cattilouise - Tumblr blog

[cattilouise]

What Are You Doing Here?

1 Kings 18 describes Elijah’s victorious confrontation of the worshippers of Baal.  The conclusion of the people who watched: 1 Kings 18:39  Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!"

 Later in the chapter Elijah saw the fulfillment of God’s prophesy to him regarding rain upon the land after a three-and-a-half-year drought. These are two incredible revelations of God’s power and faithfulness.  

 Yet, in 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah’s life threatened by Jezebel.  Elijah ran and hid.  Twice, the LORD asked Elijah, “What are you doing here?”

Elijah’s response:  1 Kings 19:10 (and again in verse 14)   So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts…

 As we begin this new year, consider how you might be like Elijah – Do you focus on God’s faithfulness to you or to your expectations of Him because you believe your faithfulness deserves God working on your behalf as payment due?

 May we be challenged by the question, “What are you doing here?”.  What will your answer be for 2020?

 Happy New Year!

[cattilouise]

Lift Your Arms

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

 Acts 1:8  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 endued = to sink into (clothing), put on, the sense of sinking into a garment

 That makes me think of a robe falling towards me and my part being to lift my arms out.  The result will be that I am clothed with it; endued by the effects of it.

 I like that.  😊

 Lift your arms and then ask Him to fall upon you.

[cattilouise]

Heaven Ahead!

Heaven Ahead!

Mark 16:19  So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Luke 9:51   Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, Luke 24:51   Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. Acts 1:2  until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,

What a glorious moment for Jesus to return to the Father.  We too have that to experience.  Jesus knew what that would be like.  He had experienced the glories of heaven before.  We have not.  But, we will.

 Notice the words of Luke (9:51)…when the time had come for Him to be received up. 

There would be much suffering ahead for Jesus, before He could experience the glories of heaven again, yet he steadfastly His face to go to Jerusalem.  Pain before the glory.  He came to be our example.  May we be both steadfast and anticipating.

[cattilouise]

The Seeing That Leads to Belief

Text:  John 20:5-9 5  And he, stooping down and looking in, saw (G991) the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6  Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw (G2334) the linen cloths lying there, 7  and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8  Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw (G1492) and believed. 9  For as yet they did not know (G1492) the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

 Understanding the meaning of the different Greek words translated as saw in these verses is helpful.

 Thayer’s Dictionary provides these definitions:

G991 – to see with the eye

G2334 – to view attentively

G1492 – to perceive with the eyes, discover, examine, to experience any state or condition, to get knowledge of

 Each form of the verb suggests a choice on the part of the one who “sees”.  How do you choose “to see” when you open God’s Word or when God’s Word is taught?  Only one type of seeing led to belief (a persuasion to truth). That kind of seeing leads to transformation.

[cattilouise]

Remember How He Spoke To You?

Text:  Luke 24:1-6  Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain ones with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

Do you remember the words of Jesus that the angel quoted?  Luke 24:7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' "

Jesus told them that He must:

1. be delivered into the hands of sinful men

2. be crucified

3. rise again

They knew the first two to be true.  They had doubted the third.  We too, can find ourselves in the same place: believing some of God’s promises, but not all of them.  Sometimes, the promises we fail to believe are the best ones!  Which of God’s promises do you doubt while knowing, if you trusted Him, joy would follow?

[cattilouise]

Rejoice!

Text:  Matthew 28

This chapter is titled: “He is Risen” in my Bible.  The chapter contains twenty verses.  As I read them, I couldn’t help but think, “How did Matthew do it?”.          I realize that he was an accountant of sorts (a tax collector).  We, of the accounting mind-set tend to be people of few words.  But, still…how did Matthew limit his writing to just the facts and not reflect; not add his personal perspective? How many thoughts must have welled up in him as he wrote!

  I love verse 9…And as they went to tell His disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice”. So they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him. 

One word from Jesus. “Rejoice”. I am sure that nothing else mattered to them at that moment.  All their worries and fears faded.  Jesus, told them,” Rejoice” and they did. 

Sometimes, I think that reactions and emotions were left out of the Bible at times, so our reactions and emotions would be personally ours.  We too, are told by Jesus to “rejoice”. How we rejoice doesn’t matter.  What matters is that we do not take the truths of God’s word and the demands of God’s word and not respond at all. 

