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Be Blessed by Receiving Manifold Measures of Grace by Relating with God through the Lord's Appointed Times of Trumpets
Finding Significance by Relating with God through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
The trumpet (ram’s horn, or shofar) was also used to alarm the people and prepare them for battle. It, therefore, serves to arouse us and call us to arise in spiritual awakening! In addition, trumpets were used to proclaim the entry of a king. Therefore, we likewise boldly proclaim the LORD, Messiah Jesus King of the Universe, and honor His kingship and authority over all creation.
On the cross the LORD declared, “It is finished.” The finished work of Jesus permanently opened the door to GRACE and granted ACCESS to God’s greater capacity of life through the Holy Spirit! In Him we are reconciled to God for all our shortcomings. We are reminded, however, that Satan hasn’t given up the battle and his role of temptation and affliction. Hence, Jesus taught believers to pray, “lead us not into temptation.” Paul was diligent to remind the community of faith that we fight a very real spiritual battle, and to therefore, continue to “fight the good fight of the faith.” (1Timothy 6:12) We, therefore, continuously celebrate the inherent meaning of Trumpets as we allow the Holy Spirit to convict our hearts, confess revealed sins, and prepare our heart to wage spiritual warfare; fighting against temptations to sin, standing on God’s Word in faith, and receiving the LORD’s victory over the power of sin and death. Paul also reminded believers that having being reconciled to God, the LORD has given us the “ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18). We apply this ministry daily in our union with the LORD, endeavoring to be continuously reconciled—in alignment—with God and man. In such a way, we maintain peace with God and our fellow man.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
REFERENCES
Discovering God’s Purposes by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
The trumpet (ram’s horn, or shofar) was also used to issue a proclamation of a new order of kingdom business so all would hear loud and clear. God still speaks today and seeks those with hearts to receive His love, ears to hear and a conscience to trust and obey!
David kept a soft heart before God, and maintained a practice of self-examination to stay right with God. “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.” (Psalm 26:2 NKJV) For this same reason, Paul admonishes us to examine ourselves before participating in the Lord’s communion. “So let a person examine himself first, and then he may eat of the bread and drink from the cup; 29 for a person who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 JNT)
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE How do you maintain the discipline of self-examination? How do you allow the Holy Spirit to convict your heart so you can receive God's love and the grace of His mercy? In what ways do you allow the Holy Spirit to change your inner attitudes so you can come into compliance with God’s ways and by God’s grace, change outward behaviors? In what ways can you represent the LORD by boldly proclaiming His name?
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Receiving God’s Amazing Grace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
On one notable occasion, the Angel of the LORD instructed Joshua to have the priests sound the trumpets seven times—which would call the army of the Lord to fight the spiritual battle which would result in the walls of Jericho falling. We are still subject to the enemy of our soul; the powers of darkness opposing God’s plans for us, seeking to distract and derail us, rob us from the joy of God's love and entrap us daily. We, therefore, need to awaken to spiritual realities and hear God’s trumpet calling us to be alert, discerning and vigilant in resisting such strategies.
On the one hand, we celebrate His glorious triumph with genuine heartfelt praise and worship expressed from a truly grateful heart. We are also called to engage in spiritual warfare in order to walk successfully against the strategies of the powers of darkness, and benefit from the LORD’s foreordained victory.
Furthermore, we celebrate His triumph as we walk as free children of God exhibiting the fruits and gifts of the Spirit in serving one another in love and in His name.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE Are there additional ways you believe you can appropriate His victory in your life and celebrate His triumph? How do you engage in spiritual warfare?
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Responding in Faith to God’s Invitation of Life and Peace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
Paul taught the disciples more about waging spiritual warfare. He proclaimed, “For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; 4 because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 JNT) What are spiritual strongholds? They are spiritual fortresses founded on lies. They give place to demonic opposition of God’s truth and kingdom purposes. They keep us in tight places and traps, constraining us in subtle ways. They restrain our growth and freedom. We, therefore, have the opportunity to awaken in truth and confess lies we have believed, renounce them, and pull our minds and thoughts into compliance with God’s truth, obeying His Word in faith. Peter spoke more about the issue of demonic opposition, and provided this exhortation. “Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 JNT) James added more on the subject. “Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!” (James 4:8 JNT) The LORD defeated Satan and the authority of the powers of darkness on Calvary’s Cross. Satan, and his host of demons, however, are sore losers! They regain limited power as people agree with and subscribe to lies against the knowledge of God’s truth by maintaining prideful attitudes, pursuing lustful desires, and exalting vain images—the worship of idols. Revelation 12:11-12 addresses the issue and final outcome. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE How do you appropriate your “armor” daily in humility and faith, and engage in the LORD’s way of fighting spiritual battles? Do you have prayer and accountability partners to support you in fighting spiritual battles?
