April 30
Does God answer every prayer we lift before His Throne of Mercy and Grace? Does He always send what we ask to meet the need about which we raise our supplication before Him? The answer to that is, “No, He does not.” Our God is not a genie who responds to our rubbing the magic lamp of prayer.
While there is great power in prayer, while there is an enormous, virtually untapped resource available to the believer in Christ that few of us utilize as He would have us to do, Jesus has not promised that the floodgates of heaven’s blessings would pour forth in response to our prayers.
He wants us to ask in accordance with His will. I John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Contrary to what we might suppose, then, this qualification is not a limiting, but an expanding factor regarding receipt of answers to our prayers, for His Word identifies many things that are His will for us to have!
We may pray for the salvation of the lost, for He says it’s His will that men be saved (I Timothy 2:4). We may pray for healing for the sick because Isaiah 53:5 tells us that He bore the stripes of the Roman lash upon His back to effect health. If we are committed to Jesus above all else, we may pray for prosperity because III John 2 says we are to prosper as our soul prospers. Pray His will to see it done!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Any Time
April 29
When does God, who is busy running the universe, have time to hear a baby’s first prayer? When could He possibly have the opportunity to listen when a desperate teen from an abysmal home environment cries out in anguish to whatever unseen power exists that he wants only to die?
When does God have a chance to note the whispered plea of a frail, old saint who has hardly the energy to breathe, let alone to lift his voice in praise to the One who inhabits eternity? When does He have the time to listen to the cry of my heart—of your heart?
The answer is, any time. Psalm 5:3 says, “At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice at daybreak. I plead my cause to You and watch expectantly.” If you cry to Him upon awakening, He will hear you then and you may anticipate a response to your supplication.
If you water your bed with tears in the night season, He will hear your weeping even then. And though the tears you shed may fall throughout the night, His promise in Psalm 30:5 is that, “…joy comes in the morning.” No matter when or how profusely we may cry, He always hears and answers when we pray.
When does God, who is busy running the universe, have time to hear a baby’s first prayer? When could He possibly have the opportunity to listen when a desperate teen from an abysmal home environment cries out in anguish to whatever unseen power exists that he wants only to die?
When does God have a chance to note the whispered plea of a frail, old saint who has hardly the energy to breathe, let alone to lift his voice in praise to the One who inhabits eternity? When does He have the time to listen to the cry of my heart—of your heart?
The answer is, any time. Psalm 5:3 says, “At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice at daybreak. I plead my cause to You and watch expectantly.” If you cry to Him upon awakening, He will hear you then and you may anticipate a response to your supplication.
If you water your bed with tears in the night season, He will hear your weeping even then. And though the tears you shed may fall throughout the night, His promise in Psalm 30:5 is that, “…joy comes in the morning.” No matter when or how profusely we may cry, He always hears and answers when we pray.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Under His Wing
April 28
As it is important that children have good role models, it is also important that new believers have seasoned mentors in the faith. It is essential that our walk with Christ be grounded by those around us who care about us and who desire us to rise to the heights of faith that He wants for us.
A mature Christian should take younger members of the Body of Christ under his spiritual wing. Offer not only teaching in the truths of the faith, but also render to them a warm inclusion into his life. Introduce them to his godly friends, invite them to his home for dinner and fellowship. Nurture their bodies and spirits.
If we do, we will be following the admonition in Galatians 5:25, 26 that says, “If we live by the Spirit, we must follow the Spirit, not in vain conceit, provoking one another to envy.” Our intent must not be our self-aggrandizement. Our intention is not to draw attention to our ‘good deed.’
Our purpose in taking a new believer under our wing is to honor the Holy Spirit who lives within us and who Jesus said came to teach us so we can witness the Lord to others (Acts 1:8). As we teach the new believers among us, they will grow and teach those who come after them—so new-comers to faith may mature in Jesus.
As it is important that children have good role models, it is also important that new believers have seasoned mentors in the faith. It is essential that our walk with Christ be grounded by those around us who care about us and who desire us to rise to the heights of faith that He wants for us.
A mature Christian should take younger members of the Body of Christ under his spiritual wing. Offer not only teaching in the truths of the faith, but also render to them a warm inclusion into his life. Introduce them to his godly friends, invite them to his home for dinner and fellowship. Nurture their bodies and spirits.
If we do, we will be following the admonition in Galatians 5:25, 26 that says, “If we live by the Spirit, we must follow the Spirit, not in vain conceit, provoking one another to envy.” Our intent must not be our self-aggrandizement. Our intention is not to draw attention to our ‘good deed.’
Our purpose in taking a new believer under our wing is to honor the Holy Spirit who lives within us and who Jesus said came to teach us so we can witness the Lord to others (Acts 1:8). As we teach the new believers among us, they will grow and teach those who come after them—so new-comers to faith may mature in Jesus.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Claim Victory Again!
April 27
God has given us a rich blessing through His gift of memory. Our ability to reflect upon the pleasant things of our past can lift us up in down times. Our ability to share happy experiences with those who enjoyed them with us gives us a lovely reason to stroll hand-in-hand down ‘Memory Lane” with those we love.
The ability to keep track of our missteps on the path of life enables us to avoid walking into the same folly again and again. Yes, indeed, memory plays a significant role in our lives. Memory is an invaluable tool that enables us to reconstruct past blessings to enjoy again and to avoid destructive pitfalls.
The Lord intends that we remember His working in our lives. He wants us to reflect upon the trials He’s brought us through, the blessings He’s lavished upon us, the words of comfort He’s spoken to our heart in times of sorrow, the words of guidance He’s given us in our moments of confusion.
In Psalm 77:11, 12, David says, “I will remember the Lord’s works, His ancient wonders; I will reflect on all He has done.” The psalmist understood that if we are to have faith for our current challenge, we must remember the challenges He’s enabled us to overcome. Remember them and claim victory again!
God has given us a rich blessing through His gift of memory. Our ability to reflect upon the pleasant things of our past can lift us up in down times. Our ability to share happy experiences with those who enjoyed them with us gives us a lovely reason to stroll hand-in-hand down ‘Memory Lane” with those we love.
The ability to keep track of our missteps on the path of life enables us to avoid walking into the same folly again and again. Yes, indeed, memory plays a significant role in our lives. Memory is an invaluable tool that enables us to reconstruct past blessings to enjoy again and to avoid destructive pitfalls.
The Lord intends that we remember His working in our lives. He wants us to reflect upon the trials He’s brought us through, the blessings He’s lavished upon us, the words of comfort He’s spoken to our heart in times of sorrow, the words of guidance He’s given us in our moments of confusion.
In Psalm 77:11, 12, David says, “I will remember the Lord’s works, His ancient wonders; I will reflect on all He has done.” The psalmist understood that if we are to have faith for our current challenge, we must remember the challenges He’s enabled us to overcome. Remember them and claim victory again!
Monday, April 26, 2010
What Spills Out?
April 26
Some of us vacillate betwixt and between. We have a hard time making up our minds about anything. Nobody likes to shop with people like that. Husbands in particular avoid shopping with their wives if they know they will be led about from store to store without a definitive goal or a conclusion to the adventure.
Some of us carry our propensity to avoid taking a position into our professional lives. If you have ever had to work with or for someone like that, you know it is virtually impossible to carry your own part of a task to a viable conclusion because you’re never sure exactly what your part is!
