1) Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. (chorus)
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2) Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. (chorus)
3) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (chorus)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
LuAnne McNabb 1958-2009
I'd like to share a letter from my friend brother Darwin Benjamin at the passing of our mutual friend and sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. May it remind you to live every moment to the glory of the Lord!
"It is with great and exceeding joy and humility that I write to you in regards to my sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. I deeply apologize that I could not physically be with you, but know I am with you in spirit! I've asked my good friend Pastor Ed Han to represent me and my family by reading this short letter.
First, my condolences to the family, but please don't despair, rather celebrate that LuAnne is with her Lord. What God has done, no one can reverse. Honor her life with change by growing closer to Jesus. Let your light shine in these dark times to influence someone else for God's glory!
The Scripture says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8). Now I know we all have drama in our lives and weakness, but there is strength at the Cross, in the Word, and through Jesus! When I think of Sister LuAnne, one word comes to my mind "JOY!" That’s what she always portrayed to me, even in drama. Oh my!
We would get together and talk about what the Lord had done for us and in us. Then we would get to shouting and laughing and dancing, no matter where we were. And of course we both would cry! Man I loved that about her. She was one white lady who could fire me up for the Lord with her zeal. I could look into her face, for she was my biggest cheerleader in audience. Even if I stunk, she never let me know. She would say, “Brother I love your fire. I love hearing you preach and dance.” I hope she realizes she was preaching to me! Her laugh, her smile, her giggle and her voice when she sang was one who I feel was sincere, for she loved her Jesus. She knew what He did for her - she knew.
Unfortunately, we as people often judge people who are different from what we understand, not realizing that they are gifts from God to encourage and love others. For the gift God has given us is individuals like LuAnne, to build His kingdom. I thank God for my sister and what she personally did for me. She always expressed "Joy" to me, even when she didn't talk! I pray that you remember how she sparked your life, or at least tried to. And I pray that you will spread the joy of the Lord in remembrance of her life, and let’s finish what she was unable to complete! The Joy of the Lord is our strength! I for one will keep my joy and honor her life by influencing others! LuAnne, I’ll see you in heaven for eternity. I LOVE YOU MY SISTER! Rev."D"
P.S. Somebody please come to Jesus today, because even at her death, God is calling you to Life in Christ! Please don’t let this moment pass you by - LuAnne was prepared for death by receiving God's gift to the world, Jesus Christ who paid it all so you could have it all! Come!"
"It is with great and exceeding joy and humility that I write to you in regards to my sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. I deeply apologize that I could not physically be with you, but know I am with you in spirit! I've asked my good friend Pastor Ed Han to represent me and my family by reading this short letter.
First, my condolences to the family, but please don't despair, rather celebrate that LuAnne is with her Lord. What God has done, no one can reverse. Honor her life with change by growing closer to Jesus. Let your light shine in these dark times to influence someone else for God's glory!
The Scripture says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8). Now I know we all have drama in our lives and weakness, but there is strength at the Cross, in the Word, and through Jesus! When I think of Sister LuAnne, one word comes to my mind "JOY!" That’s what she always portrayed to me, even in drama. Oh my!
We would get together and talk about what the Lord had done for us and in us. Then we would get to shouting and laughing and dancing, no matter where we were. And of course we both would cry! Man I loved that about her. She was one white lady who could fire me up for the Lord with her zeal. I could look into her face, for she was my biggest cheerleader in audience. Even if I stunk, she never let me know. She would say, “Brother I love your fire. I love hearing you preach and dance.” I hope she realizes she was preaching to me! Her laugh, her smile, her giggle and her voice when she sang was one who I feel was sincere, for she loved her Jesus. She knew what He did for her - she knew.
Unfortunately, we as people often judge people who are different from what we understand, not realizing that they are gifts from God to encourage and love others. For the gift God has given us is individuals like LuAnne, to build His kingdom. I thank God for my sister and what she personally did for me. She always expressed "Joy" to me, even when she didn't talk! I pray that you remember how she sparked your life, or at least tried to. And I pray that you will spread the joy of the Lord in remembrance of her life, and let’s finish what she was unable to complete! The Joy of the Lord is our strength! I for one will keep my joy and honor her life by influencing others! LuAnne, I’ll see you in heaven for eternity. I LOVE YOU MY SISTER! Rev."D"
P.S. Somebody please come to Jesus today, because even at her death, God is calling you to Life in Christ! Please don’t let this moment pass you by - LuAnne was prepared for death by receiving God's gift to the world, Jesus Christ who paid it all so you could have it all! Come!"
