Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
In Summary, Do All For God’s Glory. Be Blameless To All And Seek Their Benefit
31 Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything, be doing all for the glory of God. 32 Be blameless[a] both to Jews and Greeks, and to the church of God— 33 just as I also am pleasing all people as to all things, not seeking the benefit of myself, but the benefit of the many, in order that they might be saved.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
In his discussion on Christian freedom, the apostle Paul touches on some important principles for following Jesus.
While emphasizing our personal freedom in Christ, he urges that we respect where others are in their spiritual maturity.
Embedded in this discussion is the most important principle for Christian living: that in everything we do, we are to live for God’s glory.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism lays out this lasting principle using the question “What is the chief end of man?”
And it decisively succinctly answers with a timeless, bedrock declaration: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
In these days, though we have all been created to glorify God, because of our sin and rebellion against him we live only to glorify, enjoy ourselves. And the high tyranny of self-glorification brings us no enjoyment, just unending misery.
But, praise God, when we’ve been saved by grace through faith, the Holy Spirit begins to reorient our lives, elbowing us in our ribcages, nudging, prompting, stirring us to live not for ourselves but for God. And as we grow in glorifying our Lord and Savior, we discover our true, lasting joy and purpose in God alone.
Therefore, whether we are eating or drinking, whatever we are going to be doing today—from the most mundane of daily chores to making the most weightiest of decisions—let this be your Mantra “do it all for God’s glory.”
“If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. For a canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, too few reservoirs.”
Bernard of Clairvaux
What does 1 Corinthians 10-31 teach us?
Paul is specifically teaching each and every one of us that each and every moment of our day, including those moments that seem too insignificant, presents an opportunity to be glorifying God.
Our actions to glorify God are NOT confined to the grandiose. Instead, even in the teeny little “tasks” each day, like eating and drinking, we can glorify God!
What does it mean to eat and drink to the glory of God?
We should strive to do everything in our lives for the greater glory of God–and this absolutely includes eating and drinking! Eating and drinking for the glory of God involves eating wisely, drinking temperately rather than immoderately. We need to take reasonable care of our health by exercising, eating healthfully.
So, give all the honor to God, eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you – you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
115 Not to us, Adonai, not to us, but to your name give glory, because of your grace and truth.
2 Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 Their idols are mere silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but they can’t speak; they have eyes, but they can’t see; 6 they have ears, but they can’t hear; they have noses, but they can’t smell; 7 they have hands, but they can’t feel; they have feet, but they can’t walk; with their throats they can’t make a sound. 8 The people who make them will become like them, along with everyone who trusts in them.
9 Isra’el, trust in Adonai! He is their help and shield. 10 House of Aharon, trust in Adonai! He is their help and shield. 11 You who fear Adonai, trust in Adonai! He is their help and shield. 12 Adonai has kept us in mind, and he will bless. He will bless the house of Isra’el; he will bless the house of Aharon; 13 he will bless those who fear Adonai, great and small alike.
14 May Adonai increase your numbers, both yours and those of your children. 15 May you be blessed by Adonai, the maker of heaven and earth. 16 Heaven belongs to Adonai, but the earth he has given to humankind.
17 The dead can’t praise Adonai, not those who sink down into silence. 18 But we will bless Adonai from now on and forever.
Halleluyah!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
12 “Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum.
Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
The fifth commandment is simultaneously a simple instruction and an indispensable element of the well-being of entire societies.
When the Lord gives the command “Honor your father and mother,” He is laying down the essential blueprint for maintaining the stability of families, communities, the Body of Christ and His churches and hosts of all nations.
What does it mean to honor your parents?
The word for “honor” carries the notion of weight and heaviness; children ought to feel the weight of respect for their parents.
By this fifth commandment, God places the full weight of responsibility for the lifetime of moral and ethical upbringing of the children and their instruction in righteous living, firmly and squarely on the shoulders of the father and mother.
By this “God” weight, this weight of God, Parents are owed such high regard because God has placed upon them in their roles, the stewardship of such a role, accountability to such a role, to raise the next generation of children, is worth many times over, far beyond its utmost maximum possible weight in honor.
While children are in view here, the Bible also has much to say about parenting that honors God (see also Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). — More on this later.