In the spiritual realm, we may evidence the same character flaw. We affirm that we believe in Jesus and we go through the motions of attending church and taking communion and orienting our friendships around those of like precious faith, but one area can be quite telling regarding the depth of our commitment. We profess to love the Lord with all our hearts but when we are in the work-a-day world, we sound just like those around us who do not own Jesus as Savior.
The Bible says in James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursings; my brothers, these things ought not to be.” Our words should steadfastly evidence our faith in Jesus. If our tongue has confessed Jesus as Lord, our conversation should be ordered aright in every situation that we may find ourselves. It has been said that what spills out of us when we're jolted is what is in us. When words tumble from our lips, what do they testify to being in our hearts?
Some of us vacillate betwixt and between. We have a hard time making up our minds about anything. Nobody likes to shop with people like that. Husbands in particular avoid shopping with their wives if they know they will be led about from store to store without a definitive goal or a conclusion to the adventure.
Some of us carry our propensity to avoid taking a position into our professional lives. If you have ever had to work with or for someone like that, you know it is virtually impossible to carry your own part of a task to a viable conclusion because you’re never sure exactly what your part is!
In the spiritual realm, we may evidence the same character flaw. We affirm that we believe in Jesus and we go through the motions of attending church and taking communion and orienting our friendships around those of like precious faith, but one area can be quite telling regarding the depth of our commitment. We profess to love the Lord with all our hearts but when we are in the work-a-day world, we sound just like those around us who do not own Jesus as Savior.
The Bible says in James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursings; my brothers, these things ought not to be.” Our words should steadfastly evidence our faith in Jesus. If our tongue has confessed Jesus as Lord, our conversation should be ordered aright in every situation that we may find ourselves. It has been said that what spills out of us when we're jolted is what is in us. When words tumble from our lips, what do they testify to being in our hearts?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Who Do You Believe and Worship?
April 25
Some people, even some Christians, are of the opinion that satan doesn’t exist. They are convinced that he simply represents the concept that there is evil in the world. Perhaps a simpler people in a simpler time accepted the idea of God having an archenemy, but we are too sophisticated to believe that today.
Of course, some of the people who deny the concept of a real devil also diminish the idea of a real God who deserves our worship. They sit in church pews week after week then walk through the church doors into their ‘real lives’ where they comport themselves as though neither satan nor God is a reality.
But Jesus, God incarnate, an historically proven figure, had every reason to believe the reality of God and to believe the existence of satan. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, thereby confirming the reality of the first person of the Trinity (John 14:9) and affirming His own Godhood. And Jesus, the wisest, most logical Man who ever walked the earth addressed satan verbally when he offered Him all the kingdoms of the earth.
The Lord said to him, “Get thee behind Me, satan, for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord thy God and serve only HIm.’” Jesus knew the evil one’s desire to be like God, by receiving worship from mankind reserved only for the Holy One. Though satan has the riches of earth to dispense to whom he will, Jesus reminded him he has no right to God’s worship. When the trumpet has sounded, every eye shall behold Jesus and every knee shall bow before only Him (Philippians 2:10).
Some people, even some Christians, are of the opinion that satan doesn’t exist. They are convinced that he simply represents the concept that there is evil in the world. Perhaps a simpler people in a simpler time accepted the idea of God having an archenemy, but we are too sophisticated to believe that today.
Of course, some of the people who deny the concept of a real devil also diminish the idea of a real God who deserves our worship. They sit in church pews week after week then walk through the church doors into their ‘real lives’ where they comport themselves as though neither satan nor God is a reality.
But Jesus, God incarnate, an historically proven figure, had every reason to believe the reality of God and to believe the existence of satan. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, thereby confirming the reality of the first person of the Trinity (John 14:9) and affirming His own Godhood. And Jesus, the wisest, most logical Man who ever walked the earth addressed satan verbally when he offered Him all the kingdoms of the earth.
The Lord said to him, “Get thee behind Me, satan, for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord thy God and serve only HIm.’” Jesus knew the evil one’s desire to be like God, by receiving worship from mankind reserved only for the Holy One. Though satan has the riches of earth to dispense to whom he will, Jesus reminded him he has no right to God’s worship. When the trumpet has sounded, every eye shall behold Jesus and every knee shall bow before only Him (Philippians 2:10).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Only Pure Gold Remains
April 24
The Word of God is powerful. Jesus is the living Word of God. Jesus is the most powerful entity that has ever existed or ever will be. When all has been destroyed by earthquake and fire, when the earth has been shaken and mankind has been brought to his final accounting, Jesus, the living Word, will yet stand.
In Matthew 24:35 Jesus says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away but My Word shall not pass away.” The prophet Jeremiah in his book (Jeremiah 23:19) says, “Is not My Word like fire and like a sledgehammer that pulverizes rock?” When one has heard the Word, it will burn within him.
This eternal, unshakable fire that can never be quenched, never be successfully refuted, never be ultimately denied, will burn within the bosom of the man who will allow it to do the cleansing work of the refiner’s fire. All dross will be melted away. The pure gold of salvation will remain with the Holy Spirit in a man’s heart.
Any hard rock of resistance within will be further crushed and ground to fine power and scattered impotent to the wind. The breath of God will blow upon it and it will be carried on the wind of faith until it is as far from the redeemed as the east is from the west. And the pure gold of Christ the living Word will remain.
The Word of God is powerful. Jesus is the living Word of God. Jesus is the most powerful entity that has ever existed or ever will be. When all has been destroyed by earthquake and fire, when the earth has been shaken and mankind has been brought to his final accounting, Jesus, the living Word, will yet stand.
In Matthew 24:35 Jesus says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away but My Word shall not pass away.” The prophet Jeremiah in his book (Jeremiah 23:19) says, “Is not My Word like fire and like a sledgehammer that pulverizes rock?” When one has heard the Word, it will burn within him.
This eternal, unshakable fire that can never be quenched, never be successfully refuted, never be ultimately denied, will burn within the bosom of the man who will allow it to do the cleansing work of the refiner’s fire. All dross will be melted away. The pure gold of salvation will remain with the Holy Spirit in a man’s heart.
Any hard rock of resistance within will be further crushed and ground to fine power and scattered impotent to the wind. The breath of God will blow upon it and it will be carried on the wind of faith until it is as far from the redeemed as the east is from the west. And the pure gold of Christ the living Word will remain.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Always!
April 23
Do you have enough of God in your life? Do you have all you want of Him? Don’t answer too hastily. Ponder a moment, for this is an important point for reflection. We know He wants relationship with man. We know He came daily into the garden to fellowship with Adam and Eve until sin separated them.
When you have been bathed in the blood of Christ, washed clean from all your sin and shame, you are restored to fellowship with the Most High God. After receiving Jesus, do you then avail yourself of the amazing opportunity that has been afforded to you for companionship that was born in the heavenlies?
In I Chronicles 16:10, 11 we are admonished, “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.” Do you desire to find Him in a more intimate way? If so, rejoice, for it is His desire to walk close beside you. Do you desire strength for the challenges and trials of life?
Rejoice, for He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). If it appears your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, don’t give up, for He wants you to seek His face “always.” Not just when the answers come easily. Always. And you will enjoy more of Him than you can fathom in every circumstance of life.
