Beauty us usually a topic for women. Normally men don't think in such terms about themselves. But beauty and grandeur are also characteristics of God. His holiness and purity are so overwhelming that we fall down before Him in awe and worship. We are overcome by His holy beauty. it lets us draw near to Him with respect and joy. See Him in this way and serve Him as the Lord of all beauty.
" One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple."- Psalm 27:4 ESV
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Now as I begin to focus more closely on the Word of God this year, I see things as the Lord speaks to me through His Word by His Spirit. I noticed this word or idea of God’s "favor".
We read this in 2 Corinthians 6:2- “ Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” What does it mean God’s favor… The dictionary says it is – to approve or like; to be partial to; to support; There are examples after examples of God’s favor. We see this in Noah, Abram, Daniel, David, Esther, Ruth, and on and on we go. Is 2018 the Year of God's favor in your life? Why am I recalling some of these experiences. In Revelation 2, Jesus in addressing the church at Ephesus he said to them " Remember from where you have fallen..." "Remember" this what I am doing, remembering. There was a Seminary project every Spring in which students would go to pioneer areas and spend a week working and preaching to help strengthen the work there. Dr. Fish was the director of this and he shared in class about this project. The Lord convicted me that I should go. I hesitated and finally went by Dr.. Fish office. When I went in he said he had just gotten off the phone with a pastor in Maine and he was looking for someone to come. I said I would go. I had to look on a map to see where I was going. How was I going to get there was the big question? I talked with the pastor of my home church and told him what I had done. In a few days, he called me and said that the church would pay for a plane ticket to Maine for me. The "hand of the Lord was upon us."
" for the good hand of our God was upon us, they brought us a man of understanding."( Ezra 8:18)
When God has a work to do He does these things: (1) He picks someone(s). It is God choosing , not ours. (2) He provides the resources. Whether it be people, money, or materials. (3) He gives the power. It's not man's strength, ingenuity, intelligence, nor personality. (4) He protects.- Now there is opposition, difficulties, set backs but He will protect . The Favor of God! " Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."( 2 Corinthians 6:2) My heart deeply aches and desires to see true, God-sent revival. Those of us who were in the late 60's and early 70's saw the work of the Lord in awesome ways. We yearn to see it again. Send revival is our "Heart-cry."
The prophet Isaiah cried out," Oh, that You would rend[tear open] the heavens and come down."( Is.64:1) The Psalmist wrote," Bow down Your heavens , O Lord, and come down."( Ps.144:5) Micah, the prophet , declared," For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down..."( Micah 1:3) When we are desperate enough, when we are heart broken over the sins of our friends and family and nation then we will cry out and seek revival. |
What we Learned on Sunday? Insights, ideas and InspirationWritten by Pastor Chris Hudson Archives
May 2024
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