Fearfully and Wonderfully Made…

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful – I know that full well.

In my times of meditation and prayer, I often ponder the mysteries of God. Our loving Father who created all things is incomprehensible in His sovereign, eternal power; and yet, God is knowable by the intelligence of His design and the wonders of all His creation! (Cf. Romans 1:19-20) I sense that David, too, had this overwhelming feeling of awe and reverence when he was inspired to pen our Verse of the Day. We can look no further than our own bodies to internalize what God must be in truth and in love. It is hard to imagine that He purposed and granted us the grace of experiencing life … to be conscious, living beings … enabling us to observe and to marvel at His handiwork all around us and within us. And God has revealed in His Word that we (human beings) have been created in His image. Such thoughts are too high for me! It overwhelms me!

Psalm 139:1-18 (NIV)

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, and I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How amazing are your thoughts concerning me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

As I read this Psalm, I feel overwhelmed with the divine power and presence of our Creator … a God who expresses deep concern and love for a mere speck of dust on a speck of solar dust traversing through one of billions of interstellar spirals within the infinite expanse of what we call the universe…. Indeed, like David, I find such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Yet, this infinite God is an intimate being. He knows each of us … every detail from conception through all the days ordained for each one. The gift of life each one of us receives is wholly an experience of grace … which is why I believe we should feel nothing less than deep reverence for Him. Our lives are 100% in His hands from beginning to end whether we choose to embrace this truth or not. There are no surprises for God. Nothing has ever happened or will happen in your life that He is not aware. He is unmoved, unshaken by anything within His created order.

Psalm 8 (NIV)

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens,the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

David appeals to that inner knowing we can experience when we are at a loss for words … when only our spirits can express with sighs and groans what our hearts feel inside. It is in that quiet contemplative moment we ponder: “Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.” (Cf. Psalm 144:3-4) Like his father, King Solomon contemplated the observance of creation and its profound mystery as the manifestation of a personal, relational Creator. God enables human beings to see the handiwork of His Word in all of its majesty; yet, we cannot find out the work that God does from beginning to end. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:11) Perhaps, it is the mysteries of God and His Creation that were designed to intrigue us and to initiate our faith in Him….

My friends, it is my hope that we will become lost in these thoughts for a moment; to be inspired by the reality that we are ALWAYS in the presence of God; to realize that we are inseparable from Him. I pray that this knowledge would both humble us and encourage us to seek Him while He is near. I pray thanksgiving will be formed in our hearts and praise be continually upon our lips. Then, let us be still and know that He is God!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will (for your pleasure) they were created and have their being.” ~ Revelation 4:8-11

Forgive Each Other…

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Our Verse of the Day continues to address the subject of interpersonal relationships; and the issue of forgiveness is a prominent target….

If you think about it, forgiveness is one of the most important ways that we express and demonstrate love in our relationships. Indeed, forgiveness is the most fundamental way that God demonstrated His personal love for us. Romans 5:8 affirms that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And the Apostle John declared:

1 John 4:9-11 (NIV)

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

It is evident that God’s expression of love is inseparable from His act of forgiveness of our sins; and I believe we would do well to keep that principal in mind.

Colossians 3:1-14 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive … someone with whom you need to be reconciled? Think deeply about that question for a moment because the depth of our need for reconciliation and healing can extend far into our pasts … even to the moment of our births. Past physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds, if not forgiven and released, WILL develop into roots of bitterness that can lead to anger, rage, and other behaviors that can constrict or inhibit the healing we so desperately need. Unforgiveness will lead our own hearts into sin because we have in essence rejected the command of Jesus to love as we have been loved.

When we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts, it will lead to inward thoughts that precipitate behaviors which manifest themselves as addictions and all kinds of self-harm. Roots of bitterness and unforgiveness can ultimately manifest themselves in physiological and neurological disorders. If feelings of stress can debilitate a person’s body, it should come as no surprise that feelings of bitterness and anger can do the same. Our emotions are embedded in our bodies and souls. They are the expressions of our inner beings. So, we simply cannot underestimate the immeasurable toxic effects of unforgiveness on our bodies, spirits, or souls.

