Nothing on Earth

Ps. 73:25-26

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 

In Ps. 73, Asaph recorded his personal struggles, a struggle where his feet nearly stumbled and where he was envious of the arrogant man's prosperity. He noticed how easy the wicked man had it even though he had spoken against the heavens and God. Asaph even went so far as to feel that he had kept his heart and life clean for nothing. What a bad place! But thankfully, Asaph was rebuked every morning.[The Spirit of God never leaves those who are His.] In his heart Asaph knew it would be too difficult to understand by himself, so he went to the sanctuary of God. There was and is the key! When things are confusing, unjust, wearisome, go to the sanctuary of God. Get in His presence for there he would be able to discern the end of these people. It was there he could get his heart right. He realized he was brutish and ignorant and was like a beast toward God. How honest! [I can certainly identify with these feelings.] Asaph stayed continually with God, and soon God was his guide and his counsel. Soon he was able to say,  Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. He realized that those who are far from God will perish. God will put an end to the unfaithful! But for Asaph, it was good to be near God. He had made God his refuge, his refuge from injustice, negativity, and bitterness.

 

What a lesson! Who hasn't felt like Asaph? Who hasn't envied others who are more prosperous, more blessed, and even more talented? Unless I come to God, like Asaph did, with those horrible feelings, they will eat and devour my heart and soul. It is in His sanctuary, in His presence, that I can remember and rejoice in what is true about God. It in His presence that I can get my priorities right and realize nothing on earth compares to God.

 

Father,

Thank You for this timely message. My heart is often brutish. I confess. Heal my wounds and keep my eyes focused only on You.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Works of God

Jn. 9:3

Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

 

As Jesus and His disciples walked by a  man who had been blind from birth, they asked whose fault or sin was involved? Was it the man's or his parent's fault? That seems to be the quick and ready answer for misfortune or trial. People normally assume that there was sin in the life, but Jesus dispelled that assumption. It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. His blindness was ordained as a display to showcase the works of God. Why don't people automatically assume that as opposed to the sin issue? Perhaps the greater lesson was to work the works of God, to realize that time is short. These works must be accomplished in the light that Jesus, the light of the world, brings into the heart of man.

 

Jesus healed the man using saliva and dirt, a healing mud applied to the eyes. After which he washed in the pool of Siloam. When the man came back seeing, all were amazed and had many questions. Who? Where? When? Why? Eventually, he was brought to the Pharisees for questioning. Of course, the Pharisees did not focus on the miracle of sight, but on the fact that this was done on the Sabbath and that was forbidden. They automatically assumed Jesus was not from God because of this, but thankfully, the people were divided in their opinion. Even though some believed, the Pharisees did not. How dark was their perception when the miracle of sight was skipped over and a small detail is magnified? 

 

When his parents were brought in for questioning, they were afraid of the Pharisees so they immediately shifted the buck saying, Ask him. He is of age. So once again the man was called. His response was, One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. Sadly, the Pharisees cast him out because he was a sinner. They refused to accept this great miracle. But Jesus found him. It was then that the man said, Lord, I believe. It was there that the miracle was complete, and he worshipped Jesus. This was the work of God that was done in the Light, by the Light, and to bring glory to God!

 

Father,

Give me courage to share the great miracle that you have done in my life. Help me to stand up to those who would demean what You have done and say it is nothing.

In Jesus name,

Amen



 

 



Keep His Word

Jn. 9:54-56

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorified me, of whom you say, He is our God. But you have not known Him. I know Him. If I were to say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and I keep His Word."

 

 

Jesus continued His conversation with the Pharisees and scribes by telling them they were of their father the devil. Ouch! Why? Essentially because these men could not see the truth about Jesus. Since truth and lie are polar opposites, a person would either know and recognize the truth or be blind to this same truth.  As further evidence, they did not hear, respond to, or recognize the words of God. Jesus told them that the reason they did not hear was that they were not of God. How crushing to the self-righteous and extremely religious men! Perhaps that is what had blinded them, their own self-righteousness had obliterated God. They had reached such a state that they could only see themselves.

 

As the conversation progressed, the Pharisees and scribes accused Jesus of being demon-possessed and of thinking he was greater than Abraham and the prophets. Since they could not recognize the truth, His claim of anyone who believed Him never tasting death was outrageous. Sadly, instead of seeing the truth about themselves, these men became frustrated, outraged, and violent. Yet Jesus never wavered in what He said: His Father glorified Him, He knew the Father, He kept the Father's word, and finally the kicker, He was before Abraham. What fuel to the fire of hatred that burned within the Pharisees and scribes! The stones were in their hands! They were ready to get rid of these man and His outrageous claims. But Jesus hid Himself from them. His time had not yet come.