How does a child display this honor?
In several ways.
For one, a child ought to show practical respect to his or her parents.
This can be as simple as speaking well of our parents, showing them courtesy, looking them in the eye, and addressing them with a due sense of deference.
Second, it involves genuine love; there should be heartfelt expressions of affection between parents and their children.
Third, unless it would involve disobeying God, a child ought to obey what his or her mom and dad say.
This expectation is found all over Proverbs: for example, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8).
Fourth, a child should submit to their parents’ discipline and authority.
All good parents discipline their children (though it must not be done in anger nor vindictively or disproportionately), and children should ought to be taught to implicitly trust such discipline is for their long-term good (Hebrews 12:5-11).
In ancient Israel, respect for ones parents was valued so highly that those who disregarded it flagrantly or persistently faced the death penalty (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).
Why such a significant consequence?
Because the home provides the most essential and vital training ground, the success of which affects how the child will relate to authorities of all kinds.
We never outrun authority in our lives.
There are political authorities we are called to obey (Romans 13:1-7).
Spiritual authorities we are to respect (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12).
And those of advanced years we are commanded to honor (Leviticus 19:32).
Most significantly, when children are taught how, when they learn over time to honor their parents, even despite their parents’ many imperfections, they learn what it too means to learn how to honor our ABBA, our perfect heavenly Father.
Reverence for parents is an integral part of reverence for God.
Because parental authority is God-given, for children to learn to honor their parents is to come to that place of spiritual maturity and honor God Himself.
So if you are a parent [age not specific] with children [age?] at home, it is not loving (though it may be easier) to fail to insist that your children honor you.
If you are an adult with parents still living, it is a matter of obedience to God you still show them the honor they are due, not according to how well (or other- wise) you feel they raised you but according to the position the Lord gave them.
As you honor them, you will be pleasing Him and showing those around you that God-given authority, when exercised in a godly way, is a blessing to all.
Honoring Parents …
It may come as a surprise to many of us this commandment is not age-specific.
It’s a commandment not just for the young but for children of all ages.
God asks parents be worthy of honor in the way they relate to their children.
And God commands that children obey and show respect for their parents in line with doing what is right.
This means both are to act appropriately at each stage of their lives together.
This commandment came to a society without the support systems that many of us are used to.
Adult children were totally responsible to look after aging parents.
God reminds us that as long as we have parents, we are to honor them, seeing that their living is respectable and they are well cared for.
It’s not just a matter of doing what our parents tell us to do when we are young.
It’s a matter of showing our utmost respect, life-long honor to the parents who gave us life, sacrificed incredibly all to raise us, launched us upon life’s journey.
The apostle Paul calls this “the first commandment with a promise.”
God indicates when we honor the parents with whom we are in relationship, he will honor us and He will surely and certainly bless us.
Some parents are easier to honor than others.
But respecting to the utmost those whom the Lord has chosen to place over us opens a door to abundant blessings.
By honoring our parents and others whom God places in authority over us, we honor and glory and our utmost worship and praise unto our Father in heaven.
Which is what each and everyone of us were created, shaped by God, to do …
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Let us Pray,
Heavenly Father, ABBA Father, thank You for my parents and for giving me life. My First ABBA, Thank You for the lessons I have learned and the good times we have shared together. Forgive me for the times when I have not honored my father and mother as I ought – for I am aware that this is dishonoring to You. From this day forward, I pray that I may honour You in all my interactions with my family and my friends, and may my whole life be honoring unto You. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum.
Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Tomorrow is Father’s Day, a celebration of God’s great gift of fatherhood.
Tomorrow is a day well worth celebrating because – It is God our Father’s Day.
Tomorrow is also a day of celebrating God our Father’s DAY – “Juneteenth”
Juneteenth is a celebration of bravery, fortitude, and the awakening of our “better angels” – a wish for unity as stated in President Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural address in 1861.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a contraction of June and nineteen, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilation Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day.
It is a celebration of the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.
Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now officially celebrated annually on the 19th of June in 47 states.
Commemorated on the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas.
In many ways, Juneteenth is more important than the reading of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
It took the intention of the Emancipation Proclamation and made it universal – almost two and a half years after the signing- to include the border states and the frontier of Texas – the last outposts of slavery.
