March 31
How far are we willing to trust in the Living Christ? To what length will we go before we say we’ve gone far enough, and turn back from our resolve to walk hand-in-hand with Him through time into eternity? What trial might possibly bring us to the point of abandoning our commitment to abide in faith in the One True God?
Jesus has affirmed His willingness to abide with us forever. In Matthew 28:20 He is quoted as saying, “…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” No matter how long life exists as we know it, He will still be extending His hand of love, be holding out His salvation, to every person who is willing to receive His gift of eternal life.
The ball is in our court, so-to-speak. Jesus will not fail or forsake us. Will we forsake Him when the sky above us looks so bleak that we can’t anticipate another glimpse of the sun? When our ideas for how to overcome the problems we face have been exhausted and we must confess a total lack of insight into how to proceed further? When it seems easier to don sackcloth and ashes than to take one more step?
Yes, even then, at the point of our extremity, we may declare as did David in Psalm 27:3, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” How could David, whose own son turned against him stand fast in faith? He could for the same reason we can; he knew God. We, too, know His character--and His character will not allow Him to let us fall.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Life's Not Fair--Jesus Is
March 30
Sometimes we feel so inadequate. There are days when nothing seems to go right. You know, like the one when you were encumbered with your umbrella all day long because the morning was overcast, but it didn’t rain. Or the time you forgot your wallet and didn’t have your driver’s license when you were pulled over by a police officer.
We are especially unnerved at those times when we feel an injustice has been perpetrated against us. We were victims of circumstances and someone used the unfortunate turn of events against us.
If we expect life to be ‘fair,’ we will often be disillusioned. Life is not fair. Its inequities and the resultant disappointments can overwhelm our sensibilities. So, what should we do? Cower in a corner and wait for the next unfortunate eventuality to overrun us? No. If we allow ourselves to be intimidated by every possible disappointment, we will hardly be worthy of the faith we profess.
We must remind ourselves that even though life is not always fair, the Lord is. Even when our best efforts come to nothing, we are not failures as long as we are maintaining our focus on Him and trusting in His provision. As the Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do unto me?” As stated so beautifully in Romans 8:35-39, nothing can separate us from His love.
Sometimes we feel so inadequate. There are days when nothing seems to go right. You know, like the one when you were encumbered with your umbrella all day long because the morning was overcast, but it didn’t rain. Or the time you forgot your wallet and didn’t have your driver’s license when you were pulled over by a police officer.
We are especially unnerved at those times when we feel an injustice has been perpetrated against us. We were victims of circumstances and someone used the unfortunate turn of events against us.
If we expect life to be ‘fair,’ we will often be disillusioned. Life is not fair. Its inequities and the resultant disappointments can overwhelm our sensibilities. So, what should we do? Cower in a corner and wait for the next unfortunate eventuality to overrun us? No. If we allow ourselves to be intimidated by every possible disappointment, we will hardly be worthy of the faith we profess.
We must remind ourselves that even though life is not always fair, the Lord is. Even when our best efforts come to nothing, we are not failures as long as we are maintaining our focus on Him and trusting in His provision. As the Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do unto me?” As stated so beautifully in Romans 8:35-39, nothing can separate us from His love.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Lord Will Be Your Confidence
March 29
We live in a remarkable time. In every way, we are the most advanced generation in history. The technological wonders we take for granted have made our lives so much easier than those of even our recent ancestors whose day-to-day existence was virtually consumed with simply supplying their basic needs.
Advances in medicine have allowed us to overcome scourges of by-gone generations. Small pox, diphtheria, tuberculosis…horrific diseases that decimated populations are now controlled by immunizations, antibiotics, and a better understanding of hygiene.
Yet, we live in a day that causes us to be anxious, even fearful, of what tomorrow might bring. The same technology that has simplified our lives and made us healthier and given us greater longevity threatens to eradicate us from the planet if the wrong man ‘has his finger on the button,’ or the wrong group acquires proficiency in the construction of nuclear weapons. But, the Foundation of our peace has not changed through the decades of our remarkable strides in technology and medicine.
The same One in whom our ancestors trusted is the One in whose hand we must place our lives and in whose keeping power we must base our security. He has assured us in Proverbs 3:26, “The Lord will be your confidence and He will keep your foot from being snared.” So we praise Him for the blessings He’s allowed us to have and trust Him to keep us, as He has always kept those who trust in Jesus—through the days of joy and at the time of trial.
We live in a remarkable time. In every way, we are the most advanced generation in history. The technological wonders we take for granted have made our lives so much easier than those of even our recent ancestors whose day-to-day existence was virtually consumed with simply supplying their basic needs.
