belief

He has Risen!

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And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.  Mark 16:6

May this Easter weekend remind us of Whose we are, what He did for us, and why.  May we humbly bow before the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and know His victory over death and the power of His resurrection.

Father God, thank You for Your Son.  You allowed His death to give me life.  You allowed Him to suffer to show me that I am sinful.  You allowed Jesus to walk this earth so that I would know You.  You allowed Christ to show Your forgiveness so that I would know that I am forgiven.  You allowed Jesus to love so that I would know that You loved me first.  I am forgiven and loved and saved by Your mercy and by Your grace, Father.  Thank You for Jesus.  Thank You for His death that I would be able to face each tomorrow knowing that I, too, will have final victory over death because I asked for forgiveness, asked to be His, and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.  I am so very blessed, my LORD.  In the Name of the Risen One.  Amen.  

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photo:  Christina Rivas

More Than Enough

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No matter what version of the Bible you are reading, the word “commit” and “committed” appear over and over again.

“You shall not commit adultery.”  Exodus 20:14

And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.  Deuteronomy 19:20

Almost every time, the word is in regard to committing a sin, warnings about committing a sin, or the consequences of committing a sin.

So this is my 2016 word.

Commit

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I do not want to commit any sin against God.  I am also human and, most likely, will commit some thing(s) against Him.  I am sorry before I even do such as I do not want that for myself nor to do such against the God I love with all of my heart.

When I chose “commit” as my word, I included those meanings listed above, but, actually, I am focusing on committing my life, my walk, my heart, my all to God, desiring His orchestration of me…all of me!

Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in Him, and He will act.  Psalm 37:5

I do not want to be half-hearted and need extra proof from Jesus to commit my life, my days, my moments to Him.

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip?   Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?  The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father Who dwells in Me does His works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.  John 14:8-11

I believe, LORD.  Please help my unbelief. 

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High,

and call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”  Psalm 50:14-15

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me;

to one who orders his way rightly.

I will show the salvation of God!”  Psalm 50:23

In thanksgiving, I commit myself to You because of all the You have done for me.  I praise You, Abba Father, for in Your sacrifice of Your Son, I am now saved from death, having eternal life with You.  I give You all the glory because You are All…ALL!  Teach me to walk in Your ways and Your way alone.  I am so in love with You.  I am committed to You because You are truly Enough.  Uphold me when I stumble; lift me when I fall.  Your arms are strong enough and wide enough for me.   Your touch is tender enough for me.  Your love is true enough for me.  You are enough, Father.  Enough.  In the Name that is Enough, I pray.  Amen.  

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Anna Comes

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And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.  She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.       Luke 2:36-38

ὥρα

hōra

day, hour, instant, moment, season

“at that very hour”

Anna lived in the temple.  Her life was now devoted to God in prayer and fasting.  Anna ‘just happened’ to arrive at that place where Mary and Joseph had brought Jesus to present Jesus to the Lord.  This was at the time of purification.

Anna arrived at that moment, in that instant, and in that place where Simeon had already come by the Holy Spirit.

Father God, this woman named Anna has come to Jesus and knows Who He is.  Father, she could only know Your Son because Your Holy Spirit had given her the gift of knowledge at that moment.  She was expecting You to send the Messiah to and for her people.  She knew because she believed…she trusted…she spent time with You every day and knew You so beautifully.  Oh, LORD, how most precious is Your servant.    

προσδέχομαι

prosdechomai

to receive to one’s self, to admit, to give access to one’s self

to await (with confidence or patience):—accept, allow, look (wait) for, take

to expect: the fulfillment of promises

The phrase (“all who were waiting”) from other versions:

“them that looked”

“had been waiting expectantly”

“who were looking forward”

“who were looking”

For to us a Child is born,
to us a Son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

God foretold of His coming.  Anna believed.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for Me
One Who is to be ruler in Israel,
Whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.  Micah 5:2

Anna read God’s Word and believed this Truth, confirming God’s gift of redemption.  Hallelujah!

I know that Jesus came.  I believe.  I read God’s Word now and try to understand the words God has given me.  No matter what my head understanding may be, my heart does understand.  I do look up.  I wait.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.  Titus 2:11-14

Father, I wait.  I look up.  I know a little.  I am so filled with gratitude for the Gift of Your Son.  I know Him as my Lord and Savior.  I know Him by Your Word.  I know Him because He is my Shepherd and I am His sheep.  I know His voice.  I look up.  I wait.  Anna knew that many were waiting…waiting for their redemption. 

λύτρωσις

lytrōsis

a ransoming, redemption

deliverance, esp. from the penalty of sin

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.  Isaiah 25:8

Anna knew her God and knew His promises.  She awaited His coming.  And once she saw the Christ, she spoke God’s  Truth to all she could.

