Grace

Rev. 22:21

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen."

How cool is that! The Bible ends with grace. Without grace, I would be nothing, not saved, not sanctified, and not waiting expectantly for the blessed hope. Jesus Christ was grace in the flesh. He bridged the gap between God and man, offered Himself as the sacrifice for man's sin, and freed us from the bondage of sin and death. This is grace! God's favor at Christ's expense for my benefit. Grace is my means to  live. Through it, God's strength is perfected in my weakness. Through it, I can serve others as a good steward of "God's varied grace." Through it, my conversation can resound with God's words. Through it, I can take "every thought captive to obey Christ."  So that in everything that I say, do, or think God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. It is all of Grace!!!

Father,

Thank You for Your gift of grace. Help me to be fixated on it as I live and breathe.

In the name of the Grace-Giver, 

Amen

The Holy City

Rev. 21:22-27

What a beautiful description! There is no temple in the Holy City because the temple is the Lord God Almighty. In fact, there is no need of sun or moon because the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is the lamp. It boggles my mind to think about the intensity and the scope of God's glory! God's light allows the nations and the kings to walk in bringing glory to Him becausee every knee has bowed. All is as it should be. The gates of this city are never shut, and there is no night. Evil is abolished! Nothing unclean or detestable will ever enter this city, but only those written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

This picture gives such hope for what is to come. It makes me "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved." It is the huge heavenly carrot, the goal for the prize for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, and the better country, the heavenly one of which I am a citizen. Wow! Praise God!

Father,

Keep my eyes ever fixed on You and focused on the redemption of my body and spending eternity praising Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Potter

Is. 64:8

"But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You are our Potter; we are the work of Your hand."

Quite a concession for Israel to make! For Israel to concede that they were clay means that they were giving the reins of their life over to the potter. It means that they were abdicating their penchant for waywardness, self-will, and rebellion. Like Israel, how often do I go my own way? How often do I allow my life to be malleable clay? Do I seek to be soft to the touch of God so that He can make me a work of His hands that brings glory to His name?

My attitude of willingness doesn't change God's plan for my life since God is always sovereign. His way and His plan operate unhindered, but it does change my heart toward God and His plan. A soft heart allows me to relish growth, to delight in my time with God, and to be thankful that all He does in my life is for my good. Instead of being so hard that God must crush me with the holy hammer, it allows me to see the loving hand of my Abba Father.

It makes me think of disciplining a difficult child as opposed to an easy child. While the difficult child makes everything a struggle creating tension and unhappiness, the easy child makes growing a joy that results in a positive relationship. What kind of child am I? Am I His difficult child or His easy child? What will my attitude be toward my Potter?

Father,

I am Your clay. Mold me as You would desire. Reveal those hidden recesses in my heart that harbor self-will and rebellion.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Rev. 19:6-16

What graphic images! I can only imagine how John felt seeing all these things. First, he hears the voice of a great multitude which sounds like the roar of many waters and the sound of mighty peals of thunder. This voice was not only complete power, but it also extinguished all other sounds. The content could only be one thing: the Lord our God reigns, Rejoice, the marriage of the Lamb is now! The bride is clothed with fine linen, bright and pure. Amazingly, this linen was made from the righteous deeds of the saints! How cool is that! But it is not anything that the saints did in themselves, it was what they did through the grace of God.

Then Jesus enters! Heaven opens and in comes a white horse with one sitting on it called Faithful and True. His mission: to judge and make war. This is definitely not a peaceful scene but one of power. The heavy is coming down! His eyes are like a flame of fire (devouring and consuming), His head has many diadems (all kingdoms are His), and He has a name that no one knows by Himself. His robed is dipped in blood (from His sacrifice, the cost of His life), and the name by which He is called is the Word of God!!! Whoa!! The armies of heaven are all arrayed in white linen between Him. All is pure and sinless, without blemish. His purpose: to strike down the nations with the sword from His mouth and to rule with a rod of iron. This battle's outcome is predetermined. The nations stand no chance! He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and thigh is written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What a scene! What power and glory the Word of God has! 

