Worthy of All Praise

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 exist and were created.

 

The throne room in heaven is amazing! It says that the One who sits on the throne had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of emerald. Even though it does not specifically describe God, the description reveals luminescence, light unbridled, perhaps even blinding out specific details, on the other hand, perhaps the description is the result of a lack of adequate human words to describe God. Whatever the case, God is described with richness, splendor, and majesty.  Around His throne were 24 thrones occupied by 24 elders, clothed in white garments and with golden crowns on their heads. Why 24? Could it be the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles, thus joining the OT and the NT. Also these elders are wearing white garments which were mentioned in the letters to the churches. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumbles and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was, as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. Wow! All throughout the Bible God spoke through nature, and once again that is evidenced, or maybe that is the closest thing that human words can use to describe His voice. Such majesty and splendor! And yet in the midst of lightning and thunder, the sea is as peaceful as glass, crystal glass.

 

Around the throne were 4 living creatures, each having 6 wings with eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Just think, their eyes encompass and define their existence, an existence that includes only God. So wherever and whenever they look, they see only the holiness of God. How cool! Whenever these creatures give glory to God, the 24 elders fall down before Him and worship Him casting their crowns before Him and saying, 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. Such worship as this is all centered on the sovereignty of God. When all is said and done, the sovereignty of God is the one, abiding Truth. What He has done in creation, salvation, and redemption all exist because of His will and purpose.

 

Father,

Thank You for being my sovereign God.Teach me to worship You as You deserve. Prepare me for my place in heaven with You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Letters to the Churches (Continued)

Rev. 3

 

Sardis

 

Jesus- The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

Problems and Remedies- I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then, what you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent....

Consequence- If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you...Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess him before My Father and before His angels.

 

This church sounds like they are "asleep in the Light." They have only their reputation to embrace without any real substance, but there are a few, a remnant. However, the situation is not hopeless. They only have to wake up, remember, keep it, and repent. Jesus will come quickly and unannounced. Only the worthy ones will know, will be clothed in white, and will have their names in the book of life.

 

 Philadelphia

 

Jesus-  The words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one will open.

Strengths- I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.

Consequence-Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.

Warning- Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

Reward- Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon ...The one who conquers , I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from MY God out of heaven, and My own new name.

 

Small and few has not hindered the faithfulness of these people. Jesus had given them an open door, and when He gives it, it can't be shut. No one is able to snatch them out of His hand. These people have obediently kept and treasured His words. Neither have they denied His name, but instead they have patiently endured. He encouraged them to hold on til the end because then there will be a reward: They will be kept from the hour of trial, will be made a pillar in the temple of God, will stay there indefinitely, will have written on them the name of God, the name of the city of God, and the name of Jesus. They will be an identified possession of God Himself.

 

Laodicea

 

Jesus- The words of Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

Situation and Consequence- I know your works:you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Warning- I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with Me.

Reward- The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on My throne, as I also conquered, and sat down with My Father on His throne.

 

 

Lukewarm, fence riders, claiming no real allegiance to anything but wealth and prosperity! Their lives are such a sham that even they can't see or understand. They do not know the truth about their own souls or lives. He warns them to seek the refined gold of suffering, reproof, and discipline which will yield white garments to cover the nakedness of their souls. His reproof and discipline are proofs of His love! The reward is reigning with Him on the throne of His Father.

 

 

Father,

Thank You for reminding me of the value of discipline and reproof. Keep my fire burning bright for You, my eyes open to see the true condition of my soul, and my spirit repentant of any and all sin, lukewarmness, and disobedience. Give me strength and grace to conquer and be faithful to the end.

In the name of the Holy One,

Amen



 



Letters to the Churches

Rev. 2

 

John began his letters to the churches in Rev. 2. Each church had a different description of Jesus as well as their own strengths, weaknesses, and rewards.

 

Ephesus

 Jesus: The words of Him who hold the seven starts in His right hand, who walk among the seven golden lamp stands. [The seven stars as the angels of the seven churches and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches.]

Strengths: I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My name's sake, and you have not grown weary...Yes this you have, you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Weakness: But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.

Consequence: If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Reward:To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

 

Amazing to me is the fact that they toil, endure, hate evil and false doctrine, have not grown weary, and yet have abandoned their first love. How can this be? Had all the spiritual activity been reduced to a formula? Had they just been going through the motions? Is their problem their motivations?

Are they not living out of love for Jesus? What are my motivations for what I do? Is my love as strong and as vital as it was at the beginning?

 

Smyrna

Jesus: The words of the first and last, who died and came to life. (Resurrection power)

Strengths: I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

Reward: Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

 

Suffering and persecution make for a strong church. (No weaknesses mentioned.) Perhaps, fear would be an issue, but really the letter is more encouraging, more of a pep talk for what is to come. They are going to suffer and die; no doubt following in the footsteps of Jesus who suffered and died.

 

 

Pergamum

Jesus: The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Strengths: I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Weaknesses: But I have a few things against you; you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might ear food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Consequence: Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Reward: To the one who conquers I will give some hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.

 

This church seems to be remiss in obeying the Word. Jesus comes as the logos, the two-edged sword and wars against them with the sword of His mouth. Still even though they held fast allegiance to His name and didn't deny Him, they watered down His words allowing false doctrines and licence under the guise of freedom in Christ to take over. It appears as if they have followed the course of the world (food sacrificed to idols and immorality). Instead of idol food, He has manna for them, a white stone (washed clean and pure) with a new name on it. Certainly, in our culture, the church is paralleling the world in purity. It as if they have abandoned their standard and are now focused on keeping a respectable distance from the world, a distance that allows for impurity and immorality.

 

 

Thyatira

Jesus: The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze... that I am He who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

Strengths: I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Weaknesses: But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.





Consequence: Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am He who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

To the rest of you: Those who do not hold this teaching and who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you, I says I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come.

Reward: The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give Him the morning start.

 

The church is now divided, some going into the deep things of Satan and some holding fast. It's hard to believe that some began with love, faith, service, and endurance, and then have gone  an entire wrong way. They were seduced by Satan in the guise of sexual immorality and eating the food of idols. These were the same to issues as the last church, but the intensity and passion for them has increased to the point that only a fearful expectation of judgment awaits them. Their evil practices have even brought judgment on their children. I have this same Jesus who searches the mind, heart, and soul (Heb. 4:12). This situation reminds me of Heb. 10...For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries....What is in my heart? Is it wholly His, or am I tasting of the idol food and dabbling in the immoral? Am I living like the temple of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling Jesus are within me?

