Footsteps

1 Pet. 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you might follow in His footsteps.

Initially, to what have we been called? Previous to this verse, Peter had developed the idea of suffering unjustly. Attesting to the fact that suffering for what you have done wrong is not our call, but to the contrary, if we suffer for doing good and we endure the suffering then this is a gracious things in the eyes of God. Why is suffering a gracious thing to God? Because that is what Jesus did. He did not sin, was not deceitful, did not revile in return, did not threaten. His life was the complete opposite of what He received. Instead of lashing back out,  He entrusted himself to His Father as the One who judges justly. [Vengeance is mine says the Lord. I will repay.] He even went a step farther. He took on Himself our sins so that we might live to righteousness! What an amazing Gift! He took all of our gross sinful nature, from the root to the manifestation, so that He could freely give us everything, everything pertaining to life and godliness! It is these steps that we are to follow.We are to extend the same grace that He gave us to others whether they deserve it or not. And who are we to decide who deserves it?  Not a chance!  We are to entrust our souls to the Father and let Him handle justice.  We are to partner with Him to display the glory of God in our lives. 

After reading this entire passage, I am amazed at all God has given us: His Son, the most amazing Grace, and His words, the game-plan  for our lives. We are to follow the footsteps and not veer off on our own, never suffering for doing wrong. In light of Jesus' showing grace to me, I am to respond to others in return. He is with me as is His Spirit with each step I take.

Father,

What a clear picture! Thank You. Help me to think of Jesus with every step that I take. Open my eyes to opportunities to share  grace with others. Keep my heart free from giving back in return. 

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Doing Good

1 Pet. 2:15

For this is the will of God that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 

What does 'doing good' mean? Earlier in chapter 2 it defines who believers are: chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, people for His own possession. Quite a legacy! It is not a legacy just to amass spiritual riches, but one to do His bidding. Specifically, believers are to proclaim the excellencies of Him who saved us out of darkness and into His light. This is our first 'good'. We are to proclaim the message of Jesus and His gospel.

In v. 11 we are urged not to live like this is our home, but instead as exiles and sojourners, people who are waiting for a heavenly citizenship. [a closer look at our lives, commitments,  possessions, dreams, etc. might appear the opposite ] keeping this in mind, we are to abstain from the passions of the flesh, to live honorably in all that we do. Why is this such an issue? When we are saved, we our born again in our spirit and flesh. Even though we are no longer slaves to the flesh, we still battle with the flesh. Thus the warning! Abstain from the passions of the flesh. This is necessary if we are to do good.

Our lives  as well as our passions should show the light of the gospel. If we are rooted on this earth and our fleshly passions control our thoughts, then there is no way we are doing good. A frequent statement often made by unsaved people is that Christians are hypocritical. If we are struggling for a place in this world with our passions in control, then we are hypocrites. We are living lives that say one thing but do another. Is this doing good? We are not silencing the ignorance of foolish people but adding fuel to the fire.  What has happened to the message that we are to proclaim? What has happened to out doing good? Thank God for confession and repentance. 

Father,

I confess letting my emotions take control of my thoughts. I pray that you will strengthen me in mind, body, and spirit. Focus my eyes and heart to proclaim Your message and to do Your good.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Word

1 Pet. 1:25

but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Think of a God who loves you without you loving Him, who saves you when you were hopeless, who reconciled you to Himself spanning the gulf of good and evil, who cancelled your debt of sin with the sacrifice of His own Son, who gave You the indwelling Spirit and Son as constant guides, intercessors, and teachers, who gave You His living word as you own personal conversation with Him, who is faithful to every promise He has ever made or will make, who has adopted you into His family and made you a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, and so much. Can you think of such a God? Not a chance! The good news is that this is my God! All these blessings are mine! 

In this chapter, He tells me to prepare myself for action by being sober-minded, and to put my hope in nothing else but the return of Jesus. While I am waiting, I am to obey as any child of God should or would by leaving off with the old life so that I might be holy as He is holy. I must live in the reality that my ransom was bought with the precious blood of Jesus. Consequently He is precious to me. All of this, the ransom and the actions of God on my behalf have given me a purpose and a mission. As I obey His word, my love for others will grow until I can love others earnestly from a pure heart. Since I am born again with an imperishable seed through the living and abiding word of God, I am His child! How exciting is this! His word, the logos, is everlasting and indwells me!My life is because of and is centered on the Word of God.

