A Completed Work…

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Our Verse of the Day is a great reminder of the promise and faithfulness of God to complete your sanctification in Christ Jesus!  Let’s look at the larger passage for context:

Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the Gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

What a powerful opening dialogue in his Letter to the Philippians! Paul clearly explains that the work of God in each of us individually has a corporate goal or purpose in mind.  Paul appreciates their partnership with him in the declaration (preaching) of the Gospel; and he prays for their love (rooted in their relationship with Christ) to increase the fruit of wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives us. The desire of God is the completion of our personal holiness and devotion to Him; and the awesome news is that God is still working in each of us! Indeed, Paul assures us that God will continue His work in us until it is completed!

My friends, it is my prayer that today you will take time to consider all the work God has done in your life through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that each of us will surrender ourselves to the obedience that comes from faith so that we too will be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the Day of Christ … when He comes in His glory! As the Apostle James urged: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (Cf. James 1:2-4)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. ~ Hebrews 7:24-25

Prayer – His Power at Work…

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Our Verse of the Day continues on the theme of prayer … the power of God manifested through prayer … the praise and glory due His Name because He answers our prayers!

I believe we need to study Ephesians 3 because it is filled with incredible insight into the inner workings of prayer – how God acts on behalf of His people through His Son, our Lord Jesus, and how He empowers us through the indwelling of His Spirit.  I will underline what I find as the most powerful thoughts that Paul shares in this passage of scripture:

Ephesians 3 (NIV)

1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the Gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this Gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him (Jesus) and through faith in Him (Jesus) we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Points of Reflection:

  1. Like Paul, God’s grace is given to us in order to serve others.
  • Because Paul was afforded wisdom to understand the revelations he was shown, we now have that knowledge as imparted in this Epistle to the Ephesians.
  • This insight has been revealed by the Holy Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets for our own edification and understanding.
  • The mystery is that in Christ Jesus, believers (Jewish and non-Jewish) have become members of ONE Body in Christ Jesus.
  • Note that the work of grace in our lives is given to us by God through the working of His power!
  • The grace that we receive is to share the Gospel … the Good News of the peace and unity we receive through abiding in Christ Jesus.
  • Paul explains that the intent … the purpose of God in revealing this mystery … is that through the Church (the united body of Christ in the world – both Jewish and non-Jewish) the sovereign will of God should be made known; that is, put on display and brought into full reality before the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms in accordance with His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  • Note that the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms referred to here are those who are opposed to God and His Sovereignty. (Cf. Ephesians 6:12) His work in us is to effectuate a oneness with the Body of Christ that is evidence to world and to spiritual beings in the heavenly realms. 
  • In Jesus and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Let His grace and truth empower you!
  1. Paul’s prayer is for the people of God to be strengthened with the power of His Spirit in our inner beings (souls).  This strength comes from His glorious riches which are found in Christ – His inner dwelling (abiding) in us through faith! (Cf. John 15)
  1. The reason Paul gives for his prayer is that through the power of God we might KNOW the depth of Jesus’ love … because it is a love that essentially exceeds human understanding. It is made known spiritually within our inner beings….
  1. Included in the reason for his prayer, Paul desires that we (believers) may be filled with “all the fullness of God.” Again, this is received through our intimacy with Christ Jesus as His Body.  (Cf. John 1:16; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 2:9-10)
  1. Paul concludes this portion of his letter with a “doxology” – a praise to God for His attributes, His power, and for His loving purposes for His people through Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have found this chapter in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians to be so powerful in its presentation of the spiritual experience God has ordained for every believer in Christ Jesus.  It affirms His purpose that those who put their faith in Jesus should experience “fullness” in their life of faith.  It affirms we can personally and intimately know the love of Christ in a way that we may approach the Father with freedom and confidence.  Only through abiding faith Christ Jesus can we have true life … real life … abundant life … external life! Indeed, this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (Cf. John 17:3)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” ~ John 14:6-7

When I Called … You Answered

Psalm 138:2-3 (NIV)