Do you have enough of God in your life? Do you have all you want of Him? Don’t answer too hastily. Ponder a moment, for this is an important point for reflection. We know He wants relationship with man. We know He came daily into the garden to fellowship with Adam and Eve until sin separated them.
When you have been bathed in the blood of Christ, washed clean from all your sin and shame, you are restored to fellowship with the Most High God. After receiving Jesus, do you then avail yourself of the amazing opportunity that has been afforded to you for companionship that was born in the heavenlies?
In I Chronicles 16:10, 11 we are admonished, “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.” Do you desire to find Him in a more intimate way? If so, rejoice, for it is His desire to walk close beside you. Do you desire strength for the challenges and trials of life?
Rejoice, for He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). If it appears your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, don’t give up, for He wants you to seek His face “always.” Not just when the answers come easily. Always. And you will enjoy more of Him than you can fathom in every circumstance of life.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Not Soon Shaken
April 22
Our God wants us to avoid hell at all cost. He will place every impediment in our path to block our way to the pit that He’s reserved for the devil and his minions. That is not to say that every time we suffer or are in a trying situation it is the Lord’s doing for our eternal benefit.
That is simply to say He loves us and will intervene on our eternal behalf if we have a heart and mind that are toward Him. Exodus 20:20 states as much, “Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you so that you will fear Him and will not sin.”
This indicates that some of life’s trials come in order that we flee to God in our desperation and when we have fallen on our knees before Him, He will be able to comfort us with His love and deliver us with His power and we will be spared the ordeal of the sin of faithlessness.
When we stand on the promise in Romans 8:28 that, “All things work together for good to them that love God,” we cannot soon be shaken from our faith when it is buffeted by trial. When the Lord our Fortress shows Himself strong for us at the point of testing, we know all we have placed in His hands is secure forever.
Our God wants us to avoid hell at all cost. He will place every impediment in our path to block our way to the pit that He’s reserved for the devil and his minions. That is not to say that every time we suffer or are in a trying situation it is the Lord’s doing for our eternal benefit.
That is simply to say He loves us and will intervene on our eternal behalf if we have a heart and mind that are toward Him. Exodus 20:20 states as much, “Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you so that you will fear Him and will not sin.”
This indicates that some of life’s trials come in order that we flee to God in our desperation and when we have fallen on our knees before Him, He will be able to comfort us with His love and deliver us with His power and we will be spared the ordeal of the sin of faithlessness.
When we stand on the promise in Romans 8:28 that, “All things work together for good to them that love God,” we cannot soon be shaken from our faith when it is buffeted by trial. When the Lord our Fortress shows Himself strong for us at the point of testing, we know all we have placed in His hands is secure forever.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
April 21
The doctrine of predestination is one that is difficult to put into a box. The pressing question is, ‘If God already knows who will receive Christ and who will reject Him, how can God judge fairly?’ It seems to be an arbitrary decision on the part of the Almighty who is aware of what is to transpire.
But if we analyze it, we realize it’s not unfair as it may first appear. To have complete foreknowledge of a decision and to base the entirety of eternity on a person’s choice in the matter of accepting or rejecting Christ as Savior does not mean the individual did not have the choice to make.
How could an omniscient God not know? Of course He knows and He weeps at the knowledge of every heart that will ever reject His designated Savior. Because God has given man a free will, He won’t interfere with that even though neglecting to do so means a beloved one will elect to refuse Jesus.
It behooves each of us to be among those in Romans 8:30, of whom Paul says, “Those He predestined, He also called, and those He called, He also justified, and those He justified, He also glorified.” When we simply say ‘Yes’ to Jesus, we place ourselves among those predestined for redemption's glory!
The doctrine of predestination is one that is difficult to put into a box. The pressing question is, ‘If God already knows who will receive Christ and who will reject Him, how can God judge fairly?’ It seems to be an arbitrary decision on the part of the Almighty who is aware of what is to transpire.
But if we analyze it, we realize it’s not unfair as it may first appear. To have complete foreknowledge of a decision and to base the entirety of eternity on a person’s choice in the matter of accepting or rejecting Christ as Savior does not mean the individual did not have the choice to make.
How could an omniscient God not know? Of course He knows and He weeps at the knowledge of every heart that will ever reject His designated Savior. Because God has given man a free will, He won’t interfere with that even though neglecting to do so means a beloved one will elect to refuse Jesus.
It behooves each of us to be among those in Romans 8:30, of whom Paul says, “Those He predestined, He also called, and those He called, He also justified, and those He justified, He also glorified.” When we simply say ‘Yes’ to Jesus, we place ourselves among those predestined for redemption's glory!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Redeemed and Transformed
April 20
The eternal, almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God has invested Himself in us. That bears repeating: The eternal, almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God has INVESTED HIMSELF IN US! Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit. He dwells within each believer (I Corinthians 3:16).
With His presence comes the promise of His power in our prayers. We must stand on the authority of the One who dwells within us when we lay hold on the promises He has assured us are ours. We are not to be driven by fluctuating circumstances like tumultuous waves of the sea that are driven by adverse wind.
We are to stand fast on His revealed TRUTH and proclaim and appropriate all that He has said is ours. Yet, though we walk in the power of who He is, we must remember that the power is not of us. II Corinthians 4:7 says, “We have this treasure in clay jars so that the extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.”
We must not become haughty in the gift of Himself with which He has filled and blessed our lives. We must not become vain in our own conceit. We must remember who we are, from what He has redeemed us, how He has transformed us and that the glorious transition that has occurred is because of Him, not because of ourselves. That amazing investment overshadows us wondrously!
The eternal, almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God has invested Himself in us. That bears repeating: The eternal, almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God has INVESTED HIMSELF IN US! Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit. He dwells within each believer (I Corinthians 3:16).
With His presence comes the promise of His power in our prayers. We must stand on the authority of the One who dwells within us when we lay hold on the promises He has assured us are ours. We are not to be driven by fluctuating circumstances like tumultuous waves of the sea that are driven by adverse wind.
We are to stand fast on His revealed TRUTH and proclaim and appropriate all that He has said is ours. Yet, though we walk in the power of who He is, we must remember that the power is not of us. II Corinthians 4:7 says, “We have this treasure in clay jars so that the extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.”
We must not become haughty in the gift of Himself with which He has filled and blessed our lives. We must not become vain in our own conceit. We must remember who we are, from what He has redeemed us, how He has transformed us and that the glorious transition that has occurred is because of Him, not because of ourselves. That amazing investment overshadows us wondrously!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Where Are the Signs?
April 19
God doesn’t change. He is forever the same as He always has been—perfect. Of course, finite man has no significant point of reference for His infinite perfection so we can’t begin to conceptualize exactly what it means. We do have certain expectations of the Lord, however.
Though they are on a finite level, we don’t always see them realized either. Why? Why this discrepancy between what mortals with limited understanding of the limitless power of Jesus pray for, hope for, and receive? Why is there a gap between request and realization?
David, in Psalm 74:9, 11 says, “We don’t see any signs for us. There is no longer a prophet. Why do You hold back Your hand?” There is a longing within us to experience the guidance and good provision from the Lord, but the reality is that we want Him on our terms. We long for self-fulfillment, not surrender to His will.
Ann Graham Lotz may have said it best after 9/11 when she pointed out that we as a society have cast God out of our families, from our schools, from our public assemblies and then wonder, “Why?” when the unthinkable happens. If we truly want signs from God, we must be willing to see them and willing to order our lives according to His revealed will.
