I AM the Resurrection and the Life

Almost two years ago, in March 2010, my father, my mother’s husband, died. What follows here is the text of the message that David Shelley preached at Dad’s funeral service. In reading, I discovered how it fits perfectly with Mom’s journal entries on the “Names of God.”


David Shelley, Dad’s funeral service message – March 27, 2010
Sermon Text: John 11: 1-45

I am sharing with you the message I delivered at the memorial service after my dad passed away last month. I went to the scripture text because by it the Lord guided me through the process of what I needed to know. I share this with you to let you know that I am in this with you.

I am vividly aware that some parts of this experience are shared, and some parts are unique to each individual. As different people described my dad, it felt like the fable of the blind men and the elephant. We each had different conversations with him, different experiences. We are not missing just one person, we’re missing as many relationships as there are those here who knew him.

It makes an eternal difference to know that your father, or husband, or grandfather, or friend, knew that he could never be ready for eternal dwellings on his own, but that he had all the assurance he needed in the Lord who came in the flesh and died our death so that we could be raised up with Him.

The Lord of the Ages, the eternal, good and true Creator who was, who is, and who is coming, created the cosmos to make known His glory, and created us to enjoy Him forever. We Him as our Life-Giver and King, and in our rebellion we have earned the wages of death. But He took on flesh, lived among us, died the death we had earned, and rose again, the first-born of the new creation, and calls us back into eternal enjoyment of the King through faith in His sufficient atonement.

In a four-panel Peanuts comic strip, Lucy, her nose in some kind of almanac, shouts to Linus, ‘I knew I was right! I knew it! There was a day just like today back in 1935. This isn’t a new year at all … it’s a USED year! I’m going to write a strong letter of protest.”

Linus responds to Lucy; “Who is in charge of years?”

But of course, Linus’ question is why are we here: “Who is in charge of years?”
(Peanuts Treasury, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York, © 1968 My only footnote is a comic book!)

In John’s gospel, Chapter 11, the time is approaching for Jesus to go to Jerusalem where He will be arrested, tried, and executed.

Mary and Martha send word to Jesus, who is in Persia, a long day’s journey away. They want him to come and heal their gravely ill brother Lazarus.

“The Sisters sent word to Jesus.” (verse 3)

And so do we. We say, “Lord, if you don’t intervene, this person whom I love is going to die,” or “if you don’t’ change circumstances, this is going to end in a bad way.” We send word to Jesus about all kinds of things, and often it seems that He doesn’t come. He certainly doesn’t answer as we expect Him to.

When Jesus gets the message from Martha, He stays where He is for two more days. Without explanation or apology, John shows us Jesus intentionally waiting, rather than responding immediately to an obviously urgent message.

And we can relate, right? The Lord clearly does not conform to my time-table. The most difficult thing about faith is the waiting. Yet waiting is the very time when faith is essential.

What does Jesus tell the disciples?

“This sickness will not end in death.” (verse 4)

Some would insist that the sickness of Lazarus did, in fact, end in death. That leaves us with three possible conclusions:

1) Jesus was wrong because He did not see death coming.
2) Jesus was intentionally misleading, as if it was Jesus’ fault that we misunderstood Him and should not have to take time to ponder what He says.
3) We are not paying close enough attention to what Jesus said. This is often the case, and in this instance /Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death.” Did Lazarus die? Yes. But did Lazarus’ story end with his death? No, it did not. Because death is not the end of those whom Jesus saves.


“It is for God’s glory, that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (verse 4)

Somehow, the illness and death of Lazarus will make some people more aware of the superior goodness of God. Mary and Martha may not see that yet, but Jesus does. Somehow, the Son of God being glorified is of even greater value than Lazarus avoiding death. The Bible does not apologize for saying that some things will prove more important than long, healthy lives in this world.

“When He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.” (verse 6)

The Gospels recount several situations in which Jesus did NOT respond as others requested. He does not respond on demand, yet He acts for his own purposes.

