Thy Kingdom Come

Scripture

Revelation 21: 4 “He [God] will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever”.

 

Observation

When time ends and eternity begins, a new set of rules will begin to take affect. Heaven will come to earth. No longer will the nations be ruled by sinful man but the world will be overseen by the Father himself. Satan and his minions will forever be cast aside and no longer have affect on the human race and upon the creation. Because of that, there will be no more sorrow or death or pain because God will remove the very source of these effects that sin has had upon creation. The old world and all its evils will be removed forever and a new one will replace it.

 

Application

How I long to see this day fully come. The pain of humanity is overwhelming to witness. Death, destruction, war, famine, poverty, excess… all continually conspire to enhance the depravity of our current situation. But Jesus has called me to be a light in a dark place and to help others see that the Father has prepared a place for this new scene to become a reality for them. And it begins now… in the current gloom, in the current environment. My role is as an Ambassador of this coming reality and to offer invitations for others to come and join.

 

Prayer

Father, may many more people come to their senses and see that this world is passing away and that a hand is extending toward them from heaven itself for their rescue. Please help make blind eyes see, death ears hear, hard hearts melt. Make my life more resilient and determined toward my duty as an Ambassador of your kingdom so that I may see the harvest brought into your storehouse.

 

Jim Jung

Take Note!

Scripture

Revelation 16:15 “Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed”.

 

Observation

John is witnessing the end of times and through his vision he paints an awful scene of plagues and disasters. It appears that throughout these terrible times humankind is still encouraged to call out to God and turn from their wicked ways, but repentance isn’t seen. Nothing seems to turn evil to its knees in acknowledgement of the Creator. In the midst of all of this turmoil are the believers. They too are witnessing and suffering the times of trial. But God reminds them to be ready for His return. Don’t be suckered into self-preservation and doubt, but be ready, be watchful, understand the times.

 

Application

Jesus himself is warning me to “Take Note”. I must keep my life prepared for His return. In spite of what I see around me, in spite of the turmoil and impending disasters, He is telling me to keep my life on alert and my heart pure. Time is short, Jesus is coming again soon – I mustn’t lose sight of that. I need to Take Note of His words and become more watchful.

 

Prayer

Jesus, I know that time is short and that you’re return is imminent. I need to live a more watchful life. You call me to Take Note, I cannot claim ignorance, I recognise the times we live and therefore my life needs to be at the ready for your return. I don’t want to be caught naked and ashamed.  I also want as many of my fellow Aussies to be ready as well and so it is important for me to live the life you have called me to in order for them to also Take Note.

 

Jim Jung

Where do you come from?

John 19: 8 - 10

 

 

S -  When Pilate heard this; he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

 

O – Pilate realises he is questioning no ordinary person. No doubt he had interrogated many men and those that may have purported to have power and influence. He asks the question’ where do you come from?’ I don’t think Pilate was asking Jesus for his address or country of origin. I feel he sensed that there was something different about Jesus and his origin. His answers, his demeanor were bringing awareness to Pilate that Jesus didn’t fit the norm. Something was causing him to question and even believe he was from a different place. Jesus was in no hurry to answer him. He left Pilate in his contemplation and wondering.

 

A – I need to remind myself of the answer to this question. I have the benefit of revelation and the Word to know that Jesus has come from another place. He has come from a different Kingdom to bring the message and power of that Kingdom not just into the world around me but also into my personal world. There are solutions for the problems and crises in my personal world, communities and the world around me. As a planet that is under siege, with uncertainty and confusion I need help from a higher authority, help from a greater world that has the ability to address my needs and the world that I live in. I know that Jesus has come from that different Kingdom and he has experience in bring­ing light into darkness, life into barrenness, and order out of chaos. I need to have that refreshed before me particularly at this Christmas season. I know he comes from a different place.

P – Lord I ask at this time to let the answer to this question be powerful in my experience and expression. Thank you that you have come from another place that is outside of my own chaos and confusion. It is a place of order and cohesion and you came to bring it into both my own world and the world around me.

Appointed

Scripture

John 3: 27 “John replied, “God in heaven appoints each person’s work”.

 

Observation

John knew what he was here to do. God had appointed a specific task for his life to achieve and as he went about doing it he was fulfilled. His disciples began to question John about their level of popularity against the newly emerging Jesus. If John hadn’t understood his appointed purpose, he could have very easily fallen into the trap of jealousy and competition but he clearly knew that Jesus was to increase more and more, his purpose had been to prepare the way.