Father, You have given me another insight through Anna.  I am so blessed to discover Your Truth in Your Word by Your Holy Spirit.  As Anna was bold, may I become bold to spread the Good News to all I encounter.  Your love for us, whether Gentile or Jew, is so powerful and kind.  I pray that Your Gift be received by all…by ALL.  I have received this Gift from You, yet I wait for His second coming.  I wait.  I look nigh.  I expect…for my belief in Jesus is whole.  It is more than enough.  I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

“‘…and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”  Luke 3:6

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Painting–Simeon’s Song of Praise by Aert de Gelder, 1700-1710/Public Domain:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis#/media/File:Aert_de_Gelder_-_Het_loflied_van_Simeon.jpg

Simeon Waiting

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Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.        Luke 2:25

παράκλησις

paraklēsis

consolation

  • a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)

  • importation, supplication, entreaty

  • exhortation, admonition, encouragement

  • consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment [thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter)]

  • persuasive discourse, stirring address [instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse]

Simeon was waiting for the Consoler, the Messiah.  The Holy Spirit was upon him.

Oh, Father, I praise You for giving this man the testament of Your Holy Spirit.  He knew Your will for his life and waited.  Waited!  He knew the gift that You were giving to this world in Your Son.  He let the Holy Spirit lead him into the temple at that very moment.  He knew.  He waited.  Hallelujah!


And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant Greek bondservant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”  Luke 2:26-32

Simeon prayed.  Simeon was so attuned to God that he believed that God was delivering His Messiah as promised to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.  He knew.  He believed.  He had read the Word and knew God’s promises.

Simeon called Jesus “Your salvation.”  He is.

The Lord has bared His holy arm

before the eyes of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.  Isaiah 52:10

Simeon called Jesus “a light for revelation.”  He is.

He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also make You a light of the nations
So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  Isaiah 49:6

Simeon said Jesus was “for glory to Your people Israel.”  He is (although not very many have seen Him…yet).

“In the LORD all the offspring of Israel
shall be justified and shall glory.”  Isaiah 45:25

 The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.  Isaiah 60:19

Father, I praise You.  You have shown us Simeon in Your Word.  He loved You and spent his days in prayer, seeking Your face.  He came face-to-face with You, by Your Son, Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Consoler.  He knew that this Child was You.  He knew because He walked with You and fed upon Your Word, upon You.  Oh, LORD, I am so filled with gratitude that You showed me this about Simeon this week.  May I seek Your face each and every day.  May my walk be as You design it, and not in my way.  May light shine upon me from the Sun of Righteousness, revealing Your Truth in and through me.  I thank You, Abba Father, for the most beautiful Gift possible, Your Consolation to me.  You have reminded me that I am to continue to be ‘expectant’ for You to show up in my life at any time, at all times.  In His Name, I pray.  Amen.

 “‘…and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”  Luke 3:6

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Painting–Simeon’s Song of Praise by Aert de Gelder, 1700-1710/Public Domain:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis#/media/File:Aert_de_Gelder_-_Het_loflied_van_Simeon.jpg

Unsearchable

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Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!  Romans 11:33

ἀνεξεραύνητος

anexeraunētos

not searched out, i.e. (by implication) inscrutable:—unsearchable

ἀνεξιχνίαστος

anexichniastos

not tracked out, i.e. (by implication) untraceable:—past finding out; unsearchable.

that cannot be comprehended

past finding out

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These two Greek words almost look alike, mean almost the same thing with just slight changes.

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Versions of the Bible use different words to lay this meaning out before us:

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!  NLT

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!  NKJV

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  NIV

Oh, the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!

How unsearchable His judgments

and untraceable His ways!  HCSB

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  NASB

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!  NET

Impossible, untraceable, beyond our ability to trace or to find out, unfathomable…the greatness of God, His Omnipotence, His Omniscience, His Omnipresence…He is far more than we can possibly understand at this time.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast You save, O LORD.  Psalm 36:6

Your way was through the sea,
Your path through the great waters;
yet Your footprints were unseen.  Psalm 77:19

God, You are more than my mind can wrap around yet my heart feels Your love and Your care for me.  I know You are with me and hear my prayer.  You are unsearchable but I am learning more and more about You.  I am in love with You and praise You for Who You are.  I thank You with my whole heart for saving me through Your Son’s sacrifice and His love for me, for many such as I.  He was resurrected from the grave and told His disciples that He will return for them, for me.  One day, we will be together and You will still be more than I could have imagined here on this earth.  Will I be able to fathom You even then, Abba Father?  Your mercy, Your grace, Your greatness, Your faithfulness, Your power and Your might?  Jesus said that we may not understand but one day we will.  I look forward to that day, Abba Father.  I lift this prayer in the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”  John 13:7

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Photo:  Heartlight.org @ http://www.heartlight.org/gallery/526.html

Help My Unbelief

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And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”  And he said, “From childhood. 

And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him.  But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’!  All things are possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”  Mark 9:21-24

From this last sentence, this final statement of the father, two words stand out — believe and unbelief.  They are below in the Greek:

πιστεύω

pisteuō

believe

to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in

of the thing believed

to credit, have confidence

used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul

to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith

mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith

to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity

to be entrusted with a thing

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ἀπιστία

apistia

unbelief

unfaithfulness, faithless

want of faith, unbelief

weakness of faith

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How often I have felt that I could not ask God for physical healing or for a relationship to be healed because my own heart was so amiss.  I desired to aim high for my life yet I often could not even hold the bow up, let alone shoot that arrow.  God knows my heart, yet I often feel so weak and feeble when it comes to my spiritual strength because I am trying to do something in my own strength, not His.  He wants me to come lowly and weak so He can be strong in my life.  I want that too.

