I Want to Help them All

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones." - Zechariah 13:7

Do you find that most of the time human intention is much stronger than human action? I do. The homeless need shelter and my heart bleeds for them. I want nothing more than to give them a place to stay where it is warm, with a pillow and perhaps a nice warm shower. The hungry need food. I want to take them all to the local grill and get them the biggest burger in the joint, followed up with a gift certificate for a year of free lunch. There are an unbelievable number of children in need of foster care or adoption. Just to be able to give them a home of love, a hug and a chance to grow up seems so simple. Intentions can only go so far before the human brain has to create the plan of implementation and put into place the work required to complete the mission. That's where most of us hit a wall.

Zechariah wrote this prophecy in the time around 500 BC. Here's the cool thing - God's words are endless and to demonstrate that He has a plan over an extended period of time He describes the exact event that will unfold. The partial fulfillment of this prophecy was in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night that Jesus was betrayed. The disciples that had walked with Jesus for the duration of His ministry were reacting with complete emotion as the guards entered the garden that evening. Their intention was to stay with Christ and defend Him, but their brain caused fear to overrule their good intentions and they scattered. The other scattering that has taken place is the scattering of God's "sheep" - the Jewish population. To be gathered back together with the return of the Messiah in the final days. There is historical evidence of the completion of God's plan in fulfilling this prophecy.

If we can look back and see this event played out precisely over the course of thousands of years, what would make us think that He doesn't have a plan for our life and for the next thousand years? The fact is that we do have visibility to that plan and it comes from the same source. The prophets represented in the last few weeks have also prophesied about our future. Examples from Ezekial, Isaiah, Daniel and John all paint a picture of what is to come. Unlike you and I, God's intentions are perfect and will be put into action at the perfect time, without delay. Be prepared and ready.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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A Stranger at the Table

"I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. " - Psalm 69:8

Here again we find the psalmist David, writing the words of a sufferer, but certainly referencing the coming Messiah as well. Yesterday, I pointed out the fact that Christ was hated by the masses and authority in His last days. Today, I wanted to take this one step farther. We find references to Christ being refused by his family, disciples and those closest to him.

How can this be? How could the disciples - Matthew, Peter, John and the others turn away from the man they had walked and lived with for those years? We see this prophecy fulfilled in John 7:5 and John 1:11. Then there is the often quoted scriptural reference to Peter denying Christ the night of His betrayal.

It really comes down to the motives and expectations of those around Christ at that time. Their history had told them that the King would come and re-establish Israel to it's proper place of strength. It was not that they didn't believe in Christ, but that they couldn't comprehend His purpose and His true place in God's plan. His brothers questioned His role by trying to place Him in the public's eyes where he would gain popularity and rise to King. His disciples continued to underestimate the authenticity and power of the man they were walking with. We see other times them trying to steer him clear of the masses, even the children. They all left His side in the Garden of Gethsemane. After His death on the cross, they converged to hiding in the upper room, unsure, confused and wondering what to do next. How could their King be killed. He was the chosen one of God.

Were these actions intentional or contrived to fulfill the prophecy? Of course not. These were predicted a thousand years before His birth and fulfilled through His life and those around Him, to once again demonstrate from God the Father just who Jesus Christ was. So tell me then, with all of these examples why does man still ask the question?

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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What Did I Do?

"Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal." - Psalm 69:4

The psalmist David, wrote these words of himself. Yet, in reading them, we find the words of our Lord and Savior.  Echoed in John 15:25, "They hated me without cause." In the scriptures the life of Jesus Christ is detailed as loving, helpful and merciful. His ministry lasted no more than 3 years. What we know of Him is that He taught those around him of God's love and peace. The world was in need of a Savior, and had been waiting patiently for the arrival of the Messiah. So, needing him and wanting him, what were they afraid of when He arrived?

Have you ever considered why Christ was so hated by the people of Israel? He entered Jerusalem a week before His death. He rode a donkey into the city amidst cheers and praises of glory and hallelujah. Within a week the masses were screaming "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" In that week, Christ had healed the sick, forgiven the sinful, restored life and challenged the authority of Jerusalem. It was this authority that knew the scriptures, the signs and what to expect; but also that felt threatened by Christ's message of salvation. As David writes in Psalm 69:4 – you could easily replace the words I am with  “Christ is forced to restore what he did not steal.”  The salvation of mankind was upon his shoulders and his shoulders alone.

In the last 2000 years what has changed? There are more that hate Christ today than ever, and for what reason? For His love of mankind or His merciful grace. He's done nothing against mankind that would cause hatred. Perhaps, it is similar to the authorities of that day. Christ does not meet the image that some people are looking for in a Savior or they feel convicted by His message, so they choose to deny him or hate him. The love of Christ is there for them though, just as it was for the masses and authorities in Jerusalem on that day. Remember, the most powerful apostle of Jesus Christ was Saul of Tarsus (also known as Paul). He hated Christ and Christians to the point of killing them, yet Christ's love and grace, once revealed to him, turned him into the most profound apostle of all time.

