Jesus

Kiss the Son ~ Psalm 2

9:00 AM


Today's Reading: Psalm 2 & Hebrews 1:5
 
Welcome to our first week of our journey to becoming a woman after God's own heart!! I am so excited to get started!!! And I cannot think of a better place to begin than with verses 10-12 in Psalms 2,
 “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:10-12). 

In this second psalm, David presents two “ways” similar to Psalm 1—the way of human rebellion versus the way of submission to God. 

(Have you ever wondered why The Lord chose to begin the Book of Psalms this way?)

Pictured here in verses 10-12, is a kiss of reverence and submission. Not a kiss of betrayal like Judas (Luke 22:47-48), but a gesture of devotion, surrender in recognizing our helplessness and complete dependence on our Lord.

Far too many today imagine that they can reject the will of God and ignore the Lord’s grace and mercy He offers us because of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Although they may choose to rebel against Him, the psalm makes it clear that all resistance to the One who “sits in heaven” is foolishness.

So, how about you? Which "way" have you chosen? Have you kissed the Son?

Surrender is actually a battle term. It implies giving up all rights to the conqueror. I believe it is summed up best in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

"There are different levels of surrender, all of which affect our relationship with God. Initial surrender to the drawing of the Holy Spirit leads to salvation ( Acts 2:21). When we let go of our own attempts to earn God’s favor and rely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we become a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). But there are times of greater surrender during a Christian’s life that bring deeper intimacy with God and greater power in service. The more areas of our lives we surrender to Him, the more room there is for the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we exhibit traits of His character (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old self-worshiping nature is replaced with one that resembles Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)."*

I truly desire to be wholly surrendered to the King of kings and Lord of lords, and wholeheartedly "kiss the Son". How about you?

Pause and Reflect:

_Have you surrendered to the lordship of Christ?

_What do you believe this looks like in your life?

Let's pray: 

Heavenly Father, every day we see people waring against You; plotting against Your Son and Your people. But You, O Lord, are enthroned in the heavens. You laugh at the rebellion of the nations, for You will judge them all one day. 
     You have established Jesus as Your Son and You have given Him the nations as His inheritance, the ends of the earth for His eternal possession. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Thank You, Father that you have revealed Your truths to each of us!
     Father, we pray that Your Gospel will spread throughout this world through Your church and bringing many to repentance. Give us a holy confidence in our King who reigns forever, and a boldness the world cannot intimidate away. Bring many to repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; may they kiss the Son and be saved from perishing. Thank You that we have found refuge in Jesus. May others find refuge in Him, as well! In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Blessings,





1 Samuel

Scripture Saturday ~ Sincere worship

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 3, 2018



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is 1 Samuel 12:24...

 Only fear the LORD (with awe and profound reverence) and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
(Amplified version)
Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Lamb

Worthy is The Lamb That was Slain! {Revelations 5}

9:00 PM


I cannot remember just how long ago I started this tradition of reading through the book of Revelations during the month of December, but it’s one of my favorite things to do during Christmas! In fact, it’s as familiar as stringing Christmas lights and hanging stockings! I love worshiping Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords while we celebrate Him coming to earth as a baby in a lowly manger, and it’s my prayer you’ll want to adopt this little tradition as well!

The book of Revelations is like peeking through heaven’s keyhole on the greatest events coming, and I pray we’re able to convey the significance of all that we see on display before us!
I’m especially excited to have the chance to write about one of my favorite chapters! In both chapters 4 and 5, we’re given a glimpse of a scene that will take place in heaven before God pours out His judgments on the earth (Rev 6-18). In chapter 4 we were able to experience the worship of God the Father, and now in chapter 5, we’ll experience the worship of Jesus Christ.

First: John reminds us that God is in control:

I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” -Rev 5:1-2

Chapter 4 began by drawing our attention to the throne; chapter 5 begins by drawing our attention to a scroll in God’s right hand. Can you think of a better way to illustrate God’s sovereignty over all than by this picture of the scroll resting in His RIGHT hand? For His right hand has always been a symbol of His authority. Someone, probably God Himself, has sealed it with seven seals, which conveys the perfect number of seals (“seven”) and also hints at the absolute sacredness of this scroll. But there’s a problem;

“And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.  Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;” - Rev 5:3-4

There’s been a search of all heaven and earth and no one was found worthy to open the scroll, which crushes John’s resolve, for he becomes overwhelmed to the point of weeping uncontrollably. Does John believe that the wrongs of earth would not be dealt with? Did he fear that the righteous will never be vindicated and that the wicked will go unpunished? John seems to understand at this moment that if God’s purposes fail, then all of life is meaningless.

