Lifting the Veil

Sunday our pastor was preaching from Matthew's account of Jesus being transfigured on the mountain.  As he showed the comparison between the event with Jesus and when Moses was on the mountain meeting with God, one thing jumped out at me.  When Moses came down from the mountain his face was glowing and they asked him to wear a veil to shield their eyes from the glory of God radiating from his face, but Jesus did not wear a veil.  I think the Israelites were afraid to look at Moses because they knew that no one could see the full glory of God and be able to live, so they were afraid this reflection of God's glory could possibly be deadly as well!  But when Jesus radiates (not just reflects) glory, it is uncovered, and he says to those with him, "Do not fear."

Saturday I was at a wedding.  There is a tradition at some weddings where the bride will cover her face with a veil and it is only at the end of the wedding, after the marriage promises have been made, that her husband lifts the veil to reveal her full beauty.  I feel like this also ties in to what I am about to share with you.

Last night I was watching videos of Sean Feucht and the revivals taking place all across the country as he leads what is called, "Let Us Worship" and thousands of people show up to pray and worship Jesus. Ever since the beginning of the pandemic I've been praying for these hard times to lead into a revival.  The last pandemic that happened was in the late 60's.  At that time there were also protests and riots centering around racism and inequality, and there were divisions and protests over the Vietnam war.  That's also when many people turned to Christ in the "Jesus Movement".  Seeing the similarities to the times we are living in now, I have been believing for a similar movement of God, for a revival to happen in our nation and around the world.

Then I woke up in the middle of the night last night with this verse on my mind, "We, with unveiled faces, reflect the glory of the Lord," (2 Corinthians 3:18) and I had been dreaming about people turning their hearts over to God. I knew the verse was connected to people being saved. It is only when we fully reflect Jesus that people will see God's glory and turn to him with their whole hearts.  As I returned to sleep, I had one question on my mind and I drowsily asked God, "How do we remove the veil?  What are the 'veils' that are keeping us from reflecting Christ to the world?"

I didn't receive an answer yet.  But maybe that's a question each one of us needs to ask ourselves.  How am I veiling the Lord's glory?  How am I hiding the wonder and amazement and goodness of God?  How can I shine the light of God to those around me?  How can I share hope and truth and freedom with others?  I know you've noticed just how desperately our world needs Jesus.  If you are ready to lean into this truth, and ready to embrace the ministry of glory that God has given to every one who has faith in Him, then I encourage you to read the verses below and to really let it sink in.  

2 Corinthians 3 (v. 7 & 8) Even the ministry that was characterized by chiseled letters on stone tablets [the 10 Commandments] came with a dazzling measure of glory, though it produced death. The Israelites couldn’t bear to gaze on the glowing face of Moses because of the radiant splendor shining from his countenance—a glory destined to fade away. Yet how much more radiant is this new and glorious ministry of the Spirit that shines from us!

 
(v. 11 - 13) The fading ministry came with a portion of glory, but now we embrace the unfading ministry of a permanent impartation of glory. So then, with this amazing hope living in us, we step out in freedom and boldness to speak the truth. We are not like Moses, who used a veil to hide the glory to keep the Israelites from staring at him as it faded away.  But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.

(v.18) We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

(Ch. 4 v. 1-6) Now, it’s because of God’s mercy that we have been entrusted with the privilege of this new covenant ministry. And we will not quit or faint with weariness. We reject every shameful cover-up and refuse to resort to cunning trickery or distorting the Word of God. Instead, we open up our souls to you by presenting the truth to everyone’s conscience in the sight and presence of God. Even if our gospel message is veiled, it is only veiled to those who are perishing, for their minds have been blinded by the god of this age, leaving them in unbelief. Their blindness keeps them from seeing the dayspring light of the wonderful news of the glory of Jesus Christ, who is the divine image of God. We don’t preach ourselves, but rather the lordship of Jesus Christ, for we are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said,

“Let brilliant light shine out of darkness,” is the one who has cascaded his light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ.  

(The Passion Translation)

I will say, that if we are mirrors, mirrors can only reflect that which is in front of them.  You can only be a reflection of Christ through continually keeping Christ in front of you.  Spend time with Jesus.  Gaze into his face.  Watch the light of Christ dawn brighter and brighter in you and share this glory and goodness with others.  Let the veil be lifted!

God Bless You,

Lisa

Shut Their Mouths

 You are probably familiar with the account of Daniel in the lion's den.  Daniel was a man who loved God and was determined to be faithful to God, no matter what the consequences were.  When he was set up to be put to death, for remaining faithful and praying to God, things did not look good for him.  Events and onlookers would have never thought there was any way out for him.  This was the end of him.  He was finished.  Those lions were hungry and Daniel was going to be their next meal.  

I can imagine Daniel being led to this hole in the ground, inside of which the lions were kept, and from which there was no escape.  I think the soldiers who were tasked with leading the prisoners to their death sentence didn't even want to get close to the lions, for fear of their own lives being lost.  We're told they "threw" Daniel into the lion's den, and those soldiers are sure that is the last they will see of him.  Those lions are going to tear him into pieces and even fight over the pieces while they're at it.

