“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
1 KINGS 12-13
26Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”
28After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.d
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”LUKE 24:1-35
JOURNAL
It is so clear the path of destruction the Israelites are traveling. They are consumed with human opinion and their own power and position. They clearly are not seeking God. Instead of God being their God...he has become a tool to utilize when it is convenient.
Jesus appearing for the last time to the disciples clearly shows that there is an importance to him being in the flesh. Jesus promises the aid of the spirit that will give them the confidence and power they need to carry out their mission.
To think that these scared, insignificant men will be the ones that spread the gospel...illustrates the power that actually does come upon them and that God is a living God. It is the same spirit that God has given me...it is the same spirit available to all humans. What scandalous grace, that we are given. Yet I can't help but be humbled by how often I don't embrace this and actually do pay more attention to the scorn and or the praises of those around me.
It's natural and normal to shrink back, to just be like everyone else. It's seemingly a far safer option...or is it? Yes and no because God calls us out of normal, he calls us to be the fertile ground in which his spirit resides. Nothing about this is normal or natural. Everything about this defies our tendencies and confirms our fears. The God of the universe is to reside within us? That's astounding, crazy talk...yet its true...for these insignificant men with this crazy idea go on to change the world.
I don't have the blueprint for tomorrow, but I do have today...will I trust God at his word, will I follow him into surrendering my best or will I surrender to normal and shrink back into the shadows?
Jesus appearing for the last time to the disciples clearly shows that there is an importance to him being in the flesh. Jesus promises the aid of the spirit that will give them the confidence and power they need to carry out their mission.
To think that these scared, insignificant men will be the ones that spread the gospel...illustrates the power that actually does come upon them and that God is a living God. It is the same spirit that God has given me...it is the same spirit available to all humans. What scandalous grace, that we are given. Yet I can't help but be humbled by how often I don't embrace this and actually do pay more attention to the scorn and or the praises of those around me.
It's natural and normal to shrink back, to just be like everyone else. It's seemingly a far safer option...or is it? Yes and no because God calls us out of normal, he calls us to be the fertile ground in which his spirit resides. Nothing about this is normal or natural. Everything about this defies our tendencies and confirms our fears. The God of the universe is to reside within us? That's astounding, crazy talk...yet its true...for these insignificant men with this crazy idea go on to change the world.
I don't have the blueprint for tomorrow, but I do have today...will I trust God at his word, will I follow him into surrendering my best or will I surrender to normal and shrink back into the shadows?
In God, whose word I praise, In the LORD, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
PSALM 56:10-12
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