Help stop the flood

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Have you ever wondered why you were born and why you lived in the places you did? God formed you and knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him” (Acts 17:26-27). God knows the plans and purposes He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

God created us so that we would seek Him and find Him. He set boundaries, placing us here, now, for such a time as this. Where we are, where we have been, and even the difficulties in our lives all have an eternal purpose and plan. God has placed each of us in the body of Christ to be used where He puts us in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18).

A story is told about a little Dutch boy who saved his village from a flood by sticking his finger in a leaking levee. In Ezekiel 22:30 we read where God said that He searched for a person who would build up a wall and stand in the gap before Him for the land, so that He would not destroy it; but He found no one.

The enemy wants us to stay so busy and distracted by what is going on in our lives, or around us, that we aren’t paying attention to where God has placed us and the calling He has for us.

Therefore, walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1-3). Stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles, run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before you, looking away from all that will distract you and focus your eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The world is leaking, the dam is bursting, because many are not standing in the gap before the Lord.

Please don’t be distracted. Be faithful where you are, for you are here for such a time as this. Walk and run your race, for you are part of God’s wonderful design and plan.

For God “delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]” (2 Timothy 1:9, AMP).

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Come to the Manger

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Soft and quiet, nine months in the womb, infinite born to bring infinite grace to the finite. Joy split the sky open as angels sang of amazing grace-filled glory. God’s love moved to allow man to move into God’s love. The Good News from heaven bringing good news to all mankind.

A babe in swaddling clothes, divine in humanity to grant humanity access to the divine. The cry of The Word became flesh. Tiny hands that once held the universe, earth-bound to dwell among men. His birth birthing eternal life. Hope in humanity bringing hope to all humanity. Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, to bring God to us.

The manger built by a carpenter to hold the carpenter’s son, cradles the cradle of life. A feeding trough for those who are hungry holds the bread of life for hungry souls. The manger, an ark to carry The One who will carry us through the rough waters of life.

The shepherds hurried to the manger to see The One spoken of by the angels.

The Wise Men traveled far to worship and bring gifts to the long-awaited Messiah.

No matter how long you’ve waited, come.

No matter how long it’s taken, come.

Come to the manger. Come to the Messiah.

Bring yourself, your gifts, and your worship. Whatever you’ve been through, whatever you face, whatever your heartache and pain, bring to the manger. For the manger is new life, hope, joy, and new beginnings.

Whatever is in your heart, bring to The One who made your heart. Lay down every burden, for God’s love waits in the manger.

Will you come?

The Messiah, the Savior in the manger, moves into your heart so you are never alone, never forsaken, never without hope, never without joy, never without peace, never without life eternal.

Please come…

Mary “gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’ When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.” ~ Luke 2:7-16 (NASB)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16 (NASB)

From Present in His Presence by Lisa Buffaloe

 

Rocking the rest

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1 Samuel reports that Saul searched for David every day to kill him. However, “God did not hand David over to him.” At one point Saul, in hot pursuit of David, was on one side of a mountain and David on the other. But a messenger reported to Saul that the Philistines had raided the land, so Saul broke off his pursuit of David and returned to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was called the rock of separation (1 Samuel 23).

As Christians, we live in enemy territory with an enemy out to steal, kill, and destroy. However, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is The Rock. “The Lord God says this, ‘Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed. He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not be disturbed or give way [in sudden panic]” (Isaiah 28:16, AMP). The GNT translation reads, “Faith that is firm is also patient.”

“So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]” (Isaiah 26:4, AMPC).

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” … “There is no one holy like the Lord, There is no one besides You, There is no Rock like our God.”… “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” (Psalm 18:2, NKJV; Psalm 18:31, NKJV; 1 Samuel 2:2, AMP).

“For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; my fortress and my defense, I will not be shaken or discouraged. On God my salvation and my glory rest; He is my rock of [unyielding] strength, my refuge is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7, AMP).

Thank You, Lord that You are my rock. Help me to rest in the rock of Your unchanging, steadfast love.

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