While the Emancipation Proclamation declared that as of January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” the Proclamation itself didn’t actually free any of the approximately 4 million men, women and children held in slavery in the United States when it was signed the following January.
The document applied only to enslaved people in the Confederacy, and not to those in the border states that remained loyal to the Union.
But its symbolic power was enormous, as it announced freedom for enslaved people as one of the North’s war aims, alongside preserving the Union itself.
As the tide of the war turned in favor of preserving the Union and against the Confederacy, black Americans were welcomed into the Union Army and were integral in helping to defeat the Confederate cause thus paving the way for the more permanent and universal remedy
– the 13th amendment to the Constitution.
In a moment such as this, when I take the time to reflect on such a momentous moment as Juneteenth, its deeper meaning and deeply historical implications, its continuously significant role in “life in 2022 America and beyond,”
I am first drawn to the Miracle of the Glory of God in every single ‘now’ moment in our existence.
All of the Miraculous “Now” Moments throughout our history, both good and bad, as the Glory of God is revealed to those living the “exactly now” moment.
So, today, I reflect on the Miracle of the Moment God’s Glory is being revealed.
John 11:38-40Amplified Bible
38 So Jesus, again deeply moved within [to the point of anger], approached the tomb. It was a cave, and a boulder was lying against it [to cover the entrance]. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! [It is hopeless!]” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe [in Me], you will see the glory of God [the expression of His excellence]?”
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
Today’s Question is this ….
“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
What does the glory of God mean to you?
*Is it food in your belly when you’re hungry and someone unexpectedly feeds you or buys you something to eat?
*Is it forgiveness you’re seeking from someone?
*Is it a miracle of healing that you need in your life.
*Is it financially motivated?
When God’s Glory shows up, do you always notice right away? Or do you witness the hand of God and only realize later what has happened?
The same God,
*who parted the Red Sea,
*fed multiple thousands with a child’s lunch
*caused the walls of Jericho to fall, with a trumpet blast and a shout,
*Healed the sick, by the thousands.
*raised the dead on many occasions,
*who also has performed so many miracles the number is unrecordable…
*and still performs miracles today, on a regular basis.
However, even with all of those accolades, some Christians mightily doubt whether or not God wants to work a miracle for them today.
The circumstances they face are extraordinarily real!
The pain and the suffering are undoubtedly great!
But I want you to never forget, God is still bigger than any circumstance!
God is greater than any suffering and pain they feel and still on the throne meeting needs for those who can believe, AND…AND receive their miracle!
Did you know, Receiving is every bit as important as believing is, for a miracle?
Anyone can say they have faith and believe God can do a miracle!
Having the genuine faith to receive the miracle personally you are believing for is the realization THAT God 100% loves you enough, to do what you are asking!
Far too many believe there are still miracles performed today, but they are not for them.
That line of thinking is totally anti scriptural as pertaining to the reference, “God is not a respecter of persons!”
How could anyone, think their circumstance could defy the miraculous power and the miraculous unmatchable might of the One True Living God?
Why would God meet the needs of others, but not meet their needs?
They may feel they are not worthy; okay I guess that’s a reason.
But I would vigorously argue against its validity!
Because if you’re a Christian, Jesus has made you worthy, because Jesus is your worthiness!
Whatever reason anyone can come up with, as to why Healing is not for them, is in no way a match for the cross, the finished work of Our Lord and Savior Jesus!
Whatever they think it is that unqualifies them, Jesus has already prequalified them in advance!
Jesus is their qualification!
In fact, Jesus has over-qualified them!
It was December 1772, in Olney England. At the age of 47, John Newton, began the writing of a hymn that would grow increasingly more popular over the next 349 years.
In his song, “Amazing Grace,” Newton writes about a grace that is immense; he writes about amazing grace, one that saved him out of his wretchedness.
By looking within the hymn “Amazing Grace,” one is able to understand a little bit about Newton’s personal conversion.
Although every person’s conversion story is singularly, miraculously unique, there is something about this hymn which remains relatable to all Christians everywhere. Newton’s poem discusses where he was when he found God, or rather, when God found him. He was a wretch. He was lost. He was blind in sin.
