MEDITATION FOR THE WEEK  

"But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home righteousness"

2 Peter 3:13

After a week of fun-filled activities at a recent retreat, I listened as the microphone was passed from family to family, each tearfully sharing how wonderful the time had been. Some talked of meeting new friends, others, of the games, music, and hikes. A few said how they wished the week could go on and on.

            Then little red-haired, freckle-faced Jeff raised his hand. He had Down syndrome and had won the hearts of many people at the retreat. People had been captivated by his winsome smile and joyful spirit.  Everyone leaned forward to hear his words.  Jeff grabbed the mike and kept it short and sweet as he bellowed: "Let's go home!" He smiled, bowed, and handed back the microphone. Everyone roared with laughter.

            His mother told me later that, even though Jeff had thoroughly immersed himself in the week's festivities, he missed his daddy back home.

            I identify with Jeff. The good things in this world are pleasant enough, but would we really wish for it to go on as it is?  I don't think so. The good things in life are merely omens of even greater, more glorious things yet to come.  God would not have us mistake this world for a permanent dwelling. And I'm with Jeff. It's a good life, but I am looking forward to going home. I miss my Dad.

"Home is where your heart is." Never was a saying more true. For when Jesus captures your heart, you are then able to look forward to your home of righteousness.

Lord of my heart, capture my affections this day and hold me fast with Your love. Turn my heart ever increasingly toward You and so I shall long for a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

MEDITATION FOR THE WEEK

God is Faithful

"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."

1THESSALONIANS 5:24

God never calls us to do anything without faithfully keeping His word and enabling us to do it. We are not always faithful to do what God tells us, but He remains faithful and stands by His word to fulfill what He has promised.

When the children of Israel reached the Red Sea, they might have concluded that God had abandoned His promise to them. The sea was barring their advance, and the murderous Egyptian army was racing to overtake them! Yet God proved then, as he has ever since, that He is absolutely faithful to every word He speaks to His children.

God may have spoken to you about something in particular─ a ministry in your church, the way to raise your children, or what you should do in your job. You have obeyed Him, but now you face a Red Sea experience. It seems that what you thought God wanted to accomplish is not happening. Perhaps your ministry has not been well received, or your children are rebelling, or those at your workplace are criticizing your actions. Trust in the character of God. It is His nature to be faithful. The testimony of His people throughout the ages is expressed by the psalmist, who declared: "I have been young, and now I am old;/ Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,/ Nor his descendants begging bread."

Regardless of how bleak your present circumstances are, do not lose hope. No one has ever experienced unfaithfulness on God's part! Allow time for God to reveal His faithfulness to you. Someday you will reflect on what God has done and praise Him for His absolute faithfulness to you.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.

Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

Where Has the Spirit Placed You?

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all."

1 CORINTHIANS 12:7

The moment you are born again you receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift. God doesn't give you some thing, He gives you Himself. The Holy Spirit is God. As He lives out His life through you, you have almighty God dwelling within you, carrying out His purposes. The Spirit will manifest Himself through your life, not for your good alone, but for the benefit of those around you.

The Spirit will lead you to a church body where He can minister through you to each person in that body. God does not add you to a church body so you can be an observer. The Spirit has an assignment for you within the body, and He will equip you by His presence for this work.

In the Old Testament, God gave specific assignments to His servants and then placed His Spirit upon them to enable them to accomplish their work. In the New Testament, God placed each member as a vital part of a living body. He placed His Spirit within each believer and manifested Himself through the believer to encourage and equip every other member of the body. What an exciting commission from God! Today the Holy Spirit equips believers because He has given each of His servants a task.

How is the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life benefiting those around you? God has equipped you with exactly what is needed for the edification of the body in which He has placed you. If you allow the Holy Spirit to work freely within you, others will be blessed as a result.