God doesn’t change. He is forever the same as He always has been—perfect. Of course, finite man has no significant point of reference for His infinite perfection so we can’t begin to conceptualize exactly what it means. We do have certain expectations of the Lord, however.
Though they are on a finite level, we don’t always see them realized either. Why? Why this discrepancy between what mortals with limited understanding of the limitless power of Jesus pray for, hope for, and receive? Why is there a gap between request and realization?
David, in Psalm 74:9, 11 says, “We don’t see any signs for us. There is no longer a prophet. Why do You hold back Your hand?” There is a longing within us to experience the guidance and good provision from the Lord, but the reality is that we want Him on our terms. We long for self-fulfillment, not surrender to His will.
Ann Graham Lotz may have said it best after 9/11 when she pointed out that we as a society have cast God out of our families, from our schools, from our public assemblies and then wonder, “Why?” when the unthinkable happens. If we truly want signs from God, we must be willing to see them and willing to order our lives according to His revealed will.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Predestined for Glory
April 18
I Corinthians 2:7 can leave us a bit confused. It makes an amazing assertion that is beyond our comprehension with our finite understanding. It says, “We speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery which God predestined before the ages for our glory.”
How can we speak wisdom that is hidden? How can the mystery of this hidden wisdom predestine our glory? How can God, who “will not share His glory with another” (Isaiah 42:8) state that our glory is already established in His mystery?
As with all wisdom, both hidden and revealed, it is fulfilled in Christ. He is the fullness of all that is God and the revelation of all that is hidden. When we have embraced Him to our heart we become co-heirs of HIS glory! Though it remains true that we have no glory of our own, it is undeniable that He has elected to share His glory with us.
What He has predestined is the fact that fallen man, laden with sin is precious in His sight. The Lord who fashioned us for fellowship with Him and to dwell eternally with Him has supplied the way for that to occur. It is not achieved through our goodness, for we have none, rather, through the goodness of Jesus who lived the perfect life we cannot live—and shares its glory with us.
I Corinthians 2:7 can leave us a bit confused. It makes an amazing assertion that is beyond our comprehension with our finite understanding. It says, “We speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery which God predestined before the ages for our glory.”
How can we speak wisdom that is hidden? How can the mystery of this hidden wisdom predestine our glory? How can God, who “will not share His glory with another” (Isaiah 42:8) state that our glory is already established in His mystery?
As with all wisdom, both hidden and revealed, it is fulfilled in Christ. He is the fullness of all that is God and the revelation of all that is hidden. When we have embraced Him to our heart we become co-heirs of HIS glory! Though it remains true that we have no glory of our own, it is undeniable that He has elected to share His glory with us.
What He has predestined is the fact that fallen man, laden with sin is precious in His sight. The Lord who fashioned us for fellowship with Him and to dwell eternally with Him has supplied the way for that to occur. It is not achieved through our goodness, for we have none, rather, through the goodness of Jesus who lived the perfect life we cannot live—and shares its glory with us.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Be Thou Exalted
April 17
Where do we place God in our lives? Where does He fit in? Do we have space for Him anywhere in our busy existence? Do we have the option to exclude Him from our day-to-day affairs?
Man’s free will says that we do. Our yearning for assurance of eternal reward when this brief life is over says that we don’t. So what is the reality in the matter? If we want the assurance of life’s best and Heaven’s reward, how are we best to weave Jesus into the tapestry of our lives?
The Word gives us insight, as it always does in every matter that we contemplate. In Psalm 57:5, David, the sweet songster and brave warrior states it succinctly, “Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, let Your glory be above the whole earth.” We who are earth-bound are on the right track toward recognizing God’s place in comparison with our own when we acknowledge that He is high above us.
When we conform ourselves to the reality that He is to be exalted in our hearts, we will have taken great strides toward the joy of walking hand-in-hand with Him through time and into eternity. When we lift Jesus up in our minds and hearts and spirits we will be on the track toward living lives that are pleasing in His sight. We know He does not condemn our sins and foibles because He has taken them upon Himself. That deserves His never-ending honor in our hearts.
Where do we place God in our lives? Where does He fit in? Do we have space for Him anywhere in our busy existence? Do we have the option to exclude Him from our day-to-day affairs?
Man’s free will says that we do. Our yearning for assurance of eternal reward when this brief life is over says that we don’t. So what is the reality in the matter? If we want the assurance of life’s best and Heaven’s reward, how are we best to weave Jesus into the tapestry of our lives?
The Word gives us insight, as it always does in every matter that we contemplate. In Psalm 57:5, David, the sweet songster and brave warrior states it succinctly, “Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, let Your glory be above the whole earth.” We who are earth-bound are on the right track toward recognizing God’s place in comparison with our own when we acknowledge that He is high above us.
When we conform ourselves to the reality that He is to be exalted in our hearts, we will have taken great strides toward the joy of walking hand-in-hand with Him through time and into eternity. When we lift Jesus up in our minds and hearts and spirits we will be on the track toward living lives that are pleasing in His sight. We know He does not condemn our sins and foibles because He has taken them upon Himself. That deserves His never-ending honor in our hearts.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Available to His Purposes
April 16
What does it take to move the hand of God in mighty ways? What must we do to give wings to our prayers so they may reach His Throne of Mercy and Grace? We’ve all had prayers that seemed to bounce off the ceiling—and that experience is not conducive to pursuing a greater prayer life.
Although there is certainly an element of the discretion of the Almighty where the matter of prayer and the answers to it are concerned, there is one thing we can do that will either prepare us to receive a desired request or prepare us to accept His denial of our request.
Joshua 3:5 says, “Consecrate yourselves because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” Consecrate. That’s a powerful word. The meaning of the word ‘consecrate’ is to make holy; to set aside for the Lord’s use. Just what does that mighty word entail?
Above all, it means that we allow ourselves to be washed in the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin and sets us apart for His purposes. It means we find ourselves focused on Him rather than on worldly pursuits. It means that we make ourselves available to His purposes so He can glorify Himself in us.
What does it take to move the hand of God in mighty ways? What must we do to give wings to our prayers so they may reach His Throne of Mercy and Grace? We’ve all had prayers that seemed to bounce off the ceiling—and that experience is not conducive to pursuing a greater prayer life.
Although there is certainly an element of the discretion of the Almighty where the matter of prayer and the answers to it are concerned, there is one thing we can do that will either prepare us to receive a desired request or prepare us to accept His denial of our request.
Joshua 3:5 says, “Consecrate yourselves because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” Consecrate. That’s a powerful word. The meaning of the word ‘consecrate’ is to make holy; to set aside for the Lord’s use. Just what does that mighty word entail?
Above all, it means that we allow ourselves to be washed in the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin and sets us apart for His purposes. It means we find ourselves focused on Him rather than on worldly pursuits. It means that we make ourselves available to His purposes so He can glorify Himself in us.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Little in Our Own Eyes
April 15
We can become pretty wrapped up in our successes. We enjoy the acclaim we receive from others when we achieve something they consider laudable. We want to look good in our own eyes and one of the best ways we have of attaining that desired self image is for other people to affirm it for us.
