November 2018 – Page 2 of 2 – Sonshine's Journal

November 8, 2018

Who Am I? Who Are You?

Proverbs 26 “Who Am I? Who Are You?”

Jesus told a parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee, in his boasting, left his time of worship just as he came, unforgiven and unloved by God. The publican in his humility left his time of worship full of joy because the Father God saw his heart. This is where the intellectually wise and the simple fool part ways. If truth be told, sometimes we find ourselves wearing the shoes of one or the other.

We need discernment to decide the character of each before us. There is the Pharisee; loud, prideful and pushy who can’t see beyond their noses; speaking gracious words that belie what they really think. They are only wise in their own opinion. It is certain that there is more hope for a fool than them.

There is the publican graciously waiting his turn in the line of the faithful as Esther did. She waited patiently to seek the ear of the king and see the scepter extended her way.

The Father God sees it all.

He sees through the Pharisees words as evil deceit from a lying tongue and a flattering mouth—all of which will bring down their ruin. Beware of them. Like the rich man in Luke 16, their earthly pomposity will lead them to the eternal pit of hell where they will look over and see the humble, basking in Paradise.

Who Am I? Who are you? One day we will stand before the wisest king who will hand down his judgments. Ask God now to:

“Examine me O Lord and test me!

Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives.” Ps 26:2

November 6, 2018

All Alone

John 5 “All Alone”

all alone 2 john 5a

The movie “Home Alone” is about a child who somehow got left behind when the family set off on a vacation. No one was aware of his absence until they reached their destination – in Europe. The mishaps he went through brought lots of giggles. But in John 5 this is no laughing matter. The man at the pool of Bethsaida is “all alone.”

Jesus had been in Galilee but returned to Jerusalem for a Jewish feast. While there, he strolled through the five covered walkways near the pool as if he were looking for one person in particular. We don’t know if he had stopped there previously but today he was looking for this man who was “all alone.” Jesus does the same for us. He is looking, seeking and stops.

“Do you want to become well?”

“Do you want to be saved?”

“Do you want to live in heaven with God for eternity?”

Whatever situation you are facing, His questions penetrate the soul. He wants you to realize He is there. You are not alone.

All around him were others with family members, friends or someone but this man said “I..have no…one…” His heart wrenching statement reveals his desperate situation and causes Jesus to stop and reach out to him.

Do you feel you are all alone? Just as Jesus stopped to inquire about this man, Jesus stops to say you are not “alone.” I am here to meet your need. I will be with you and I will never leave you or forsake you.

November 3, 2018

Are You Revealing God’s Glory?

John 2 “Are you Revealing God’s Glory?”

john 2 water into wine2a

When there is a task that needs attending, do you do it half-way or all the way? Do you do it to reveal God’s glory or your own?

Jesus was an invited wedding guest to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. While there, Jesus’ mother noted a problem; the wine had run out. As a mother, her first thoughts were how to help, so she solicited the help from her #1 son just like many mothers would do. Note his answer: Woman, or as we might say, ma’am, why are you telling me about this problem? Yet because this was the perfect opportunity to reveal his glory, he left his merriment and sought to end this drama by producing the wine needed. He instantly changed the metabolic nature of the water into the finest of wines. And to be sure there no question as to what happened; He engaged the stewards or servants of to be His witnesses. He ordered them to fill the jars to the very top; then give some to the wine steward as evidence of the miracle which just happened.

The water became the finest of wines as noted by the steward. In this way, Jesus chose to demonstrate to his disciples a practical lesson and a spiritual lesson. The practical was when you see a need; meet it–whole-heartedly. The spiritual lesson was that in this way Jesus He revealed his glory—and his disciples believed in him.

When Jesus transforms he does it miraculously to reveal His glory. You may not do a task with a miracle, but when you fulfill a need which is out of the ordinary, you show God’s glory to others of His transforming power in your life.

Stop and think: whose glory are you seeking to reveal?