 

Father,

My heart questions when I read these letter. Teach me, show me, and give me a repentant heart. Give me Your strength and power to live like You want me to. Help me endure to the end holding fast to my first love and Your faithful words.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

 

Praise to God

Ps. 96:

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

 

Praising God is a wondrous thing! What should be included in this praise? Is it only for His provision on a day-to-day basis? No, this psalm structures a heart of praise.

• Sing to the Lord a new song--My heart must be filled with music to Him
• Bless His name--Even His name is worthy of praise
• Tell of His salvation daily--Salvation makes me who I am. I should praise Him for that every day.
• Declare His glory among the nations--Be a witness to all that He has done.
• Declare His marvelous works among all people-Tell what He is doing physically in my life
• He alone is not a worthless idol--Make sure that I have not made anything in my life a worthless idol
• Splendor and majesty precede Him--Have I see this?
• Strength and beauty are in His presence--Have I felt His strength and loved His beauty?
• Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength--taking none for myself. All I have is from Him.
• Bring an offering and come into His courts-gather together in His house
• Worship the Lord in holiness--I am to be holy as He is, obediently surrendered
• Tremble before Him- realize His great mercy and judgment
• Tell the nations that He reigns-make sure He reigns in my life
• Judges with equity-Let the world know what is coming
• All nature shares in this praise-See His glory and power in nature
• The Lord will come again to judge the earth-Long for the blessed hope
• He will judge the earth in righteousness-He is righteous and can only judge in righteousness
• He will judge the people in faithfulness-He is faithful and His words and works are faithful

 

Father,

I praise You for You are worthy of all praise. Thank You for being holy, righteous, and faithful for I can trust You to be the same always. Teach me to bless You and Your name and give me a new song to sing, a song of praise to You. Reveal to me any foolish idols that try and creep up in my heart. Open my mouth to boldly and freely tell all of You, Your salvation, Your grace, Your power, and Your coming.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Build Yourselves Up

Jude 20

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.

 

Jude's letter is so powerful! In no uncertain terms, he warns the beloved, the body of Christ, to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints. Why? What was the problem? Certain people had crept in unnoticed, ungodly people who pervert the grace of God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. How could they do this? Wouldn't it be noticeable? Apparently not, perhaps these people had joined in these horrible excesses, or perhaps these believers were not watching and praying lest they fall into temptation. Whatever the reason, Jude spoke out strongly!

 

In case these people were not sure how these ungodly people were recognizable, Jude described them vividly. Historically, these ungodly people had surfaced in Sodom and Gomorrah where their lives were characterized by the following activities:

• indulged in sexual immorality
• pursued unnatural desire
• defiled the flesh
• blasphemed the glorious ones
• they were destroyed by their instincts like unreasoning animals   

Others walked in the way of Cain [murder], abandoned themselves for gain like Balaam, or perished in Korah's rebellion. Now they have surfaced again and our characterized by the following: 

• hidden reefs at love feasts, feasting without fear [deceitful, operating under pretense]
• shepherds feeding themselves [not under authority of any shepherd]
• waterless clouds, swept along by winds [the winds of new fads and doctrines]
• fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted [not known by their fruit]
• wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their one shame [wild, without control]
• wandering stars for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved [shifting, no roots]

Jude urged the believers to remember that Jesus will come with 10,000's of His holy ones to execute judgment on all and convict all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds that they committed in such an ungodly manner and of all the ungodly things they have spoken against Jesus. In one verse, v. 15, Jude used the word 'ungodly' 4 times. I think I get the picture. These people were ungodly! They were:

• grumblers,
• malcontents
• following their own sinful desires
• loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
• scoffers, following their own ungodly passions

Strangely enough, most of this last list sounds reasonable. Does this show how far the body has fallen [lowered its standards] while still maintaining a distance from the world. Do we excuse grumbling and being discontented as personality traits. Instead of dealing with these as sins, we follow our own sinful desires paralleling the world but still keeping a respectable distance. Do we show favoritism to get an advantage in the work place, with friendships, or even in the church? Hopefully, we are not scoffers, but sadly we do scoff at people who are vastly different from the world, often saying they are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. Jude makes me take a good look at myself.

 

Jude went on to urge them to remember again that the apostles predicted these things would happen in the last days. 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. This warning makes so much sense! By building myself up in the faith, praying in the Spirit, and keeping myself in the love of God, I can wait faithfully for Jesus. I am to have mercy on those doubters snatching them out of the fire while still contending for my faith and hating the sin that pollutes so horrendously. Jude's final words are such an encouragement to me! Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all times and now and forever. Amen. It is all of Jesus and His grace. He is my keeper who keeps me from all evil! I will look up to the hills from where my help comes! 

 

Father,

Such a sobering chapter! Send the Spirit's searchlight into the deep places of my heart. Expose the sin that is hidden there. Give me your grace and power to confess and repent. Keep my eyes fixed on the return of Jesus, and teach me how to contend for my faith and not be polluted by the sin that surrounds me.

In the name of my Keeper,

Amen 



A Heart Set

Ezra 7:10

For Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel.

 

Every heart is set on something. Some hearts are set on laying up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal while other hearts are loving the world and the things in the world. 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... Still others are in the pursuit of fitness, running, working out, faithfully building up their bodies, but bodily exercise profits little. Not to say it's not good for you, but in the long run, it is short lived. Others live for family focusing their lives around quality time, camping, and a plethora of activities. Sadly, some even structure their lives around entertainment and amusement. Buying big, expense toys, or indulging whatever is the newest thing. The heart of man wants to be set on something. It is structured that way because God has put something in man, an emptiness that can only be filled by Him, but man, instead of going to the all-satisfying One, tries to fill that void with so many other things. So sad! What is even sadder is that many Christians go down these same futile paths! But that was not for Ezra. He had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel. What a great example! His life was consumed with His God. Was this an easy task for Ezra? No, his journey would have many dangers as he brought the exiles back to Jerusalem. But he took courage because the hand of the Lord His God was on Him, and he gathered leading men from Israel to go up with him. At one point on the journey, he proclaimed a fast so that the people might humble themselves before God and ask for a safe journey. He had not asked for soldiers, but instead he had told the king that the hand of His God was on all who seek Him and the power of His wrath was against all who forsake Him. Now the time had come. So they fasted and implored their God for safe passage. Did He answer? Yes, God listened! I love how Ezra seems to be so human. He had said these monumental things about God, things that he knew were true, but when it came to making them a reality, he was a little concerned, a little fearful. His fear was surfacing, but instead of indulging that fear, he cried out to God praying and fasting. His heart was set on God! He would not waver even when the enemy was close. The result: The hand of our God was on us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. What a faith walk with a heart set on God! For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