We strive for man’s approval in many ways. One of the foremost methods we have of gaining recognition is to excel beyond others in one area of endeavor or another. We may have outstanding artistic abilities or a methodical mind that enables us to invest money profitably. Perhaps we manage a business well.
Success in any of these endeavors will assure our positive recognition in the eyes of those around us. But, how does God perceive us? Are we a success in His eyes? We are if we are like Jesus, who, “…created all things and because of His will they exist and were fashioned” Revelation 4:11.
This Jesus, who, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a man…” (Philippians 2:6,7) was a man of humility. To be like Him, to be great in His estimation, is to be little in our own eyes.
We can become pretty wrapped up in our successes. We enjoy the acclaim we receive from others when we achieve something they consider laudable. We want to look good in our own eyes and one of the best ways we have of attaining that desired self image is for other people to affirm it for us.
We strive for man’s approval in many ways. One of the foremost methods we have of gaining recognition is to excel beyond others in one area of endeavor or another. We may have outstanding artistic abilities or a methodical mind that enables us to invest money profitably. Perhaps we manage a business well.
Success in any of these endeavors will assure our positive recognition in the eyes of those around us. But, how does God perceive us? Are we a success in His eyes? We are if we are like Jesus, who, “…created all things and because of His will they exist and were fashioned” Revelation 4:11.
This Jesus, who, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a man…” (Philippians 2:6,7) was a man of humility. To be like Him, to be great in His estimation, is to be little in our own eyes.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Consistent with the Word
April 14
Abiding in Christ holds great promise. There is nothing else upon which we may spend ourselves in life that has the great reward that we are assured if we will remain faithful to Him. Of course that hope does not rest in our own integrity. It is secure because of His faithfulness.
We may trust completely in His promises and in the assurance we have that He who will not look upon sin is incapable of sin Himself. Because lying is counted among the worst of man’s character flaws, we may be sure that the Lord of the universe will not allow falsehood to be identified with His holy person.
In John 15:7 Jesus says, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want of Me and it will be done for you.” The scope of that promise is mind boggling! Even allowing for the fact that our God cannot answer a prayer that is in conflict with His immutable law, it is a remarkable assurance.
But if we have given our heart to Jesus, our heart will not allow us to desire something that is inconsistent with His revealed will. If we know the Word that sets us free, our prayers will be consistent with those that are affirmed by the Word—salvation for the lost, healing for the sick, truth for those in error.
Abiding in Christ holds great promise. There is nothing else upon which we may spend ourselves in life that has the great reward that we are assured if we will remain faithful to Him. Of course that hope does not rest in our own integrity. It is secure because of His faithfulness.
We may trust completely in His promises and in the assurance we have that He who will not look upon sin is incapable of sin Himself. Because lying is counted among the worst of man’s character flaws, we may be sure that the Lord of the universe will not allow falsehood to be identified with His holy person.
In John 15:7 Jesus says, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want of Me and it will be done for you.” The scope of that promise is mind boggling! Even allowing for the fact that our God cannot answer a prayer that is in conflict with His immutable law, it is a remarkable assurance.
But if we have given our heart to Jesus, our heart will not allow us to desire something that is inconsistent with His revealed will. If we know the Word that sets us free, our prayers will be consistent with those that are affirmed by the Word—salvation for the lost, healing for the sick, truth for those in error.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
My Vindication Is with the Lord
April 13
Nobody wants to spin his wheels. There’s not much that can send our frustration threshold through the roof more quickly than the knowledge that we have spent ourselves upon a task or a relationship and the result has been that our effort has meant nothing.
As when we have invested our money in a stock, we have great hope that when we have invested our time and effort into an educational goal or a career plan or a relationship, the resultant interest accrued through the time and effort placed into it will eventually make the outcome a successful and profitable one.
Nothing dismays us to the level as does our misplaced effort. To spend ourselves in futile pursuits is to relegate us to disappointment, dejection, and despair. If we come face-to-face with the reality that our labor has been in vain, we will label ourselves as failures—a concept we endeavor to avoid at all cost. Yet in Isaiah 49:4the prophet comes to the conclusion that he has labored in vain but does not despair.
Isaiah says, “I have spent my strength for nothing but futility…” but he goes on to say, “…yet my vindication is with the Lord.” In the spiritual realm, the success of our endeavor is not always readily discernable. If we know the Lord has given us a task to perform in the behalf of His Kingdom, we must trust its outcome to Him, even if the results we see do not seem to substantiate our investment of time and labor.
Nobody wants to spin his wheels. There’s not much that can send our frustration threshold through the roof more quickly than the knowledge that we have spent ourselves upon a task or a relationship and the result has been that our effort has meant nothing.
As when we have invested our money in a stock, we have great hope that when we have invested our time and effort into an educational goal or a career plan or a relationship, the resultant interest accrued through the time and effort placed into it will eventually make the outcome a successful and profitable one.
Nothing dismays us to the level as does our misplaced effort. To spend ourselves in futile pursuits is to relegate us to disappointment, dejection, and despair. If we come face-to-face with the reality that our labor has been in vain, we will label ourselves as failures—a concept we endeavor to avoid at all cost. Yet in Isaiah 49:4the prophet comes to the conclusion that he has labored in vain but does not despair.
Isaiah says, “I have spent my strength for nothing but futility…” but he goes on to say, “…yet my vindication is with the Lord.” In the spiritual realm, the success of our endeavor is not always readily discernable. If we know the Lord has given us a task to perform in the behalf of His Kingdom, we must trust its outcome to Him, even if the results we see do not seem to substantiate our investment of time and labor.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Value the Power of Prayer
April 12
We live in an age when it is easy to become frustrated with what is transpiring in our nation and in the world. We seem to see a fulfillment of the scriptural warning that there was a time coming when “good will be called evil and evil will be called good” Isaiah 5:20.
We are aware that the verse clearly states that “woe” shall be upon such a people. Psalm 12:8 says, “The wicked will thrive on every hand when vile men are exalted.” Indeed, that prophecy seems to be coming to pass in our generation.
It would be easy to have abject distain for such leaders, but our God directs us to hate the sin but love the sinner. He admonishes us to pray for those in authority over us (I Timothy 2:2). He wants us to value the power of prayer and to apply it liberally to those whose actions and seeming lack of regard for Him and His law make them the neediest among us.
In Hebrews 12:15 He says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, many be defiled.” Our admonition is to pray His grace over those who evidence a lack of it. When we do, perhaps we shall bridge the gap between their fallacious deeds and the trouble they can cause –and the peace we desire to be our portion.
We live in an age when it is easy to become frustrated with what is transpiring in our nation and in the world. We seem to see a fulfillment of the scriptural warning that there was a time coming when “good will be called evil and evil will be called good” Isaiah 5:20.
We are aware that the verse clearly states that “woe” shall be upon such a people. Psalm 12:8 says, “The wicked will thrive on every hand when vile men are exalted.” Indeed, that prophecy seems to be coming to pass in our generation.
It would be easy to have abject distain for such leaders, but our God directs us to hate the sin but love the sinner. He admonishes us to pray for those in authority over us (I Timothy 2:2). He wants us to value the power of prayer and to apply it liberally to those whose actions and seeming lack of regard for Him and His law make them the neediest among us.
