Author: astherainandsnow

“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,  strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.  Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.  After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

“From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.  On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:19-27

Since his drastic salvation experience, Paul was on mission for his Lord. He took seriously God’s call and preached powerfully His gospel. Everywhere he went, commended himself by grace, he commended all who would listen to the life-changing grace and truth of Jesus. Once he connected new believers to fellowship, he committed them to the Lord and moved on. The Spirit of the Lord steadily and mightily built His church through earnest disciples dedicated to His mysterious, methodical work. (Acts 20:27-32)

God’s people are created and appointed to differing ministries within His body. We are all recipients of His grace by His hand through at least one, likely many, of His servants. Paul’s example inspires devotion, passion, meaningful fellowship, and the importance of committing whatever work we do to the Lord to effect. Our responsibility is faithful execution, His is salvation and sanctification.

When personal ambition sneaks beyond preaching and exalting Christ, our efforts will not flourish. When our wants or goals stray from His will, we can get frustrated and discouraged. If we take rejection personally, or demand certain parameters to a ministry, or seek credit and affirmation instead of commending Christ alone, we will yield no lasting fruit. Work committed to God’s grace and executed His way promotes spiritual health and fosters growth. How willing am I to do my part?

What has the Lord made clear I am to do within His church and world? Do I view ministry as an independent, or mine to accomplish within God’s wider plan? Am I prone to set out with my agenda, or seek and follow the Lord’s lead on where He’s preparing faith or wants me to participate? Am I more concerned with achieving my desired results than trusting the Lord to complete His? How ready am I to do my part with energy and zeal, then commend the fruit to God and move on to His next assignment? Effective ministry for the Lord initiates plans, develops and maintains connectivity with His people, and overflows in His due praise. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)

Lord, I commend my work to Your grace and purposes, to build Your church and bless Your name.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare…

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:4-7,10-14

From the exiles’ point of view, life was stopped, at least paused, in this strange land. How could it thrive in the unfamiliar, under ruthless rule, without hope? From God’s viewpoint, this was only a 70-year blip in the life of His nation, and He had lessons to teach. What they saw as wilderness He intended for wholeness. What they saw as waste He planned for welfare. They were not to while away these meanwhile years unproductively, but to work and pray and make the most of exile anticipating their future.

In a success-driven or nationalist culture, setbacks and detours can be upsetting and destructive. When we are goal-oriented and boast rights to my dreams, my way, on my time schedule, we can miss the lessons and blessings of the journey. God works in the hard places and disruptions to cull away idols, train character, and redirect priorities. He can change perspectives of fruitfulness and success and His broad kingdom by interrupting our misconceptions and ease.

What setbacks or exiles are we experiencing, what longing is unfulfilled? How do we handle unwanted or unexpected meanwhile years of singleness before marriage, a difficult work environment, temporary housing, economic stress, a medical setback or condition? Do we complain, languish, waste the season? Do we nurture resentment and pause productivity? Or do we make the most of the opportunity to grow in faith, to learn from that environment or multiply influence for Christ in that place?

What habits and motivations is the Lord addressing by unwanted circumstances? What occasions is He giving to hone compassion, respect, industry, reoriented loves? What commands can we take seriously to redirect today’s efforts in challenging situations? What promises will energize our exile? How we manage our ‘whiles’ determines our readiness for the hope-filled plans God’s preparing. (Galatians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Father, help me this day to obey and honor You with zeal in light of that day.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

“This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:

“I am the Lord,
    the Maker of all things,
    who stretches out the heavens,
    who spreads out the earth by myself,
who foils the signs of false prophets
    and makes fools of diviners,
who overthrows the learning of the wise
    and turns it into nonsense,
who carries out the words of his servants
    and fulfills the predictions of his messengers…
who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry,
    and I will dry up your streams,’
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd
    and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”
    and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’

“This is what the Lord says to his anointed,
    to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of..:
I will go before you
    and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord…
I summon you by name
    and bestow on you a title of honor,
    though you do not acknowledge me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
    I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
    I bring prosperity and create disaster;
    I, the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 44:24-45:7