Father,

I am in awe as I read this narrative and realize the great power that You have, power for life and power for destruction. Thank You for choosing me to be Your saint, to stand with You, and to be a part of the marriage feast of the Lamb. Thank You for clothing me in Your grace-filled white linen.

In the Name of the Lamb,

Amen

God's Pleasure

Ps. 147:11

"But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love."

God doesn't take pleasure in my performance, my works, or my potential to do great things for Him. In fact, what can I possibly do for Him? Nothing at all since all that I do must be by His grace. He takes pleasure in the power that is behind what I do, that is His grace and strength. If I offer Him what I do in my own strength, it is glorifying me. In essence I am saying that my works are worthy of His praise. Never!! What the Lord takes pleasure in is my helplessness strengthened in his grace, my unworthiness perfected in His worthiness, and my pride replaced with my fear of Him. My life must lose its self focus and become God focused.

In theory, it might sound doable, but in practicality, it is NOT! My self is so strong and unrelenting that it makes my walk with God a constant battle, one that I must cry out to Him for the proper grace-powered ammunition. But as I hope in His steadfast love and mercy, I can walk in the Spirit. When I fall, which is often, He is there to lift, carry, and heal my wounds. He is my refuge, my tower, and my surety. I don't have to fear a lonely, defeated death because He takes pleasure in me because I fear Him, because I have my all in Him, and because He chose me to be His child.

Father,

Keep my eyes ever upward searching for and relying on Your grace and strength. Thank You for the steadfast hope and love that You constantly pour over me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Resolve

Ps. 146:1-2

"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

Such resolve on the part of the psalmist! He had predetermined his response to be one of praise for whatever life threw at him. His life, thoughts, and actions would bring praise to the Lord as long as he lived.

Even though all that I do is through grace, grace demands that I have resolve. I must determine to do all through grace, even praise God throughout all my days. I must determine to cry out for His strength and His grace. Without grace I am powerless, but without resolve I am powerless too. My resolve must not be to accomplish things for God, but to desire to do all through His grace and strength. My resolve is for His grace.

Father,

Keep me always focused on Your grace. Help me to stay true to my resolve to always praise You through the grace that You pour over me. Show me how my resolve works with Your grace so that I can praise You in all that I do.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Great is the Lord

Ps. 145:1-3

"I will extol You, my God and my King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Everyday I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."

What fitting verses for Christmas day! What else is there to say but, Praise God! 

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made."   

"All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your saints shall bless You!"

"My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever."

On this Christmas Day, there are so many great gifts from God:

Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me so that I might become a child of God. 

Being chosen by the Father to be conformed to the image of the Son.

Being indwelled by the Holy Spirit who teaches me all that I need to know.

The riches of the Word of God that supernaturally change and mold my life.

The fellowship of other believers.

The freedom to read, study, and saturate myself in the Word.

Being able to share the Word with others.

The freedom to worship where God is glorified.

The riches of family and friends.

Provision of my daily needs.

The security of knowing all the details of my life are in God's Hands.

The rest that comes from having a sovereign God plan my life.

Knowing that all things work together for good in my life.

Knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Being able to talk with the Father personally in prayer.

Being able to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

For the valleys of trials, suffering, pain, and injury.

And for the mountaintops of victory.

For ready forgiveness for my sins.

And so much more!

Praise Your name, my God and Savior!

Bless You for being in my life!

Bless You for sending Your Son who gave His all for me!

I love You!

Blessed

Ps. 144:15

"Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord."

As I sit here on Christmas Eve, I can truly say my life is blessed in so many ways, but the crucial way is that God is my Lord. I am His and He is mine. In Ps. 44, David recounts many different ways that God has blessed his life. They include:

• He trains his hands for way and fingers for battle.
• He is his steadfast love and fortress, his stronghold and deliverer, his shield and refuge.
• He subdues enemies under him.

