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Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Philippians 2:6
If you loved someone and they were in trouble, what would you do to save them?
We see stories everyday of heroes. Men and women who give their lives to save others. We even idolize them and for good reason. We say they have given their lives in ultimate sacrifice.
These men and women go to work everyday not knowing if they will return.
They chose what they do to help the very people who may at any moment turn on them in violence.
They risk their lives because of love for others only to have their love met with hate.
They risk their lives knowing that if they perish their sacrifice will leave a hole in the lives of those they leave behind.
While I admire and pray for these brave men and women, and appreciate what they do for us, there is one who gave far more than they could ever give.
Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice. Not only did he die for us, he gave up a Kings mansion. Imagine, living as the son of God. Imagine being God himself. Imagine moving out of His mansion, and giving up all of his power to live with a bunch of people that he knew would reject him. But he loved them anyway, and he loves us still.
How I suffer in far-off Meshech. It pains me to live in distant Kedar. Psalms 120:5
Have you ever been far from home? You are on vacation or away at school or perhaps your job has taken you away from the familiar surroundings of family and friends.
You love what you do. You have a good life. You feel truly blessed. Yet there is an emptiness, a longing for the stable structure of the familiar?
In Old Testament times Jerusalem and the Temple was home to the Hebrews. It was there that God dwelt. It was in Jerusalem that one felt truly at home socially, ethnically, and emotionally.
But life happened. Through exile and other things the Hebrews were scattered around the Mediterranean world. A few times a year they would go ‘home’ to celebrate God’s goodness, worship His faithfulness and reconnect with family and friends.
When they were with God and His people, life was good. But then the cycle would repeat. Life called them away with a longing for ‘next time in Jerusalem’.
Have you ever felt that longing? Perhaps sin has lured you away? Maybe it’s just the busyness of life. “Weekends are the only time I have for me.” It could be a bad experience when the body of Jesus abused or failed you.
Maybe it’s time to come home. Maybe you need to return to Jerusalem. There is an emptiness when we are far from Jesus. An emptiness he never intended.
Don’t allow the failure of people or the busyness of life keep you from enjoying Jesus!
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6
Anointed or appointed?
In reality you are both. Through your relationship with Jesus you are anointed with the Holy Spirit. This anointing comes with appointing.
The anointing is immediate and permanent. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal. We Are adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters. He is our helper. He is our guide. He tells God what we’re going through and helps us understand God better.
But appointing? That may change with time. Jeremiah says God has a plan to prosper us. It’s a good plan. Paul says in Roman’s that it’s a perfect plan and pleasing to us as well as God and others.
No where that I have found in scripture are we are told WE have a good plan for us. Yet, at times the enemy convinces us our plan is perfect for us.
God’s plan takes time. He may ‘appoint us’ at times to do things we don’t enjoy, things outside our comfort zone, things that are way too trivial for someone of our giftedness. Sometimes He may even appoint us to a time of rest!
Be patient. Be open. With each situation work to be a legacy, to make a difference in people’s lives. God’s promises are sure and His timing is perfect. Your appointment today is preparing you for tomorrow!
Thank Him for the anointing, and make a difference in people’s lives in whatever appointing you find yourself in.
It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us. 2 Corinthians 1:21
When the navy commissions a ship, it is a big deal. The ship is built with care, goes through plenty of testing, and is approved to complete its mission.
Most often, commissioning is done for ships that are preparing for battle. They don’t know what battle they will see, or if they will even see battle , but their commissioning means they are ready for anything that comes their way.
The ship is well armed. The ship is prepared for battle. It always stands ready to defend our nation.

God does not commission churches. He does not have a plan for groups of people. He commissions individuals. Individuals with a specific purpose, with specific gifts, tested and prepared for battle.
You are not a product of mass production. You are individually created, tested, and given the resources you need for every battle you encounter. The battles in the workplace. The battles on social media. The battles in physical health. The battles in your mind.
Here’s the thing to remember from today forward. You are commissioned by God for todays battles.
You are his plan A, and there’s no Plan B. Go be victorious!
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 