfully moving the articles of the tabernacle from one location to another.

Friends, your position of performance may not include being front and center. There may be certain parts your calling cannot participate in. But wherever God has placed you, it is important, and your service to Him is valuable.

1 Corinthians 12:18 states, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” This is what I call the God-placements. According to His divine purpose and design, God has a special place for each of us, and every place we serve is essential and profitable for the Kingdom’s work.

While we may put much emphasis on those who are holding the microphone, speaking at large gatherings, singing to multitudes, and writing bestsellers – we forget the joy of being called where God knows we fit. Where God knows we can make the most difference.

We forget the importance of just doing. Doing what we do best for Him, for God. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem to others, it makes a difference for His kingdom.

One psalmist said, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Ps. 84:10). Whichever way you want to interpret that verse, I would rather participate in the humblest of positions in the will of God than out, for in it I will find the richest of all experiences.

Everyone has a place. Everyone in their place can do something amazing that would help this work continue to grow and spread. If it is to hold a microphone, so be it. But if I only get to be a carrier for Him, let me carry the ministry God has instilled in me with all my might and strength, knowing there is no work, big or small, that is done in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Your reward may not come now with the applause of men (which is a heavy responsibility that produces low returns), but when performed for God, for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31), it will come with a “well done” (Mt. 25:23) from Him, the highest reward and applause we should seek.

Lord, though our flesh may desire to see more, do more, and touch more, let our spirit rest in the truth that if we are called to only be carriers of the ministry, we are called according to Your beautiful pleasure and placement for our lives. Help us to serve in that calling, with all grace, working to please our God and heavenly Father. AMEN!

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It’s a Matter of Choice

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 When I was a child, one of the simplest toys we used to play with was dominoes.  I never played it as the game intended.  My only use for dominoes was to stand them aright like little soldiers in a line just to watch them fall.

After the pattern of my desire had been set, I tipped the first one, and that’s all it took.  As the first fell, it tipped the second, and the second tipped the third, and so on until they all lay still in the place where they had fallen. 

My designs were simple, but there are those who master intricate patterns and make designs on a grander scale.  And when their first domino tips, a beautiful display of artistry and showmanship unfolds, mesmerizing the onlookers.

The time and talent it takes to perform such works are amazing.  Investment of oneself is key for without that dedication the performance that brought the end reward would have never been accomplished.

And that’s how our lives pretty much go.  Daily we are faced with a myriad of decisions and each of these decisions matters.  Like dominoes, one will affect another, and then another, and so on, with not only the present moment of the decision being impacted but also the future that is to come.

With people being caught up in the here and now, the future, with its possibilities and consequences, is not the first thought on their minds. 

On the other hand, there are those who are concerned about their future and want to know what they can do to improve its outcome, be it physical, financial, or relationally.  The better investment of oneself in these areas is for a better turnout. 

But what about spiritually?

There was a young man who came to Jesus and wanted to know about his spiritual future.  He wanted to know what to do to gain eternal life (Mt. 19:16).  Jesus’ response to him was to follow the commands of God (v. 17).

“All these things have I kept from my youth” (v. 20), the young man replied, and yet, was there something still missing?  Did he feel a certain void?

I don’t have a definite answer, but I do know he pursued Jesus with more questioning, asking Him, “What lack I yet?”

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Mt. 19:21).

Jesus’ response to his question of lack was not something the young man was expecting.  The answer he had been looking for to secure his future was found in giving up everything and following Jesus.

He had a decision to make, and like those tipping dominoes, one would lead to another.

After processing what Jesus required of him, he went away (v. 22) and Jesus explained how hard it was for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, the eternal life he was looking for.  It would be akin to threading a camel through the eye of a needle (Vv. 23-24).

With their thinking that the rich man had the better vantage point, the disciples were astonished at what Jesus had spoken and asked Him, “Who then can be saved?” (v. 25).  Jesus plainly let them know, “With man this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (v. 26).

Thinking about their lives and the decisions each of them had made in walking away from everything and following Jesus, Peter asked Him, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Mt. 19:27).

That’s an important question, Peter.  When you decided to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, the first domino fell.  Everything that followed came from the ripple effect of your first choice.  And while there may be many occurrences that happen in the middle thereof, the end result will be the very thing the young man was searching for but missed out on: everlasting life (v. 29).

When asked to follow Him, the young man turned away, but Peter, along with the other disciples, invested themselves and followed on.

The path to follow may not always be easy, but after all the dominoes have fallen, and all the choices have been made, one day we will look back over the story of our lives from the vantage point of salvation, and be mesmerized by the beauty of heaven before us, for that’s what will we have, and it is a glorious future to behold! 

Image by SparrowsHome from Pixabay

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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