His Love, Our Identity

It was a long way from the angel's song, the shepherd's awe, the wise men's visit, the Star's shine, and the manger's humility -- but The Unfolding moments were the culmination of the events that overshadowed the Birth. The Passover was near: preparations were in place, Glory was to come, the traitor had been treated as the guest of honor and had left into the night ... The inner circle was on the edge of the cliff, while the world was being prepared for the reception of the idea of "Crucify Him!"

"Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet in a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:31-35

Under these circumstances the "Little children" of the Kingdom were being prepared for their change, their royal robes, their new identity, and their place in the world: Jesus' Love extended to one another.

Christ Follower: Our ethnicity, our nationality is His Love... though We will live as strangers and pilgrims.

Lovers of Jesus: Our supernatural color is Love... O Rest in the difference of the Color of His Love.

Kids of the King: His banner over us is Love... Humbly but securely let Him fly it over us.

His Love should be what overwhelmingly adorns and defines us. 

The problem is that we think that we thrive within our critical view of other's failures and suffering. Our exploitation of God-events in our lives should be for the sole purpose of drawing us closer to him, not as an advertised example of "this is what you get when you are right with God"(How does that work for a faithful servant who is suffering with a terminal disease?). 

It may be a security issue: Are we secure enough in what His Love is doing for us, that we are not threatened by God blessing someone else. Are we sure enough of His leading, that the mandate to love others is not measured by what always appears to be bad timing and fumbled words: His Love will always reveal itself as -- "We will be the eternal interruption".

Psalm 133 --- His Love is the bond of Unity! 

Merry 10th Day of Christmas! 

HLFA, 

Jeff

The Shadow Ache

He appeared to be no more than a Shadow. For so many years he had maintained vigil at this spot, at this particular time of year, while the ebb and flow of life passed him by. Rarely considered of enough worth to gain a stray care filled glance or a momentary attentive ear; he still positioned himself to smile and welcome all. He seemed relentless in holding to The Hope, the Hope that the long awaited promise might be made known in these days of fading light. Year after year, he would lift his voice to all within hearing range, and passionately remind patient listening hearts, "He is coming, do not fear, lift up your hearts for His Rescue, for He is near!"

Romans 8:22 - "For we know that the whole creation groaned and travails the in pain until now." 

The Ache ... "O there has to be a way out!" "Rescue me, deliver me, help me, save me, hide me... O Lord!" So many stories throughout the centuries that have extended from and led right back to the Cross. All of our stories will and must lead us at some point to the Cross of Jesus, for without that confrontation there is no forgiveness of sins, there is no everlasting life: there is no Hope for Heaven. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes unto the Father but by Me." 

Without the healing power of the Spirit of God through the Word of God in our lives "The Ache" will sooner or later lead to our bitter destruction. The sad thing is that it usually manifests itself in an increasing numbness and widening distance from the Voice of God. He doesn't stop calling, even unto our last breath...because "He is not willing that any should perish" ... But as we turn a deaf ear to His loving pleas out heart begins to harden; and the longer we habitually turn our eyelids upward, the easier it is to let His voice fade into the sea of devalued opinions and strayed God-void notions.

"The Ache" is the driver, the harsh connection within the futility of our own efforts against an unseen enemy that stacks the odds against us. "The Ache", is also the driver that can be empowered by God to keep our hearts, not only connected to Him (because we need Jesus, we need Him every breath of our life), but broken for others.Jesus is very intimately aware of "the Ache" - "Jesus wept." John 11:35 

As our High Priest, He has purposely positioned His emotional response within the groanings of our infirmities, in the intimate knowledge of our inexpressible feelings. Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Fear not "the Ache" - don't hold back the tears - reach out for cleansing so that you can arise with the song of the Spirit. 

"O Sing unto the LORD a new song, sing unto the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 96:1 

Our fragile broken song is so needed in these days of truth jilted by arrogant doubt, and light hampered by selfishly dark improv. Let us rise up and welcome the Coming King in the Spirit that He has imparted to His rescued aching kids.

Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone!

HLFA,

Jeff

Until These Camamities Be Over Past

Psalm 57

Vs. 1 - "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over past." 

And the battle unexpectedly erupted in a furious clash of uncontrollable emotions, indistinguishable expressions, inaudible exclamations, and a blinding flurry of defensive and offensive movements. In totality, all strength was expended beyond the man; and then exhaustion overtook the scene as it melted into a smoky mist and a narcoleptic silence. I awoke with that feeling of "I can't catch my breath" type of panic.

Vs. 2,3 - "I will cry unto God most high: unto God that performs all thing for me. He shall send from Heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and truth."

The night had long blanketed us within the stench of burning garbage (or was it flesh?); my sleep was violently restless with dreams filled with the cries of the innocents. Not daring to open my eyes, I cried out fearfully but without a voice, I had fallen mute ... Because I knew not my bearings in the thick black of this abandonment, fear had gripped me in a choke hold. 

My eyes were challenged by what I saw in the pale morning light... Shockingly -- Vs. 4 - "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword." Even with this fearful unfolding vision sending terror through my veins, strangely there was something rising like churning waves of melody, harmony and rhythm from my innermost being; though frail in its delivery, it had begun: I cried - Vs. 5 - "Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, let Thy glory be above all the earth." 

Vs. 6 - What was this that had caused me to awe? "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: that have digged a pit before me, INTO THE MIDST WHEREOF THEY ARE FALLEN THEMSELVES. SELAH!" 

The trap laid for me was now their adversity - the roar, the threatening, the peril of being held between pity and cruelty had almost overwhelmed me against the blaze of their unbridled passions...was now stifled in the pit prepared for my demise. I was free!!!

Standing there in the midst of my enemy's defeat, the song began to crescendo and it began to take wings and rise: Vs. 7-11 - 

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:

I will sing and give praise. 

Awake up, my glory;

Awake, psaltery and harp:

I myself will awake early.I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people:

I will sing unto Thee among the nations.

For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, 

and Thy truth unto the clouds.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:

Let Thy glory be above all the earth."

For those of us who stand in peril - arise and sing of His deliverance!

For those of us who stand in darkness - cry out for the Light of His Love!

For those of us who have been freed from the threat - Let us Arise, and exalt our God and Savior ... Let His mercy and glory shine through us!

HLFA,

Jeff

PS .. Dec.1 - Happy Birthday Mammaw, Mom Ruth, tasting Heaven, rest. 

        Dec. 2 - Happy Birthday to my brother David - Standing in the Promises, don't give up.