March 28, 2017

The advance man did his job well. He drew attention center stage, clearly made the introduction, and then stepped backstage into the shadows. Such was the work of John the baptist. 

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3.30) John wasn't about preserving a name and reputation for himself; he was all about introducing God's Messiah, and then letting His light shine brightly. We do well to do the same.

"He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3.34-36) 

Short and sweet, John's summary is spot on. Jesus speaks the word of God with the full authority of Yahweh God. He gives Holy Spirit from unlimited supply. Eternal life is determined by faith or rejection of Him. 

John's role is really our role. We're the advance team, preparing for the return of Christ. The focus must be on Him, not us. It's about the man, His message, and His mission. Absorb His words and teachings. Bask in the fullness of Spirit that He gives, and utilize that power to declare and demonstrate the gospel. Make known that faith or rejection determines future prospects of immortality and life in the kingdom.

Time is short, and the need urgent. May a force of John the baptists be unleashed today.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 21, 2017

Whether in good times or bad, there is one important overriding factor. It's stated numerous times in the thirty-ninth chapter of Genesis: "The LORD was with Joseph." Yahweh God was with him when he was sold as a slave by his brothers. When he became a servant in the household of an important Egyptian official. When he was tempted daily by this man's wife. When he was confined to prison. 

Especially outstanding to note is that "his master saw that the LORD was with him." (Genesis 39.3) Later, in prison, God "gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer." (Genesis 39.21) 

Would it be presumptuous to think that our Father's favor and presence would be upon us such that others notice? Obviously it is not without precedent. 

There have been numerous occasions in my life when circumstances could have turned out much differently. Things could have gone terribly wrong when instead they turned out well. People who could have strongly opposed me chose to favor me. Granted, God's presence doesn't necessarily put us on easy street. Some of His greatest work is done in our lives through adversity. Regardless, the promise remains: "the LORD was with him." 

In the adventure of this day, we can claim the same promise. Whether in prosperity or adversity, His presence remains. In fact, you have His Son's promise to back it up: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28.20)

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 14, 2017

I'm certainly not a botanist. Many people can quickly identify and name plant species. I sometimes have trouble distinguishing between plants and weeds. But, I would benefit spiritually from being a specific kind of botanist: "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!" (Luke 12.27-28) 

"Consider the lilies." Focus your attention on these beautiful wildflowers that appear for a time, and then quickly wither and are gathered to be burned. They have a brief, inherent beauty for which they do not labor. The point? Will our gracious Father not provide us with needed clothing? In fact, also "Consider the ravens" (Luke 12.24) whom God feeds. Will our Father also not put food on our tables? 

Ultimately, Jesus' great point is to prioritize the kingdom of God first (Luke 12.31). Personally, I found special joy and a greater awareness of this priority as I this morning prayed the model prayer, taught by Jesus: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." 

There is a place and priority for honest work (2 Thessalonians 3.10), but an obsessive drive that overrides the key kingdom priority is misguided and disobedient for the follower of Christ. 

May He gives us wisdom concerning our lifestyle, and freely direct our activities and priorities.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 7, 2017

An encounter with the Almighty can occur in the least likely of places. A man alone in the desert had an extraordinary nighttime encounter that changed the course of his life. "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.' "

My "Bethel" will always be a very old one-room schoolhouse in northern Ohio where I believe I once heard the audible voice of God. For others, it's a special place at a summer camp, a room in a house, an area in the woods, or a place and time on a boat. In fact, it would be interesting to hear about your special "Bethel," if you would care to take the time to share it. 

Fact is, we have a Father who is actively seeking to reach and touch us. There is abundant evidence in the Bible that He has done such, and actively is doing so today. It's not that we earn or deserve an encounter with Him; it's that He cares and loves us enough to do so. 

Now, the deceiver stands ready to offer a counterfeit encounter, so discernment is of the utmost importance. For Jacob, as recorded in Genesis 28, the encounter did not yield some new revelation, but rather was a personal affirmation of promises made to father Isaac and grandfather Abraham. The encounter was for the purpose of confirming that those promises were also his.

The adventure of this day just might be that we will also discover that "the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."

Praying that this is your discovery.
 
Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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