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

Our Verse of the Day is a timely affirmation of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to those who love Him. As I think about our time of corporate intercessory prayer on Wednesday nights, we strive to be focused on being bold in our petitions and requests; to believe we receive what we ask; and to praise God in advance for the answers He ordains … the outcomes according to His will. I think this Psalm captures what our hearts can experience when we take time to enter the presence of the Lord as the local body. I will reprint Psalm and its reflective words for our reference:

Psalm 138 (NIV)

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is exalted, He looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, He sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

More than ever, it is important for God’s people to “pray without ceasing” and to seek greater intimacy with the Lord. Though we have always been admonished to pray continually (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), there seems to be a heightened sense of urgency in these last days. It has been revealed to His Church for us to emphasize the power of intercessory prayer. As we contemplate the times in which we live, we need to embrace that prayer changes things … mostly because it inwardly changes our hearts to align with the heart of the Father. It softens and molds our hearts to see the brokenness, oppression, injustice, and darkness that has over taken the lives of so many people around us. It instills a greater awareness of sickness and disease people are enduring. God deeply wants to bring healing and hope; forgiveness and salvation; liberty and life to the world … and most often His work is done through people. This simply means the people God uses to address the evils in our world must have willing hearts to do the work needed. And a great deal of that work begins with prayer.  Believers need to press into the presence of God until we, like David, can proclaim: “When I cried out, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul!” (NKJV) Indeed, it is prayer that prepares us to be bold; to be courageous; to be servants to those God is calling to Himself! I recall the words of Jesus who shared this perspective with us:

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

Luke 10:1-3 (NIV)

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

When we pray, we are “asking” the Lord. And here Jesus tells us to “ask” the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field. Why? There is a vast multitude of people to be brought into the Kingdom of God, but there are few who are willing to do the work to make it happen. When Jesus said ask, it was not about asking the Lord to send someone else; rather, it was about asking Him to become one of His workers. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Cf. Isaiah 6:8) Indeed, that is my personal prayer … to be bold and courageous and to say: “Here I am, Lord. Send me!”

What is your prayer? When we pray and ask the Lord Jesus to change hearts, to change lives, and to change the world, just what are we expecting Him to do? Exert His divine, supernatural authority and power? Indeed, He will! But I believe He will do so through His people … through His Church. Are we not His Body in the world? Are we not the ones supposed to do the work in His harvest field?  Are we not the ones to whom He has given His authority and power?

James 2:14-17 (NIV)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

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.

My friends, I encourage and challenge us to think more deeply about the role of prayer in our lives and in our walk of faith. It is one thing to ask God to do something about the suffering in this world; it is quite another to ask Him for boldness and courage to be a worker in His harvest field. Indeed, as His Body, we have been appointed to go into the harvest field. As Paul admonished, we have been asked to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – as this is our true and proper (spiritual) worship. (Cf. Romans 12:1) We have been anointed with spiritual gifts to serve. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) We have been empowered with boldness! “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7) Yes, it is prayer that will get each of us to that place of alignment with the heart of God in order to accomplish His work….

A Final Thought:

How often have we heard people ask, “Why does God allow suffering in this world?” Perhaps, you have asked this or a similar question. I know that I have. But the answer I have received was quite unsettling. God asked me, “Why do you allow suffering?” I had to pause and deeply consider the question. Do I allow suffering? How have I done so? Well, in a word: “Inaction!” Yes, inaction is the opposite of what James and John admonished us to do. Indeed, there are many actions we can take to address the problems of this world … if we will but take time and look for the opportunities. So, let’s get bold and busy! There is a great harvest for us to gather in these last days….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ~ Galatians 6:7-10

His Way Is Perfect…

Psalm 18:30 (NIV)

As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.

Our Verse of the Day can also be found at 2 Samuel 22:31. In fact, 2 Samuel 22 captures Psalm 18 in its entirety … for those of you interested in bible trivia. This Psalm is prefaced with these words:

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love you, Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies….

Psalm 18 – Excerpts

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 19 He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.