 

 

Father,

Give me the strength of character to stand for Your Truth at all costs even when the rocks of embarrassment, ridicule, and persecution come flying my way. Make me value You above anything else.

 

In Jesus name,

Amen



Hear the Word

Jn. 8:42-43

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my  own accord, but He sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my Word."

 

Jesus continued His talk with the Pharisees, a talk that truly revealed the condition of their hearts. First, they felt He only bore witness of Himself, and consequently, His claims could not be true. Jesus explained to them that they judged only the flesh and were not receptive to the truth of the words He was saying. First, He restated the the Father sent Him. But since they couldn't physically see His Father, they did not believe. Then Jesus made a huge claim! If they would not believe in His words, they would die in their sins! Ouch! But instead of looking inward, they only asked again who He was. They did not understand that He had been speaking to them about the Father. They just didn't understand! Here the Son of God was explaining who He was, but to no avail. Jesus told them so clearly, It is because you cannot bear to hear my Word. That is still the problem today. Can people bear to hear the Word? Can they open up their hearts to let the Word transform them? Sadly, many are just like the Pharisees. They can only think on a physical level. They are too busy trying to discredit or tear the Word down. I wonder if many Christians are dealing with this same problem. Can they bear to hear the Word? How much of the Word do they allow in their lives? Daily, occasionally, on Sunday? The Word is the Logos, living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. How important is the Word in our lives!

 

Father,

Keep me saturated in Your words. Put within me a hunger that cannot be satisfied until I am in Your Word, knowing You better, living and breathing Your Words.

In Jesus name,

Amen

No Condemnation

Jn. 8:10-11

And Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go and from now on sin no more."

 

The Pharisees and scribes brought an adulterous woman to Jesus hoping to test Him in order to find some charges to bring against Him. After explaining the woman's situation to Jesus, they said, Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say? Why did they think Jesus would differ with the law of Moses? Had they seen Him show mercy and forgiveness to people? Did His mercy and forgiveness convict their hearts of their self-righteousness? Whatever was in their minds, Jesus did not answer, but instead bent down and wrote in the dirt with His finger. What did he write? Could they read it? Did it expose their true motives? As Jesus stood up from writing, He spoke, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. How simple and yet powerful! The boom had just descended on these deceitful men! Their Pharisaical hearts and self-righteous attitudes were blatantly revealed and exposed. Strangely enough, these men drifted away one by one, a great disappearing act! But then, in Jesus' next words, He showed grace abounding. Since no man condemned her, neither would He! She was to go and sin no more! This is the same grace I know. Jesus looked at me, revealed my heart to me, and then told me I was not condemned. Perhaps He wrote the words of my freedom from sin in the ground and released me from its hold by giving me resurrection life in Him. How glorious! Grace is so much greater in the face of the blackness of human sin, whether actions or attitudes, religious or fleshly, or deceitful or blatant.

 

Father,

I thank You for such grace that forgives my sin and sent Your Son to be my Savior. Give me Your strength and power to go and sin no more, to hate sin and deal with it accordingly. Help me not to be soft on the attitudes and habits of my life that need to be exposed, confessed, and forsaken.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Timeless Praise

I Chron. 29:10-13

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said:Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name.

 

Praising God is timeless! What was in David's heart is in my heart! His words could be my words! In this same prayer, David told God that he was nothing, a mere man, a shadow with no abiding, and because of that, it was impossible for him to offer anything to God that God Himself did not already own. In fact, all David had was a blessing from God, a gift of His grace. What insight! He didn't try to claim ownership, declare his worth to God, or earn God's favor. Instead, He was in awe of a God who had blessed his life with so much. I am in awe of a God that has blessed my life with so much. All that I have in this life is from God, a gift of His grace. My heart exalts and praises the Great Provider of all!

 

Father,

Thank You for the gift of grace, for saving and sanctifying grace. Teach me how to praise You more completely every day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Glorify the Father

Jn. 7:16-17

So Jesus answered them, My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. It anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on  my own authority.

 

As Jesus traveled through Galilee teaching, His brothers encouraged Him to go to the Feast in Judea. Sadly, they didn't believe in Him either. So what was their motivation in saying this? Did they know that the Jews in Judea were seeking to kill Him? Did they think this was a convenient way to get rid of Him? Was He an embarrassment to them? However, Jesus simply told them, His time had not yet come, and that the world hated Him because He testified to their evil works. Did those words sting their hearts?  Were they convicted at all because of the evil in their hearts? What about my words and actions? Do they testify of the evil in the world, or do I blend in? Can I really say the world hates me like it did Jesus?

