And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. Exodus 24:1-2 KJVJesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh *, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:22-24
When the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, God called Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu to come up the mountain and worship from a distance. God allowed Moses and seventy elders of Israel to come up into the mountain but they were prohibited from coming close. Even though God had separated Himself a people, they could only worship afar off or from a distance. Only a select group of individuals were allowed to experience worshipping God, even if it was from a distance.
Could that be why the masses of the people continued to murmur, complain and doubt? Even in the face of great and mighty miracles, the children of Israel would quickly forget God’s power in the face of adversity. Perhaps they needed an opportunity to worship.
Worship is an act of our will that engages all of our senses but is based in and governed by the Spirit of God that lives within us. The Spirit of God is always compelling us to worship. In this dispensation of Grace that we live in, we do not have to worship from a distance, we can come closer. We have been redeemed by the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have been made free from sin for the purchased price of His shed blood and broken body.
We are empowered because He got up and ascended into heaven. He sent us a helper, a comforter, a mediator whose role is to remind us of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit brings all things to our remembrance and then empowers us to act on those things that we remember of Christ. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ and is constantly calling us to a place of worship. We must not quench that Spirit but in all things and at all times we must be prepared to bow down at His feet.
The Greek word for worship is Proskuneo; it brings to mind the act of bowing down to a far greater power. It connotes love, admiration and respect. It means to pay homage. One metaphor to consider is that of a dog that sits at his master’s feet and licks them lovingly. Have you paid that kind of homage to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Have you come close enough to lap at his feet? Are you close enough that you can hear His voice and obey His command? Why are you so far away? Come closer!
Are you worshipping afar off when Jesus was born, bled, died and resurrects so that you may come closer? What is keeping you at that distance? Come closer! God wishes to tell you great and mighty things. He wishes to have an intimate relationship with you. Come closer! He desires to show you His love. Come closer!
He desires to wash your sin away. Come closer!
He desires to instruct you in life. Come closer!
He desires to impact every area of your life. Come closer!
He is interested in everything about you; nothing is unimportant about you. Yes, even that area that just came to your mind. He is interested in your situations, your choices, and the events of your life. Come closer!
Are you still afar off?
You know it is your right to come close. At one time we were separated from God by the sin of Adam. God had a plan to reconcile us back to Himself. That plan was Jesus Christ born, bled, died and resurrected. Sin keeps us afar off but we have been made free from sin. Sin has no dominion over us. Do not allow sin to keep you afar off. Repent. Receive forgiveness. Come closer!
Sin separated us from God but the sacrifice of Jesus built a bridge back. When Jesus died the veil of the temple was rent (torn) from the top to the bottom to demonstrate that the wall has come down. There is no separation between us and God when we accept Jesus’ sacrifice. We can go boldly before the throne of grace and obtain mercy in our time of need. We do not have to worship a far off. We can come closer. Come closer!
What is keeping you away? Fear not! He loves you. There is no rejection to be found in Him. He will rejoice in your return. Come closer!
He is ever present and He is here right now. When you look for Him and seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Come closer! James tells us that if we draw near unto Him, then He will draw near unto us. Come closer!
The children of Israel worshipped God from afar off. They had no choice. We have a choice. God is looking for some true worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Are you a true worshipper? Will you live for Him? Will you serve Him? Will you obey Him? Will you allow Him to shape you into the person He created you to be? Will you show others His love? Come closer!
Come so close until you lose your breath in Him. Come so close until you begin to diminish and only Christ remains. Come so close until you are hid in the secret place of the almighty and abide under His shadow. Come close enough to know Him intimately. Come close enough to place your confidence and your hope in Him.
Are you close enough? Then let us worship Him together.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
How Close Is Close Enough?
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:11-14
As we all press our way to come closer to God, a question often arises about how close should we get. The response to the question is how close can you get?
Are you willing to put your heart and soul into pursuing God through Jesus Christ? He tells us that when we search for Him with all of our heart, with all of our soul, and with all of our mind, we will find Him. God is not lost. He is right beside us as we go through our days. The Psalmist says that if he (the psalmist) descends into the pit of hell, God is there with Him. There is nowhere we can go that God has not already occupied. He is an omnipresent God. That means He is everywhere. That is why He is so easy to find when we look for Him. When we look for Him we are taking valuable steps to come close.
Are you willing to say that regardless of how close I am today, I want to be closer? Paul said that He would reach forward, forgetting those things that are behind and press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We must daily press to come closer to Him. He is the prize. He is the High Calling. He is the mark. Are you coming closer to Him?
