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New Beginnings?

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C.S. Lewis: You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

Often time a new beginning includes a new ending. C.S.Lewis also wrote: Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars.You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.

The prophet exhorted a backslidden Israel to begin again by stating: ...the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit…Isaiah 61:3

But what was the context of this prophetic word? Isaiah 61:1-4 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.4 And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. AMPC

Endings are hard to begin. Much like the monkey bars we’ve got to desire to rise to the challenge by climbing, or jumping to grasp the first rung. I can’t recall the last time I climbed and crossed some monkey bars. But I can remember the last time I did a pull up. The thing about pull ups is that they pull back and after slamming out the desired repetitions I am a lot less enthusiastic about jumping up to grasp that bar. Joel 2:32 reveals something about God we all need to be reminded of: And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

If there is a spirit or demon of heaviness then we can rest assured Jesus has a deliverance ministry for this affliction. Joel 2:32 promises that those who call on the Name of the Lord shall not only be saved but delivered. It’s high time we ascend those monkey bars again as a child of the King and change the ending of our lives with a new beginning – a new rung in the ladder that ascends into God’s Presence. You will only ascend through His Praise. Put that garment on, button it tight, and take a leap. Ask Jesus to bind up and muzzle the spirit of heaviness, and grant you Grace and the Power of His Spirit – to praise and worship Him. Ask Him to restore the Helmet of Hope in His Salvation.

Wake Up Call!

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We’ve all had it happen. That abrupt, intrusive, and startling awakening while lost in sleep. It’s annoying at best and at worse, can make you angry at whoever, or whatever was the source of disturbance. Yet in Revelation 3 a message is delivered by God the Father’s Heavenly Alarm Clock – Jesus. Revelation 3:2-3 states, Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.3 So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come. AMPC

From chapters one to three startling images intrude upon all who read the unveiling, apocalyptic messages from Jesus. For example, while John is in the Spirit worshipping, a “Man on Fire” appears. Not in front of, but from behind him. If that wasn’t bad enough Revelation 1:10 records: “…a great voice like the calling of a war trumpet,…” AMPC

The AMPC translates this as a “war trumpet,” drawing upon a Hebraic understanding of the type of trumpet used by watchmen on the walls of a city warning its citizens of approaching danger. This war trumpet wasn’t like the silver trumpets used in Solomons Temple calling people to prayer, or worship through sacrifice. No, this was what is known as a shofar, or rams horn. It was used by soldiers in battle, and prophets anointing men to become kings.

Imagine. You are John trying to worship in the Spirit and the sound of a war trumpet blasts and blares in your ear. And don’t forget: it’s coming from behind you. This imagery occurs throughout Revelation addressed to churches and their members. Jesus appears walking among seven blazing menorahs, wielding a sharp, two-edged sword – from His mouth! His eyes and feet are on fire, threatening to strike their children with a rod of iron with which He rules and reigns. He knocks on the door of a church, calling out to any who would listen, opening doors in the heavens, trumpeting for John (and all who heed His Voice and overcome) to Come Up Here; to enter God’s Throne room; to see prophetic events about to occur. This was, and still is, a rude awakening for Last Days saints who fall asleep under the spell of a satanic lullaby.

But, Jesus in His Mercy calls to saints and sinners, Spirit-filled followers and prodigals – Repent! Change your thinking. Be transformed or “metamorpho-sized” in your lifestyle, and actions. Be zealous! Be on FIRE! Pay the price to purchase what it takes to awaken, hear His invitation, and sit on His Throne.

But where do you begin? The answer lies in waking up – setting aside a time to keep an appointment with Him. The Jewish emphasis on 10 Days of Awe is a good place to begin. Why stop at ten days? Why not make a commitment to meet daily – before any thing else? You may say, Well, Robert, I’m not a morning person. The believers throughout the Bible understood that. That’s why they set aside three times a day to meet with God through thanksgiving, praise, worship and prayer. You can set aside your lunch time. You can set aside time to meet and connect before going to bed. But I caution you. Over the years I have had people take me aside and say, Pastor, if I win the lottery, get a new job, or a raise – the church is going to be the first place I make a donation. Can I counsel you in something? If you aren’t giving with your little you will most definitely not give with your surplus. What’s the point? If you do not value meeting with Jesus in the morning you will most certainly not meet with Him at another time of day. May I encourage you to take this holy season to make a fresh commitment to wake up and draw near to Jesus. Pray and ask for His Grace to Wake Up. Tis the season!