When You Get A "Word" From Jesus (Mk. 6:45-52)

Read Mark 6:45-52.

The disciples got a "word" from Jesus.  They were to "get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida . . . " (Mk. 6:45).

Jesus still speaks specific things to specific people in specific situations.  When He does . . .

1.  That doesn't mean you won't encounter a "storm" in the midst of your obedience.

2.  That doesn't mean that you won't have some hard "rowing" and some hard going.

3.  That doesn't mean that you won't be tempted to fear.

4.  That doesn't mean that you will have a soft, understanding heart.

Observations About God's Will

1. What God permits you to endure in the process is hard to explain sometimes.
2. God is always on time -- His time, not yours -- though never in a hurry.
3. God's rationale and methodology might seem counter-intuitive.
• God chose Ephraim over Manasseh, though Ephraim wasn't the first born.
• God promised a son to Abraham.  Abraham was quite old when this promise was fulfilled.
4. God's so-called silence, that long span when it appears nothing is happening, doesn't mean He is displeased or disinterested.
5. The will of God often involves embracing the lesser opportunity (as man would call it).
6. The will of God can be stalled because of unbelief or disobedience (Num. ch. 13 & 14).
7. The will of God never manifests itself in an atmosphere of pride.

Matthew 1:18-2:23

Read Matthew 1:18-2:23.

What holds the unit together is the motif of dreams.  The five dreams are proof God was watching out for His investment (His Son, Jesus).  Threats were avoided because they were not in God's plan.

1.  What a comfort it is that God knows and controls every danger and detail of your life!

2.  Wait for revelation and guidance.  God knows how to get through to you.  Don't try to figure things out on your own.  Ask, then wait.

3.  It all starts with righteousness (Mt. 1:19).  Joseph wanted to do what was right, not what was convenient or expedient.  When God sees this intent, it pleases Him.  He always responds to the one who responds properly to Him.

4.  God's directing your affairs doesn't exempt you from a lot of movement, inconvenience, effort and self-denial.  It is always profitable to be obedient, but not always fun.

5.  Can God count on you to do the thing you don't want to do?  You don't have to be enthused in order to be obedient.

Transition (Jn. 4:4)

If you don't do what's "necessary", then you can't step into your next appointment.

Jesus knew that He had to travel through Samaria.  It wasn't until He walked in that general direction that He would eventually arrive at the specific place known as Sychar.

Concerning your next ministry assignment, let God worry about finalizing details.  In the meantime, keep walking in the general direction He gives.

Verse of The Week (03/04/16)

My Prayer (03/02/16)

Lord, as I read your Holy Word, let me hear Your words directing me.  Help me to live addicted to one sound -- the sound of Your voice (Jn. 10:27).  I want to live from one word of the Lord to the next (Mt. 4:4).  May I not only hear such words, but may I be quick to do them (Jam. 1:21-22, 25). Speak, Lord, "for Your servant is listening" (1 Sam. 3:10).  Let my ears hear a word behind me, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever I "turn to the right or to the left" (Isa. 30:21).

Then The Word of The Lord Came (1 Kin. 17:1-9) (Part 3)

Observations:

1. The word of the Lord comes on time, but not your time.  If you were writing this story, you would have had the Lord's word come before the brook dried up. 
2. Don't let circumstances dictate the word of the Lord.  Let the word of the Lord have first place. Don't move until the Lord says so.  He won't be moved to speak simply because you did something desperate or unreasonable.
3. The word of the Lord doesn't exempt you from suffering. The word came when the brook dried up.  That means Elijah saw the supply diminish and disappear.  That means he got thirsty and, perhaps, a bit desperate or uncomfortable.
4. The word of the Lord doesn't exempt you from inconvenience and effort.  Elijah had to travel to Zarephath once the word of the Lord came.
5. The fact that the Lord can send His word doesn't exempt you from seeking it.  I find it highly unlikely that, when Elijah first noticed the brook's getting lower, he didn't dialogue with the Lord about it.
6. Let us live from one word of the Lord to the next.  Elijah went from one word of the Lord to the next (see part 1).  Matthew 4:4.

Then The Word of The Lord Came (1 Kin. 17:1-9) (Part 2)

When did the word of the Lord come to Elijah?  What were the circumstances?  The word of the Lord came to Elijah when . . .

• There was no repentance.  Nothing had changed in either Ahab or Jezebel.  The spiritual climate in Israel was a mess.
• There was no river and no rain.  What would Elijah do now for water, since Cherith had dried up? 
• There were no ravens anymore.  What would Elijah do now for food?  (We aren't told that the ravens stopped coming, but what good would bread and meat be without water?  The ravens also were short on water.  Without water it isn't likely the ravens would have kept on making deliveries.)
• There was no relief in sight.  Elijah seemed to be out of options.  The drought was far from being over.
• There was no reason to stay where he was, except that the Lord told him.  Elijah was true, but thirsty.  He was obedient, yet parched.