Rejoice!  

[cattilouise]

The Consequences of Our Admissions

Text: Luke

After Jesus was arrested, He was brought before the high priest.  Peter followed but stood at the door outside.

Jesus was asked questions like: Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

Jesus answered:  I am.

The consequences of Jesus’ admission of the truth: They spit on Him, blindfolded Him, beat Him and struck Him.

Peter was asked questions like: You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?

Peter answered:  I am not!

The consequences of Peter’s denial of the truth:  He was able to stay comfortable.  He stood with them and warmed himself.

 When Jesus was asked about His disciples and His doctrine, He answered… Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them.  Indeed they know what I said (John 18:21).   At that point, Peter could have stepped forward and testified to what Jesus had said.  He did not. According to the timeline of events, Peter was given yet another chance to profess his Lord.  Yet, Peter again denied Jesus.  The rooster crowd and the Lord turned and looked at Peter.

Many of the accounts of men’s reaction to Jesus during His time of trial are those of men, like the religious rulers, who chose their agenda above truth; men, like Pilate, who chose safety and favor above truth; soldiers, who chose tortuous pleasure above truth; and common people, who chose mocking and peer pressure above truth.

Surely, without the Holy Spirit, we are selfish cowards.

[cattilouise]

A Warning And An Assurance

Text: John 16  

John 16:1  "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

In these two verses that begin and end chapter 16, we have both a warning and an assurance from Jesus.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

Jesus was about to go away, for at least 2000 years. So, He both warned His followers, and assured them.  He warned them that they had some rough times ahead. He assured them that they would have a new Source of His presence to meet them in those rough times.

He was also to go away for about 3 days. That departure would be via the cross. That departure would be one of great sorrow. But they would soon rejoice in what His sorrow brought forth. His labor would be intense, but temporary. His labor would bring forth deliverance of sin and they would rejoice and no longer have reason to sorrow.  Instead, they would forever have a reason to rejoice.

We, along with the disciples are in a waiting period. We, along with the disciples, have been warned of those places where we too may stumble.  We, along with the disciples, have the assurance of the Helper who will walk with us, strengthen us, and encourage us until the day Jesus returns. 

Oh, what a glorious Savior!

[cattilouise]

When The Helper Comes

Text: John 15

John 15:26-27  "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27  And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Jesus taught these things to His disciples on the heals of telling them that He was leaving them. Yet, He was telling them to abide in Him.  That is encouraging.  This abiding was not about physically hanging out with Him.  It was about abiding in Him via the Helper, the Holy Spirit.  The Helper is just as available to us as He was to the disciples.  He testifies of Jesus, and thus, we too can know the Savior who physically walked with the disciples.

When Jesus spoke of abiding in Him, He spoke of a fellowship, connection, and dependency on the Holy Spirit.  

John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

May we abide in Him and experience the same joy that He promised to His disciples.

[cattilouise]

Results of Abiding in Jesus

Text:  John 15

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

 Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. Without Him we can do nothing.  I made a list from this chapter of what we can do when we abide. Bask in the difference Jesus promises that abiding makes:

·        We bear fruit, the more fruit, then much fruit

·        We can ask what we desire and it shall be done for us

·        The Father is glorified in our fruit bearing

·        We are abiding in His love

·        We will be keeping His commandments

·        His joy will remain in us

·        Our joy will be full

·        We prove our friendship (relationship) with Him when we do His commandments

·        We are appointed (put in place) to bear fruit

All of these things are a result of abiding in Jesus.  None are possible without Him.  Many of us have walked with the Lord for a long time.  We know this.  Yet, are we connecting to Him or are we trying to “push out or exhibit fruit” from a connection that is not current?

[cattilouise]

Manifesting Jesus

John 14:12  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:23  Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

The verse above is Jesus’ answer to the question in John 14:22 … "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?"

We, who believe Jesus, have the Holy Spirit.  He came when Jesus arrived back in heaven.  The world knows nothing of this indwelling, comfort, empowering, and wisdom, AND the fruit of the Spirit (His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)

Yet, it is only when we love Him that He manifests these things in our lives. Let us be lovers of the One who paid such an extravagant price for our love.

[cattilouise]

God Uses All Things

Text: Luke 23

Pilate sought the favor of the crowd.  Joseph of Arimathea did not.  

