Sometimes when long standing Christians hear Gods Word they treat it as if it is some old hat they have outwore. They listen but nothing stirs within. Why is that? Well the same is true, in a different form, for all of us. Those of us with family, a mother, father or children. Unless they be gone for a long time, we do not get overly exciting upon seeing them. In fact when my children are talking ever so loudly, not only do I not want to listen; I want them to be quiet. Yet which of us, if our children or family were taken away, would not fight unto death if need be, to regain their presence? Why does it take the extreme to wake us up to the blessings we have right in front of us? I pray such a trial never comes upon anyone both with family and with Gods Word. Yet one day, Gods Word will be taken away and it will not return. One day you will be taken away, and will not return. Therefore treasure what is in front of you today. Remember that where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well. When your family is close by, try to look upon them with fresh eyes. See the value of what stands before you and do not allow yourselves to look upon your treasure with so much familiarity that it becomes less than its true value to you...ever. Case in point with Gods Word. Which of you who is Christian has not heard these words time and time again? From Luke 3 21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized. And while He prayed the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, “Thou Art My Beloved Son; In Thee I Am Well Pleased.” Do you see these words with fresh eyes or do you gloss over then with vacant familiarity? God speaks of Jesus. First of all, God Speaks! Better than E.F. Hutton and that commercial that says, when E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen. When God speaks, we fall to our knees, we are humbled, we are moved, we are excited and in wonder. But here God does not speak with just a command but with exultation! JESUS IS HIS SON; JESUS MAKES GOD HAPPY! Now take that to its logical conclusion after you spend time pondering what it was like to hear God speak. We know that Jesus continued to make God happy. Jesus never disappointed His Father, something that we fail to do time and time again. We know that Jesus has given His Son through His Word and Gifts like Baptism, and just as the Holy Spirit descended up upon him, so too does the Holy Spirit descend upon us in Baptism. Jesus tells us later on that He will be with us always. That He dwells with us. That He saved us from ourselves. THAT HE LIVES! And because of all these things, we live too and God is also very HAPPY at that result. These thoughts today do not suggest that you are outwardly measured by your response to Gods Word as if the person who lifts up hands high is better than the person who ponders quietly these joys in his or her heart. Rather they are meant to remind us all of the blessings in front of us. Be encouraged to reflect upon what you have before you and what such gifts truly mean, because when you do such things you will embrace them as if they were new again. When I see my children each day, all day, it might be difficult to want to embrace them each time they come into my presence. In fact if I did that, they would probably think their old man has flipped. But at least in my heart, I know I am joyous to see them. I thank God for giving me such precious gifts and as a result I look to Him with thanks. When the Lord moves me in this way, I can avoid taking them for granted and see each moment with them as a wonderful gift. The same is true when I open up Gods Word. Doug.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 16:56:55 +0000
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