Are you willing to allow Him to be the air that you breath? Are you so close that you can hear his thoughts in your heart? Are you breathing His air? Do you understand His will for your life at all times? When He breathes on you, do you lose your breath as you inhale Him? If you are in Him then you live and move and have your being in Him.
How close is close enough? We will press forever to come closer, the closer we get, the closer we are compelled to go. James tells us that if we come close to Him, then He will come close to us. Let's make a concerted effort to come closer through seeking His face, pursuing Him with passion, and growing in intimate knowledge of Him DAILY.
Love you all with the Love of the Lord. It does not yet appear what we shall be when He is done molding us into what we were created to be.
As we all press our way to come closer to God, a question often arises about how close should we get. The response to the question is how close can you get?
Are you willing to put your heart and soul into pursuing God through Jesus Christ? He tells us that when we search for Him with all of our heart, with all of our soul, and with all of our mind, we will find Him. God is not lost. He is right beside us as we go through our days. The Psalmist says that if he (the psalmist) descends into the pit of hell, God is there with Him. There is nowhere we can go that God has not already occupied. He is an omnipresent God. That means He is everywhere. That is why He is so easy to find when we look for Him. When we look for Him we are taking valuable steps to come close.
Are you willing to say that regardless of how close I am today, I want to be closer? Paul said that He would reach forward, forgetting those things that are behind and press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We must daily press to come closer to Him. He is the prize. He is the High Calling. He is the mark. Are you coming closer to Him?
Are you willing to allow Him to be the air that you breath? Are you so close that you can hear his thoughts in your heart? Are you breathing His air? Do you understand His will for your life at all times? When He breathes on you, do you lose your breath as you inhale Him? If you are in Him then you live and move and have your being in Him.
How close is close enough? We will press forever to come closer, the closer we get, the closer we are compelled to go. James tells us that if we come close to Him, then He will come close to us. Let's make a concerted effort to come closer through seeking His face, pursuing Him with passion, and growing in intimate knowledge of Him DAILY.
Love you all with the Love of the Lord. It does not yet appear what we shall be when He is done molding us into what we were created to be.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Investments That Yield a Return
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 KJV
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hoseah 10:12 KJV
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2Corinthians 9:6 KJV
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-9 KJV
I had the strangest thing to happen to me a week ago. Last year I planted a full size garden in my back yard. In addition to the garden plot, I also intermingled vegetables within my flower beds. After all, vegetables are flowers. I planted several perenial plants but I often forget what I have planted.
I noticed a plant growing along the side of my house that kept growing taller every day. I wondered what it was and when it was going to flower. Eventually, it did get some flowers on it, so I was contented. My husband obviously did not care much for the plant because during one of his yard work episodes, he decided to pull the plant up. I think that he thought that it was a weed. Actually, it turned out to be carrots.
He brought these huge, swollen carrots in the house and I was amazed that I had actually grown carrots. You see, the year that I planted the carrots, they yielded no fruit that I knew of. These carrots were 6 inches long and at least 2 inches in diameter. I hope that you are able to visualize how big these carrots were. As I sat there looking at them, I saw a spiritual principle playing out right before my eyes.
I had planted the seeds that would yield carrots and I had nurtured them for an appointed time. They probably yielded fruit the first year that I planted them, but I was not familiar with cultivating carrots. Apparently, I nurtured them for a sufficient period of time and then they were able to fend for themselves, replenish and reproduce after their own kind. So, I planted carrots and I reaped carrots.
There were some issues along the way, however that we need to work through. First of all, I planted the carrots without fully understanding the nature of the carrot and what was required to reap a harvest. However, regardless of my shortcomings, I was able to bear fruit. Often times we hold back from doing a work for the Lord, because we think that we don’t know enough, or we don’t have enough, or we are not holy enough. Listen to me, if you sow the seeds of righteousness and good works, they will produce fruit. Of course, you gain knowledge as you go so that you get more efficient at sowing a particular seed. I now know what a carrot plant looks like, so if I intermingle it in my flower bed again, I will be able to spot it from a mile off. So it is with us, we must be able to recognize the good results of our sowing so that we can understand what we did right and what needs to improve.
Secondly, the time to reap the harvest of carrots came at the same time every year, but I did not recognize that it was harvest time. As a result, I left the fruit in the ground for too long. How often do we sow seeds of righteousness and good works but never go out to reap the harvest? How often do we just let the fruit go bad in the ground. My carrots were huge but they were so tough that they were no good for eating. When the time comes to harvest the fruit, we must harvest the fruit. We must continue to sow and when we see the plants peaking out of the soil, we must watch to know the day that we must pluck them from the ground. Do not leave the fruit in the ground until it becomes useless.