God’s messages to His people through Isaiah would have inspired immediate comfort, amazed wonder, and hope. To be reminded in exile of His personal love for them as well as foretold of their future return, rebuilding, and renewal would instill a deep sense that indeed, He was LORD. They could trust these promises and count on His able equipping and sovereign redemption of His people through His instrument Cyrus. He who created the world and ruled its rulers and superintended time and distances and spoke through His prophet would go to every extent to fulfill His word. (Ezra 1:1-4)

The Almighty continues His sovereign ways in the nations and care of His children today. He scatters and gathers His people. He opens and closes doors. He raises leaders and brings low. He oversees ruin and rebuilding. We make our plans but He determines our steps. His rule is benevolent and His plans are redemptive. (1 Samuel 2:6-8; Jeremiah 31:10; Psalm 75:7; Proverbs 16:9; Amos 9:14; Revelation 3:7)

What do we think of this One who formed us in the womb? When nations war and politics divide, when health fails and prodigals remain estranged, when stress and fear are high and desire and hope are low, will we turn to Jesus? Will we entrust our exile and doubts and waywardness and conflicts and impossibilities to the great Redeemer?

How far have I strayed that He cannot bring me home? What brokenness of spirit or relationship am I suffering that He cannot rebuild? What confusion or detours can I not trust Him to make count for good? He can do anything and use anyone to bring about His purposes!

Lord, teach me to trust You to redeem all things for my good and Your glory.

“The word of the Lord… to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

“’Judah mourns,
    her cities languish;
they wail for the land,
    and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
The nobles send their servants for water;
    they go to the cisterns
    but find no water.
They return with their jars unfilled;
    dismayed and despairing,
    they cover their heads.
The ground is cracked
    because there is no rain in the land;
the farmers are dismayed
    and cover their heads.
Even the doe in the field
    deserts her newborn fawn
    because there is no grass.
Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights
    and pant like jackals;
their eyes fail
    for lack of food.’

“Although our sins testify against us,
    do something, Lord, for the sake of your name.
For we have often rebelled;
    we have sinned against you.
You who are the hope of Israel,
    its Savior in times of distress…
You are among us, Lord,
    and we bear your name;
    do not forsake us!..

“We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord,..
    we have indeed sinned against you.
For the sake of your name do not despise us;
    do not dishonor your glorious throne.
Remember your covenant with us…
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
    Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is you, Lord our God.
    Therefore our hope is in you,
    for you are the one who does all this.”

“This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands…
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

“The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

“I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 14:1-8a,9b,20-22; 17:5-10

Jeremiah prophesied with sting and hope and clarity. Detailing the ruinous consequences of Israel’s pride, idolatry, and wickedness, the resulting drought of life and heart, he made way for confession, repentance, and renewal. By naming their sin and trusting in the Name of their sovereign Savior, they could return and be restored. (Jeremiah 12:15-17; 13:15-17,25-27; 15:19-21)

Identifying with God’s Name indicates we have repented of and traded in our former gods. Gradually we become less interested in making a name for ourselves, and more in making much of His. When we rebel, the Lord uses the consequent despair and distress to turn us back to Himself. (1 John 1:9; Colossians 3:1-17)

What might hard circumstances or drought of soul be teaching? Is there specific sin of thought or act the Spirit is prompting us to confess? How readily do we name our affronts to God’s holy Name and cling to His gospel gift? How might our reckoning exalt and make known His power and might? (Jeremiah 16:21)

Oh Lord, keep me honest about my sin and confident in Your high and holy Name, that it be magnified.

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers… While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.^‘ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus… They proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews… When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God… Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” Acts 13:1-7,12

Spiritual fruitfulness in the early church was rooted and established in prayer. The Lord showed Himself mighty when they gathered not simply to ask, but to exalt and listen. Whether they prayed with passionate adoration and dependence or a specific need, as they waited on Him, He responded with more than they’d imagined. Their bounty came not so much from a power of prayer as the power of the God they worshipped, whom they praised and believed. Theirs was the lifting of hands and heart, the yielding of will; His was the Spirit-work directing, infusing insight, empowering the word for eternal impact and transformation. (Acts 1:24-26; 2:1-4,11,42-43; 4:24-31; 12:12; Ephesians 3:20-21)

Man might define prayer as recitation, a wish list for God, the act of pleading for someone or something. Seldom is first impulse that of honoring, offering, yielding, or listening. We prefer to proactively direct, persuade, garner, when powerful prayer is a reactive practice of worshiping the Almighty for who He is apart from us, a whole surrender. Meditating on His attributes and listening for Him adjusts focus and reshapes desires.