 

Application

I know what I am here to do. My job is to prepare pathways for people to travel toward a stronger relationship with Christ and to equip them for the harvest. I am a builder. As I work toward fulfilling what Christ has appointed me to do I am fulfilled. When I attempt to emulate others outside of what God has asked me to do, it is then that I begin to feel competitive and jealous if I don’t appear to be as successful as them. Contentment and peace come when I rest in Christ and work as I’ve been appointed.

 

Prayer

Father, thankyou for giving me a purpose. Thank you for carving a niche for my life within your Kingdom that you have appointed me to fulfil. Give me clarity each day as I build the section of the wall that you have given me responsibility to oversee. May I be faithful in what you hand me to do. May I never compare or compete but may I rejoice with the gift you have personally appointed me to fulfil. In Jesus name I ask, amen.  

 

Jim Jung

Nothing but Grace

S –    2 Timothy 1:9

 

‘……who has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of His purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ before the beginning of time’

 

O -    Paul exhorts Timothy in this powerful and basic alignment in his life, to embrace the understanding of being saved by the Lord’s grace and the calling to a Holy life. There is nothing that we have done or can take any confidence in. We know that Timothy was a very gifted person and we see how Paul has both encouraged and empowered him in that. It seems there was no rebuke or correction in this focus. It was a message of life perspective and truth. I’m sure Timothy had done and would continue to do some great things. These things though talented and gifted were not to be the focus of his energy or his life fulfilment. Paul wants him to understand clearly that from an eternal perspective it is only and everything to do with grace. It is from this perspective that it commands a response – a calling to a holy life. The source and dispenser of this grace of course is Jesus. Paul wanted Timothy to be commanded in the way he lived by this reality. It was not to be a casual thought or just another reference point in the midst of his busyness and self effort. Jesus has been the carrier of his grace before the beginning of time.

 

A -    How easy for me to let grace just be another religious word in my Christian vocabulary. It seems the more I understand the depth and longevity of grace the loader the call becomes for me to live a holy life. When I devalue it or believe that I have something to do with my eternal outcome then it lessens its command into my life. Comparing the grace that has been extended to me and my own efforts and activities, is like the difference and distance between two planets. I know in my inner thoughts the value and importance I can place on what I have or feel I’ve achieved. It seems though the more I allow these things to resound in my heart and focus the quieter the call to lead a holy life. Eternal alignment has nothing to do with what I have done. This needs to be a constant corrector and statement in my spirit. It’s only as I allow that to happen, then the magnitude and significance of the lord’s grace commands a greater response and awe in as to how I live.

 

P -    Lord thank you for your grace that you purposed for me before the beginning of time. Let this reality come with continuing freshness into my life and responses. I don’t want your grace to be just another word in my vocabulary, but rather a reality that commands the way I view and live my life.

One way - Jesus

Scripture:  1 Tim 2:4-6 “[God} wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.  For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God & humanity – the man Christ Jesus.  He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”

 

Observation:  This scripture is clear – Jesus IS the only way to the Father!!  Yet, contrary to popular belief, this statement of “exclusivity” (in the world’s understanding) is sandwiched between two other very clear statements -  firstly, that the Father desires ALL men to be saved and understand how that can occur, and, secondly,  that the cost to achieve this goal was huge – Jesus’ death.  There is nothing “exclusive” or discriminatory in these words – quite the opposite – they are, in fact, most inclusive and all-embracing!

 

Application:  How the enemy has twisted the world’s perception of the Father’s heart and intent in the plan for Jesus to be the only way through which mankind can be saved.  As a believer, then, I have to fearlessly declare this truth, but declare it in such a way that, simultaneously, the love of the Father in this act of salvation is declared It is the Father’s heart of love for His creation that will draw hearts to Him.  Baldly declaring the dire consequences of rejecting Christ – though not to be ignored – is not the way to attract the Pre-Christian.  Showing Christ’s love through deed & word, couching the truth in the midst of the God’s love – is the way.

 

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thankyou that you drew me by your love to the foot of the cross.  Thankyou that You have given me understanding of my need for surrender only to Christ.  I long to help others come into that understanding, too.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

comm unity

Scripture

Ephesians 4: 2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”.

 

Observation

Unity is a powerful force. Nature shows us this when we see a cyclone on the ocean. All of the elements of nature are working in the same direction to create what we are seeing. One of the elements can’t decide to sit on the sidelines! The wind couldn’t just forfeit the event and let the ocean do it all by itself. Relationships, teams, human endeavours also work on the same principle. To have unity takes effort from every participant. Paul says humility, gentleness, love, effort and peace are the ingredients that every person needs to bring in order for there to be unity. And the Holy Spirit works amongst those who bring these attitudes to the table to make it work.