In Hebrews 12:15 He says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, many be defiled.” Our admonition is to pray His grace over those who evidence a lack of it. When we do, perhaps we shall bridge the gap between their fallacious deeds and the trouble they can cause –and the peace we desire to be our portion.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Rest Follows Work
April 11
Our country has taken a downhill turn toward socialism. Our leaders, who seem to live in a vacuum where values and morals and Constitutional law are concerned, have presumed ‘rights’ that our founders never dreamed would be assumed by those in power.
In so doing, they are flying in the face of not only those wise men who set up the greatest government that has ever existed on the planet but they have also stuck their finger in the eye of God and His law. God places a high premium on work. When the first arrivals at Jamestown set up a socialistic agenda, it failed.
When their leaders implemented the Biblical admonition, “He who will not work shall not eat” II Thessalonians 3:10, the colony not only survived, it prospered. A person who has a vested interest in the performance of a task will be much more likely to give himself to it than the one who simply reaps the benefit of the labor of others.
As we should individually labor for the good things of life, so should we labor for the good things of eternity. In the pursuit of the good, the Lord recognizes our need for rest. We must, according to Exodus 10:9, 10, “Labor six days … but the seventh day, the Sabbath, is unto the Lord your God.” His scheme of things is that rest follows work, not that rest supersedes work.
Our country has taken a downhill turn toward socialism. Our leaders, who seem to live in a vacuum where values and morals and Constitutional law are concerned, have presumed ‘rights’ that our founders never dreamed would be assumed by those in power.
In so doing, they are flying in the face of not only those wise men who set up the greatest government that has ever existed on the planet but they have also stuck their finger in the eye of God and His law. God places a high premium on work. When the first arrivals at Jamestown set up a socialistic agenda, it failed.
When their leaders implemented the Biblical admonition, “He who will not work shall not eat” II Thessalonians 3:10, the colony not only survived, it prospered. A person who has a vested interest in the performance of a task will be much more likely to give himself to it than the one who simply reaps the benefit of the labor of others.
As we should individually labor for the good things of life, so should we labor for the good things of eternity. In the pursuit of the good, the Lord recognizes our need for rest. We must, according to Exodus 10:9, 10, “Labor six days … but the seventh day, the Sabbath, is unto the Lord your God.” His scheme of things is that rest follows work, not that rest supersedes work.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Move Forward in His Light
April 10
Blindly moving forward is a potential recipe for disaster. Whether it’s a stormy night and your path is illumined only by the lightening or whether it’s a white out and you can’t see your hand in front of you, proceeding toward the destination you cannot see is dangerous and foolhardy.
Emotionally, that same truth holds. Someone you love shows himself to be uncaring, overbearing, untrustworthy—you name the character trait that sends up the red flag—yet you maintain your trust in that individual, knowing that further treachery must surely lie ahead for this star-crossed relationship.
Plodding forward in the darkness of foul weather or the foul presence of unaddressed human flaws will not lead to the desired destination but to disappointment and perhaps to destruction. The Word admonishes that we, “Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established” Proverbs 4:26.
The physical path we take must be lighted for our safety. The spiritual and emotional path we take must be illumined by the light and love and steadfastness of the Lord for our eternal well-being. Though a wrong turn on a treacherous road can lead to our injury or death, a wrong turn along the path of our heart’s journey through life can lead to our eternal destruction. Let Jesus be our Light!
Blindly moving forward is a potential recipe for disaster. Whether it’s a stormy night and your path is illumined only by the lightening or whether it’s a white out and you can’t see your hand in front of you, proceeding toward the destination you cannot see is dangerous and foolhardy.
Emotionally, that same truth holds. Someone you love shows himself to be uncaring, overbearing, untrustworthy—you name the character trait that sends up the red flag—yet you maintain your trust in that individual, knowing that further treachery must surely lie ahead for this star-crossed relationship.
Plodding forward in the darkness of foul weather or the foul presence of unaddressed human flaws will not lead to the desired destination but to disappointment and perhaps to destruction. The Word admonishes that we, “Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established” Proverbs 4:26.
The physical path we take must be lighted for our safety. The spiritual and emotional path we take must be illumined by the light and love and steadfastness of the Lord for our eternal well-being. Though a wrong turn on a treacherous road can lead to our injury or death, a wrong turn along the path of our heart’s journey through life can lead to our eternal destruction. Let Jesus be our Light!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Read YOUR Book of Remembrance
April 9
Some of us have a difficult time keeping track of things. If we’re a little ‘older,’ we assure ourselves our memory loss has nothing to do with the aging process—some of us have always been absent minded. But there are things we must keep track of if we are to be faithful to the Lord.
We are bombarded on every hand with reasons to allow faith to diminish in our lives. We encounter problems that are demanding of our time and of our attention, we have friends and associates whose lives evidence virtually insurmountable difficulties and our tendency is to focus on these problems.
What we should do is focus on the One who has the answer to all life’s problems. We must turn our eyes to Jesus when we are inundated with the cares of this world. Though we do, at those moments of trial and disconcertion, lift a hasty prayer heavenward, we reset our focus on the need and our own solution to it almost simultaneously. Malachi 3:16 has a better response to the challenges that beset us.
Here it says, “A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name.” Our God and Father has been faithful in the past. He has heard us when we’ve cried out His name at our moment of need. He has not changed. May we reflect upon His power and His faithfulness in our current distress, knowing with all the faith within us that He will be our Deliverer once again—no matter how many times we need Him to be!
Some of us have a difficult time keeping track of things. If we’re a little ‘older,’ we assure ourselves our memory loss has nothing to do with the aging process—some of us have always been absent minded. But there are things we must keep track of if we are to be faithful to the Lord.
We are bombarded on every hand with reasons to allow faith to diminish in our lives. We encounter problems that are demanding of our time and of our attention, we have friends and associates whose lives evidence virtually insurmountable difficulties and our tendency is to focus on these problems.
What we should do is focus on the One who has the answer to all life’s problems. We must turn our eyes to Jesus when we are inundated with the cares of this world. Though we do, at those moments of trial and disconcertion, lift a hasty prayer heavenward, we reset our focus on the need and our own solution to it almost simultaneously. Malachi 3:16 has a better response to the challenges that beset us.
Here it says, “A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name.” Our God and Father has been faithful in the past. He has heard us when we’ve cried out His name at our moment of need. He has not changed. May we reflect upon His power and His faithfulness in our current distress, knowing with all the faith within us that He will be our Deliverer once again—no matter how many times we need Him to be!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Receive Instruction
April 8
Kids avoid correction. There is something about youth that has the notion of its own infallibility and the belief extrapolated from that perception seems to be, ‘If I already know everything, there’s nothing I possibly need to learn from anyone.’ Parents are ‘tuned out’ because of this train of logic.
We who are of a certain age, who have been there and done that, recognize the syndrome when we see it in our youth, but we know they are not interested in hearing counsel from us that would prevent their fall into the pit of delusion and disappointment this perception digs for them.
The Lord knows there is a remnant of the child in us, even when we are well beyond the adolescent stage of defiance toward parental authority. As loving natural parents and teachers strive to steer young people away from the negative attitude that we know will be their undoing, so God tries to reveal the harm of that attitude if we continue to indulge it regarding His instruction.
In Proverbs 3:11, 12, we are admonished, “Do not despise the Lord’s instruction for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” Rather than resist the correction of the Lord, we should open ourselves to appropriate and apply it so we will be able to glean the blessings beyond our grasp.