But…that seems wrong.  I am supposed to be strong and handle things myself.  Or so I think!

This sentence, “I believe; help my unbelief!,” speaks seriously and directly from this father’s heart in Mark 9.  His hope and desire is for healing to happen.  He wants that more than anything.  He wants it to work.  He knows it is not up to him to make it happen. 

He says to Jesus, “…if You can….”  How often do I ask Jesus to do something, then waffle back and forth, afraid that what I asked of Him won’t happen.  Then I doubt and wonder why I even bother to ask. 

How many people are around us every day who want to know that God exists, that there is something good in this world, that Jesus is Who He says He is…and yet, at the same time, even when we have a grasp of something, believing can be so hard because we cannot touch, see, smell.  We prefer some sort of sensory affirmation.  Today, we, the doubting Thomas’, cannot touch the wound in the side of Jesus nor the nail holes in His hands and feet.  

I struggle with what is called blind faith.  How can I believe when I cannot see the One Who promises so much and loves unconditionally?  How?  Doubt and shame color my world far too often because I think I ought to be strong.  Doubt can be so real, blocking my way.

Belief can be a statement of fact (the ocean is vast, or Sally looks good in yellow).  Belief is also an acknowledgment of trust that will fly with that arrow from the bow.  When I know by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is real, that He hears me, I trust.  I trust Jesus to answer my prayers in some way, even if the answer is “No.”  I cannot see outcomes, yet by trusting, I can know that Jesus hears and knows and will answer.

Jesus is Truth and Light.  So I pray that my unbelief be helped.  I want to believe.  I want to trust.  I want that arrow to go out from my heart with guidance from God with faith to His.

Help my unbelief, O God.  Please.  In my doubt, Father, I take one step after another, moving forward in life, knowing that I have asked You for this healing.  I trust that I believe somewhere within me.  I trust that You hear my prayer and will heal my unbelief because You want me to walk with You without fear.  You want me to let You be in control of everything.  I am not to hold those reins.  That arrow is really in Your hands, isn’t it?  You line it up in the bow because You are the Archer.  Am I the arrow, Lord?  Oh!  I thank You, Father, for blessing me with insights and newness.  In the Name of Your Son, I pray.  Amen.

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Photo/Graphic:  https://abnormalanabaptist.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/names-of-things-doubt-and-the-space-to-be/

Clouds … Fog

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Fog

Walking in fog…like walking in mist, translucent and close, yet not confining except for a visual confinement of sorts.  A cloud near to or on the ground.

A cloud is defined as “a visible mass of liquid droplets or frozen crystals made of water or various chemicals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of a planetary body.”   Fog is defined as “a collection of liquid water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth’s surface. Fog can be considered a type of low-lying cloud, and is heavily influenced by nearby bodies of water, topography, wind conditions, and even human activities.”

“A low-lying cloud”… 

Moses and the people of Israel knew a cloud that came down, a cloud that led them in the wilderness.  Moses alone knew that from the cloud God spoke to him.

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  Exodus 13:21

And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” ….  Exodus 19:9

The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.  Exodus 24:16

When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.  Exodus 33:9 

And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Exodus 33:10

God spoke to Peter, James and John when they were on the mountain with Jesus. 

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.”  Mark 9:7

Jesus went to Heaven by a cloud and, one day, He will return for us on a cloud.

And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.  And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?  This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”  Acts 1:9-11

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Luke 21:27

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.  Revelation 1:7

These are but a few of the many verses in the Bible with the word “cloud.”  But these particular verses also tell us of God.  God came to Moses in a cloud.  He spoke to Moses.  He spoke to Peter, James and John when they were on the mountain with Jesus.  God led the Israelites through the wilderness by “the pillar of cloud.”  They walked in obedience to God for they knew God was in this cloud.  

I can look upon fog and clouds through new eyes as I place these and many other verses together in my heart’s eye.  God reveals Himself in so many ways to those who listen and watch for Him.  I sense His nearness with God when enshrouded by the low-lying cloud, the fog.  A cloud above me reminds me of His Presence.

Father, desiring to know You is my heart’s desire.  I pray that as I stroll through a woods on a foggy day or look up into the sky to see the beautiful white puffs against a bright blue background, that I shall see You in my heart, feel You wrapped around me holding me closely.  May I listen and know the words You speak to me whether it be through Your Word, actual words spoken, or through others who share Your Truth with me.  I pray that I am available and obedient to Your call.  May I know the “pillar of cloud” when You go before me leading me on Your chosen path.   You are my God and I desire to know You…to know You in the ways that You come to me, to know Your character, to know Your Truth, Your Holiness.  Whether by a cloud, a rainbow, Your voice, I want to know You.  Guide me in every step, LORD.  Thank You. I pray in the Name of Your Blessed Son.  Amen.  

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Photo: http://www.hinghamweather.com/

Quotes on “cloud” and fog” from  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud