The Path of Obedience

Wherever the Lord leads and however the Lord guides, your job is to obey – but it may be lonely, and it will be fraught with many difficulties. His will for your life may not seem joyous or desirous… but bitter and hard. But joy results from faithful trusting acceptance – in running the race He set you... and though weeping may result in the night, His joy does come in the morning.

Remember Paul? He had to learn this lesson too…. a lesson of closed doors... of failing friends... of crucified desired – of deep pain. And yet the one who was called to disclose the mysteries of the Kingdom to us…. called his many trial and tribulations, these light afflictions... 2 Corinthians 4:17. Let us seek to so align our body, soul, spirit, heart, mind and will to His... that like Paul we may also reckon that, our light affliction, is but for a moment… knowing that it works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Yes Lord – THY Will not mine be done, in and through me

Still Hungry? 1 Peter 1;6-7, Psalm 30;5

Reflections

Genesis 40 ends with Joseph being forgotten by Pharaoh's cupbearer whom he helped in prison. But we learn in the next chapter that God had an awesome purpose for his delay in rescuing Joseph.

Where are you in your own story? Maybe you feel forgotten by friends. Maybe you have literally been forgotten or passed over or ignored at work or some other setting. Joseph's story is a reminder that God's children are not ultimately defined by the neglect, forgetfulness or sin of others-being known and loved by God is all that truly matters.

In Mark 8 Jesus tells us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him (Mark 8:34). Even if following and serving Jesus feels like losing your life, it's actually the only way to save it. There's no point in gaining the whole world if you forfeit eternal life. It's better to lose your life for Jesus then have "so called life" apart from him. It's better to be forgotten by man in a prison cell and remembered by the Almighty then free and far from the only One who can give us real life and freedom.


Still Hungry: Mark 8:34

A Reflection

Psalm 22 is a prophetic, messianic Psalm that vividly describes the agony of Jesus on the cross. When we feel abandoned and alone it reminds us that only the Son of God truly faced the silence of heaven. And yet he kept trusting his Father. And all this for our sake. And what an awesome victory his suffering has accomplished. Because Jesus was afflicted for us God has exalted him. 

He will receive global praise: "all the families of the nations shall worship before you"
The one who died is now alive forever. Here we are in the year 2014 and this promise is continuing to be fulfilled about Jesus: "Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it". Jesus has done it! He has brought salvation!

In John 21 the words of Jesus to Peter who wanted to know the fate of his fellow disciple always challenge me. "Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

I'm so prone to comparison. I want everything to be "fair" (whatever that means). Why does that person have something better than me. And sometimes I feel guilt over a harder road a friend is being called to walk. Jesus says to me, "What is that to you? You follow me!" You take the assignment I've given you. It's not about us, it's about him. Let's follow him today.

Still Hungry?  Matthew 4:19, Mark 15:31, Job 17:2