 

His brothers preceded Him to the feast while He came up privately. Upon seeing the brothers, the Jews began searching for Jesus. Where was He? What is He doing now? About the middle of the feast,  Jesus went to the temple and began teaching. Those who were listening [Jews] marveled at His learning. What a quandary for them! Wasn't He the son of a carpenter, yet here He is speaking like a man of much learning. Too bad for them that Jesus did not fit one of their convenient labels. So Jesus told them directly that His teaching was from God and God alone. The distinguishing factor [that the Jews should have noticed] was that Jesus taught to glorify the Father and not Himself. This was the key to discerning falsehood from truth. His words should reveal who He really was? His words were Truth and only brought glory to the Father. Could this be a principle for all speakers, teachers, and even those who just share the gospel? What is our motivation? Is pride or self in the mix? Do the words we say everyday bring glory to the Father? Do they reveal who we really are? Perhaps they do and this is the problem! How much of self and pride infiltrates our words and our actions?

 

Father,

Reveal to me when my words and actions are seeking to bring glory to myself. Keep me in tune with You so that I can bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Hidden in the Group

Jn. 6:70

Jesus answered them, Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.

 

How sobering! Here is the midst of the 12 was one who was a fake. After many of the followers of Jesus had turned away, Jesus put the question to His 12. Do you want to go away as well?  Peter immediately answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. There was the crux of the issue. Peter spoke for the group, but really from his own heart and soul. He personally knew, not only intellectually but also experientially, that Jesus was the Son of God who gave eternal life to those who believed. When someone speaks for the group, the true feelings of the group are often not reflected, and in this case, they definitely were not. Obviously, Judas did not truly know Jesus, but merely knew about Jesus. Perhaps he liked being in the group, the camaraderie or the prestige of being the treasurer, or perhaps he like the perks, the bread and the healing. What a rush! Whatever his situation, he was not a true disciple. He was the betrayer!

 

It makes me think about any group, even my church. I always assume everyone who attends there is on the same page, but that might not be so. So what is my course of action? Don't assume! Share the Lord wherever especially in a group of believers. Ask the hard questions. Share the spiritual realities of my life so that the doors of conversation can be open and meaningful. Jesus didn't beat around the bush with the 12; instead He asked them if they would leave too. He wanted to know if their souls were resting in Him? Certainly, I should want to know the same thing about the people  in my life.

 

Father,

Help me to speak clearly and lovingly about You to all those You bring into my life. Help me not to assume that everything is alright spiritually.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Bread of Life

Jn. 6:35

Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

 

Since Jesus is the Bread of Life, certain things are true and a present and future reality:

• Whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst. He is the all-satisfying One!
• All the Father gives Him will come to Him, and He will never cast them out. What eternal security! Chosen by the Father and secure eternally.
• Jesus came to do the will of His father, and it is His will that He lose nothing given to Him by the Father. My eternal security and destiny is the will of God.
• Jesus will raise up those who believe on the last day. I have a resurrection body soon to be mine!
• Whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life. New life is mine forever!
• The bread Jesus offers the world is His flesh, His sacrifice on the cross that reconciled me to God.
• Unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son, you have no life. This new life requires 100 % belief in all that He has done, accepting Him as Savior and Lord.
• His flesh is the true food, and His blood is the true drink. Whoever feeds and drinks here, abides in Him and He in them. Abiding, living together forever! The Spiritual life must be greater than any earthly food or drink, any earthly prestige or position, and any earthly benefit or riches.
• The words that Jesus spoke on that day are spirit and life. Believe and live! Yet many did not respond in belief but walked away in disbelief.
• No one cam come to the Son unless it is granted by the Father. Jesus presented the words perfectly, yet many rejected. Belief in the Son and in His life-giving essence is a gift from the Father! Sadly, many turned away at this point and walked with Him no more.

Father,

Thank You for choosing me to come and believe. Teach me more about what it means to feed and drink on Jesus.

In His name,

Amen

 

 





Five Loaves and Two Fish

Jn. 6:9

There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?

 

How many times have I looked at my paltry life and uttered a similar statement? What can I do for so many? How can I share the message and to whom when there are so many people without Jesus? I have often thought that no one would listen to me. Why would they? Who am I? Certainly, just an ordinary person much like a small boy with a small lunch. I know that any thoughts like this are defeating and demonstrate a great lack of faith, but still at times, I have had them. Jesus showed how He could bless and transform the small into what the masses need. All He desired was a willing spirit. The men sat down, about 5000 of them, and Jesus gave thanks over the small boys small lunch. After praying, he fed all those seated bread and the fish. When everyone had eaten their fill, the disciples gathered up what was left, 12 baskets from 5 loaves. What a miracle! This is the miraculous work that God can do in a life willing to be lived for and used by Him. How encouraging to my heart!

 

Father,

Take my small life and transform it into what You desire it to be. Build my faith and take away anything in me that prevents Your miraculous work.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Father Son Relationship

Jn. 5:20

For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing.

Even though they are named the Father and the Son, the relationship is not one of dominance/subservience but one of function.