Then David expresses his heart and desires to the Lord. He begins by singing a new song to the Lord, a song of praise. After which he petitions God for:

• his children to grow and flourish.
• his crops to be abundant.
• his animals to fertile.
• his streets to be free of fear and distress.

His conclusion is that he is abundantly blessed because God is his Lord. I am thinking that my petitions are no different from David's. I want my children and their children to grow and flourish, not just physically but spiritually. I am concerned about our physical provision, about jobs and salary. Maybe I don't have crops or animals, but jobs accomplish the same things. Finally, I definitely pray for my 'streets,' the places that I inhabit, to be free of fear and distress. David's heart and mine though separated by years and by circumstances come down to many of the same issues. We have definitely arrived at the same conclusion, that is how blessed we are! God abundantly cares for me, and I can rest in Him because He has the plan and the purpose for my life. I am part of His people and He is my God.

Father,

My heart is full this morning because I realize the great blessings that I have in You. Not only do you care for me meeting all my needs, but You have chosen me to be Your child. You are my God. How blessed I am!

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Purpose

Is. 55:11

"so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the things for which I sent it."

God's word is all powerful! It not only declares God's will and purposes,  but it consistently and always does what He declares it will do. It will never return empty; instead it is always successful. What an assurance for me to trust in the promises of God! What a warning to believe all that it says! When I think of great words that have been written, I think of Shakespeare, Greek Philosophers, or even the Constitution of America. They are all great writings, but they cannot make these claims. They do not always accomplish the purposes that they were written for, nor are they relevant throughout all time. Only the Word of God is so powerful that it never changes, that it always accomplishes God's purposes, and that it can produce supernatural change in its readers. The Word of God can change a life permanently. Its claim supersedes all time.

Father,

Give me the strength to believe all that I read. Send Your Spirit to drive home its tenets to my heart. Change me and mold me through its great power.

In Jesus name,

Amen  

For the Dark Times

Ps. 142:1-2

"With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell my trouble before Him."

What do I do when I am down and things are crashing around me? Do I cry out to God? Do I plead for mercy to the One who has established all my days? Or, do I mope, feel sorry for myself,  talk to a friend, or even eat some ice cream or candy? What an amazing God I have who willingly listens to me when I complain and whose heart is big enough to hear whatever I have to say!  The psalmist goes on to say that when his spirit faints, God knows. More than that, God knows what is taking him down, every trap and pitfall. God is his refuge and portion because He established the course of every day that David lived. The same goes for me. Who is better to pour out my heart to than the One who ordered my every moment?

Father,

Give me the strength and wisdom to cry out to You immediately instead of wallowing in my own self-pity. Help me understand my days as You do.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Beautiful Feet

Is. 52:7

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news; who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

True beauty for my feet comes from sharing the gospel not from pedicures, waxing, or polishing. Eph. 6 says "and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."  My feet need to be swift to share peace, happiness, and salvation. Wherever I go and whatever I do, my primary focus is the gospel and not my plans, pleasures, or priorities. After having foot surgery twice and being off my feet for months at a time, I understand the importance of feet. They should not be taken for granted, or on the other hand, used for my purposes alone. As I sit here waiting for the day that I can walk again, what are the things that I want to do first? Am I planning ways to share the gospel, or am I thinking of all the things that I need to accomplish? Am I thinking of making my feet beautiful for God or active in my own agenda? I am impressed with the fact that even my feet need to be gospel-givers. At every moment, even in the mundane chores of life, I need to be singing and sharing His reigning power in peace and happiness.

Father,

Keep me ever aware of the beauty of my feet, of where my feet are taking me, and of what my feet are doing. Keep your gospel and Your peace always in the conversations that I share with others.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Search Me

Ps. 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Who better to search me than God? He who knows my heart and my thoughts, who formed my inward parts, and who sets my boundaries. Since He is Truth, He can pinpoint the grievous way in me. Sin is evil, but it is also grievous. Normally, I think of grief with death and separation, and that is exactly what sin does. It's wages bring death killing my joy and separating my spirit from God, but His Holy Spirit searches my heart and thoughts so that He might expose these  pockets of 'grief' allowing me to stay close to the One who is my life and my leader.