Thirdly, since I did not harvest my own fruit, someone else harvested it in my stead. In this instance, the fruit was no good but sometimes others will reap a meaningful harvest of our work. We also reap the harvest of another man’s work. We typically do not grow our own food anymore. We do not make our own clothes anymore. We did not and could not die on the cross to pay for our own sins. Every day we reap the harvest of salvation. The lesson in this is that we need to sow seed for others to benefit from and not just ourselves. We need to tend the garden to insure that the fruit is good to be picked by whoever needs it.
Fourth, I did not know what seeds I had sown but I knew that I had only sown good seed. When we sow good seed, the benefits to ourselves, our family, and others is tremendous. We should sow bountifully, righteously, and prayerfully. Then when the fruit is ready to be picked, we must reap mercifully. We should look around to see where the need is and distribute according to the need. Also, when we sow good seed, anyone can partake of the harvest.
Sowing and reaping is a Spiritual principle that God established directly after the flood. He has promised that there will be seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night while the earth remains. This applies to every area of our lives in which we desire to see fruit. If you are single or married, man or woman, child or adult you must sow to obtain the desired harvest. Our actions must be deliberate, we must chose the seeds with care. Once they are in the ground, we must nurture and care for them until they grow and can stand on their own.
Is there an aspect of your life in which you think that you are not getting the desired results? Examine the seeds that you have sown. If you have sown good seeds, have you taken the time to care for them? If you have cared for them, are you harvesting the fruit in the right season? If you are harvesting in the right season, are you doing it with mercy? Who is benefiting from your labor besides yourself? Wherever you are in life, you have sown to get there.
© 2009 Michelle Fuqua
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hoseah 10:12 KJV
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2Corinthians 9:6 KJV
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-9 KJV
I had the strangest thing to happen to me a week ago. Last year I planted a full size garden in my back yard. In addition to the garden plot, I also intermingled vegetables within my flower beds. After all, vegetables are flowers. I planted several perenial plants but I often forget what I have planted.
I noticed a plant growing along the side of my house that kept growing taller every day. I wondered what it was and when it was going to flower. Eventually, it did get some flowers on it, so I was contented. My husband obviously did not care much for the plant because during one of his yard work episodes, he decided to pull the plant up. I think that he thought that it was a weed. Actually, it turned out to be carrots.
He brought these huge, swollen carrots in the house and I was amazed that I had actually grown carrots. You see, the year that I planted the carrots, they yielded no fruit that I knew of. These carrots were 6 inches long and at least 2 inches in diameter. I hope that you are able to visualize how big these carrots were. As I sat there looking at them, I saw a spiritual principle playing out right before my eyes.
I had planted the seeds that would yield carrots and I had nurtured them for an appointed time. They probably yielded fruit the first year that I planted them, but I was not familiar with cultivating carrots. Apparently, I nurtured them for a sufficient period of time and then they were able to fend for themselves, replenish and reproduce after their own kind. So, I planted carrots and I reaped carrots.
There were some issues along the way, however that we need to work through. First of all, I planted the carrots without fully understanding the nature of the carrot and what was required to reap a harvest. However, regardless of my shortcomings, I was able to bear fruit. Often times we hold back from doing a work for the Lord, because we think that we don’t know enough, or we don’t have enough, or we are not holy enough. Listen to me, if you sow the seeds of righteousness and good works, they will produce fruit. Of course, you gain knowledge as you go so that you get more efficient at sowing a particular seed. I now know what a carrot plant looks like, so if I intermingle it in my flower bed again, I will be able to spot it from a mile off. So it is with us, we must be able to recognize the good results of our sowing so that we can understand what we did right and what needs to improve.
Secondly, the time to reap the harvest of carrots came at the same time every year, but I did not recognize that it was harvest time. As a result, I left the fruit in the ground for too long. How often do we sow seeds of righteousness and good works but never go out to reap the harvest? How often do we just let the fruit go bad in the ground. My carrots were huge but they were so tough that they were no good for eating. When the time comes to harvest the fruit, we must harvest the fruit. We must continue to sow and when we see the plants peaking out of the soil, we must watch to know the day that we must pluck them from the ground. Do not leave the fruit in the ground until it becomes useless.
