The Glory of God…

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Our Verse of the Day comes from one of my favorite Psalms. I am always moved by the eloquence of King David … his inspired poetic and lyrical arrangement of words that thoughtfully express what only our souls can understand. I can relate to his observations and meditations as I gaze into the heavens each night and view the handiwork of God … contemplating His eternal power and His incomprehensible design of wonders beyond our imagination. And then I consider His amazing grace … to create us (living beings) to experience the sensory gifts of sight and sound to enjoy such majesty on display:

Psalm 19:1-6 (NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voicegoes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Psalm 8:1-9 (NIV)

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. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Isaiah 42:5-9 (NIV)

This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

Isaiah 45:18-19 (NIV)

For this is what the Lord says— He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— He says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Once again, I feel humbled by the Word of God. It reminds me of who I am … who God is … and what this life is all about. We were created to witness and experience the glorious presence of God. We were created to witness and experience His great, lavish, and everlasting love. We were created to encounter Him and be conformed to the image of His Son. Yes, I am reminded that I was created for HIS pleasure … to be surrendered to His Kingdom and not my own! Indeed, the glory of God emanates from His creation…. And so, I confess that You, Almighty God, are the Sovereign Lord! How majestic is Your Name in all the earth! I bow before You … I hail you as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You are the Alpha and the Omega … the Beginning and the End! You are forever worthy of all praise! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

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 they were created and have their being.” ~ Revelation 4:9-11

The Narrow Way…

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Our Verse of the Day is one that is often quoted and has been used in many sermons. But is it one that we deeply think about? Does its message strengthen your faith?

Tucked within the list of teachings that Jesus delivered in what has been called His Sermon on the Mount (Cf. Matthew 5-7), Jesus inserts this statement that should make us all pause for a moment to consider the magnitude of what He said. “Enter through the narrow gate,” He cried out. Enter into what? He answers, “The road or path that leads to LIFE … eternal life in heaven.” And He comments, or perhaps laments, only a FEW find it…. What a poignant statement for anyone seeking God to ponder…. And if you look further at Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus clarifies: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” It is one thing for a person to know about Jesus … it is quite another to know Him and for Him to know you. Indeed, the wide, open road of religion will not lead anyone to heaven. Jesus is telling the world: “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.” (Cf. John 14:6-7)

Luke 13:22-30 (NIV)

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed, there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

My friends, if anyone wants to have true life … eternal life … then he or she must know Jesus and He must know them. What does this imply? Well, to begin a relationship, you must introduce yourself to Him. You must call upon His Name. You must come to Him in faith; for without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Cf. Hebrews 11:6) Yes, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Cf. Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 14:11) And if you know Jesus as Lord, then you are His servant. If you know Him, you will hear and listen to His voice. You will desire a genuine, intimate relationship with Jesus through reciprocation of His love. You cannot be intimate if you never spend time with Jesus or talk with Him or seek Him in prayer. Indeed, if you want Jesus to know you, then become His disciple; and know that whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Him. (Cf. Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

Here are some additional scriptures for your study today:

John 10:7-10; 14-16 (NIV)

Therefore, Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

1 John 5:12-13 (NIV)

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.

Revelation 3:19-21 (NIV)

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore, once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish and the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” ~ Isaiah 29:13-14

The Sovereignty of God…

Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to tread on the heights.

In Our Verse of the Day, I see the reference to the sovereignty of God has come into view for us again; but I think this verse takes us in a somewhat different direction of thought. The Prophet Habakkuk sees the Sovereign Lord (God Almighty) as his source of strength. Knowing God is sovereign and governs over all circumstances and situations should give us strength and hope. It should give us boldness when in battle against the darkness of this world. I love the imagery he used here – comparing the surefootedness of a mountain sheep, antelope, or deer upon steep rocky crags. Though it appears to be in danger of falling; it’s hooves, leg muscles, dexterity, and instincts stabilize its center of gravity as it climbs the heights. It moves gracefully and naturally in its habitat – having confidence in the strength and abilities God has endowed it with….