Father,

My heart is full of thanks today. I have the eternal word of God in my heart, mind, soul, and hand. It is there for all that I need.Thank You Lord!

In Jesus precious name,

Amen

Tested Genuiness

1 Pet. 1: 6-7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

I want to and need to bless the Father! Why? Because in His great mercy, He chose me and caused me to be born again to a living hope [the resurrected Christ]! I am in Christ so His resurrection power is in me. My status as a born again child of God gives me an eternal inheritance, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kept in heaven for me. No power is great enough to take this away from me. What a future I have awaiting me! My salvation now s guarded by God's power and waits for the its completion when Jesus comes to claim those who are His. This is my blessed hope! But in the meantime there are various trials, trials that are a grief to endure. So instead of thinking these trials are for no reason, I need to remember they are my refining tool. They are the crucible that will purify me so that my faith might be found genuine, so that my faith might result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Father,

Thank You for the trials in my life. I know they are to draw me close to You, to make me more dependent on You. Help me to never lose sight of my hope in You, of one day going to meet Jesus.

In His name,

Amen

Prayer of a Righteous Man

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 

What a ministry we can have with one another! We can pray and intercede for others and be an instrument used by God. I wonder though do we really know how to pray like a righteous man. Do we take the condition of our souls seriously? Do we allow sin to remain in our lives because we am unaware or don't take it seriously? What is our sin awareness level? I think that is where the prayer should begin, that is praying for God to reveal to us our own hearts so that we may confess and repent. I know that we are covered in the blood of Jesus and that through His blood God sees us, but at the same time our personal, practical life must be in sync with the word. The confessing to and praying for one another would be humiliating, but perhaps a little bit of humiliation is better than a whole lot of sin! Do we want to be a righteous person with a powerful prayer life?

Father,

I do want to be a righteous pray-er, one whose prayers can be used to affect your will in the lives of others. Reveal to me the sin in my life. Grant me repentance.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Judge

James 5:9

 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

I wonder if we who have been saved by grace and live daily through this grace have a clear concept of the judgment of God. When I read those words, the Judge is standing at the door. What does it mean to me? As I read Jer. 6, I see  some great images of God as the judge. 

 "I have made you a tester of metals among my people [the prophet], that you may know and test their ways. They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on, for the wicked are not removed.  Rejected silver they are called, for the LORD has rejected them." Ouch! To be known as rejected silver is horrendous! 

 As a well keeps its water fresh, so she keeps fresh her evil; violence and destruction are heard within her; sickness and wounds are ever before me. 8 Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest I turn from you in disgust, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land." 

 Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in. "Pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the gatherings of young men, also; both husband and wife shall be taken, the elderly and the very aged. Their houses shall be turned over to others, their fields and wives together, for I will stretch out my hand against the inhabitants of the land," declares the LORD. ... Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

God does not take it lightly when His word is not taken seriously. He will judge. We have history to see how God dealt with His people. Are we so foolish to think it we are above judgment? Rom. 1120-23 can answer that question.

 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.  For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.s

Father,
Such stern words! Lord, I want to be faithful to You without doubting. I love Your grace, mercy, and steadfast love, but at the same time I know You are a judge. Teach me to be as You would have me be.
In Jesus name,
Amen

God's Heart

Is. 65:24

Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

What a heart our God has! He knows every molecule of our bodies for Your eyes saw my unformed substance; In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. God is our destiny! Christ is our identity!

At the end of chapter 65 is this wonderful verse and promise. However, it is in stark contrast to the beginning of this chapter where God says, I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here I am, here I am," to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; How sad and revealing!  God's ready and waiting with His arms extended. Yet Israel wanted something else. The one true God did not give them the same pleasures as the foreign gods with their perversions and sacrifices.

What follows when someone rejects God? Judgment! Verses 11-12 say,  But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in." That is scary! But if you have run to His outstretched arms nothing but safety and love will be yours. The choice and the consequences are  clear!

