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
I recently attended an event where the fathers of our organization were looked to, recognized, appreciated, and honored for their contributions to the faith and the church body. In an age, where sadly, there seems to be an absence of good, godly role models, I am reminded, currently speaking, that we are never without wholesome examples to pattern our lives and walks of faith after.
In the Bible, the children of Israel did not always have current, good representatives to follow. King Hezekiah, for example, had the wicked King Ahaz as his biological father. But as Hezekiah grew and came to reigning as king at the age of twenty-five, he didn’t follow in his birth father’s footsteps. Through him, a great reformation took place in the land because his heart was stirred to do more and for that, he looked to better examples. 2 Kings 18:3 says, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.”
Hezekiah reached beyond the experience of those around him and those who raised him to find a good life to pattern his ways after. And yes, David, like all humans, had his moments of weakness and frailty, but in the end, was still dubbed a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). David’s heart was directed toward God and this is what Hezekiah wanted for himself and for the people.
He recited to the people the evil their fathers have done (2 Chronicles 29:6-9; 30:6-9) and pled with them to return to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel – the same God who the faithful fathers followed and not the practicing of current affairs or political influences.
Even if one is devoid of what we would call a good example in their present life and circumstances, we have what the Bible calls a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:) whose lives we can look to as a holy example to follow after. And of course, Jesus Christ is the litmus test that everyone should judge their steps by and seek to represent in their own lives and order their steps after (Hebrews 12:2).
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” Philippians 3:17
A rumbling in the tummy would be easy to satisfy for some. But, what of the hunger for something greater?
All hungering is not bad. All hunger shows there is a lack somewhere that needs to be filled. All hunger says I have something in me that needs to be satisfied.
For that, I say, hunger on! For only when one is truly starving for more than what they currently possess do they allow that gnawing desire to push them to find a source of fulfillment.
Who doesn’t want a life characterized by fulfillment? Who doesn’t want to feel completely satisfied? Especially when it comes to our spiritual walk; a walk that says, in everything I have Lord, if You’re not in it, then I am empty. My life is nothing.
If the hunger is for more of the glitter and gold of this life then it is truly to be better without. For that hunger can drive you to places and things that will leave your soul starving. But, my friends, if it is more of Him that’s your desire, come, partake, and be satisfied for “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled,” (Matthew 5:6).
Let your desire drive you toward God. Let Him be the only quencher of your longing for everything.
Run! Grab Him that is the Bread of Life (John 6:35), and eat. Take your fill and don’t stop till you look at Him through the eyes of eternity, and say, now soul, you are full. For you have taken of Him fully and fully you shall live forevermore.
Father God, fill us up with more of You. Let everything that You are, be the satisfaction that everything in us is looking for. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19
Some weeks can be like a crazy schedule gone wild. The rush from one thing to another can drain us of any free time and we fall behind in our daily upkeep. When that happens and you wake the next morning after all the rushing about, you realize the evidence of your busyness is staring you in the face. What in the world happened here! Do messes multiply at night while we are asleep because we really believe it did not look that bad the night before? It always amazes me how easy it is for things to get disorganized and cluttered when we’re not giving them the attention they deserve.
Disorganization throws me off big time. When I’m trying to concentrate on a task and I lift my head up to look around and am spattered with a mess, my mind keeps going to the mess instead of getting back to the mission. Clutter is its own monster to deal with because when schedules grow out of hand, and stuff gets tossed to the side, the clutter monster gets fed and continues to grow and grow. Then, I wonder, “Where did all of this come from?”
When I first got married many years ago, I used to be a perfectionist. While I’m not as uptight as I used to be about a messy house, I still like cleanliness. A place for everything and everything in its place. Calm. Peaceful. Quiet. Yeah, that’s how I like it! It’s an environment that supports what I want to do in life.
Our spiritual lives operate in much the same way. When we are going off in many directions and not taking care of our home, our “temples,” things become disarrayed. We become less focused on taking care of the “home” business, and in our pursuits, our spiritual house becomes a mess.
Inattentiveness will do that. There are so many things that can capture our attention in our day-to-day activities. We have to be diligent guardsmen of the temple that keeps everything running smoothly. Take a museum for instance. It is probably one of the cleanest and most orderly establishments I have ever visited. The stuff that it holds inside is very valuable and some of it could never be replaced. Because of that, there are guards posted everywhere to ensure that everything is kept that way. When the sign says no photography, the guard will make sure no pictures will be taken. Flash does something to some of the works. You will not eat, drink, touch, or sneeze on any artwork. Our local museum has a line around each item and you better be careful not to cross it, or else.
