Tag Archives: Jesus
Right Place, Right Time
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Here you thought you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Jesus put you in the right place at just the right time! Lean on Him for understanding.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Awe
Awe is a feeling that comes from looking at a breathtaking view found in nature or the discovery of some profound truth that suddenly brings order into one’s world. When “awe” overtakes us it leaves us with a feeling of amazement or inspiration according to L. Teja Pattabhiraman, writer for the Epoch Times. The writer goes on to say awe is good for relationships, it helps melt away stress. We are happier people as a result. We encounter awe when we experience vastness and transcendence, when we are overcome by wonder.
For the Believer, awe can be found in the majesty of God, whether it’s a discovery found in His written Word or witnessing the power of nature or the beauty of His creation. But awe isn’t just associated with God’s power. Even though He is high and lifted up, He cares about what happens in the everyday life of an ordinary person like me.
What should our response be when we experience wonder? According to the article in the Epoch Times, when we encounter awe we can respond by being more generous or content. Linger in your moment of awe and capture it in visual or written form. Use awe to overcome your circumstances.
When Believers encounter the awe of God the appropriate response is to linger in worship, giving Him who inspires and amazes us His due.
Lord I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds. Lord renew them in our day, in our time make them known; Habakkuk 3:2
Abstaining from late night holiday snacks
Here is a suggestion anyone attempting to eliminate snacks from your diet after 6 p.m. on the days leading up to the Christmas holiday. One common decoration found in many homes is a nativity set featuring Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus lying in a manger, and a host of other figures that were drawn to the place of our Savior’s birth. Instead of grabbing a handful of Christmas cookies and washing them down with a glass of eggnog, why not abstain from munching and add a figurine to the manger scene each day instead. As you are adding the figurine, reflect on something you are thankful for. Perhaps you will feel inspired to pray for someone also.
For those who do not consider themselves people of faith, you could substitute adding an ornament to your Christmas tree. Make a deliberate ritual out of it. While you’re adding the ornament, could set your mind to recall a song such as The twelve days of Christmas and add an ornament each day while reflecting on family or friends. Additionally, you can try to come up with a good deed you could do for someone else in keeping with the spirit of giving.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5
Joshua 20-21: Our refuge
In biblical times, the Israelites were instructed by God to set up cities of refuge for a specific purpose. They offered protection to anyone who accidentally committed a crime, which normally carried the sentence of death. Intentionally committed crimes were settled using “an eye for an eye” principle. The sentence was carried out by the avenger of blood (nearest living relative).
Accidental killings were to be handled differently. The person responsible for the killing was to immediately flee to a city of refuge where he could present his case to the elders of the city. If his explanation was judged satisfactory, he would be admitted to the city and given provisions and a place to stay. He (or she) would be protected in the city from the avenger of blood. If he left the safety of the city for any reason, he was fair game to the avenger of blood. Under the instructions provided in the Torah (Numbers 35), the person had to remain in the city until the high priest died. The guilty person could then return home relieved of his guilt and be safe from any reprisals.
If we fast forward to the time of Jesus Christ, we can see how this ancient practice was instituted by God as a way of modeling the concept of salvation, which He would offer to the whole human race. Salvation from what? Romans 3:23 and 6::23 offer a sobering statements: everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s standard of perfection and the wages for this sin is death. Romans 6:23 goes on to say, God offers a gift (a place of refuge) in the person of his son Jesus Christ. Anyone who accepts this gift will experience forgiveness and have eternal life.
Jesus Christ is a sinner’s city of refuge.
- Jesus was divinely appointed as were the cities of refuge
- Jesus, from the cross proclaimed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” ( Luke 23:34). This statement validates humanity’s guilt as accidental or involuntary manslaughter granting us access to a place of refuge.
- In Christ the guilty can find safe haven
- The way to Christ must be clearly revealed just as the roads were leading to the cities of refuge back in the time of Joshua.
- Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 7, 8, 9). His death and resurrection have set us free from the penalty of our sin
- Since Jesus is God’s Son, then God will be the avenger of blood to all who have not found refuge in Jesus
There are two more points to be made found in Joshua chapter 21. After the cities of refuge were established by the Levites (Israel’s priests), God gave the Israelites rest on every side (v44). The second point: None of the Lord’s promises to Israel failed, every one was fulfilled (v45).
We can find refuge in the person of Jesus. When we enter his refuge we can experience rest on every side and begin to enjoy the promises of God; not one of them will ever fail.
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