Thirdly, since I did not harvest my own fruit, someone else harvested it in my stead. In this instance, the fruit was no good but sometimes others will reap a meaningful harvest of our work. We also reap the harvest of another man’s work. We typically do not grow our own food anymore. We do not make our own clothes anymore. We did not and could not die on the cross to pay for our own sins. Every day we reap the harvest of salvation. The lesson in this is that we need to sow seed for others to benefit from and not just ourselves. We need to tend the garden to insure that the fruit is good to be picked by whoever needs it.
Fourth, I did not know what seeds I had sown but I knew that I had only sown good seed. When we sow good seed, the benefits to ourselves, our family, and others is tremendous. We should sow bountifully, righteously, and prayerfully. Then when the fruit is ready to be picked, we must reap mercifully. We should look around to see where the need is and distribute according to the need. Also, when we sow good seed, anyone can partake of the harvest.
Sowing and reaping is a Spiritual principle that God established directly after the flood. He has promised that there will be seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night while the earth remains. This applies to every area of our lives in which we desire to see fruit. If you are single or married, man or woman, child or adult you must sow to obtain the desired harvest. Our actions must be deliberate, we must chose the seeds with care. Once they are in the ground, we must nurture and care for them until they grow and can stand on their own.
Is there an aspect of your life in which you think that you are not getting the desired results? Examine the seeds that you have sown. If you have sown good seeds, have you taken the time to care for them? If you have cared for them, are you harvesting the fruit in the right season? If you are harvesting in the right season, are you doing it with mercy? Who is benefiting from your labor besides yourself? Wherever you are in life, you have sown to get there.
© 2009 Michelle Fuqua
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A Peculiar Treasure Unto the Lord
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. Exodus 19:5-6
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1Peter 2:9-10
When the time came for the children of Israel to be delivered from Pharaoh’s hands, God delivered them by His own hand, by His own might, and in His own time. He inflicted judgment upon Egypt and brought deliverance to Israel so that the world would know that He is the Lord that brings you out. He desired for the children of Israel to remember where He had brought them from and where He was taking them to. God desired to bring His chosen nation unto Himself, into a close relationship. Ultimately, He desired to bring them and all nations back into their original relationship with the Father that was destroyed through sin.
Our heavenly Father took considerable time to give the children of Israel the law and instructions on successful living. The choice to live according to His commandments, statutes and judgments was theirs to make. God offered them a special place in His heart as His peculiar treasure. A peculiar treasure is kept close so that none can take it away. It is looked upon with appreciation and handled with care. A peculiar treasure is a valued possession that is owned by the one who designed, created, and manufactured it. The owner sets the guidelines for how His treasure will be viewed and handled. The owner of a peculiar treasure sets the guidelines for how His property will behave.
God desires to have us as His peculiar treasure. Did you know that you were a treasure unto the Lord? But He desires that you be a peculiar treasure unto Him. This means that He desires that you be His very own treasure, His special possession. It is clear that God loves all of humanity but all of humanity does not hear and obey. When we decide to hear His voice and obey His Word, then we become a peculiar treasure unto Him.
God is looking for some men and some women who will keep His commandments. He is looking for some people who will seek Him diligently, with their whole heart, soul, and mind. He is looking for some people that will earnestly wait for Him. Our Lord is looking for some people who will live out the blood paid covenant that has been established by Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ, by His shed blood has brought us back into covenant relationship with God the Father.
This is not a mandatory covenant, but rather, it is a covenant of choice. Jesus tells us that whosoever comes to Jesus and hears and obeys His word is like a man who digs a deep foundation and lays it upon rock so that when the flood comes, his house is able to endure. When we choose to live according to the Word of God, Jesus becomes our foundation and we can endure the trials of life. Additionally, Jesus says that whosoever does the will of the Father which is in Heaven, is His brother, sister, and mother. We become blood relatives with the Savior by doing His will. Finally, He tells us that whosoever will come may come and freely take of the water of life. This means that we can freely receive of the Holy Spirit so that we can hear God clearly, respond courageously, and act powerfully. But we must decide to be a “whosoever”. A “whosoever” is a peculiar treasure, a special possession and we must make the choice to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord.
The first step to becoming a peculiar treasure is salvation. The bible tells us that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved by a word of faith. Romans 10:9 tells us that when we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe with our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then we are saved. Have you confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord of your life? Do you believe that God raised Him from the dead? If your answer is no, do it right now. The day of your salvation has come. Your life will never be the same. You have the opportunity to become a peculiar treasure unto the Lord.
