While on vacation recently, we were walking in a beautiful wooded area. There were a lot of absolutely amazing butterflies flying around. Their colours were exquisite. Just watching them was enough to take your breath away. We watched as one of them landed on a nearby flowering bush, and starting to extract the nectar from the flower. My husband made the comment, “Isn’t it amazing that whilst it was a caterpillar, it had a very different taste preference” Caterpillars munch on leaves, and only leaves, a very drab taste selection. Once it emerges from the cocoon however, it has a brand new taste, now it’s for the sweet nectar.
How true it is, that as children of the Living God, our taste has so completely changed. I’ve heard people say that before they came to the Lord, they in fact enjoyed sin, they had a taste for it. Some people say that it was in fact a lot of fun. Then they come and taste of the Lord, and that’s when metamorphosis happens. The ongoing process of going from glory to glory, finds us continually having our tastes change. At one time, we had a taste for things which were maybe pleasing to our senses, but in fact could have ended up destroying our bodies.
In Psalm 19, verses 7-11 we read of some of the benefits of tasting of the Lord. For example, His law is perfect restoring our whole person. His testimony is sure causing us to become wise. His precepts are correct, and make us happy, able to rejoice. His commandments are pure and bright which cause us to see correctly. This is what it means to have spiritual eyesight. The fear of the Lord is clean, age abiding, it’s essential that we fear Him reverently, not in fear of Him, but in awe of His greatness. His ordinances are true and absolutely righteous. All of these things are to be desired by us. In fact it goes on to say to be desired more than gold, more than the things that money can buy. When we walk in His ways, our tastes become refined, and then we realize that we are tasting of His sweetness, even sweeter than honey which drips from the honeycomb. In verse 11, the results of walking in His ways, bring warning, illumination, and instruction. A great reward.
Many of us sing that amazing song that comes from “Bethel” in Redding Cal. “O taste and see that the Lord is good”. I believe the Lord is asking us to taste and see, I mean really taste and see. I know, I need to taste Him some more, and keep on tasting. There is always something new and refreshing. I think one of the lies that the enemy keeps telling God’s people is, “You’ve tasted everything there is to taste, there is nothing new for you to experience” Lies, Lies, Lies!!! We continued to watch that exquisite butterfly, go from flower to flower, obviously enjoying his whole new experience of being a butterfly. There was no way it would ever want to go back to the dreary life of a lowly ground hugging caterpillar.
You have wings to fly. Watch how your taste will change.!!
We read in John chapter 8 the account of the woman caught in adultery. This event was preceded by the attendance of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles. He had been preaching in the porches of the Tabernacle. The Pharisees are incensed at His teaching, and really want to do away with Him. Their legalist behaviour is so contrary to the loving, yet authoritative teaching of Jesus. They are trying to trap Him, yet the people who are listening are marvelling at His words. The Pharisees see a golden opportunity, and bring to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery. They want to see His reaction at this blatant act which is most definitely contrary to the Law of Moses.
The reaction of Jesus is most extraordinary. He simply begins to write with His finger on the ground. They of course don’t give up, and keep questioning Him. Finally He makes this statement. (verse7) “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her”. They begin to slink away, one by one, until no one is left to accuse. Jesus asks the woman, where her accusers are, “Has no man condemned you?” She answers “No Lord”. He says to her, “I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more” Although we are not given any more information about her, I have a strong feeling that she changed from that day on. The saving words of Jesus always had an incredible impact. Many wonder what Jesus was writing on the ground that day, some think that maybe He was writing down some of the personal sins of those who were accusing. Maybe so, but you know there is a deeper issue in this whole account that I believe we can learn from this week.
In the previous chapter, we read that on the last, and most important day of the Feast, Jesus had cried out loudly, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow continuously springs and rivers of living water”. We know that He was speaking of the Holy Spirit which would be given to those who would believe after He was glorified, raised to honour.