Kids avoid correction. There is something about youth that has the notion of its own infallibility and the belief extrapolated from that perception seems to be, ‘If I already know everything, there’s nothing I possibly need to learn from anyone.’ Parents are ‘tuned out’ because of this train of logic.
We who are of a certain age, who have been there and done that, recognize the syndrome when we see it in our youth, but we know they are not interested in hearing counsel from us that would prevent their fall into the pit of delusion and disappointment this perception digs for them.
The Lord knows there is a remnant of the child in us, even when we are well beyond the adolescent stage of defiance toward parental authority. As loving natural parents and teachers strive to steer young people away from the negative attitude that we know will be their undoing, so God tries to reveal the harm of that attitude if we continue to indulge it regarding His instruction.
In Proverbs 3:11, 12, we are admonished, “Do not despise the Lord’s instruction for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” Rather than resist the correction of the Lord, we should open ourselves to appropriate and apply it so we will be able to glean the blessings beyond our grasp.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Unwavering Promises
April 7
God’s Word is ‘yea and amen.’ God’s Word is unchanging. God’s Word is foundational to life. God’s Word is eternal. We yearn for something strong upon which to build our future. We work hard and strive diligently to achieve the goals that we believe will give us satisfaction and security.
But we know there are no guarantees in life. We may prepare ourselves thoroughly during our university years, work industriously during our productive decades, yet still fall short of the comfort and ease we hoped to take when the day of old age arrives. No guarantees.
Life’s curve balls come fast. Unless we’re up to the challenge of the game, it is possible to strike out. A reality of life is that there are few grand prize winners in life’s contests. But, though we may find ourselves to be less than we’d hoped in every area of endeavor, there is one in which we are assured total success.
Deuteronomy 29:29 assures, “The revealed things belong to us and to our children forever so we may follow all the words of this law.” The Lord makes great and precious promises to those who choose to follow Him and His promises are unwavering as long as we walk after Jesus in truth.
God’s Word is ‘yea and amen.’ God’s Word is unchanging. God’s Word is foundational to life. God’s Word is eternal. We yearn for something strong upon which to build our future. We work hard and strive diligently to achieve the goals that we believe will give us satisfaction and security.
But we know there are no guarantees in life. We may prepare ourselves thoroughly during our university years, work industriously during our productive decades, yet still fall short of the comfort and ease we hoped to take when the day of old age arrives. No guarantees.
Life’s curve balls come fast. Unless we’re up to the challenge of the game, it is possible to strike out. A reality of life is that there are few grand prize winners in life’s contests. But, though we may find ourselves to be less than we’d hoped in every area of endeavor, there is one in which we are assured total success.
Deuteronomy 29:29 assures, “The revealed things belong to us and to our children forever so we may follow all the words of this law.” The Lord makes great and precious promises to those who choose to follow Him and His promises are unwavering as long as we walk after Jesus in truth.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Family of the Redeemed
April 6
What does it take to become a member of a prestigious family? Certainly, the rare one among us might be born into a family of note. But there are not many of us whose surname is Rockefeller or Gates. A fortunate few might marry well and thereby become a member of a famous clan.
Most of us will, no matter how well-heeled we may become from a financial standpoint, remain among the obscure. Oh, we might be considered of some import among our immediate circle of family or friends or business associates, but beyond our neighborhood or our local community, few will know our name.
So, what does it take to become a part of God’s family of the redeemed? How can we assure a place for ourselves among those who will spend eternity in heaven? We can’t marry into heaven’s glory or work our way into the upper echelons of the eternal. We cannot earn God’s favor or a place by His Throne.
In Luke 8:21, Jesus offers the way to relationship. He says, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.” We hear God’s plan of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus and we receive Him as Savior to implement His plan to become God's own child--a member of the family of the redeemed.
What does it take to become a member of a prestigious family? Certainly, the rare one among us might be born into a family of note. But there are not many of us whose surname is Rockefeller or Gates. A fortunate few might marry well and thereby become a member of a famous clan.
Most of us will, no matter how well-heeled we may become from a financial standpoint, remain among the obscure. Oh, we might be considered of some import among our immediate circle of family or friends or business associates, but beyond our neighborhood or our local community, few will know our name.
So, what does it take to become a part of God’s family of the redeemed? How can we assure a place for ourselves among those who will spend eternity in heaven? We can’t marry into heaven’s glory or work our way into the upper echelons of the eternal. We cannot earn God’s favor or a place by His Throne.
In Luke 8:21, Jesus offers the way to relationship. He says, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.” We hear God’s plan of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus and we receive Him as Savior to implement His plan to become God's own child--a member of the family of the redeemed.
Monday, April 5, 2010
His Presence
April 5
Do you recall your first day of kindergarten? If you do, you may remember along with your colorful lunch box and shiny new shoes, a bit of apprehension that accompanied your first day of marching off to school. The little scholar in you was a wee bit intimidated by being away from Mommy for an entire morning!
And you’ve probably felt that same feeling of apprehension an additional time or two through your life. The interview for the job you so hoped to be offered, the steeling of yourself to ask the girl of your dreams for her hand in marriage, the struggle to face the diagnosis that might alter your life are a few of the major pivot points around which life can turn that stir up that old emotion.
The Lord knows there are transition points in life that can be good or bad on their face—but either way, they bring stress. We are creatures who like finding a comfort zone and settling into it. When we are required to step into the ‘unknown zone,’ He has a word to give us the peace we need whether to make a cross-country move or to face a life changing calamity.
That word of comfort is found in Joshua 1:9 where He said to His people when they faced a formidable foe, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your god is with you wherever you go.” There is no place, there is no circumstance when you will be abandoned by the God who loves you. His resources are always available to His child. His presence will always guard and guide you.
Do you recall your first day of kindergarten? If you do, you may remember along with your colorful lunch box and shiny new shoes, a bit of apprehension that accompanied your first day of marching off to school. The little scholar in you was a wee bit intimidated by being away from Mommy for an entire morning!
And you’ve probably felt that same feeling of apprehension an additional time or two through your life. The interview for the job you so hoped to be offered, the steeling of yourself to ask the girl of your dreams for her hand in marriage, the struggle to face the diagnosis that might alter your life are a few of the major pivot points around which life can turn that stir up that old emotion.
The Lord knows there are transition points in life that can be good or bad on their face—but either way, they bring stress. We are creatures who like finding a comfort zone and settling into it. When we are required to step into the ‘unknown zone,’ He has a word to give us the peace we need whether to make a cross-country move or to face a life changing calamity.
That word of comfort is found in Joshua 1:9 where He said to His people when they faced a formidable foe, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your god is with you wherever you go.” There is no place, there is no circumstance when you will be abandoned by the God who loves you. His resources are always available to His child. His presence will always guard and guide you.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Song of Salvation--"He Is Risen"
April 4
Believers in Christ have an amazing opportunity to reach the lost, to give them the chance to receive the Lord of Creation into their hearts, to walk with Him, to commune with Him, to dwell with Him for time and for eternity. The Jesus we serve requires nothing of us. No payment is demanded, no stipulations are made. All this is His free gift to us—II Corinthians 9:15.
He asks nothing of us but that we receive His free gift. When we have gone to the altar and laid our sins at His feet, when we have received the cleansing His shed blood has supplied to us, when we are born again—when we are newly adopted into the family of our heavenly Father, there is one thing we can do.
