Stuck in the Time Between Times

Warriors Arise: Jun 17th, 2020

Luke 24:30a (NKJV) Now it came to pass..."

These are trigger words. Something is about to happen and that will lead to something else. In Luke 24, this phrase, "now it came to pass" seems out of place. It wasn't like the two disicples were waiting for something or that a significant amount of time had passed or that they were fulfilling a prophecy of old. But there has been some time that has lapsed. The two disciples had constrained the man with three words, "Abide with us". Then time lapses and we get to the next significant point.

Luke uses this phrase a number of other times in his writing prior to this account. Each time he uses it there a time lapse and something significant is about to take place.

I picture in my mind Luke listening as these two disciples have run all the way back to Jerusalem from Emmaus and he wants them to get to the point! They are talking over top of each other, everyone trying to follow what they are saying, but it doesn't seem what they are saying is going to come to an end. The phrase, "now it came to pass" could mean life has gone on like it does for everyone and now I need you to listen to what I am about to share.

Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Finally the promised Messiah! This is a very significant time in history! "and it came to pass" is fulfilling a prophecy. The Christ-child is about to be born. Get ready for His arrival! Luke is ready to tell how things on earth lined up for Jesus to arrive.

Luke 6:12-16 (NKJV) Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

Luke is sharing about this important part of history. How many men do you think were hoping to be called by Jesus to be one of His disciples? Luke would have been hearing the talk. We don't really know much about Luke other than he was a doctor. Maybe he came on his own accord to see if Jesus really was healing or if it was all a hoax. Jesus had been spending time teaching many. He had even done His first miracle turning water into wine at a wedding, a number of healings, teachings and was questioned by some Pharisees. Jesus needed to be able to distinguish between the followers and those who would be His disciples. These men would become apostles, the very ones who would carry on the ministry when He returned to heaven.

Luke 8:1-3 (NKJV) Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

Jesus' entourage was growing. People are becoming a part of the group for different reasons. There are times when someone frees you from a terrible situation you feel obligated, grateful, even indebted to them. Some people stay because they want to know if you are legitimate. Jesus had taught truths people hadn't seen demonstrated. These women had become a part of the entourage and a valuable part. We learned from Jesus that women were allowed to listen to His teaching. When the ministry started the women began preparations for Jesus and His disciples to eat and rest.

Luke 9:28-36 (NKJV) Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

In the midst of ministry, Jesus takes His closet three disciples up on the mountain. Heavenly friends come to visit Jesus. God speaks over His Son and tell the disciples to listen to Him. Makes you wonder if Jesus' heavenly friends and God visited Jesus every time He went up to the mountain to pray. This is the only time the disciples went up the mountain with Jesus and the unbelievable happens!

Luke 9:51-56 (NKJV) Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

A turn of events, ministry has been going well. Jesus is healing the sick, cleansing the leapers, raising the dead and casting our demons. Jesus had sent His disciples out in pairs to do the same thing. But now, it is time for Jesus to complete why He came to earth. He had to go to Jerusalem. Many knew the Chief Priest was not happy with Jesus. The Samaritans were already outcasts and they didn't need any more trouble. They could see "His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem". It could have seemed like Jesus was rejecting them. Check out the history of the woman at the well. She talks to Jesus about how the Jews say everyone has to worship in Jerusalem, implying that where she worshipped God was not good enough. Jesus isn't going to Jerusalem for the sake of tradition but to be the sacrifice for our sins.

Luke 11:1-4 (NKJV) Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

4 And forgive us our sins,

For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.”

Jesus needed to teach His disicples how to pray. Luke records a number of times when Jesus pulls away to pray, He is up all night praying, He sends the people away to He can pray, He sends His disciples away so He can pray. He is making sure His disicples know the importance of prayer. He teaches them how to pray so they can speak the Father's, heart, hear what they needed each day, how they need to act, and invoking God's protection. His disciples needed to know how Jesus got the strength He operated in, the faith to do the miraculous, and how to see the Father so they could join Him.

I see on the news clips the same-ole-same-ole. There isn't anything said today that I haven't heard in the past couple of days. Time is lapsing and my heart is waiting for, "Now it came to pass..." I feel like we are stuck in the time between times. God is going to do something. I would rather it be sooner than later. This is why I pray. This is why I call people to unite in prayer. This is why the Warriors of the Lord are to arise. This is why I write the prayer blog. I do not want to be stuck any longer than we have to. Warriors, we persist in prayer.

Father, it feels like we are stuck in a time between times. We are waiting for big event or circumstances tag are going to open the door to lead us out of this mess we have so willingly embraced. We need to embrace You. We did not need to be led astray by hear-say, propaganda, emotional instability, accepting unlawful actions, throwing to the wind order, structure and balance nor disrespecting those who have spent their lives protecting us. We need to embrace You, operate in a sound mind and be a part of the solution. You are the only One who can lead us out of this mess. I do not want to be caught in this time between time. I ask for Your kingdom to come, Your will to be done in Jesus' name. I ask for You to speak forth Your daily bread. Give our minds something to focus on, give our spirits strength, peace to soothe our souls, and faith to take a stand for what is right according to Your Word. I pray we would not longer be puppets on a string held my the great puppeteer, the devil. I ask for You to lead us away from temptation and those who try to stir us up into anger and unrighteousness. I ask for You to deliver us from the evil one in Jesus' name. For Yours in the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen!

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.