“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
The wise men knew whom they sought; earlier in Matthew, they had come to Herod:
“Saying, where is He that is born
King of the Jews?”
Matthew 2:1-2
They had travelled a long distance to worship the ONE who was worthy of their journey and gifts. They did not come empty-handed, nor did they come nonchalantly. They came with great purpose and were not disappointed in beholding this newborn ONE called Jesus.
It is the religious who approach him casually, who greet Him with tepid hearts and indifference. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus into his house greeted Him with a lukewarm reception, while a woman of ill repute poured out her costliest possession upon Him. Jesus spoke to the Pharisee:
“He said to Simon, do you see this woman? I came into your house.
You did not give water for My feet, but she washed My feet with tears and wiped off with the hairs of her head.
You gave Me no kiss, but she from when I entered did not stop fervently kissing My feet.
You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with ointment.
For this reason, I say to you, her many sins are remitted, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, he loves little.”
Luke 7:44-47
Those who hold His presence within are aware of His mercy and forgiveness. They know deep within themselves the wonder of the brokenness of His unmerited mercy. The love and worship of Him will always be in corresponding measure to the knowledge of His forgiveness to us.
“…but to whom little is forgiven,
the same loveth little”
Luke 7:47
Brokenness is a grace adorning the hearts of all who live in the richness of His Mercy.
Related Article: Fervent in Spirit – Serving the Lord
The truest worship is a life;
All dreaming we resign;
We lay our offerings at Thy feet, —
Our lives, O God, are Thine !
John Weiss
Brian Troxel
Will You Take Off Your Clothes?
Matthew 21:7-8 (NKJV) 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
I was shown a vision this morning where I saw Jesus seated upon a donkey with the donkey’s lead hanging down waiting for someone to lead Him in. All around the donkey were pastors/ church leaders clothed in very ornate robes yet not one offered to humble themselves by removing his/her robe and lay it down for the donkey carrying Jesus to ride upon. These robe are indicative of social standing, education, etc. .
In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it says if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray. Note humility being the prerequisite of what follows.
For Jesus to come to a gathering of believers their mist first be a humbling of oneself that takes place beginning with the leader
George MacDonald (1824-1905):
“That man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and desires, without a glow or an aspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to Him, “Thou are my refuge.”
Faith is activated and expressed, and working through love (Galatians 5:6). God Himself Is Love (1 John 4:8,16), both Source and Supply.
God Is Our Refuge
Psalm 62:5-8 AMP
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
My fortress and my defense, I will not be shaken or discouraged.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
He is my rock of [unyielding] strength, my refuge is in God.
8Trust [confidently] in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him.
God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Lord, touch the hearts of your children that we may greatly desire to seek you and to persue you with all of our hearts, and to not be distracted while we walk the dust of this world, In Jesus’s name. Amen
Amen – a great prayer for a critical hour. The prayers birthed by His Spirit will always find their way to His Throne!
Blessings
BT