25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 26 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. 27 You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.


30 As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights.

Oh, may each of us remember that our Heavenly Father is perfect in all of His ways! May we embrace the truth of His Word: “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” (Cf. Psalm 12:6) “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” (Cf. Proverbs 30:5) Yes, God is our refuge and places a hedge of protection around those who love Him … a spiritual barrier around those who trust in Him! I fervently pray that we all embrace the truths His Word has proclaimed….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. ~ Job 23:10-12

His Words Are Eternal…

Matthew 24:35 (NIV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Our Verse of the Day is nestled in a larger narrative that records the words of Jesus to His disciples concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and signs of the End Times. So, in that context, Jesus told them, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away.” Perhaps, we should take a closer look at what Jesus said because He, in essence, declares that His words have been established forever. Matthew 24 is quite lengthy, and I have placed a link here for your convenience, but I think it bears examining and noting what Jesus foretold would take place.

Yes, we can be sure that the current heaven and earth will pass away; and a new heaven and a new earth will be created. But then Jesus said: “My words will never pass away.” His words remind me of several Scriptures which affirm this truth. “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven.” (Cf. Psalm 119:89) “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. (Cf. Psalm 119:160) The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Cf. Isaiah 40:8) And Peter shares the application of this truth: “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. (Cf. 1 Peter 1:22-23) And think about what the Apostle John declared: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (Cf. John 1:1-3) Perhaps, it is more readily evident what Jesus was telling His disciples and those who followed and believed in Him. His words will never pass away because Jesus will never pass away. Jesus declared, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Cf. Revelation 1:8) And Jesus confirmed, “I AM HE who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen!” (Cf. Revelation 1:18) Yes, the Word of God is the beginning of all things, and He is eternal!

Jesus, the ever-living Word of God, has spoken. (Cf. Hebrews 1:2) He has told us ahead of time what will happen … what will take place in the latter days … so that we will know and believe Him. But even more, Jesus wants us to trust Him at His Word. He knows what will come to pass. He knows that heaven and earth will pass away. But Jesus said, “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.” (Cf. John 14:3) Indeed, Jesus is coming a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. (Cf. Hebrews 9:28) So, we must trust. We must wait. We must persevere in faith….

Since Jesus has already told us ahead of time what “this generation” should expect to see unfold, we should not fear; rather, “When these things begin to take place, we should stand up and lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near.” (Cf. Luke 21:28) And we should be faithful and wise servants, whom the master has put in charge of His house while He is away. We should be doing the good works prepared in advance for us to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) Yes, we should be about sharing the truth of the Gospel and making disciples of all people … not making denominational converts. Religion is divisive. But leading people to an authentic encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ will bring unity and peace. For there is no division in Christ! Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We abide in Him and He in us … for apart from Him we can do nothing. (Cf. John 15:5) Though many members, we form one body in Christ, and therefore, each member belongs to all the others. (Cf. Romans 12:5) Indeed, unity and assembling ourselves has become even more important as we see the Day approaching. Why? Because the purpose is to encourage each other to bear the fruit of love and good works. (Cf. Hebrews 10:24-25)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. ~ Hebrews 4:12-13

In That Day…

Isaiah 12:4 (NIV)

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Our Verse of the Day has excited me – with its call to praise; to worship; to give the LORD the glory due His Name! All of these are the very fiber of what fellowship with our Creator means! His care and concern for us; our very lives; and all that He has done to give us fullness of life in Him is reason enough to exalt Him and to praise His Name!

Yet, I sense there is someone who feels that God has not done for you as you think or believe that He should. If God has disappointed you, and you do not feel He has answered your prayers or responded to your cause, I encourage you, even in your sense of despair, to consider what God has already done for you. Indeed, the Lord has done exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or think! For God has granted you, according to the riches of His glory, that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith … and that you may know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge … and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God! (Cf. Ephesians 3:14-21) Hallelujah! It is for our salvation, first and foremost, that we should reverence God and worship Him….

