The High Calling of God

Recently I began studying in the first book of Samuel. Chapter 4:1-11 told an interesting story. Israel decided to fight against the Philistines but Israel was defeated loosing 4,000 men. They blamed the Lord for their defeat so they decided to bring the ark of the covenant from Shiloh to save them from their enemies (Verse 3). This ark represented the Presence of God. The two sons of Eli the priest, Hophni and Phineas were with the ark. But the Philistines encouraged themselves- even though they were afraid of the ark- and they defeated Israel and captured the ark. They had blamed the Lord for their defeat and then tried to bring in the "Presence" of the Lord to win the victory. The truth of the matter is-- Eli's two sons were living unrighteous lives. Chapter 2:12 says they "were corrupt; they did not know the Lord." They were doing many vile things according to verses 12-17. In fact, the priesthood was in a backslidden condition. The very group that G

Isaiah 40:3 "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'" As previously mentioned- this was a prophecy about John the Baptist  (Luke 3:4-6). His was a message of repentance- to turn the hearts of mankind towards God. Today the Church is to be that same voice- to carry on that same message- "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." ( Matthew 3:1 ) ---meaning that Jesus Christ was about to come onto the scene. It has the same meaning today! Jesus Christ is about to come onto the scene! Things in the world today are lining up according to the scripture and something is about to happen! Isaiah 40:3-9 gives us some insight into what this "voice" is to be like. It can't just be our own ideas, opinions and theologies. It must line up with the Word of God. Verse 3 says it's the "voice of one crying--" It has to be a voice filled with compass

Luke 3:4-6 " as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" I love how the Message Bible puts it: "Thunder in the desert! Prepare God's arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! Every ditch will be filled in, every bump smoothed out, the detours straightened out, all the ruts paved over. Everyone will be there to see the parade of God's salvation." In the olden days, a royal herald would order the roads to be prepared in preparation for the coming of a great dignitary. Everyone got involved. It was his job to proclaim that someone special was coming. John the Baptist was a herald of the coming of the Lord.  Isaiah 40:1-11 is the pro

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us." This past Christmas season God kept driving this point home to me-- Emmanuel = God with us. It isn't something I had never seen or realized before, but the fact of God's desire and love towards sinful mankind- so much love in fact, that He would send His Son, His Only Son, Jesus Christ into a dark and sinful world to bring us to a place of light and righteousness! He brought this home to me even more in the blessing of His Presence. I think this Christmas season was the most peaceful and joyful that I have had in many years. It wasn't so much in what I was doing, but in what was God was doing inside of me. The revelation of God with us continued to flood over my soul and I enjoyed His presence throughout the days. And it continues on even into the New Year. God with us! It isn't just a phrase- it is a f