In the early 1980s, when Ann and I first met with the Christian counselor (Chuck), I thought he would give us a quick fix and then we’d be on our way. I was training to be a pastor at the time and I wanted to get past the training and start my own church.
God had different ideas. ☺
After about 30 minutes of our first meeting with Chuck, he turned to me and said Ann was in the condition she was in because of me. Whoa. What did that mean?
For the next two years I found out how much I needed to grow in Jesus and that I needed to focus my attention on learning how to be a good husband and father. Needless to say, I (Ann was, too) was scared, confused, and stressed out. At the time, it seemed like a horrible situation. Why this, and why now?
Out of His love for us, God was trying to get our attention so He could transform our weakness by His mighty strength.
Now, I truly believe that times like these, where the enemy wants us to think it’s the end, are actually the times when God is just beginning to set us free. These times are so vital to our lives. They’re the situations God uses to bring us to Him, to His love, to His ways that bring true change (repentance) and times of refreshment into our lives.
Messanic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s reading today was so good that I wanted to share it with you. If you’re feeling like it’s the end in some area of your life, I want to strongly encourage you and tell you that these are the very times God uses to woo us to Him. These are the things that motivate us to make good changes in our lives so that we become more like Christ and enjoy the true life that only He can give us. Be courageous and be encouraged, precious people. God’s beginning to bring healing and health to you, and it’s wonderful.
The Stump Of Jesse
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn
In Isaiah 11, it’s prophesied that a shoot will spring forth from the root of Jesse. But the Hebrew is more explicit. It literally says, “a shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse.” The word is specifically about a tree which has been cut down. That’s a perfect description of Messiah. He came forth out of the fallen, cut off, and cast down Kingdom of David.
When it looked most hopeless, that’s when He was born out of it. That’s the way of Messiah and His blessings. He is born from the broken, the cut-down, the fallen, the unlikely, and the hopeless.
And that’s the way He’s born into our lives. It is when we are at our lowest points, when we have nothing to offer of our own, and everything seems impossible – that’s the root of Jesse, or rather, that’s the Stump of Jesse.
So don’t despair over the stumps in your life, or those things which have fallen, been cut down, or become hopeless. For out of such stumps are born the blessings, the presence, and the miracle, of Messiah!
Today’s Mission: Don’t despair over the stumps in your life, of that which has been cut off. Give thanks today to God in these as well and seek the life and miracle that God will bring forth.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8 KJV
When we were utterly helpless (That pretty much sums up where Ann and I were at when we first met with Chuck), Christ came at just the right time (did He ever) and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Thank You, God!).
Romans 5:6-8 NLT
God knows just what we all need throughout our lives. Just like when angels appeared to many in the Bible with a special, glorious purpose for their lives, the angels said, “Be not afraid.” We need not be afraid. We simply need to be willing when God begins a new, wonderful work in us. He works all things together for our good. Knowing that dispels fear and reminds us of His precious, fortifying promise to work for our good – in all things.
God bless,
Mark