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Turn our lives around (October 30, 2016)

10/30/2016

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"Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates"  Revelation 9:14


Don McLean, "Waters of Babylon"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw5Z3jJ6ghs

REFLECTIONS ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION....

In our study of the trumpet angels, we read that as the sixth angel blew the trumpet and a call went out to release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates. 

The Euphrates River, along with the Tigris River, from what is considered the “cradle of civilization.”  It is the largest river in Western Asia, snaking its way from the Armenian mountains to the Persian Gulf.   It was home to ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, the Persians and Babylonians.  Because it flooded its banks regularly, the Greek historian Xenophon observed that the “Great River” caused the desert to "become a garden of fertility."  The “Hanging Gardens of Babylon,” on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was located in Babylon, on the bank of the Euphrates. The Euphrates hosted the great cities of Carchemish, Ur (the ancestral home of Abraham and Sarah) and Babylon flourished.

The Euphrates River waters the Fertile Crescent region where it is believed that the Garden of Eden was located. In fact many believe the Euphrates River was a part of the Garden itself, in some translations called “Parat” (Gen. 2:14).  It was also where the first sin was committed; it was where the first lie was told; it was where the first murder was committed; and it was where the first grave was dug. It was in this region where God saw that the wickedness of man was great and so He sent the flood. It was where people attempted to build a tower that would reach into the heavens. As a result,God confounded their languages and scattered the peoples. It was this region where ancient Israel’s most oppressive enemies came from —the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Medes, and the Persians. The Euphrates was thought to be the Eastern boundary of the Promised Land ( Gen. 15:18; cf. Deut., Joshua 1:4; also 2 Sam. 8:2-14 ; 1 Chron. 18:3 ; 1 Kings 4:24 ).   The Euphrates also posed as furthest eastern boundary of the Roman Empire.  

The Euphrates was rooted in Paradise. It represents the best and worst of human accomplishment.  It reminds us that we were created for beauty and spiritual abundance.  We were created with the ability to bring goodness and bear fruit out of our struggles and “desert places.”  Yet we are tempted and can easily turn the Garden God intended for us into a place of weeds:  corruption, competition and discord. In Revelation, because of sin and evil, the Euphrates is turned into a source of plagues and destruction (9:14).   Later in the book, the Great River dries up (16:12).  That is what sin does – it destroys and demolishes the good. Instead of being receiving the "living water" sin causes our souls to dry up, become as hard as  a sun-baked field.

Even now, we are called to turn things around. To repent.  To follow God’s commandments to love our Sovereign Lord and to love each other as we love ourselves.

Joshua said it best:

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.  Joshua 24:15”
Prayer:  “God of Growth and Renewal, We are sorry for destroying the garden of our soul and the world you have placed us in. Turn our lives from desolate land into an image of your Paradise.  Amen.”

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The Seal, October 23, 2016

10/23/2016

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​"Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. Revelation 7:2"


REFLECTIONS ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION....




Listen:  David Crowder Band, "Come Thou Fount"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG5ZhFN1DXk

Remember that old commercial for a plastic wrap product that demonstrated the strength of its seal around the bowl by flipping over the container with the contents held safely in place?  Of course the competitor's wrap failed and all the contents spilled out.

The seal in this case is the strength of the plastic wrap to protect the contents from being lost or wasted. The terrible destruction of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986 was due to the failure of an O-Ring seal. Seals not only protect, but they are used to indicate authority, security, ownership and describe the significant traits to which the seal pertains.  We are used to seeing seals made with wax, upon which a stamp or ring bearing the owner's insignia "seals" the document, proving its authenticity.  It is interesting to note that the Roman authorities placed a seal on Jesus' tomb (Matt. 27.66).  Most likely a seal of clay bearing the imperial insignia, the seal indicates Rome's investment in keeping Jesus' body from being stolen and their complicity in Jesus' death. Jesus' resurrection proves God's victory and dominion over all other authority -- earthly or spiritual.

Revelation describes people being given the seal of the living God.  Ephesians 1:13 describes this seal as "the promised Holy Spirit."   Scripture is clear that God's seal on our lives does not protect us from trials and hurts in life.  However the seal of the Living God preserves us unto eternal life and guides us to life in the spirit of Jesus. We are stamped by the Holy Spirit - which shows that we belong to God.  Baptism is one of the signs of receiving God's seal in our lives. Our desire to follow Jesus and to incorporate his teachings in our lives also acts as a seal.  As we live the teachings of Jesus, we become living, walking, talking seals that God imprints on the hearts and minds of others. As we mature in faith, we become God's seals representing the dominion of the Holy One throughout the earth.