We live this life with the opportunity to rest in His grace, peace and love each and every day.  There are those that despite this opportunity; chose not to.  But make no mistake; there will come a day when all mankind will recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior.  In Philippians 2:10 Paul tells us, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”  I fear for those who have; through pride, arrogance and self righteousness; denied Him.  Life will be reconciled once and for all.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
For More Daily Thoughts: http://www.10minutereader.com

Unimaginable Love

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

Have you seen the movie The Passion of the Christ? It represents the final 24 hours of Christ's life. From the Garden of Gethsemane to the tomb, concluding in the resurrection of my Savior. There are glimpses of His past filtered throughout the movie to reveal the miraculous grace and glory that He brought from the Father above. Most would agree though that the graphic depiction of the brutal scourging He received as punishment from Pontius Pilot was horrifying and grotesque. I've seen interviews with Mel Gibson and James Caviezel commenting that the reality of the beating was critical to the authenticity of the movie, and they wanted to get it perfect. Through enormous research they determined the weapons and tools that would have been used to inflict the punishment, and the movie is as real as it gets. If you have not seen the movie, my brief description will not do it justice, but imagine his back, sides, arms and legs sliced deep with gashes in the flesh. Bone was visibly showing in many places, the blood pooling at his feet as he hung from shackles from the whipping stone in the center of the courtyard.

With this image in mind, can you understand Isaiah's prophecy foretelling of the Messiah's beatings? The Father above placed these words upon the lips of Isaiah 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Pontius Pilot executed the punishment which required his beating. Do you think Pontius Pilate was attempting to fulfill a prophecy in his decision?

The prison guards had to execute the punishment. Do you think they had knowledge of the prophecy from 700 years prior, and ensured to beat him beyond recognition to fulfill these prophecies?

After the beating, the people of Jerusalem demanded his crucifixion. Do you believe that the masses in Jerusalem conspired in order to fulfill the prophecy?

And finally the centurion who thrust the spear into Christ's side as He hung on the cross. Is it possible that this Roman warrior was familiar enough with the ancient prophecies and did this in order to fulfill it?

The obvious answers are that these events happened by the hand of God's planning such that prophecies would be fulfilled by Jesus Christ alone. Accepting this, we now look to the results that are promised to us. So what does the prophecy say about why the Messiah would endure this scourging? "... for our transgressions...for our iniquities...brought us peace...we are healed." Jesus Christ came so that we would be forgiven, healed and accepted by the Father, who was willing to let His own Son be crushed, beaten and killed (2 Corinth 5:21). That is the most unbelievable love that could ever be shown, and it was given for you.   The beating and crucifixion that Jesus Christ endured was a payment for our sins.  The punishment we rightfully deserve for our sinful nature was brutally inflicted on the Son of Man, so by believing in Him we can receive eternal life.

Knowing that God loves you this much there is nothing you have done or can do to deserve it, but it is given regardless. This is what is known as grace, and it is available to all of us if we are only willing to accept it. The denial of His love and grace, means you are denying the very sacrifice He made and thereby denying the results provided by that sacrifice.  If you have not made this choice, take time this Christmas to fully grasp the depth of this event in history and realize that He did it so you can experience eternity with Him in heaven.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
For additional Daily Thoughts, visit: http://www.10minutereader.com

What Did He Say?

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;... " - Isaiah 61:1-2(a)

This is an extremely powerful statement and prophecy to be fulfilled. I'm sure you have introduced yourself to someone in your life. Your introduction of yourself typically includes your name, perhaps where you work, what you do and references to relationships that might help the receiver to understand who you are. Perhaps something like this,

"Hi, my name is Rich Palmer. I work at Hewlett Packard in the server organization on technology strategies on the horizon. You know my dad - Jim Palmer, from Tecumseh; he speaks highly of you."

In this prophecy, Isaiah is speaking on behalf of the Messiah, foretelling of who he will be, and what he will do in a manner that the audience clearly understood what was to come. The careful use of words give us many points to think about. 1) "...the Lord has anointed me.." - Messiah means "Anointed One", so by making this statement Isaiah makes it clear that he is speaking on behalf of the Messiah in a prophetic manner. 2) "...preach good news to the poor." - priests were anointed to represent the service to the Lord, claiming to preach classifies the Messiah in the same category as the priests, the difference though is that the good news is not just for the upper echelon but for the poor as well. The implication is that the current priests were not reaching those that needed it the most. 3) "...bind up the brokenhearted...release from darkness..." - the Messiah will come to heal the sins of the people once and for all. 4) "and the day of vengeance of our God;" - God's revenge for sin of all time will come at the second coming of the Messiah, so we have to be aware that this prophecy is actually split across multiple events in time.