REFERENCES
Walking in Spiritual Reality by Relating with God through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
Peter’s life illustrates a great example of a life reclaimed and transformed. He was humbled, and allowed the LORD to impart in him a great grace gift. Extremely self-confident and often quick to talk, He thought he could never deny his friend and Savior. How quickly he did, though, just as the LORD had predicted. However, he allowed the Holy Spirit to convict his heart. He was then given the grace of redemption, and the opportunity to three times declare his true love for the LORD. After the LORD asked him three times, “do you love me,” Peter replied, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." (John 21:17 NKJV) Peter learned that the LORD really knew his heart. He received His love and surrendered to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He allowed the Holy Spirit to fill the gap in His heart. That empowered a real change in temperament and attitude: real transformation. He could, therefore, be entrusted with a large measure of authority and anointing of the Holy Spirit!
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE Are there times where you blame the devil or other people for your shortcomings, taking no responsibility for your own actions? Has the Holy Spirit been leading you to consider some things and beckoning you to settle the issue—and come to the understanding of God’s truth—which will make you free? Has the Holy Spirit been trying to convict you of any weaknesses or areas of pride or self indulgence? Has the Holy Spirit been leading you to repent for anything, and turn to God for His mercy—and way of grace?
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Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
Paul, like David, experienced the full spectrum of pain and joy. He knew suffering and shame, yet also knew the sweet taste of victory. He knew that experiencing victory and defeat worked to build character. He knew that in the LORD—either way—he lived in victory!
Embrace his exhortation regarding our triumph in the LORD.
As we realize His victories in our life, we mature in Christ and have the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to bring our character and nature into alignment—or congruency with Christ. Congruency is important because it measures our integrity, or state of wholeness in Christ. The more we are congruent with Christ, the more our character corresponds, or lines up with Christ, reflecting the one molded. This in essence is what being like Christ is all about. It relates to how God sees us; how our inner spirit aligns with His Holy Spirit. It also relates to how open and willing our conscience is to aligning with God’s ways and will. As we grow in trusting faith and character, we become less double-minded and more congruent or in sync with the LORD. This is why Elijah brought up the issue of being of two opinions; and James explained how being double-minded restrains God from answering prayers. Being imperfect beings, through GRACE, however, the LORD showers us with LOVINGKINDNESS and covers us in MERCY.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE Generally speaking, do you feel that you are living a victorious life, or is life overcoming you? In what additional ways could you perhaps receive His victory? Have you asked God what it will take for you to gain victory in the areas you need victory? In what areas might you still be double-minded; or need to settle the issue with God and/or in your heart and mind?
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Living Life in its Fullness by Relating with the Lord who is the Resurrection and the Life
The time of Trumpets serves as a reminder of who we herald and honor as King of kings and Lord of lords! It also reminds us of the importance of resisting His adversary the devil, being vigilant in spiritual warfare and diligent in growing in virtue, knowledge and the love of God.
He has accomplished more through His sacrificial blood than a single day of confession could ever possibly do! He defeated the enemy of our soul and won the battle over the power of sin and death. By the power and authority of His resurrection, all those who put their faith in Him are justified before God and delivered from His judgment into eternal life. To illustrate this point, the LORD raised a man, Lazarus, who had been in a tomb for four days. He did this, “for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may receive glory through it.” (John 11:4 JNT) He, therefore, declared:
Placing our trust in the LORD, we become united with Him by faith, and our soul is justified before God to live for eternity. We also celebrate our new life in the LORD, and look to ways we can grow in faith and in the virtues of Christ; and likewise express greater measures of the new life we live in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this we truly walk being Christ-like, representing the love of Christ to the world, glorifying God. Truly, He has prepared a way and a place for those who place their faith in Him. In Him, we see El Chaiyai—The God of my life (Psalm 42:8) and El Yeshuati—The God of my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2) He is Jehovah-nissi—the Lord is my banner; standard or victory! (Exodus 17:15)
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE Paul gained a real revelation of living in the Lord. He embraced and lived in accordance with two profound principles. How might you apply these principles in your own life daily?
In what ways can you see the reality of tapping into God’s capacity, and growing greater measures of faith and in the virtues of Christ? For some insights see 2 Peter 1:2-11. |
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