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Being a Witness Where You Work
W – Your Work is your Witness & Worship
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Philippians 2:14-15 “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.”
I Timothy 4:16 “ Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you."
Philippians 1:27 “But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News.” conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel
O – Seek Opportunities to bless and encourage
Romans 8:14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
R – Redeem the time – Be productive. Use your time wisely
Ephesians 6:5 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.”
K – Let Kindness be your way of treating people
Ephesians 4:32; 5:2 “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you … Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.”
Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
John 12:32 “And when I (Jesus) am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself."
I – Intercede for those around you
I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
I Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
N – Let them see your New Nature – Even in trials
James 1:2 “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.”
G – Give first - faithfully and consistently
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
II Corinthians 9:7-9 “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
Monday, September 28, 2009
A New Mind
The very first word of the good new preached by Jesus was “Repent!” (Matthew 4:17). F. F. Bruce described repentance as involving a turning with contrition from sin to God. He said “The repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.) This is so true, but what we see of Biblical repentance has more to do with changing your mind, or way of thinking and understanding. We need a new mind!
Paul reminded us in I Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Our lives are filled with our own ways of thinking. We base our understanding of things on personal life experience, education and our emotions. By using this particular mode of thinking and judging, our perspective on life are limited and often flawed. If this is true, then the choices we make with this rational can turn out to be big mistakes. As a new man, I have the ability now to put on a new mind - the mind of Christ.
In Christ Jesus I have the opportunity to set aside my old way of thinking and begin to reason from Jesus’ own way of thinking. Paul again instructs us by saying, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Now, this is a process. Although we have newly revived spirits, it takes time and effort to change our way of thinking. We have two helpers. There is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, who now lives within our spirits, and we have the Word of God which comes to us from without through a variety of different ways.
My grandmother told me about Dutch spring cleaning. When she was a little girl, every spring the family would empty the house of everything – and I do mean everything. Then they would scrub the inside of the house from floor to ceiling, and every cupboard and corner. After this they would white wash paint the interior walls. Finally they cleaned everything they had taken outside the house, than brought them back in one by one. Now they brought in only the things that they were going to keep. These had to be useful and beneficial, for they lived very simple lives on that old Indiana farm. What didn’t come back into the house got trashed, given away or sold. Imaging if we let the Holy Spirit scrub our souls with the Word of God and give us a good “brain washing,” in a manner of speaking. That is to cleanse our thought life by the “washing of water by the word” (Eph.5:26). This includes clearing up confusing and misleading ideas even about who God is.
My wife’s grandparents also did something similarly in Ohio. She remembered that throughout the year they were very careful about what they brought into the house, because sooner or later they would have to deal with it. We must also continually guard our minds for thoughts and influences that we will later have to deal with.
If the air and the water are polluted and can have unhealthy effects on us, how much can our thoughts be polluted by the negative ungodly influences of this fallen world? My car radio is set on KYCC, KLOVE and 770AM. These are Christian music and Bible teaching stations that lift my spirit and help to fill my mind with godly thoughts. Still I have to judge and discern biblical truth from error in all of that, and not take it at face value.
It is my job to put on a right mind. “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on … an helmet, the hope of salvation” (I Thes. 5:8). God provides His Word to me. It is a protective helmet over the thoughts of my mind. But I must take it off the shelf and actively apply it to my life. Listen to it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Teach it. Live it!
Paul reminded us in I Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Our lives are filled with our own ways of thinking. We base our understanding of things on personal life experience, education and our emotions. By using this particular mode of thinking and judging, our perspective on life are limited and often flawed. If this is true, then the choices we make with this rational can turn out to be big mistakes. As a new man, I have the ability now to put on a new mind - the mind of Christ.
In Christ Jesus I have the opportunity to set aside my old way of thinking and begin to reason from Jesus’ own way of thinking. Paul again instructs us by saying, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Now, this is a process. Although we have newly revived spirits, it takes time and effort to change our way of thinking. We have two helpers. There is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, who now lives within our spirits, and we have the Word of God which comes to us from without through a variety of different ways.
My grandmother told me about Dutch spring cleaning. When she was a little girl, every spring the family would empty the house of everything – and I do mean everything. Then they would scrub the inside of the house from floor to ceiling, and every cupboard and corner. After this they would white wash paint the interior walls. Finally they cleaned everything they had taken outside the house, than brought them back in one by one. Now they brought in only the things that they were going to keep. These had to be useful and beneficial, for they lived very simple lives on that old Indiana farm. What didn’t come back into the house got trashed, given away or sold. Imaging if we let the Holy Spirit scrub our souls with the Word of God and give us a good “brain washing,” in a manner of speaking. That is to cleanse our thought life by the “washing of water by the word” (Eph.5:26). This includes clearing up confusing and misleading ideas even about who God is.
My wife’s grandparents also did something similarly in Ohio. She remembered that throughout the year they were very careful about what they brought into the house, because sooner or later they would have to deal with it. We must also continually guard our minds for thoughts and influences that we will later have to deal with.
If the air and the water are polluted and can have unhealthy effects on us, how much can our thoughts be polluted by the negative ungodly influences of this fallen world? My car radio is set on KYCC, KLOVE and 770AM. These are Christian music and Bible teaching stations that lift my spirit and help to fill my mind with godly thoughts. Still I have to judge and discern biblical truth from error in all of that, and not take it at face value.
It is my job to put on a right mind. “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on … an helmet, the hope of salvation” (I Thes. 5:8). God provides His Word to me. It is a protective helmet over the thoughts of my mind. But I must take it off the shelf and actively apply it to my life. Listen to it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Teach it. Live it!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Restricting God
Just one of the reasons why I love the teachings of Watchman Nee. From his book "The Release of the Spirit". Chapter V, The Church & God's Work. (Italics mine.)
"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.
God's Manifestation & God's Restriction
There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.
In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.
Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.
The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.
Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."
"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.
God's Manifestation & God's Restriction
There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.
In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.
Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.
The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.
Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Know No One
A friend told me the other day, “The reason people say ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ is because people judge books by their covers.” The statement is made of books, but more commonly of how people judge other people. I don’t know how you know people, but let me tell you, looks are deceiving. I don’t want to know you on the outside. I want to know you on the inside.
Paul gives this instruction, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh …” (II Corinthians 5:16). Created in the image of God, we are tri-part beings. As God is a trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, so we are spirits that have souls and live in bodies. Of those three components, the body of flesh is temporal, but the soul and spirit live forever. I see and acknowledge you in the flesh, but I don’t know you until I know your soul and spirit. This is one of the ways that the gift of discerning spirits operates. Not merely to distinguish between good and evil spirits, but to understand what is in the spirit of a man.
Our society puts a lot of stock into the outward appearance. It is not un-important to take care of your physical body and care for your appearance, but that is not the eternal you. The world obsesses over body image. Cosmetic plastic surgery, diet & exercise equipment sales number in the billions of dollars, while we are raising a Biblically illiterate generation. It’s time to make a serious investment in the spirit man, born again by the Spirit of God. This is the hour for an extreme makeover, soul edition!
“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)
Read, study, memorize, meditate and apply the Word of God to your life! Pray to, praise, worship and serve the Living God! Train yourself to be godly! That is true self improvement.
From this time on, I want to know the real you – the eternal you. When you die your body will go to the grave – earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. On that great resurrection morning you will dawn a new body, “not made with hands, eternal in the heavenly.” When I see you there, I may not recognize your “new suite,” but I will know your eternal soul & spirit. So take some time get to know yourself and others in a brand new way!
Paul gives this instruction, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh …” (II Corinthians 5:16). Created in the image of God, we are tri-part beings. As God is a trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, so we are spirits that have souls and live in bodies. Of those three components, the body of flesh is temporal, but the soul and spirit live forever. I see and acknowledge you in the flesh, but I don’t know you until I know your soul and spirit. This is one of the ways that the gift of discerning spirits operates. Not merely to distinguish between good and evil spirits, but to understand what is in the spirit of a man.
Our society puts a lot of stock into the outward appearance. It is not un-important to take care of your physical body and care for your appearance, but that is not the eternal you. The world obsesses over body image. Cosmetic plastic surgery, diet & exercise equipment sales number in the billions of dollars, while we are raising a Biblically illiterate generation. It’s time to make a serious investment in the spirit man, born again by the Spirit of God. This is the hour for an extreme makeover, soul edition!
“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)
Read, study, memorize, meditate and apply the Word of God to your life! Pray to, praise, worship and serve the Living God! Train yourself to be godly! That is true self improvement.
From this time on, I want to know the real you – the eternal you. When you die your body will go to the grave – earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. On that great resurrection morning you will dawn a new body, “not made with hands, eternal in the heavenly.” When I see you there, I may not recognize your “new suite,” but I will know your eternal soul & spirit. So take some time get to know yourself and others in a brand new way!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Prepare to Lose
Do you ever find yourself fighting for something? Be careful. In your struggle you may be fighting with God. If you ever find yourself wrestling with God, prepare to lose! For in absolute surrender you will win!
