Only Two Lifetime Requests

Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I ask of You O Lord; do not refuse me before I die; --

There are only two things I ask of You, my Lord and Master of me as Your slave: please grant me these every day of my life until I die.

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; --

Do not allow any false or misleading words to proceed out of my mouth (or my fingers as I write or type), and do not ever allow me to be mislead by any other false or misleading words from others.

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. --

Any more than food and clothing is considered riches. I ask only my daily needs, no more.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, "Who is the Lord?" --

If I find I have too much more than I actually need, I may start thinking that I have gotten all of it by my own power, abilities and wisdom, and think that I don't need the Lord any more.

Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the Name of my God. --

Or if I find I don't have enough, I could be tempted to stop trusting in You, and use unethical methods to get what I think I need, by taking advantage of others, and by my dishonesty I would bring shame on the One I claim to worship. 

O my Lord, how often do I worry that I may become poor, that my resources will not last my lifetime? I testify that "God takes good care of me every day," but am I really trusting You to do that into the future? Or am I really trusting in my own ingenuity to grow my nest egg? O my Lord God, my Abba, Daddy, teach me to trust You to meet all my needs, and to accept joyfully all that You provide now and into the future.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

 

The Most Powerful Force In The Universe

Ephesians 3:14-19

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

It appears here that the "fullness of God" that we may be filled with, is love! Love is the most powerful force there is. Love created the universe, and God's faithfulness in maintaining all the balances in the universe is based on His love for it. And when we love Him and one another, then we will fulfill all His laws, all the "Manufacturers Instructions" for life in this world.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Became Flesh

John 1:14

The Word became flesh . . .

The Word, that was with God and that was actually God Himself, the Creator and Lord of all Heaven and Earth and the whole Universe. This is Who came down, from His Glory in Heaven, and "became flesh." God is Spirit, always was and always will be. But this Word, this One Who proceeds from the Father, so is His Son, took upon Himself the actual flesh of humankind, and became a Man! The Creator became a part of His own creation! I cannot grasp the magnitude of this thing that God did--to leave the Home He deserves to dwell among filthy, evil little creatures is totally beyond my comprehension. But I know He did!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Worship

Exodus 23:33

...The worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.

The way they worship their gods; what they do that honors their gods. It will look so good, so beneficial, so right, that you will be snared, caught up in it. Today we don't bow down to statues in our society (except Catholics), but our culture encourages us to put our trust into our own abilities, to "lift us up by our own bootstraps." To trust in the money we earn, or the company we work for, or the government that encourages us to be dependent on it. But our trust is to be in the God who created all things and everyone, and His Son who paid our debt; we are to think His thoughts, not the world's.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Reconciliation

II Corinthians 5:17-21

If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! -- Because we are "in Christ" we don't have to fall back into the old pattern of doing what we think we want, into that old way of responding to that bad habit, or that old hurt that formerly ruled our days.

All this is from God, -- God has performed a miracle in each of us in causing us to be born into His own family by the New Birth.

Who reconciled us to Himself -- Just as I change my checkbook register to reconcile it to the bank statement, so God changed us to agree with who He is; the life He has is spiritual and He has given us that same spiritual life that He lives, causing His Spirit to come into our spirits to make them alive. Where we were dead spiritually, we are now alive.

Through Christ -- Because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross and His Resurrection.

And gave us the ministry of reconciliation: -- We have a job to do, a ministry, to let people know what God has done for us.

That God was reconciling the world to Himself -- God is the only One who changed (will change) everything in relation to Himself.

In Christ, -- Only by what Jesus accomplished.

Not counting men's sins against them. -- God doesn't need to consider our sins on our side of the Ledger, but can now put them on Jesus' side.

And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. -- This is the message we are to teach the world, that God has already taken care of all our sins, wounds and problems; in putting them on Jesus on the Cross to pay for all our debts; and God raised Him from the dead to prove that He accepted that payment on our behalf.

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. -- We are to implore, to beg you, to take God up on His offer to allow Jesus to pay your debt in full, and let Him change you into the person God created you to be, in planting in you His own Spirit to make you alive and able to do the good works that God planned ahead of time for you to do, so that you will get the benefits and He will get the credit.

God made Him who had no sin -- Jesus.

to be sin -- to carry our very sin-nature.

for us, -- in our place, each of us, to pay our debt of death.