Now forward your calendar 700 years to Luke 4:16-21. Imagine the impact of standing in front of an audience of highly influential leaders of law and religion and introducing yourself by reading this scripture from the ancient scrolls. This is exactly what Jesus Christ did the very first time he was asked to preach in the synagogue. At the conclusion of his reading of the word, he carefully rolls the scroll back into place and makes the most profound statement, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Can you imagine the shock on the faces and the shouts of anger from those in attendance? I'm sure there were cries of "blasphemy, stone him"; "wait, isn't this Joseph the carpenter's son". They were blinded by their own knowledge at that time. Blinded to the point that they couldn't accept the claim made in their very presence. Put yourself in their shoes, could you have accepted it? Would you accept it if a man stood in the front of your church or synagogue this weekend and claimed the same? We are told that His return will be swift like a thief in the night and that His sheep will know Him. An introduction will not be necessary when He comes again.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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The Blind Will See

"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy... " - Isaiah 35:5-6a

Do you believe in miracles?

Everyday activities that are taken for granted or explained away as coincidence or luck are actually miracles given from our heavenly Father. It's amazing to me how many miracles take place every single day. The birth of a new child, sickness' are healed, the lost are saved and the hungry are fed. Bills that couldn't be paid are suddenly somehow manageable. The gas guage is below empty and there isn't a dollar or coin to be found in the car, yet there is enough gas to get home and back to the gas station the next day. Child slips and falls from the monkey bars landing on his back, yet there are no broken bones or internal damage. Christmas presents are unobtainable because of a lost job and someone leaves a bag of toys and a bicycle on the porch as a secret Santa. In your life think back and ask yourself where has God interjected His miraculous grace? Don't wave the little miracles off nonchalantly, look for them and thank God when they happen.

The proceeding verse (Isaiah 35:3-4) describes how God will come with a vengence and save His people. The prophecy in Isaiah 35:5-6 foretells that when God comes in the form of the Messiah, He will be bringing miracles along with salvation. Through-out the New Testament we find numerous miracles performed by the one Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father. There were certainly those that performed magic in those days as there are today. Some would look upon Jesus as nothing more than a magician until he began restoring life, healing the blind and the deaf, curing leopracy and healing the lame. Also note that in each situation He gave the glory and honor to the originator of life. This is one thing that differentiated him from the magicians and wizards of the time.

When John the Baptist was in prison he sent some of his disciples to verify that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. In Luke 7:20-22 we see the men coming to Jesus, asking if He is the One or if there will be another. He sends back word to John "...the blind recieve sight, the lame walk, those with leprocy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor." This simple statement fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 35:5-6, and separates Jesus from the magicians of the day to all that heard and witnessed His miracles.

Jesus Christ came to open the eyes of the blind and open the ears of the deaf, such that they might hear His words of salvation and fully experience the glory of the Lord as intended by God's original design. Do not let the worlds views blind your eyes or mute your ears from realizing His miracles in your daily life.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2010
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God's Love Continues

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." - Hosea 11:1

Who of you are fathers or mothers and would not do anything to save your child from harm? It is second to nothing in our hearts and minds when it comes to our role as loving parent. There have been times in my children's life when I have wanted to engage and save them from themselves through advice and counsel, only to have them venture down a path anyway. This in no way reduced the amount of love I have for them, if anything it intensified it as I sought more ways to influence and help them in their quest for life.

Why would the Lord be any different? His love for the children of Israel was deep, through generations and generations. Still as with any child, their disobedience was prevalent and contined to drive a more determined effort. You recall the love that God had for Israel as he destined them to multiply and to dwell in the promised land. Through the battles of David and the wealth and wisdom of Solomon, He continued to bless them. When they sought wickedness and evil in Sodom and Gomorrah, He loved them enough to allow Abraham to argue for their salvation. There are countless times the Lord has shown His love for his children despite their rebellious nature as Israel matured.

You recall when God, through Moses, called His children out of the bondage in Egypt. Despite their complaints and rebellion in the wilderness making and worshipping idols, He fed them. He brought them to the promised land, albeit many years later after Moses death. His love never wavered for His chosen people. This prophecy in Hosea bridges these examples of love from their history to God's love of the future.

You see the Messiah will come out of Egypt as well, breaking the bondage of sin in our lives. Through His life and death on the cross God's love was never more prevalent to His people than through the death of his son. This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 2:13-15. God sends and angel to alert Joseph and Mary to take Jesus to Egypt and escape death by Herod's mandate. Showing once again the deep love of His children and specifically His Son. Years later, Joseph and Mary return from Egypt with the Christ child to live in Nazareth from then on. Here again we find through God's prophetic word and His subsequent action the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in the one known as Jesus Christ.