• The Son can do nothing of His own will, but only what He sees the Father doing. What a great example to me! Do I seek to do things of my flesh or am I following the example of the Father?
• The Father loves the Son and tells Him all He is doing. The Son is privy to the great love and knowledge of God, yet still a Son. I have the Word of God Himself.
• As the Father raises the dead to life so does the Son. He has raised me to new life!
• The Father judges no one but has given judgment to the Son so that the Son may be honored just as the Father is honored. They share the honor but the function or the task may be different.
• Whoever refuses to honor the Son does not honor the Father. They exist in their relationship to man as a unit. No man comes to the Father but by the Son. He is the way, the truth, and the life.
• As the Father has life in Himself so does the Son. Belief in the Son gives new life. It has changed me from spiritually dead to spiritually alive.
• The Father has given the Son authority to execute judgment because He is the Son.
• The Son judges rightly and does nothing on His own because He seeks not His own will but the will of the Father. Whose will do I seek to do?
• The works that the Son does bear witness that He was sent by the Father, and likewise the Father bears witness that He has sent the Son.
• The Son comes in the Father's name, and still the people did not and do not believe in the Son or receive the life that He offered.

Jesus came expressly from the Father to bring life to His chosen ones, the ones who believe in the Son and honor, love, and believe in the Father. Amazingly, many people believe in God without acknowledging the Son. What a deception! The Father cannot be known apart from the Son. Just as the Son seeks only the will of the Father, no matter how hard, so I must seek only the will of the Son and the Father. My relationship with the Son leads me to desire only to do the will of the Father.

Father,

Help me to know You better as I know Your Son better. Increase my faith and belief. Take away my desire for fleshly things and help me do only Your will.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Stubbornness

Zech. 7: 11

But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.

What a great description of stubbornness! God spoke through Zechariah saying, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. Does that sound that bad? It actually sounds like a good code of behavior for any society. Yet the people refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Refusal, stubborn shoulders, ears stopped, and diamond-hard hearts. Boy, they were leaving nothing to chance. Sadly, that is the picture of the human heart apart from God. But I must ask myself if I have ever manifested any of those actions and attitudes? I must guard my heart and its softness and tenderness to God and not let the old ways of the flesh take any root in my life. In Zechariah's time, what was the Lord's response? His anger was great and He scattered them with a whirlwind among the nations in places they had never been and their land was left desolate. For their attitudes and actions, they lost all! God's judgment and discipline is a reality. He must deal with sin when it becomes such a pattern of disobedience.

Father,
Help me never to be like this. Convict me when any of these attitudes begin to take root in my heart and life.
In Jesus name,
Amen



Faith in Action

Jn. 4:50

Jesus said to him, God; your son will live. The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.



Many people require a sign to believe. They need to see something concrete, but the official came and went back home believing that Jesus' words would come true. The man believed the words of Jesus! He believed that Jesus could save his son without even being their physically. How important! When the official got home, his son was getting well. He asked when he begin to recover. They told him it was at the 7th hour that the fever left him. It was precisely when Jesus spoke the word to him. The official and all his household believed in the saving, healing power of Jesus. What faith!

Father,

Grow my faith in the Word so that I can walk believing that all Jesus said will happen.

In Jesus name,

Amen

David's Song

I Chron. 16:28-29

Ascribe to the Lord, O Clans of the peoples,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring and offering and come before Him!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness,

Tremble before the Him, all the earth!

What great praise!

• Give thanks
• Call upon His name and make known His deeds.
• Sing praise to Him that tell of His wondrous works.
• Glory in His name!
• Rejoice in the Lord.
• Seek the Lord, His strength, His presence continually!
• Tell of His salvation every day.
• Declare His glory among the nations
• The Lord is great above all gods.
• He is the creator and splendor and majesty are before Him.
• Bring an offering before Him.
• Be glad and rejoice.
• The Lord reigns.
• His attributes are:
• He is the Lord our God.
• His judgments are everywhere.
• His covenant to Israel is everlasting.
• Protected His people and His prophets.
• Splendor and majesty are before Him.
• Glory and strength are His.
• He reigns.
• He is good.
• His steadfast love endures forever.

Always when praise is given, His attributes will accompany that praise. I can't really praise Him for what He has done without telling who He is. It is always amazing to me that praising God spans the years and is just as relevant today as it was in David's time. God is timeless as is His praise! I want to worship Him in the splendor of holiness. Thankfully, I stand in the holiness of Jesus and am covered in His righteous blood. Without Him and His sacrifice, I couldn't worship at all.

Father,

Teach me to worship You in a way that brings glory to Your name. Teach me what the splendor of holiness is.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Not by Might or Power

Zech. 4:6-7

Then he said to me, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of Grace, grace to it!