Jacob was a fighter. Jacob was a loser. His name means to usurp by treachery or force. He tried to live up to the reputation of his name, but never seemed to get ahead. Just about everything he touched turned to dust in his hand. He was a wrestler, a scrapper, a grappler. But he always seemed to be wrestling with the wrong opponent. Remember “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” At birth he grappled with his twin brother to be first born, and he lost. He wrestled and wrangled to secure the birth right and the blessing of his father by deceptive means. He thought he had won, but in truth he had lost precious relationships with his family as he fled from the wrath of his brother. Jacob met his match when he approached his uncle for the love of his life. This time he tried to do the right thing, but in his best effort was deceived, manipulated and controlled. And yet the greatest failure of his life was soon to come!
It was at the point where in order to return to his homeland he would have to make peace with his brother. Peace would come at the price of sacrificing everything. At the ford of Jabbok he left his wife and children on the other side, and proceeded alone. Jabbok means to be emptied by utter failure or loss. At this stage in his life he would have to risk everything to achieve restoration. Jacob was devastated. It seemed as if he was always striving for something, but could never quite pin it down – until that night, when he was all alone, he wrestled a Man.
Scripture is not clear whether Jacob was asleep or awake; in consciousness or in the spirit. The word “wrestle” implies to grapple and get dusty. This was the fight of his life. Bigger than the Thrilla’ in Manila - this was the all or nothing round! But this was a fight he could not win! At the point that he felt the victory slipping away, Jacob grabbed hold of the Man for dear life! The Man dislocated his hip, but Jacob would not let go without a blessing.
“What is your name?” the Man asked (Genesis 32:27). “Usurper’” Jacob said. “(Not anymore. From now on you will be called Israel) for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). Israel means GOD PREVAILS! A name change like this always implies a changed life. Jacob lost. God won! God would continue to win in Jacob’s life as he submitted himself to God's lordship.
Jacob called that place Peniel which means face to face with God. No longer was Jacob striving against God, but rather was redirected toward God. Although his hip was forever disjointed, his life was reset in right alignment with the will of God.
Stop fighting with everyone and everything in life. You are not wresting with stuff. You are wrestling with God. When you finally realize that you are grappling with God, GIVE UP! – and let Him realign your dislocated life.
Jacob was a fighter. Jacob was a loser. His name means to usurp by treachery or force. He tried to live up to the reputation of his name, but never seemed to get ahead. Just about everything he touched turned to dust in his hand. He was a wrestler, a scrapper, a grappler. But he always seemed to be wrestling with the wrong opponent. Remember “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” At birth he grappled with his twin brother to be first born, and he lost. He wrestled and wrangled to secure the birth right and the blessing of his father by deceptive means. He thought he had won, but in truth he had lost precious relationships with his family as he fled from the wrath of his brother. Jacob met his match when he approached his uncle for the love of his life. This time he tried to do the right thing, but in his best effort was deceived, manipulated and controlled. And yet the greatest failure of his life was soon to come!
It was at the point where in order to return to his homeland he would have to make peace with his brother. Peace would come at the price of sacrificing everything. At the ford of Jabbok he left his wife and children on the other side, and proceeded alone. Jabbok means to be emptied by utter failure or loss. At this stage in his life he would have to risk everything to achieve restoration. Jacob was devastated. It seemed as if he was always striving for something, but could never quite pin it down – until that night, when he was all alone, he wrestled a Man.
Scripture is not clear whether Jacob was asleep or awake; in consciousness or in the spirit. The word “wrestle” implies to grapple and get dusty. This was the fight of his life. Bigger than the Thrilla’ in Manila - this was the all or nothing round! But this was a fight he could not win! At the point that he felt the victory slipping away, Jacob grabbed hold of the Man for dear life! The Man dislocated his hip, but Jacob would not let go without a blessing.
“What is your name?” the Man asked (Genesis 32:27). “Usurper’” Jacob said. “(Not anymore. From now on you will be called Israel) for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). Israel means GOD PREVAILS! A name change like this always implies a changed life. Jacob lost. God won! God would continue to win in Jacob’s life as he submitted himself to God's lordship.
Jacob called that place Peniel which means face to face with God. No longer was Jacob striving against God, but rather was redirected toward God. Although his hip was forever disjointed, his life was reset in right alignment with the will of God.
Stop fighting with everyone and everything in life. You are not wresting with stuff. You are wrestling with God. When you finally realize that you are grappling with God, GIVE UP! – and let Him realign your dislocated life.
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