And if this were not confusing enough, verse 5 tells us Jesus loved Martha and her sister. In His love for them, Jesus let Lazarus die. Jesus loved them enough NOT to give them only what they wanted, but to have more in mind for them The Bible does NOT teach that God can show love only by giving us what we desire.

The Bible does not deny that some things are horrible. The Bible even suggests they might be worse – in the big scheme of things – than we imagine. What the Bible insists is that the bad things are not final – not for those who have a trust relationship with Christ. Death is ugly; but in Christ, it’s not final.

In His own timing, Jesus did decide to return to Judea. But this upset the disciples. “But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you.” (verse 8).

The last time Jesus was in Jerusalem the people tried to kill Him. The disciples thought the reason that Jesus did not respond to Martha’s request was because it was too dangerous. The made the same mistake we often make. They assumed they understood what Jesus was thinking and planning.

But Jesus was not avoiding Judea. He was going to go to Jerusalem to save the world, and before that He would demonstrate His power over death. Apparently, Jesus does not feel obligated to explain everything to His followers ahead of time. He seems to want them to trust Him with the unknown. He says,

“Are there not 12 hours in the day?” (verse 9)

Or, as Yogi Berra said, “It’s not over ‘til it’s over.” And in Christ, the story is never over. He says,

“For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may TRUST. (verse 15)

There you have as blunt a statement on the subject as Jesus ever spoke. We want Jesus to save us from ever having to hurt, to be disappointed, to suffer, to grieve. And here is Jesus, knowing his friends are hurt and grieving, saying, “I am glad.”

I battle physical conditions not fully diagnosed. When a test turns up something treatable, friends say, “Oh, I’m glad!” They’re not glad I’m suffering; they’re glad it might be something treatable. They’re glad that it’s possible to envision something better beyond the present struggle.

Jesus knows his friends are hurt and grieving, and He is glad. Why is Jesus glad? “So that you may believe.” So that you may trust Him.

Trust is not an either/or thing. Clearly, the disciples did trust Jesus; they had been following Him for three years. Martha did trust Jesus; she called on Him for help. But did they need to trust Him when Lazarus died, when Jesus chose to lead them back to Judea, where people would kill him and stomp on their dreams? Did they need to trust Him more fully in the face of death? Of course they did, and soon they would; and that is why Jesus is glad. And when we are hurting, we can be glad that Jesus sees the good beyond our present darkness.

So Jesus and the twelve approach Bethany. Lazarus has now died and has been in the tomb for four days. Martha runs to meet them. In the course of their conversation, Jesus will make the truly huge statement that all of need to hear and to embrace:

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

Jesus is not performing a random miracle here. He has been talking for a long time about going to Jerusalem to die and then rise to life. His own resurrection is going to be the definitive evidence that His death has paid the cost of our sin completely, and that we can share new life and resurrection with Him.

So on the say to Jerusalem to die and then rise, Jesus is going to give an in-your-face sign that He is in control of the whole situation.

Martha expresses (in verse 21) both here grievous disappointment and her hope in Jesus. “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus, you seem to let me down. I did not expect this. I am hurt and disappointed. The Bible repeatedly shows us the people of God expressing their disappointment to the Lord.

But in verse 22 Martha also voices a remarkable faith. “I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Even though I am hurt and heartbroken, I still know who You are, Jesus.

Jesus gives reassuring words: “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha voices her faith; “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

But her is where Jesus makes His main point. Martha’s hope is not in a distant dream. Martha’s hope is in a Person. Jesus makes a claim that echoes through eternity:

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” NOT “I give or I promise, or I purchase,” but rather, I AM the Resurrection and the Life.”

The first two words would have been the Hebrew name of God Almighty, the name of the Creator we meet in the Genesis, the name by which He made Himself known to Moses at the burning bush: “I AM.”

He is saying, “I AM your Creator. I AM the One who gives life. I AM the Savior. I AM the resurrection, and apart from Me there is no other. I AM the life, and you can have it only in relation to Me.”

