Saturday, December 26, 2009

In the beginning...

About the Alpha and the Omega
In this last week of 2009 I am preparing for a new year. I rather look ahead to a new and fresh beginning than pondering on the past, yet reflecting on and learning from this last year is certainly part of my meditation time this week. I have set some goals in the three main areas of my life (spirit, soul, and body), I am seeking God for a clear direction in 2010 and this morning I decided to begin reading the Bible from beginning to end again. It has been a while since I did this and I simply asked the Lord to give me fresh revelation on His word.

When I began reading Genesis 1:1, I was surprised to immediately receive a new insight. I must have read that scripture hundreds of times, maybe more and yet…
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. I have often wondered what ‘the beginning’ means, the beginning of what? The history of mankind? The beginning of time? The beginning of God’s order? This morning however I was reminded of what Jesus says in Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Jesus is the beginning! ‘The beginning’ is one of the ‘I am’s’ as found throughout the Bible. So, Genesis 1:1 basically reads: In Jesus God created the heavens and the earth. ‘The beginning’ is not a certain period in time, it is a reference to Jesus Himself! The simplicity of this insight blew me away. I received a simple, yet very profound thought that I found confirmed throughout the Bible. There are various scriptures that will back up the statement that everything was created in Him and for Him and through Him. Let me give you a few:

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made
(John 1:3)
By him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
(Colossians 1:16)
In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
(Hebrews 1:2)

I am absolutely delighted that
1) God answered my prayer right away
2) He showed me that this ancient beginning can be new, and
3) that His word is always fresh!

It is my wish that the coming New Year will be a fresh and new beginning for you in every possible way!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Divine appointment

The angel's promise differed greatly from political propaganda

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the most High God. The Lord God will make Him a king, as His ancestor David was, and He will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32-33)
Mary must have been stunned when she heard the words of the angel who visited her. A kingdom without end? That was certainly unheard of. The Middle East at that time had a violent history in which kingdoms rose and fell constantly. Yes, they had enjoyed years of peace and prosperity, but it never lasted longer than a lifetime. Change was always in the air and each time a ruler took over, the people eagerly awaited better times. Certainly this time things would lighten up.
The angel’s promise to Mary however, differed greatly from the political propaganda she had heard so often. He talked about someone who would become king because the Lord God would make Him king. This was not a matter of human performance, political strategy or violent conquest. The establishment of this new king was a matter of divine appointment. No wonder His reign would be of eternal nature and His kingdom could not be taken over by a rival.
The angel’s message was a prophecy of things to come. Mary carried the Kingdom seed in her womb, a small and humble beginning of something that would change the world forever. Through Yeshua, the Son of God, the Kingdom of Heaven came on earth and it has grown into the biggest Kingdom of all. Millions, yes, hundreds of millions of people are subject to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Surely, it will never end!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Children of light

We can do more than just shine...
With the left over turkey still in the refrigerator and a fresh cut Christmas tree in the back of my pick up truck I have entered the season of light. This month people from all kinds of languages, tribes and nations will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that He is the real light, the light that comes into the world and shines on all mankind (John 1:9)

I love light in all its beautiful forms; the sun, the moon, peaceful candlelight and even the sparkle in a child’s eye. The Bible teaches us many things about being light in a world that is getting darker. I absolutely love how the apostle Paul puts it in Ephesians 5:8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Now! Put some emphasis on the word 'now' and read it again. Now, we are called ‘light’, it is our new name, it is our new job, it is our new character. Light… as opposed to what we once were. Living as children of light is therefore not an option for the person who believes, it is an assignment! It shows the world that we have stepped from darkness into His marvelous light.
When we find out what pleases the Lord, we can do more than just shine, we will bring forth certain fruit! Our life will produce goodness, righteousness and truth!

Being children of light calls for a certain lifestyle, not just during the month of December, but always! Please, make sure you live not a day longer in darkness. You don't have to, no matter what the circumstances are! Make the decision to step from darkness into light. Whosoever believes that Jesus is the real light that came into the world will be able to say "now I am light in the Lord!