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Friday, January 2, 2009
Dear Faithful One,
The Christian life is an amazing journey that cannot be accomplished apart from the Lord. Jesus Christ provided the way to receive salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, and He provides the way to walk in the fullness of this new life we have been given. We are called to "give up everything" and pick up our cross and follow Him (reference Luke 14:27, 33). We are on a journey that will one day lead into His glorious presence for all eternity. May we not sit idly by, but, instead, become active participants in this exciting adventure of faith.
Following the Lord is not without it's difficulties. Believers, today, are being faced with challenging decisions whether to conform, or confront, an often hostile world that despises the name of Jesus Christ. As His followers, who are committed to living and walking in His holy and righteous way, we are faced with criticism and condemnation from an immoral and corrupt world which views Christians as intolerant and unloving towards people who are living in sinful lifestyles and making choices that do not line up with the Word of God.
Knowing how to react and respond, to the times we are living in, requires greater spiritual discernment and wisdom. Now, more than ever we must put on the mind of Christ and allow Him to fill us with all spiritual truth and understanding through His Word. We must stand firm on the whole truth of God's Word (every word of it is Truth!) and not give into the pressures to conform to the world's standards (reference Romans 12:2). May we become faithful followers who are committed to walking in His way and willing to lead the way for others to come to receive the blessing of salvation. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth..." (Psalm 86:11).
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
'This is the way; walk in it."
(Isaiah 30:21)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all! (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Feasting on His Word and Remaining at His Feet,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27:13-14
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Day Eight: Revealing the WAY of God
"The LORD is righteous in all His ways
and loving to all He has made."
(Psalm 145:17)
Breakfast: Eight Maids a-milking - Focus on Matthew 5:3-12
"As for God, His way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless."
(2 Samuel 22:31)
"On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...eight maids a-milking" The heart of Jesus' teachings are found in these eight "declarations of blessedness" given by the Lord, in what is known as, the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes may be considered to the New Testament what the Ten Commandments were to the Old Testament - and we should strive to live accordingly to both.
The blessed are those who share in the salvation of Jesus Christ and revere His holy name. These declarations speak of the ultimate well-being and joy found in the kingdom of heaven. It should be our joy to pursue these ideal qualities of the Christian character as we look with longing to the blessings of our future, and eternal, home in heaven.
The New Testament mentions other areas of blessedness for the faithful servant who follows the way of the Lord: "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me" (to become discouraged or doubt; Matthew 11:6; Luke 7:23); "Blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear" (Matthew 13:16); "Blessed are you...for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven" (16:17); "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
As we begin this day, let us "not merely listen to the word", instead, let us be faithful to, "Do what it says" (James 1:21-22). The way of the Lord is a firm foundation upon which we can stand, like the wise man who built his house upon the rock, if we are willing to walk in it and obey (reference Matthew 7:24-25). May we submit our plans to the Lord and ask Him to teach us to walk in His Truth, apply it to our lives, and walk in His way, as we aspire live holy and righteous lives. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17).
"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who keep His statutes
and seek Him with all their heart.
they do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways."
(Psalm 119:1-3)
Lunch: Finding Meaning...in the WAY of God- Focus on Ecclesiastes 8:5-17
"All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of His covenant."
(Psalm 25:10)
Following God's way requires wisdom and discernment. We live in a world that is opposed to everything holy and righteous; as believers, every decision we make must be exercised in alignment to God's Word, His will, and His way. Wisdom is what guides us to understand different situations and properly apply the principles we have learned. "The wise in heart will know the proper time and procedure" (Ecclesiastes 8:5b).
We pray, expectantly, "Thy kingdom come", but until the Lord returns, the world will be full of injustice. While we wait we are exhorted to fear the Lord and live godly, holy lives, set apart for His purposes. This requires an understanding of His way. The Lord expects us, as committed followers, to be diligent students of His Word and obedient servants of His commands. Our obedience will result in His blessings.
The challenging times we are living in require a strong commitment to learning, understanding, and obeying God's ways. As we adhere to His commandments, cling to His promises, aspire to His declarations, and apply His Word to our everyday lives, may we find joy in hearing His voice, peace in His presence, direction for our day, hope for the future, and strength to stand. "So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land hat you will possess" (Deuteronomy 5:32-33).
"Who is wise? He will realize these things.
Who is discerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them."
(Hosea 14:9)
Dinner: The Sovereignty of God - a Matter of God's WAY - Focus on Daniel 8:15-27
" I am the way the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
(John 14:6)
God's way is the way of life and the way of love - a pathway paved in the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. His way was designed to lead us into His presence so that we could experience an intimate relationship with Him. His commandments provided the path, but it was the work of Jesus that opened the door. "...since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." (Hebrews 10:19-22a).
Daniel received a vision of the end times when God's way would be brought to fulfillment. As we look at the elevating conflict, and the history of turmoil, of the nation of Israel, we see the stage being set for God to fulfill His plans for His chosen people. In Daniel's vision he saw an evil tyrant who would wield horrible injustice upon the Jewish people; his name, Antiochus Epiphanes - a name he gave himself, claiming to be a revelation of the gods (epiphany). His murderous reign led to the eventual Maccabean revolt - celebrated today as "the Feast of Lights" or Hanukkah (reference John 10:22).
Daniel's dream of Antiochus was a foreshadowing of the Antichrist. The final part of his vision revealed the time of tribulation that will come in the end times, when God's wrath would be poured out upon the world (reference Joel 2:1). The Antichrist will have his time, as Antiochus did, but, ultimately he will be defeated by the Lord (reference Revelation 20). Daniel was appalled by all that he saw. Our understanding of the times and season we are living in, should result in our being concerned with walking in God's way and preparing His people for what is to come.
Our understanding of all that Daniel was allowed to see, and the knowledge of all that has already been fulfilled in history, should lead us to waste no time in sharing the salvation message with others. As believers, we should be walking in the way of the Lord, living our lives prepared for His return, and fulfilling the commission He has called us to (Reference Matthew 25:1-13; 28:19-20). "Your ways O LORD are holy" (Psalm 77:13). May our ways be the same!
"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death."
(Proverbs 14:12)
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A Word of Encouragement
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight."
(Proverbs 3:5-6) ________________________________________________
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