 

Application

Actually I can achieve tremendous amounts of unity if I’m totally on my own!! But God calls me to live in community and therefore I need to constantly learn to submit to the ingredients of humility, gentleness, patience and peace to make unity the outcome. I wonder how often I’m the ingredient in a relationship or a team that is trying to forfeit correct involvement or passively sit on the sidelines pretending that my inaction isn’t affecting anything? Probably more than I’d like to admit. Unity takes effort, but nothing good is achieved without effort!

 

Prayer

Lord thankyou for your effort towards me. My efforts of unity often have a selfish motivation which I try to justify through hard work or overwhelming amounts of activity. But you see through these. You call me to put effort into humility, gentleness, patience, and to put up with difficult people and situations with love and acceptance. Help me to be more consistent in achieving that. I need to get this right if I’m to live in comm unity.

 

Jim Jung

Convinced and Confident

S –      Romans 15:14

 

‘I myself am convinced my brothers that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.’

 

O -       In this statement Paul is showing his heart and conviction towards his brethren. It is a statement of great affirmation and confidence he has towards them. His conviction is that they don’t have just some goodness but they re full of goodness, complete in knowledge, and competent to instruct. In reading this it would seem they are the perfect church or the perfect group of disciples. Either that or Paul was the perfect teacher and leader who had brought these brethren to this high level of competency and his confidence. I don’t think though it was either. I see it as a faith and revelation statement that Paul was declaring and choosing to stand in the way he related and believed in his brethren. He was choosing to be convinced of these attributes and then seeing them thru his confidence that the power of God was equipping and bringing them to the place to fulfill calling and purpose. Paul had purposely chosen to major on what God was doing in his brethren, rather than to focus on what He was not doing. He chose to look for and empower the good and potential rather than look for the weaknesses and faults.

 

A -       How I need to keep this powerful perspective with the Brethren. How easy it is to look at weaknesses rather than the presence and goodness of God on a person’s life. How easy it is for me to get discouraged at where I think people are not at, rather than empower and affirm what God is doing and taking them. Paul was convinced with his brethren. This was more than just giving them the benefit of the doubt. He saw they were full of goodness, complete in knowledge. I need to have different eyes for people. I need to look more for the presence and gifts that God has deposited in them, not to be distracted or focused on the weaknesses. This confidence is why Paul was able to achieve so much in his ministry. He really loved and appreciated those around him. This challenges me to have more awareness and appreciation for those around me. This appreciation not to be on the basis of what they can do for me, but rather what has been placed within them and their potential in God to fulfill purpose.

 

P -       Lord, how important are the people we journey with. Give me eyes that look for the good and completeness in people. Forgive me when I measure and judge through my own eyes and not see your presence and power at work.

 

 

Invisible cords

Scripture:  Romans 8:2  “And because you belong to him [Jesus], the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

 

Observation:  It’s done!!  I am free!!  Free to walk in power over sin.  Paul has spent the last few chapters explaining all this – but do I really get it?  It’s clearly a battle of the mind (7:23).  I am free.  The question is – do I really believe it?  If so – I will walk that way, in the power of the Spirit.  If not, I will continue to succumb to sin, even though in reality I am no longer bound by it!  Like being tied with my arms held down beside my body by invisible cords, unable to move ….cords that my mind seems to think are there, but no-one else – least of the Lord Himself – can see……because in truth He has removed them!!

 

Application:  This brings home to me afresh my responsibility to apply my faith in every area of my life – to know the Word & promises of my Lord well & declare them even when circumstances may appear to dictate otherwise.  To constantly be renewing my mind by filling it with “all that is good & noble….”,  filling it with Him & what He says about me as His child, and about His ability to either turn any unfavourable circumstances around or sustain me in the midst of them……but I must choose to believe!  It’s not making it so by the power of my mind.  It is already so.  I am free because I belong to Jesus.  So……walk in it!!!

 

Prayer:  Thankyou, dear Heavenly Father, that You have freed me from the power of sin that leads to death because I belong to you.  It’s a done deal!!  Wow!!  Lord, when I am tempted to act out of my old thinking, my unrenewed mind, help me to remember that any cords I think or feel are holding me helpless are invisible – not there - just a figment of my imagination….for Your guarantee is that You have already freed me!!  I ask for even greater revelation of this truth in my daily living.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen