I love when God gives you that kiss from heaven, the orchestration of divine appointments, letting you know that He has complete control of every part of your journey. And If we’re not careful we can nonchalantly shrug off these God moments with thinking they are just natural circumstances. Losing the incredible joy of knowing the creator of the universe loves you enough to wrap around your situation the warmth and comfort of the evidence of His love and value for you.
Now back to doctor Luke’s story in Luke 2:25-35 where he says there was a righteous man named Simeon who had yielded himself to the Holy Spirit which had led him to come to the temple. In verse 26 we read, “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ”. It was a divine set up! There in the temple comes Mary, Joseph and Jesus the Christ wrapped in probably her most beautiful covering. The moment that Simeon and the world had been waiting
Just when we feel things are over, God steps in with His touch and says “They are just Beginning”!
for is now upon them, with no dress rehearsal the camera of history is running. With no doubt to the readers we are convinced of the Holy Spirit’s working in that one place with and for so many people. But truthfully for the characters of this pivotal moment in time they could have brushed it off as just another day of longing in their lives. Yet, this day not only was fulfilling a promise to Simeon who was waiting in faith, but continued to confirm to Mary the words of God, that Gabriel had said nine months earlier, and also affirming to Joseph that his faith filled obedience was important and ordained by God.
It had now been 40 days since the birth of Jesus, the shepherds were now back tending the sheep in the fields and the excitement of the heavenly announcement had become news of yesterday. The hustle and bustle of this extraordinary season was transitioning into a way of life as this new family had already taken baby Jesus to be circumcised on the eighth day and now Mary and Joseph enter the temple on her completion of days of purification for the birth of a male child. (Lev 12:1-8) It is interesting to me that in the same length of time as the Holy Spirit had taken Jesus into
Our Life Struggles fade in light of His affirming Divine Kiss from Heaven
the wilderness for forty days before He was thrust into His earthly ministry of power, leading to His bodily sacrifice on the cross. We now see these 30 years earlier that the child Jesus has also been in waiting the same length of time for His dedication into the world as the glorious Savior with a sacrifice for Him in the Temple ceremony. (Lk. 2:24)
And “folks, that’s not all”! At that very moment, the scripture also points out, a widow named Anna who had been travailing for most of her adult life, possibly up to 84 years, in prayer and fasting, (Lk 2:36-38) Interceding in the temple for the spiritual birthing of the gift of God to the world. Who by the Hand of the Father’s fate was just brought in for His dedication for the world! (Jn. 3:16)
They all seemed to be assembled and brought together through divine means. God doesn’t just throw things together like we do in making “Everything but the kitchen sink” soup. Each of these characters had a unique story of personal hardship and struggle in their walk of faith. But God uses them as part of His gloriously orchestrated triumphant entry. It was in this moment that the world, as well as each of these characters experienced God’s divine kiss and assurance of His redeeming plan.
I heard a story about a little boy who was handed an orange by a man trying to be kind. The boy’s mother asked, “What do you say to the nice man?” The little boy thought and handed the orange back and said, “Peel it.”
There’s nothing like entering the stage of life where God blesses you with children. It is an incredible season, yet the transition between only having to worry about yourself to the wake up call of now having a baby that doesn’t understand patience and timing can be eye opening to say the least. I remember in that season how the nights that I was beyond tired was when our sweet cuddly bundle of love turned into a screaming creature from the dark side. That sweet little crying baby never understood anyone else’s needs, only that they wanted their bottle now and that you’re not moving fast enough!
The Scripture says whoever will come after Christ, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Christ. (Mk. 8:34) It doesn’t come easy or cheap, but the effects are life changing. Leonard Ravenhill declares, “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, GIVE ME REVIVAL in my soul and in my church and in my nation—or GIVE ME DEATH!”
I love when different ones identifying me as my father’s son. It immediately gives me an identity in our family as well as, there comes a comfort and sense of privilege when I represent by family name. That was a big part of the birthright we see in scripture. The first-born son would receive the authority and privilege of leading the family once the father would pass it down. It was a position of honor, prestige and authority but also carried the burden and weight of responsibility. Any place for arrogance and pride in this position would quickly be swallowed up by the demands that were on the person who would carry the fathers’ name.
We still chuckle about the times our family would go to reunions and be confronted by that one great aunt that would grab us by the cheek and say, “I remember when you…”. We would cringe in anticipation of what would come out of her mouth next. Usually it was memories that were not so flattering to us and more often they were ammunition for the cousins and siblings to use against us. I think everyone has that one relative in their life that keeps them humble of where they have came from to where they are now.
There’s nothing like codling your new born when they first come home from the hospital and they still smell so new. Starting the journey of parenthood can be an exhilarating time in ones life. My wife would wrap our children when they were in that infant stage and bring them to me, so I could feed them and love on them. Wow! There’s nothing like it!
I know that there are many individuals who like me grew up in Sunday school hearing and envisioning Peter the disciple who walked on the water and then the following week at the city pool we would try and mimic the Bible lesson as we took a step on the water. No matter how many times we sunk, we would keep trying again and again with no avail. There’s definitely something to be said about the raw undefiled faith of children.
Have you ever gone through a tough situation and cried for help and no one responded? It can be very discouraging. How about when you cry out to God and it seems He is not hearing you. You might feel a sense of despair and all alone.
Not only is the story of Abram fighting vultures away from his sacrifices captivating in Gen 15, but also has helped me in my walk with the Lord over the years. It demonstrates that we have a responsibility to keep our commitments to God as living sacrifices. This story in brief shows God revealing His promise to Abram through a covenant that both agree upon. Also in Deut. 7:9 Moses shares about God’s covenant, “Therefore know that … God (is) faithful … who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments”.
There is no greater exhilarating feeling than pushing yourself beyond the natural limit during the last seconds of a race. It’s as if every muscle and fiber in your body is working together to thrust forward to cross the finishing line first where with pulling off a victory.
Bill Virgin Blog - Leave room for Cream 