Once you have accepted the salvation that comes through your confession and belief, there are continuous levels of growth along your Christian journey. Based on your belief, have you chosen to obey His word? Have you examined your life to see what the weight and the sin is that besets you? Are you looking unto Jesus for guidance and strength to live the Christian life? Are you praying, meditating, studying, and fasting so that you can lay a solid foundation in Christ Jesus? Are you talking to Him, thinking about Him, learning of Him, and seeking Him so that you can grow your relationship with Him.
Relationships get stronger through open, honest conversation that allows the development of knowledge. Proper knowledge of God, leads to a love relationship that compels us to obey. Obedience allows us to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord. Peter continues this thought when he tells us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; so that we bring glory to God who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
God loves us unconditionally, and He has given us His Son so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life. Jesus has already paid for us with His blood. We are His. Therefore since we belong to Him, let us make our choice. We are a treasured possession, a peculiar treasure, so let us make the choice to truly be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we have taken the first step. When we build our relationship with the Lord through prayer, meditation, study, and fasting we are on our way. When we obey His word out of love as opposed to religion, we are heading in the right direction. This holy quest to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord encompasses our whole life. Let us continue on this lifetime journey of seeking to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord.
© 2009 Michelle Fuqua
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1Peter 2:9-10
When the time came for the children of Israel to be delivered from Pharaoh’s hands, God delivered them by His own hand, by His own might, and in His own time. He inflicted judgment upon Egypt and brought deliverance to Israel so that the world would know that He is the Lord that brings you out. He desired for the children of Israel to remember where He had brought them from and where He was taking them to. God desired to bring His chosen nation unto Himself, into a close relationship. Ultimately, He desired to bring them and all nations back into their original relationship with the Father that was destroyed through sin.
Our heavenly Father took considerable time to give the children of Israel the law and instructions on successful living. The choice to live according to His commandments, statutes and judgments was theirs to make. God offered them a special place in His heart as His peculiar treasure. A peculiar treasure is kept close so that none can take it away. It is looked upon with appreciation and handled with care. A peculiar treasure is a valued possession that is owned by the one who designed, created, and manufactured it. The owner sets the guidelines for how His treasure will be viewed and handled. The owner of a peculiar treasure sets the guidelines for how His property will behave.
God desires to have us as His peculiar treasure. Did you know that you were a treasure unto the Lord? But He desires that you be a peculiar treasure unto Him. This means that He desires that you be His very own treasure, His special possession. It is clear that God loves all of humanity but all of humanity does not hear and obey. When we decide to hear His voice and obey His Word, then we become a peculiar treasure unto Him.
God is looking for some men and some women who will keep His commandments. He is looking for some people who will seek Him diligently, with their whole heart, soul, and mind. He is looking for some people that will earnestly wait for Him. Our Lord is looking for some people who will live out the blood paid covenant that has been established by Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ, by His shed blood has brought us back into covenant relationship with God the Father.
This is not a mandatory covenant, but rather, it is a covenant of choice. Jesus tells us that whosoever comes to Jesus and hears and obeys His word is like a man who digs a deep foundation and lays it upon rock so that when the flood comes, his house is able to endure. When we choose to live according to the Word of God, Jesus becomes our foundation and we can endure the trials of life. Additionally, Jesus says that whosoever does the will of the Father which is in Heaven, is His brother, sister, and mother. We become blood relatives with the Savior by doing His will. Finally, He tells us that whosoever will come may come and freely take of the water of life. This means that we can freely receive of the Holy Spirit so that we can hear God clearly, respond courageously, and act powerfully. But we must decide to be a “whosoever”. A “whosoever” is a peculiar treasure, a special possession and we must make the choice to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord.
The first step to becoming a peculiar treasure is salvation. The bible tells us that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved by a word of faith. Romans 10:9 tells us that when we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe with our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then we are saved. Have you confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord of your life? Do you believe that God raised Him from the dead? If your answer is no, do it right now. The day of your salvation has come. Your life will never be the same. You have the opportunity to become a peculiar treasure unto the Lord.
Once you have accepted the salvation that comes through your confession and belief, there are continuous levels of growth along your Christian journey. Based on your belief, have you chosen to obey His word? Have you examined your life to see what the weight and the sin is that besets you? Are you looking unto Jesus for guidance and strength to live the Christian life? Are you praying, meditating, studying, and fasting so that you can lay a solid foundation in Christ Jesus? Are you talking to Him, thinking about Him, learning of Him, and seeking Him so that you can grow your relationship with Him.