 

Where is my heart set? What do I think about? What consumes my mind and my passion? If I do exercise, does it have its rightful place? The same goes for many activities that are not bad in themselves, but only become questionable when they take over my mind set. Am I relying on God to accomplish what He says He will do? Am I letting fear, busyness, mundane tasks, or even things I enjoy take over time that I could be setting my heart on Him, studying His word, praying, and sharing Him with those He brings across my path?

 

Father,

Give me strength to set my heart on You without wavering. Make me bold and wise to share You everywhere that I go. Give me a focus that goes immediately to You and not to my human default.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 

 

Love, Abide, and Discern

II Jn.5

And now I ask dear lady--not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning--that we love one another. 

 

The theme of love and abiding are continued in this short epistle. In v. 1 John greets the elect lady, the church, by saying that he loves them in the truth and that this truth abides in us forever. As John continued, he asked them to love one another. How important this is! John has repeated it again and again. And just in case they have forgotten, he reminds them...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. Loving God and loving others are attached to obedience because love is a command. In just a few verses, John stressed abiding again. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Even though John continued these important themes, he added a new one that was related to the truth that lives in believers. That is since the truth abides in us, we should be able to recognize false teaching. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. What a timely message for my day and time! So many false teachers and so much false teaching, even people claiming to be part of the body of Christ. Watch and pray! If anyone comes into my local body with false teaching, I am not to receive him. This is serious. If I do receive him, I take part in his wicked works. Loving God and loving others, abiding in God and the truth result in obedience and purity, being able to discern error from truth and being on guard to protect the good deposit resident within me! How narrow is this path as I wait for my blessed hope, for Jesus' soon return!

 

Father,

Grow me in abiding and in love so that I may love others unhindered from my flesh and its selfish desires. Give me Your discernment for the truth and help me to hear the quiet voice of Your Spirit leading and guiding me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

An Oak Planted by the Lord

Ps. 78:13-15

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of say and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no righteousness in Him.

 

 

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night...It is Sunday morning, and I so want to declare God's love this morning, singing melodies that praise His name. He has made me glad in so many ways: salvation, sanctification, His Word, answered prayer, and the blessed hope. He has given me a ministry and a message even when I am growing old. He has made me flourish in His presence and has planted me in His house. I am solidly there, a tree for Him with roots that cannot be damaged. As Isaiah 61:3 says, ...that they may be called the oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Since He has planted me, my purpose is to glorify Him. But how? Jn. 15:8 says By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. God in His sovereign wisdom has allowed me to bear fruit in old age, to be ever full of sap and green. Thankfully, spiritual life and vigor doesn't age; in fact, it continues eternally growing and multiplying in praise to Him. As His oak I am to declare that He is upright. He is my rock of righteousness. I must share His mighty acts to the next generation so that there is never a lack, a vacuum. His praise needs to be a continuous melody extending into eternity.

 

O God. from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come. Ps. 71:17-18

 

Certainly this is a common theme! Declaring and teaching to the next generation. So contrary to my culture which says the old are not really good for much and have a massive communication gap with the young, I must communicate! Apparently in God's economy, cross generational communication is the way to go! No doubt it is because the Lord crosses all generations. He is relevant for all times as is His word!

 

Father,

These verses are my prayer. My heart is full of praise to You for keeping me green and full of sap, for keeping my faith growing and vigorous. Open my mouth and the doors of communication. Help me to break through these culturally established generational walls. Give me strength and courage to put Your words into action.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Loving and Abiding

I Jn. 4:16

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.

 

 

Chapter 4 of I Jn. further proves the unbreakable relationship of loving and abiding. It is like a step-by-step process where love produces abiding and abiding means loving, and abiding and loving mean loving others. 

• Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God. -This is the command. If I am beloved of God, then I am dwelling and abiding in His love and His love abiding in me will pour over into the lives of others.
• Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love. It is impossible to know God without experiencing His love because He is love! If I know Him and His love, then I will love others!!
• In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. This is the visible presentation of God's love. His Son Jesus coming into the world, sacrificing His life, dying and rising again so that I might live through Him. What great love!
• In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. John restates the visible evidence of love and clarifies it showing clearly that love came from heaven downward, was initiated before I was aware or had even responded, and provided atonement for the sin that controlled my life. 
•  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Sounds simple enough! If I grasp in any way the magnitude of what God has done, I should love as He did. He is my example! If I am called Beloved, then love must characterize my life, love for God and for others.
• No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. Here is the final part of the triangle of love. God abides in me and His love is perfected in me when I love others. The triangle must be complete and unbroken. I can not have the love of God for myself and not love others and I must be abiding in Him.
• By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. The gift of the Spirit makes all this clear. He is God's presence within us. He is the One who leads, guides, teaches, and brings all things to our remembrance. He is the grace-dispenser and the power-perfecter giving me the ability to love others.
• Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  I do believe! Wow! It means God abides in me and I in Him. What more could I want?
• 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. John puts it all together here. It begins with God is love, and within His love I can abide and He can abide in me, and because of His love, I can love others as Jesus did. As He is so am I. I am His hands and feet to love others not with my puny love, but with the all-sacrificing, monumental love of God.
• We love because He first loved us. It is that simple! If I say, I can't love someone, then I don't love God. If I can't love my brothers who I can visibly see then how can I love God whom I can't see.
• Whoever loves God must also love His brother. Final word on the subject! How powerful is this set of verses!

