Do We Expect the Spectacular?

N.T.#199 "Do We Expect the Spectacular?"

Dec. 11, 2023

Matthew 17-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

I recall going to see Sandi Patti and other great singers as they gave a concert in Memphis. One of the songs was from Handel's Messiah. I can't describe the feeling of God's presence and His glory. The lyrics came directly out of Isaiah 40: 1-2-ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and rough places plain. 

"And the glory, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed!" as the choir sang. In the Greek language, glory (doxa) refers to dignity; honor; raise; worship.

In The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, glory means renown, honor and praise rendered in worship, resplendence, magnificence. 

Such a powerful word in itself can only introduce us to the depth and height, width and breath of God's resplendence, of His magnificence, of His praiseworthiness... of His glory. (Swindoll)

Previously, Jesus discussed His identity, His mission, and the cost of discipleship. (16:13-28) The inner circle of Jesus' disciples, Peter, James, and John, were on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus when He changed His appearance into the personal manifestation of God's glory. This was a supernatural occurrence in which 3 Jewish fishermen caught a glimpse of the glorious deity of Christ Jesus-His face as bright as the sun and His clothing as white as the light. What an incredible experience!

As if that were not enough, two eminent Old Testament figures, Moses and Elijah, appeared and talked with Jesus. Those two men represented those who will be raptured and not see death (like Elijah) and those who will die and go to be with the Lord (like Moses). Also, Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the Prophets. Together, along with the disciples, all represented both the Old and New Testaments centered on Jesus. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW

Luke's Gospel tells us that prior to the Transfiguration, Jesus had been praying on the high mountain, and the 3 disciples had dozed off. (9:28. 32) Mount Herman is over 10,000 feet high, so it was probably exhausting for the trio to climb. (My thinking) When they work up, they witnessed a brilliant light and heavenly visitors, resulting in the disciples being clearly dumbfounded. Wow! What a surprise! They could have missed it.

Do we miss out on God's working in our life and around us? Has our faith lulled us asleep, not expecting hope and spectacular working of the Holy Spirit?

LET IT GO 

                               ...and let God do His think in our life and our loved ones for His glory.

What a Sight!

N.T.#198

Dec. 7, 2023 "What a Sight!"

Matthew 17

LET IT GLOW

Familiarity can lead to ho hums, been-there-done-that, desensitizing, fallen, frail, and fickle. So it can be when we spend centuries living the Christian life. We have to guard our heart from this. The disciples had seen and heard it all as they followed in the footsteps of Jesus. Maybe it was time for the trio to be shaken up with a sense of awesome and love as they came face-to-face with the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus. They needed to snap out of it and face reality.

For whatever reason, Jesus chose Peter, James, and John, the selected few, was given a chance of a lifetime. This inner circle saw Christ as He undergoes a dramatic change in appearance so they could behold Him in all His glory-have a confirmation in their heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Messiah, the Savior. After all, Peter was going to preach on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 get save, and John was going to write Revelation, the unique vision of the future. James was the first to be called by Jesus to follow Him, and would be the first martyred in Jerusalem, shedding his blood for Christ.

Now the four of them took a 6 day trip, climbing Mt. Tabor, the high mountain. It would be about a 60-mile walk from Caesarea Philippi to Mount Tabor. Don't you know the four had a lot to discuss?

What do we discuss when we take trips? do we share with our family all the wonderful things Jesus has done in our life? Or do they watch videos, listen to music instead?

LET IT GROW

Verse 2 tells us what happened to Jesus before the eyes of the 3 disciples:

And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.

In the Greek, transfigured means to transform (metamorphose); change; transformed.

Jesus, the God-man, had been living, in terms of His appearance, as an ordinary human for over thirty year, veiling His divine glory. (Swindoll)

Jesus looked like an ordinary man in appearance. Jesus emptied Himself of that manifestation of heavenly glory to take on the form of a bond-servant and likeness of men. Previously, Jesus had displayed His authority and power through teaching and miracles. His glory was hidden and not visible unto that day on the mountain. Jesus revealed His fullness of divinity. 

Thus, the backbone of doctrine of Christ became evident. Peter and John declared it in 2 Peter 1:16-18 and John 1:1-5, 14. Jesus changed in a manner visible to others. His face shone like the sun and His clothing was white as light. Jesus wasn't just glowing, He was shining! Jesus sin't just a reflector of God's glory, He is the source of divine glory as the second person of the Trinity. 

Don't you know the disciples would never forget this confirmation of Jesus' deity revealed on earth? However, this was a foretaste of Jesus' coming kingdom. It will be heaven on earth to live and experience this selected time of 1,000 years of Christ's reign as king on earth. I wonder what will take place during that time. Worshiping the Savior by all, undoubtedly.