Father God wants us all to experience healing and deliverance in our lives … to receive the fullness of joy and peace in our lives … to be healthy and whole in our spirits, souls, and bodies. I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul prayed in intercession: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) So, this is my prayer for us, that the God of peace … the God of reconciliation … the God of all comfort … the Father of Compassion … would instill in each of our hearts the transformative power of forgiveness! If we do not walk in forgiveness … we do not walk in love.

My friends, I am convinced that forgiveness is integral to the process of healing! It is the path that will lead to peace with others and within ourselves! And, again, let me remind you that forgiveness does not condone, excuse, or undo the sin or harm that was done; rather, it means we release the debt that person owes to us for the trespass committed. Just as the Lord Jesus paid our debt through the cross for our sins and released (redeemed) us from the penalty (death) required for our offenses; we are commanded to do the same in our relationships with one another. This is what is means to be forgiven … to be set free! Therefore, I encourage you to release those who have sinned against you. Set them free from their debt to you. For in doing so, you will set your own body, spirit, and soul free at the same time! I cannot explain how this happens; I just know that it does. Healing is the supernatural power of God, and we can experience it in our lives if we would obey His command: “Forgive, just as in the Lord Jesus, God forgave you!”

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

There is Now … No Condemnation

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Our Verse of the Day is a great reminder that those who believe in Jesus … those who receive Him as Lord and Savior … those who are IN Him through the power of the Holy Spirit … are no longer under condemnation. The Apostle John revealed these theological concepts in his Gospel narrative when he recounted the conversation that occurred between Jesus and Nicodemus, a member of the ruling Jewish Council:

John 3:1-19 (NIV)

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again (from above).” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You (plural) must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still, you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up (exalted), that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The essential message is that Christ Jesus saves us from the certain condemnation of sin when we placed our complete faith in Him and His finished work on the cross to atone for our sin and redeem us from the penalty of sin – spiritual death and eternal separation from God . Condemnation does not happen because we have sinned. Condemnation of sin continues because a person has not believed in Jesus Christ for their salvation from sin. John even goes on to say that condemnation is the outcome of a hardened heart that desires the darkness of evil rather than the light of righteousness. We were condemned already … the death sentence of sin was upon us … until Jesus redeemed us from the empty way of life handed down to us from our ancestors. (Cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19) The Apostle Paul explains this issue in further detail for us:

Romans 5:17-19 (NIV)

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Look at what that Scripture states: ONE sin resulted in condemnation! ONE sin required the sacrifice of the Son of God upon a cross! Oh, how I pray none of us will ever take ONE sin in our lives for granted. One sin cost Jesus Christ His life to redeem us – just ONE sin! THAT is how God in His holiness views the offense of just ONE sin in our lives! So, we need to stop overlooking, rationalizing, and dismissing the thoughtless irreverence of the slightest sin we commit. Sin is that serious in separating us from God; and it requires the most extreme expression of atonement … an atonement none of us is capable to perform or offer for ourselves. But the good news for us is that there is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Though all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, God has demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Cf. Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8) This is the glorious news of grace that we should be sharing with those who have not yet come to a knowledge of the truth….

My friends, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath (condemnation) remains on them. (Cf. John 3:36) Only those who believe in Christ Jesus have been set free from the penalty of sin – which is death! Our sins and transgressions have been forgiven! We have been set free from all condemnation! Jesus declared, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (Cf. John 8:36) So, let us rest in His finished work and the promise of His word. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. ~ Psalm 32:1-2

If My People … Pray

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Our Verse of the Day continues with the focus on prayer this week … and with good reason. Today is our National Day of Prayer! There is a desperate need for believers to spend more time in prayer, in intercession, and in spiritual warfare. More than most of us realize. When we are admonished to “pray without ceasing” there is a reason: “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). And so, I sense the Spirit is calling us to gather as believers before the throne of heaven in order to align us with the will of God.