“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak.” Psalm 85:8a

Listening in prayer uncovers facets of God’s character and desire. Listening changes ‘Please give me’ to ‘Please transform me and be glorified no matter what.’ Listening unclenches the stubborn fist to open the hands and will. Listening turns ‘punish and change them’ to ‘convict and change me.’ Listening leads ‘I want’ to ‘as You will.’

“Morning by morning he wakens;
    he wakens my ear
    to listen like one being instructed.
The Lord God has opened my ear.” Isaiah 50:4-5a

It takes practice to rectify praying habits. We can begin by pausing before the Lord, His word and attributes. Recite to Him a psalm or two, fill our minds with His vast knowledge, might, and love. Listen intently and responsively to what He reveals about Himself, mentally go where His Spirit leads. Acknowledge submission to His voice and call.

How will we improve the priority and substance of our prayer time? How can we listen better? Might we lay aside our list of needs and wants to lay open our hearts to the Spirit’s redirection, reorientation? How might the Lord speak, and what might He do, if we opened our mouths only in worship and praise?

Lord, shape my prayer time to exalt, listen to, and joyfully obey You, to Your glory and praise.

“The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside.., we are turning to the Gentiles…’ 

“When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. The word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.  They shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

“At Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.  So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.  When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and stone them,  they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe,.. and to the surrounding country,  and there they continued to preach the gospel.” Acts 13:44-46,48-52; 14:1-7

The Holy Spirit swept through the region capturing new believers and unsettling the faithless. The passionate disciples lived and preached and served in such a way that no one observing was unaffected. The early church grew in response to the words and deeds of Christ’s missionaries, and so did the number and vitriol of opponents. So was the influence of God’s children and gospel power. (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)

In the rumble and rub of everyday life, we are bound to be confronted with those who take an interest in us and those who are turned off by everything we represent. Our responsibility before God is to bear His cross faithfully, doing good works and spreading salt and light so that others see and seek Him. Some will be repelled, but the Lord may draw others through our message or manner. It is up to us to heed His guidance as to where and with whom, and to be filled with His Spirit of joy. All results and salvation are His to achieve. (Matthew 5:11-16; Galatians 5:22-23; 6:9 -10; Ephesians 5:18-20; 1 Peter 3:13-16)

What about me piques a spiritual interest in people around me? Do I live and serve and interact in such a way that they see Christ and are compelled to respond? Do my words, attitudes, business practices, or treatment of others repel or draw them to Jesus? What about my outlook, demeanor, and deliberate actions could attract people to consider the cross, and cause a spiritual reckoning? All such obedience for the Christian, regardless of response, stokes continued passion and joy.

Lord, help me live and love in such a way that others seek and love You.

“This word came from the Lord: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord the words that I command; do not hold back a word. ³ It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster I intend… because of their evil deeds. ⁴ Say, “Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you,⁵ and to listen to the words of the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, ⁶ then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth…”’

“When Jeremiah had finished speaking,..  the priests and prophets and people laid hold of him, saying, ‘You shall die!  Why have you prophesied… saying, “This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city desolate”?..’

“Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, ‘This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city…”

“Jeremiah [said], ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy… all the words you have heard. Now mend your ways and deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and [He] will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you…’

“Then the officials and people said to the priests and prophets, ‘This man does not deserve death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.'” Jeremiah 26:1-6,8-9,11-13,16

Once again, the Lord uttered a strong, stinging warning through His prophet, a pointed, potent word against worshipers and religious leaders in the Lord’s house. Defying any justified angst, Jeremiah boldly, faithfully obeyed. In kindness, God relieved and buoyed His servant by the commoners’ support.

Truth is hard at times, especially when it exposes culpability for errant attitudes and ways. Our flesh naturally bristles at exposure and conviction. We foolishly retort, ‘How dare you tell me what to do? Why shouldn’t I follow my passions? I don’t deserve punishment for my viewpoint and choices.’