The fact was that the Pharisees would not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, even though there were undeniable proofs. They were rejecting the very One who had come to seek them, and bring them into true freedom. They preferred however to remain in their legalistic darkness.
So when Jesus wrote on the ground, there was something very significant in what He was doing. There is a verse in Jeremiah which says this. Chapter 17, verse 13. “O Lord the hope of Israel, all who reject You shall be put to shame. Those who turn away from You will be written in the dust, because they have forsaken the Lord the Spring of Living Water”. These guys were very well versed in the Torah, and no doubt their thoughts would have gone immediately to this verse.
Legalism has no place in the gospel of the kingdom. It flows contrary to the Spirit of Jesus. As people of the Way, we are to reject legalism, and embrace Him who is the Spring of Living Water. He is still saying to us “Go and sin no more”, and when we accept and receive Him as the true giver of life, we will find that sin has no attraction for us any longer. However trying to do away with sin through legalistic endeavours will never have victorious endings. We are also to flow and receive Holy Spirit, and not curb His activities in our personal lives. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus on the earth. Why would we want to inhibit His work in us? May I encourage you this week, to thoroughly receive all that He has for you. Nothing that has happened in your past, can curtail what He wants to do in your present and future. My prayer for you this week is that the Holy Spirit will be allowed full freedom to write on your heart. As the apostle Paul says in 2 Cor. “You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on the tablets of human hearts.” Be filled continually with the Spirit.
Think on these things.
Blessings on you and your household
Janet.
I’m on vacation for the next 2 weeks. Will continue with the Selah List when I get back.
Last week, we talked about ‘’THE LOOK OF LOVE’’, and the effect the look of Jesus had on various people. We came to the conclusion that we need to look on Him. In fact He is saying to His church today “Take a life changing look”. I have a sense that if the church stopped long enough to take a look, we would be a different people, well able to walk in our different spheres, and through the eye locking power of His love, bring change into so many areas.
This week’s “thought” is a sequel to last week. I was reading a few days ago, the account of the two on the road to Emmaus. They were having a deep discussion of the events that had occurred in the last few days. Jesus had been crucified, and three days later, the tomb was found empty by some of the women who had followed Jesus. While the two men were walking and discussing, all of a sudden Jesus appeared on the road and began having a conversation with them. They did not, however, recognize Him, and just continued to converse, as they would with a stranger.
He asked what they were talking about, and one of them called Cleopas said, “Have you been living in Jerusalem all of this time, and not heard what’s been going on?” And so the discussion continued, Jesus asking them questions, and they answering. One statement they made, really caught my attention, they were speaking of Jesus, and called Him a “prophet”. What that tells us is that they did not have a revelation of who He was. To them He was another prophet, there had been many along the generations in Israel, and no doubt there would be many more. However, this One that they were now speaking with on the road that day was far more than a prophet. He had been with them for three years, and their eyes were still closed to the awesome revelation that He was the Son of God. As we read on, we see that their hope was that this Man, would have redeemed Israel, and set the nation free. Indeed that would happen, but not in the earthly sense that they were thinking of. Jesus goes on to explain to them some of the things that He had in the past years already explained, and in fact calls them “`sluggish in mind“ and slow to believe.
They turn in to a place to lodge, as it`s already getting late, and urge this Man to come with them. They sit at table together. Jesus takes a loaf of bread, and breaks it, and thanks His Father. At this juncture something awesome happens, THEIR EYES ARE INSTANTLY OPENED. They immediately recognize Him, and He vanishes out of their sight. They are amazed at this revelation, and compare notes as to how even when they were walking on the road, their hearts were burning. They go back to Jerusalem to report to the eleven, and they relate how their eyes were opened AT THE BREAKING OF BREAD.
There is, I believe, still a revelation that we need to have of Him, and I have a sense that in the coming days, as we corporately eat at His table, we will come into yet another fresh revelation of His person. F.F.Bruce, the commentator, explains that the `breaking of bread“ in this passage is the same sacrament as we practice at our breaking of bread service in remembrance of Him.