God's seal may not protect us from the curve balls of life.  However, like that fancy plastic wrap, when life upends us, God's sea, in the eternal perspective of God, keeps us from loosing it all.  God's seal has the power to "make all things work together for the good, (Romans 8:28)."  So even when we feel tossed about or life falls apart on us, the inferior seals of the world cannot hold us down.  The seal of the Living God will lead us to healing, greater integration and deeper insight. We are sealed by God, so let us be conscious that we belong to God, God's hand is upon us and leading us to stamp the world with kindness, righteousness, justice, reconciliation and peace.

How have you felt God's seal in your life?  How is God using you as God's seal to heal, restore and protect the world?

Prayer:  " God of the Living Seal, imprint upon us your love and imprint us upon your world." 




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Be Strong  October 16, 2016

10/16/2016

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“This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)


LISTEN:  Love and the Outcome,  "He Is with Us " 
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Itg2tM1xE
 
Each one of us faces challenges, every day.  Some of us have enormous challenges -- health issues, relationship problems, financial worries. Choices to make that have the potential to change our lives, our families lives.  Some of our challenges are smaller -- but no less important.  Getting to a meeting on time.  Carving out time each day for  prayer.  Getting the laundry done. Paying the bills.  Running out to get milk.  All the tasks, great and small, that go into making our day.  Combined together, in our unique lives, it is tempting to be overwhelmed.  It can seem like we're running from one task to another, with no break in between.  The bills keep coming. One problem resolves, another one surfaces.
 
While we can rearrange our priorities, and let go of some projects, but life will challenge us.  Whether we know it or not, we are in the Abundant Life Gym, with a lifetime membership. God is our personal trainer and there's no coping out.  We can choose not to work out, ignore the advice, but it's always there, waiting for us.  If we took an inventory, we might discover we've gotten flabby in faith, our trust muscles ache from underuse, we're rusty in forgiveness, and we could use some more reps in kindness.  We get out of breathe from lack of practicing patience.   God uses the matter of our lives to shape us and tone us into spiritual fitness. Like most good exercise programs, we are required to push ourselves beyond the limit we are comfortable.  It's the only way to gain strength and increase endurance.  Our spiritual work out functions on a similar premise.  However we're not working to fit into that dress or shirt that we wore back in college.  We're working out for an "imperishable crown”  (1 Cor. 9:24-25), "a crown of glory"  (1Peter 5:4).

So the next time something challenging manifests in our lives - let us take a deep breathe, reorient ourselves, and realize it's work out time. The master trainer is there, guiding us, encouraging us, helping us to see that all we do and say matters. It not only makes us spiritually fit and healthy  -- but acts as a warm up -- so we can build up the kingdom of Heaven, because we have developed the skills to be courageous, steadfast, and able to carry out the ministry of Jesus in the challenges and opportunities we face in the world.
 

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The God Who Sees October 16, 2016

10/16/2016

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“Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, "You are the God who sees me." She also said, "Have I truly seen the One who sees me?" Gen. 16:13


​Listen:  Britt Nicole, "All This Time" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXOtq3du_Pg

