Doug Norman
We are living in a dark and difficult hour. The prophet Amos spoke of a day when a famine of hearing God's Word would overtake the people. It seems as if we are living in such a time. Fortunately, God provides a formula for His people during such times. Joel 2:12-14 lays out a pattern of prayer and fasting followed by God responding with a great restoration!
The second chapter of Luke tells of the Christmas story. For the people of that day it seemed as if all hope was gone. No doubt everyone was pursuing a sense of security, peace, and hope. Right in the middle of this - a great secret of God was about to be revealed! But it was only a secret because so few were willing to look where God was!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to seek and to save that which was lost. The 15th chapter of Luke gives us three powerful illustrations of how God feels about sinners. This chapter provides hope for the lost and lessons for the church as to how we are to view those that are wayward.
There will always be a season in our life when we need renewed vision. The circumstances of life can cloud our vision and make it easy to lose focus of our purpose as followers of Christ. We need to have a fresh touch from Jesus to cause our eyes to be opened to His plans and purposes.
It is often that we learn our greatest lesson in the classroom of suffering, hardship, and trial. Hebrews 12:5 tells us not to despise nor grow weary when these seasons of difficulty happen. In fact, God uses them to form and fashion us for His glory!!!
There comes a time in the Christian's life when we are faced with an important decision. Will we walk in agreement with God? God's Word speaks of strength, yet I feel so weak. God's Word tells me I am an overcomer, yet I only see defeat. We must be willing to believe the report of the Lord and refuse every contrary report!
In John 14, Jesus speaks of a peace that His followers would enjoy in spite of the opposition from enemies. Paul speaks of a peace that passeth all understanding in Philippians 4:7, which means beyond human understanding (a peace that does not make sense). The Lord offers this peace to those who no longer play religious games and humbly set their heart to serve Him.
Genesis 4:26 declares, "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord." The family of Seth recognized their need and dependence on God while the descendants of Cain centered their lives around 'self-reliance.' Our culture has sadly followed the way of Cain, but it's time to recognize our deep need for God and to pray!
Jesus has declared that his house is to be a house of prayer. It is to be a place of unhindered worship and access to God. The early church devoted themselves to prayer and we see throughout the book of Acts - God's amazing responses! If ever the church needs to devote themselves to prayer once again, it's now!
In Acts 2:42, we see how the early Christians devoted themselves to the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This means they made these things their priority! Many of us today never fully give ourselves to anything - we often lead superficial lives. But God desires our churches to be places of fellowship that flow out of the walls of the church.
