Temple visits - by Christo Jovner

 

Temple visits

We read about Joseph and Mary that brought Jesus to the temple to present Jesus to God according to their Jewish laws (Luk 2:22) Whilst at the temple, we read of a devout and just man by the name of Simeon - who received a promise from the Holy Spirit that, before he would die, he will see Jesus. “So he came by the Spirit into the temple.” (Luk 2:27) and took Jesus in his arms and say: “For my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luk 2:30). Also, whilst at the temple, there was a prophetess named Anna, who “served God with fastings and prayers night and day. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.” (Luk 2:37-38). 

Where did all this happened? At the temple - the place where God’s presence dwelled under the old covenant, but the same place where the temple curtain torn in two from top to bottom, when Jesus died, indicating that Jesus opened the way to the presence of God! 

The Bible also say that the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) and that the body of believers - the church - is the temple of God (Eph 2:21). 

All these refer to the temple of God in different ways. And although the building or the place where we worship is not important, as Jesus rightly indicated to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, what is important, is the gathering together of believers. The writer of Hebrews puts it like this: “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.” Heb 10:25

For us today, as New Testament believers, as individual temples of the Holy Spirit, as carriers of His presence, may this be an ever increasing revelation that shapes our daily lives. But also, I want to encourage you to join gatherings where the body of believers worship together. Because just as in the days of Jesus, God might just orchestrate divine appointments with devout and just men and women… God might just use a fellow believer to bring you an encouraging, uplifting prophetic word… and it might just be what you need going into your week…

Dreams and angel visitations - by Christo Jovner

 

Dreams & angel visitations

The New Testament opens with a burst of dreams and angelic visits. The events around Jesus’ birth were filled with people dreaming dreams, and angels appearing to them.

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. We read in Matt 1: 20-23: “God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus”

The wise men were warned in a dream. Matt 2:12 says: 12 “In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.”

Then we read in Matt 2:13 how Joseph was warned in a dream:  “God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him.”

While the Bible does not teach about dreams and angel visitations in any systematic manner, yet by citing dreams and angel visitations it validates their existence and used by God as a means of communicating to people.

Angels are messengers send from God, only under God’s command - not ours - Gabriel said of himself that he stands in the very presence of God (Luk 1:19)! They are also not to be worshipped - only God! The Bible also say that “Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!” Heb 13:2

Have you ever had a vivid dream that you know was from God? Perhaps you had the privilege of sensing an angel visiting you? This is all part of how God works in our lives - sometimes we don’t even know of danger situations that we were protected from. 

Today, we can rest assured that God will do whatever is needed to bring a message across - especially if it is an important one! Why? Because He cares for you! There is never a dull moment with God!

Holy Spirit - by Christo Jovner

 

Holy Spirit

We can image God the Father by comparing Him to a father figure, we can image Jesus who came as a human being to earth, as a man, so we can visualize Him as well.

But when it comes to the Holy Spirit, we read in the Scripture, that make reference to Him as a dove, as living water, as fire and as wind... it's sometimes not easy to image the Holy Spirit. So often the Holy Spirit is misunderstood, underrated, overlooked and caged in because we cannot get our heads wrapped around Him...

Perhaps it is a good thing, because many of us has indeed experienced the Holy Spirit in parculiar ways that cannot be explained... and that is good!

In short I want to perhaps dare to say that the Holy Spirit is the ever-present Power-Person of the Godhead!

From the time of the announcement of Jesus' birth, the Holy Spirit was mentioned to be present..."an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit" Matt 1:20 

An angel said to Mary:"The Holy Spirit will come upon you..." Luk 1:35 

Of Elizabeth and Zachariah, parents of John the baptist, it was said: "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." Luk 1:41 

"Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied" Luk 1:67 

Of Simeon who was righteous and devout person, it was said: "It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Luk 2:26 

John said that Jesus would "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" Matt 3:11 

When Jesus was baptized,  "the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight." Luk 3:22

The Holy Spirit was present during the creation: "the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water." Gen 1:2 

Like the time of Jesus' birth and ministry on earth the Holy Spirit is still present today - working in and through our lives. He wants to minister to you and through you. When you don't t understand his working, don't disregard it.

My prayer for us today is that we would make room for the Holy Spirit, that we would become acquainted with Him and that we would follow Him. He loves you!

Faith is the currency - by Christo Jovner

The unmuted Song of Zechariah

Benedictus, also called the Song of Zechariah, is a New Testament hymn of praise and thanksgiving sung by Zechariah, a Jewish priest of the line of Aaron, on the occasion of the circumcision and naming of his son, John (the baptist). In this song, Zechariah basically sung two prophesies - he sang-prophesied about salvation (Luk 1:68-75) and he sang-prophesied about John, his son, as the forerunner of Jesus (Luk 1:76-79). This song is rich in references to Old Testament prophecies that was to be fulfilled.

Leading up to this event, some months ago an angel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that they would have a child. Zechariah and his wife were well advanced in years and Zechariah asked for a sign from the angel that this will be true - and this was the answer from the angel: “you will be mute and not be able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” Luk 1:20. It was as if God didn’t want Zechariah to speak against these spoken words - so He pressed the mute button on Zechariah - because life and death are in the power of the tongue… 

Have you ever been in a place of unbelief? I have! The best thing to do, is to press the mute button on your mouth, so that the unbelieving thoughts don’t get chance to escape your mouth. It is easier said than done, I know. But faith is the currency in which believers in Christ operate, and faith comes by hearing words…  And it is faith that pleases God, not my cry over my situation or circumstance. 

So, perhaps, turn the unbelief in a song - like Zecharaih - unmute the unbelief with belief in the Mighty God that can do the impossible - and start to prophecy over your life the promises of God - even if it is only ”Blessed be the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

#words

#unbelief

#faith

#currency

Does my life count? - by Christo Jovner

 

Second Fiddle 

Second Fiddle means the one that plays a supporting or subservient role.

The origin of the phrase 'Play second fiddle' is derived from the orchestral role of Second Violin. This person leads the group of second violins (fiddles) who play a supportive role musically to the first violins which usually play the melody. 

Have you ever feel that you only play the second fiddle? Perhaps in life, in your work, at home, in your family?  

John, the baptist, was born in the same time period as Jesus, and of John was prophesied the following: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” Luk 1:76 (ESV). To me it sounds like John would play second fiddle to Jesus’ life melody. This was a fulfilled prophecy from Isa 40:3 “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (ESV). John even said this of himself in John 1:23 when he was confronted by priests and Levites from Jerusalem. 

Playing second fiddle in the kingdom of God meant that John said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt 3:2). 

It meant that John was baptising people, “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.” Matt 3:11-12 (MSG) 

It meant John said the following when he saw Jesus: “Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 

It meant that after trying to prevent Jesus to be baptised by him, Jesus said to him ““Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.” (Matt 3:15 MSG)

This was John’s life - he prepared the way for Jesus. And this same John was beheaded because of confronting Herod, the Roman king, with the truth. We can learn a lot from this second-fiddle-life of John.  

For me today, if it feels like my life is only playing a second fiddle, I want to say that that is also a melody - a worthy melody - a melody that others can hear and marvel at - a melody that others can hear Jesus in! Like John, let us make beautiful music unto the Lord with our lives - no matter what role we play in the orchestra of life.