“He who believes in Me will live even though he dies. And whoever lives and trust Me will never die.”

Do you hear the claim that Jesus makes? Do you hear the call in what He says? He calls you to come to Him and live, to live in the immediate grace of the Creator and Savior, to live in such a way that even death will not be death, but will be eternal life in Him.

The raising of Lazarus is not merely a miracle; it is an enacted parable. And the resurrection of Jesus is not merely a doctrine; it’s a fact, and one intended to dominate our attention. It’s a demonstration of who Jesus is and what He does. So it is a call t trust Him. Who’s in charge of years?

What we most need – more than comfort or air or food or biological life – is that trust relationship with the Life-Giver. You need Him. So anything He uses to direct attention to Himself is for our good.

You don’t need Jesus so that He can get you something else. You need Jesus – period! That is the message of the resurrection. That is the final word.

But Jesus demonstrated one more vital truth beyond his words. Verse 33 says
“He was deeply moved” (verse 33)

This intense emotional term is hard to translate. It is important because, in contrast to views of an “a-pathetic” god, the One and only God took on human flesh, lived among us full of grace and truth, refused to prevent Lazarus from dying, because it would lead to greater trust in Him – yet intensely wept alongside grieving friends.

Apparently, as far as God is concerned, there is no contradiction between hurting with us in our temporal experiences and being glad that we will benefit spiritually through them.

Jesus – God incarnate, eternal Lord and fully man, simultaneously experiencing mortality with us and delivering us from it – weeps at the temporal experience of loss even when He knows the story is going to turn out surprisingly happy.

He weeps with the deepest of emotion, as one who knows, more fully than any human before or since, how awfully fallen His world it. And yet He sees, in a way no human can, how thoroughly glorious His resurrected saints will be with Him in the New Heaven and the New Earth. The old Swedish hymn says:

“Though He giveth and He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh,
His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy.”

This trust relationship in which I find new life is under attack every day until the day I die, under attack from the anti-Christ arguments of this world, from the weakness of my own fallen nature, and from the seasons of storm and prosperity that I go through.

The God-given way to endure those attacks is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Completer of our faith, who for the joy before Him endure the cross. The joy before Him is our eternal joy with Him.

Who is in charge of years?
Jesus says, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life. The one who trusts Me will live, even though he dies. And the one living and trusting Me will never die.”

By David Shelley. © Bethel Greeley. Website http://www.bethelgreeley.org/.

I Corinthians 4:5-5:1
5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to [e]conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 5
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife.

Psalm 103:10-22
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who performs His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Choose Joy.

We've finished the posts from Mom's "Names of God" journal.  I'll be pulling a new journal out and posting entries soon.  So, I'll take this break to give you an update.

Mom is doing really well.  She moved out of her house of 40 years and has been living in an senior living apartment for about 15 months.  A few months after she moved I asked her if she was happy living there.  Her response?  "I choose to be." 

That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?  It's the lesson I've been trying to teach my kids for 25 years.  You can choose to be happy; circumstances don't make you happy, you choose joy! 

So that's the entry for today.  Choose Joy.  Choose to be happy.  Life doesn't often turn out the way we planned, but you can choose joy.  It's not a lesson I've mastered, but I'm working on it!

The Firstborn: Supremacy

December 22, 2004


Colossians 1:15-18 (Amplified) “15He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.

16For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

17And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).

18He also is the Head of [His] body, the church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent].

The Firstborn child (especially a male child) in most cultures is honored more than the Younger ones. In Jewish families they were blessed with more inheritance and were usually considered the leader of the family.

Jesus, You are the “Firstborn of all creation!” You are God; yet part of the Holy Trinity, the Three in One. The three of You dreamed up the entire creation. You spoke and all came into being. How much more “Firstborn” can You be?

Since You created all things and even continue to hold it all together, You are the Supreme Ruler over all.

