Archives for April 2022

Lyrics from a song immediately enter my mind from last night.  It is on repeat in my head.

Like the words of Mary, in praise.

“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. Luke 1:49

Repeating the recognition of Who He IS.

So I throw up my hands

And praise You again and again

‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah

And I know it’s not much

But I’ve nothing else fit for a king

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images.  2 Chronicles 34:3

So young to be thrust into leadership. Josiah was born into royalty. He became king at the tender age of eight. But it wasn’t all fragrant roses; more thorns. God used his young mind and heart to change some things. A fresh perspective was needed.

In seeking God, you find Him. When you find Him, you find there needs to be a radical shift away from the current situation. A shift away from the thinking and actions that kept you separated from Him. Josiah’s kingdom needed a radical change.

Continuing on the same path that has led to devastation before will bring you to more devastation. Unless you make a change you can expect the same outcome. Josiah decided the same old path of his dad and granddad wasn’t acceptable to him. His kingdom needed to follow a different path.

He cleaned house. He destroyed the false gods that only served to steal attention from the One True God. He tore down altars and idols and images. He burned bones. Fire to purge and leave a clean slate.

Is there something in your life that needs to be destroyed? Is there an old habit that leads you down an old path of hurt and heartache? Is a radical shift needed? Is a purge required to rid you of anything that separates you from God?

Seek Him. Ask Him to show you what is keeping you from Him. Ask Him to help you make a shift in thought and action. Ask Him to lead you in following Him.

A great time of celebrating the risen Savior turns into Monday. Not just any Monday. A Monday, fresh with opportunity. Yes, many of the same old, same old typical Monday woes at hand. But opportunity is abundant.

What and who will you encounter today that needs to be told of the risen Savior?

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, Hebrews 6:19

Early morning rising to be up before the sun. To gather thoughts and prepare for the day. Things to be accomplished that couldn’t be done the day before. Unfinished business to attend.

The bundles of spices laid by the door to be picked up and taken to the tomb. The dark dry earth may be wet with Him now. Deal with the rock at the time. Not sure how.

The sky already shows signs of being awake. An orange glow in the east. Some pink and purple streaked clouds beckoning good morning. What beauty to behold! What task is ahead?

The rock has been moved. THE ROCK HAS BEEN MOVED?

He isn’t here. Then where is He? Surprise and amazement has been the norm with Him. Why should this be any different? Never-ending amazement and awe.

Even when others betray He is faithful to do what He says. He said He would rise. And He did!

Now to share. Share the good news of the resurrected Christ. The Son is alive. Conquered the grave. Defeated sin.

Hallelujah!

The ones that knew His story from the very beginning held Him all night. They knew the beginning. They knew the covenants. They knew the persecution. They knew the redemption. They knew about Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and all the others from the written word they studied. But they held Him all night in contempt.

The next morning they delivered Him to the one that could execute the punishment they demanded for Him. With blind hearts and minds, ignoring the prophecy of old, they took the One they had long waited for and delivered Him to death. Although, they couldn’t follow through with the punishment they demanded, they sought the help of those that could.

He complied. He knew the story from the beginning as well. He was the story. He wrote the story. He knew they, we, needed redemption that would last an eternity. So He gave it.

His death by hanging on a cross was only part of His suffering. That was physical. The deep sorrow that drew drops of blood the night before wasn’t in anticipation of the cross but the work He was to accomplish by taking on all sin upon Himself. All sin on Him. Not just those we want to admit or recognize but all.

He suffered the punishment for my sin.

He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.  Psalm 107:29

Sitting still with God for a few minutes in the early morning. The day is about to erupt with tasks galore. Busyness will attempt to steal my still. But He will prove faithful to quiet me. He always does.

When the storm of me explodes, He gently steps into my brain and reminds me He has control over whatever it is that wants to cause my destruction. So He is there. In the storm, He stills me.

Thankful, that as this day begins, I know He goes before me. Already stilling whatever is ahead of me.

For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:21

Paul chose one with genuine concern for others. He couldn’t go himself so it was important to him to send one that would appropriately handle the task at hand. That one needed to be counted upon. He needed to care. He needed to have proven worth in the cause of Christ. He needed to be able to relay to the people Paul’s concern and care but also needed to be able to return the same back to Paul. He needed to be concerned for the interests of Christ. He needed to be concerned for those that needed encouragement, for their welfare.

There is a message in this for me. One that I need to grasp. One that requires me to get out of my own head and take a view from the outside. It may not be a view that I want to see. It isn’t pretty. It is one of self-reflection to see selfish ambition. Ouch!

You see, in my world of solitude and isolation, which I find myself in more than not, I don’t have an upfront view of the concerns of others. I can hide away and ignore the needs outside my door. Behind my door I feel safe and secure. I don’t get into messy, sticky situations when I stay behind my door. I can keep things neat and tidy.

So this becomes my open door. This, that you are reading now. I open this door for you because I may not see you face to face. I may not even know you. But then again I may know you just to see you rarely.

Step through an open door. Find out what others need. Is it a word of encouragement? Perhaps it is a friend. Do you know someone that needs salvation? Lend a hand to someone today. Look for an opportunity to seek the interests of others. Not by being a busy-body but by having genuine concern and care for another.

I will do the same as I go about my day. I hope to see you out there.