God's word to Zerubbabel reminded him that no matter the difficulties in rebuilding, whether practical, political, or spiritual, they would not be overcome by the conventional means of human power and might. The needed resources that would only come by an outpouring of the Spirit of God. The Spirit could reduce these mountain-size obstacles to a mere plain, flattened and obliterated. As the building would be completed with the top stone in place, the people would shout Grace, grace to it! The prophet's word would be validated and God's power and might would be made known and would be praised.

I see a picture of my life here, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. As I am being built a spiritual house, there are obstacles many seeming mountain-sized. But by the power of the Spirit, these mountains were and are reduced to plains. My spiritual house is being built! As each stone,and as the last stone, is put in place, I shout Grace, grace to it!  My spiritual house is all of grace, of Jesus and His saving power. It has absolutely nothing to do with my power or might, my gifts or disciplines, my scheduling or time management. It is all of grace! Praise God for such a saving and sanctifying gift!

Father,
Teach me more each day how to rely on You, Your power and might. Show me practically what it means to live only by grace.
In Jesus name,
Amen

All from God

Jn. 3:27

John answered, A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

John's disciples were noticing that Jesus was baptizing and many were following after him. Concerned for his popularity and his following, they wanted to make him aware of these circumstances. He reply began with a definitive statement: A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. So very true! John's very mission and purpose were a gift from heaven just as was the appearance of Jesus. How applicable! Nothing in my life, no praise or popularity, no ministry or purpose, no provision or lack of provision can come into my life unless God has ordained it. I can not change or alter what God has ordained. For John, that thought eliminated competition. It should do the same for me. It should change my focus from people pleasing, people praise, and people watching to God pleasing, God praising, and God watching. He should be my only concern. I should not fret about circumstances, my performance, or my position in life. As long as I am focused and praising Him, what else matters?

Then he goes on to remind them that earlier he had said I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him. John knew he was the forerunner, the preparer of the way, the friend of the bridegroom. As His friend, he greatly rejoiced at the bridegroom's voice! His joy was complete in Jesus. His mission was fulfilled in Jesus. His final response was He must increase, but I must decrease. What power in those words! For me, it is exactly the same. I must decrease, my wants, desires, feelings, priorities, etc., and He must increase to the point that my life is His, that my time is His, and that my heart is His.

Father,

Teach me the lesson of decreasing and increasing. Grow me in my love for You and for Jesus so that that is all important to me. Thank You for sending all things into my life. Help me to trust You even when the path is hard and I don't understand.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Water to Wine

Jn. 2:11

This is the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.



Jesus and His mother were attending a wedding where the wine had run out. What to do? Mary came to Jesus and told Him of their problem. Even though Jesus said it wasn't His issue, and His time had not yet come, Mary believed He could alleviate the problem. She simply said, Do whatever He tells you. What faith in that simple statement! How peaceful my life would be if my faith was so rooted in obedience to His words, if I quit trying to make my own plan and solution, and if I immediately went to His word in the face of any circumstance.

Jesus told the servants to fill 6 stone jars (each with a capacity of 20-30 gallons) with water. Then He told them to draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. They obeyed. Unaware of what had transpired, the master tasted the wine and said, Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now. What Jesus had done, was the best! He is the creator of the best whether it solves a problem, a deficiency, a need, or enriches a life. Likewise, Jesus saves the best for last, my home in heaven and my time with Him will  truly be the best of all.  

This, the first of His signs...manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him. What Jesus did at the wedding was far more than just solving a problem or saving face. It was a miracle that revealed the glory and power of Jesus. Perhaps those attending the wedding never once thought about the quality of the wine, but His disciples had their faith and belief bolstered. Their spiritual awareness grew and their relationship with Jesus deepened. When I see answered prayer or His hand working miraculously in a situation, I need to look beyond the mere resolution of my problem and see the glory of my Savior. I need to focus on my relationship with Him not just on my own needs being met. I need to learn to see His glory every day and allow His glory to take root in my heart and grow my faith.

Father,
Thank You for the miracle of salvation in my life and for showing me the power and glory of Your Son. Deepen my relationship with Him and increase my faith. Help me to go immediately to Your words and seek You in all my problems no matter how small or large.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Signet Ring

Haggai 2:23

On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of Hosts.

A signet ring provides evidence of royal authority and ownership like a king sealing a document with his ring. The Lord is setting His impression upon the world through his royal representative, Zerubbabel, showing that God's promise to bless his people and the world at large through the house of David still stood. God's promise was secure in spite of years of judgment, hardship, and destruction. I love the image of the signet ring. The words of Zerubbabel were 100% God's words. He spoke in the place of God to the people. I think it is the same for me. I am God's representative to the world at large sharing his message of grace, love, mercy, and salvation. I am His signet ring showing the authenticity of the message by what Jesus has done personally in my life. To be a signet ring is a great responsibility. I can't be having my image shown in the wrong places and casting doubt on the words of God. As a signet ring, I must represent Him 100% of my time.