Habakkuk applies this metaphor to our experience with God. The Father has instilled in us the assurance of His sovereignty and the hope of His compassion. He has given us His Word to instruct us. He has given us His Spirit … His divine power to navigate the challenges and hardships of life that we face. Through these, we receive comfort and confidence in God … the One who created us and called us to be His own people.

I think it is important for us to see the context of his prayer in order to appreciate his conclusion: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength.” I encourage you to read the entire Book of Habakkuk to understand the frame of reference found in his “complaints” to God … and the responses of God he shares with us. It was a time of great upheaval in the land of Judah due the impending invasion of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) – whom God would use to bring judgement upon His rebellious and idolatrous covenant people. Habakkuk struggled to understand why God would permit an evil nation to carry out His purposes. It is a question we have probably pondered as we look at the ever-increasing intensity and extent of evil in our world today. Perhaps, it should be a wake-up call to the Body of Christ in these latter days….

Despite his concerns and apprehensions surrounding what God is doing to cleanse and deliver His covenant people of their sin, Habakkuk understands that “the righteous will live by faith”. (Cf. 2:4) He is confident of the ultimate goodness, righteousness, and love of God regardless of what his eyes see before him. Habakkuk is unmoved in his faith by the calamities that will befall his sinful nation because he knows that God will preserve His holy ones. Habakkuk assures us that we can trust the sovereignty and justice of God: “The Lord is in holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” (Cf. 2:20) And so I love the comfort of his inspired words … especially at the end of his prayer:

Habakkuk 3:16-19 (NIV)

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to tread on the heights.

Whatever your concerns or apprehensions might be regarding the darkness and evil so prevalent in the world, always remember that the Sovereign Lord is your strength! You and I are able to stand with confidence even upon the rocky crags of mountain heights…. “He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber.” (Cf. Psalm 121:3) Yes, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Cf. Psalm 145:17-18) Indeed, I invite you to read both Psalm 121 and Psalm 145 so that your faith will be strengthened. You and I can endure all situations and circumstances through Christ who gives us strength. (Cf. Philippians 4:13)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith – who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to cause devastation; yet no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. ~ Isaiah 54:16-17

A Prayer of Moses

Psalm 90:2 (NIV)

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

I always love reading the Psalms! So many provide comfort and a time of wonderful meditation. Others, like Psalm 90, challenge our perspective and perception of God. Our Verse of the Day comes from a particular Psalm entitled: A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God. I think it is important to have this in mind to provide more context for the theology presented and the language used.

Psalm 90 – A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.

¹Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
²Before the mountains were bornor you brought forth the whole world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

³You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.”
⁴A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
⁵Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning:
⁶In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

⁷We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.
⁸You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
⁹All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.
¹⁰Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
¹¹If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due Your Name.
¹²Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

¹³Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.
¹⁴Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
¹⁵Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
¹⁶May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

¹⁷May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

In this Psalm, in this Prayer of Moses, we see the holiness, majesty, and sovereignty of God contrasted with the sinfulness, weakness, and mortality of man. Yet, within this contrast we find the anticipation of compassion … the assurance of unfailing love … and the restoration of personal relationship with the Lord God. I see this prayer as a call to understand that Father God is the Creator … and we are the created. And how we enter into relationship with God is predicated upon a humble spirit that respects, honors, and reverences Him. That we can even have an intimate relationship with God is an incredible gift of grace; and yet, to have intimacy with Him has been ordained since creation. Why? Because He created us in His image … so that we might have the capacity to know Him and to have fellowship with Him in spirit and in truth….

A focus on Verses 8-12 affords us a great opportunity to gain perspective. Our days here on earth are limited; and this knowledge in itself should lead us to wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” (Cf. Psalm 111:10) Yet, we see that it has been the rebellion of His children … our sinfulness and disobedience that has stirred His anger … His wrath. Both of these terms convey the human emotions that we would feel under the same circumstances. Indeed, our sinful nature is so grievous to the Father, that He had to deal with it in a powerful way. As the Apostle Paul wrote: “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Cf. Romans 3:25-26) And so, this Prayer of Moses leads us to this conclusion found in other inspired writings of the Bible: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….”