 

Father,

I love You and Your Son, but I must confess, at times, I do not love others as You have loved me. Perfect Your love in me through Your grace and power. Teach me more about abiding so that I may keep my love tank full to the brim and ready to be poured out to others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Such Glorious Hope

I Jn. 3:2

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

 

 

What glorious love the Father has given me when He made me His child! My ownership has gone from the worst possible alliance to the best possible relationship! I am new, born again, transformed in resurrection power! Even as great as this is, what I have to look forward to far outweighs where I am now. Such glorious hope! I will be like Him because I will see Him as He is. Finally, there will be no more Rom. 7 struggle. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law, waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. No more groaning... And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption of sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. This glorious hope is what I live for and long for! And an added blessing is that my hoping and longing purifies my soul as Jesus is pure. Amazing! Why is that? If I am longing for Him to come and take me with Him, then I am not longing for the world and what it has to offer. If my eyes are heavenward, then my path is not 'world-ward.' If I am soaking in His words and living in His promises, then I am not buying into the desires of my flesh and listening to its empty promises. I am truly being satisfied by Jesus, by the only One who can satisfy. Thankfully, He eliminates the frenetic quest for the perfect high, the American dream, the apex of the corporate ladder, the accumulation of wealth, possessions, and prestige, and so much more. He eliminates that constant searching! Jesus is my all, all that I will ever need or want!

 

Because of this great satisfaction and love, I can then be His hands and feet to those who are needy, who are struggling to find in the world what the world can never give, to give them an answer for their hopelessness and disappointment. But how far do I reach out? How much do I love? If He is in me, then I must love and live as He loved and lived. By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers...Little, children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. This loving and giving will reassure my heart before Him. This love will give me confidence in God, and whatever I pray, I shall receive. Of course I will, because I am praying as He would. Such oneness! And this is the commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another...Whoever keeps this commandment abides in God! My loving others in the name of Jesus, being His hands and feet to others is my way to abiding in God. What kind of hope and love is this that it transforms my selfishness to selflessness!

 

Father,

Even as I soak in these glorious truths, I see the reality of who I am, still selfish. Do a work in me! I confess that I often think only of myself. Change me. Let this glorious hope purify me. Give me Your strength to keep my eyes focused on the hope and not on the world or myself.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Abide in Him

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 whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 

 

If and when believers sin, they have an advocate with the Father, someone who pleads for them. That advocate is Jesus Christ, the righteous, the propitiation for our sins. What is a propitiation? It is a sacrifice that bears God's wrath and turns it to favor. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross absorbed the just wrath for our sin, and through His act, we obtained favor with God. He sees us through the blood of His Son. What is the proof of this fact? How do we know it is a reality? The simple answer is obedience. We know and keep God's commandments, His word. Abiding is the key to obedience(Jn. 15). If I abide (live, dwell) in Him, then I will walk in the same way that Jesus walked. It is a complete identification and full nature do-over.

 

But what if I hate my brother? John's answer is strong and clear. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. The proof is in the living! Since Jesus loved all men and willingly died for all, and if I abide in Him, then His life is my life, then I must love as He loved! I must walk in His light! But what if I still have mixed feelings? What if I still think, say, and do things that Jesus would never do? Then John says my sins are forgiven. God's love is forgiveness. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confession on my part and forgiveness on God's part.

 

However, we are not plagued just with hatred but also with a love of the world. John wrote another powerful warning, Do not love the world or the things of the world...the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride in possessions. Tough one! How deceptive the world is and how strong is its pull! We want all its cool technology, houses, furniture, cars, toys, its beauty secrets, and its life style. We tend to jump on that same bandwagon that the world does, materialism . We buy and accumulate, and sometimes buy on credit and put ourselves in bondage to the world.  But John says, NO, don't. As Paul charged Timothy, Guard the good deposit within you. Am I guarding that deposit if I am filling my soul with the world.? Am I treasuring the good deposit above all else?

 

John closed this chapter with a startling fact. It was true then and it is true now. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. The world is trying to deceive Christians, to dilute our faith, even to make us believe that we can have it all, church, faith, worldly possessions and the desires of the flesh and the pride of life.  But John urged us to remember what we have been taught, remember His words, and abide in Him! There is the key, Abiding. If I am abiding, I will know if I am guarding the good deposit, that is my faith, my relationship with Jesus, and the love of God. I will know if the world and all its lies are infiltrating my soul. The satisfaction that the world offers is bitter and empty, but the love that God gives is eternal and so very sweet!

 

Father,

Reveal to me my heart. I know that Satan's lies are deceptive and hard to spot. I want to guard the deposit You have placed in my heart. I want to abide in Jesus taking all my sustenance from Him, living as He would and loving as He would.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Joy

I Jn. 1:4

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

 

John wanted believers to experience the full joy of Jesus. In the gospel of John chapter 15 he wrote about abiding and how that unless we live and dwell in Christ realizing our helplessness and His strength, we will not have complete joy. Without Him, we can do nothing. Nothing means nothing! And still believers try their hardest to be what they should reducing Christianity to a matter of rules and regulations requiring self-discipline and personal strength. Obviously, this is going to produce a truck load of frustration! Living in Christ is not a earthly process. It is a heavenly process only accomplished by the indwelling Christ and the Holy Spirit. Abiding in Jesus and in the Father's love will produce His joy in us, and that God-given joy will be complete!

 

So as John begins I John, he emphasizes that very fact again, complete joy! Why does he qualify joy as complete? Perhaps because earthly joy is so transitory and short-lived. Since it is based on circumstances, events, and relationships, things are constantly changing. There are good days and bad days including prosperity and poverty. Relationships wane. Even marriage itself has no permanence. Sadly, nothing is stable! But still people try their hardest to find meaning and joy. Instead of seeing the void that all this activity produces, they either try again or just give up. But John has the answer for all this. It is Jesus, living and abiding in Him, being born again, anew in the Spirit, and living and walking by faith. The things that the world offers are exposed for the shadows that they really are, and the joy that it offers appears shallow and empty. John is writing from his own personal experience. He had seen with his eyes and touched with his hands the Word of Life. He knew first hand the joy that a relationship with Jesus would produce. He was writing for that simple reason. He wanted to share that joy with others so that they could experience the same thing that he had.

