Beyond Ourselves
Check Your Closet Again
Have you ever thought about God in relation to your clothing? It’s an odd question, I know. But the Bible says that in addition to God’s many character traits that He is a clothier. A clothier is a person who makes, sells, or deals in clothes or cloth, and God fits that description from Genesis when He clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins to Revelation where God clothes us in “fine linen, white and clean.” There’s an additional way our Heavenly Father clothes us. He clothes our innermost being. Galatians 3:27 describes believers as being “clothed with Christ.” Think about that. God could provide no finer clothing than for us to sport Christ’s righteousness. So, the next time you start to say, “I don’t have anything to wear,” remember…you do!
Lord God, we praise You for being our CLOTHIER, for covering us with Christ’s righteousness so we are not ashamed before You.
PS: No doubt, you’ve heard about rewards in heaven, right? Have you ever thought, “I don’t need rewards. Heaven is reward enough?” I’ll be honest, before preparing for our study of End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do, I’d had similar thoughts. Now? I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be sharing important scriptures on this topic in our study. If you haven’t signed up for this FREE email study, sign up today! Read, watch, study at your convenience. Learn more here. This is important information all believers should know.
Let the Blessing Sink In
Jesus asked His disciples who others said He was. Then He asked the more important question. “But who do you say that I am?” That’s a question every one of us must answer. Have we replied to Jesus as Simon Peter did? That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? Jesus affirmed Peter with these words, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (v17). Did we catch that? Jesus did more than affirm to Peter that he answered correctly. Jesus also pointed out that because Peter had confessed with his mouth what he knew in his heart – that Jesus is the Christ, Peter was blessed. Not only that Peter would be blessed one day, but that he was already blessed. Peter’s heavenly grasp that Jesus was more than a good man, that Jesus was God’s Son who had come to save us from our sins, sealed Peter’s destiny. His confession sealed his sins being eternally forgiven. So, too, my friend, you are blessed. Blessed with the forgiveness of your sins for eternity. Blessed with knowing the destiny of your soul so you don’t have to live in fear of death. In case you haven’t thought about it lately, let the blessing sink in.
Jesus, You are the CHRIST, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD. I praise You!
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:16
YES! END TIMES: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW, WHAT YOU CAN DO begins MARCH 1.
Praise to God’s CHOSEN ONE
How would you answer the question, “In what does your soul delight?” If someone asked me, I’d have to think for a minute. What about you? Would you say you’re “into” music? Or, would it be sports? Or your family? Or work? Or cooking? Fill in the blank. My soul delights in _________________. God the Father tells us in whom His soul delights.
“’Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My CHOSEN ONE in whom My soul delights.’” Isaiah 42:1
Jesus is God the Father’s Chosen One. Sounds like a proud father watching His child, doesn’t it? I wonder if our souls would more often find delight if we kept our eyes on the CHOSEN ONE.
JESUS, GOD’S CHOSEN ONE, we worship and praise You. We delight in who You are!
Check Out this Privilege
Isn’t it amazing that our human nature often rejects what is good and gravitates toward what is bad? Although it’s sad, it’s true. Peter calls believers to realize that the person people reject when they turn away from Christ “is choice and precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 2:4) The Greek words “choice and precious” mean that God appointed Jesus to the most exalted office conceivable.* He is held in honor and prized by His Father.** Continue reading in 1 Peter 2:5 and your heart can’t help but be warmed. Jesus is a choice and precious living stone and believers are also living stones, being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood. For what purpose? “To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Oh my. So often we sacrifice for things on earth that are temporal. But to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God? That is a privileged calling and it is ours, my friend.
CHOICE AND PRECIOUS Savior, we love You and praise You. Focus our eyes on You and our time and energy on eternal rather than earthly, passing things.
This is RIGHT IN KEEPING with Session 5 of “END TIMES: What You Should Know, What You Can Do” – The Rewards for Faithful Living. Have you registered yet for this FREE study I’ll email to you beginning March 1?
If We’re Smart…
Sheep. It’s been said they’re not the smartest animal in the world. That’s why they benefit from having a shepherd to watch over them and care for them. In relation to God, we’re not always the smartest. That’s why we benefit from having a Shepherd of our soul to watch over us and care for us. Matthew 9:36 records that our Shepherd, “Seeing the people, felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:34 further explains, “…He began to teach them many things.” What is Jesus, the Chief Shepherd‘s (1 Peter 5:4 ) response to seeing us be distressed and dispirited? He teaches us what to do and how to live. Of all the voices vying for our attention, Jesus’s voice is the One we’re to follow. The Bible is His voice on paper. If we’re smart, we’ll read and follow His teachings.
Thank You, JESUS, CHIEF SHEPHERD of our souls, for looking at us with eyes of compassion and for teaching and leading us.
Are We or Aren’t We
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If someone were to ask you what makes your life, marriage, family, career, and friendships work well, what would you say? Are you successful because you’re a hard worker? Are you successful because you’re conscientious? Or, perhaps a good listener? It’s an important question. A more important question, though, is what makes your life, marriage, family, career, friendships work to the glory of God? Why is that an important question? Because if we are a Christian, 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that everything we do is to be to the glory of God.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Acts 4:11 reinforces this fact by saying Jesus is the stone that was rejected, but who became the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.” In other words, we’re to build our lives on Christ in such a way that our life brings Him glory. If that’s not happening, we can begin today. We can draw closer to Jesus.
JESUS, You are the Chief Cornerstone on whom we’re to build our lives and glorify You. Help us consider if we’re doing that and if not, how we can.