As a final thought, I want us to deeply consider what Moses wrote in the Book of Deuteronomy – the “song” Moses was commanded by the Lord to write down for the children of Israel:

Deuteronomy 31:14-30 (NIV)

The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.” So, Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

“Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” So, Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites.

The Lord gave this command to Joshua, son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you. For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die! Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officials, so that I can speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to testify against them. For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In the latter days, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord and arouse His anger by what your hands have made.”

The Song of Moses

And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: (Click Here to Read Deuteronomy 32 – The Song of Moses).

When I read these scriptures, I am convinced that our relationship with the Father through our Lord Jesus is predicated upon the same principles: a humble spirit that respects, honors, and reverences Him for His mercy and for His salvation from our sin. I am reminded that love, relationship, and intimacy with God is ultimately discovered through our obedience! God has not changed! His Word has not changed! We can experience the relationship for which we were created in Christ Jesus to enjoy … through the obedience that comes through faith! My prayer is that we will feel both challenged and encouraged as we continue along the journey of faith….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and is in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” ~ John 14:15-18

God’s Dwelling Place…

Revelation 21:2-4 (NIV)

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Our Verse of the Day always stirs my imagination and deepens my longing for that Glorious Day! I think of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians as he quoted the Prophet Isaiah:

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV)

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived,” (Citing Isaiah 64:4) — the things God has prepared for those who love Him — these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Indeed, there are things that God has revealed to us by His Spirit. Yes, there is a day that awaits the people of God … that glorious day when Jesus returns to “take” us to be with Him so that we may be with Him in the place He has prepared for us!

John 14:1-4 (NIV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. 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.”

And what captures my thoughts is this promise: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” So, I searched the scriptures to find additional references to this promise of God to dwell among His people. Here are a few for your consideration:

Exodus 29:44-46 (NIV)

“So, I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

2 Samuel 7:23-24 (NIV) – See also 1 Chronicles 17:22

And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for Himself, and to make a name for Himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

Jeremiah 24:6-7 (NIV)

My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV)

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Ezekiel 11:19-20 (NIV)

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 34:23-24 (NIV)

I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and He will tend them; He will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.

As I read through the prophecies of Ezekiel, my heart trembled and I just had to smile at these words he wrote under inspiration. Look at the language he used … the message. I can only imagine the connection and confirmation that the Apostle John felt as he wrote The Book of Revelation….

Ezekiel 37:22-28 (NIV)

I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. “‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”

It is clear to me that God has always desired to dwell with His people … the living beings He created for fellowship with Him. We are the object of His great love and affection! Over and over, He has said: “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” This is the created order! The first living beings, Adam and Eve, communed with the Lord until their transgression … when sin breached their holiness and separated them from God. Yet, God has passionately pursued His people ever since! God has continued through the millennia of human history to reveal Himself and His holiness to His people. In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. (Cf. Hebrews 1:1-3) It is ONLY in Christ Jesus, through the atonement of His blood, that we are restored to holiness and fellowship with the Father. And I believe it is in Jesus that Father God makes His dwelling place among us both now and forever….

Revelation 21:5-6 (NIV)

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is finished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

My friends, these ancient prophetic words are trustworthy and true! Yes, the Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place. (Cf. Revelation 22:6) Let us share with the world: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” (Cf. Isaiah 55:1-3)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! ~ Revelation 22:20

When I Am Afraid…

Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

As I reflect on our Verse of Day, I wonder: “Are you afraid this morning? Anxious about your life? Concerned about your future? King David experienced those types of feelings and insecurities. We all do from time to time. Life does not always go as expected. Circumstances and situations change. Relationships change. People change. The only thing that is certain in our lives is change! And, there is another thing of which we can be certain … God’s unchanging nature. His love and mercy are everlasting! They endure forever! God does not change. (Cf. Psalm 55:19; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Cf. Hebrews 13:8)

Through adversity and great challenges, King David came to understand that the only thing he could really trust in life was God Himself! When fighting life’s battles … both real and perceived … both external and self-inflicted, I think we should consider these words from the pen of David:

Psalm 20 (NIV)

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over Your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!