Father,

Search me and expose the grief, hidden and overt. Free me to follow You wholeheartedly.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Ps. 138

Ps. 138:8

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands."

The psalmist is sure of God's plan and purpose being fulfilled in his life. He knows God's steadfast love endures forever; likewise, His plan endures forever. The psalmist is also sure because of what he has experienced in his life.

• On the day David called, God answered. His communication with God was constant and immediate.
• When David walked in the midst of trouble, God delivered him. God was his refuge, fortress, rock, and deliverer.
• God stretched out His hand over David's enemies, and there were many. David's life was one of constant fleeing, running, and hiding.

God was a reality to David. David knew God personally and saw His mighty hand work visibly in his life, but he also knew the character of his God.

• He was unchanging in plan and purpose.
• His steadfast love and faithfulness were manifest in His life personally.
• He was worthy of David's whole-hearted praise.
• He was a God of holiness.
• He spoke words that elicited praise from the kings of the earth.
• He is high yet regards the lowly.
• He is a God of great glory.

Because of all this David's response was one of trust and praise. His mouth was filled with singing as he humbly bowed in His temple. His life was definitely one that would radiate confidence in God. How would I characterize my personal relationship with God?  Have I seen His hand at work practically in my life? Do I make His character part of my praise to Him?

Father,

Thank You for being the God that You are, for Your steadfast love and faithfulness, for your ever sure plan and purpose, and for your great deliverances.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Old Age

Is. 46:4

"Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear, I will carry and will save."

What a promise to take into old age! Our culture says that if someone is old, that person is non-productive and  often even discarded, but in the spiritual realm, it is not true. God has promised that He will always be Who He has always been, unchanging, powerful, and loving. He will always meet my needs, and more than that, as I am growing older, He will carry me. When my strength fails, He is always there for "His grace is sufficient for my weakness." I am the product of His creative force and age does not change that. As I was when I was young, so will I be when I am old. In God's eyes and in His plan, I am always His, His sheep who He knows by name and holds securely. 

Father,

Thank You for this great promise. Help me to rest in You and not worry about the issues of old age, of poor health, of lack of finances, of weakness, and even of uselessness. Help me to serve You until You call me home.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Pure Gold

Job 23:10

"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold."

Job had gone through so much, yet he had faith in God and in His purposes and plan for his life. It was his faith that allowed him to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was his faith that allowed him to see something good coming out of so many bad things. He wasn't hoping for God to relent or to change His mind because He knew that God was unchangeable. Instead, he was relying on all things, even bad things, to work together for good for him because he loved God and was called according to His purpose. Job's life shows in graphic detail that suffering does have positive results. Out of the fire of affliction, the Refiner burns away the dross leaving pure gold. Eventually, Job would become gold.

The problem is that many times in severe affliction, it's easy to take my eyes off God or to want an escape from what is happening. The more thought I place on my injured flesh, the more thought I take away from God, His character and His purposes. Like Job, I must focus on the end result, on the gold that I will become. I must  rest in God's and His promise to work good in my life.

Father,

Thank You for this example. Keep my eyes fastened on You and my heart true to Your sovereign plan as You burn away the dross in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Every Knee Will Bow

Rev. 5:8

"And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp  and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

What a scene! The Lamb takes the scroll. As He does that, the living creatures and the 24 elders fall down in worship. In each of their hands is a harp and a bowl of the prayers of the saints. Then all who are there explode in a song declaring the worthiness of the Lamb, worthy because He was slain, ransomed a people for God by His blood, and made them a kingdom of priests to God. As if this wasn't majestic beyond belief, more music explodes. Myriads of angels join the singers with one theme,"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." John then sees every creature in heaven and earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that there is giving glory. blessing, honor, and might to the Lamb. Truly, every knee will bow and every heart will give Him praise.