Newton grew up with both his mother and father, however, his mother died while his father was away at sea.
Newton’s father remarried and the couple had another child. Following in his father’s footsteps, Newton began his life’s career by searching throughout the African coast for slaves to capture and eventually to sell for profit.
On one journey, Newton and his crew encountered a storm that swept some of his men overboard and left others with the likelihood of drowning.
With both hands fastened onto the wheel of the boat, Newton cried out to God, “Lord, have mercy on us.”
After eleven hours of steering, the remainder of the crew found safety with the calming of the storm.
From then on, John Newton dated March 21 as a momentous day set aside for a time of humiliation, prayer, and praise to the gloriously revealed Glory of God.
Upon arriving safely home, Newton did not venture out to seek more slaves, instead he began to learn Hebrew and Greek.
He occasionally accepted requests to speak about his conversion in front of various congregations.
Newton was eventually ordained and began to lead his own church.
The miraculous moment of the revealed glory of God changed him from a man who was an unyielding, staunch advocate for the slave trade to a man actively advocating and working towards completely abolishing it.
John Newton’s literary work against the slave trade encouraged abolitionist William Wilberforce to continue his legal fight against slavery in England.
In later years, Newton began to lose his memory.
Although his thoughts were limited, Newton said he could remember two things, “That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is his great Savior.”
With this conviction of newly found life that he found only in Christ, Newton passed from his earthly life in 1807, the age of 82. John Newton did live long enough to see the signing of The Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
“Amazing Grace,” although originating in England, appeared in the colonies later accompanied with a different tune, commonly known as “New British.”
This song grew in popularity, but not because it was catchy tune, but because the words that Newton wrote related to every human being who encountered the revealed glory of our God, and the miraculous saving grace of Jesus Christ.
This song touched many people at various stages of their spiritual walks.
Since the day Newton penned the lyrics to “Amazing Grace,” it has grown in popularity and been present at numerous key moments in our nation’s history.
Newton experienced the darkness and hopelessness of his sin, the grievous consequence of following his own corrupt ways. He focused on fulfilling what he wanted to do in his life instead of looking to the direction of God’s glory.
“Amazing Grace” speaks of the sweetness found in Christ’s grace for his children.
Today’s Question of the day is this ….
“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
As humans we are lost, blind in sin, and need saving. Jesus’s saving grace is amazing!
Listen, we may not feel overqualified, what we feel will never have nothing to do with our qualification!
If we are ever going to see our needs met, we better start grabbing ahold of and standing on our Rock of Salvation on the fact we have been qualified enough to receive whether we feel like it or not, because of what Jesus has done for us!!
We don’t need any other reason, other than the fact we have Jesus and what Jesus has accomplished for us and that will always be more than enough!!
When the accuser reminds us of the so-called bad hand we have been dealt.
We need to remind him that we have and hold the ‘ultimate victory’ card!
We have Jesus!
There’s no hand and there’s nothing new under the sun the accuser can ever come up with, that will ever be greater than what our Savior Jesus has already accomplished for us and provided for our defense!
We no longer have to worry ourselves about our defense or defending ourselves against the attack of the accuser, because Jesus is, will always be defending us!
It’s time Christian’s everywhere miraculously take up God’s offensive and the powerful, POWERFUL STRATEGIC STANCE of resting in Jesus’ capabilities!!
All we have to do is rest in what Jesus already did and realize everything Jesus did, Jesus did for us!
The scourging Jesus endured is enough!
The cross Jesus sacrificed His Life on is enough!
The pit of hell Jesus conquered, shaking the gates of and confiscating the keys of, is enough!
Jesus deliverance of God’s Grace WILL ALWAYS BE MORE THAN ENOUGH!
Oh there are a lot of Christians that talk a good game,
They come to church regularly, know their bible pretty good, hear the word and say all the right things Christians are suppose to say.
There are also a lot of Christians who are running around accepting a host of things, the accuser and the world is telling them is wrong with them!
Its like they go to a great feast, have the finest table spread and a seven course meal of miracles is set before them!
They see them right there in front of them, they can even almost smell the aroma from the exquisitely prepared meal, but they never partake of the meal,
They go away limping and complaining, empty handed every time!