Although, David was referring to his position as the anointed King of Israel, understand that you abide in Christ and are anointed by His Spirit as a believer. Yes, through faith, the Holy Spirit abides in you and equips you for a victorious life! You are the recipient of His victorious power! As Peter wrote: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (Cf. 2 Peter 1:3) So, trust that God does hear your prayers and answers them from His heavenly sanctuary. Yes, trust that Christ Jesus is your mediator and sits at the right hand of God (Cf. 1 Timothy 2:5). Indeed, you can trust Him with your life … because He created your life! God loves you and He is for you! (Cf. Romans 8:28-32)

God has given us His Spirit … and He has given us His Word! And these are the greatest weapons we can wield in the spiritual battles that the Adversary wages against us. Paul exhorted Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God (in indwelling Holy Spirit) … for the Spirit God gives us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. (Cf. 2 Timothy 1:6-7) Indeed, Paul taught that the struggles we encounter with people are not against flesh and blood but with spiritual forces of evil:

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

In God I trust and am not afraid. Let this be our banner today! “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5) And I recall the word of the Lord to Joshua: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Cf. Joshua 1:8-9)

Here are some additional references that speak into this message:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal. ~ Isaiah 26:4

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. ~ Isaiah 54:17

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. ~ Nahum 1:7

My friends, we are spurred by God to trust in Him. King David urged, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Cf. Psalm 62:8) And, “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Cf. Psalm 91:2) Indeed, trust is the foundation of our faith in God. Trust is inherent to a life without fear. And so, I pray that you will find all of these Scriptures an encouragement for your journey of faith.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8

Keep His Covenant…

Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV)

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Psalm 103 is a beautiful meditation of David. In its 22 verses, he explores the foundations and depths upon which intimacy with God is established. Here we find David speaking to his own soul … addressing his inner being with truths about the nature and character of God that can only be understood and appreciated by the soul. As God is Spirit, our relationship with Him must be in the spirit realm … in a transparent form where nothing is hidden and truth abides. Psalm 103 invites us to think deeply and introspectively about the God who created us and His relationship with us:

¹Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
²Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—
³Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
⁴Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷He made known his ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever;
¹⁰He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him;
¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

¹³As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
¹⁴For He knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵The life of mortals is like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶The wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷But from everlasting to everlastingthe Lord’s love is with those who fear Him,and His righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸With those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

¹⁹The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

²⁰Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word.
²¹Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
²²Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.

(Verses 1-6)

I’m really glad that David began this Psalm with praise for the nature of God. He tells his soul, “Praise the Lord.” In my view, David “commands” his soul to praise God as he unfolds the “reasons” for doing so. He says to himself, “Do not forget all the benefits that the Father has bestowed your life.” God forgives ALL your sins and heals ALL your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit … the dark abyss of sin. He crowns you and intentionally places His love and compassion upon you. His favor promotes good things to bless your life. He works righteousness and justice for those who have been oppressed by others…. And that is just the beginning of how God acts on our behalf.

(Verses 7-13)

David now continues to explore how God manifests His character. God revealed His ways to Moses and displayed His works among His covenant people. From what has been reveal and demonstrated, David concludes that the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. David observes the kindness of God in that He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. David senses in his soul that the love of God … the forgiveness of God … the compassion of God surpasses our ability to comprehend.

(Verses 13-18)

David shares that what He experiences in His relationship with God is special. The intimacy he has come to know with the Creator … the benefits of fellowship with God the Father … is for those who fear Him! Indeed, His great love is for those who fear Him. (Verse 11). The Lord has compassion on those who fear Him (Verse 13). Yes, His love is with those who fear Him … with those who keep His covenant … with those who remember to obey His precepts. (Verses 17-18) As David wrote in another Psalm: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge (trusts) in Him.Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Cf. Psalm 34:8-10) To fear the Lord is to exalt and reverence Him. Indeed, there are no benefits nor rewards in life except for those who fear the Lord … for those who keep His covenant and obey His command.