 

The first crucial area he writes about is sin, the problem that has plagued man since the beginning. But John has good news, if you confess your sin, Jesus is faithful to forgive. Forgiveness is available for all, believers and unbelievers! But to be forgiven, confession must take place. People must humbly confess that they are sinners. Doesn't sound that hard, but for some it is. It would mean saying that they were not adequate, and that in them was nothing worthy. They would have to admit that they couldn't help themselves. Personal pride finds saying this repugnant! No way! But until this is done, people might find momentary joy, but not complete joy. That is only in abiding in Christ, and abiding does not include sin! Verse 10 says If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar. Strong words! So who is it going to be? Am I going to cling to my own shabby self-righteous, or am I going to confess and acknowledge my sin and cling to Him for forgiveness and complete joy? Thankfully, His power is made perfect in my weakness!

 

Father,

I want Your complete joy, joy that is not altered in trials, illness, and circumstances. Reveal to me the sin in my life that is clouding my vision of You. I want Your complete joy.  

In and through the Word of Life, 

Amen

Praise and Blessing

Ps. 89:14-15

 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of Your face who exult in Your name all the day and in Your righteousness are exalted.

 

It is because of God's righteousness and justice that He sent His Son to the earth to become a man, live in human form, and die a human death. In doing this Jesus satisfied the righteousness requirement of the law reconciling unworthy man with God, but it is also because of God's love and faithfulness that He sent Jesus to earth to save, redeem, and sanctify man. What a glorious combination, His righteousness and justice paired with His love and faithfulness! God is as faithful to save and sanctify as He is faithful to His word, every promise. He is faithful to bless and even discipline His children in His mighty and steadfast love.

 

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of Your face who exult in Your name all the day and in Your righteousness are exalted. As the people of God, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for His own possession, I can worship Him freely and passionately. What is the festal shout? I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy. I will sing and make melody to the Lord. The blessing comes in having the freedom and the privilege to worship God in song, in shouting, and in truth.

 

His people walk in the light of His face. What does the light do? It reveals all making my will, spirit, soul, emotions, attitudes, and actions transparent. In worship as in my faith walk, there is no pretense, self-righteousness, or empty tradition. It is all joyous shouting to the God who has saved me so gloriously. Even the very name of God is powerful, worthy of praise. It must flow from my lips as easily as saying the name of my best friend. In fact, He should be my best friend! He is everything, and His righteousness is my life. I am no longer my own, but belong to Him completely, every thought, breath, and action. He is the glory of my strength and my shield. What a mighty God!

 

Father,

Give me Your strength to be faithful and to walk in the light of Your face. Make my communion with You ongoing and uninterrupted as I praise Your name and Your righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness. Even though it is hard to believe that You would chose me to be Your child and walk in Your light, I thank You. My heart is full of grace and gratitude.

Amen

 



Preparation for the Battle

II Chron. 32:8

With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

 

Hezekiah was about to face a formidable enemy, the King of Assyria. Responsibly, he made preparations including re-routing the water springs so that Sennacherib would have no water when he mounted his attack. He also built up the wall and made weapons and shields in abundance. Then he gathered the people to encourage their hearts saying, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

 

What a great picture of the Christian's daily struggle against sin, evil, and temptation! First we must be responsible in our daily lives. We must re-route our source of water so that we don't go into the enemy camp for water, and so that our enemy derives no sustenance from our water. Why nourish the very thing that will defeat us?  Instead of drinking deeply of the world's water sources, we drink deeply of the water of the Word letting it sustain and fill us with its life-giving satisfaction.

 

We also build up our wall with the promises of God. They are our protection from any fiery darts that Satan flings at us. Then we make ready our arsenal, the armor of God. Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. What protection is this! Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

 

There is the key, we must take up. It is our responsibility to be in the right place, to nourish our souls with the water of the word, to build up our wall with His promises, and to take up His armor. All is there ready and waiting for us, but do we take it up? Does fear of what is to come paralyze us? Or are we just lazy, seeking the easy way? Or do we like what the world offers more than the battle that must be fought? We too can be encouraged by Hezekiah's words. Anything that the world throws at us is with an arm of flesh, but we have the Lord God to help us fight out battles. With God, all things are possible!

 

Father,

Strengthen my resolve so that I am responsible for You. Thank You for giving me all that I need to wage this battle. Flood me with Your grace and power so that I can stand firm having done all.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Prayer

Ps. 86:11

Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth: unite my heart to fear Your name.

 

Ps. 86 is David's prayer, a prayer of multiple requests, a prayer that comes from a heart that knows God intimately. Just from looking at the content of this great psalm, it is obvious that David wants God in every area of His life. Such a prayer is a model for me! 

• Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me.
• Preserve my life
• Be gracious to me
• Gladden the soul of Your servant
• Give ear, O Lord
• Listen to my plea for grace
• Teach me Your way
• Unite my heart to fear Your name
• Turn to me and be gracious
• Save the son of Your maidservant
• Give strength to Your servant
• Show me a sign of Your favor

He bases all these requests on who God is,  His character and His attributes. I get the feeling that He knows these things about God because God is real to him. He has seen God work in so many areas of his life.

• There is none like You, O God
• Nor are any works like Yours
• All nations will worship You
• All You do glorifies Your name
• You are great and do wondrous things
• You alone are God!
• You alone are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You
• Great is Your steadfast love toward me
• You delivered my soul from Sheol
• You are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
• You answer prayer

In addition to petitioning God for what he needs, David's prayer includes the expressions of his heart, his actions, and his attitudes.

• He trusts in God
• He cries to God throughout the day
• He lifts his soul up to God
• He give thanks to God
• He glorifies God's name forever

What a great prayer! I have prayed verse 11 many times, but after really examining this prayer, it would be a great psalm to pray in its entirety. I can only imagine the heart that David had for God, so close and so intimate, so specific and yet so all-encompassing, so articulate and yet so very real.

 

Father,

Grow my prayer life. Teach me to connect with You uniting my heart to fear Your name. Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

No Fault

Jn. 19:8

When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

 

During Pilate's initial examination of Jesus, Jesus told him clearly that His kingdom was not of this world, and for this purpose He was born, and for this purpose had come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Jesus went on to tell Pilate that everyone who listened to the voice of Jesus was of the truth. What powerful statements! Pilate went out to the Jews and told them he found no fault in Jesus, but he was willing to release one man since it was the Passover. Obviously, he thought they would want Jesus released, but instead they chose, Barabbas, a robber. The Jews had Pilate boxed in. They were manipulating the situation and the man.