I like the words of the Prophet Habakkuk because I think He captures this thought quite well:

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

Though the fig tree does not blossom 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 delight in the God of my salvation.

And, of course, the Apostle Paul affords us some wisdom and insight along these lines:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I delight in weaknesses and infirmities; in insults and reproaches; in needs and hardships; in threats and persecutions; in difficulties and distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My friends, we need to understand that God is far above our circumstances and sovereign over every aspect of our lives.  Indeed, it is our inadequacies and weaknesses that have drawn us to Him; and I believe that is what He desires most of all. The Father desires that we would come to Him in all situations and abide in Him. If we trust God for His gift of salvation, how can we not trust Him for all things in our lives?  And worship is how we express our trust … our faith.  Praise and worship communicate the deepest hope of our hearts … the desire to know God and to be known by Him.

Isaiah 12 (NIV)

In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

I believe TODAY should be “THAT” Day! TODAY is the day to give praise to the LORD and to declare His Name; to make known what He has done … that He has granted us salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ! For the Father has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the Name that is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Cf. Philippians 2:9-11) Let us praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. (Cf. Psalm 148:13) In doing so, I believe you will lighten the weight of disappointment and discouragement … and find delight in what the Lord has done! And I pray that you are encouraged daily to persevere in faith….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So, I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” (Citing Psalm 95:7-11) See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:7-15

Righteousness Exalts a Nation…

Proverbs 14:34 (NIV) and Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

I’m not sure what else could be said that is not embodied in our Verse of the Day. Yet, observe how King Solomon addresses the matter as a collective issue: A NATION! Yes, a nation is lifted up by its righteousness … which is inherently composed of the individual righteousness of each citizen. A nation cannot be righteous if its people live in sin…. And what we have seen so prevalent within the past few decades is a deepening moral decline within our nation. There has been a discernable shift from the “condemnation” of sin to the “celebration” of sin; and it seems more pervasive now as our culture displays a ravenous appetite for sinful behavior … even taking “pride” in it. To be sure, we cannot continue to celebrate and glory in sinful conduct and expect our nation to be upheld by our Holy God who loves righteousness and justice….

I cannot help but to see the application of personal righteousness being extended to the greater community around me. For a nation to be righteous, it must have people with a heart for righteousness … people who live with a fear of the Lord as the foundation of their faith … for it is the foundation of life. (Cf. Proverbs 14:27) “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” (Cf. Proverbs 8:13) The people of a community (whether a local church, a local town, a county, state, or nation) cannot live in rebellion, disobedience, or indifference to God or His Word and expect to be prosperous or exalted. Sin condemns! Righteousness begins with individual hearts and then extends to the larger communities of people. A church cannot function as the Body of Christ if its members are unwilling to confront their own sin and deal with it through confession and repentance. Neither can a nation stand if its citizens abandon the wisdom and knowledge of God our Creator. And I sense that our country is headed down a dangerous slope into destruction if it continues to reject the truth of God and to embrace the lies coming from spiritual forces of darkness….

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.

King David, too, affirms that a nation devoted to God Most-High, Creator of heaven and earth, shall be exalted … shall be blessed. Indeed, we find both David and Solomon admonishing the nation of Israel to direct their collective hearts to a mindset of reverence for Father God. Each individual is responsible to self-examine in this regard in order for the larger society to flourish as a people (a nation) under the authority and reign of God. Perhaps, we should look closer at how David envisioned the relationship of God with His people … a nation whose God is the Lord:

Psalm 33:1-22 (NIV)

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the Word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea as into a heap; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth— He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Wow! What a beautiful meditation! It speaks to the communal nature of our praise … our trust … our hope … our life as a people. Indeed, I believe the metaphor that Paul used to describe the interdependent relationships of God’s people as a single body with many members is quite fitting in this context:

Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”

It is through Christ Jesus that all believers become one Body … one Family … one Kingdom. The Apostle Peter affirms this oneness; declaring that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy.” (Cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10) Yes, we are heirs together with Israel because we have been chosen for His inheritance in Christ Jesus. In Christ, there is great diversity … yet no division. As Paul affirmed, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Cf. Galatians 3:28-29)

My friends, as we celebrate the founding of our nation today, I want to encourage us to remember and celebrate the founding of the “holy nation” that God ordained for His people to become. “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Behold, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will not panic.” (Cf. Isaiah 28:16) And, “The stone that builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Cf. Psalm 118:22) Yes, the “holy nation” that believers form in Christ should celebrate its foundation and coming together and the purpose for which it has been founded.

