"The God of Israel will be your reward" (Isa. 52:12).

Security from Yesterday. "God requireth that which is past." At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise from remembering the yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God's grace is apt to be checked by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them in order to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. God reminds us of the past lest we get into a shallow security in the present.

Security for Tomorrow. "For the Lord will go before you." This is a gracious revelation, that God will garrison where we have failed to. He will watch lest things trip us up again into like failure, as they assuredly would do if He were not our rereward. God's hand reaches back to the past and makes a clearing-house for conscience.

Security for Today. "For ye shall not go out with haste." As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, unremembering delight, nor with the flight of impulsive thoughtlessness, but with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ.

Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him.

—My Utmost For His Highest – Oswald Chambers

Pursue and Profess -- Matt. 9:28

Can I credibly profess love w/o evidential action?
When consumed by true adoration can I disguise intense affection?
Is devotion to a person wholly revealed only by actions?

While walking through His hometown [Matthew 9], Jesus caught the attention of a large number of people. Strolling through the densely populated town of Capernaum, this carpenter’s son from Nazareth…

1. Healed a paralytic man (vv. 6-7)

2. Confronted the entire local religious system (v. 3, 10-17, 33-34)

3. Called a [useless] tax collector into the ministry (v. 9)

4. Merely brought healing to a “free-bleeder” by the hem of his cloak (v. 19-22)

5. Healed yet another sick girl (vv. 23-26)

By the time Jesus exited from the heckling crowd surrounding the young girl that they mockingly assumed to be dead, he made his way to a local home. Many believed that he was entering into the house of Cephas [Peter], possibly for a meal and a break from the day’s activities. While coming into this dwelling two blind men addressed Jesus as “Son of David”, [Isa. 9:7] signifying their faith in His Messianic identity. This was the first address of this kind in the book of Matthew.

Why was Jesus so quick to heal the handicapped, confront the Pharisees, call a sinner into Kingdom service, stop a twelve-year bleeding, and even face a crowd of critics to bring a young lassie back to health?

Beyond that question; why did He seemed to ignore these two that screamed with such a targeted address [v. 27]? These two guys were compulsive and brash enough to follow this Messiah into a private home.

Concerning Jesus, do you require “seeing” before “believing”?

We know a great deal about Him and His claims.

Have you truly taken the courageous step through the door?

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7) If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.

Jesus allowed these two blind men to earnestly pursue and then profess Him. Was it necessary? Did Jesus ever do anything in vain? These men were seeking God’s mercy through the Messiah, and mercy they received.

Have you pursued Christ and will you profess Him when He asks you…

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

With Head and Heart,

Chad Carroway

Authentic Sovereignty -- Authentic Worship

Around 3 B.C., while living in the East (Arabia, Persia, etc.), some astrologers notice an epiphany in the celestials, something abnormal to say the least. A star had risen and was hovering over Palestine. After they consulted their writings, these Magi (wise men) set off on a pilgrimage, a faithful journey to find a newborn king.

Even at an early stage I ask...

1. Who was this king proclaimed by the stars?
2. Did Palestine have anything to do with this star and its position?
   
3. Why was finding him so important?
4. Upon what information did these men base their motive to take this voyage?
5. Would they need local help when they began to close in on this royal figure?

Taking a close look at Old Testament prophecy, one can find the sorcerer named Balaam quoting nearly 700 years prior to this event something fascinating...

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

Numbers 24:17 NIV

Upon arrival in Palestine, in the Religious Metropolis of Jerusalem, the Great King Herod (great in wickedness) is accessed by these men from the East. This consultation sets off a firestorm of jealousy, fear, and subsequent genocide.

After the traveling astrologers break free from the mad usurper-king, they are reunited with the star once again and are led directly to the house of the true King of the Jews -- the Christ Child who is named Jesus.

The wise men immediately brought forth praise of the King's royalty (Gold), gifts symbolizing divinity (incense), and spices that were the best for burial (myrrh). While reading about these men as they bowed, worshiped and laid forth the best they possessed, my mind reels.

God through His sovereign hand, took the ancient words of a pagan sorcerer, a star-like figure among the skies leading a caravan of secular astrologers, even throwing in a crazed ruler to perform His will.

God used these unlikely elements to draw the world to His Son. The Christ Child waits for you to visit His feet as did the faithful Magi. Remember that we only approach with an authentic attitude of worship as we offer unto Him the very best that we have as children should when approaching such a wonderful God and Father.

Merry Christmas,


Chad Carroway