 

Then Pilate flogged him, had the soldiers make a crown of thorns to put on His head, and placed a purple robe on Him. He then brought Jesus out to them. As the Jews were hitting Him they said,  Hail, king of the Jews. Such hatred! Again Pilate declared that he found no fault in Him. But the Jews answered Pilate saying that Jesus had made Himself the Son of God and for that reason He should die. But when Pilate heard that statement, he was even more afraid. Obviously, he had more insight than the frenzied mob! Obviously, he had more insight than these self-righteous men!

 

As Pilate questioned Him again, Jesus refused to answer. Pilate couldn't understand why He wouldn't try and save His life. Finally, Jesus answered, You have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin. Pilate didn't need to be told twice. He tried to release Jesus again, but the Jews had the taste of blood in their mouths. Finally, they yelled out, If you release this man, you are not Casar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar. Now Pilate was between the rock and the hard place. What to do? They had forced his hand; He had to have Jesus crucified. What internal conflict he must have undergone! But what is amazing to me is that Pilate could sense that Jesus was different, that He was innocent, but yet the seeming religious scribes, Pharisees, and priests, were only filled with hatred. They were totally lacking in the one area that they were supposed to be experts. They had rejected the Son of God, their Messiah. Their own power, self-righteousness, and traditions had become their gods.

 

Father,

Give me Your discernment in every situation so that I see life as You do. Thank You, Jesus for enduring all this for me.

In Your name,

Amen

Blessed are Those

Ps. 84: 10

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

 

How beautiful is Ps. 84! It is almost musical! When the flow of the words and the meaning of the words unite in one expression of praise, the heart is lifted up to God!

• How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts! --Because He dwells in me, He has made me lovely by His great gift of grace. Because He dwells in me, I can walk, live, and even breathe in newness of life!
• My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of he Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The psalmist can't live without a constant connection with God. He is in a state of longing nearly fainting when he is away. Oh that I had that same complete connection! Oh that my time with God would obliterate the significance of all else! Such closeness! I do sing for joy and pray that my longing and fainting will grow daily!
• Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise! Such rest, peace, and trust come from knowing that God is sovereign. Nothing in my life comes without God's express will and purpose. When I am not worrying or trying to determine the outcome of my life, then I can rest and enjoy the blessing of dwelling in His house, singing His praise.
• Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways of Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength, each one appears before God in Zion. --What a blessing to have my strength be His strength! In His purpose and plan, He has given me a new road map, one that goes straight to Zion, to His presence. Along my journey, He gives me water and renews my strength so that I am never afraid that I won't make it or that I will become too weary. His journey for me ends in His presence! What a glorious hope!
• O Lord God of Hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! --Certainly God hears and answers the prayer of the righteous, those who are washed in the blood of Jesus. I am covered in His shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness. When He looks on my face and sees my needs, He gives me what equips me for His service and for my journey.
• For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.--Even if it were only for a day, being in His presence is abundantly more precious and superior to anything that this world has to offer. Being a king on earth could never be compared to being a doorkeeper in the house of God! Anything that this world would always be in contrast to the riches of His house.
• For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; for the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good things does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You! --Who on earth is a sun and a shield? Who on earth bestows such favor and honor? Who on earth gives only good things? No one, and that is why I am blessed to trust in my God!

How glorious! I can only imagine where the psalmist's heart was to write words such as these! He was definitely in the high places feasting in the presence of God!

 

Father,

Keep me faithful to the map you have placed in my heart. Keep me walking strong and upright on my journey to Zion. Grow my longing each day. Thank You for such great blessings that You have given me in choosing me to be Your child. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Strong to Leprous

II Chron. 26:16

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

 

Uzziah became king when he was only 16 and reigned 52 years. As a young man, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord because he set himself to seek God. What a great statement! He had purposed to seek God and followed through on that purpose. Secondly, he had a wise counselor, Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. What a great decision! He listened carefully and obeyed. He was not heady and did not think he knew best, but he trusted his spiritual counselor. What were the results of these two choices? As long as he sought the Lord,  he prospered. Wouldn't prosperity be a reassurance that his choices were right? Wouldn't that influence a person to continue on in this way? Well it did for awhile. Among his mighty exploits were the defeat of the Philistines. He built cities, towers in Jerusalem and the wilderness, and engines on the towers. He also had farmers and vine dressers in the hills and fertile lands, for he loved the soil. He had an army of soldiers ready for war that included 2600 mighty men and equipped them with all that they would need. In fact, he accomplished so much that his fame spread far and wide. Fame is a killer or wisdom! All this happened until he was strong. Sadly, when he was strong, he thought he could do it all by himself.

In fact, he went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense, but Azariah the priest stopped him. He must not do what only the priests could do. He told Uzziah to leave for he had done wrong. But by now Uzziah was not in the listening mode, instead he got angry! It was an anger that was life-changing. At that moment of anger, he broke out in leprosy! The Lord spoke in such a way that Uzziah had to hear him. King Uzziah was a leper until the day that he died. He had to live in a separate house and was excluded from the house of the Lord. Jotham his son took over the kingship and governed the land. How sad when pride determines the life!

 

Father,

Keep me ever listening to you. Reveal any pride to me so that I might confess and get rid of it.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Jesus Prayed

Jn. 17

 

"Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Rom. 8:34

 

What would Christ pray as our intercessor? Would He reword what we have prayed? Would He pray what the Father desires for us? Jn. 17 is just such a prayer, a prayer where Jesus intercedes for His disciples. In this prayer, He prays first for His own relationship with the Father. He asks the Father to glorify Him so He may glorify the Father. While on earth, He has given eternal life, that is the gift of knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ as His son, to all those that the Father has given Him. His obedience to this commission glorified the Father. And now He desires to be glorified in the Father's own presence as He was before the world existed.