The grace and mercy of God that follows us all the days of our life will be evident, don't you think. What an extraordinary event for the three, to see Jesus in all His glory! One day we will, dear one. Will you experience Jesus as your Judge or Savior? Will you spend eternity with Him or forever separated from Him and His love?

[Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights in Matthew 16-28]

LET IT GO

Glory to God in the highest!

Thank You Jesus for providing everlasting life for us.

A Cross and a Crown

 N.T.#197 "A Cross and a Crown"

Dec. 5, 2023

Matthew 16-Part 13

LET IT GLOW

The last two verses clear up some questions people have. The Messiah will rule as Judge and reign as King in His new kingdom. There will be a reward for the righteous. There will be a glorious, eternal kingdom. This suffering Messiah would one day wear a crown after the cross. Without the cross there would be no crown. Without death, there would be no resurrection for Jesus. 

Without repentance, admitting sins, there can be no remission for sin. Have you done so, friend?

LET IT GROW

In all three Gospels, the promise in verse 28 occurs immediately prior to the transfiguration of Jesus. (chapter 17) Peter, James, and John would witness only 6 days later. They were the "some."

Kingdom means royalty; rule; a realm.

This would be a foretaste of the advent of Jesus' glorious kingdom on earth which He will set up.

What are 3 things we should never forget?

1. Never think that just because something is unexpected, it is unacceptable. 
2. Never think that the Lord should alter His plan to fit your preferences. God's plans aren't to be questioned, renegotiated, or tweaked to fit our own preferences. We do what He places before us-when He wants and how He wants. 
3. Never think that being a close follower of Jesus can happen without self-denial. It's not about me, but Jesus. (Swindoll)

We are to have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16) The three disciples experienced Jesus' humanity peeled back and got a glimpse of His glorious deity.

Keep your head up-Jesus is coming back.

If we totally identify with Jesus and live according to His agenda, we will find the abundant life we never knew was possible. (John 10:10) What good is it to gain worldly stuff while losing spiritual blessings and the peace that makes life worthwhile? (Evans)

LET IT GO

Where would we be without You, Jesus?

Help us let go and let you take over.

Rescue us from evil. Fight our battles for us. We lay these at Your feet.

You never give up on us. 

How Important is Your Soul?

N.T.#196 "How Important is Your Soul?"

Dec. 4, 2023

Matthew 16-Part 12

LET IT GLOW

Actions speak louder than words. What we do is who we are. Words mean nothing if we don't do what we say we will do. It's easy to say we love, but showing it proves it. Jesus was teaching His disciples, and us, how to live.

A Christian is a person who has accepted a challenge of Jesus' calling to deny self-own selfish ambitions, our own selfish sinful pleasures-and take up our cross. (Billy Graham)

If we are willing to lose pleasures and comforts of life, even lay down our own life for Christ, then we will find, obtain, get it. We will be willing to obey the Master of Life. Is Jesus asking us to give or sacrifice our time, energy, possessions, pride, and whatever stands in our way of serving Him with all our heart, in order for someone to walk closer to Jesus or find Him as Savior? 

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (verse 26)

In the Greek language, profited means to benefit; be useful; exchange refers to an equivalent or ransom; instead. 

So we can have the highest social or civic honors, or salary, and it not be useful to us if we don't have heaven for our eternal home with Jesus. We have nothing to give instead of our soul. Jesus doesn't want our things, He wants our soul. He loves us so much that He was willing to give Himself in our place of punishment for our sins so we would not go to hell. That is a sacrifice! What love! Nothing compares to it. There is nothing of any earthly value to compare to a person's soul. 

LET IT GROW

Here is our challenge, friend. Is Jesus requiring we give of ourself in order to love the unlovely one? How can Jesus show them love through us? What about the one that has hurt us, can we turn the other cheek and show them love?

With Christmas season upon us, let's pray for God to use us in an unexpected way, giving Him an extravagant gift of love by giving to others.

LET IT GO

Help us let go of ourself, pride, selfishness, and give to others.

Thank You Jesus for giving us love when were were unlovely.

How Big is Your Faith?

Dec. 5, 2023

"How Big is Your Faith?"

LET IT GLOW

Our God is an Awesome God. I will share how He came through for me again. Thursday I had a colonoscopy because of my Crohn's. I was concerned about going through the ordeal this year. Already, I was anemic and doubling up on iron pills, but had to stop taking it a week before the test. Another thing, I had the runs ahead of the test, which made we weak. Plus, walking a lot on my left foot after fracturing it in August makes it hurt. And then there was the issue of having problems getting my nausea meds before starting the prep. So you can see my apprehension. 

I kept praying that I would get the meds needed because previously I had dehydrated and spent the night in the hospital. I made 3 calls to the doctor's office and nurse. Then I got a call from the pharmacy 10 minutes before I was to start drinking the prep. Was God testing my faith? He came through in the nick of time for me. Although, I had to drive to the pharmacy by that time since my husband had already left for Bible study. Ugh!

