Friday, January 2, 2009

New Years Resolution

Shortly before the begining of 2009, James and I were watching a youth conference on God TV. One of the preachers was sharing a message about a generation of "Nazarites" that he feels the Lord is going to bring forth as we approach the end times before Jesus' return to earth. James and I were very impacted, sobered and excited about this message. We began thinking about our son, Ezra, who's middle name is Nazareth. When I was pregnant with him, we chose the middle name Nazareth for Ezra because of the consecration we felt that the name represented. Not only is Nazareth the city of Jesus' youth, thus making it an honorable name, but the concept of being a "Nazarite" is also a wonderful thing. We believed as we began to bring Ezra into this world that part of God's purpose for Ezra was for him to be a forerunner, an evangelist, like John the Baptist was, a fire for the Lord in this generation. Our pastor Bruce, was sharing a scripture last service in which he referenced the verse in the Bible that speaks of being " a holy people, set apart, shining like stars in this wicked and depraved generation." I love the way this verse ties in with the concept of being a "Nazarite." The beauty of the concept is a person, and ultimately a generation of people, who are set apart unto the Lord as the Nazarites in the bible were. They did not cut their hair, they did not drink wine, and a number of other things, which led their outward conduct to reflect their inward devotion to the Lord. I know that God wants and earnestly desires, and will have, a generation of youth that will be set apart to him in complete holiness in these last days, as John the Baptist and the Nazarites were. As the IHOP worship team declared, "He won't relent until He has it all, our hearts are His." My prayer is that myself, my husband and my children will be passionately pursuing our Lord to the point of being in such intense fellowship with Him that all else falls away, revealing total holiness by the work of His Holy Spirit that will enable us to shine like stars in the universe amidst a crooked and perverse generation. In this New Year, make it your resolution and purpose to be set apart unto the Lord as the Nazarites were, for He alone is life and truth, and nothing else will satisfy; He is worthy!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Awesome testimony! We felt the same thing for our soon to be Samuel John. The Lord is raising up a generation who's hearts will be wholly His.