And just as we celebrate the liberty and freedom we enjoy in this country, let us celebrate the liberty and freedom we have obtained through Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus declared that He was sent by the Father to proclaim freedom for those who are captive or oppressed and to release from darkness those who are blind. (Cf. Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1) To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (Cf. John 8:31-32; 34-36) As Paul wrote, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Cf. Galatians 5:1)

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed celebration today! Our Declaration of Independence is worth celebrating and our Constitution is worth commending because our nation was founded upon the principles of human dignity and liberty. Though as a nation we have not always lived up to the standards ascribed, its guidance has served to form a more perfect union of people. Likewise, the Body of Christ as a “holy nation” was founded upon the Word of God activated through the Holy Spirit abiding in us! Truth and grace came by Jesus Christ … the light and manifestation of God’s love. So let us celebrate Jesus today for the liberty He has granted us! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

The Heart is Deceitful…

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

Our Verse of the Day makes a powerful statement about the human heart … the inner being of each person. I believe we all need to take some time to reflect on it. Yes, everyone, and especially believers in Christ, need to self-examine each day … do a heart check with God before we begin our day because of this very issue: our hearts are deceitful above all things. This is not a personal indictment, opinion, or commentary; rather, “This is what the Lord says.” Let us begin with a look at the verse in the surrounding context?

Jeremiah 17:1-10 (NIV)

1 “Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. 2 Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles beside the spreading trees and on the high hills. 3 My mountain in the land and your wealth and all your treasures I will give away as plunder, together with your high places, because of sin throughout your country. 4 Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have kindled my anger, and it will burn forever.” 5 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. 6 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. 7 “But blessed is the onewho trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. 8 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.” 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

Do any of us really think that we can hide anything from our Creator? No, the truth cannot be hidden – even within the unseen depths of our hearts. A person might externally deceive others … but no one can deceive God. God says, “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind.” And He will reward each of us according to our conduct … because our conduct (even unseen conduct) is the manifestation of the thoughts in our hearts. And so, God has spoken to us through the Prophet Jeremiah to understand this very real concern: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” To be deceitful is to be “filled with deceit”; to conceal or misrepresent truth; to lie or mislead with the intent to do so. Since we cannot understand this phenomenon within us, there is no self-help … self-therapy … self-will that can change the human heart … the human soul. It is beyond our own ability to cure. The heart can only be cleansed and healed by God … the One who created us! This is why a person must first come to repentance … why a person must recognize their helpless state of deception and depravity … and then surrender to the only One who can change their heart. Only in Jesus will our heart condition be healed. Only in Him will we receive forgiveness, healing, restoration, and ultimate salvation.

Consider what Jesus declared in this regard when a certain ruler asked Him: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Then Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.” (Cf. Luke 18:18-19) Yes, prophets and apostles alike have concluded: “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Cf. Psalm 14:2-3; Psalm 53:2-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-12) The point is that no one is good, not even one. And that indictment should convince us, if we are honest with ourselves, that the truth about our inner sinful nature needs our personal attention. Personal introspection and reflection should cause us to see our deepest need for the transformation available through grace. And this overwhelming need should not discourage us from seeking God; rather, it should draw us to the foot of the cross of Christ Jesus where He shed His blood for us … where atonement and reconciliation with God was accomplished for us! Indeed, it is because of the human heart that God in His compassion and mercy sent His Son to rescue us! (See Romans 5:8)