Relationships get stronger through open, honest conversation that allows the development of knowledge. Proper knowledge of God, leads to a love relationship that compels us to obey. Obedience allows us to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord. Peter continues this thought when he tells us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; so that we bring glory to God who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
God loves us unconditionally, and He has given us His Son so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life. Jesus has already paid for us with His blood. We are His. Therefore since we belong to Him, let us make our choice. We are a treasured possession, a peculiar treasure, so let us make the choice to truly be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we have taken the first step. When we build our relationship with the Lord through prayer, meditation, study, and fasting we are on our way. When we obey His word out of love as opposed to religion, we are heading in the right direction. This holy quest to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord encompasses our whole life. Let us continue on this lifetime journey of seeking to be a peculiar treasure unto the Lord.
© 2009 Michelle Fuqua
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Seek Jesus in the Midst of Your Troubles
"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. Matthew 9:20-22"
The woman in this scripture represents what can happen when we overcome our objections to following Christ. Her story of healing is told in three short verses of scripture. For the past twelve years she has had a life altering affliction. She has sought healing from all of the physicians of the day. None were able to heal her. She has spent all that she had. One day she hears of a man who is doing great and mighty things. She wonders to herself if he is able to also heal her. She wonders if he would be interested in the afflictions of a woman. Overcoming her fears and doubts, she chooses to seek him out.
As she sits on the hard earthen floor of her small room she thinks back on how her life has been. She has been very tired lately; hardly able to lift her arms and legs. Her legs and arms are sometimes invaded by spasmodic contractions accompanied by excruciating pain. Her lips are sore and chapped. She has cuts in the corner of her lips and open sores in her mouth. She has awakened many times to find herself face down on the floor having passed out while moving about her quarters. She wonders what this means. Her life is spiraling out of control because of the severity of her afflictions.
She thinks about how sad she has been. It seems that tears are a constant part of the day. She is alone all the time because she has become an untouchable. She is not allowed out in public but she has to go out sometimes to the doctors or to the market. Many know of her condition and they immediately change directions when they see her coming. To be touched by her will make them ritually unclean. They will not be able to participate in religious or social activities until they have cleansed themselves and waited the appropriate time for the cleansing to be fulfilled. She has not participated in any celebrations, religious or social, for twelve years. Her life is passing her by. No man will consider her for marriage because it is a violation of custom to even be in her presence much less talk to her. She will never have children.
She shakes herself free from her musings. Her thoughts return to this man people call Jesus. Should she even bother seeking him out? How is she going to approach this man? Should she send someone to bring him? Should she seek him out on her own?
She knows that she is at the end. The physicians have been unable to help her. She has lost so much blood. She is overcome by all of these other symptoms. She feels her life draining slowly from her body. To stay in this room will surely bring a certain death. She makes up her mind that she must act.
Who can she send to bring Jesus to her? There is no one she can think of. Her sisters are all married and prohibited from interacting with her. Her father has spoken harshly of this man. He would not allow her to go. Her mother cannot go because women cannot speak to other men besides their husbands. She realizes that she must seek him out for herself.
What will happen when she leaves her quarters? Will the crowds jeer at her? Will someone throw stones at her? Will his disciples let a woman in her condition near him? What should she do? She falls on her face and begins to cry out to God, “Help me, Lord. I cannot go on like this! What should I do? Is this man sent by you? Can he help me? Is it your will that he heal me?”
She feels a stirring on the inside. Certainty begins to tug gently at her heart. She begins to have some hope. She speaks based on her need and her emerging confidence, “I must go to him. I must see him face to face. I must touch him!” She feels stronger; she is determined that she will seek him. She grabs her throw, covers her head, and leaves the room.
It is a very hot, arid day. The streets of Capernaum are full. She pushes her way through the streets. She cannot inquire of anyone of Jesus. She has to find him herself. She walks through the streets until she reaches the center of town. She sees throngs of people gathered around a certain man. She knows that if she goes into the crowd, someone will recognize her and cast her out or stone her. She looks around but sees no other way to get through. She walks around to the other side. There are people peering through the multitude. She can hear a man speaking. Instinctively, she knows that it is Jesus. He is saying something about putting new wine into new wineskins and preserving both.
At the sound of his voice, she falls to her knees. She weeps quietly. The tears are different now. She knows that she has found the answer. Suddenly, it does not matter if she is healed. It did not matter if she dies on this day. She just needs Jesus. If he heals her good; but if not, then so be it. She gathers herself together. She feels that stirring on the inside again. She feels a soft tugging at her heart. Something is pulling her to go to him.
