Don't fear

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after the killing of the body has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”       

                                                                                                                      Luke 12.4, 5

We may fear those who can exert some temporal power over us. And this fear could occasion us to withhold the truth and to speak forth only things that are pleasing or acceptable to those we fear. This might even result in some denial of Christ or, at least, a watering down of the Gospel. Yet all these earthly menacers have power only in the present physical domain. Jesus tells us not to be afraid of such.

Then He tells us we should fear the one who has power beyond the physical dimension. The one who controls the spiritual domain is able to cast us into hell.

Thus we see temporary incapacity compared with permanent, eternal damnation.

It’s not easy to ignore the world’s threats, even the gentle innuendos. But it is surely encouraging to know that a present stance for what we know is right, is supported by the guarantee of eternal wellbeing.

Jesus completes this section with the assurance that the Holy Spirit is with those who stand firm. They will be given exactly what to say and do when the time comes.

Mighty God,

I see the truth of temporary persecution against eternal wellbeing, yet I am not comfortable at the thought of great trials and testings in this earthly life.

Notwithstanding my concerns, I give myself into Your keeping. I pray that I will not hold back nor fail when my faith is tested. I pray for Holy Spirit strength and enabling to stand for Jesus and, after all is done, to keep standing.

I love You and want always to affirm that love. Help me, please, in Jesus’ name I ask.                                                                                                                                                   Amen.

Words

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”                                                       Matt. 12.36, 37

There will be a day of judgment. Let me be in no confusion about this. Jesus tells me that on such a day I will be called to give account for every careless word I have spoken. This causes concern, for I believe I have spoken thus during my lifetime.

Sometimes I may have uttered careless words “carelessly”, that is, without having given consideration to what was about to come out of me. It may not have been my intent to speak critically or hurtfully, yet this could well be the effect that my words have wrought. At other times I could have been quite aware of the sting or irony in what I said. Maybe at such times I was feeling hurt and needed to strike out.

Whatever the reason, I cannot be excused for speaking carelessly – under any circumstances or in whatever situation.

I wonder if Jesus is giving me hope in His next words: by your words you will be acquitted. There have been times when I have been able to speak positively and encouragingly to others. Will such times win over against the times when my speech has been condemnatory? I sense that I will need to wait for the day of judgment to know the answer. Meanwhile, let me give myself to speaking words that affirm rather than speech that condemns.

Gracious Lord Jesus,

I repent of any negative and judgmental words I may have spoken to others. I repent and ask Your forgiveness.

I ask also that the Holy Spirit lead me in uttering words of comfort, hope, encouragement and affirmation. May such sentiments foster my ongoing speech.

                                                                                                                              Amen.

The eyes have it

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.”   

                                                                                                                        Luke 11.34

My eyes light up all of life for the whole of my body. Jesus was “the light of the world”, yet even when He had given freely and so well, the Jews did not see Him in the right light. They asked for further signs.

There are two distinct aspects to “seeing” anything. One lies in the reality of that which is displayed. The other is in the clarity of the viewer.

Jesus is truly God. His whole being exudes His divine nature. The Holy Scriptures are full of His presence and its precious gift to mankind. I praise God that I see this – clearly. I’m not sure that my eyesight is perfect, but it is on the right side. My eyes are good rather than bad. Yet, even so, I can ask God for further improvement. As I see, so shall I know. As I ask God to clarify and improve my vision so I will see more clearly into the mysteries of heaven and become more and more open to the revelations of my great God and Saviour.

Lord God,

I thank You that I can see quite a measure of the truth of Your wonderful message and the rich relationship that comes to me.

I sense light rather than darkness, but I’m hungry for more light. My imperfect love craves more of You. My unworthiness cries out to be encapsulated and eclipsed by Your overwhelming love. I see! Yes, Lord, I see. But I unashamedly want to see more. I pray for deeper revelation and greater enlightenment as I read the Holy Scriptures. I ask for further insights that take me to a new place in You.

I love You, and yearn to go deeper in that love. Touch me, change me, and open me up, please, that I can freely share Your love, touching hearts for You, healing deep wounds, changing brokenness to wholeness. May I spread Your love as I also enjoy it myself.                       Amen.

With, or against

But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven….

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters”     

                                                                                                          Luke 11.15, 16, 23

The examples given are quite clear. There were those who saw Jesus’ actions and motivations as arising directly from Satan. Others were not so accusatory in one sense, yet they asked for heavenly confirmation of His ministry.

Surely, there were those who believed and who saw His work, unhesitatingly, as God ordained.

Jesus makes it clear that there can be no fence sitting. We are either with Him or against Him. I am equally clear that I am with Him, and I thank my great and loving God that His love and presence in my life has impacted me with so positive a result. I can truly say, “I am His.”

Mighty God, and Gracious and Loving Lord,

I am Yours. I give myself to You in celebration and rejoicing at Your presence in my life. You have brought me to Yourself, and I come. I come and I surrender into the fullness of You, and the totality of Your will.

Jesus worked many miracles and He told me I could do likewise. How I want to do this! I yearn to see healings and miraculous wonders of all sorts as I minister for You. But, even more than this, is my passion and desire to know You more, to draw closer and enter into deeper intimacy with You. I give myself to You, Lord. I release the cry of my heart which is for more of You.

Draw me please. Draw me if You will. Cleanse me of anything that might impede my growing and deepening relationship with You. Lead me in Your ways. Guide me in Your truth. Fill me with Your very being.

Hallelujah! O, how I love You!                Amen.

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