Oh they talk about how everything will be perfect one day in the sweet by and by. When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, and it will be!
But the time for talking is over, TALK IS CHEAP and the Devil knows it!
Now is the time for miraculous action!
Now is the time for Miraculous Faith!
Faith is defined as complete trust in someone or something!
Believing Jesus wants to do and will do miracles for everyone else and not you….is not Faith!
It’s contrary to Scripture and It’s a lie from the pit of hell! No matter how it may ever be sugarcoated by its description, it will always be a lie from the pit of hell!
We don’t have to wait until we get to Heaven to experience the Grace, the goodness and the unmerited favor of God.
Miraculously, this miraculous grace is alive and well and standing before us!
God’s Glory is about to be revealed – Right in the Miracle of this Moment ….
This scene from John’s narrative takes place at the burial spot of Lazarus.
Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha and a good friend of Jesus, is dead.
Mary, Martha, and the entire community grieve Lazarus’ death.
When Jesus arrives, Mary says to Jesus, grieving, “If you had been here our brother would not have died.”
The text of the narrative tells us that Jesus is deeply moved by the pain and sorrow of Lazarus’ family and friends.
It also gives us a, perhaps a seldom noticed, seldom preached, underappreciated window into the exact moment of compassion and spirit of Jesus’ humanity and reveals to us Rabbi Jesus’ ability to identify with the pain and sorrow of others.
We see a man; we observe a Savior who now ‘weeps’ with His people. However, despite His sorrow, Jesus now speaks directly and decisively into the hurts of others and reminds them of God’s glorious plan of hope and restoration for all.
Jesus reminds Mary that He is “the resurrection and the life.”
He says, “Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Then asks: “Do You Believe this?”
This is a dramatic, miraculous promise and question that gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the authority God has given Jesus.
Jesus then directs them to move the stone.
Martha warns Jesus that by now, there is a bad odor, the smell of decaying flesh which reminds Jesus that four painful days have passed since Lazarus died.
Jesus responds, “Martha, did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Jesus is not so much as asking Martha a question; He is stating a fact, a rather direct, pointed and emphatic statement of God’s truth about to be revealed.
What Jesus does next is most astonishing.
He calls Lazarus, the dead man bound in his burial clothes from the tomb, and the glory of God is manifested in their very presence.
To reveal the glory of God is to uncover what is hidden.
Jesus’ mission on earth was to uncover the hidden nature of God.
Through the ministry of Jesus, God’s grace and mercy were revealed so that all might believe and be saved.
That which was once hidden by an “immovable gravestone” is now to be unveiled!
Messiah Jesus chooses to use the exact moment of this impossible situation to remind some and to give witness to others of the glory, power of Almighty God.
Jesus, like His earthly mother, Mary, also believed that nothing was too difficult for God.
In this exact moment of unrepeatable history, standing in their midst, in the face of death, in the person of Jesus is the revealed miracle of God in the flesh!
God in the person of Jesus is the gift of eternal life. Jesus would demonstrate that death has no power over that which God has claimed and over God’s own.
Jesus gives them a prelude to what God was about to do in and through Christ.
They have witnessed Jesus restore life to a dead body that will again see death.
However, this experience pales in contrast to what will take place at Calvary.
Not death, not a grave, not burial clothes, nor a huge stone rolled in front of a “permanently” tomb can keep Jesus, the living God, bound in that tomb.
The God who walked among us human creatures defeated death, the sin of this world that separated us from God.
Through the miraculous power of His resurrection, we have been born anew, and in this miraculous new life nothing can destroy or separate us from God.
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus define the meaning of everlasting life.
Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead spoke to the power of God that now resided in this Beloved Son of God, the miraculous power that rescues and saves all.
Standing in their midst and also in the midst of us is the “Great I am,” who is present with us in the fullness of God’s glory.
As the book of Hebrews states,
“He is the [EXACT] reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Thus, you and I can declare that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
“Those who believe in Christ, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
ON THIS COMING JUNETEENTH DAY OF CELEBRATION, DO WE BELIEVE THIS?
Therefore, the question raised in this text is not really a question but a statement.
However, it also very much demands a year of our Lord 2022 answer from us.