She begins to crawl. The closer she gets, the more confident she becomes that he will heal her. The closer she gets the more she realizes that he is her healer. The closer she gets the more she realizes that he is Messiah, Savior, Lord, and Emmanuel. She speaks softly to herself, because she is now crawling amongst the crowds in the back of the home, “If only I may touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole.” She moves forward with determination.
When she comes up behind him, she feels the power of His presence. She continues to weep with joy because she knows that the moment of her salvation has come. She reaches out to touch Him. As she reaches for Him, she feels a sudden jolt rush through her. She lays hands on the hem of His garment and she knows that her affliction has ended.
The fountain of her blood dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed from that plague. The bible says that she was made whole from that hour. Jesus turns and when he sees her, he says, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made the whole.” That is the end of her story as recorded in the bible.
Our story is very often like hers. We may have an affliction in our body that we have dealt with for years. We may have an affliction in our thinking that keeps us from realizing the will of God in our lives. We may have an affliction in our finances that keeps us up at night wondering how we are going to make it. Our children may not always act right. Our spouses may not always act right. We may get laid off from our jobs. We may be dealing with the devastating consequences of past and present sin. Regardless of what our situation is, there is only one answer. Jesus is the answer. Jesus said, “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. We must resolve like the victorious woman in this story to overcome our doubts and our fears to seek Him.
Often when we are in the midst of a struggle, it seems that there is no way out. We must not lose hope! We must not give up! We must not give in! Jesus has already provided us with a way of escape. We must seek Him in the midst of our challenges. We must find time to pray, read His word, and seek His face. He will tell us what we must do. He will show us how to obtain the resources necessary. He will give us Godly wisdom for our difficult situations.
Finally, he will help us to be brave and of good courage so that we to can go out into the crowds. The crowds can represent our deepest fears. This woman was afraid to go in the crowd but she overcame her fear to seek the Lord. She could have turned around when she saw the crowds but she pressed on.
The crowds represent those things that keep you from Jesus. Guilt keeps us from Jesus. Sin without repentance keeps us from Jesus. Busy lives keep us from Jesus. Apathy keep us from Jesus.
The crowds represent the obstacle that is keeping us from deepening our relationship with Jesus. How would our relationship with Jesus deepen if we were to touch His hem, enter into His presence and fellowship with Him. When we sense that we are in a crowd, we must press like this lady did, to touch His garment.
We must not wait until we are in the middle of a storm to seek Him. We must seek Him in the good times and in the bad times. We must rise in the morning and seek Him. We must seek Him when we lay down. We must seek Him on both the sunny and rainy days. Like the woman with the issue of blood, we must seek Jesus!
© 2009 Michelle Fuqua
The woman in this scripture represents what can happen when we overcome our objections to following Christ. Her story of healing is told in three short verses of scripture. For the past twelve years she has had a life altering affliction. She has sought healing from all of the physicians of the day. None were able to heal her. She has spent all that she had. One day she hears of a man who is doing great and mighty things. She wonders to herself if he is able to also heal her. She wonders if he would be interested in the afflictions of a woman. Overcoming her fears and doubts, she chooses to seek him out.
As she sits on the hard earthen floor of her small room she thinks back on how her life has been. She has been very tired lately; hardly able to lift her arms and legs. Her legs and arms are sometimes invaded by spasmodic contractions accompanied by excruciating pain. Her lips are sore and chapped. She has cuts in the corner of her lips and open sores in her mouth. She has awakened many times to find herself face down on the floor having passed out while moving about her quarters. She wonders what this means. Her life is spiraling out of control because of the severity of her afflictions.
She thinks about how sad she has been. It seems that tears are a constant part of the day. She is alone all the time because she has become an untouchable. She is not allowed out in public but she has to go out sometimes to the doctors or to the market. Many know of her condition and they immediately change directions when they see her coming. To be touched by her will make them ritually unclean. They will not be able to participate in religious or social activities until they have cleansed themselves and waited the appropriate time for the cleansing to be fulfilled. She has not participated in any celebrations, religious or social, for twelve years. Her life is passing her by. No man will consider her for marriage because it is a violation of custom to even be in her presence much less talk to her. She will never have children.
She shakes herself free from her musings. Her thoughts return to this man people call Jesus. Should she even bother seeking him out? How is she going to approach this man? Should she send someone to bring him? Should she seek him out on her own?
She knows that she is at the end. The physicians have been unable to help her. She has lost so much blood. She is overcome by all of these other symptoms. She feels her life draining slowly from her body. To stay in this room will surely bring a certain death. She makes up her mind that she must act.