Father,
Teach me more about being Your representative and You ambassador. Give me strength to be unafraid, to stand for You and You alone. Make my life and my words by true to Your words.
In Jesus name,
Amen

The Son of God

Jn. 1:34

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. 

What a mission John the Baptist had! Even though he was very noticeable and stirred up much controversy, he wasn't the Messiah or the Son of God. He was commissioned by God before his birth to announce the coming of the Messiah. Even in his mother's womb, he recognized Jesus when he was in Mary's womb. He was clear on his calling and wanted to make sure all knew. I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.

The Pharisees wanted to know why he was baptizing if he was not the Christ, Elijah, or a prophet. Perhaps it was to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus, or perhaps it was to show the magnificence of what Christ could do. John could baptize only with water, but Jesus could baptize with the Holy Spirit. Again John attested to the fact that he was not worthy to untie the straps of the sandals of the One who was to follow him.

The next day, Jesus came to him and he announced, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a man who ranks before me, because He was before me.  John was baptizing to reveal to Israel the Son of God. He then makes the definitive announcement: And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.

Father,
Give me the boldness of John to share that Jesus is the Son of God.
In Jesus name,
Amen

The Word

John 1:1-2

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

The Incarnate Word is Jesus, the eternal, preexistent, one-of-a-kind Son who is Himself God. What a passage!

• The Word was from the beginning predating time.
• The Word was with God dwelling with God.
• The Word was God. What a declaration!
• The Word is identified with a masculine pronoun, He...
• The Word (He) made all things. He was the agent of creation, the creation of all things.
• The Word was life, and the Life (He) was the Light of men to shine in the darkness and overcome it.
• The Word (He) was not known by the world.
• He (the Word) came to His own but they did not receive Him.
• He (the Word) gave the right and the privilege to become sons of God to those who believe in Him and were born of God.
• The Word (He) became flesh and lived among us revealing His glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father.
• He (the Word) was full of grace and truth.
• He (the Word) through His fullness gives us grace upon grace (saving and sanctifying).
• He (the Word) is grace and truth.
• He (the Word) makes known the Father whom no one has ever seen.

What a Word is this! No ordinary word, but instead a living, breathing, Divine Word. For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Once again the Word is identified with a masculine pronoun. Jesus, the Living Word, is the Truth because of that He can discern and divide, reveal and expose, and save and judge. Because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He came to bring saving grace and make known to me the Father. What grace is this!  What a Word is this!

Father,
Teach me what this really means, what it means to have the living Word dwell in my life, and to receive this saving grace and truth.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Finally, Brothers

II Cor. 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

His final instruction to the Corinthians were brief but packed in meaning.

• Rejoice- Paul said the same things to the Philippians, Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Rejoicing should be my attitude for everyday no matter what it brings because my rejoicing is in the Lord.
• Restoration- If there is a problem, make it right. Don't let things slide. Don't carry hurts or offenses. Keep my conscience clear. It may not always happen, but as far as it involves me, I must shoot for restoration.
• Comfort- Paul began Chapter one with a similar but expanded version of this, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. I comfort others with the comfort that God has poured over me. In essence, God has created a cycle of comfort because of His love that has flooded our lives and hearts.
• Agree-Rom. 15:5-6 says, May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose for agreeing to to glorify the Father. Such an attitude of unity and harmony is a gift from the Father as well.
• Peace-Why peace? Because God is not the a God of confusion but of peace. He gives peace freely to His children and desires them to be at peace with one another.
• God be with you- The God of peace and love, two qualities that are essential to obey these final instructions. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...God's peace and love are the binding agents for the believers.

Father,
Thank You for reminding me of these essential qualities. Give me You grace, strength, love, and peace to live in right relationship with other believers.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Yet, I Will Rejoice

Hab. 3:17-19

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's; He makes me tread on my high places.

What an attitude! Even when life-sustaining nature is devoid of life, rejoice! Rejoice no matter what because God is the God of my salvation, my strength, and He takes me to the high places with Him. But how? When the world seems to be crashing all around, how? My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Amazingly, I had these two passages in my Bible reading schedule today. What a blessing for God to reveal the how and not just the what! I must always remember that all I do, think, or feel is energized through grace. When there are no blossoms of health, no produce of activity, and seeming isolation, I can rejoice through His grace! He is my strength and through Him, I can be content with the hardships of my life. Thankfully, I do have food in the cupboard and produce in the garden, but God has given me a different arena of difficulty. Whatever the area, He is the same God of salvation and strength. He can take me to the high places to be intimate with Him.