In many ways, we are like the two on the road; our eyes are not fully opened. There is still a veil that needs to come off, so we can see clearly. We must have personal revelation of Who He is, not the revelation of others. In this day of processed, quick, internet revelation, it is imperative that we come to His table personally and ask for our own revelation. Until we do, our eyes will remain veiled. Know this week that He longs to look on you to present Himself to you in a fresh and new way, at the Breaking of Bread.
In Mathew 17, we read that Jesus comes down off the mount of transfiguration with Peter, James and John, and was immediately involved in another scenario. There was a waiting multitude, and in particular a man, asking for help for his son, who was controlled by a demonic power. He had asked the disciples to heal him but they had been unable to. Jesus rebukes the demonic power, and the boy is immediately healed.
Privately, later, the disciples ask Jesus why they were unable to drive the demon out. Jesus in verse 20 says this “Because of the littleness of your faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith that is living, like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to yonder place and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (AMP) In other versions the text might read faith the size of a mustard seed. The Amplified version however takes into account the Aramaic spoken language of the time, and the word living is more appropriate.
Let’s first look at what Jesus meant by “mountain”. This was in fact figurative speech. A mountain at the time of this culture meant either a person or thing which held authority. So in this case, the mountain would not be an actual mountain, but the demonic authority power structure, which held this boy captive.
Why the mustard seed example? The mustard seed was a weed, and was quite frustrating to the farmers at the time. The reason being, that this little seed had a tenacious component, able to grow in any soil. It would even grow in dry, rocky soil, and push stones out of its way to survive. Despite the sometimes harshness of its environment, this seed would persist in growing, and spreading.
Here is a huge lesson, and encouragement for us. As God’s chosen ones, we are sometimes called to have faith even in harsh and non friendly environments. That’s why our faith has to be living. In fact it has to be birthed in us revelationally. I must have faith that is mine, not my parents, or my husband’s. It has to be alive in me. We have to be consistently tenacious with this faith, and not give up when the going gets tough. There are mountains, of authority that must be addressed, and removed. Sometimes they can be humanistic authorities, which come against the word of God, or demonic authorities which keep people bound and in chains. As His representatives on earth, we have the privilege of addressing and bringing down other authorities which have not bowed down to the rule of Jesus. A tenacious stance is a required state of mind in the bringing down, and removal of earthly mountains.
I am so conscious in this season, that there are many stones to be literally kicked out of the way, so that the life of Christ can bloom and grow in us personally, and in the lives of those we find ourselves praying for in these days. May I encourage you to grow in faith, and in the understanding of it. You will move mountains of human and enemy obstacles. My prayer for you this week is that you will have the characteristic of a mustard seed, not only able to thrive in fertile soil, but actually be able to flourish even in harsh and unfertile ground. This mountain WILL be removed!! By His Spirit working in us, and through us.
I am continually in awe of the significance and merits of the blood of Jesus. The victory of His cross, and the redemption that has been extended to us, is overwhelming. I find myself continually thanking God for sending His Son, and for the blood sacrifice which bought our salvation, and in fact continually causes us to be overcomers.
Exodus 12, explains the catalyst which brought the Israelites out of Egypt, the land of their bondage. Every family was instructed to obtain an unblemished lamb, a lamb for a household, kill it, and eat it in haste. They were to be ready for the journey, shoes on their feet, staff in their hands. The most important instruction was that they were to take the blood of that unblemished lamb, and apply the blood to their door. Actually it was a very specific instruction, it wasn’t just to be dabbed on haphazardly, but it was to be applied to the door posts, and the lintel, above the door space. This is very interesting, because by applying the blood this way, they were left with the Hebrew alphabet letter “chet”, the eighth letter of the alphabet, which means “LIFE” When the angel of death came, that blood mark of “LIFE” showed that this household was safe, and the angel was to “Passover”.