(Verses 19-22)

David concludes this meditation within his soul with a declaration of the sovereignty of God. His throne is established in heaven! His Kingdom is the only authority throughout the universe He created. And this conviction ignites praise and worship within David again. David sees that ALL creation is subjected to the Lord God. ALL are commanded to obedience … ALL are enjoined to worship the Almighty God! His Word … His Will … His Works have been revealed to ALL creation. So, David commands his soul, “Praise the Lord!” For the soul of every living being WILL bow before Him; and every tongue will acknowledge Him. (Cf. Isaiah 45:22-24; Romans 14:10-12; Philippians 2:9-11)

Here is the application I have found. I cannot know the blessings or rewards of God apart from an intimate relationship with Him – a covenant relationship that He initiated and conferred upon me through His Son, Christ Jesus. The Apostle John explains, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (Cf. 1 John 4:10) And Paul wrote: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Cf. Ephesians 2:8-9) Indeed, there is nothing I have done to earn it or deserve it … but I am compelled in my innermost being to respond to His irresistible grace and love with great reverence. For I am convinced that His desire for relationship with me is knowable, and the thought of such love overwhelms me!

David said the love of God is everlasting with those who fear Him. His compassion is on those who fear Him. So, we need to understand this “fear” … this “reverence” … for God our Creator. To show reverence is an intentional act; and it encompasses how I regard God with the highest honor and deepest respect. Shall we not humble ourselves, and repent, and submit to Him in faith? Shall we not observe His commandments which reveal His will? God said, “Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord.” (Cf. Leviticus 22:31) Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” (Cf. John 14:15, 14:21; 15:10) Shall we not worship (love) in the manner that God has ordained? Obedience demonstrates our love. Obedience reveals truth. And obedience is better than sacrifice. (Cf. 1 Samuel 15:22)

My friends, I hope that something said here will resonate with your soul. What King David imparted in his Psalms is prophetic of the intimate relationship God desires with us in Christ Jesus. Indeed, the grace of God we know and experience in Christ Jesus should elicit an overwhelming desire within us to love and adore Him … which is manifested in truth through obedience. Reverence IS obedience … because the New Covenant has not been written on tablets of stone; rather, it has been written on our hearts.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39

Finish The Race…

Act 20:24 (NIV)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Our Verse of the Day shares a deep introspection from the Apostle Paul … a perspective on the “meaning of life” that each of us search to find at some point on our journey of faith. Indeed, living out and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ IS the task of every believer … regardless of our vocation, location, or situation in life. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) And so, we have been saved to do the good works ordained for us. As Paul reminded the Colossians: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) Likewise, he preached to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Cf. Galatians 2:20) Like Paul, we too are to complete the tasks God has given us to do … “being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus. (Cf. Philippians 1:6)

Up to this point in Acts 20, Luke has been documenting the missionary journey undertaken by Paul and the evangelical opportunities for ministry afforded to him along the way. It has been a fruitful journey, but there have been hardships and challenges in the midst of preaching the Gospel and discipling elders in the churches he labored to establish. This is the backdrop when we reach our passage:

Acts 20:17-24 (NIV)

From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Paul is in route to Jerusalem. His mind is made up … his determination will not be thwarted. Regardless of the dangers and hardships that await him along the journey, Paul is committed to complete the task that he received from the Lord Jesus. Though he is convinced in his own spirit that the end of his life and mission draws nigh, none of what the Holy Spirit has revealed to him alters his decision. He confides: “I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself. I must finish my course … I must run this race. I must complete the work and ministry that was given to me by the Lord Jesus … to preach the Gospel.” What incredible resolve! What an awesome testimony of faithfulness! We would all do well to follow the example of Paul….

I found his use of the word “race” a salient metaphor. To me, the word conjures images of physical exertion; the need for both strength and conservation of energy in order to endure; and a sense of urgency to finish in a short amount of time. This should be our focus as well … as we look to fulfill our mission as the Church. There should be a sense of urgency for us to share the Gospel of grace as well. Like Paul, we need to hear the direction of the Holy Spirit and be under compulsion to advance the Gospel. Indeed, there is a race for each of us to run, not in vain competition, but to advance the Kingdom of God with the utmost imperative to act promptly, decisively, and without delay.