Advances in medicine have allowed us to overcome scourges of by-gone generations. Small pox, diphtheria, tuberculosis…horrific diseases that decimated populations are now controlled by immunizations, antibiotics, and a better understanding of hygiene.
Yet, we live in a day that causes us to be anxious, even fearful, of what tomorrow might bring. The same technology that has simplified our lives and made us healthier and given us greater longevity threatens to eradicate us from the planet if the wrong man ‘has his finger on the button,’ or the wrong group acquires proficiency in the construction of nuclear weapons. But, the Foundation of our peace has not changed through the decades of our remarkable strides in technology and medicine.
The same One in whom our ancestors trusted is the One in whose hand we must place our lives and in whose keeping power we must base our security. He has assured us in Proverbs 3:26, “The Lord will be your confidence and He will keep your foot from being snared.” So we praise Him for the blessings He’s allowed us to have and trust Him to keep us, as He has always kept those who trust in Jesus—through the days of joy and at the time of trial.
Monday, March 28, 2011
He Excludes No One
March 28
Every person on the planet is a candidate to be a recipient of the love and mercy of our great God and King. Everybody. Oh, you and I might be able to tick off a dozen likely exceptions without even spending much time thinking about it. But He would exclude none of them.
Wait a minute! What about someone like Adolph Hitler? There was no redeeming quality in the man. Surely, the Lord has no compunction about opening the trap door to hell and letting him slide on down! What about the child molester who robs a child of innocence? What about the terrorist who slaughters the innocent?
You and I may disdain the thought of rubbing shoulders with such a one, but the reality is that Jesus died for these heinous sins as well as for our own. We may assign a weight to each sin; in our estimation, some are heavier than others. But God has no curve on which He grades. All sin demands the penalty of death—all sin but that which is under the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
No matter how vile, how ruthless have been our acts, in spite of against whom they may have been perpetrated, if we come to the Throne of Mercy and Grace with sincere tears of repentance, we will be forgiven. As David said in Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” He excludes no one from the plan of salvation. The only one who can exempt a man from receiving God’s free gift is himself.
Every person on the planet is a candidate to be a recipient of the love and mercy of our great God and King. Everybody. Oh, you and I might be able to tick off a dozen likely exceptions without even spending much time thinking about it. But He would exclude none of them.
Wait a minute! What about someone like Adolph Hitler? There was no redeeming quality in the man. Surely, the Lord has no compunction about opening the trap door to hell and letting him slide on down! What about the child molester who robs a child of innocence? What about the terrorist who slaughters the innocent?
You and I may disdain the thought of rubbing shoulders with such a one, but the reality is that Jesus died for these heinous sins as well as for our own. We may assign a weight to each sin; in our estimation, some are heavier than others. But God has no curve on which He grades. All sin demands the penalty of death—all sin but that which is under the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
No matter how vile, how ruthless have been our acts, in spite of against whom they may have been perpetrated, if we come to the Throne of Mercy and Grace with sincere tears of repentance, we will be forgiven. As David said in Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” He excludes no one from the plan of salvation. The only one who can exempt a man from receiving God’s free gift is himself.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Great Is His Faithfulness
March 27
How often can we anticipate that the Lord will forgive us once we have asked for cleansing from the sins we’ve committed? In Matthew 18:21 and 22 there is a question posed to the Lord by Peter which asks essentially, ‘How often is enough?’
Peter says, “If my brother offends me, is it sufficient if I forgive him seven times?” Jesus’ response to that is that if his brother seeks his forgiveness seventy times seven times, he should extend it to him each time. In other words, there is no limit on how much we are to forgive. It is a deep ocean that we must plumb every time we’re asked.
If this degree of compassion toward the offender is expected of us when someone hurts us, how much more can we expect that our Heavenly Father will extend forgiveness to us when we approach Him, laden with the burden of our failure to live the godly life Jesus has died to secure for us! Do we dare hope He will be merciful seventy times seven times—and more?!
When we fully understand that it is not our goodness but Christ’s that saves us, when we fully grasp the reality that we can do nothing to merit His free gift of salvation, then we are able to understand the assurance given in Lamentations 3:22, 23 which says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed; for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning…”
His love bought us and His loves holds us—even when our sin would cause us to slip away. Indeed, as the verse concludes, “…great is His faithfulness.”
How often can we anticipate that the Lord will forgive us once we have asked for cleansing from the sins we’ve committed? In Matthew 18:21 and 22 there is a question posed to the Lord by Peter which asks essentially, ‘How often is enough?’
Peter says, “If my brother offends me, is it sufficient if I forgive him seven times?” Jesus’ response to that is that if his brother seeks his forgiveness seventy times seven times, he should extend it to him each time. In other words, there is no limit on how much we are to forgive. It is a deep ocean that we must plumb every time we’re asked.
