JORDAN 05/06/11

JORDAN

 Jordan means “blessings descended from above” 

Jesus went back across the Jordan River again to the place where John had been baptizing at an earlier time, and he stayed there.Jn10:40.

When I meditate on this one word “Jordan” God revealed many things to me. Glory  be to God alone. We see that Jesus stayed in the river side of Jordan. Usually when we go outstation we used to stay somewhere, if they have money they will stay in a good hotel room or else they will manage to stay somewhere it is cheaper. Here when we reason out the stay of Jesus in Jordan we come to know that it is such a beautiful place that any one would stuck to that place.

Mt. Hermon is an origin of three rivers. There will be snow all around the mountain and when it melts down it comes down as waterfalls and flow as the river. What a stunning sight. There seems many high peaks of the mountain and the weather condition is in minus degree celsius. One of that river is Jordan seems to be eye-catching. When we see that we can literally say that the blessings come down from above.  

The world is a very dry place and we need to bring abundance and fruitfulness in to this world as a bride (the church). This Jordan seems to be changing the lives of many and brought unforgettable blessings into the lives of many which is cherished.

1. NEW WAY:

When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface of the water – (the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time) – the water coming downstream toward them stopped flowing. It piled up far upstream at Adam (the city near Zarethan); there was no water at all flowing to the sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea). The people crossed the river opposite Jericho.Jos3:15,16

The Lord lead the Israelites in an astonishing way having called them from Egypt where there was not even a moisture seen. They came to a stage of inheriting their promised land but before that they had to pass through the Jordan. It became a dry ground when the feet of the priests stamped on the water. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on the dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side.

So far you might have walked in your own way and planning according to self will and have become tired. Now let us surrender our future to God and say, “let God’s will be done on me”. And God says to you, “I will remove the barriers which is being an obstruction for your blessings and I will make a new way for you alone to inherit the blessings which I have kept in store for you.”

Jim Reeves, a popular music singer-songwriter  was traveling in a flight and there was an announcing, “There are so many clouds gathered in the sky and it is foggy and we are not able to see the way, so please pray to the God who alone can save us and help us to land us safely.” Every passengers were seemed to be in an extreme fear. Jim Reeves prayed, Lord, Man may not know the way but You know it Lord, Please show them Your way. Immediately the clouds and fogs vanished away. They announced that the cloud is clear now and we will land safely.

God says to him, “This is the way which I showed and not the man-made one.

Prayer: God, it’s enough of me going in my own way and I achieve nothing of use and it ended up in a failure. Lead me in a new way which You have prepared for me. Please show me Your way Lord as there is no barriers and I find it to be easy. In Jesus name, I pray.

2. NEW CREATION:

So he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, as the prophet had instructed. His skin became as smooth as a young child’s and he was healed. IIKings5:14.

Naaman was the commander of the king of Syria’s army, was esteemed and respected by his master. He thought for sure that Elisha would come out, stand there, invoke the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the area, and cure his skin disease. So he went away angry. But when he listened to his servants words, he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, as the prophet had instructed. His skin became as smooth as a young child’s and he was healed.

Jordan divides itself and goes into the dead sea. Minerals in the dead sea are very good for our skin. So that people who go there applies mud all over their body and face as it heals many diseases and it is true biblically. Creams and soaps which are manufactured here are very expensive. Scientists say in another 30 years this dead sea will not be seen and because of that the two countries on either side of this river Jordan is going to face a lot of financial crisis.

We are going to immerse in Jordan now and may God change us into a new creation. When you go back home you should not behave as you behaved. Everyone should see a transformation in you.  

Prayer: God, Transform me and make me a new creation as You made Naaman. Let your power come down on me. Give me grace that I should fulfil Your desire. Cleanse me from head to toe.

3. NEW RESPONSIBILITIES:

He picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen off him, and went back and stood on the shore of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen off Elijah, hit the water with it, and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he hit the water, it divided and Elisha crossed over. II Kings 2:13,14.

When we compare the miracles done by Elijah and Elishah, Elisha did miracles twofold as Elijah. New responsibilities are given to you and you should not be irresponsible any more. People might say you are fit for nothing but God says I am going to use you in a double-fold manner. And God says, “Receive this mantle” and you will see with your own eyes that you are gifted and skilled.

Prayer: God I believe I hold on to the mantle you threw on me and I have a confidence now that I will be able to handle the responsibilities You have given me. And I thank You Lord for You have anointed me to do the responsibilities given to me in a new way.

4. NEW EXPANSION:

Some of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too cramped for us. Let’s go to the Jordan. Each of us will get a log from there and we will build a meeting place for ourselves there.” He said, “Go.” As one of them was felling a log, the ax head dropped into the water. He shouted, “Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!” The prophet asked, “Where did it drop in?” When he showed him the spot, Elisha cut off a branch, threw it in at that spot, and made the ax head float. II Kings6:1,2,5,6

God is going to enlarge your territory of our church, your income, business, your education, qualification, designation, job, family etc; In everything you are going to see a miraculous hike.

We see in the above verse when Elisha puts a branch in that spot of water the ax head float. The iron’s nature is to sink in the water, it cannot be floated but it floats. This kind of hard to believe miracle, the Lord is going to do for you. And He is going to take the wind out of your sails.

5. NEW PREPARATION:

Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they traveled on together. Elijah took his cloak, folded it up, and hit the water with it. The water divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared. They went between Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up to heaven in a windstorm. II Kings2:6,8,11

The blessings you are going to receive will shock others. They will be taken aback on seeing the copious blessings showered on you. You should have the wisdom to handle it as that is going to be beyond your thoughts, education, qualification where it will make you feel, “Am I worthy of it, Lord?” But more than anything we are going to receive a heavenly blessing of being with Jesus. It is a must that we have to prepare for the day of the Lord as it is near. He will take care of every need but our only ambition is to be prepared for the last trumpet and in a moment we shall be changed. What a breathtaking experience it would be!

Prayer: God, I am dumbfounded when I think of the day You are going to transform me like You. Nothing else is important to me Lord. Let Your will alone be done on my life. Please Lord prepare me for the day of Your secret coming that I should be taken with You.