Which is the sad truth for all of us, for without Christ there will be only weeping. But;
“...one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

Second: All's NOT lost! There’s hope! Jesus will carry out God’s final purposes!

John turns to look expecting to see the, “Lion that is from the tribe of Judah” (the king of all the beasts; strong and powerful), But he sees something completely opposite: John looks and sees, “between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth ” (Rev 5:6). There are  four things we need to understand in 5:6. 
John sees;

  1. A Lamb (the meekest of animals) which is the symbol of Jesus Christ at His first coming, meek and submissive, the sacrificial substitute for us (Isa 53:7; John 1:36; 21:15). The Lion is a symbol of Jesus at His second coming, powerfully judging the world in righteousness. John sees the Lamb, now in the center of all the creatures and elders gathered around the throne, as the central character.
  2. A Lamb that had been slain. The word “slain” means “to cut up and mutilate as in animal sacrifices”. It describes for us the brutal crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and all He suffered on our behalf.
  3. A Lamb that is standing. The slain Lamb, Who was violently slaughtered and put to death that is now actually standing! Symbolizing that He has overcome the power of sin and death! Once killed, He is now standing in the innermost circle next to the throne of God.
  4. A Lamb Who is awesome in power with His seven horns and seven eyes. The number seven represents the fullness of Christ’s power in defeating His foes. The horns are a biblical symbol for power and authority.

Third: Jesus Christ is worthy of overwhelming praise!

“And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.’ Here we see Jesus Christ, the Lion-Lamb, boldly approaching the throne of God. (5:7). We see  His sovereignty on display as He and only He is able to take the scroll out of the Father’s right hand! He is the only One who is worthy! This very act symbolizes the transfer of authority from the Father to the Son. And once He does all present break out in a new song... “ When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” - Rev 5:7-10 (Selah- pause & meditate on this)

May I also add a personal thought here?... If Jesus Christ is the only One found worthy to take the scroll out of the right hand of The Father, surely He is powerful enough to take care of anything your still clinging on to; any fears, doubts, discouragements, etc. Is there anything you still have not given over to Jesus' care? Perhaps loved ones, your job, finances...? Why not release these to Him today? There's not a better time or chapter in all the Bible!

 There is much more I could share, but I think it’s significant to close like the, “four living creatures saying, “Amen.” And the elders falling down and worshiping.” He alone is worthy! He is the “Lamb that was slain” for us, now standing before the Father. The only one worthy to take the scroll from The Father’s hand! O come let us adore Him, let us bow down before Him...

1 Corinthians

Respect and Reverence {1 Corinthians 11}

12:30 AM


In this chapter, Paul continues to address issues in the church of Corinth that he had heard were causing division and poor testimony.  He specifically discusses head coverings for women and the Lord's Supper, but his goal is to help Christians understand the importance of showing submission to the authority of God and proper reverence for Christ, his Son. 

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God."(v3). Paul lays out the hierarchy of authority God intended for believers to submit to.  God, then Christ, then man, then woman. In Bible days and all the way up to the 19th century, married women kept their hair covered as a sign of the husband being in authority over them. This is no longer a cultural norm but there is still an expectation that believers submit to authority. As women, we are to let God be sovereign over our lives and respect our husbands as the leaders of our family. 

Just today I was listening to Susie Larson speak and she made the comment "You have no authority unless you are under authority".  She went on to say that Satan tries to get us to disrespect God's authority through our unbelief and independence and how that cripples us.  But, when we get back in rank, God can empower us in our Spiritual walk. 

Paul points out that God has designated roles for men and women.  He also points out that in God's eyes, men and women both are equally valuable and interdependent. “Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.” (11-12). The roles God designed for men and women should promote love, harmony, and serve to honor Him. 

During the final 1/2 of this chapter Paul scrutinizes the behaviors of the church when they assembled together, especially when observing the Lord's Supper.  He describes a sort of free for all where reverence for what the Lord's Supper represented had been lost. Instead of focusing on self examination and what Christ gave in sacrificing his body, the supper observance had become a type of  "Happy Hour".  “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”(27-28)
Worshiping God involves being honest with God and allowing God to purge the deepest, darkest places within us.

Even today, we have to be careful to preserve true worship for that is what we were created for...to worship the one true God.  Church is meant to be a place of social interaction but not at the expense of shutting out God. We have to be careful to show reverence to God, reverence to Christ and respect to each other as part of His body.  It's easy to become complacent and lose focus. God is not honored by our presence in a place of worship if our heart is not in a state of worship. We must be diligent to maintain a heart of worship and praise.