Beyond Ourselves
Hard Work, No Joy
Have you ever worked hard for what you thought was Christ, but you experienced little joy? As a matter of fact, you felt agitated much of the time? If and when that happens, it helps to step back and consider if what we’re doing is a mission Christ set us on and we’re relying on His wisdom and power, or if it’s an activity we thought was a good idea and we’re pushing through in our own strength. Why is this important? Colossians 1:18 explains that Christ is “head of the body, the church…so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” In other words, if it is not Christ’s idea, then it’s not a good idea and will not be empowered by Him. Why? As a body is lifeless without its head, so the church is lifeless apart from Christ. We may do what we consider to be important work, but if it is done apart from Christ’s calling and Spirit, it is merely human work. Therefore, it is important for us to continually seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) so that both our individual and corporate deeds flow from Christ’s mind and are done in His power. When we do the work Christ sends us to do, the result will be we enter into Christ’s joy. Matthew 25:23
Lord Jesus, we praise You, HEAD OF THE CHURCH and life of the body of believers! May our words and actions be an extension of Your heart, strength, and power.
God Delivers On What He Promises
Have you ever had someone tell you they would do something and then they didn’t deliver on it? Although it happens with humans, it doesn’t happen with God. What He says He will do, He does. In Genesis 12:1-3, God made a unilateral, unconditional covenant with Abraham that included the promise of land, descendants, and redemption. In the form of a smoking furnace and a flaming torch, God passed between the pieces of the sacrifice. Matthew 26:27-28 records Jesus stating that He is the fulfillment of the covenant God made. “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.'” What God promises, He delivers on. We can celebrate that today and for eternity!
Lord, COVENANT KEEPER, You not only made a covenant, but You fulfilled it and sealed it with Your blood. We worship, praise, and adore You.
Do You Know What It Is to Be Loved
Many people do not know what it means be loved. But if we are a Christian, we do. We are the recipients of God’s great lovingkindness towards us. Psalm 145:8 clearly states His great love, “The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.” Slow to anger. GREAT IN LOVINGKINDNESS. That’s our God! Hallelujah!
LORD, we rejoice in Your GREAT LOVINGKINDNESS!
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Do You Long to Hear God Speak
There were twelve. And Jesus. They were in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. I was there in 1997 and we visited the nearby Grotto of Pan located at the mouth of a cave and from which springs sometimes flowed. Believing the cave was the entry gate to the underworld and in order to entice the return of their half man half goat god, Pan, people engaged in hideous acts of worship, including prostitution and sexual interaction between humans and goats.* Why did Jesus choose this “red light district” gate of hell to ask, “Who do people say the Son of Man is? Who do you say that I am?” And then go on to announce that the “gates of hell” would not overpower Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:13,15-19) I believe it was because Jesus was confronting the evil in His day rather than backing down from it. The Son of Man Son of God is the true God. The half god half goat is of the devil. But how did Peter’s correct confession come about? Jesus tells us. “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (v 17) If we want to hear more than the noise of our culture, we must devote ourselves to quiet time to hear God speak. Learn more and register today – “Starting Strong with 2020 Vision.”
Jesus, You are the CHRIST, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD. How we love You.
Heaven to Mankind, Here’s Comfort
When Simeon, anointed by the Holy Spirit, saw the infant Jesus at Christ's presentation in the temple, he knew He was seeing the long awaited Messiah. Jesus is the Consolation of Israel, but He is also the Consolation for any person who turns to Him for salvation.
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Amazing!
God. FATHER OF SPIRITS. Are you familiar with this title of God? It’s used in Hebrews 12:9-10, “We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the FATHER OF SPIRITS, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.” The Father of spirits disciplines us for our good just like earthly parents discipline children for their good. Isn’t that amazing? But that’s not all. Not only did the Father of spirits birth our existence, He also assumes responsibility for our discipline so that we share in His holiness. The next time we’re about to sin, let’s pay attention to any promptings to not give into it. If we do sin, no doubt, the Father of spirits will be there to convicting call our attention to it and call us to say we’re sorry. Father of spirits, Father of our spirit – amazing!
FATHER OF SPIRITS, thank You for loving us and calling us to holiness. We praise You!
What Love is This
Jesus, at age 12, described the Jerusalem temple as the house of His Heavenly Father. He laid claim to intimacy with God. At Jesus’s baptism, our Heavenly Father laid claim to intimacy with Jesus when He said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17. “Beloved Son” is a term that means esteemed, dear, favorite Son. Yes, we are the sons and daughters of God. Yet, when we ponder the magnitude of the sacrifice of our Heavenly Father giving up His favorite Son for our sins (John 3:16) and Jesus leaving His Heavenly Father to come to earth to die for our sins, we can’t help but have profound gratitude and wonder at their love for us.
Heavenly Father and Beloved Son, we praise You for Your magnamious love, grace, and sacrifice so we can live with You in eternal glory. We love You.
If You’re Wondering What to Do About Something
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Are you at your wit’s end? Do you need someone to talk to who can help you sort out your problems and worries? God understands. Our Heavenly Father is the original COUNSELOR. And, Isaiah 9:6 says this about Jesus. “For a child will be born to u … and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,….” In other words, our Heavenly Father and Jesus are Wonderful Counselors who are available to counsel and guide us. They’re excellent listeners, and we can hear their answers when we quiet ourselves in their presence. Talk to God, then follow His counsel. I record what God prompts me to do in my journal, Prayers of My Heart. It helps me follow through because I can review what I’ve recorded. What might God’s prompts sound like? “Call a person who is going through health problems.” Or, “Spend your time working on _____ today.” Make 2020 your best year by recording and following through with how the Wonderful Counsel prompts you. ORDER TODAY so it will arrive before Christmas! HERE.
LORD, You are the WONDERFUL COUNSELOR. Increase our sensitivity to Your Voice. Help us take seriously Your counsel and follow through on what You lead us to do.
Check Out this Privilege
Isn’t it amazing that it is often human nature to reject what is good and gravitate toward that which is bad? Although it’s sad, it’s true. Peter calls believers to realize that the One 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 we 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 here today and gone tomorrow. But to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God…. That is our privileged calling, my friend.
CHOICE AND PRECIOUS Savior, we love You and praise You! Center our eyes and sacrifices on You.
Interesting, Huh?
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.