This Celebration of Juneteenth, let us ponder our relationship with Jesus.
Do we accept the free gift of everlasting life that God has given to us through the Beloved Son, Jesus?
Make your discipleship count by placing complete faith and trust in Jesus and see the glory of God work miracles and wonders in your life.
“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
6. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.
Miraculously, do you long to see the glory of God?
Miraculously, do you long for God to do something miraculous in your life?
Is there a prayer that you have been praying for some time and God seems quiet?
Imagine how Martha and Mary felt as their brother Lazarus was sick, and they watched as he grew worse.
They sent for Jesus, but he didn’t arrive in time, and Lazarus died.
They knew Jesus loved their family very much.
Can you imagine their confusion as Lazarus gets close to death and Jesus hasn’t arrived yet?
Can you imagine their heartache as their brother takes his last breath and Jesus didn’t come?
Yet, they had enough faith to believe that, even at this point, Jesus could make a difference.
As we look towards this coming celebration of God, our Father’s Day, our birth Father’s Day, and Juneteenth 2022, as we look at the momentous, miraculous convergence of these days of celebration and remembrance of our history,
As we look at the narrative story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and Jesus when Jesus arrives after Lazarus’ death, there are things we can learn that will help us in the moments that we long to see the glory of God show up in our own lives.
I believe the Glory of God will be revealed in a miraculous way tomorrow. I will leave it up to you the reader to personally reflect upon what those lessons are.
Share those reflections with God, our Father, Son and Holy Spirit through study and prayer and praise, a humble reflection with your families and your friends.
To God be the Glory! Forever and Ever!
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
My Lord and Savior, I pause to praise and honor you today. I have been thinking of this prayer request for a long time now. I seek for a miracle to happen. I know you can do the impossible. Only You can accomplish the unthinkable. Nothing is too difficult for you. Please God answer this miracle prayer! Show us your great glory. Make this miracle happen, and I will declare your greatness to everyone I know. Please, Lord, show yourself strong and marvelous in my life today. Amen.
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The man, Rabbi Jesus taught us all to pray for the day that the LORD would be THE recognized King over all the earth. We very much look forward to that, because our faith will be shown true and the LORD himself will be glorified as he should be. In a world of profanity, a world where God’s name is blasphemed, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is not only LORD Yahweh, but he is also incomparable without rival, that his name is the only name worthy of reverence, honor, and praise!!!
Zechariah 14:1-9 New King James Version
The Day of the Lord
14 Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your [a]spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses [b]rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with [c]You.
6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The [d]lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord— Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light.
8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward [e]the eastern sea And half of them toward [f]the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “The Lord is one,” And His name one.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
We’re now drawing to the end of the book of Zechariah here in this last chapter.
And this chapter intends to steer our eyes towards the future and towards God.
When you read this chapter, you can sense that we have an interesting day is up ahead of us, a “Unique Day” that the bible calls the day of the Lord.
There are many Old Testament prophetic books like Daniel and Ezekiel that discuss this subject along with the book of Revelation. And what most of the church acknowledges is that there is a time coming upon the earth that the Bible calls the Great Tribulation.
And it’s hard to say this is the exact interpretation of this passage since some of the events described in this passage seem like events that already happened.
But today, we’ll make an open and honest attempt to see how this passage of text applies to the end times with the Great Tribulation in mind. So, today’s message, as it might surprise you, will be eschatological in nature.
As we read this passage, we get a good sense of some difficult times that are waiting for all of us up ahead. In fact, they are so challenging that our Lord Jesus says they will be unequal to any other times. Evil and hardship will be rampant throughout the world at an unrivaled level. (Matthew 24:21)
If you thought listening to the news depresses and angers you today, well get ready, because I’m sorry to say it’s only going to get worse before it gets better.
And though nations will have such a hard time headed towards them, we must remember who it is that is allowing it. It is the Lord Almighty, who always has a plan and purpose for our sufferings— in yours and in mine. And that is always for repentance, healing and restoration between the Lord God and his people.
Let’s read verses 1-3.“A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.”