I think the context of 2 Chronicles 7 is important for us to review today. Beginning with 2 Chronicles Chapter 1, we learn about the heart of King Solomon and his prayer for wisdom. God granted the request along with wealth, possessions, and honor. Then beginning in Chapter 2, the narrative shifts to preparations for the building of the Temple, and construction begins in Chapter 3. The furnishings are reviewed in Chapter 4, and the entire work was completed in Chapter 5 when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the innermost sanctuary (Holy of Holies) of the temple. There were sacrificial offerings and worship, and the manifested glory of God filled the temple as a cloud…. I invite you to read this historical account when you have the time….

But it is Chapter 6 that sets the stage for our call to prayer. Here, Solomon addresses the assembly to bless them and then offers a public prayer of dedication. He expounds that the Temple cannot contain the God of Heaven; but Solomon asks that God be attentive to the prayers and supplications offered before Him there, and to hear from heaven … to forgive, to judge, to heal, to restore, and to show mercy. What you will note in his prayer, is the acknowledgement that people will sin against God – for there is no one who does not sin. (Verse 36) But the holiness of God has to address the issue of sin. There is an expectation of repentance on the part of people and forgiveness on the part of God. And it is this interaction that occurs during our time of prayer. God judges the sin … but He is sovereign to justify the repentant sinner….

In Chapter 6, as Solomon prayed, there is a list of the judgments or afflictions that he shared as examples:

1. When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath before the altar

2. When the nation is defeated by an enemy because they have sinned

3. When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned

4. When famine or plague comes to the land; blight or mildew; locusts or grasshoppers

5. When enemies besiege in the cities; whatever disaster or disease

Solomon goes on praying, asking the Lord God to be responsive to prayers offered:

1. When the foreigner (outsider) come and pray toward the Temple, grant their prayers for Your glory.

2. When the nation goes to war against their enemies; grant their prayers and uphold their cause.

3. When people sin and repent; forgive and restore them.

Beginning in Chapter 7, when Solomon finished praying, the text states that “fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple! What a powerful manifestation … revelation of God in response to prayer! The people saw the power of God fall, knelt with their faces to the ground, worshipped, and gave thanks to God. And then an incredible time of sacrifice and worship followed these events for the next seven days. It is this scene that sets the stage for our Verse of the Day:

2 Chronicles 7:11-16 (NIV)

¹¹When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, ¹²the Lord appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. ¹³“WHEN I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, ¹⁴if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ¹⁵Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. ¹⁶I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

Did you note the word “when” in Verse 13? It indicates that God will engage or allow His natural creation to bring affliction to His people. We could view the ensuing suffering and consequence as judgment for sin; but perhaps, the purpose of God is to recapture our attention. Maybe these things “happen” because of our sinful nature and transgressions. Perhaps, God wants us to recognize we have offended Him; that we have transgressed His commandments and need to repent. He desires us to repent, to seek forgiveness, and to receive restoration. The issue is not about what God allows to happen to us; rather, it is about our response to God’s correction and discipline! It is about the inclinations of our hearts … our sorrow for disobedience … our reverence and love for God and His mercy. Whatever happens … whatever we observe or encounter in our physical life … it should prompt reflection and repentance and restoration in our spiritual life. As Solomon prayed:

2 Chronicles 6:28-31 (NIV)

²⁸“When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, ²⁹and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of their afflictions and pains, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— ³⁰then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart), ³¹so that they will fear you and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.