DEAR FRIENDS, I get a notice when you sign up for “END TIMES: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW, WHAT YOU CAN DO.” I am PRAYING FOR YOU and our time together and would cherish your prayers for me as I continue to write and prepare the teaching videos. It’s going to be a GREAT TIME for us to study together!
Savior and Champion
Have you ever given your best effort at something, but failed? On the other hand, have you ever experienced great success? It’s normal to want to win. In keeping with that, Isaiah 19:20 has encouraging news for Christians.
It will become a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them.
Jesus is the proclaimed Savior and Champion not only for the Jews but for all who call on Him for salvation. If you’ve repented of sin and confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will be one of the myriads in heaven and during the Millennial Kingdom on earth following the Great Tribulation. Yes, we are returning from heaven with Christ to earth at the end of the 7 year Great Tribulation. We are with Christ when He takes over the world and rules from Jerusalem. Don’t think for a minute that our national or world situation is under the ultimate control of anyone but Christ. If you’d like to learn more about what the Bible tells us is ahead, join me for End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. It’s free and will be delivered to your inbox. Begins March 1. Do at your own pace.
LORD, You are the CHAMPION over all. We can’t wait to see the witness of the display of Your glory and reign. We love You.
How Not to Go Crazy with Anxiety
A few years ago, my morning started off peacefully. 5:30 am with God has a tendency to do that. After my quiet time and while scanning emails and news stories, however, I almost came to the conclusion that I’d unknowingly had Covid or might have gotten Covid the day before or maybe two days before. Or maybe I shouldn’t get the vaccine in case I had unknowingly had Covid recently because someone told me you could get really sick if you didn’t wait 3 months to get the vaccine after having it. I had no idea if that was true. However, after reading the article that listed 98 SYMPTOMS of Covid, I began to wonder if I had it. My eyes had been a little red one day last week and that was one of the symptoms. I had dismissed the redness as allergies, but you never know. Okay, I think you get my point. Everyone could probably identify as having had one of 98 symptoms of anything and go into a frenzy if they are the worrying type, which thank goodness I’m not. However, understandably, Covid has caused an increase in anxiety in our nation and world and if not because of Covid, you may have stressed over politics or any number of other issues. It is normal to feel anxious when our loved ones are ill or when family or financial problems arise. What’s important for us to remember in stressful times is that Jesus is with us and cares for us. He doesn’t want us to go crazy with worry. He wants us to cast all our anxiety on Him as 1 Peter 5:7 clearly states. Yes, just like a person casts a fishing line into the water, we can cast our anxiety on Jesus knowing that He cares for us and will see us through every day. If you’re feeling anxious, cast your anxiety on Him right now. Tell Him your anxious thoughts. He loves you, is listening, and He is ever present to comfort you. By the way, did you know that your prayers ascend to God as a fragrant offering? That information along with a lot of other wonderful truths is in the book of Revelation, which is why I hope you’ll join me for my study, “End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do.” Learn how you can participate by email.
Jesus, thank You for being a CARING LORD on whom we can cast our anxiety! Comfort all those who are suffering. Bring healing and strength to caregivers. We love You and thank You for caring for us.
Whopper of a Problem?
Do you have a whopper of a problem? Perhaps you’re even where the Lord led you, but the situation is more than you can handle. When Joshua found himself in a tough place, the Lord appeared to him as Captain of the Lord’s Host. Listen to what happened. Joshua 5:14-15 states,
Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, ‘What has my lord to say to his servant?’ The Captain of the Lord’s Host said to Joshua, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”
Did we get that? Joshua bowed down and said, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” The Lord told Joshua that the place he was standing was holy ground; then He told him what to do. Isn’t that the position we need to take not only when we’re faced with problems, but every day? Bow before the Lord. Ask, “what do You have to say to me?” Then, listen with the intention of obeying. Why? Not only will He help you, but also because God rewards obedience. Learn more in my newest study, End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do.
CAPTAIN of the HOSTS, we bow before You. Speak to our heart and mind. Tell us what to do.
Where is Our Faith in God’s Commands
We talk about it. We sing about it. But, how much of it do we have? What am I talking about? Faith. We place our faith in the person of Jesus Christ and that He substituted His body on the cross in place of ours. We stand at a distance and say, “Whew! That’s great. I didn’t have to go through the scourging and crucifixion. Thank You, Jesus. I believe.” But when God says to exercise our faith in regard to cutting off our sin we say, “No way. Can’t do.” He says to exercise our faith and forgive as He forgives us and we say, “Not gonna do it.” He says to lay aside our old self and put on the new self-made in the image of Christ Jesus, and we march through our day as if we didn’t hear Him. He says to take up our cross and follow Him by laying down our life for the Kingdom and we go on with our day as if He wasn’t talking to us. If we really had faith that God “calls into being that which doesn’t exist,” as Romans 4:17 states, then wouldn’t we obey His commands, trusting that they lead to the promised abundant life? So the question is, where is our faith…in us or in Jesus? Here’s another question – how can we exercise our faith today by obeying something He’s calling us to do that doesn’t come naturally to us?
Lord Jesus, You CALL INTO BEING THAT WHICH DOESN’T EXIST. Open our eyes today to one of Your teachings that we’re not following, to serving You in the way You’re calling us to serve. Call into being our obedience as we place our faith in You.
Friends, you’re invited to my new study – End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. I’ve been preparing for months and am passionate about us studying Revelation together. You can learn more about the study here. When you sign up for this free study, you are not committing to a certain day, time, or place. I’ll email the study to you and you can read, watch, and/or answer study questions at your convenience. I pray you’ll join me! After you register, please share with your friends so they can join us.