 

Then Jesus begins to pray for His disciples, those that He has blessed with eternal life and those that the Father has given Him.  These disciples know and understand who the Father is and who Jesus is. He is not praying for the world, but for those that are His and the Father's. He asks the Father :

• To keep them in His name
• to make them one even as He and the Father are one
• to have Jesus' joy fulfilled in them
• to keep them from the evil One as they stay here on earth
• to sanctify them in the Truth, His word is Truth
• for all those who will believe that they might be One [That's me!]
• that the world might know through the lives of His chosen ones that the Father sent the Son because He loved the world
• that all those that the Father gave the Son would be with Him in heaven to see His glory, the glory the Father gave the Son

How powerful is this intercession! It deals with the issues that are super important, with my faithfulness and protection in this world, and with my witness for Jesus and the Father. In this prayer Jesus reveals the overall redemptive plan of God seen in His love for man and His sending His Son to earth to give the message through the sacrifice of His life. What peace and confidence comes from knowing that Jesus intercedes for me!

 

Father,

I ask You to strengthen me in Your grace so that my life and words may reflect Your great love and redemption. Keep me safe from the evil one. Thank You for such an intercessor as this.

In His name,

Amen

 
 
• 

Wheat and Honey

Ps. 81:16

But He would feed you with the finest of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.

 

The psalmist began this psalm with a command to praise God. Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob. Such praise as this was full of life, volume, passion, and exuberance. God was their strength in battle, in deliverance, and in possessing the land. He had made Himself real to His chosen ones. The Israelites were also to remember, remember what God had done for them. He had heard their cries and relieved their burdens. I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. Even though this deliverance was monumental and miraculous, God wants to do even more now. He wants to fill their open mouth, but the problem is their mouth is not open. Not only that but they were not listening to God at all. They refused to submit so God gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. So sad! When God gives a people over to their own devices, everything goes awry! Even though God did this, His heart ached for His people. Oh, that my people would walk in my ways...He wanted to subdue their enemies and their foes.  He wanted to feed them with the finest of wheat, and with honey from the rock He would satisfy them. Much of Israel's history is sad full of disobedience, rebellion, judgment, and tribulation. It is amazing to me that they would choose the dark times that over the finest of wheat and honey from the rock.

 

But I wonder what choices do I make today? Do I read the promises of God, love them, and yet not totally embrace them? Have they impacted the way that I live, think, and feel, or do I persist in my own way? Is my mouth open wide waiting to be filled? What a great image! It reminds me of a baby bird who is totally hopeless. When the mother comes to the nest, that baby has its mouth wide open. It doesn't have to be threatened or coerced. Instead, it cries for the finest of bird food. Perhaps that is the problem. I don't think and act like the helpless baby bird, when in fact I am. I think I know how to gather food, how to care for myself, when in fact, I don't. God should be all that to me! Perhaps I am not hungrily waiting with my mouth wide open for the wheat and the honey because I have already eaten, eaten from the dainties that the world has to offer. Has my own self-sufficiency dulled my appetite for the wheat and the honey?

 

Father,

I want your finest of wheat and honey from the rock. Reveal it to me when I am eating where I shouldn't be. Guide my steps so that I stay waiting for You with my mouth wide open.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Abiding

Jn. 15:4-5

Abide in me, and I in You. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

 

 

Abiding in the vine is the only place that a branch can be since abiding any other place would be death for the branch. In fact, the branch must be so connected that it can not go on a vacation from the vine even for a day without disastrous results. Such is the closeness that I have with Jesus, my Vine. This abiding brings certain blessings as:

• Fruit bearing-evidence of growth
• Safety from the fires of destruction-saved and sealed eternally
• Pruning-Ouch, but produces more growth
• Answered prayer-the way to have my mind in sync with the mind of Christ
• Glorifying the Father-my supreme goal
• Proof of discipleship-security and belonging
• Obedience to His commands-holiness and sanctification
• His joy will be in me-joy in the good times and the hard times
• Love others-outflowing from abiding to others, love them as He would
• More than a servant, now a friend-to be a friend of Jesus is almost more than I can understand
• Chosen by Him and appointed to bear fruit-this is my reason for existence
• Abiding fruit-my fruit will remain, not withering or getting a blight
• Hatred from the world-hard times refine and purify
• Persecution-but not forsaken, carrying in my body the death of Jesus
• Know the Father-Jesus takes me into relationship with the Father
• Given the Helper, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father-the Comforter
• Helper bears witness of Jesus-the Spirit teaches me of Jesus
• We also will bear witness of Jesus-I also witness about Jesus
• Keeps me from falling away-eliminates the fear of loss, won't ever happen

Most of the ideas developed in Jn. 15 are perceived as blessings, but what about pruning, hatred and persecution. Can they be called blessings? Insomuch that those things would draw us closer to Jesus and the Father, would make us rely on His strength and power, and would be the testing of our faith by fire to prove its genuineness, then they are blessings too! All that comes from the Father's hand is for my good because I love Him and want His purposes accomplished in my life. No doubt, abiding changes the way that my mind and spirit perceive events. In Acts they rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. It's definitely hard for me to understand, but I must trust Him for whatever abiding brings. All these things are not just blessings or results of abiding, but they can not be accomplished without abiding. I must think abiding, desire abiding, pray for abiding, seek grace and strength to abide, and obey and follow His leading to obey, and all of this through His great grace and power.

 

Father,

Teach me more each day what it means to abide. Make me truly a friend that values friendship with Jesus. Take away worldly desires that detract from time with You and Jesus. Sharpen my inner man to hear the Spirit's every whisper.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 



Mothering

II Chron. 22:3

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly.

 

 

How important is the counsel of a mother! In this account, Ahaziah became king after his father, Jehoram, had died of an incurable, excruciatingly painful bowel disease given to him by God. Since he was only 22 years of age, he listened to counselors frequently and especially to his mother who was the daughter of Ahab. As would be expected, he walked in the ways of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the Lord. 

 

But what is heartbreaking to me is that his mother counselled him in doing wickedly! What a reputation! Certainly this reinforces the fact that a mother's influence is strong, whether it is for good or for evil. Children watch and learn so much from her actions, habits, and body language, from the things left unsaid. They pick up on the reality of the mother's life, on her inmost motivations. Are her actions and attitudes supporting her spiritual claims?  Have the demands of children and the home put her on a frenzied course where she is just trying to survive in her own strength? Do they see her seeking the Lord and speaking words of grace, or are her words flowing out of countless frustrations and anger?