On this National Day of Prayer, we need to consider the insight and wisdom that King Solomon offers within the broader context of intimacy with God. What you and I do through prayer, how we respond to God in whatever situation or circumstance He brings into our lives, impacts our relationships with Him and reflects our faith in Him. It means that we should keep a humble spirit and attitude. It means that we should realize we are not perfect and need to repent and confess our sins to Him. God wants us to carefully observe His commands … and to endeavor to fulfill His will in our lives. (Cf. Deuteronomy 4:6; 11:22) And when we fall short, we need to see it! We need to recognize it and respond in humility and transparency. As the Apostle John affirmed: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (Cf. 1 John 1:9)

My friends, Father God wants us to enter His presence and to seek Him. He is willing to hear … willing to forgive … willing to heal. But His response is conditional. It is conditioned upon our willingness to humble ourselves; to pray; to seek His face; and to turn from our sinfulness. I believe this is the key to effectiveness in prayer. God wants the attention and hearts of His people; and it is clear that He will allow adversity to accomplish His desire. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

You Were Redeemed…

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Redemption…. We have heard that word. We have used that word in our studies. And here, Peter tells us that we were “redeemed” from an empty way of life through the “precious blood” of Christ … as a perfect, unblemished lamb slaughtered for sacrifice on the altar of a Roman cross. Indeed, our redemption was “purchased” with something of far greater value than perishable silver or gold….

To redeem something has several meanings. Let’s look at some of these from Merriam-Webster:

1. To buy back or repurchase

2. To get or win back

3. To free from captivity by payment of ransom

4. To release from blame or debt

5. To free from the consequences of sin

6. To change for the better

7. To repair or restore something (i.e., a relationship)

8. To remove the obligation of by payment

9. To exchange for something of value

10. To atone for; to remove guilt; or expiate

There were more, but I think you get the picture of what the word “redeem” can and does mean. As I reviewed this list, I thought to myself: Every one of these definitions articulates what Jesus Christ accomplished through the cross on our behalf. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Cf. Romans 3:23) And, “The wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Cf. Romans 6:23) And Paul explained that we were “sold as slaves to sin”. (Cf. Romans 7:14) Indeed, the sinful human nature has held us captive as prisoners of darkness. But Christ Jesus redeemed us! He repurchased us from the slave owner of darkness! He released us from the consequence of our sins! He paid the steep price of death and removed our personal, individual obligation for the required payment. This how we need to understand redemption!

In our Verse of the Day, we find Peter affirming that our sin required a payment … an infinite price … in order to redeem us and reconcile us to our Holy Creator … to Father God. And the only payment acceptable for our atonement (propitiation) was ordained by Father God before the foundation of the world. (Cf. Revelation 13:8) It would not be with silver or gold, precious jewels, or anything that humans might consider as valuable. It is clear that the debt for sin is greater than the sum total of all so-called “wealth”. No, the Word of God decreed from the beginning that the consequence of sin would be death. (Cf. Genesis 2:17) As Paul explained, the trespass of the first man brought death upon us all. The only solution there will ever be is an atonement … a royal pardon … divine clemency. The only hope there will ever be is to have the sentence of death commuted to a resurrected life. (Cf. Romans 5:9-19) And because of His great love for those created in His image, God Himself elected the sacrifice … a blood sacrifice … that would fulfill the righteous requirement of death for our sin. God determined the only acceptable form of atonement that He would receive.

According to the pattern He revealed to His servant Moses, God chose a lamb without blemish or defect for sacrifice. Yes, our loving Father provided His own lamb for the sin offering when He sent His own Son … One who was without sin … to become our atonement! Indeed, Jesus died our required death Himself! Our Lord Jesus Christ, manifested how God truly feels about sin in our lives; and yet, He also revealed God’s great compassion and love for us … His passionate desire to redeem us to eternal life with Him. His selfless sacrifice was purposed to bring us back to God … to restore our broken relationship with the Father. These are the outcomes of His atonement for our transgressions while held under the power of sin. His sacrifice removed our guilt while fulfilling the judgment required for our rebellion. And this required a high price to be paid! The value of our redemption was set higher than the value of all the gold and silver in the earth. God decreed that the just punishment was death … and then took that punishment upon Himself as a demonstration of His deep love for us. How can we even understand what God has done … except that Jesus Christ fulfilled it before the eyes of His disciples and followers? And His resurrection from the dead confirmed: “It is Finished!” There is no more payment required! An eternal redemption was paid in full on our behalf….

