- Details
- Written by: Don Goulding
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
A tentacled, razor fanged, bioluminescent creature lunged at its prey in the midnight-black ocean, five miles below the reach of sunlight. Less than ten percent of the fantastic life forms at these depths have ever been seen or cataloged by humans. Jesus has authority over it all.
2.7 million light years from earth, nebula NGC 604 blazes 200 gigantic stars that cause wisps of gaseous cotton candy to fluoresce with blue-green luminance, across 1,500 light years of space. Jesus has authority over it all.
“Hello Mike,” Gabriel greets Archangel Michael in a voice that booms with the crashing of a thousand waves. The two hover among otherworldly creatures so radiant a bold earthling would wet himself in their presence. Jesus has authority over it all.
The authority of Jesus isn’t some future event, he is sovereign now. From the bottom of the sea to celestial beings in every dimension, our Messiah reigns. His throne is the seat of governance and supremacy.
Jesus shares his authority with us for discipleship, baptism, and teaching. These are his specific mandates to us, and he hasn’t sent us out powerless or alone. We go with his Spirit. The same anointing that rules heaven is available for me to help others on earth.
Now is not the time for cowering before self-centeredness. It’s the time for rising up in the authority of Christ to reach his broken world.
Prayer: Mighty Jesus, may I live in your authority.
- Details
- Written by: Don Goulding
For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)
Many years ago Dani was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. More recently she underwent another MRI scan and the doctor called to discuss the results. There was no sign of the disease as recorded on previous tests. The mailed copy of the report confirmed this, and we were torn between celebration and confusion over the continuing symptoms.
About three days later, a second report arrived. The first result applied to the neck and the second to the brain, where the disease showed itself plainly. I was ecstatic with the first diagnosis, and grieved by the second.
I’m a chameleon that changes moods according to the events in my life. God tries to mature my fickleness. “Don’t change colors to blend with the pleasures or the problems of the world. Adapt to the blessedness you have for eternity.”
But it’s difficult to adapt to blessedness while I’m down here fighting my way through the jungle. What I need is a bird’s eye view of my situation. Looking down on my tiny life, I comprehend trials in the context of paradise. God doesn’t cause pain, he uses it for refinement, and he limits it to but a few of the years on my unending timeline. All that said, I still don’t like suffering now, but I will later because of the gains it brings.
If I’ve sworn allegiance to Jesus, then glory is the backdrop for my life. It is my unchanging reality. I need to keep my attitude locked on the razzle-dazzle-gold of eternity.
Prayer: Everlasting Father, help me adapt my mood to forever with you.
- Details
- Written by: Don Goulding
The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 (NETFull)
As missionaries in the South Pacific islands, one of our most rewarding ministries happened on Saturdays. We regularly took a dozen abuse survivors and their babies to a favorite swimming hole. Sparkling water tumbled through the jungle, and emptied into an emerald pool shaded by ropy banyan trees. From there, the mountain stream eased over a glassy lip and dropped fifty feet where it roared into another pool.
Children squealed with laughter, and their mothers played in God’s healing nature. We were privileged to serve this restorative ministry.
That tropical field trip destination is a reminder of how God’s love works. I don’t love other people with my own resources, but rather with God’s love, that briefly swirls through me before it is replaced afresh.
The upper pool never looked down on the next basin to decide if it was a worthy recipient. It couldn’t help but dump into whatever was beside it. In the same way, I can’t choose with whom I share God’s love. The person the Lord puts near me becomes the target of my overabundance. They may or may not receive it well. They might be already clogged with bitterness. Yet, God’s love rushing through me must spill mercy in their direction.
In fact, if I’m not loving others, it can mean only one thing—I’m not receiving God’s love.
Prayer: God of love, pour right through my life.