Ever since the Lord God created the first day, Heaven and Earth have both seen many of them. In the beginning, when the world was young and fully under God’s holy and beautiful order, we’re told in the book of Genesis that those were some good days. You might have woken up this morning with a smile because you’ve been blessed in your life to have seen many good days— days that were under God’s heavenly guidance and mercy. Or, you could have woken up thinking “Oh Lord, I sure could use another good day right about now.”
Regardless of our experiences, we must always remember that the best days of our lives are the ones where we each humbly submit to the Lord’s loving will.
But the day in this passage doesn’t seem so good.
There are not a lot of pleasant things happening on that day! King David once had the indescribable joy of confessing to God, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”(Psalms 23:5) But what’s happening here is quite the opposite. The Lord himself will allow all the nations to march against Jerusalem and do undeniably horrible things within its own walls.
The book of Revelation painted this a little clearer— the Lord allowing Satan to deceive the whole world motivating them to march against Jerusalem.
Something to keep in mind here is that the enemy comes to steal, to kill and to sow discord and spread chaos every which direction; the enemy comes among us to distract, to utterly destroy our “joy of the Lord for the Day of the Lord”!
And if the Lord didn’t command Him to stay his hand, he would exercise the freedom to completely destroy everything, including our lives— your life and mine. His plan is to disrupt and destroy everything belonging to you and me.
But the Lord’s plan is different!
The Lord’s plan is that you “May have life and have it to the full”(John 10:10).
And if we recall the previous chapter, the Lord allowed this suffering for a good reason— it was for the refinement of Israel! It was to refine and purify, restore their lives of faith and choose repentance until they sparkle and shine like gold.
In verse 3 we see that after the terrible things’ enemies bring upon Jerusalem and, after half of the city had been ravaged, and the other half taken into exile, that is when our Lord Jesus returns.
Let’s read verse 4.
“On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.”
Many like to believe that the church, the bride, is already with the Lord. Paul mentions to the Thessalonians that we actually meet with the Lord in the air when it is our time (1Thessalonians 4:17).
But in this passage, the Lord comes and sets his feet on the earth, on a specific day, and at a specific place. Verse 4 states that it’s the Mount of Olives.
Why this place? I’m not so sure what this place represents.
We do know that our Lord submitted to the will of God at this place.
The garden of Gethsemane is just at the foot of the mountain. It was where our Lord sweat drops of blood in anguish because of what our filthy and rebellious sins were about to crucify Him.
You might also recall that when our Lord ascends to heaven, and the disciples are looking up in the sky in wonder, two angels visit them. And they say: “Men of Galilee… why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
The following verse mentions that they were on the hill called the Mount of Olives. We’re not sure why, but we know that it’s consistent with scripture. The place where the Lord submitted to a horrid death on the cross, like a lamb for the slaughter, will be the same place he returns for battle.
This might seem a little different than the Jesus you know. Right? I mean we know and like the gentle Jesus. Gentle Jesus meek and mild, gentle Jesus holds my child. Our Lord is gentle, and he is longsuffering, but as you read the gospels, you will notice that he also says there will be days when things get a bit edgy.
Things will prompt us to make real decisions to repent and turn to Him in faith.
Now in verse 4, after our Lord descends down from heaven, while this great battle against Jerusalem takes place, and we’re told that the Mount of Olives literally splits, making a way for Israel out of this battle, possibly a way to Jesus.
There seem to be many interpretations about this, but I’d like to settle on the literal one, where this incident actually happens.
I would like to also note that although this great tribulation is going on, and although God has begun to judge Israel and the world, it does not mean that people cannot still repent and turn to Him during this time.
In fact, the very reason for this time of tribulation is so that many more souls call on the name of the Lord so that he would answer them. Both from Israel as well as from the Gentile nations. And in case you forgot, that is how our Lord, from Day 1 has always worked. The Lord sends hardships our way to refine us.
In the last chapter Zechariah spoke about refining of the remnant of Israel with fire. Some think it’s so strange we are going through so many hardships here. For some reason we tend to think life’s default settings are ease and comfort.
Peter the Apostle said,
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1Peter 4:12)
That is normal Christianity. Our Lord Jesus rescues us from the flames of hell and puts us into the refining flames. Why does this happen? What’s this all about? Is it because our Lord Jesus is having fun?