Father, 

To You to the Lamb I add my praise, honor, glory, might and strength. I bow my heart and my knee before You in worship.

In the name of the Lamb,

Amen

Worthy

Rev. 4:11

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created."

When I read this section, my heart is always stirred. It is such a moving declaration of the glory of God. First, the four living creatures unceasingly say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." As a response to the creatures, the 24 elders fall down and declare God's worthiness.  It can be no other way because of who God is! First He is holy, so holy in fact that it must be stated three times. Not only that but His is holiness is present throughout all existing time. Secondly, He is worthy of praise because He created all and gave existence to every living thing. For those two reasons alone, He is worthy of all praise, glory, honor, and power.

The problem is that man wants glory for himself. Somehow he thinks that what he accomplishes, who he is, and where he goes is his personal decision and is a product of what he has to offer. Not so! All that I am and have and ever hope to be is from God. From a heart of thanksgiving I must repeat what the living creatures and the 24 elders say. He alone is holy and worthy!

Father,

You are worthy of all my praise, my honor, my glory, and my power. Give me Your strength to live out practically a life that brings glory to You. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Faithfully

Is. 42:3

"a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice."

God is faithful and just. In His sovereign will and purpose, He established all, even the bruised reeds and the faintly burning wicks. He has promised that He will not allow me to be tempted above what I am able to bear, but will with the temptation provide a way of escape. If I am bruised or faintly burning, a way of escape might be all that I can do. When I feel like I can't go on or life is overwhelming, I don't need to fear a harsh hand from God, but instead, I can go to Him for comfort since He is the God of all comforts. He is there waiting to care for me, to heal and nurture me. 

Sometimes my 'bruising' comes from within. Often I am my own worst enemy, yet at other times, it can come from others. In persecution, trial,  and suffering, God has promised to be faithfully just. He will do what is right and not allow others to break my reed or extinguish my wick. God's sovereign justice is over all, over me and over those who want my harm. What a great promise! I can rest in God's care for me and in the  knowledge that He loves me even when I am bruised and dim.

Father,

Keep my eyes focused on You in times of hardship, persecution, and trial. Keep my world from becoming so small that all I see is my pain.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Abondoned Their First Love

Rev. 2:4

"But this I have against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

The church at Ephesus was known for their works, their toil and patient endurance, and their ability to spot evil and false teachers. They were also patiently enduring and bearing up for His name's sake without growing weary. But in the midst of all these good things was one very severe problem, that is they had lost their first love. I am amazed that with all they had going for them, they still were not in love with Jesus. At the end of the letter they are urged to repent before it is too late. How sobering!

I think that this letter speaks to the inner man, to the emotions, thoughts, and motives for service. It is clear that duty without love is insufficient. God says that man looks on the outward appearance but He looks on the heart. Probably to the human eye this church would be outstanding in service, faithfulness, and commitment, but what others can see doesn't tell the whole story. Why would they do all this service with wrong motives? Perhaps, they were more concerned with what other people thought, with their reputation among the churches, or maybe they were very duty-driven people. But no matter the reason, the warning is repent if your heart is not right. 

 I wonder how my church would be described, or how my life would be described. Am I known for my works? Do I toil with patient endurance? Can I spot what is evil and what is false doctrine? Am I patiently bearing up for His name? Most importantly, have I lost my first love? Have I fallen into a similar trap?

Father,

Open my heart, cleanse it, and give me grace to love you as I should. Help  me never to serve You out of duty, but to serve You with the fervor of my first love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Waiting

Is.  40:30-31

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Physical strength always fails even for the young who are toned and fit. No amount of human effort can prevent injury or eventual fatigue, but in the spiritual realm it is vastly different. Here, the weakest person can be strong in the Lord because God's strength is perfected in human weakness. What a great promise! I can rely on His strength as long as I wait and don't run ahead in my own strength. This is amazing grace! Why is it so hard to wait? Satan is prowling around seeking to devour me and what better way than to tempt me with self-sufficiency. Even after repeated failures, my flesh will try over and over. What a hard lesson to learn! I need God's strength just to wait for God's strength.