I believe we are being asked the question this week in particular, have we applied His blood to our doorposts. Our heart is a doorpost. We have a choice to make. We either apply the blood which allows His life to flow into us and through us, or we allow death, which allows the enemy to traffic in areas that have not been fully submitted. Do we apply His blood over our family, our marriages, our children, those we love, and care for? If we do this we can ensure that the destroyer is not allowed to come in and dictate his death ways to us. If you are under an attack, or facing difficult circumstances, turn to the life giving blood of the unblemished Lamb, Jesus Christ the worthy One.
The Spirit is saying to the church today, that there is much overcoming to do. The accuser of the brethren must be cast down, by each one of us individually. I love the verse in the book of revelation which says “And they have overcome him by means of the blood of the Lamb, and by the utterance of their testimony”. Testify to your circumstances, use your mouth to speak Truth, and apply His blood to your “heartposts”. You will be utterly amazed as to what will happen. YOU WILL OVERCOME!
I’m sure you recall the song “The Look of Love is in Your Eyes”. I’ve been thinking about the look of love in the eyes of Jesus in the past few days, and re-reading instances in the scripture where His look changed people, and even changed circumstances.
Mathew was a tax collector. Tax collectors were not popular, as their purpose in life was to fleece the people. Jesus, however, made an appointment with him one day. We read in Luke 5, verse 27: “And after this Jesus went out and looked attentively at a tax collector named Levi (Mathew) sitting at the tax office; and He said to him. Join Me as a disciple and side with My party and accompany Me” We go on to read that Mathew gave everything up, there and then, and immediately became a disciple of Jesus. In fact, he even threw a party for a large number of his tax collector friends so that they could meet Jesus as well.
One wonders what kind of look Jesus gave Mathew. It must have been a wonderful, totally inspirational look of deep love that pierced through all of Mathew’s defences. He knew that he was regarded as one of the hated ones of society. He must have felt a certain rejection from those around him. Yet that deep look of Jesus changed everything, so much so, that his choice of livelihood was given up, so that he could become a follower and disciple of the Lord.
Peter was another disciple who was totally changed by a joining of the eyes, between himself and the Lord. This occasion happened immediately after he had denied the Lord three times. The Lord had told him that this would happen, when in bravado, Peter had declared his undying love for his master, and had even vehemently declared that he would even die for Him. Jesus walked through the courtyard, being led by His captors, just after Peter had denied Him the third time. We cannot begin to imagine the intensity of that look. One thing for sure it wasn’t a look of “See Peter I told you that this would happen, how could you do that to me?” No it would have been more a look of “Don’t worry Peter, I haven’t denied you, I’m holding on to you, because I love you with a love that you haven’t even begun to experience yet, but you will”. We read in that account that Peter wept deeply and bitterly, this was Peter’s sanctification time. This was the moment when he would really begin to come into deep union with the Lord.
Peter and John, after the day of Pentecost are on their way to the prayer meeting. They meet a man, crippled from birth, begging at the gate ‘Beautiful”. The first thing Peter says to the man is “Look at me”. The man fixes his gaze on Peter, and the outcome is that he is totally healed. The community gets freaked out. They all know this man. They are beside themselves with wonder at this sign. It seems as we read this account in Acts, that this one occasion sparks multiplication of the church, because the number grows from 3,000 to 5,000, in a very short period.
I believe the Lord is saying to His church right now. “Look at Me”. I have a download of love for you, that is going to change you, your circumstances, and even your cities. The fact is that as we look on Him, His look also becomes our look as we minister to others on His behalf. The gospel of the kingdom is all about His love. This is what we are to spread. It’s all about the good news of the gospel. Getting back to Mathew, his dinner party was full of what the Pharisees called pre-eminently sinful characters. Yet these were the very ones that Jesus loved, and wanted to bring to Himself.