As I take each name that represents Your character, I am realizing more and more how all the names overlap – are intertwined. Firstborn, supremacy, leader, ancient of Days, eternal, Head, Alpha, Omega, totality, etc.

You are the Firstborn from among the dead. You absolutely conquered death by Your resurrection! Yes, over the centuries You called some back to life from death, BUT they did eventually die.

Because of Your resurrection we, too, will rise from our graves and our dead-decayed bodies will be replaced with a new, glorified body that will live forever in Your presence.

As Firstborn, You are our leader, master, ruler, and yet You also consider us to be Your children and friend.

We are also joint-heirs with You. I can’t even imagine what that means. I just know it and believe it by the faith You have instilled in me. I acknowledge Your supremacy over me and I desire to please You today
Enable and empower me for today’s assignments.

Immanuel – God with Us

December 13, 2004


Isaiah 7:14 – (Amplified) “Therefore the Lord¸ Himself, shall give You a sign: Behold the Young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us).
“God with Us”

You are not just with us – You abide within us. You could not be closer than this. You became human flesh so You would know by experience what we as man face day by day. There is nothing we are tempted by or experience that You have not faced and conquered.

As I write these thought and ponder this verse, I realize that the truth of “god with us” is so wonderful and yet I am guilty of taking it for granted. Forgive me. You know my every thought and emotion – even better than I do myself. You know because You are constantly with me and I am so grateful.

Anyone else, being with me 24/7, would be a nuisance, a bother. But You are not. You are not intrusive or tiresome. You are just here! You are here because You love me and You watch over my
every step.

Now that I am getting older my steps are, literally, unsteady. I need Your steady arm to keep me from falling. Even more so in my spirit – I need Your steady arm to guide my steps of faith. I need Your presence to assure me of Your presence – to assure me of Your love. I need to hear the words, I love You, Jean,” every day.  I also realize that You need and want to hear me say how much I love You everyday, too.

I do love and appreciate You, Lord, and I pray that as I walk with You each day, that I will be quick to express my love openly and often to You and others.

Immanuel – God with me! (reality!)

The Author of Salvation Part II

Eph 1:4-11 (New Living)
"God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure.  And this is his plan: at the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in Heaven and on earth.
    "Furthermore, because of Christ we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning and all things happen just as he decided long ago."

Once again in my  mind's eye I picture a very holy meeting in Heaven.  God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Nothing in the universe yet existed.  The Word says in Eph 1:4 that You chose me before the foundation of the earth.  You had not yet created anything, and yet Your Holy Committee had authored a plan for the redemption of m an. 

You spoke the world, the skies, the moon, tars, and every creature into existence. 

There is nothing made that You did not create (Col 1:16,17).  You loved us so very much even then to make a way for us to be with you forever.   John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosever believed on Him should have eternal life."

Thanks you for being not only the Author of Salvation but the very sacrifice itself.  Only god could do this marvelous thing!  The Way, The Truth, and The Life....is Jesus!

Author of Salvation: Source

January 21, 2005

Hebrews 12:2 (Amplified)

"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

My salvation, and everyone else’s – whoever lives, was first and foremost in Your heart and mind from the beginning, before You ever created anything. You know and planned for us to have a way back to You.

You are the source of every thing, the vast universe, the animals, plants, and of course, people. As wonderful as all creation is, Salvation is still the best of all. Once we now we are loved, forgiven, and accepted by You, then we appreciate even more all creation. Every breath I take, every wobbly step, is enabled by Your grace."

Lord, may I never take this gift lightly. It cost You so very much. You gave Your life to save mine. You paid my debts; You redeemed me all because of Your great unconditional love for me

Eph 1:5,6 (Amplified)

5For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [[a]because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]-- 6[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

My Jesus, may my life be one continuous praise of who You are! Keep me focused on You alone. Keep that song on my lips and my feet to dancing in the pure joy of Your love for e, but also may my love for You make You sing and dance for joy as well!

