365 Days of Praise

Isn’t it great that as Christians we can continually learn and grow? For instance, when a person turns to Christ for salvation, they may think the word “judgement” will in no way ever again be used in reference to them. However, the Bible describes different kinds of judgments.  First Peter 1:17 speaks of God judging believers’ works. “If (since) you address as Father the one who IMPARTIALLY JUDGES according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth…” Interesting, huh? Although we’re not saved by works, God judges how we conduct ourselves after we’re saved.  Peter reminds us that God is an impartial judge and that we should live in way that shows reverence for Christ. Peter gives examples of what this looks like.

• We fervently love one another from the heart, 1:22
• We put aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander, 2:1
• We grow in respect to salvation, 2:2
• We proclaim the excellencies of Christ, 2:9
• We keep our behavior excellent, 2:12
• We follow in Christ’s steps, 2:21
• We are harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead, 3:8-9
• We keep our tongue from evil and lies, 3:10
• We turn away from evil and do good; seeking peace, 3:11
• We keep a good conscience, 3:16
• We live for the will of God, 4:2
• We live in the spirit according to the will of God, 4:6
• We’re hospitable to one another without complaint, 4:9
• We use the gift God’s given us to serve one another, 4:10
• We cast all our anxiety on God, knowing He cares for us, 5:7
• We resist the devil, firm in our faith, 5:9

In other words, believers are to represent the excellencies of Christ. How are we doing? If you’re like me and your head is hanging a little after reading the above list, know that God loves us and patiently calls us to repent, learn from our past, and rise to serve Him. What a loving Father!

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are impartial, and that You call us to new life through Christ’s empowerment. May we represent You well.  

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Have you ever needed an architect; someone to help you design your home, office, or some other building? In Hebrews 11:10, we’re told that Abraham needed an architect and guess who he sought? He “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose ARCHITECT and builder is God.”  Isn’t that fun to think about?!  Abraham. Looking. For a city built by God. It is just so cool!  And, that’s what Jesus is doing. He said He was going to prepare a place for us! We can learn from ole Abe. What can we learn? To not set our hope on what we can build on earth; be it a house, career, whatever. That’s not where we’ll find our true life and joy. It’s all temporal. Fluff. Jesus tells us not to store up treasures here, but rather to store up treasure in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21) How do we do that? If we don’t know, it’s about time we figure it out!

Lord God, we praise You, our Savior and Architect of the eternal Jerusalem, perfect and filled with Your glory. We’ll be amazed seeing Your glory when we arrive. Can’t wait! 

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Are you excited about all the ways Jesus is described? Every day when I select a description to share with you, I have a renewed sense of awe. Often the way our Lord is described is in contrast to that which is in the world. Such is the case today. Many in our world are living in spiritual darkness. They are seeking to be enlightened by powers apart from Jesus Christ. But in John 1:9 we find the word “true” in reference to Jesus. Although there are many sources of “enlightenment,” there is only one TRUE LIGHT:  JESUS CHRIST. He enlightens our soul, mind, and heart when we turn to Him.  The world apart from Christ is dark. Take seriously His charge to let His light shine through you. His Light in you is a beacon to those living in darkness.

Lord, You are the ALL POWERFUL, omnipotent God! We praise You that nothing is impossible with You. 

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the POWER and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”   1 Chronicles 29:11

A person who is not a Christian once asked why believers talk about God’s love but never His wrath. I thought about his question and realized I’m guilty of that very thing. Think about all the wonderful ways we look at God’s love, gentleness, and grace. Today, however, the context in which God’s actions are described as WONDROUSLY MARVELOUS is in reference to His judgment on people who claim His name, but simply give lip service to Him. God uses the prophet Isaiah to call them out in  Isaiah 29:13-14. “Then the Lord said, ‘Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, therefore, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, WONDROUSLY MARVELOUS.'”  He goes on to warn them about the consequences of lip service and rote worship. We might want to relegate God’s wrath to the Old Testament, but Revelation 16 speaks of God’s judgement being poured out on the earth in a future day. No doubt, God isn’t impressed with our lip service. Rather, our loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

I love to gaze on the glory of the moon. The moon – IS – something that exists. The moon – WAS – created by God in eternity past. The moon WILL BE in our tomorrows. It appears in different phases, but is still the same moon. So why would we doubt that Jesus is the LORD WHO WAS the creator, WHO IS self-existent in heaven and our hearts, and WHO IS TO COME? On December 25, we celebrate the LORD who came in the past in the appearance of a baby. But as Revelation 1:4 says, CHRIST is not only “HE is WHO IS and WHO WAS,” He is the LORD “WHO IS TO COME…” Think on it. Jesus is coming again!

Lord Jesus, WHO IS, WHO WAS, AND WHO IS TO COME, help us mindfully serve Your purposes until You return again!

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Do you ever feel like things are getting harder, not easier; that truth is ignored, and too often evil seems to win? If so, Christ can relate. He was pronounced “not guilty,” then crucified. How irrational was that? But Colossians 2:15 tells us Jesus  TRIUMPHED over the irrational. He disarmed the rulers and authorities. He made a public display of them. And Christ is still triumphant even though we may not see it at certain times. Jesus will right what is wrong.  Truth will prevail.  That’s good news on a national and world level.  It’s also good news for us personally.  Christ, who triumphed over the grave, is able to triumph over despair in our heart and the irrational in our lives.  Christ is the triumphant Lord. What do you need His help with today? He’s a prayer away.