IMPRINTS #3

Since the creation of this world, there has been an undeniable imprint upon the people of God.  Regardless of circumstances or the evil which tries to rear its ugly head …

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. 
With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.  2 Chronicles 32:7-8(NKJV) (also Read 2 Kings 18:16-2 Kings 19:1-19)

Battles are waged every day.  They are physical, mental or spiritual and mostly all three woven within each other. Regardless of the intensity of these battles the Lord God is with us and the enemy only has an arm of flesh.   In 2 Chronicles chapter 32 and 2 Kings chapters 18-19; Hezekiah makes a decision and that is to trust in the one true God who is mighty to save.  The King of Assyria endeavored to pose a great threat against King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem. 

Hezekiah prepared physically for battle but he knew the real strength would come only through the Lord God and he knew the enemy could not stand against the one true God.  Hezekiah literally takes a letter that the King of Assyria wrote against the Lord God and spreads it out before God; a powerful imprint or encounter transpires as he states his case before the Lord (Isaiah 43:25-26).  Unstoppable faith arises and the prophet of the Lord (Isaiah) pays him a visit and confirms; because he prayed and sought God Almighty, He (God) heard and according to 2 Kings 19:35-37 … on a certain night an angel of the Lord went into the camp and killed the Assyria army.  Then the kings own sons killed Sennacherib (the Assyrian King) while he worshipped a foreign god (idol).

I am sure this was one imprint that King Hezekiah never forgot!

The same one true God Almighty is willing and able to go to battle for us…PTL!

IMPRINTS part #2

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Genesis 2:18(NKJV)

Wow, the Lord knew Adam would be lonely and He created all these animals for Adam to care for, nurture and keep him company but none would be found comparable to Adam.  So the Lord pays Adam a holy visitation and an imprint is brought into his life which I am sure he never forgot!  You see a true imprint can never be washed away or forgotten.

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 
Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said:      “This is now bone of my bones     And flesh of my flesh;     She shall be called Woman,     Because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:21-23(NKJV)

Then God Himself performs the first wedding ceremony!!

V 24-25 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

From the very beginning of time the Lord instituted a covenant that affects us all in one way or another.  Whether we are the off-spring of this covenant or we are married.  Nothing will ever remove the marriage union, not man, Politian or times.  The Lord set forth this covenant and no amount of man’s doings will ever abolish it.  Oh, yes they will try but I am telling you it will endure.  You see even in Biblical times those people tried to pervert it but Jesus said;

Mark 10:3-9(NKJV)
And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”
They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.”
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 
But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’  
‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 
and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 
Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Things appear dark out there in regards to marriages; it is time to turn our hearts back and reestablish solid foundations for marriages to be built upon and take part in a Holy union that is a reflection of Jesus Christ and the Bride…that is without spot or wrinkle!

To be cont’d…imprints



IMPRINTS

I would define an imprint as; a deep undeniable encounter, THAT IS FOREVER ECTHED IN YOUR MIND.  Those Kodak moments par say good or bad that take up permanent residence.  Webster partly defines “imprint” as to fix firmly in the mind, a lasting influence or effect[i].

Of course I would absolutely prefer to only have those good moments be highlighted in the store house of my mind.  For now let’s just focus on the good.  What are the imprints in your mind that you can recall every so clearly even from childhood?  What is your favorite imprint?

I remember the first time Dan ever kissed me and the “imprint” that it left.  I remember the place, the time and what I was wearing.  Like yesterday I recall him gently placing his hand on the back of my neck and thinking he is messing up my hair.  As we said our vows on our wedding day I know the exact moment he said “I do” and the thoughts that raced through my mind. 

Not only do we have “physical imprints”; we also have “spiritual imprints”.  The first time I realized the Lord was speaking to me I had just dropped my youngest daughter off at pre-school.  I returned home, sat down in the rocker recliner and proceeded to do my devotions.  At this time in my life I was diligently seeking the Lord so desiring to grow spiritually but frustrated that I just did know what to do next.  I began to pray and said; “Lord I am not leaving this chair until I hear from you”.  Wow - the Lord paid me a visit that day and a journey began as He taught me the Holy Word (Bible).  You see I did not have a mentor to show me or teach me how to live for God so the Lord told me what to look up in Bible and gave me understanding of that scripture.  That “imprint” or encounter forever changed my life as a young wife and mother…but it did not stop there.

Since summer has hit I have neglected my blog (sorry) I will try to do better even if sunshine and waterfront is calling my name!

We will be taking a look at some Biblical examples of “imprints”…so check back, until then try to recall the most impacting “imprint” of your life and how it shaped your life.

A true imprint can never be washed away! 

[i] Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus. Nichols Publishing Group, 1999.,421

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LEFT BEHIND

After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.  Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Luke 2:43-46(NLT)

Have you ever wondered as a parent how is it possible that Joseph and Mary left Jesus behind?  After all they were entrusted to raise and look after the Son of God. They of all the couples living on the earth at that time were chosen by God for a reason.  The Bible calls Joseph a righteous man (Matthew 1:19) and Mary was called highly favored one and blessed among women (Luke 1:28).

There was a time in my life as we raised our daughters where I did wonder about this scripture; thinking how is it possible that they lost track of Jesus and He was left behind.

There was a season when Dan and I drove to church in separate cars because of the different responsibilities of serving at church and the time frames involved.  Our daughters would sometimes ride to church with one of us then ride home with the other parent.  After one of our daughters was left behind twice at church we had to make a rule that was unbreakable.  Whoever you rode to church with – you will ride home with and no exception to the rule.  It was a 15 minute drive home from church and a 15 minute drive back and this was before cell phones so thank God for a very patient and understanding Sunday school teacher.

Before this issue of Jesus being left behind the Bible tells us in Luke 2:39-40(NLT), When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.  There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. 

Notice, Joseph and Mary fulfilled the requirement of the law of the Lord, they had lived their lives holy before the Lord and raised Jesus according to the Word.

We are given a promise in Psalms 112; if we live “rightly” it will carry promise for our children.

I encourage you to read this passage slowly and mediate on the message of what our responsibility is and if we live accordingly, what the outcome will be.

Psalms 112:1-10(NLT)
    Praise the LORD!   How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealth, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously      and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.  They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

And here is another promise we can count on:

Psalms 92:13-15(NLT)
    For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.
    They will declare, “The LORD is just!      He is my rock!     There is no evil in him!”

Joseph and Mary are great example of Godly parents for the Bible says:

Luke 2:46-52(NLT)
Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 
All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 
His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 
But they didn’t understand what he meant. 
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. 
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. 

If by accident one of your children were “left behind”, what would they be found doing?