It is not a weighty burden that He places upon us; He merely asks us to sing! If we have the joy of salvation, the best way we have of gaining the interest of those who do not believe is by our joy. The attention that is drawn to the one who is light of heart, joyful even when tried, is without equal through any other means!
Psalm 40:3 says, “He has put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” Those who knew us before our salvation—our tendency to fear, to distrust, to worry—will see the difference Jesus makes in us—and they will want to share in the transformation!
Believers in Christ have an amazing opportunity to reach the lost, to give them the chance to receive the Lord of Creation into their hearts, to walk with Him, to commune with Him, to dwell with Him for time and for eternity. The Jesus we serve requires nothing of us. No payment is demanded, no stipulations are made. All this is His free gift to us—II Corinthians 9:15.
He asks nothing of us but that we receive His free gift. When we have gone to the altar and laid our sins at His feet, when we have received the cleansing His shed blood has supplied to us, when we are born again—when we are newly adopted into the family of our heavenly Father, there is one thing we can do.
It is not a weighty burden that He places upon us; He merely asks us to sing! If we have the joy of salvation, the best way we have of gaining the interest of those who do not believe is by our joy. The attention that is drawn to the one who is light of heart, joyful even when tried, is without equal through any other means!
Psalm 40:3 says, “He has put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” Those who knew us before our salvation—our tendency to fear, to distrust, to worry—will see the difference Jesus makes in us—and they will want to share in the transformation!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Momentary Affliction
April 3
What does God think of our suffering? He gives every indication that He desires to help us through it. Jeremiah 33:3 sums up His position succinctly and wonderfully. Here He says, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you cannot imagine.”
God wants us to be blessed. A rather folksy way church people have of stating that truth is that He wants to, “bless your socks off.” Those who believe in and anticipate the miraculous intervention of our awesome God into our circumstances believe He is unchanging.
We believe that the miracles He performed through the pages of the Old and New Testaments are patterns for us today. We saw Moses part the Red Sea, we saw the Heavenly Host defend Elijah from an attacking army, we saw what Jesus did when people placed their needs at His feet and we are encouraged to believe that it is His will to operate in the same miraculous realm today.
Yet—when He does not choose to reveal His power through the extraordinary methods He can use if He so desires, He has another assurance for those who believe. II Corinthians 4:17 says, “Our momentary affliction will produce in us an eternal weight of glory.” No matter what we go through here, it will be overcome when we arrive at our glorious eternal home.
What does God think of our suffering? He gives every indication that He desires to help us through it. Jeremiah 33:3 sums up His position succinctly and wonderfully. Here He says, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you cannot imagine.”
God wants us to be blessed. A rather folksy way church people have of stating that truth is that He wants to, “bless your socks off.” Those who believe in and anticipate the miraculous intervention of our awesome God into our circumstances believe He is unchanging.
We believe that the miracles He performed through the pages of the Old and New Testaments are patterns for us today. We saw Moses part the Red Sea, we saw the Heavenly Host defend Elijah from an attacking army, we saw what Jesus did when people placed their needs at His feet and we are encouraged to believe that it is His will to operate in the same miraculous realm today.
Yet—when He does not choose to reveal His power through the extraordinary methods He can use if He so desires, He has another assurance for those who believe. II Corinthians 4:17 says, “Our momentary affliction will produce in us an eternal weight of glory.” No matter what we go through here, it will be overcome when we arrive at our glorious eternal home.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Too Wonderful for Words
April 2
Trusting the Lord in time, while we are finite in our understanding and limited in our spiritual scope and vision requires obedience to the Lord and willingness to step out in faith when doing so seems foolish in the eyes of our peers. No one wants to be the ‘odd’ guy who’s ridiculed behind his back.
Remember Gideon, when the Lord appeared to him in Judges 6:12 and addressed him as “…thou mighty man of valor,” responded in vs. 15 with the equivalent of, “Who, me?” This farmer couldn’t fathom that he was being addressed by the Living God and given the directive to defeat the foe of Israel.
And we still react in the same way when we contemplate the promises in the Bible that seem too wonderful for words. Though we are emboldened to reach out for salvation by the desperation of our plight when we recognize our total inability to satisfy the expectations of a holy God, we often stop there.
We are unable to grasp the notion that we can pray for healing, for deliverance, for blessings—for ourselves and for others—and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to see divine answers to our prayers. We must accept, as did Gideon, that indeed a small army of believers can transform the world! (Judges 7:7)
Trusting the Lord in time, while we are finite in our understanding and limited in our spiritual scope and vision requires obedience to the Lord and willingness to step out in faith when doing so seems foolish in the eyes of our peers. No one wants to be the ‘odd’ guy who’s ridiculed behind his back.
Remember Gideon, when the Lord appeared to him in Judges 6:12 and addressed him as “…thou mighty man of valor,” responded in vs. 15 with the equivalent of, “Who, me?” This farmer couldn’t fathom that he was being addressed by the Living God and given the directive to defeat the foe of Israel.
And we still react in the same way when we contemplate the promises in the Bible that seem too wonderful for words. Though we are emboldened to reach out for salvation by the desperation of our plight when we recognize our total inability to satisfy the expectations of a holy God, we often stop there.
We are unable to grasp the notion that we can pray for healing, for deliverance, for blessings—for ourselves and for others—and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to see divine answers to our prayers. We must accept, as did Gideon, that indeed a small army of believers can transform the world! (Judges 7:7)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
100%
April 1
God expects 100% faith from people who profess to believe in Him. Ultimately, we each will arrive at that pinnacle of belief as we mature in faith. The Word says in fact that our accepting of Christ as our Savior and Lord sets us on a path that will lead us to be like Him, “for we shall see Him as He is” I John 3:2.
That process begins in time but ends in eternity, for the passage tells us that our perfection in Christ will be accomplished, “…when He shall appear…” Those who love Him await that glorious day with great expectation! Finally, all hatred, all sorrow,
all pain, all death will be gone and joy and truth—Christ--shall reign!
Though we cannot attain unto that state of perfection while inhabiting our tabernacle of flesh, we can begin to aspire to the level of faith and commitment that will be perfected when He returns. Proverbs 3:5 gives us an insight into how we might begin the process that will be accomplished in heaven.
Here it states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” That path leads to perfect wisdom, perfect joy, perfect love—and to the 100% faith that He knows we’ll achieve when we see Jesus in glory.
God expects 100% faith from people who profess to believe in Him. Ultimately, we each will arrive at that pinnacle of belief as we mature in faith. The Word says in fact that our accepting of Christ as our Savior and Lord sets us on a path that will lead us to be like Him, “for we shall see Him as He is” I John 3:2.
That process begins in time but ends in eternity, for the passage tells us that our perfection in Christ will be accomplished, “…when He shall appear…” Those who love Him await that glorious day with great expectation! Finally, all hatred, all sorrow,
all pain, all death will be gone and joy and truth—Christ--shall reign!
Though we cannot attain unto that state of perfection while inhabiting our tabernacle of flesh, we can begin to aspire to the level of faith and commitment that will be perfected when He returns. Proverbs 3:5 gives us an insight into how we might begin the process that will be accomplished in heaven.
Here it states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” That path leads to perfect wisdom, perfect joy, perfect love—and to the 100% faith that He knows we’ll achieve when we see Jesus in glory.
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