Father,
As I read the first of this chapter my heart was grieved for Your heart. I want my life to be one of complete obedience to You. Give me the strength to live for You. Increase my faith.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Tomorrow

James 4:17

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

We all make plans for months ahead, for vacations, for training, and even for our ministry. In truth, much time is filled up with making plans for our time. Even though we don't know what the future will bring, we make plans for our future. In essence we are boasting about what our future will hold. It would be bad enough if it was just foolishness, but it is far worse. It is evil! We are presuming on the future, a future that is created by God for His plan and purpose. Our lives are but a mist appearing for a time and then vanishing. James says that we ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will do this or that. It is not in the saying of the words because it could become an empty ritual. Instead it is in believing the words and acknowledging God and His sovereign will and plan. At any moment in time a life could be ended by a car accident, a random shot, a crazed killer. We have see these stories in the news. Life ended without a warning! Even though we know this, do we acknowledge it in the using of our time. God wants us to know His plan and purpose is first! No doubt if I acknowledged this truth it would take much of the frustration out of life. I wouldn't be upset how things turned out, how much I accomplished, or how far away the day ended from my plan. James ended this passage with a strong warning. If I know to do right and fail to do it, it is sin! 

Father,

I know this truth, but I don't often say it. I see the joy in acknowledging this fact, of being ready to accept Your plan for my day, and of resting in Your plan. This is where I want to be! I love You, Jesus.

In Your name,

Amen

Wisdom

James 3: 17-18

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

Who wouldn't want to be wise? Think of all the time it would save in countless mistakes, poor decisions, and mangled relationships. As I think about it, the wisdom I would want would not come from excessive reading all the great books of the world or of understanding all the scientific principles and theories, it would simply be God's wisdom. Unbelievably His wisdom is not sought after by very many people. Sometimes not even by His own children. But why? One reason is obvious and that is that people can take no credit for it. All the wisdom of the world is attributed to men. It is their stepping stool for advancement and prestige. They are sought after and have obtained fame and notoriety at the very least. But who wants to seek after God? Who wants to attribute their wisdom to God and not themselves? Not very many people. On the whole, people want to take credit for what they do [of course, unless it is not good or an utter failure]. And sadly, so do many Christians.

God's wisdom can be derived from His word and is seen practically lived out in the lives of His people, When a person's life is pure in thoughts and motives, that would be God because only He is pure. God Himself is the author of peace and the peace giver. And it only follows that the Christian would allow the peace of God to permeate his or her life. What results from this peace is a person who is open to reason. Why argue and fight when you can live without it?  God has shown great mercy to His children, and in the same way, so should Christians do to others. Impartiality should be foremost in their dealings with otherr,  not seeking to be friends with those who can give them something that they want. Finally, sincerity must be in their words, actions, thoughts, and feelings. God has given them new life in Him and as a result His wisdom is at their disposal. It is up to them to claim it and use it. What Christian doesn't want a harvest of righteousness? Hopefully, none. But how? It is a reality through the wisdom of God! What an all-inclusive gift! 

Father,

I do want Your wisdom so very much. I want You and all You have for me. Align my focus so that I will constantly seek You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Tongue

James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Quite a warning! I think someone who would be teaching the word would have studied it a lot. They would have been exposed to much more of the Bible as a whole. Because of this they have the greater strictness. Also I find it interesting that this verse precedes a passage on the tongue. Perhaps James had this in mind. Those who teach should have deep concern about what comes out of their mouths.

• The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness
• The tongue has the ability to stain the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell [How serious is this! what an admonition to take notice of our tongues. They can not be excused as a flaw of our nature. We are not helpless to control it. We have the Holy Spirit.
• No human being can tame the tongue.
• The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 
• We can bless our Father God and at the same time still curse man. 

The tongue is something we should take seriously, thinking about what we say and not talking to fill the air. It is also a member of our body that must be controlled by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Since no man can control it, we must rely on God! We must make this a matter of prayer!

Father,

I confess many times things words come out of my mouth that are terrible. Give me repentance and empower me to be careful about what I say. Help my words to reflect You. Help me to be a window to the world of Your saving grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Faith/Works

James 2:22

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed with his works. 