Of course not, as there is no one more mindful and understanding of each of our suffering than our Lord. But as we glance back to chapter 13 verse 9, all of this refining has one purpose. It is so that we might “Call on His name.”
It is so that the people of the world might wake up and realizes their sin and say, “Oh Lord, have mercy on me a sinful man. Please save me!”
But what’s truly unfortunate is that sometimes the hardship, the fire, or the tribulation that we’re in causes so many of us to turn even further away from God, seeking comfort elsewhere.
But take it from me, wondering further away from the Lord our God when we’re suffering only leads to more destruction. It leads to more and more mess. Look at the fiery ordeal that the Lord is allowing the world to go through so that they will call on His name!
Though many will turn to Him out of this, the unfortunate truth is many will use their suffering as an excuse to turn away from Him.
I Pray! Let us not, this very moment of this very day, be numbered among them.
Let’s read verses 5 -7.
“You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.”
Though we are taking this section somewhat literal, I do believe this section has a deeply spiritual component. The fleeing of Israel for safety is more than just to physical safety.
I believe the fleeing is in fact to the Christ whom they’ve acknowledged who’s come to their rescue. Just as when the Israelites fled from Egypt to God through the parted Red Sea, so will they flee once again the destruction of their enemies through the parted Mount of Olives to meet the Lord. And after this incident, it appears we have the end of endings here. And Zechariah says, “Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.”
“See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 1:14,15)
All the holy onesmean all the holy ones. It means all those who are with the Lord, perhaps you and me. If you are in Jesus Christ, then you are holy, and you will be appointed and anointed as judges to judge the world with Him.
The Apostle Paul said that we would not only come with Christ to judge the people, but even the angels and demons— especially those that have uttered false gospels and acted in an ungodly way. (1 Corinthians 6:2,3)
It will be a day when the Lord and his people are held in high and holy glory, only because they were washed only in the blood of the Lamb, while the rest will have to give an account for what they’ve said and done.
This is the revealing of the children of God that all creation has been groaning for. It will be a unique day indeed. For some it will be the most beautiful day while for others it will be the most dreadful.
This goes without saying, but knowing this truth, is not a means for us as the church of God to gloat in others’ sufferings. We don’t rejoice when others fall, even if they have rejoiced at your failings. We should always forgive and become peacemakers helping the world become reconciled to God.
The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian church of their privilege as future judges as a means for them to get their own act together.
And we should all discipline and prepare ourselves as well. Living spiritually as self-controlled and as a devoted minister, missioner, harvest worker of God, living in a living hope, from a living hope, having not one thing to be ashamed of- living as one who correctly handles the word of God. (2Timothy 2:15)
Let’s conclude with verses 8 & 9.
“On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”
It’s amazing how Jerusalem has been the center of so much throughout the age of this world. Remember Melchizedek, he was the first kingly priest of God to be recorded in the bible, and he was actually from Jerusalem. And one in the same order would reign as Priest as and King forever still, from the city of Jerusalem.
And he will reign over the whole earth by providing living water.
What is this living water? Jesus said, “If we really knew the gift of God, we’d be asking our Him of this living water every day”
It’s many things, it’s His presence, it’s His love, it’s the Holy Spirit, it’s His peace. It’s everything that we were meant to have to from the beginning.
While everything in this world will leave us dry and thirsty, the Lord is always willing to give his living water when we ask Him for this gift of God.
And yes, this will flow out freely on that day, but the good news is that you don’t have to wait for then to ask him. You can ask him right now.
This living water is the piece (peace too) of God that we need in our hearts to satisfy our thirsty souls.
Yes, we look forward to the day that the Lord will reign over the whole earth, but the good news is that we can invite him to reign in our hearts, here and now.
We do not have to wait.
I pray that we all do this as we wait on the Second coming of our Lord Jesus.
Let’s read our key verse 9 again. “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”
O’ What a glorious day of rejoicing that will be!
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus …… Sweetest name I know ……
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. How we praise You Lord for loving us so much You became man, so that by death You would destroy death and give unto all who believe in You life, eternal life – and life more abundantly. Draw many we pray into and nigh unto Your kingdom today, for You alone are worthy of our praise and worship, for ever and ever.. Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 