Father,

Teach me to wait on You so that my strength and Your strength will be one in the same.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Beloved

Jude 20-21

"But you, Beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

John is speaking to those he holds close to his heart warning them about certain ungodly people who had infiltrated the church. These people were "hidden reefs at their love feasts, as they feast along with you, shepherds feeding themselves, waterless clouds, swept along by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted, wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame, wandering stars for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever."  What a graphic description! John's concern is fraught with deep emotion. He wants the hearts of the beloved protected from such people as these.

It appears from the warning that these people are hard to identify and can't be expelled from the church. They are truly hidden reefs waiting to sink the spiritual ships of others. Because they blend in so well, they are masters of deception yet with a focused goal. They want to snag others and take them down their same path. By "building themselves up in their most holy faith, " the Beloved are taking the offensive by sharpening their faith and making it impervious to the subtle lies of the ungodly and  by praying in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who will expose the true nature of these ungodly ones. He will strengthen these people with power in their inner beings and keep them in the love of God as they wait for the Lord's return. As the Beloved come in full surrender seeking grace for their weaknesses, the Spirit will do a mighty work in their lives. John is encouraging them not to forget the essentials, the things you have known from the start. Keep yourselves strong and focused on Jesus.

Father,

Guide me in building my faith. Keep me diligent in prayer connecting with You through the Spirit. Open my eyes to the deceptive ploys of Satan wherever they may be found. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

For the Sake of the Name

III Jn. 7

"For they have gone out for the sake of the name..."

John was encouraging those who had been faithful to traveling missionaries. He continued by giving instructions on how to send them in a manner worthy of the gospel, that is supporting their physical needs so that they would be freed to spread the gospel. He was teaching the pattern of either being a 'goer' or a  'giver'. Either way both jobs are vital to spreading the gospel. The motivation for these missionaries was stated simply in the phrase "for the sake of the name." 

I am thinking that this phrase should be the motivation for all that I do. Wherever God has placed me, He wants me to live for the sake of His name. How would I do that? If I were to compare my life to the life of a missionary, I would hope to see some similarities. First, like a missionary, I should have as my primary focus sharing the gospel and ministering to others. In order for me to do this I would have to be saturated in the Word and prayer so that what I had to share would be of the Spirit and not of self. Sadly, what I see in most missionaries, that is self-sacrifice, leaving of family, going without many wants and even needs, is not in my life. Am I too focused on accomplishing the physical details of my life? Am I putting the spiritual before the mundane? Am I actively seeking ways to share the gospel? Am I constantly remembering to live for the sake of His name?

Father,

My heart is convicted by this simple phrase. Show me how to make it a reality in my life. I am so thankful that You have given me Your name and made my Your child. You are my treasure.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Again--Love

II Jn. 6

"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments,this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it."

Obviously, the importance of this command can not be understated since John, once again, stresses love and obedience, the pair that can not be separated. However, this time he adds another element, that is being true to what you have been taught. As the believers had heard from the beginning, from their first instruction, they were to continue in obeying. This command can not be watered down or be made into a soft choice. Certainly, it would be much more palatable to say love others and leave out the obedience factor, but once obedience is added then it gives teeth to loving others. It specifies exactly what that means. My love is to find its substance in yielding to God, in obeying His every word, and in selflessly serving others as Jesus did.

Father,

Teach me this love. Transform my feeble attempts and energize them with the power of Your Spirit so that I might love and reflect You as I reach out to others. Draw me to Your word more and more so that I might understand Your heart and love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

We Know

I Jn. 5:3

"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments."