November 2, 2018

The Rabbi Messiah is Revealed

john 1 baptism2a Today’s reading is in John 1 “Rabbi Messiah is Revealed”

How often do we not “recognize” the Rabbi, the Creator God? We see the beauty of the changing leaves, the newly fallen snow, but we take it for granted. God gave us his marvelous creation but it was and is ignored. So then, He sent Moses and the Prophets, but they too were ignored. So, God sent John the Baptist to reveal His Blessed Son in full-blown flesh residing among men.

John testified, “This is the One!”

The news reverberated around Israel, so the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites in from Jerusalem to find this man they had heard about. They had been students of Moses and the Prophets but came seeking answers to their questions.

You can almost visualize the scene, can’t you?

Dressed in their flowing robes walking miles through the desert to find this man everyone was talking about. “Grumble, grumble, complain! Why are we out in this god-forsaken desert? Why doesn’t he come to the Temple?” When they found him, he was dressed in his camel-skin garment eating locusts and honey! On top of that, they saw him baptizing others in the River Jordan! “This is the man with the answers?” With eyes rolling, they stood on the riverbank and peppered him with questions:

Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet? Why are you baptizing?

John answered with one statement: I came baptizing with water so that he, the Rabbi Messiah God in the flesh, could be revealed to Israel.

Even John admitted that he did not recognize the flesh and blood Messiah either—UNTIL the Spirit of God revealed Him to him. But once revealed, he recognized and received Him! He then recalled the promise: to all who believe in the Rabbi Messiah’s name has been given the right to become a child of God.

He told the questioners: I am now a child of The True Rabbi Messiah—and you can be too!

Are you at the place of the questioners? Like John, you too may not have recognized the Messiah yet, BUT if you are willing to allow God’s Spirit to speak, He will answer all of your questions and He will reveal the Rabbi Messiah to you. Then if you receive Him you too will become a child of God.

It is just that simple! Recognize Him. Receive Him. He will reside in you!

November 1, 2018

Trust God …End of Discussion!

storm and mountain ps 125A Psalm 125 Trust God ..End of Discussion

Two principles: The Lord God carved out the seas and the mountains. He raised up and continues to raise up and put down kings or rulers. Some kings are like the sea; unpredictable. They ebb and flow like a sea; quiet one day and a raging fury another. Some kings are like mountains; predictable; steadfast and immovable.

We ask: so what…? Let’s see what God wants us to learn.

Illustration One. One day our life is calm as a quiet rhythm yet in a matter of minutes life can become a raging fury. If we choose to put our trust in the sea, we may find ourselves blown and tossed around by the water and wind. Our life becomes like a raging and furious storm which is uncontrollable and often produces devastating results. But the psalmist offers a simple but profound truth. If we trust in the Lord, we will not be like the sea that is unpredictable. Instead, we will be like Mount Zion, a picture of strength and endurance. Sunny or stormy, the sea is unpredictable. Sunny or stormy, the mountain stands firm and steadfast; it is predictable. Where will you put your trust?

Again another illustration. The wicked king seeks entrance into our beautiful land of peace. He comes with scepters to seek, kill and destroy. But if we trust in the Lord, we have His scepter, his double edge sword, which is stronger and mightier to fight off the “wicked king’s” wrath. Additionally, the Lord has a promise for those who choose to trust in Him. He will surround you and protect you with His mighty army so you can withstand any storm that the “wicked king” may design and seek to thrust upon you. You do not need to fear! Just trust in the Lord and you will be firm like the mountain.

Remember Elisha’s servant who was fearful as he saw the “wicked king’s” army? [2Kings 6] Elisha assured him, “Don’t be afraid, our side outnumbers them.” Elisha prayed; open my servant’s eyes to see the angelic forces surrounding us. And God will do that if you pray that same prayer. It is all about trust in the One who carved out the sea and the mountain; raises up and puts down kings.

The answer to the so what question: Stand strong like a mountain!

Month: November 2018