The 'him' aforementioned was referring to Abraham where he offered his son Isaac, the son of the promise. He fully believed that God would work a miracle to provide a substitute or bring Isaac back to life. Abraham's life was a walk of faith, and we are all his offspring. But this faith is not a lazy or lackadaisical faith. It is a faith that finds fulfillment in action. 

So the example of Abraham is to help us in understanding how the works/faith scenario works out. Just as Abraham had ultimate faith in his God, faith to find a new homeland, faith to have a child when he and his wife were well past child bearing years, and now faith to place the child of the promise on the altar. He believed before he saw the end result! But because his faith was strong, he traveled and did what God asked him to do. His walk with God was so precious that it propelled his actions. Because of all this, he was called the friend of God. ...and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness-- and he was called the friend of God. [v. 23] What a relationship they had! 

Father,

Strengthen my faith as I walk everyday. Help me to see You in all that I say and do. I want to be Your friend too. Help me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Meekness

James 1:21

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

After we have put away the yuck in our lives, and not just the visible yuck [the more socially acceptable yuck], but the ones that linger and ruminate in the deep recesses of our souls, then we are to receive. Sadly, I think we are happier to receive than to put away. However, the receiving of the implanted word is qualified not because of the wickedness in our hearts because Christ has already paid the price for our sin. But at salvation, the word [Christ the logos, the living word] is implanted in our hearts when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within and when His dwelling makes us His temple, Wow! We have so much in Christ! After this great plethora of blessings from God Himself, then we are to receive the implanted word with meekness. As we look horizontally we see sin that needs to be put away, but as we look heavenward to the things that are above, we must be meek [acceptance with strength]. We should always be meek, teachable and obedient, when it comes to God, to His Word, to the Holy Spirit, and to Jesus Christ. Even after a casual examination of all that God has done for us, is meekness to much to ask? I think not! Practically, it means that when the Word teaches me something that is not a reality in my life, then at the moment I should confess ask for repentance, and put away that sin. This is receiving with meekness!

Father,

How great You are! Thank You for choosing me and giving me Your Son and Your Spirit to live within me. Give me the strength to put away and to be meek in obedience.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Listening, Speaking, and Anger

James  1:19-20

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

Know this speaks of certainty, of a truth that cannot be disputed. Perhaps a truth that believers will be held accountable for. In spite of the coming rebuke, James identifies his audience as beloved brothers, as those who have received the gospel and who should desire to see the fruit of righteousness in their lives. James' teaching sounds so simple but to anyone who has tried to make it a reality, it is not. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger... If we are quick to hear, to listen carefully, many of the frustrations in life would be deterred at the get-go. Why is listening such a hard skill? It is because most people are wanting their wishes fulfilled immediately and their ideas heard first. Even as another person takes a breath, this person is primed and ready to jump into the conversation without listening to the conversation at all. Conversation for him are times when he takes center stage almost forcing people to listen to him. 

Listening by its very nature puts the other person's thoughts and ideas first. If a person is committed to listening and digesting the ideas of another, it would automatically make that person slow to speak giving him time to think before replying. But the non-listener does not want to hear or respond, he merely wants to get his say in first. To be a good listener one must be genuinely interested in others. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. There is the crux of the matter. Who do we count significant? Sadly, most often it is ourselves. It it were another, we would be listening!

In the conversational process, being slow to anger would mean a person was hearing all sides of the conversation. They would be thinking clearly unclouded by heated emotions. Most often anger results because of unfulfilled wishes, ideas, or statements. When we see our desires not coming to fruition, we become angry. Why? Because all we can think about is our side of the conversation. Instead of an heated emotional response, we could stop and listen to the all the circumstances. Listening and thinking would give time for the heat to cool, for the anger to disseminate, and for the

righteousness of God to be a reality in out lives. Any believer would state emphatically that he wants the righteousness of God to be preeminent in his life. So here is a simple [yet amazingly difficult] plan. Since it is God's plan, we can rest assured that it will be as He says. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. 

Father,

I confess the many times that I have fallen into the trap of demanding my way, of not listening at all, and of having anger control my life. Please forgive. Help me to walk in Your way. Teach me to listen carefully and to want all the facts before anger takes control. I want You to control my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Count It All Joy

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

Since the purpose of trials is spiritual maturity, they should be a cause for rejoicing. Sadly, most Christians would admit that their view of trials would be vastly different. But what we need to remember is that the trials should not be foremost in our minds, but instead the byproduct of the trial. So if your mindset is growth, intimacy with God, or steadfastness, you don't have to search trials out, they will come to you. But it is good to think about steadfastness and maturity, not only to think but to desire them resting in the fact that a sovereign God will use trials for spiritual maturity and steadfastness, and that He will never send anything that the believer cannot endure without providing a way of escape. 

In fact, the very next verse is the how-to that is how we may endure and grow. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... If believers lack wisdom about handling trials, all they need do is ask in faith believing that God will answer. He promises to give us wisdom about handling life and the trials that are a very real part of it. Sometimes I look at trials from a fleshly point of view, it is then that I am falling into the trap of doubt. When I see a child or family member suffering repeatedly, I want to think enough is enough. But I know that enough is enough only when God says. Certainly this walk in growth and spiritual maturity, is not a cake walk. And the ability to have an attitude of joy comes only when believers are drawing ever closer to God. It is this dependence on Him that brings joy!

Father,

This is hard. Grow me in dependence on You. Help me to see the trials that others endure as Your hand in their lives. Focus my thoughts on You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Benediction

Heb. 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen

What a powerful sentence! So much in it! My God is the God of peace not one of the gods of peace, but the one and only God of peace. What a need there is for peace in our world and within mankind. Life is replete with wars, insurrections, fighting, killing of civilians, key national players taking over other nations, and Israel fighting for its life. It is a plague that is ugly and spreading! The heart of man without God knows no peace. Something is always out of whack. But for the soul who claims the name of Jesus, there is peace, peace because my sovereign God has put all things in order. I need not fear what man can do to me. 

Resurrection is next, specifically in the life of Jesus. The resurrection power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power that brings any lost soul back to spiritual life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life! I am a new creation in Christ. This resurrection power has brought me peace because I am not at war with God anymore. It has given me a new status: adopted child of God and joint heir with Christ. This power is so great it has cancelled the bondage of sin in my life and has filled me with the indwelling Spirit of God.

Jesus is not just the resurrection He is the great Shepherd of the Sheep. Before His shepherding began I was a sheep running every which way, getting into noxious weeds, weighing myself down in the water as I drank, and having no protection from the wolves. But Jesus is the shepherd who searches even for the one lost lamb. Once I am part of His flock, I can never be lost. No one can pluck me out of His hand.

Jesus, His indwelling Holy Spirit, and this resurrection power are all part of the eternal covenant, a covenant that allows for the shed blood of Jesus. His blood covered my sin and paid its legal debt. of with His shed blood, blood that covered the legal debt of sin. God's love was so great that He bridged the gulf between Himself and man with the life of His Son. His shed blood was my ticket into this covenant.

Once saved, God equips me with everything good so that I may do His will. He has promised that every thing in my life is for my good, and that all He wants me to do, is through His grace, He equips me so that no man [me included]  may boast except in Jesus and His shed blood. 2 Cor. 9:8 says 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. It is His working in and through believers that is pleasing in His sight. 

Finally, to God belongs glory forever. Why? For all the reasons listed in this verse and for so many more. To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever...Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!...Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. 

Father,

I praise You with all I am. I know You have given me the gift of life eternal. Thank You! It is amazing that You want nothing from me except my faith in You. You call me, You make me over, You give me grace to worship and save You. It is all You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Confidence

Heb. 13:6

So we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper, I will not fear; What can man do to me. 

What a great God I serve! Just knowing that I need not fear any man! My confidence is not on shaky grounds. I don't have to worry about His being fickle. I can speak confidently about God. 

What a glorious blessing! In my world or culture nothing is so secure. There are hostile takeovers, bankruptcy, gang wars, immigration problems, and around the world, constant civil wars, massive inhumane treatment of people, imprisonment of Saeed for His faith, natural disasters that are almost constant and so much more. Most of the people in the world can not feel secure in what their life will be the very next day unless they know the saving power of Jesus. 

But in another part of my daily Bible reading this morning, I had read Is. 45. It was so in sync with what I read in Hebrews. In verses 5 and 6 it says, I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,  that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. Later it says, in 12, 18-19,  I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. ...  For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other.  I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right. It is because of all this and so much more that my confidence is in the Lord. What can man do to me? Only what God allows, what is in His sovereign plan.  But you say what about horrible things? In verse 7 it says, I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. No matter what it is, He is in charge! He is the sovereign God. And whatever His purpose, if it is not realized for hundreds of years, I can rest in Him and His sovereign plan. He is the potter, I am the clay. I can not rise up and tell the potter that his plan is flawed. No, God is constantly in charge and His plan with without flaws.

Father,

Thank You for who You are, for You being sovereign in all matters of life and time. You are so gracious in reaching down to me. I ask that You shape my heart and my desires so that I am a pot that is pleasing to You. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Struggle Against Sin

Heb. 12:10

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them,but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.

In our struggle against sin we have not yet shed our own blood. In fact, many times our struggle is not even noticeable. It seems as if we recognize our weaknesses and failures, but act as if they are of no consequence. But Paul goes on further to instruct Christians to value the discipline of the Lord because He chastises those that are sons. Would our casual attitude toward sin bring on the discipline of the Lord? Regardless God is treating us as his children. Our fathers disciplined us and we respected them for it. Should we not value the Lord's chastening so much more. His chastening is for our good so that we may share His holiness. We all want His holiness, but are we willing for the tough decisions that accompany it. 

After Paul showed the need for this chastening, He went on to say the how-to. We should strive for peace with all and for the holiness that brings us closer to the Lord. Strive implies some work and focus.We must obtain the grace of God because it is only in this grace that holiness results. It is the only way to be at peace with one another. After pointing out the need and encouraging us to get and use grace, He pointed out the negative. Our God is a consuming fire. Paul said straight out, do not refuse Him who is speaking. 

But on the positive side, Paul also pointed out the heavenly kingdom. We will one day come to Mt. Zion, to the city of the living God, to innumerable angels, to God, the judge of all, to the assembly of the firstborn, to the spirits of those who have been made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood. It is glorious to behold and to belong to it. This heavenly kingdom will not be shaken. It is the real deal! So instead of sinning and struggling, we need to offer to God our acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. He does not split hairs, what He says and does will be eternal. 

Father,

Thank You for calling me Your child and establishing my eternity with You in Your glorious kingdom. Give me Your grace so that I might strive in my struggle with sin. Help me to keep my focus clearly on You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Let Us Run

Heb. 12:1-2

Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin, which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Chapter 12 begins with a huge connection to chapter 11. The great a cloud of witnesses that surround us are the people mentioned in Chapter 11, those who were known for their great faith, those who believed without seeing, and those who suffered greatly waiting for Christ, the Messiah. Even though we have Christ's words and His great grace with us constantly, you would think that we would be able to lay aside the weights of sin that hinder our walk. Sadly, many times we are defeated because of our vision. We get too focused on the here and know, on all the menial tasks of the day, or on all the good things offered to us [even though these things are good they are not the best thing]. 

Instead our focus should be looking forward to the joy of being in heaven with Christ.We must realize that the Christian life [the race that is set before us] requires endurance. It is no cake walk! Because Christ was focused on the joy set before Him, He was able to endure the cross and His separation from the Father, and pay the penalty for the sins of the world. It was His endurance that offers saving grace for us each day. Jesus made it all possible! Likewise, our vision should be constantly on Him! When the time was right Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, went to heaven to be seated at the right hand of the throne of God. His task was completed once and for all. What love is this! 

So I must examine my life, my priorities, my necessities, my duties, my possessions, my expenses, my giving, etc. The list goes on and on, but the point is am I looking forward to Christ? Am I enduring the walk, the particular set of circumstances that God has for me? Am I laying aside the weights or am I trying to get rid of some weights but cling to a precious few? 

Father,

Thank You for these verses, for the great cloud of witnesses that are watching, and for Your Son who radically changed my life. Through Your great grace and mercy help me to run the race. Show me the weights, soften my heart to be willing to leave them behind, and then grant me repentance. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Self-control

Prov. 25: 26

A man without self-control is the a city broken into and left without walls.

How important is self-control! A city without walls is without protection. Any  aggressor will have free reign in conquering the city. So also for the man without self-control. He is not his own. His decisions will be overthrown, and he is easy prey for others to take him down without any regard for his feelings or his preferences. 

How does the believer have self-control? Gal. 5:22-23 says it is a fruit of the Spirit. One that is given to us by the indwelling Spirit. But sadly, it doesn't come to us the second we are saved. Like fruit it is grown. But how and can we accelerate this growth process? 2 Tim. 1:7 says that God gave us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. It is our gift, but what if we never unwrap the gift? 

It is for this unwrapping that the Spirit of God works in our life. 2 Pet. 1:5-7 says, For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness, with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Previous to verses 5-7, Peter was talking about the very great promises of God, promises by which we become partakers of the divine nature. This divine nature has allowed us to escape the corruption that is in the world through sinful desires. God did this for us when He chose and saved us. How amazing! 

The divine nature must grow within us, and consequently must produce many things in our lives of which one is self-control. What is my part in this growth process? I must make every effort. I know we bemoan our lack of self-control, but have we really made every effort? What does it look like when we have made every effort? Have we begun with virtue and knowledge? Certainly we all want to live as godly believers who love others, but are we willing to pay the price for this growth? Are we willing to water and fertilize so that the fruit will grow? Often this watering and fertilizing of the Spirit's fruit comes in the form of suffering, adversity, and trials. Have we trusted God even in the face of hard things? Strong words! God does not keep this process a secret, but instead He has given us His grace as our sufficiency. This grace is there for us to depend on as the growing begins and continues.

Father,

My heart is touched this morning. Have I made every effort? Show me what this looks like. Grow me in Your fruit. Strengthen my resolve and focus.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Apples of Gold

Prov. 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.  

The Bible has so much to say about words. I would think that if a word's value was gold and silver, we would be more careful about what we are saying, but in our culture it is the reverse. We often spout off without thinking at all. We often spew words that can be categorized as putting our foot in our mouth, or even creating enemies. Just imagine if every word had a certain value, and every time we said destructible things, hot words of confrontation, or words that we often regret, then  that word would lose some value. How long would it take us to be in the red? Our word account would be bankrupt, but since it is not that way we carry on in the same way. Such shame! We have the new nature. Christ indwells us as does His Spirit. So what is the problem? Is life going so fast that we don't have time to think before we speak? Are we so overloaded with the world's good activities that we don't have time to think. Good words rarely come when life is a rush.

Father,

Please teach me to think before I speak. Take my expectations and transform them into words of gold. Help me be Your words to others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Positive and Negative

Heb. 10: 30-31

For we know Him who said, Vengeance is mine; I will repay. And again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Since believers have confidence to enter the holy places by Jesus' blood, and since we have a great high priest [Jesus] who intercedes for us, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. We can freely and confidently come to the throne of grace because Jesus paid the penalty for my sin once for all . His blood covered it so that when God looks at me, He sees me through the lens of the shed blood of Christ. We are to (1) hold fast the confession of our fast without any wavering.  (2) We are to consider how we might stir up others to love and good works. (3) And finally we are to encourage one another as we meet together. Pretty straight forward words. Ones that the child of God should want to do on a continual basis. What would prevent these things from happening? Perhaps it would be desiring and getting what the world offers, or maybe an individual isolation of the members of the body of Christ. If we are too busy, we miss church where we most often connect with others in the body. 

But on the negative side come very strong warnings. We must not fool ourselves into thinking that because of grace our judgment will be correspondingly without justice. In fact it is the opposite. God brings down His holy vengeance on those who (1) spurn the Son of God, (2) profane the blood of the covenant, and (3) who outrage the spirit of grace. How strong! Paul asks the people to remember their former days, days where they had compassion on those imprisoned, had joyfully accepted the plundering of their property, and had lived in the light of a better and abiding possession. His final words were do not throw away your confidence or shrink back. What a warning! I wonder how this would look? Would it be a dramatic recanting of  Jesus, or a gradual slipping away? It would be logical that the slipping away could eventually lead to a recanting of Jesus when persecution would come.

Father,

Help me to be strong in holding on to Your words. Make my words be encouraging to others and teach me how to encourage others to love. What a glorious body of Christ You have given me. How blessed I am!

In Jesus name,

Amen