When we shut out God’s word and refuse His plumb line and moral parameters, we do so to our peril. Disdain His holiness, and step out of His protection and favor. We think we’re so smart we can determine our destiny, and actually the Lord says, ‘Alright. Have it your way, reap the whirlwind.’ We invite our own spiritual and otherwise demise. Only if we heed His word will we know fully His grace. (Hosea 8:7a)

How seriously do we take the Lord’s clear commands? Do we submit to those that make sense, but shrug off or make excuses for those that don’t fit our lifestyle or preference? Are we prone to attacking the messenger instead of considering the message? How keenly do we consider the consequences of our choices?

How might we exchange a bristling with ‘How dare He?,’ with humbly considering how dare we question God’s goodness, holy parameters, and righteous laws? When will we take time to ponder this, and on our knees confess our arrogance, resentment, willful stubbornness before His throne of grace? (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Lord, give me eyes to see myself honestly, then turn them to You for grace and transformation, that Your ways be exhibited and Your name exalted.

“Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me. The Lord said, ‘Have I not set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress?..’ 

Your words were found, and I ate them,
    and your words became to me a joy
    and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
    O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:10-11,16

“They went to a place called Gethsemane. And [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’” Mark 14:32

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 18:15

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God...

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:26-27,31-34

In the deepest despair, Jeremiah took great comfort in the Lord’s reminder that He was nigh in every distress and trouble, pleading for His beloved weeping prophet. That promise was to him a balm, a joy, a substantive delight to his heart and deep satisfaction to his soul. God’s intercession sustained him. The Scriptures give many an illustration of the Lord pleading before His Father for His children, all intended to buoy hope and the courage to endure.

There are not many peaceful days or seasons that hold no storm clouds. Life may be humming along, but in any journey of obedience to the Lord, we encounter trouble, set-backs, rejection, disappointments, hurt. The lovely reflection of Jesus in any time is the sure knowledge that He is present, omniscient, and praying for us. Indeed, if this is true, why should we fret?

What dangers alarm? What hard situations unsettle? What strife or difficult issues weigh heavy? Remember the Lord’s word! His promises are true! He is constantly with me and before the throne, the Trinity on my side, hemming in, upholding, leading forward. Will I take Him at His word and rejoice? What particular problems, doubts, fears, regrets can I leave with Him today? (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 139:5; John 17:6-17)

When we encounter outside threats, bad news, or relational turmoil, we need not be unsettled. The Lord, He knows! Take comfort, take courage! He is ever, always, incessantly, praying perfectly for us. (Luke 22:32)

Lord, thank You for pleading for me. May I trust Your intercession and will to keep on in every circumstance with joy, and praise to you.

“The angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.’ Gideon said to him, ‘Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?.. But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.’ The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?’ And he said to him, ‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.'” Judges 6:11-16

Gideon’s call was nothing extraordinary. God used ordinary individuals to do extraordinary things for His people. Resistance to a mandate from the Almighty was natural too, as fallible men wondered how they could do what required supernatural strength. Coming from a limited human perspective and wrong assumptions about God, they were justified having concern and doubt. But patiently the Lord strove with His leaders to teach and train and transform them in faith, by His presence. Their every ‘how can I?’ would become ‘He can!’ (Exodus 3:7-14; 4:10-13)

God’s presence more than matches our powerlessness. In fact, our very questioning gives Him opportunity to change our thinking, and personal weakness is the scenario that manifests His greatness most powerfully. We want specific tools and capabilities, He says, ‘My presence is enough.’ We bring doubts and fears to Him, He patiently answers with solid promises we can apprehend by faith. Before He does the extraordinary with us, He will work His extraordinary within us until it is no longer I, but Christ in me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 2:20)

Where are we shying away from opportunities the Lord has set before us to be involved in His kingdom work? Where are we questioning His goodness, sovereignty, and call? What excuses do we make not to obey? When will we turn from doubting self to relying on Him? In what specific ways will we step out in faith and trust His presence, ability, and promises?

“The night is dark, but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to him
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!” ~Michael Farren, Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson

Lord, turn my ‘I can’t’s to bold ‘You can!’s, for Your glory