So survived the prep drink. My pharmacist called it my party box. Nothing about it was a party. Sure, a 1 person party-get out of my way.

The gastroenterologist removed 6 polyps and 5 other biopsies. (They could develop into cancer if not removed.) To my surprise, an upper GI was ordered, too. That resulted in a sore throat for a few days. My problem happened after returning home. After a short while it began-bleeding. The doctor warned me if bleeding continued into the night, then I was to go to the ER and surgery would have to be done in order to remove the one bleeding spot. (He had to put a clip on it during the process.) During this long afternoon and evening, I kept praying for the bleeding to stop, but it didn't. By the time I went to bed, I was weak and worn out. I needed a good night sleep before surgery. (We know the hospital is not a place to sleep.).

Finally, in my desperation, I reached up to touch the robe of the royal robe of Jesus sitting on His throne. I recalled the woman with the 12-year issue of blood which Jesus healed. I was begging for healing and crumbs from the Master's table. He heard my cry and the bleeding stopped. How merciful is our God!

LET IT GROW

I am not saying God heals every sickness. It is His decision and His timing. I was willing to have surgery if that was how God wanted to heal me. I believed He had the power to heal. Jesus told the woman was her great faith that made her whole. (Matthew 9:20)

It may take a while for the pain to subside, but that is a little thing compared to what I went through.

Dear one, how big is your faith? Is it the size of a tiny mustard seed? That is all you need to encounter Jesus. I want to have great faith. How about you?

Is there a need you need met? Ask Jesus. Trust His decision and timing.

LET IT GO 

Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness, my God-that is who You are!

Christ is the Lord! Praise His name forever!

I worship You.

God, You are still the same God forever-loving and merciful, forgiving, kind.

Ain't nobody love us like Jesus!

To You be the glory forever!

How to Lose or Save Your Life

 N.T.#195 "How to Lose or Save Your Life"

Nov. 30, 2023

Matthew 16-Part 11

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. (verse 25)

LET IT GLOW

Have you crucified yourself in order for Christ to have lordship over you? Real discipleship requires real commitment-pledging our whole existence to His service. 

Looking deeper into the above verse: save means deliver or protect; preserve; lose means destroy; find means get, obtain, perceive, see.

Christ commands His followers to lose our life for His sake. We are to deliberately release our life to God and His kingdom. The things dear to us may stand between us and God's will. God may want to send us to another city while sacrificing our being near children and grandchildren. If a distressing call comes in the night, we may have to sacrifice our rest to help. He may require our possessions so we can do His purpose. 

Is there anything we need to release to God? Remember, denying self isn't easy. (previous post)

If we want to run our life, then we find we will lose the life we are looking for. On the other hand, if we totally identify with Jesus and love according to His agenda, we find the abundant life we never knew was possible. (John 10:10)

LET IT GROW

Jesus did not look at the comforts of heaven as a right He should hold onto; nor did He see leaving all that was His as a sacrifice too costly to make. (Philippians 2:5-11)

As a result, God highly exalted Him and brought salvation to a broken world. 

Are you trying to save your life? If so, you may be actually losing the life God wants you to have.

When we give our life to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living. We gain spiritual blessings and the peace that makes life worthwhile. (verse 26)

LET IT GO

Help us surrender today what You want, Lord Jesus.

How to be a Disciple

N.T.#194

Nov. 29, 2023 "How to be a Disciple"

Matthew 16-Part 10

LET IT GLOW

Jesus gave His disciples and us instructions on how to be His disciple. If we desire to be a follower of Jesus Christ, then we must trade self-centeredness for God-centeredness. A Christian spends a lifetime denying self. We struggle with giving our time and effort to the goals of this world. We can't wait until we are successful then give God the glory. God receives glory from his activity through our life. That's an eye opener, isn't it? We must deny our goals, our desires, our self, and join the activity of God as He reveals it to us. 

LET IT GROW

Neither circumstances we face nor consequences of our own actions are our cross. Our cross is God's will for you and me regardless of the cost. This may include suffering in order for God to bring salvation to those around us. Hardships, giving of our time and energy, sacrificing whatever, inconvenience, will probably be involved. However, it will be worth it after all.

Thirdly, we follow Jesus. This requires absolute obedience. It is not our choice as to which direction is suitable. God already knows what is best without ever having to consult with us. His leading may take us through a storm, like the disciples experience, or on a mountaintop. What a joy it is when we see the broken made whole, those in bondage set free, those who mourn, comforted, and a sinner saved.

Do you need to return to Jesus? Or have you ever met Jesus as your Savior? Are you willing to follow Jesus anywhere, at any time, under any condition? That is the only way we can follow Him.

[Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, a devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

LET IT GO

                     ... and let God.