Being that the Spirit we have in us is of more value than any artwork, irreplaceable and priceless, ought we not to guard it with even more diligence? Shouldn’t we be concerned about any messes or clutter that could disrupt the Spirit’s flow of working within us?
Paul thought so. The concern is that since God’s Spirit resides in you, you have the responsibility to keep the house clean. This body is a rental. It’s not permanent. The last part of our above verse tells us, “And ye are not your own?” We don’t hold the deed: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s,” (1 Corinthians 6:20). But we are responsible for the upkeep of the property.
What mess of the spirit has us so cluttered and disorganized that we are less attentive to the things of God? When the spiritual house is a mess it’s hard to function and find peace to complete the task that God is leading us to. We need to respect this spiritual house as one does when visiting a museum.
How do we keep it in order? First, start by having a made-up mind to set priorities. Know that above all else your relationship with God has to come first. One way to do that is to find out what has been sidetracking you and make it fall into place. Then, change your focus of thought to allow the Spirit freer access to move. Unclutter your thought life from that which does not profit to something far better. The Bible advises us: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things,” (Philippians 4:8). Using this as a filter will help keep the clutter out and rampant thoughts under control.
In verse 9, Paul goes on to explain if they listen to this advice and follow his example, “the God of peace shall be with you.” That means the house is clean and uncluttered, free for Him to move!
If you feel like you are having a hard time connecting with God or you don’t feel the Spirit moving and leading like you once did, check the environment. If you find a need to pick some things up off of that spiritual floor and get things back in order, then do so. There is nothing more precious or powerful than God being able to work in a “house” unhindered, with no messes or obstacles in the way.
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“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.” Luke 8:43, 44
Lord, I pray today that someone, somewhere would grab ahold of that hem of truth and love and be saved. I pray for a desperate heart to push through the issue to find You. I pray for a seeking heart to not care about the crowds around but only desire to be where You are. You hold the answer to every ailment this life can bring.
Some things hurt. Others, we can’t figure it out. In many places, men have looked for the answer and found none except they extend their reach to You.
He sees what this life brings. The innermost thoughts of our hearts and minds, the questioning and concerns, God knows all about it. He is the One who is “acquainted with all my [our] ways” (Psalm 139:3, “our” added). So, my friend, it is with great confidence that you can reach out to Him. The same issue that drove you to seek Him is the same issue that can be healed. The same issue that tries to hold you back in shame is the same issue that can receive deliverance. No matter the case or reason, reach out to Jesus, for He is the only answer you will ever need.
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“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith . . .” Hebrews 12:2
Lord, help me to keep my focus trained upon You all the days of my life. Through difficulties and times of joy, there is no sight more beautiful to behold than the Savior who loves me and is for me. In times of sadness, His strength, understanding, and compassion holds me and comfort me amid the troubles I see. In times of gladness, I can enjoy my day because Your Word says, “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart” (Psalm 32:11).
No matter what disposition or state I may be in, help me always to see my Jesus. Help me to see the words He chose to speak and the actions He carried out before men.
Help me see how He cared and loved and how His total devotion to God marked the way before Him.
When I see Jesus, help me to really see the life You want to live out in me.
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“From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.” Ezra 3:6
Our drive to have everything perfect often gets in the way of progress. Sometimes certain things just need to be left alone so that other, more important things can be done right now. Continuing to put it off will only be more of a hindrance. As they say, there is no time like the present. And this is how the returning captives from Babylon felt. They had been out of proper worship of God for quite some time. Things were not as they should be, but they were moving in the right direction. Offerings were being restored. People’s hearts were being moved to draw closer to God. The spiritual hunger was there and now was the time to do what needed to be done even if other things were not in their proper place yet.
Worship can’t wait. Drawing closer to God can’t wait. Getting hearts realigned with God can’t wait. Restoring fellowship and bringing back the service of the LORD could not wait for the foundation of the temple to be laid. It was vital for them to eventually get the building back in shape the way it needed to be, but it was even more important to deal with their hearts first. The foundation of the physical building can be laid later, but the foundation of the spiritual building needs to be laid immediately. The Apostle Paul taught us, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). This takes precedence over all else.
We all have a mountain of things to face each day and/or an extensive to-do list. And they are real things that need to be done – eventually. But what comes first? Or, should I say, who comes first? There is no substitute for showing God He has priority in your worship, in your life, and in your heart:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:6
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:12, emphasis added
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1, emphasis added
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10
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If looking at a valley of dead bones isn’t enough, then what follows would have blown my mind! God does some pretty amazing things in the Bible and this by far has to be one of my favorite stories that display His complete sovereignty and grace. It’s one thing to hear of people being brought back from the dead and it’s quite another to see the process unfold in such an extraordinary way, even if it is in a wonderful vision.