Then The Word of The Lord Came (1 Kin. 17:1-9) (Part 1)

In these 9 verses, the word of the Lord came to Elijah three times.

• Verse 1.  The word of the Lord must have come, since Elijah would never have made such a bold proclamation on his own authority.
• Verses 2-4.  The word of the Lord told Elijah were to find water and how he would get bread and meat twice a day.
• Verses 7-9.  The word of the Lord told Elijah where to go once the brook dried up.

Elijah received the next word of the Lord, having obeyed the previous word of the Lord.  Don't expect to hear the Lord speak to you if you aren't willing to do what He says.

The Four Kings of Christmas (Jesus) (Part 5) (Mt. 1:18-25; 2:1-3, 9-10)

JESUS IS GOD OVER US.

“For we saw His star in the east . . .” (Mt. 2:2).

“ . . . the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was” (Mt. 2:9).

•  It is no great insight to say that the star was above the magi.
• That which is above means there is something or someone below. You're with me so far, right?
• The record also says that the star moved until it stopped.
• Why did it move? Think of the star as God's celestial GPS.
• Long before cars had On-Star, God had the natal star.
• The star in the east guided the magi to Jesus' precise location.
• Let's put the pieces together.
• Fact #1 > The star was above.
• Fact #2 > The star moved until it reached its destination.
• What do these facts mean?
• They mean that God governs us.
• They mean that God guides us.
• Peter combined governance and guidance in relation to people's souls. "For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25).
• The titles together speak of Jesus.
• Jesus is “Shepherd” in that He guides us.
• He guides us by His Word.
• He guides us by His voice.
• He guides us by His Spirit.
• He guides us by wise counsel.
• He guides us by previous experience.
• Jesus is “Guardian” in that He governs us.
• The word “Guardian” is better translated “Bishop,” an administrative title emphasizing supervision.
• Jesus – what a trustworthy Guardian! (2 Tim. 1:12)

Ditches In Dry Places (2 Kin. 3:4-20) (Part 5)

Observations:

• The best time to inquire of God is before you settle on your plans (Prov. 16:9).
• When you don't consult God before you start, you will wander into a thirsty, desperate situation.
• What desperation and despair could have been avoided had the kings consulted God first.
• Oh, how much trouble we cause ourselves when we don't consult God on the front end!
• It is never too late to invite God's perspective into your situation.
• “Better late than never.”
• Though the three kings should have consulted God before launching their military plans, the fact is that they did seek Him later.
• If you failed to consult God about your plans from the beginning, then the next best time to seek Him is right now.
• The word you need from God won't just “come to you.”
• You must ask for it and seek it (Jer. 33:3; Mt. 7:8).
• Seeking requires humility, effort and time.
• Are you willing to pay the price to hear what God has to say?
• When the word of God comes, that is, when God's perspective and intention become clear, it will require obedience on your part.
• Be a doer of His word, not a mere listener (Jam. 1:22).
• Don't wait to obey until you understand every detail.
• Act upon what you already know.
• One act of obedience often helps to clarify the next step.
• God sent the promise of water, but the soldiers had to dig the trenches.
• Get out your shovel. Be willing to put in the effort.
• What might “dig a trench” look like?
• Attend corporate prayer meetings and develop a personal prayer life.
• Make an appointment with the pastor or one of the deacons.
• Let other people speak into your life.  Be careful – Don't allow just anyone access. Be wise.
• Fast for a day and get alone with God.
• Have a consistent Bible reading plan and follow it. 
• God speaks through His Word.
• Prov. 3:5-6

Light On The Bridge

Furnace Brook Trail, Kiski Twp., PA  11/14.13

"Now arise and cross over the brook..." (Deut. 2:13)

May God's guiding light radiate upon all your decisions today.

Thoughts on Divine Guidance and Human Suffering (Neh. 9:9-12)

Read Nehemiah 9:9-12.

1. In verse 9, what is it the Levites said that God saw? (This is not a trick question.)
2. Do you believe God sees your suffering?  How does your answer affect your view of Him?
3. Here is a prayer based upon verse 10:  Oh, Lord, continue making a name for Yourself!  Continue to intervene for Your people! (Please say a prayer for Israel right now.)
4. From verse 12, what do you notice about divine guidance? (Give your own answer before going to number 5.)
5. There was never a time God left His people to figure out things on their own.  He faithfully led them every minute of every day.
6. "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah..." (William Williams)

Get God's Word on It (2 Kin. 3:10)

Notice the difference in outlook between Jehoram and Jehoshaphat.  Jehoram gave up.  The circumstance overwhelmed him.  Of course, he wasn't serving God either.   Jehoshaphat, instead of agreeing with Jehoram, looked beyond the circumstance.  Surely, there must be a word from God.  That word would change everything.

When difficulty comes, what's your m.o.?  Do you identify more with Jehoram's response or Jehoshaphat's?