Paul declared, “My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus Christ as given me.” He indicates that this “mission” … this “purpose” … surpasses everything else once deemed important in his life. Paul counts his life and previous ambitions as worthless in comparison to the work he became commissioned to do. In essence, Paul was saying that nothing (prison or hardships) would deter him from completing the good work he was created in Christ Jesus to do. He reasoned: whatever the risks of following the Lord Jesus and accomplishing His will for my life is more important than my own inward, personal aspirations I used to have in life. It represents a complete surrender to the will of God, and I believe this is an important principle for us to embrace in our walk of faith….

I sometimes wonder if we ever feel the same way? Do we purpose for every action and activity done over the course of the day to be integral to the ministry which we have received from the Lord Jesus? That was the heart of Jesus. That was the practice of the Apostles. That is the challenge to the Body of Christ! Will we endeavor to let what we do demonstrate who we are in Christ? As you can see, this verse has challenged me to look inwardly … to ask what value my life brings to the Kingdom of God? Is my aim to grow a larger business or to have greater impact on the spread of the Gospel? The question explores which purpose or objective is at the forefront of my thoughts as each day unfolds? Is my vocation the aim of my life … or is the focus to complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me to do? I think these are questions that many of us ask ourselves.

But even as I ask these questions, I wonder: “Do these options have to be mutually exclusive – meaning both cannot happen at the same time?” God forbid! I believe the answer should be they are mutually inclusive – meaning neither can happen independent of the other. What I do for a vocation can and should be aligned and integrated with the work God prepared in advance for me to do. For God should not be relegated to a part of my life … when He IS my total life. Thus, I believe our occupations should facilitate the achievement of what the Lord Jesus has commissioned for each of us to complete during our time here on earth. “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Cf. Acts 17:28).

My friends, when the Word of God convinces our souls of the truth and we place our faith in Jesus, a new dimension of life enters our existence. Our spirits … our inner beings … are born again! Our concept of “self” is radically altered. We are changed from within! We are new creations! The old has gone, the new is here! And so, the value or worth we placed on our previous existence is changed as well. What we thought we valued for our lives is replaced with a “purpose” of far greater significance. Our lives, resurrected in Christ, have a new motivation: to live worthy of the Lord; to please Him in every way; to be productive in His Kingdom for His glory! As Paul encouraged, “Forget what is behind and press onward to what is ahead. Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Cf. Philippians 3:13-14)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3

No More Condemnation…

John 3:17 (NIV)

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Our Verse of the Day is perhaps the greatest news we could share with anyone who is struggling with their past failures and feeling unworthy of the redemption and reconciliation Father God has offered to the world through Jesus Christ! Self-condemnation can be a vicious stronghold to break if our concept of a God is one of judgment and wrath alone. To be sure, Scripture reveals both the judgment and wrath of God … but both are reserved for those who reject Christ Jesus and do not place their faith in Him. Indeed, this verse declares the kindness and love of God so that each person is given the opportunity to repent of their sins and failures. Let’s look at this verse in the surrounding context:

John 3:16-21 (NIV)

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. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

God sent Jesus to be the atonement for the sins of the world. That is the purpose for which God gave Him to us. It is the atonement of His blood that we are to believe and receive … to place our faith in Him and to proclaim His self-sacrifice as all-sufficient to pay our sin debt and to redeem us from the condemnation of sin. Whoever believes in Him is no longer condemned! Believers have been set free … forgiven … released. Believers are no longer under the law of sin (Cf. Romans 7:23-25) … but now abide under the law of liberty! (Cf. James 1:25) So the application here is to believe! Believe the testimony of God regarding His Son whom He sent to be our Savior. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Cf. Romans 2:4) As the Apostle John expounded: when we reject the testimony of God about His Son, Jesus, we have in essence called God a liar….