I don’t know about you, but I need to continually look on Him. I need that daily look of love, so that I can represent Him truthfully on the earth. After all “God is love”
Some months ago, I felt the Lord brought to my attention the phrase: “I will give to you up to half of my kingdom”. I ended up speaking to our local church on that phrase. This week, the same phrase came back to me, and so I decided to write this devotional on the subject.
There are two striking occasions when this phrase is used, one in the Old Testament, and one in the New. The one in the New Testament is when the daughter of Herodias dances before King Herod. Herodias is actually the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod and Herodias seem to be on the same page, when it comes to disobeying the laws of God. Herodias in fact detests John the Baptist, because John was very vocal in pointing out to this couple their wrong doing.
What was, no doubt, a lewd dance, so pleases Herod that he makes this statement found in Mark 6, verse 23: “Whatever you ask me, I will give it to you, even to the half of my kingdom”. Herodias seizes the day, and tells her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist, whom she detests.
John the Baptist who carried the spirit of Elijah, and who came onto the stage of time to prepare the way of the Lord, is killed. Favour has been used wickedly to obstruct God’s purpose.
In the old testament, this same phrase is used by King Ahasuerus to Queen Esther, when she is strategically working out the plan to save the lives of all the Jews, who the wicked Haman has decided to annihilate. When Esther approaches the King, she finds favour, the sceptre is extended to her, and this phrase is used, found in Esther 5 verse 3.” What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of the kingdom”
Two very different scenarios, with two very different outcomes. One has an outcome of DEATH, and the other of LIFE.
There is an application here for us. We are living in such wonderful days of grace and favour. We too have had His sceptre outstretched to us. We are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus. We have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry out Abba. We are sons, He is our most personal Father. However, due diligence must be given to how we use the favour given to us. There is such a tendency in these days to cater to one’s own agenda, using God given kingdom authority to become famous, instead of making Him the Famous One. The body of Christ may not be guilty of actually physically beheading a prophet, but certainly, when self indulgence is promoted in the name of Jesus, the Head is in fact being decapitated. He must always be the Head of the church.
Esther used her favour for the good of her people. She knew that she could be in a precarious position, but was ready to put her own life on the line, for the freedom of others. Their wellbeing was her agenda. If we are to walk in kingdom authority, which speaks of partnership with the Lord, doing what He says, going where He is going, praying what He is praying, then our agenda will become His agenda. This agenda is for our own individual communities, Canada, and the nations of the world. You know, Herodias and her daughter may have been able to bring John the Baptist’s earthly life to an end that day, but the spirit of Elijah lives on, in and through us. If we are using our kingdom partnership with the Lord in a holy way, then we too are heralding His coming; we too are preparing even today the Way of the Lord. There are multitudes still in the valley of decision, waiting to have their death sentence lifted off. Let’s use our kingdom partnership wisely like Esther did. These are days of favour and days of grace. Let’s use our favour to see His name glorified and His kingdom to become extended.
Already in this New Year, many are sensing that this will be a year of apostolic release!? As apostolic people, we have within us pioneering DNA.? We are of the company that will forge a new pathway for the apostolic to be released into our communities and even our nation.? The apostolic is linked of course to the prophetic. During our last election, I remember reading an article in one of our national magazines. It was an interview with one of our national leaders. He was asked what role he felt the church played in the country.? This leader is not a professing Christian, however, he answered that he felt the church’s role was to be the prophetic voice in the land. He was actually being prophetic himself at the moment, even if he? didn’t realise it.
The church must rise up in this season, and take her place, and not become complacent. It’s much easier to wave placards, than it is to get into intercession, and pray through the purposes of God.? We have been mandated by the Lord, to GO OUT!? We like to have little holy huddles, where we can just be together and have fellowship. It’s so safe and o so cozy to be with people who are like minded. However as my husband often says two thirds of GOD is GO!
