This is Arvell Craig with the Monday Morning Devo for April 27, 2015
When Jesus was approached to heal and hang out with Samaritans and Phoenicians he expressly said he was called only to the house of Israel. And though we know he responded to certain individuals who showed uncommon faith, in general we don’t see him or the disciples ministering to any people outside of Israel.
And then later in Acts 2, we see people from every nation and tongue receiving the Holy Spirit and later when the persecution arises and all the newly formed church leaves Judah they travels to multiple nations – we see that God is ushering his people into new territories and people groups who were once seemingly not in the plan.
The big idea I want to convey here is that seasons change. Or our understanding of Gods will and instructions change. Thus we need to walk with God daily. Listen and interact daily.
We need to know what God is saying and doing, not just hold on to what he said and did.
This can be thrilling and challenging, but either way, from how I read scripture it’s needed.
I know you think you know what God said once. But are you able to sense a new understanding that may seem the exact opposite of a previous one?
This is of course taking us back to the bigger subject of discernment and prayer. Which I’m personally returning to as a way of life, because I know it is critical.
I read the Bible and very clearly know that Jesus says one thing in one place and later one says something different.
This isn’t strange or contradictory to me. And so I need to have an active fresh and responsive nature in my life with any idea I sense from God.
Things change. Our understandings change. Our faithfulness, obedience or mistakes can initiate a change in direction. And it’s all good right?
We walk with God. The person. Daily. Not simply follow a divine principle through cultural, sinful or shades human lenses.
Yes, I follow and hold the Bible as ultimate truth. But I seek to know the person better. The scriptures lead us to a relationship with a person.
As Jesus says in John 5:39: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,”
I believe every word Jesus says, should keep us in touch with him. And whether he seems to change or our understanding seems to change – either way, we must continue to go back to him for understanding or a fresh word.
And as the Apostle Paul says in 1 Cor. 13:12 NLT: Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
This week I want to you to encourage you to simply hold fast the person, your savior Jesus Christ. No matter how things change, how you change, or circumstances change, hold on to him. Trust fully in Him.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father – thank you for your son, Jesus Christ. Our savior and our rock who is our corner stone. Help us to never get offended at you when we don’t understand you or the things that happen to us in our life. In Jesus Name Amen.