Thursday, 11 December 2008

not to be messed with

ADVENT TWO

Numbers 22:21-35; Luke 1:5-25

Symbols of holiness

Brightness of robes and face

            Fire and flames

                        Drawn sword

                                    Defying description

                                                Trumpet like voice

When God moves to move you, pay attention!!! The angels He sends with His messages are holy precisely because they have come from a holy place with a holy commission – to relate His purpose to, if only we could believe it, a holy people; yes that’s us.

Here are some things we each need to consider about what is going on when angels bring messages from the Throne Room. 

Their message is serious

This is because the Lord of Hosts is serious about making contact with us, about the significance of revelation and response; thus:

            this message is not to be ignored

                        nor is it to be explained away as wishful thinking or self-deceit

                                    even less is it to be rejected as having little or no value 

Their message is sometimes warning and always promise

            Warning         to change from a direction of rebellion to obedience

                                                to avoid (or turn aside from) danger or error

                                                            to prepare for, or flee from, judgement

            Promises         that God is involved and that He will act

                                                that God’s purpose is always to save and restore

                                                            that God’s purpose will never fail

Their message requires response

NB “No Reply” is not a recognisable option; to refuse to respond is to refuse the message and thereby to refuse not just the messenger but the Sender.

Any message from God, whether by angels, a prompting of the Spirit, or in a word received in prayer or reading demands a “yes”

            amazingly, a “no” is possible as our Father gives the freedom to choose

but know this, once you become aware of a call from God you will answer one way of the other

What’s God’s message to you, His calling on your life?

What’s your answer? By the way, “maybe” is only a provisional “no”

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