Thoughts on the Book of Revelation....chapter 4 con’t.
Last night at bible study we had a lively discussion on chapter 4 of  the Book of Revelation, particularly with the description of the Four Living Creatures who surround the Throne of God.  These four creatures are covered with eyes, inside and out (v.8).  Like a lot of symbolism in the book of Revelation, it seems bizarre until we stop and think what it means.  God sees.  God sees what on the inside of our hearts as well as the outside, what we say and do.  God sees the past as well as the future. There is nothing in us or around us that escapes God’s eternal vision.
This is well illustrated by a story in the beginning of the Bible, Genesis 16.  Hagar, the slave girl of Sarai, is given to Abram to become a surrogate mother.  Hagar conceives and tensions in the household reach such a pitch, Sarai mistreats Hagar to the extent that Hagar runs away.  She gets lost in the desert.  In her distress an angel of the Lord appears to her, calls her by her actual name, Hagar (Sarai and Abram just called her “slave-girl.”)  After instructing her to return to Sarai and submit to her, the angel gave Hagar God’s promise: ‘I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count’ (Gen 16:10).  Hagar is promised a son, to be named “Ishmael” or “God hears.”   Ishmael is one of seven people named before their birth in the bible (a list that ends with Jesus)!
God’s promise to Hagar came at a time when she had nothing — no family, no home, no status. Grateful for the Lord’s care and provision, Hagar called Him “El Roi” – the God who sees me. Hagar becomes the first person – the first woman – to name God.  “El Roi,” “ The God Who Sees.” 
You see, God does not just see a slave girl who gave some lip to her mistress.  God does not just see a pregnant servant, a single woman, without hope or a future.  God sees Hagar, a young woman in trouble. God gives her a vision for herself and sees to the future of her son, Ishmael, and his descendants.
God’s vision is perfect.  However often we suffer from “presbyopia” – a loss of vision, an inability to focus and see what’s near to us.   We see the past. Our vision becomes selective. Like Abram and Sarai, we see the “slave girl” and not a young woman with a name, Hagar.  We see someone who accommodates our needs (a surrogate mother who has no say in the matter) instead of a woman who God sees also the mother of descendants.   
Today, let us reflect on our spiritual vision. One of the most important gifts we can give each other is to see beyond the surface, beyond what we want or what benefits us, and see someone for who they really are. God wants us to see beyond the labels (“slave girl”) to the person who stands before us (“Hagar”).  God wants us to focus on seeing that everyone, even each one of us - has a direction and purpose -  just as he shared with Hagar. The God Who Sees saved her life.  When we let ourselves be seen by El Roi,  and in turn see with God’s focus, clarity and love those around us, who knows who we might save.  Maybe even ourselves.
Prayer:  "El Roi:  correct my vision so I may see myself, others and the world through your perfect, loving and righteous vision." 
 

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The God Who Sees October 9 2016

10/9/2016

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Picture
 Gen. 16:13
Listen:  Britt Nicole, "All This Time" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXOtq3du_Pg

Thoughts on the Book of Revelation....chapter 4 con’t.
Last night at bible study we had a lively discussion on chapter 4 of  the Book of Revelation, particularly with the description of the Four Living Creatures who surround the Throne of God.  These four creatures are covered with eyes, inside and out (v.8).  Like a lot of symbolism in the book of Revelation, it seems bizarre until we stop and think what it means.  God sees.  God sees what on the inside of our hearts as well as the outside, what we say and do.  God sees the past as well as the future. There is nothing in us or around us that escapes God’s eternal vision.
This is well illustrated by a story in the beginning of the Bible, Genesis 16.  Hagar, the slave girl of Sarai, is given to Abram to become a surrogate mother.  Hagar conceives and tensions in the household reach such a pitch, Sarai mistreats Hagar to the extent that Hagar runs away.  She gets lost in the desert.  In her distress an angel of the Lord appears to her, calls her by her actual name, Hagar (Sarai and Abram just called her “slave-girl.”)  After instructing her to return to Sarai and submit to her, the angel gave Hagar God’s promise: ‘I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count’ (Gen 16:10).  Hagar is promised a son, to be named “Ishmael” or “God hears.”   Ishmael is one of seven people named before their birth in the bible (a list that ends with Jesus)!
God’s promise to Hagar came at a time when she had nothing — no family, no home, no status. Grateful for the Lord’s care and provision, Hagar called Him “El Roi” – the God who sees me. Hagar becomes the first person – the first woman – to name God.  “El Roi,” “ The God Who Sees.” 
You see, God does not just see a slave girl who gave some lip to her mistress.  God does not just see a pregnant servant, a single woman, without hope or a future.  God sees Hagar, a young woman in trouble. God gives her a vision for herself and sees to the future of her son, Ishmael, and his descendants.
God’s vision is perfect.  However often we suffer from “presbyopia” – a loss of vision, an inability to focus and see what’s near to us.   We see the past. Our vision becomes selective. Like Abram and Sarai, we see the “slave girl” and not a young woman with a name, Hagar.  We see someone who accommodates our needs (a surrogate mother who has no say in the matter) instead of a woman who God sees also the mother of descendants.   
Today, let us reflect on our spiritual vision. One of the most important gifts we can give each other is to see beyond the surface, beyond what we want or what benefits us, and see someone for who they really are. God wants us to see beyond the labels (“slave girl”) to the person who stands before us (“Hagar”).  God wants us to focus on seeing that everyone, even each one of us - has a direction and purpose -  just as he shared with Hagar. The God Who Sees saved her life.  When we let ourselves be seen by El Roi,  and in turn see with God’s focus, clarity and love those around us, who knows who we might save.  Maybe even ourselves.

Prayer:  "El Roi:  correct my vision so I may see myself, others and the world through your perfect, loving and righteous vision." 
 

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    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

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