The Author and Perfector of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 (Amplified)  "Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Psalm 110:1 "THE LORD (God) says to my Lord (the Messiah), Sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool."

This previous verse talks about us running the race that You have set before us.  We are to get rid of all that hinders us and run with patient endurance.  This is only possible as I keep my eyes on You.  you are my Leader and the very source not only of my life, but also my faith in You. 

You put the desire in me to want to believe.  You will finish my faith to perfection as you slowly and patiently bring me to maturity.  I am the prize that You endured the cross and shame for but also, You are the prize for me!  I don't earn You by running the race, or even winning the race.  I run to please You - to learn the lessons of faith and to be strengthened in my spirit.  This brings much joy to both of us. 

Thank you for being the Author and Perfector of my faith. 

The Ancient of Days

December 6, 2004

Daniel 7:4 "I kept looking until thrones were placed and the Ancient of Days (God the Eternal Father) took his seat."

Psalm 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God."

Eternal.  Eternity is a hard concept for humans to fully understand.  It is one we must accept by faith.  You are God - Eternal - You have no beginning and no ending.  How can this be?  I do not know, but I do choose to accept it and believe it because You have spoken it and You cannot lie. 

I can trust my short life-span to You in complete confidence that when this life on earth ends, it is really the beginning of a new life - eternal life in Your Holy presence.  Your Word says in Ephesians 1:4 "He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love."

This is an awesome truth that I often quote.  But when I ponder it, I am so humbled.  I feel your great eternal love.  you may be Ancient of Days but You are not old and decrepit.  You are eternal, young, vital, ageless.  Once again, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8). 

So be it - Amen!


.

My Singing God (part II)

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) "The Lord Your God is with you.  He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you.  He will quiet you with His love.  He will rejoice over you (Jean) with singing."

(Amplified)  "The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior (who saves).  He will rejoice over you, (Jean) with joy:  he will rest (in silent satisfaction) and in His love.  He will be silent and make no mention (of past sins, or even recall them).  He will exult over you with singing! 

Hallelujah.  Praise Your Name, my singing God! 

The God Who Sings

November 28, 2004
Zephaniah :17 (New Living) "For the Lord your god has arrived to live among you.  He is a mighty Savior.  He will rejoice over you with great gladness.  With His love He will calm all your fears.  He will exult over you by singing a happy song."

My lord and personal Savior - You not only have arrived to live among us, Your people, but you actually live in my body.  You Holy Spirit makes his home within me.  This fact is enough to make me sing and dance for joy.  Then I read on and Your Word say that You rejoice over me in great gladness.  That You sing a happy song over me!  This is amazing.  The God of Creation sings over me!  Wow.  This is awesome.

You calm all of my fears with Your love just like a mother singing a lullaby over her fussy child.  Oh that You care that much to take the time to cuddle me and sing me to sleep.  And to sing a happy, playful song as well.  True rejoicing!

May You hear and rejoice as I sing and whistle for You, and I pray You will open my ears to hear the songs You sing over me.  Gladness results when we allow You to be with us.  This causes You to sing over us.  If we want to be happy we must draw close to the only true source of happiness. 

The God who sings.  Hallelujah!

The Arm of the Lord

November 27, 2004


Isaiah 51:9-10 “O Arm of the Lord, awake as in generations of long ago. Was it not You who dried up the red Sea, the waters of the deep who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?”

Exodus 15:16 “Terror and dread fall upon them because of the greatness of Your arm, they are as still as a stone.”


Psalm 77:15 “You have with Your mighty arm redeemed Your people.”

This is referring to Your power and strength. There is nothing too hard for you. You cause terror and dread to fall on the enemy today and defeat all that oppose you.

I know it is only Your long-suffering and mercy tat delays the judgment of Your Power Thank You for the tenderness and love you display with Your arm as well. When the last one has been redeemed and crossed over into your forever family, then Your Arm of judgment will fall.

Thank you for Your mercy.