The Apostle Paul made some keen observations about the human heart and our desperate need for salvation; and he set forth a theological foundation to establish why none of us is in a position to judge others – because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Though we attempt to observe the law of God, the motives of our hearts expose the righteousness of the law. The law might restrain outward conduct or behavior, but it does not change the inner human heart. It is our hearts … our inner beings … that need redemption from the inclinations of the thoughts within. Indeed, there is a personal battle of temptation each one of us faces, and only through faith in Jesus Christ will we become victorious. As John attested: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (Cf. 1 John 5:4)

I encourage you to read the Book of Romans – Chapters 1-3 this week. They contain some powerful insight to challenge us … to afford us some discernment for the times we are living in now and for the times that lie ahead of us. So, what is the Spirit of God telling you at this moment? What conviction has He brought to your mind regarding the inclinations of your own heart? Do you judge others for the same sins? As you meet with God in your quiet or secret place, I encourage you to let the following Scriptures come to mind:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV)

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation (test) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond what you can bear. But when (not if) you are tempted (tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

James 4:7-10 (NIV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

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. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

My friends, we have been called out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Let truth illuminate and perform its perfect work within us! Everything exposed by the light becomes visible; and 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. (Cf. John 3:21)  Indeed, each one of us needs to guard our hearts with the Word of God and the Spirit of God. For the Father has freely given us both to correct our wayward hearts and to be conformed to the image of His Son.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. ~ Proverbs 4:23-27

A Balanced View of Self…

Romans 12:3 (NIV)

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Our Verse of the Day has been referenced in a few previous commentaries; and to see it again implies to me that we need to take another look at it. The exercise of humility is so central to the Christian life that this reminder should not be dismissed….  And I think to understand Verse 3, we need to bring in Verses 1-2 for context:

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

In view of God’s mercy, we are urged to offer ourselves as living sacrifices – not only to God but to one another by extension.  Paul indicates that pattern for living constitutes a true and proper worship of God because to conduct yourself in this manner indicates both a humble and loving inner spirit.  It is the grace and mercy that God has shown toward each of us in Christ Jesus that cultivates and motivates a mindset of meekness and gentleness – that subdues our former haughty or arrogant attitudes.  And Verse 2 indicates that this approach to life is the result of renewing your mind (through faith which comes by hearing the Word of God) so that you do not conform to the pattern of this world. That pattern is a pride-filled spirit rooted in self-centeredness and self-reliance … and does not submit to, depend upon, or seek to please God.  To me, understanding this context allows us to see the imperatives of Verse 3 in relation to the “power” of faith to transform our conduct from inward pride to outward compassion….

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:

When Paul speaks of “the grace given him,” he is emphatic that his encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus was the greatest act of mercy and grace ever extended to anyone.  Because of his Pharisaical zeal, Paul was vehemently persecuting the earliest followers of Christ; flogging them; throwing them into prisons; even consenting to their executions.  The amount of innocent blood on his hands was so large that when confronted by the Lord Jesus, the flood of guilt was an ocean by comparison.  In his letter to Timothy, Paul referred to himself as the “worst of sinners” (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:15) but then he concluded, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.” (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:16) So what Paul is saying here is that in light of the grace and mercy ALL of us have been granted by God – including those who are the worst of sinners – we ought to feel a great sense of humility!

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,

In light of God’s mercy and grace, we should have a proper understanding of our position before Him.  Salvation is a gift! Too often we tend to compare our own sins with those of others – determining in our own judgment that our personal sins are somehow less offensive to God than those committed by some other evil, vile, or wicked person. Paul cautions us to not deceive ourselves in this regard:

Romans 14:10-13 (NIV)

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

There are many hindrances to growing in grace and faith when we judge ourselves to be better or superior to others. God created us all, and He is the judge of us all. None of us have or will ever meet the standard of holiness God requires. There is no one who does good. No, not one.  (Cf. Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:12) Even Jesus affirmed this human condition when He asked: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Cf. Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19) Thus, Paul admonishes us (and we should embrace his insight here) to think rightly about ourselves. We need to rid ourselves of any religious piety or spiritual arrogance … for of such character were the Pharisees and Jesus called them out about it! Still, I find the next part of this verse as key to its interpretation and message:

In accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

This is an interesting caveat to the exhortation being given to us. When we assess ourselves, it should be without pride and it should be the result of a “renewed mind” as referenced in Verse 12:2. Paul is essentially explaining the way the renewed Christian mind should think.  And consider, of all things Paul could have said about human thinking and the way the mind works, he chose to address the issue of pride and what the mind does in thinking about itself in relation to other people. He says something negative and something positive, just the way he did in Verse 2. There he said, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed in the renewal of your mind.” Here he says, “Don’t think more highly of yourself than you should, but think with sober judgment.” In other words, Paul is getting more specific and describing the way that the renewed Christian mind does not conform to the world but is transformed. And notice that the first thing he addresses is pride.

The issue of pride appears to be a great burden with Paul. Three times in Romans 11, he warned us against pride and conceit. Romans 11:18, “Do not be arrogant toward the [broken off Jewish] branches.” Romans 11:20, “You stand fast through faith. So do not become proud.” Romans 11:25, “Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery.” Then Paul takes it up again in Romans 12:16, “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.” Then again in Romans 14:4 as I shared above. This issue of pride and the view of self in relation to God and others is the deepest human problem in the universe. If our minds are ever to be renewed, the issue of pride is where we must start.

It’s not just a problem with the church in Rome. In Romans 8:7, Paul describes the fundamental problem that we have—all of us— “The mind that is set on the flesh (that is, the natural mind apart from God’s transforming Spirit) is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.” That is the fundamental problem of your mind and my mind. We are insubordinate toward God. We will not submit to the truth that God Himself has ordained all that is true and good and right and beautiful and valuable and satisfying. Instead, the human mind thinks of itself as the judge and measure; thus, thinking too highly of itself.

My friends, I realize this study has become lengthy, but I just felt compelled to put some time into it and impress upon our hearts that pride in all of its shapes and forms is both deceptive and destructive.  Indeed, it is my prayer that we will be conformed to the image of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who humbled Himself and took on the nature of a servant to all. 

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:1-5

His Name is Jesus…

Zechariah 14:9 (NIV)

The Lord will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His name the only name.

Our Verse of the Day is a word from the Prophet Zechariah that foretells events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ. The Prophet Zechariah lived during the post-exilic time period when the Jewish people returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity around 538-536 BC.  The zeal for national restoration and rebuilding the temple was quite high among the remnant; and the prophetic words of this priest/prophet reflect what the Lord was doing among His people in that historical time.  Zechariah was a contemporary of the Prophet Haggai, and their messages correlate and resonate with the call to repentance and the promised blessings.  In Chapter 14, we read some of the final prophecies given by Zechariah who addresses the sovereignty of God in history, over people and nations – past, present, and future. This was the theological emphasis of the prophets during that period … pointing to the awaited Messiah-Ruler to come.  His Name is Jesus!

Zechariah 14:1-9 (NIV)

A Day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the Holy Ones with Him. On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His name the only name.

Though I want to expound on other prophetic scriptures that speak to the Second Coming of Christ, my heart has been drawn to the sovereignty, the power, and the exaltation of the Name of the Lord! When Jesus returns, He will be king over the whole earth! On that day there will be one Lord, and His Name the only Name!” In my heart, the words declared through Prophet Isaiah are sealed:

Isaiah 45:22-25 (NIV)

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: “Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will confess. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in Him.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

My friends, the name of Jesus IS above every other name; and His Name shall be exalted in all the earth! As the Psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His Name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Cf. Psalm 148:13) Peter declared: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Cf. Acts 4:12) Yes, the name of Jesus was given to Him by the Father. (Cf. Matthew 1:21) “And this is His command: to believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” (Cf. 1 John 3:23) Indeed, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His Name together.” (Cf. Psalm 34:3) Hallelujah! Amen!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“I have manifested Your Name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept Your Word. Now they know that everything that You have given me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ~ John 17:6-11