Luke 23:50-51  Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51  He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.

Consider the words He had not consented.   We are told that Joseph was waiting for the kingdom of God.  Joseph’s waiting was not distracted by man’s opinions or favor of man.  Some say that Jesus was ordained to be crucified and Pilate was simply a victim of the plan; that he had no choice but to succumb to the demands of the crowd.  That’s not true.  Here we have a man in Joseph of Arimathea who opposed council vote, who went against the majority.  History records him to be a good and just man.  God does use evil people and the bad that they do.  I want to be one that God uses for good, despite pressures from others.

[cattilouise]

Into His Hands

Text: Luke 23

A Roman centurion was assigned to standing at the foot of the cross and watch how Jesus handled the torture.

The centurion had probably seen a lot of men die.  My guess is their last words were those of confession and fear.  Matt Dillion, of the television program Gunsmoke declared “Dying men don’t lie”.

Luke recorded Jesus’ words before the Centurion’s confession as Father, into your hands, I commit My spirit (Luke 23:46)

The centurion’s response - Luke 23:47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"

Only innocence could commit himself to God.  Although we are certainly not innocent, we are cleansed from all that would declare us guilty.  We also, can freely, without fear or condemnation commit ourselves to God, as unto a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19). That is a glorious truth!

[cattilouise]

A Love Moment

Text:  Mark 15

Mark 15:29-30 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,  save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"

Mark 15:32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Rather than consider what Jesus had to say, the people assumed.  An assumption can be defined as a “conclusion based on the beliefs we have formed” often without listening to or applying truth.  I am challenged with that definition.  What have I assumed about the Lord or His intentions that are contrary to who He has declared to be?

Their assumptions were erroneous and so, at the cross, they blasphemed Him, thus they blasphemed God. They heard the words and the speculations that Jesus is the Christ, the King of Israel.  They read the sign over His head. Yet, they refused to believe.

This is a love moment. If Jesus had the power of God, but not the love of God, He would have come down from the cross.  If the Father had power and not love, He would have taken Him down.  The people were only looking for the power of God, not His love.  

But, God so loved the world that He gave. God so loved you and me that He stayed on the cross desiring more to gain us and then prove His deity.  Jesus chose to forgo His power and to exhibit His love. Is our goal the same?  How much are we willing to endure to gain others for Jesus?

[cattilouise]

The Joyful Sound

Psalm 89:15  Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.

Do you know the ”joyful sound”?  If you do, the psalmist declared its intended impact on us:

Psalm 89:16  In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted.

In the context of this verses, the joyful sound is a call to worship. It may represent the sound of the trumpets calling the people to assemble to praise.  It is also the sound of God’s words to we who are His. – His promises, His love, His blessings. We cannot intellectually know a sound.  We must experience it.  

It is the sound of a calling to walk in the light of His countenance.  ESV uses the phrase in the light of Your face.  Bask in the awesomeness of the fact today and you will find yourself rejoicing. Hear (and heed) the joyful sound above all the other sounds in your life. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

[cattilouise]

Obedience or Safety?

Text:  Matthew 27

Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it."

I’m guessing that Pilate would have said that he tried.  I’m sure he did.  But when he saw that he could not prevail, he caved to the desires of the crowd.

Satan has very few tricks. Here is one of his best – convince us that we can’t/won’t prevail. When Pilate saw/perceived that he would not prevail, he gave up on what he knew to be the right thing to do.  Instead, he did what he knew to be wrong.  

We must not let wrong prevail over right because we fear others.   Proverbs 29:25  The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

“When obedience to God contradicts what I think will give me pleasure [or safety], let me ask myself if I love Him” – Elisabeth Elliot

[cattilouise]

The Object of the Work of Jesus

Text:  John 17

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus began His prayer “Father, the hour has come.”  Jesus had said the words “My hour has not come” many times.  Now the hour is here.

John 17:4 …I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. He had finished the work the Father had given Him to do.  Even though such incredible work was ahead of Him.  Jesus had done all that was necessary for that work to happen.  

John 17:24  Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me…

Often the reward for work in this life is a paycheck or maybe praise. Jesus’ reward for His work is you. Wow!  It seems like a lot of work for little pay.  But not for Jesus.  It was His desire.  It was what He “worked” for.