Are you aware that there are circumstances and situations in your life right now that the enemy of your soul, the devil, has meant to be the end of you.  These things are meant to trip or trap you.  The devil wants to tear you apart, spiritually.  Paul also painted a picture of the devil as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  The enemy wants to attack and seize your peace. He wants to devour your faith.  He wants to tear into your righteousness.  He wants to slice into you and mutilate you so you think the Word of God can't reach you.

But God.

God had another plan.  

God was not absent.

Before Daniel ever approached the lion's den, God had already placed an angel there.  An angel with the power and authority to completely close the mouths of the lions.  I've seen artistic interpretations of this scene where Daniel snuggles up to the lions and sleeps comfortably like with a tame kitty.  I think maybe this isn't what it looked like at all.  Those lions wanted to eat Daniel.  I think their mouths may have been closed but their eyes were fixed on what they wanted to be their next meal. They may have circled and paced around Daniel all night.  Daniel saw the hunger and desire in their eyes, but sat untouched by them.  

Those circumstances and situations that the enemy has meant for your harm and destruction?  God being with you does not mean those situations will vanish, but it does mean that they cannot devour you!  Your heavenly Father has sent angels to guard and protect you.  It reminds me of what Moses told the people in Exodus 14 (when surrounded by inescapable doom): 

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Daniel may have slept peacefully, in spite of the lion's hungry eyes and hot breath, knowing that the God who shut the lion's mouth would never leave him. The king who was responsible for the law that committed Daniel to death did not sleep well that night.  Before the soldiers threw Daniel in, the king said what could be considered a prayer, "May your God rescue you!"  So he did know something about God, and at the first light of morning he went to the lion's den, anxious to see if Daniel was alive.  IF he was alive?  How could anyone be alive?  Obviously this king was already familiar with what Daniel's God could do.  And in fact he said, "has your God, the LIVING GOD, been able to rescue you?"  

"And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God."

If you feel like you are staring at circumstances right now that are going to tear you apart, I want to tell you that the living, almighty, powerful God has already gone before you. You may have to stand and see those hungry eyes and feel that hot, stale lion breath, and you may spend a night in the dark of the lion's den, but you will come out.  You will come out of the lion's den in one piece. If you trust in God.  That's how we get through these situations.  We must trust.

I found this page with several verses about trusting God with our battles.  You may be encouraged to read these verses too:  https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_battle_is_not_yours

God Bless You,

Lisa

Nothing is Impossible

Sometimes, the emotion that hits me is shock.  Going along, everything is fine, and then I go to do something that seems normal, like telling my son he needs to go to bed, but I am made aware that nothing is normal right now.  My son has no real reason to go to bed, except for the fact that I don't want him to get used to staying up all night.  Even though his school, like so many others, has shut down for 6 weeks, I hope he is going to go back to school sometime!  And none of us have any reason to go to bed, because work is only from home, if at all, as we are under a "stay at home" order.  And I think to myself, "Is this really my life right now?"  I just can't believe it.  How did everything change so much, so quickly?

In case you are reading this sometime in the future, we are dealing with the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic.  In a mere one month, I have seen things happen and changes take place that I never would have ever dreamed were possible.  Schools shut down, businesses like restaurants, gyms, theaters and more all forced to close.  Public parks and spaces closed.  People panic buying all the household goods out of every store around.  No gathering of more than 10 people allowed.  Birthday parties, graduations, weddings, funerals, even gathering at church, all illegal.   If you had told me a month ago that this much would change this fast, I wouldn't have believed you.  And yet, here we are.

So, if what seemed impossible a month ago, is not only possible but unfolding right in front of our eyes, what does this mean for our faith?  Faith tells me that God can do the impossible, for nothing is impossible with God!  What are those things you haven't even bothered to pray about, because you think they can never change?  Those people or situations that seem "too far gone" and yet, there is a seed of faith inside of you that wonders...  what if?  What if that person's life could be turned totally around?  What if that sickness could be healed?  What if that relationship could be restored?  What if those tormenting thoughts could be banished forever?  What if that addiction could be totally broken?  What if fear could be completely gone?  What if there was no longer any debt?  What if that business could be amazingly successful?  What if a large portion of our community came to Christ?  What if people didn't "play church" but became radical followers of Christ?  What if [insert dream] really did come true?

I challenge you right now to look at the world around you & realize that God is more powerful than a pandemic!  As we pray for an end to this virus, imagine how much of your life and the lives of those around you could change if we began to pray and ask God for more!  Let shock point you back to the God of all the universe.  Let your eyes remind your faith: nothing is impossible.  Dust off your dreams, fire up your faith, and begin to believe.  Ask God to reignite your heart and give you new dreams to ask him for.  Stop trying to figure out what God can or can't do.  If we only ask God for what is "possible" then we have put him in far too small of a box.  Bring to God everything and everyone on your heart and believe for the miracles you need.  Keep praying, keep believing, and you will be amazed at what God does.

God Bless You,
Lisa