The Anointed One

November 25, 2004

Psalm 2:2 “The Lord and His Anointed One…”
From the dictionary

Anoint – to apply oil to consecrate to a purpose.
Consecrate – to devote solemnly to a purpose. To declare sacred.
Sacred – set apart for service or worship of God. Devoted exclusively to one service or use. Worthy of veneration or reverence.
Venerate – regard with respect, adore, revere, worship.

Lord God, Father of All: I can picture a holy anointing taking place long before creation and the foundations of the world were ever laid. The holy angels were gathered to witness the anointing of Your only Son by Your Holy Spirit. The Chosen One – Jesus – was set apart for one divine purpose. The redemption of all mankind and He alone was worthy enough to be worshiped and adored. Even the highest angel is not worthy. It is only Jesus, the Anointed One.

I believe You and Jesus talked about what all this purpose would entail. His leaving You – leaving His home. To become a helpless baby. To be entrusted to Mary’s care as you grew up.

The rejection of the very people You came to redeem. Your death, burial, and finally Your resurrection. And yet, You loved us all enough (even before man was created) to be set apart and anointed for the purpose of reconciling man – me – to God, our Father.

What a sacred and holy ceremony took place that day of His anointing. I thank You on this Thanksgiving Day for Your Anointed One.

He alone is worthy to be anointed. Worthy to be worshiped and adored forever. Amen! Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Lord of the Dance

I have no scriptural basis for this name, but if You are Lord over all, You are Lord of the Dance. I just finished reading Ken Gires’ gook “The Divine Embrace.” In it, he pictures our relationship with You as the dance – one that is close and intimate.

I am glad now that I have never experienced a close romantic dance with anyone – even my husband. I am saving my first dance for Jesus. Even now, I experience it in my heart and spirit. Thank you!

Jesus holds me close, looks into my eyes and reads my heart. He whispers how He loves me. He makes the dance of life a joy. He is the music of the dance. He takes the lead and enables me to follow, even in the difficult demanding steps. He is there with His powerful arms around me.

He calms my fears and encourages me to relax and enjoy the music of the dance. But mostly He wants me to treasure Him for who He is.

He is the Lord of the Dance and He has chosen me to be His partner because He loves me!

The Amen (Finality)

November 20, 2004

Revelation 3:14  "These are the words of The Amen, the trustworthy and faithful and true witness, the origin and beginning, and author of God's creation."

I am understanding that "amen" means "so be it."  However, all the dictionary says is that it is used at the end of prayers to express solemn ratification of approval.  My question is: Whose approval?  Man's or God's?  Yes, I do "amen" when I agree with another's prayers, sermon, etc.  However, when I say it in my own prayers, I hope it is not just habit, but a statement of faith that You have heard and "it will be," or "so be it."

Revelation 3:14 refers to You as THE AMEN - The Final Authority.  This is awesome!  It is difficult to put into words all that this tiny four-letter word means.  I am thinking of that song "Amen."  that is the only word of the whole chorus.  Now I understand more of why we sing it.  It is because it is enough. 

You are the Great AMEN.  You are enough! 

So Be It!

A Scepter

Numbers 24:17b (amp) "...and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall crush all the corners of Moab..."

Lord, a Scepter is a symbol of authority.  It denotes power - ultimate power and authority.  When Esther came to see her husband, King Ahasuerus, on behalf of her people, she went in the knowledge that if he did not hold out his royal scepter to her she could be executed. 

The scepter in Numbers 24 is referring to Christ, the Messiah, as the Scepter.   When He comes in all His divine power and authority, he will be the Scepter of Mercy to all of us who have believed in His name and accepted His forgiveness.  But to those who have rejected Him, He will be the Scepter of Judgment and eternal death. 

Thank You for being the Scepter of Great Love and Mercy.  There is never any fear in approaching Your throne as You always stretch forth Your scepter of welcome and approval.  You then set it aside and bid me come as a little child into your embrace.  Even Your reprimands are done with great love and compassion.  You are the ultimate authority but Your rule is just and loving.