We are to speak the mind of God, in our work places, in fact wherever we find ourselves, day after day. The gospel of the kingdom must be preached, and yes, with signs following.? This is what apostolic release should look like. We are so used to hearing apostolic and prophetic direction just in church gatherings, but it’s time to go viral?
I have been so blessed by two verses in Isaiah 49, verse 1 and 2.
The Lord has called me from the womb; from the body of my mother He has named my name. And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword in the shadow of His hand has He hid me and made me a polished arrow in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me. AMP
Apostolic people must have mouths like sharp swords, full of the word of the Lord.? That word, according to the writer of the Hebrews is alive and full of power. It energizes, it’s operative, and sharper than any two edged sword.? Its effect is that it penetrates the deepest part of man’s nature, exposing the purposes and thoughts of the heart.
Have you experienced your mouth being a sharp sword used by the Lord, speaking words that are beyond you, in fact, that even surprise you, when you are speaking to a person who has not yet come into faith, or with someone who is having difficulties with their Christian walk. If you have, then you are being that apostolic, prophetic vehicle that the Lord wants to use in this day.
Being apostolic, is far more than being? members in an Apostolic movement, it’s using and flowing in the apostolic DNA that God purposed for you even before the womb.? May this be a season for us all, when we draw from the prophetic well, and allow our tongues to be used, to bring sweet release to those who are being held captive by the enemy.
He has been hiding us, and polishing us as mighty arrows, in fact he has purposely concealed us, so that we can come to this place of humbly being used for His glory.? This is the day of the Lord!? Be released in His name.
Not even a week has passed since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. It’s been painful to even watch the news coming out from there.? One of the things that struck me the most, was watching people after the earthquake, probably with no homes left, mud and dust streaked across their faces, lifting up their hands in praise, singing ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord’. The song that we are familiar with, says ‘He gives and takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord’. These people now surely understand what this means.
It was Job that spoke these words, after he had lost everything. We read in Job chapter 1 verse 20
‘Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down and worshipped’?
Imagine, he had just lost children, all his possessions, and he falls down to worship.? The last verse of that chapter, says that in all of this, Job did not sin neither did he charge God foolishly. In other words he didn’t say ‘why me God, don’t you know that I’ve been a serious servant of yours for many year’?.
The enemy had asked God for permission to test Job. The intent was to see if he would curse God if things didn’t go so well for him.? God granted permission, however Job’s life was not to be taken.
He passed that test with flying colours.? He knew that serving the living God, was not a good luck charm. Rather it was a lifestyle.? I’m sure we have all heard people grumble and complain against the Lord. In fact we all have, on occasion, especially when going through hard times.? However, the Lord is calling us to serve Him, not for what we can get from Him, but to serve Him voluntarily, just for love’s sake.? He longs for relationship, and for a committed life, which if walked in love while on this earth, will go on for eternity.
People, who haven’t yet come into faith, are looking for such committed people; people who are strong and dependable, not wishy-washy, up one day, down the next.? The world is looking for strength. There is only one true strength, the strength found in Jesus Christ.? In fact His strength is made perfect in our weakness, when we are weak, then we are strong in Him.
Job was not given very good advice from his friends. Their counsel was not good counsel.? How wonderful that Job had a made up mind about who his God was.? I love what he was able to say in Chapter 19. Verse25-26.
‘For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives and at last, He the Last One, will stand upon the earth. And after my skin even this body has been destroyed then from my flesh or without it, I shall see God’?
He was prophesying about the supreme sacrifice of Jesus, and His triumphant resurrection,? long before the event happened.? Hallelujah!!
The Lord is forming His nature in us.? This causes me to totally rejoice in the God of my salvation.? When we finally were able to speak in person to our friend, John Dieubon, over the phone from Haiti, the first words out of his mouth were ‘Pastor John, O praise the Lord, praise the Lord’.? His work at the moment is picking up the wounded and transferring them to the overcrowded hospital, some of the children he is picking up are dying in his arms.? How wonderful that Jesus can trust John Dieubon with His treasures.