Can you imagine experiencing that moment with God, and Him asking what is supposedly a simple but not-so-simple question? “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ez. 37:3). That question must’ve rolled through his mind, stunning him a bit. Awestruck, his response was as I believe mine would have been, “O Lord God, thou knowest” (Ez. 37:3).
At that point, I believe Ezekiel was probably starting to realize in a whole new way the magnitude of this wonderful God we serve. Looking out over the valley that he was drawn to, and seeing the waste of what was once life and trying to imagine them alive? His response was to appeal to the sovereignty of God – “You know!”
God does know, but perhaps He wants us to know that He knows. Right? It may sound confusing but God puts these questions out there to see where our belief lies. To see if we really see Him as the One who is in control of everything, including those things that appear utterly dead and beyond the hope of restoration.
I don’t know personally how it may have looked, but I can imagine the scene in my head. Going about through that place and seeing nothing but human remains here and there. I would have begun pondering all the “what’s, who’s, why’s and how’s” all this came to pass. What battle took place? Who was involved? Why did it have to come to this? How is it that there were none left to bury the dead? There before him, was a mass of unanswered questions covering a sea of death.
I wonder about that scene with the appearance of bodies upon bodies, stacked and scattered throughout. Lives were gone here and there remained nothing but death and dry bones. Nothing to cheer about, nothing to hope for if it were not for that question that came from the mouth of the Lord: “Can these bones live?”
Death in reverse? Is that what God was asking, he must have wondered? Taking an impossible act of nature and reenacting the process in rewind mode? If the question wasn’t enough, how about the command: “Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” (Ez. 37:4). Standing reverently but in utter stupefaction, Ezekiel must have known that he was at a point of no return in his ministry. God was drawing him deeper into the process. “I don’t know about this,” may have been what most would be thinking as they did as He commanded.
What would it have been like? At the spoken command, to hear an unsettling sound. A noise permeates the atmosphere. Rattling began to disturb the quiet of the valley. In a place that knew only demise and decay would now be re-identified as something miraculous. The rattle was with purpose. It meant things were moving into their proper place. It meant brokenness was being made whole. It was the start of a brand new life where there was none before. This was incredible to not only witness but to be a part of!
After the re-attachment of limbs and other skeletal remains, the real stuff transpired. It’s one thing for bones to find their host bodies and reattach themselves. It’s quite another to witness those very bones, and the nothingness that was left, begin to take on a new life. Sinews and flesh began to re-cover the bleached, parched surfaces. All the while, Ezekiel just watches. What would you do? Like a train wreck, as horrible as it may seem you can’t tear your eyes away from it. Under it all, organs started to reform and the life supply of veins maneuvered their way throughout, spreading the possibility for more life.
But God was not done, yet. He was genuinely reversing the life process. The bodies were now formed and covered “but there was no breath in them” (Ez. 37:8). Then, God gave him a new command: “Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live” (Ez. 37:9). Ezekiel followed God’s command and said, “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” (Ez. 37:10). Before they stood, did they gasp at the feel of air entering their lungs once again? When they stood, did they turn to each other recognizing the “what was” and processing the “what is now?”
To see dead bones live in this fashion would have been awesome and beautiful. Think about it. God showed Ezekiel an impossible situation and did a complete turnaround and restored life where only death resided (compare to Israel’s spiritual restoration found in Ezekiel 37:11-14). It’s as if He had His finger on the hands of some big clock and purposefully began to rotate it backward. Spinning it and spinning it until all the death that once was had to let go and make room for new life to come to the forefront once again. What would it have been like to witness this vision?
Don’t you know? We may have not been bones but what remained of us of what the world stripped away was given a new command in the valley. The valley, our lowest point of life, was shaken and rattled until it stood at the command of God. Our lifelessness was renewed when His Spirit breathed in us freshness untold. Before He had a vision of us, we were surrounded by spiritual death. But then there arose potential out of nothingness. Captured by grace and loved on through His mercy, we received in us His gift of a second chance.
There are a lot of things in that particular vision of the valley that would have left me unsettled but I only had to turn to the One who was commanding the change in me and see the love in His eyes for me. I only had to look and believe as He did that, there is something alive here, there is something that can be raised up for me. We have all been in that valley. Vision or not, many have been to the place of impossibility just to see Him make it possible.
To see those bones rise to new life and live would have been awesome. But to see what He has done in us is far better. I don’t know what it would have been like there but I know what it is like here. The Bible says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection,” (Romans 6:4-5). Because of Christ, we have received another chance to experience a new life outside of the valley. Just because it appears dead, doesn’t mean it’s so. God can raise up the most impossible of situations.
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Word For Life Says... 