Father,

Thank You for this great encouragement today. Teach me contentment in the midst of failing health. Teach me to look to You for strength, endurance, and the high places.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Virgin Bride

II Cor. 11:2-3

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Paul's concern for the purity and holiness of this group of believers was intense. His one desire for them was that they be presented to Christ as a pure virgin. This is the same presentation that all believers await. Are we as concerned about our own holiness as much as Paul was concerned about the holiness of these believers? Are we motivated by the thought that we are the bride of Christ, and that as His bride, we should be pure and virginal? Paul says that the problem this group of people was having had to do with their thought lives. He felt that they were being enticed and led astray from their sincere devotion to Christ much like Eve was. In Eve's case, it was disastrous and has affected every generation since. As a virgin-bride awaiting my groom, the Lord Jesus, I should be consumed with a sincere and pure devotion to Him, just like any bride whose thoughts are filled of her soon-to-be husband. Do I look into His eyes like a bride should? Do I want to spend all my time with Him? Am I devoted to Him carrying out His desires? Am I sincere without any pretense in my spiritual relationship? The betrothed bride relationship cannot be muddied by careless inattention or by intentional straying. This bride, out of all brides, must be pure, sincere, and faithful.

Father,

I thank You for covering me in the blood of Jesus so that I might be His pure, virgin bride. Reveal to me when I am being enticed to stray from my sincere devotion to Christ. Prepare me for the day that I will be presented to Him in purity and holiness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Weapons of Warfare

II Cor. 10:4-8

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy stronghold. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

I must fight with divine power not my own might or fleshly resolve for it is divine power that can actually destroy arguments and opinions that are contrary to God. It is through His power and grace that I can take every thought captive to obey Christ. It is through His power that I am willing to punish disobedience and that my obedience becomes complete. There is the crux of my problem. Too often, I try to muddle along in my own power, resolve, and strength. I am still operating in the power of my old life instead of the power of my new life. I am not relying on Christ and the power that He brings into my life.

Father,

Guide me in this warfare. Help me to rely on Your power and strength. Give me Your strength to take my thoughts captive to obey You in all things.

In Jesus name,

Amen

All Grace

II Cor. 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

The motivation and empowerment for all that I do is grace, all-abounding grace. It is so all-encompassing that it gives me all sufficiency in all things at all times. There is nothing that grace cannot handle, no defeat, no trial, no affliction, no deprivation, no persecution, etc. In this chapter Paul is dealing specifically with giving. If I give sparingly, I will reap sparingly. If I sow bountifully, I will reap bountifully. God wants me to give out of the all-abounding grace that flows into my life and out to others. I will be enriched in every good way to be generous in every way. The end result is thanksgiving to God! Giving is not just concerned with meeting the needs of the saints, but is also concerned with giving many thanks to God. Just as I am to give liberally to others, I should give God thanksgiving liberally. All of this brings glory to God! Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

Father,
Give me a generous heart to meet the needs of others and to give thanks to You repeatedly and enthusiastically.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Giving-an Act of Grace

II Cor. 8:5

...and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

In a severe test of affliction, the Macedonian church's abundance of joy and extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity. They gave above and beyond their means. In fact, they begged to take part in the relief of the saints. How unexpected! How could this be? I can remember so clearly  our years of poverty when we barely scraped by. I certainly did not feel like overflowing in a wealth of generosity. In fact, I was hanging on to every penny as tightly as I could. Perhaps that is why those hard years are not a good memory for me, but they were a great memory for these churches. In fact, it was not just a memory but became their reputation. Paul then goes on to urge the Corinthian church to excel in giving as an act of grace just like they had excelled in faith, speech, and knowledge. I feel my heart challenged as well to excel in this act of grace. Perhaps my attitude all those years ago reflected a huge lack of faith and relationship with God. I do know that those years were a low point of my spiritual life; in fact, my entire life. I think it must all be tied together. Giving comes from a heart in close fellowship with Jesus. If not it becomes a draining duty!

Father,
Thank You for warming my heart and bringing me through those terrible years. Continue to teach me to grow in giving, faith, speech, and knowledge.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Promises

II Cor. 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Since we have what promises?

• I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them.
• I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
• I will be a Father to You
• You shall be my sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.

This intimate, familial relationship with the Lord Almighty should be life changing for me. It should make me seek cleansing from every defilement of body and spirit. Sin should be abhorrent to me! It should put within me a desire for holiness that is only completed in the fear of God. God wants me to be holy as He is holy. How would I know His holiness? I think the only way is knowing Him in this intimate, personal way. He will live in me, and I will abide in Him. I will be His daughter, and He will be my Father. What a relationship that God has given me! What and life changing and life transforming result!

Father,

I understand this in theory, but how do I make it a reality. Teach me and grow me into this cleansing, awareness of sin, and holiness. Thank You for all the promises in Your word.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Love of Christ Controls Us

II Cor. 5:14-15

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died, and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.