If this degree of compassion toward the offender is expected of us when someone hurts us, how much more can we expect that our Heavenly Father will extend forgiveness to us when we approach Him, laden with the burden of our failure to live the godly life Jesus has died to secure for us! Do we dare hope He will be merciful seventy times seven times—and more?!
When we fully understand that it is not our goodness but Christ’s that saves us, when we fully grasp the reality that we can do nothing to merit His free gift of salvation, then we are able to understand the assurance given in Lamentations 3:22, 23 which says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed; for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning…”
His love bought us and His loves holds us—even when our sin would cause us to slip away. Indeed, as the verse concludes, “…great is His faithfulness.”
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Do Not Esteem Lightly
March 26
God loves us with an unfailing love. How do we reciprocate? Do we presume upon His great love? Do we take it for granted? Do we think about it at all? Some among humankind have determined within the vacuous corridors of their own minds that God does not exist and His love, His relevance are non-existent.
The Word takes people of this ilk into account. Of them it says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no god…’” (Psalm 53:1). Proverbs 10:21 further states that a fool shall, “…die for lack of wisdom.” We see evidence of this in the natural when someone neglects to orient his actions around sound choices.
The greatest evidence of the proverb’s dire prediction will be when those who have negated God will be sent out of His presence eternally. Then we raise the question that is often on the lips of one who challenges the existence of a literal hell as a place of punishment, ‘How can a loving God send anyone to such a place of torment?”
Because God is just and holy and because no sin can abide in His presence, He hasn’t, therefore, an alternative to banishing sin that is not under the blood of Jesus to outer darkness. As Psalm 119:156 states clearly, “Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to Your law.”
When we forsake the law by turning our back on Jesus who fulfilled the law in our behalf, we remove ourselves from the covering of His blood--of His love. May we not esteem lightly His precious gift of righteousness in the sight of the Holy One who inhabits eternity.
God loves us with an unfailing love. How do we reciprocate? Do we presume upon His great love? Do we take it for granted? Do we think about it at all? Some among humankind have determined within the vacuous corridors of their own minds that God does not exist and His love, His relevance are non-existent.
The Word takes people of this ilk into account. Of them it says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no god…’” (Psalm 53:1). Proverbs 10:21 further states that a fool shall, “…die for lack of wisdom.” We see evidence of this in the natural when someone neglects to orient his actions around sound choices.
The greatest evidence of the proverb’s dire prediction will be when those who have negated God will be sent out of His presence eternally. Then we raise the question that is often on the lips of one who challenges the existence of a literal hell as a place of punishment, ‘How can a loving God send anyone to such a place of torment?”
Because God is just and holy and because no sin can abide in His presence, He hasn’t, therefore, an alternative to banishing sin that is not under the blood of Jesus to outer darkness. As Psalm 119:156 states clearly, “Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to Your law.”
When we forsake the law by turning our back on Jesus who fulfilled the law in our behalf, we remove ourselves from the covering of His blood--of His love. May we not esteem lightly His precious gift of righteousness in the sight of the Holy One who inhabits eternity.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Because He's Our Loving Father
March 25
We live in perilous times. The daily news unfolds reports of one upheaval after another in far-flung corners of the globe and within our own borders. Governments and institutions that once seemed unshakable seem to be teetering.
Any thinking individual cannot but ponder current events in the light of eschatological predictions. We know what Jesus and the prophets have said about the last days, about the events that foreshadow His return, and we think we see them in ever-increasing numbers, with ever escalating frequency.
But we also know that our God is faithful. We know His promises are yea and amen. We know we will not be abandoned to the desperate times that are coming upon the earth for He has assured believers throughout the pages of scripture that His protection will shield us from all harm.
The prophet stated it comfortingly in Isaiah 54:10 where he said of the Lord’s care, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace with you be removed…” Because He's our loving Father, His compassion will not fail; we will always be secure in His hand.
We live in perilous times. The daily news unfolds reports of one upheaval after another in far-flung corners of the globe and within our own borders. Governments and institutions that once seemed unshakable seem to be teetering.
Any thinking individual cannot but ponder current events in the light of eschatological predictions. We know what Jesus and the prophets have said about the last days, about the events that foreshadow His return, and we think we see them in ever-increasing numbers, with ever escalating frequency.
But we also know that our God is faithful. We know His promises are yea and amen. We know we will not be abandoned to the desperate times that are coming upon the earth for He has assured believers throughout the pages of scripture that His protection will shield us from all harm.
The prophet stated it comfortingly in Isaiah 54:10 where he said of the Lord’s care, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace with you be removed…” Because He's our loving Father, His compassion will not fail; we will always be secure in His hand.
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