Love and obedience are vitally linked. When I love God, I am obedient to His words; and similarly, when I love others, I am obedient to God's Word and thus love Him too. If this is true, then I must put all my efforts into obedience, and to do this, I must be saturated in the word. As the Spirit drives home the word to me, He teaches me what it says and how to obey it, that is, by being strengthened in the inner being through the power of the Spirit. Just like I don't purpose to love others in all that I do, I don't purpose to obey all that I read. These two things are humanly impossible. I would most certainly fail at some point, probably a sooner point than a later point. But God is asking me to surrender my will, passions, and desires to Him so that His grace will be sufficient for all I need, sufficient for loving others and obeying His word. When His grace and strength are my operating principles, and I am obedient to what the Spirit teaches me, then His love will grow producing fruit that brings glory to God.

Father,
Transform my stubborn will into a home for Your grace to produce in me a heart of love and obedience. Give me the strength to keep my hands open in submission and my ready pliable to your molding. As I love and obey You, help me to love others from a heart of grace.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Love Perfected

I Jn. 4:16b-17

"God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world."

Since God is love and abides in me, then I abide in Him and in His love. It can only be by abiding in God's love that love can be perfected because my human love is flawed beyond belief, but when Jesus comes into the life, that all changes. Without Him, I can do nothing including love others. Jn. 15 says I must abide in Him. He must be where I live, breathe, think, and feel. My identity is no longer my own because He has redeemed me. He bought me to free me from sin's hold with the price of His life's blood. By His grace, I now abide in Him. As Jesus abides in the Father so I abide in Jesus and the Father. Because of this union, I now abide in God's love, a love that can be perfected in me. Wow!

As He is so am I! What a statement! It makes me long for heaven where that will be true 100%, where I will not be plagued with my ever present flesh. But I notice that the verse says "in this world".  I have the potential to live out His perfected love in me now. I don't have to wallow around in my weaknesses. Through His grace I can love, live, and abide as He wants me too. What great promises!

Father,

Keep my eyes so fixed upon You that my flesh fades away. Teach me constantly what it means to abide in You and to live in Your love perfected in me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

In Deed and in Truth

I Jn. 3:18

"Little Children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Since Jesus laid down His life for me, I too am to lay down my life for my brothers. Theoretically, it means I could actually lay down my life for someone else, but more realistically, it means that I must meet others physical needs. If I see someone hurting or lacking in worldly goods, I am to keep my heart open. When my heart is open, I am holding on to what is mine loosely, so loosely that I can give my possessions or my money away to meet another's needs. When God's love controls my heart, then my money and possessions are not my treasure. The love of God is my treasure! Thus sharing His love with others in a physical way is my treasure also. He also desires me to love truthfully, that is not making a pretense or a show of meeting other's needs. It is not doing it for man's praise or recognition, but it is giving sacrificially and with deep concern. It is giving to others as Christ laid down His life for me. When I love like this, then I am obeying God's command to love one another and I am dwelling in Him.  

Father,

Help me to love in deed and truth keeping my heart pure and free from selfishness. Loosen my grip on this world, my possessions, my time, and anything else that keeps me from obeying You as I should.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Anointing

I Jn. 2:27

"But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no life--just as it taught you, abide in Him."

The anointing that Jesus gave us in the form of the Holy Spirit supersedes man's wisdom. What a strong statement! I have no need that anyone teach me, but instead, His Spirit teaches me. This concept certainly negates false teachers, but at the same time the Bible sets forth the gifts of pastors and teachers who do teach and who should teach me. In relationship to this, I have the Spirit's witness confirming or denying all that I hear or am taught. The Spirit in my life is crucial! I can't ignore or neglect Him and His ministries.

What this verse makes me think of is John Bunyan who understood deeply the treasures in the Word and then wrote great books with very little education or teaching from others. In fact, he spent a great deal of time in prison totally cut off from other people. Yet, the Spirit provided all that he needed. Bunyan even made the comment that he needed only his Bible and his concordance. His spiritual food came straight from the source without the interpretation of others.

The conclusion of the verse says that the Spirit has taught me the truth, and that truth is to abide in Him. My relationship with Jesus must be so close and personal that my total being is in Him. It is in this closeness that I have an understanding of the Word, but to abide and be taught takes time. This is the problem: time. How much time do I spend letting the Spirit teach me the Word? How much time do I spend abiding in Jesus?

