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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Encouragement

  • Beautiful Feet – The responsibility and blessing of gospel proclamation

    Beautiful Feet – The responsibility and blessing of gospel proclamation

    Mount Baker

    One of the things I enjoy about living in Abbotsford is that  we have mountains on three sides of us. From almost anywhere in the community, I can see mountains.

    Some people find mountains boring because “they never change,” but I think they need to open their eyes. I find them fascinating. The view of the mountains constantly changes with the season and even moment by moment. Differing weather patterns highlight or hide vistas, and the changing light of day changes their color.

    The dominant mountain view is Mount Baker, which is to the southeast of us in Washington State. Sometimes, when the weather is right, you can even see the steam coming from a vent on this glacier-covered volcano.

    When I looked at it yesterday, a familiar bible passage came to mind.

    Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness , who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  Isaiah 52:6-7 ESV

    The idea of beautiful feet might seem strange today, but it made a lot of sense in the days of watchmen in towers. The watchman could see a messenger running towards them from a great distance. I can imagine one racing towards the king’s palace, running full out, feet flying, eagerly looking forward to telling of victory on the battlefield or other good news. What an incredible sight indeed.

    Isaiah goes on to share the prophecy about the good news of the Messiah to come.

    The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Isaiah 52:7-15 ESV

    There is no more powerful message, no greater news to those who would hear that Jesus has come to set us free. In Isaiah’s day, the Messiah had yet to appear but was promised by God, who cannot lie. Today we know that the Christ has been, died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. We are saved and waiting for His return.

    What wonderful news, indeed.

    May you be the one with beautiful feet to tell someone about the Lord who will redeem them if they trust in Him by faith.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word
    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

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  • In Between – Born again and glory

    In Between – Born again and glory

    Two large cliffs with the text "In Between" in the air

    Christmas is over unless you are a member of an Orthodox Church; in that case, it won’t come until January 7th. There may still be turkey to eat and undecorating to happen, but for most of us, Christmas 2024 is in the past.

    We’re in the nebulous period in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It’s a time when people easily get confused about what day it is, and calendars get confused.

    People are starting to gear up for their favorite New Year’s Eve activity. For some, it will be big parties; for others, it will be a quiet night at home. I used to enjoy the New Year’s Eve gatherings at “the cowboy church,” where we would gather for an evening of games and snacks and ring the New Year in with communion.

    It’s also a time of reflection. Many will reflect on their resolutions from last year, some of which will be successful and some of which will fail. Most resolutions last only a few days. Other people will be thinking ahead to the changes they want to make for the New Year.

    I don’t tend to make resolutions. If I were to make one, it would be more like Christ. That, of course, is an ongoing process guided by the Holy Spirit.

    …and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV

    God alone saves us. God transforms us. He redeems and shapes us to spend eternity in His presence. We are betweeb being born again and home in glory.

    There are Christian disciplines that can help us be readily available for Him to mold us. There is prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, worship attendance, giving, service, and more.

    I seldom miss a Sunday of worship, and thanks to technology, if I do, I can at least catch up on the sermon. It isn’t the same as attending in person, but it helps. My prayer life can always use work. Fasting is something I have done periodically but never regularly. Tithing is part of our lifestyle, and we both serve at the local church.

    Now, let’s be clear: none of those things earns me extra merit with God. We are saved by grace and not by works. All of us are sinners saved by grace and works in process.

    The other discipline I am reasonably consistent with is Bible reading. I don’t do it every day, but I try to read the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation at least once a year. That’s on top of whatever other reading I do.

    I will be reading in the HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible) this coming year. It’s a solid translation, not my favorite, but I’d have no issues recommending it to others.

    By changing translations each time I read through, I gain fresh perspectives. It forces me to actually read what’s on the page, not what I am used to seeing.

    I confess to cheating. I started yesterday as I had finished last year’s reading already. I try to be diligent in my reading, but I don’t give up if I miss a day or two. I pick up where I left off and continue.

    There are plenty of Bible reading pans out there. I usually read front to back, but some do the New Testament and then the Old, others read chronologically, and still others have designated passages in both the Old and New for each day. It doesn’t matter which plan you choose; pick one and stick to it.

    What are your plans for the coming year? Are you planning on reading the Scriptures in 2025? What plan do you use? Is there a time or place that you find helpful to read? What translation will you use this year? Have you done it before? Let me know, let’s all encourage one another.

    What are you doing in between?

    Kevin

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