The writer of the Book of Hebrews offers us some insight on this matter:

Hebrews 7:23-27 (NIV)

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely (forever) those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, Jesus does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.

Hebrews 9:11-15 (NIV)

But when Christ Jesus came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

My friends, it is my prayer that we will spend some time contemplating our redemption. It articulates the message of the cross … explaining its necessity and affording a clear visual image of the price exacted by God for our sin. We need to see that the mission of the Messiah was to defeat the kingdom of darkness and to establish the kingdom of light. And this is how Jesus fulfilled the purpose for which He was sent. Yes, the kindness of God is seen in the redemption of the cross. His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance; and through repentance, we receive full reconciliation. Indeed, I hope each of us will internalize the incomprehensible price paid for our redemption. It should move us to great reverence and thanksgiving! Redemption was completed on the cross! May God be forever praised … in the name of Jesus! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. ~ Romans 6:8-14

The Visible – Invisible God…

Romans 1:20 (NIV)

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Our Verse of the Day has always resonated with me … when I think of the “apologetics” we have available in the Scriptures to speak with others about God. Do you need evidence for the existence of God? Do you need assurance for your faith? The Apostle Paul, through the wisdom given to him, affirms that you and I can look at creation and know the unseen attributes of God. We can understand both His eternal power and His eternal divine nature just from observing creation … with our eyes … eyes that He designed and formed for us to be able to view all the wonder and majesty of creation. The intricate design … the delicate order … the raw and fascinating beauty of the earth were created just for our habitation as living beings. It truly is incomprehensible; and yet, we can know this all comes from a God who passionately loves us!

Oh, how I delight in God every night when I look out into the universe and study the stars, their positions, and their ordered movements. I think about ancient people who gazed on the same constellations and their parades across the night skies over the seasons of time. It reminds me that God is faithful and steadfast … His mercies endure forever … His love is everlasting! Likewise, when I think about living creatures and the complexities of all life forms, I cannot help but be amazed at the diversity of life. I contemplate how no plant, animal, or human being had any choice, power, or control in being brought forth into existence here on earth. Our time here had already been determined (ordained) without our knowledge or consent. Everything that exists is by the will of God the Father; and I believe we would do well to embrace His loving will that we have been created in His image … created in Christ Jesus to do good works with God prepared in advance for us to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) There have been no accidents or mistakes. Every person (soul) is precious to our Sovereign Creator.

We will not ever know or fully comprehend the unsearchable things of God. (Cf. Romans 11:33) As Moses affirmed: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law. (Cf. Deuteronomy 29:29) Still, I believe there are truths that God has given us the capacity to understand:

God is Spirit (Cf. John 4:24)

God is Love (Cf. 1 John 4:8; 4:16)

God is Holy (Cf. Leviticus 19:2; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 99:9; Revelation 4:8)

God is Merciful (Cf. Deuteronomy 4:31; Daniel 9:9)

God is Faithful (Cf. Deuteronomy 7:9, 32:4; 1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13)

All of these invisible aspects of His divine nature can be understood through His visible creation and through the testimonies of His Prophets. But even more, God has granted us to see Him through someone more tangible and visible: Jesus – His Son!

John 14:1-11 (NIV)

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

My friends, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Cf. Colossians 1:15-17) Jesus is the revelation and declaration of God! And when we come to the conviction of His majesty and glory, then we will humble ourselves and fear Him with all the reverence and honor due His name! Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:17) Yes, it is my prayer that each of us will see the God who sees us – El Roi!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven. ~ Hebrews 1:1-3