Christ's love, a love without parallel, is what controls my every thought, word, and deed. Because of His great sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, I no longer live for myself but for Him. In theory this sounds so right and just, but in reality is it true? Am I no longer living for self? Am I living only for Him? How would it look if I did live every minute for Christ? What Christ did for me was the ultimate sacrifice. He left heaven, His father, suffered, was tortured, died a cruel death, and was raised to life again all so that He could reconcile man to the Father. Yet, what is my response? Do I take this for granted? I know that it is not my performance that makes me right with God, but still I should live like the same love that took Jesus to the cross controls my life. What a great love!

Father,
Show me how to live so that the love of Christ controls me constantly
In Jesus name,
Amen

Jars of Clay

II Cor. 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

It is amazing that God gave us Jesus to dwell in our bodies, in our jars of clay, that we would have within us a treasure beyond compare when our total worth is merely a jar of clay. Why? It says simply to show that the surpassing power belongs to God, a power that supersedes all other and encompasses everything. His power chooses to do such a thing to bring glory to Himself. For that very reason when we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, we are never alone. We never give way under the pressure because not only do we carry the death of Jesus [death to sin and its crushing and defeating load] but we carry the life of Jesus [His resurrection power]. What heavy thoughts! Afflictions and persecutions are not just bad times, but they are opportunities to show God's power. Being perplexed and feeling struck down is no longer defeating and immobilizing, but is an opportunity to show the resurrection power of Jesus. Knowing this gives a reason for this pain and suffering, but does it make it easier to bear? Do I believe that His resurrection power brought life from death? Yes, then I must believe that this same power can impact my life giving me strength and grace to withstand and endure.

Father,
Continue to teach me the reality of these verses. Help me to rely on You and Your amazing power so that I may be a jar of clay that brings glory to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen

What Is My Fragrance?

II Cor. 2:14-16

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.

Whatever I am or am not, it is because of Christ. I thank Him for in Him I am triumphant and through Him He spreads the fragrance of His knowledge. What a mission for me! I am to be the vehicle through which His fragrance is spread to others. My distinguishing fragrance should be Christ, not me, not my desires, dreams, goals, etc, and certainly not the world. Whatever I do, say, think, or feel, it should smell of Jesus Christ. Is His fragrance strong? Is it one that stops people short and confronts them? Is it one that makes them either desire it or reject it? On the other hand, have I masked the fragrance so much that it is not even noticeable? In my struggle for acceptance, have I tried to hide that identifying smell? Certainly, it is not a background fragrance, but one that demands acknowledgment. Luke says that it is a fragrance that separates even family members demanding 100% loyalty and allegiance. It cannot be worn only at certain times [when I am around other believers], but instead must become me, my identification, my reason for living. Since I am His and He is in me, I smell different!

Father,

Give me the courage and the grace to smell of Christ everywhere. Show me how to be this life-giving fragrance and to share it with those who need it most.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Comfort

II Cor. 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Who doesn't like comfort? Not too many people. Who would willingly choose pain, suffering, and affliction? The only one that I can think of is Jesus who chose all that for me that I could be reconciled to God. Sadly, pain, suffering, affliction, trials, hard times, disease, loss, grief, etc. are all part of life. But God promises to comfort us in those afflictions no matter the nature. I notice He doesn't promise to eliminate them. Why? I think it is those hard times that draw us closer to Him that make us cry out for His grace and claim His promises. How much drawing, crying, and claiming do we do in the good times? Sadly, we are too busy enjoying the good times! He comforts us not just for ourselves, but so that we can comfort others. We can minister to others of the wonderful grace of God that we have personally experienced. The promise is For as we share abundantly in Christ' s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. What an anchor is this!

A few verses after Paul taught these great truths, he tells of his own experiences. The afflictions he experienced in Asia utterly burdened him beyond his strength so much so that he despaired of life. Indeed he felt he had received the sentence of death. Whoa! That is some major suffering and affliction. Why did he share these intensely personal feeling? So that he could share what he had learned. But this was to make him rely not on himself but on God who raises the death. The suffering took him to the end of himself, and it is only there, that he could rely on God. Oh how painful to get to the end of ourselves! But God did deliver him, and he set his hope on that deliverance again. For all the promises of God find their yes in Jesus Christ. It is all YES for me because of Jesus, because I am His, because He has saved me, because His blood has covered me, because He indwells me, and because nothing, NOTHING can separate me from His love! Praise God!

Father,

I must confess I have felt this same way. Despair and being burdened beyond my strength has become my daily grind. Help me, Lord, to cling to Your promises. Help me to find my YES in You. Help me to rely only on You and not on myself.

In Jesus name,

Amen