I am humbled by the reaction of some of these dear people in Haiti. Having lost all, they still find it in themselves to worship, and bless the name of the Lord.? How would we rea
ct? We, who have so much. My hope and prayer is that we will be a people who will not find ourselves being negative to our surroundings, or negative to others around us.?? May we be a people that our Lord can trust with His treasure, because He has so much for us to do.? May we walk in His love and in His strength.
As we approach this Christmas season of 2009, I have again been reading and meditating on the wonderful, thrilling account of Christ's incarnation.? I have also been struck all over again, with the life of Mary, mother of Jesus.? His coming into our world is wrapped into the willingness of a young woman, considered completely insignificant as far as the world's standards, but the one chosen by God to be the earthly link to the manhood of Jesus.
Who was this young woman? We don't know much about her, she certainly has had some bad press, as far as the Protestant church is concerned, because we don't want to put the same emphases on her, as some of our friends in the Catholic Church have done. We must agree that Jesus is the One Who the prophet Isaiah spoke of as having the government upon H
is shoulders. It is Him whose name is Wonderful, Counsellor, Prince of Peace. It is only Him who is worthy of all of our worship.? Yet Mary His mother played such an important role in His coming to earth.
There is no doubt that the call on Mary's life was immense, perhaps the greatest in all of history. She came from Nazareth, a small town, a rather insignificant place really.? She was if you like, a small town girl.? Not a sophisticated city girl, not a princess from a powerful nation.? The huge thing she had going for her was though, that she was a devoted follower of the true God of Israel. She was of the tribe of Judah, and the line of David.? Her parents are not mentioned, although they were no doubt godly people, because we see that Mary had been well trained in the ways of God.? Here is a wonderful lesson for us as parents. While we have our offspring under our roof, it is our job to train them in the things of God.? I am so deeply grieved in these days, to see that children of some Christians, are not being equipped as well as they should, so that when it's time for them to make good choices, especially in the area of following the Lord, so many are turning away, instead of to, Jesus. What has happened??? Many idols have crept in. Parents have given in to the pleasurable things of society, instead of first and foremost training their children in the ways of the Lord.
Mary knew what praise was all about.? Read Luke 1, 46-55.? This piece of scripture is known as the 'Magnificat'.? She knew how to address God, the word of God, was well woven into her life. Nothing is said about her physical appearance. The only thing that is said of her is that she was a virgin.? This speaks of innocence, purity, one whose heart and being belong to God.? When the Lord chose Mary for this awesome task, He wasn't looking for someone whom the world would consider coming from a 'high clas'? society, He was simply choosing? a young woman who was totally devoted to Him, someone who had no ulterior motive , one who wouldn't? take any glory to herself, but would be willing to lay everything down to serve and obey, at all cost.
When she is greeted by Gabriel, his greeting to her is pretty amazing.? The Message puts it this way,
'Good? morning, your beautiful with God's beauty, beautiful inside and out! God be with you'
There are many other things, and observations from the word, that we could make about Mary, but I want to finish up with her statement back to Gabriel, and it's this….'Behold I am the handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to what you have said'.
Mary was available, she was humble, she had no ulterior motive as far as ambition is concerned.? The Lord is still searching for such women today. I believe He is going to use women in these coming kingdom days, to prepare the way of the Lord.? Psalm 68 verse 11 says this:? ' The Lord gives the word of power; the WOMEN who bear and publish the news are a great host '(AMP.).?? We are to wait on the Lord in these days, for His 'word of power', and to completely realise that we have no powerful words or any message within ourselves to give, other than what the Lord gives us.? So may our posture be like Mary's : 'May it be to me according to Your word Oh Lord'
I am praying for the Lord's blessing to be upon you all, as God's women. May 2010 be a year of incredible advancement for His kingdom.? Have a blessed Christmas season.? I will resume the Selah List early in the New Year.