 

Certainly Ahaziah's mother was over the top. I am sure that her actions and motivations were on an even keel and all bent on doing evil. Would to God that mothers who love the Lord could be as focused on Him as she was on evil! Strangely enough, if a mother is encouraging evil, she is not conflicted and wondering what she should say. No, she speaks wholeheartedly for evil. So why should mothers who love the Lord struggle so much in teaching a love for Him, especially as children get older. I think of myself with children who are grown and gone from my home. How can I share the Lord and my love for Him with a son who seems cold to the Lord? Why am I afraid to speak out?

 

When Ahaziah was put to death, she rose up and destroyed all the royal family of the house of Judah. She was not afraid of anything, but was fully committed to a course of evil. But God had ordained Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, to hide Joash so he was not put to death. He remained hidden 6 years in the house of God. Certainly she would never look there!

 

This account is so sad, but has such a warning for mothers. How are they influencing their children? Is it for good or for evil? Are mothers focused on being godly mothers who make knowing and loving God a priority? If I were to ask each of my children to sum up my mothering of them, what would they say? What would my reputation be? I know it wouldn't be as a counsellor for evil, but would it be as a counsellor for godliness, or would I be somewhere in the murky ground of the gray?

 

Father,

Even now help me to be a mother and grandmother that speaks out for godliness and whose life's actions and motivations are one in the same. Make me wholly transparent for You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 



No Trouble

Jn. 14:1

Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

 

 

Trouble is something that Jesus can eliminate because He offers hope unlimited, and hope for the future is essential for sustaining life, for enduring to the end. How does He do this? By belief, believing in God, believing in Him, and believing in His words. But how do I or how does anyone believe? It must be through faith since belief precedes concrete evidence. And amazingly, faith is given as a gift of His grace. Man can not drum it up or manufacture it. Just like hope is divine so are faith and grace. Hebrews says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, for He who promised is faithful. Now here is what I must do, hold fast, hang on, and endure all the while looking to Jesus. Soon, when the time is right, Christ will call me home, home to His Father's house where He has prepared a place for me. What hope! What a reason to keep my eyes on Jesus! In this same passage Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. All hope, belief, and faith are through Jesus. He is the one and only way to the Father and to my heavenly home, just like He was the one and only sacrifice that covered sin. He is the One, the only One!

 

Father,

Give me Your grace and strength to hold fast on the hope that You have given me. Thank You for Jesus who is with me every step on this journey. I am trouble-free for my eternal dwelling, but I admit I need help to get through every day. Some days seem chock full of trouble. Help me...

In Jesus name,

Amen

Covenant Breakers

Ps. 78

 

Ps. 78 provides a history of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Sadly, it includes:

• a stubborn and rebellious generation
• a generation whose heart was not steadfast and whose spirit was not faithful to God
• They turned back in the day of battle and refused to walk according to His law
• They forgot His works and wonders
• They rebelled against God in the desert
• Tested God by demanding the food they craved
• They spoke against God
• They did not believe God or trust His saving power

Yet God opened the doors of heaven and feed them manna and gave them grain. He sent them food in abundance. He rained meat upon them until they were filled, but while the food was still in their mouths God killed many of them. Amazingly, in spite of all this, they still sinned. Despite His provisions, they did not believe. For a time they repented, but soon:

• They flattered Him with their mouths and lied with their tongues
• Their heart was not steadfast, and they were unfaithful to the covenant

Yet being compassionate, He atoned for their sin and did not destroy them. He restrained His anger and remembered that they were flesh, a wind that passes and comes again.

• Yet they repeatedly rebelled in the desert
• They repeatedly tested Him
• They did not remember what He had done in Egypt (the plagues on the Egyptians and the deliverance of His people. He led them to His holy land and drove out the nations before them. He appointed a possession for them.)
• Yet, they tested and rebelled even more.
• They acted treacherously, like a deceitful bow
• They had high places and idols

When God heard and saw all this, He was full of wrath and rejected Israel. He delivered them to captivity giving the people over to the sword. Fire devoured the young men, young women had no marriage song, priests fell by the sword, and the widows had no lamentation. Then the Lord awoke and:

• Put the adversaries to rout
• Rejected the tent of Joseph and Ephraim
• He chose Judah and Mount Zion which He loves
• He chose David, His servant, to shepherd His people.

What a history of repeated rebellion. They saw God do wonders, but yet they chose to disobey Him and break His covenant. Why did God chose them? Understanding the why is hard, yet I must ask why did God chose me? How many of these behaviors do I embrace? I know that the manifestation may be different, but my heart is definitely like the heart of Israel during all these years. Have I tested God? Have I doubted Him in spite of all He has done in my life? Have I made excuses for the weakness of my flesh?

 

Father,

Keep me from having an unfaithful, rebellious heart. Convict me mightily when I doubt Your hand and Your plan. Show me the path that I should go and then give me Your grace and strength to walk on that path, to be obedient, and to cherish Your covenant with me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 
 


The Pattern

Jn. 13: 14-17

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

 

Jesus is my Lord and Teacher; therefore, I must pattern my life after His. His was a life of humility, sacrifice, and obedience, obedience that eventually led to death. What a life! It is a great thing to embrace all the benefits that I get from such a life, but what about the responsibilities and the hard times. How do I feel about them? Do I embrace them with the same degree of thanksgiving? Do I keep the attitude of a servant constantly in my thinking, acting, and feeling? Am I identifying with Jesus even in this? Am I living with Him as my example? If I do, then there is a blessing for me, a blessing for emulating the Savior. Jesus didn't promise me an easy life, but He promised He would be with me always. His grace would be my stay and would be perfected in my weakness. ...But I have this treasure in a jar of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to me. I am 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 my body. This is my body life! 

 

In this foot washing, Jesus not only washed the feet of those disciples who loved Him, but also Judas' feet knowing all the time what he was about to do. In addition, this act of foot washing was normally  reserved for non-Jewish servants, but instead Jesus did it.What as a symbol for the cleansing His blood would offer for the sins of all the world, even those who choose not to accept what He has done!  Jesus died for all but only those who become His disciples get the benefit, only those who accept Him identify with Him in His death, and only those who accept Him follow His example of servitude and sacrifice.

 

Father,

Give me Your grace to embrace sacrifice, servitude, and suffering. I do love Jesus and want to follow Him, but I know that means the path will be hard. Thank You for making Your grace and power perfect in my weakness. Thank You for giving me all that I need for this journey. Keep my eyes focused on You.

In Jesus name,

Amen