Who can she send to bring Jesus to her? There is no one she can think of. Her sisters are all married and prohibited from interacting with her. Her father has spoken harshly of this man. He would not allow her to go. Her mother cannot go because women cannot speak to other men besides their husbands. She realizes that she must seek him out for herself.
What will happen when she leaves her quarters? Will the crowds jeer at her? Will someone throw stones at her? Will his disciples let a woman in her condition near him? What should she do? She falls on her face and begins to cry out to God, “Help me, Lord. I cannot go on like this! What should I do? Is this man sent by you? Can he help me? Is it your will that he heal me?”
She feels a stirring on the inside. Certainty begins to tug gently at her heart. She begins to have some hope. She speaks based on her need and her emerging confidence, “I must go to him. I must see him face to face. I must touch him!” She feels stronger; she is determined that she will seek him. She grabs her throw, covers her head, and leaves the room.
It is a very hot, arid day. The streets of Capernaum are full. She pushes her way through the streets. She cannot inquire of anyone of Jesus. She has to find him herself. She walks through the streets until she reaches the center of town. She sees throngs of people gathered around a certain man. She knows that if she goes into the crowd, someone will recognize her and cast her out or stone her. She looks around but sees no other way to get through. She walks around to the other side. There are people peering through the multitude. She can hear a man speaking. Instinctively, she knows that it is Jesus. He is saying something about putting new wine into new wineskins and preserving both.
At the sound of his voice, she falls to her knees. She weeps quietly. The tears are different now. She knows that she has found the answer. Suddenly, it does not matter if she is healed. It did not matter if she dies on this day. She just needs Jesus. If he heals her good; but if not, then so be it. She gathers herself together. She feels that stirring on the inside again. She feels a soft tugging at her heart. Something is pulling her to go to him.
She begins to crawl. The closer she gets, the more confident she becomes that he will heal her. The closer she gets the more she realizes that he is her healer. The closer she gets the more she realizes that he is Messiah, Savior, Lord, and Emmanuel. She speaks softly to herself, because she is now crawling amongst the crowds in the back of the home, “If only I may touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole.” She moves forward with determination.
When she comes up behind him, she feels the power of His presence. She continues to weep with joy because she knows that the moment of her salvation has come. She reaches out to touch Him. As she reaches for Him, she feels a sudden jolt rush through her. She lays hands on the hem of His garment and she knows that her affliction has ended.
The fountain of her blood dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed from that plague. The bible says that she was made whole from that hour. Jesus turns and when he sees her, he says, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made the whole.” That is the end of her story as recorded in the bible.
Our story is very often like hers. We may have an affliction in our body that we have dealt with for years. We may have an affliction in our thinking that keeps us from realizing the will of God in our lives. We may have an affliction in our finances that keeps us up at night wondering how we are going to make it. Our children may not always act right. Our spouses may not always act right. We may get laid off from our jobs. We may be dealing with the devastating consequences of past and present sin. Regardless of what our situation is, there is only one answer. Jesus is the answer. Jesus said, “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. We must resolve like the victorious woman in this story to overcome our doubts and our fears to seek Him.
Often when we are in the midst of a struggle, it seems that there is no way out. We must not lose hope! We must not give up! We must not give in! Jesus has already provided us with a way of escape. We must seek Him in the midst of our challenges. We must find time to pray, read His word, and seek His face. He will tell us what we must do. He will show us how to obtain the resources necessary. He will give us Godly wisdom for our difficult situations.
Finally, he will help us to be brave and of good courage so that we to can go out into the crowds. The crowds can represent our deepest fears. This woman was afraid to go in the crowd but she overcame her fear to seek the Lord. She could have turned around when she saw the crowds but she pressed on.
The crowds represent those things that keep you from Jesus. Guilt keeps us from Jesus. Sin without repentance keeps us from Jesus. Busy lives keep us from Jesus. Apathy keep us from Jesus.
The crowds represent the obstacle that is keeping us from deepening our relationship with Jesus. How would our relationship with Jesus deepen if we were to touch His hem, enter into His presence and fellowship with Him. When we sense that we are in a crowd, we must press like this lady did, to touch His garment.
We must not wait until we are in the middle of a storm to seek Him. We must seek Him in the good times and in the bad times. We must rise in the morning and seek Him. We must seek Him when we lay down. We must seek Him on both the sunny and rainy days. Like the woman with the issue of blood, we must seek Jesus!
© 2009 Michelle Fuqua
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