Father,

Teach me daily Your words so that I might be constantly abiding. Thank you for the Spirit and His ministry in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen  

Love Not the World

I Jn. 2:15-17

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whosoever does the will of God abides forever."

Pretty strong words! I am sure that most believers would say that they do not love the world or anything that is in the world. Yet, sometimes those words seem hollow. Where do we spend most of our time? What are we consumed with? Yet, even though we are in the world and spend time in the world, maybe that is not the issue. Love speaks of an emotional attachment as well as an action. Am I emotionally attached to what is in the world? If I have a choice, what do I chose to do? Where do I chose to be? I need to evaluate my heart for out of the heart comes the treasure that I value.

Since love is part of the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit Himself is vital in purifying, strengthening, and in directing my love. As the Spirit leads and grows me, He weans me away from the world. Through grace, He changes my entire value system by replacing the desires of the flesh with the desire to be godly, the desires of the eyes with eyes that seek the Word, and pride in possessions with a heart that cares for the needs of others. The Spirit Himself transforms me from the inside out changing my focus and deepening my love for God.

What is the point of valuing what is in the world since it is all passing away anyway. Irrespective of the long term picture, many times what is in the world passes away before a person's grasp is firmly planted. What the world offers is fleeting and unsatisfying. So why the preoccupation? What's the draw? It is my flesh! Since my flesh years for what it used to know and love, I am in a huge spiritual battle, one which demands my constant vigilance and the Spirit's constant attention. But through grace, my victory is assured! I don't have to wallow in the mud of the world, but I can rise above and soar to the heights where His love is the air that I breathe.

Father,

Help me be constantly alert to my flesh and to the pull of the world. Grow my love and make me the person you desire me to be.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Keep His Word

I Jn. 2: 5-6

"But whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him, whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked."

Obedience is the path to the love of God being perfected in me. This is a perfection that doesn't come from my performance but from the grace of God energizing me and enabling me to obey the Word. As grace is in full control, the love of God matures or is perfected in me. As I ready, study, and meditate on the word for the purpose of obedience, I then will know the breadth, heighth, depth, and length of the love of God.

In addition to having a deeper and more mature understanding of the Word, obedience is the way that I know I am in Him. Jesus Himself said, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love..." Obedience is crucial. Jesus obeyed the Father to the point of death, even death on the cross. As He obeyed, so must I obey since a servant is not greater than his master. "For to this I have been called, because Christ also suffered for me, leaving me an example, so that I might follow in His steps."  His example in the Garden of Gethsemane was not what was easy or pain free, but instead He submitted to the Father's will which included death and separation from His Father.  His life was characterized by humble obedience. For me to live like He did, my life must be characterized by humble obedience as well. As I look at my obedience, is it humbly submissive? Am I quick to obey even when it is difficult? Do I desire the love of God at all costs?

Father,

Thank You for the example of Your Son. Help me to live like He did through Your grace and strength. Help me to humbly submit to whatever You have for me to do.

In Jesus name,

Amen

I Lift Up My Eyes

Ps. 121:1-2

"I lift up my eyes to the hills, From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

What a beautiful psalm of comfort! In times of stress, of trouble, of pain, of suffering, of persecution, etc, where should I look? I should look up, up to my God. Yet many times, I look within  or to other people or programs. I try and solve the problem myself or seek the help of someone who can come up with a plan. But ultimately, lasting help only comes from one place, that is from God. Because my God is the sovereign God who formed the plan for my life, He knows what exactly I need. With Him there is no guesswork. 

The psalmist goes on to tell how God is his help. Like the psalmist, He helps me day or night because He never slumbers. I have round-the-clock protection.  As my keeper and shade, He protects me from the sun and the moon including the ravages of nature. Finally, He keeps me from evil and protects all my goings in or out from this time and forevermore. What more is there?

Father,

Help me to remember where to look in times of trouble. Keep my eyes focused on You and trusting in Your plan for my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen