When God’s Promise is Too Big
Have you ever received a thought, image or a “word” from the Lord that was bigger than you could handle? Maybe it was an idea regarding what He wanted to do in your life, or what He might want to do through you, in your family, work or future. The impression may have been accompanied by excitement and a sense of faith, but soon it became too much to believe. Possibly it would require more on God’s part than you had faith to believe, or maybe it demanded more from you than you thought you could give.
Zechariah was doing “temple duty” as a priest when an angel appeared to him. This was not just any angel, this was Gabriel who appeared to Daniel in the Old Testament (Daniel 8:15) and who stood in the presence of God. He was sent from God to speak great things to Zechariah concerning a child that would be born to him and Elizabeth - though they were now “very old.” (Luke 1)
This promise was more than Zechariah could...
Trouble, Trouble Everywhere
What is your common response when someone in your life is facing hardship? Do you get anxious, fearing you might be the cause of their difficulties? Do you get self-defensive, and blame others for their problems? Maybe, you drop whatever you are doing to see what you can do to help? Or, possibly you tend to go into problem-solving mode, trying to fix their problem?
These are some of the temptations we face that sometimes hinder God’s intended growth for others.
Jesus lived a life of care for others. He also experienced the expectations of all those around Him. Everybody was developing a personal opinion of Jesus.
In John 11 we read of the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. All three were some of Jesus’ closest friends. When word came that Lazarus was sick His disciples assumed He would drop what He was doing and go help/heal His friend. Jesus, however, discerned that He should finish what He was doing -...
Make Yourself “At Home”
When someone comes to visit you one of the best things you can hear from them is that they feel at home at your place. That means they feel accepted and comfortable to be themselves without extra effort or pretense. Do you feel you make people at home when they are with you? It usually involves some consideration of who they are and what they like. It requires preparation and hospitality and it becomes a mutual comfort.
God is one – one God, yet somehow three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). There is a sense of community within the oneness of God. The three persons of the trinity relate to each other in love, humility and honor. They live with each other in alignment. They are “at home” with each other.
Jesus said, “Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show Myself to them … Anyone...