1 John 5:9-12 (NIV)

We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

God does not want us to live under the weight of condemnation, but God has made it clear that each human must make their personal decision about Jesus. Believe and receive eternal life OR reject and remain in condemnation. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Cf. Romans 5:8) A person is not condemned for what they have done … the sin they have committed … or their failure to live up to the moral law God has decreed; rather, a person remains under condemnation for rejection of God’s grace … for refusing the forgiveness and redemption He has offered to us through the death of His Son. Think about it a moment! God willingly sacrificed His One and Only Son for the sin of the world. Jesus is the only atonement God would accept because of His own holiness. The blood of an animal sacrifice is insufficient to purge sin. (Cf. Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 66:1-4; Hebrews 10)

So, when a person rejects what God has done … what has God ordained for true life in Him … He allows that person to remain in condemnation because they refused to receive the propitiation provided on their behalf. When a person rejects Jesus Christ … they reject the Father as well. (Cf. John 5:22-24; 1 John 2:22-23) It is not a loving God that sends a person to hell; rather, it is a loving God who makes provision for a person to be saved from the condemnation and wrath of sin. That provision is His Son … Jesus! And this is the message that we who are ambassadors of Christ are called to share. As Paul asserted: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

Romans 8:1-10 (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 us free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

Do you know anyone who feels condemned or has fallen into self-condemnation? Share this good news with them! God has made provision to remove all condemnation through Christ Jesus. Let condemnation be replaced with conviction! Yes, let conviction bring confession … so that we agree with God that His Word and righteous decrees are holy and just. Oh, there is hope for the sinner who feels condemned! There is freedom for the captive and the broken-hearted! For the kindness of God is intended to lead us to repentance! God sent His light into the world, and His light has overcome the darkness! (Cf. John 1:5) I pray we will share that light with whosoever will listen; and pray God will grant them the gift of repentance and bring them to a knowledge of the Truth….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 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. ~ Romans 5:15-19

Be Devoted to Others…

Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Our Verse of the Day continues to examine the expectations and qualities of our personal relationships with others. These are always great reminders when we might feel otherwise in our attitudes with other people. The Apostles give us some practical ways to demonstrate love … to be devoted to one another in love and to honor others above ourselves:

Romans 13:8-10 (NIV)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” (Citing Exodus 20:13-17; Deuteronomy 5:17-21) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Citing Leviticus 19:18) Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 6:1-3 (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NIV)

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more….

James 2:8-9 (NIV)

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show favoritism, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

1 Peter 1:22-23 (NIV)

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.

1 John 3:11-18 (NIV)

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s actions were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Well, if you are struggling with loving other people as God sees them, especially those you consider the most unlovable, then I hope these Scriptures will give you some renewed encouragement to love as God in Christ has demonstrated His love for you. When it hurts to love because someone has hurt us … when it is not convenient to love because it takes of our time … when it is difficult to love because we have disagreements … when love requires financial sacrifice to provide for the needs of others … how do we put the unmerited, compassionate, agape love of God into action – in real terms? I am reminded that Jesus addressed this issue for us:

Luke 6:27-36 (NIV)

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most-High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

As I mediated on all these scriptures, the word “kindness” came to mind. Jesus said that God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked – like many of us before we received the grace of repentance and came to a knowledge of the truth in Christ Jesus! Kindness is the greatest demonstration of the other fruit of the Spirit. Love, peace, goodness, gentleness, and self-control can all be expressed through our kindness. And kindness is inherent in longsuffering and faithfulness. Paul observed it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Cf. Romans 2:4). So, I think the kindness we extend to others should have this same intention. Indeed, “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (Cf. James 2:13)

My friends, I think it is important for us to remember that God expressed His “unmerited” love through the riches of His kindness. As Paul wrote: “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Cf. Romans 5:8) There is nothing we did to earn it or deserve it. We are sinners saved by grace alone! (Cf. Ephesians 2:5) And so, I believe it follows that we are to love others without consideration of “merit”. We are not to love others because they deserve our love, forgiveness, or compassion; rather, we are to love others and to be merciful to them fully for the sake of love itself … while they too are yet sinners. That is HOW God has loved us … without condition! Amen!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had toward you. ~ Philippians 2:3-5