So that in Him -- Only in Christ, who paid it.

we might -- Now it is possible.

become -- Actually be, not just do.

the righteousness of God. --To be able to do what is right in every circumstance because of the power of His Spirit living in us, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Each of us now is His temple, where He lives.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Live Up To What We Have

Philippians 3:16

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

We all know what we know. We have some idea of how God loves us, and some of what he has revealed to us of Himself, of who He is. We have learned that we ought to be kind, to love our neighbor, to help the poor, because that's how God is good to us. But how often do we just think of ourselves, of what would serve our purposes, of what would please us. We even sometimes fool ourselves into thinking that we are working for God's purposes, when we're really just following our own agenda. 

God has given each of us different combinations of personality, natural abilities and talents, and various spiritual gifts. Each one of us is different from every other one, even identical twins are different from each other. So the plans He has for each of us is according to the way He made each of us, different from every other. God made us all different, so that everything would get done. You are concerned for the environment? Good, we need to take care of this planet God has put us in charge of. You are concerned for the animals about to go extinct, or are being treated shamefully? Good, they are here for our use, but not abuse. You are concerned for the children who don't have enough to eat? Good, they are precious, and we can do much to meet their needs. You are concerned for the lost, and desire that they hear the Gospel to further God's Kingdom here on earth? Good, that's the most pressing need, and we are to pray that God sends more workers into the fields that are already white to harvest. 

Let us all do what we can, and everything will get done.

O my Father, You have been so good to me, and You continue to shower upon me Your goodness, every day and in every way. Thank you so much for all the ways You have taken care of me each day, and all the wonderful blessings You shower upon me continually. Please help me to remember Your ways as I leave my house to spend time with people, people You love. Let me get my focus off of myself and actually see them as You see them, to listen to them with Your ears, and enable me to be Your hands, Your feet, Your voice, to meet their needs in ways that will benefit them; and You will receive the credit, the glory. Help me to live up to all that I have already attained.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Johnathan's Love For David

II Samuel 1:25-26

How the mighty have fallen in battle! Johnathan lies slain on your heights.

I grieve for you, Johnathan my brother; You were very dear to me.

Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

David was a man who knew God, so he knew what real love was--he knew the unconditional love of God, and he recognized that love also in Johnathan. That love is not physical. None of David's wives were actually in love with him; even Michal, who thought she loved him, only loved the idea of him as the great hero and king, and when he took off his royal robes and danced in the common tunic before the Lord, she hated him. Johnathan loved David for who he was.

God loves us for who we are, too. This love is pure, it is true, it is deeper than we can know, and nothing we can do will ever change this love, to increase it or decrease it. This is the love that sent His only Son, Jesus, to become a Man, to pay our debt of sin for each of us, so that now God is free to forgive us. He will draw us to Himself, teach us His ways (for they are not our ways), meet all our needs, and help us to have the victory over all our hurts, bad habits and hangups. He will show us how to solve all our problems, heal all the wounds we have or have inflicted on others, mend our family relationships, and use us as His hands and feet to reap the fields of the world, ripe to harvest, sharing His Gospel, His Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection.

God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance." That is His love for us all. But He will not force us. He gently calls, and those who refuse to hear His call, who rebel against His authority as Creator, and choose to go their own way; He will allow to go their own way, away from goodness, away from order, away from light and love, and allow them their choice to spend eternity without Him. But to those who want to know the Truth, who make the effort to seek Him, and desire to know His ways; He will call, and they will answer; He will draw and they will come; He will save and redeem from the bondage that has enslaved them, giving them the power and authority to make good choices to do good and righteous acts. This is what He has done in and for me, and He wants to do the same for you, too.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Martha And Mary

Luke 10:38-42

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I don't think I've understood this passage sufficiently, as I've seen it as reinforcing my laziness. I tend to be more of a Mary, who "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said," rather than actually doing "all the preparations that had to be made." I've always been happy to sit with the guys discussing deep theological issues, while the women toiled in the kitchen. It seems I can always be content to sit while others worked. There will always be things that have to be done, and someone has to do them. But Martha was distracted, worried and upset; Mary was relaxed. I'm trying to find the balance here.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Life And Death, Blessing And Cursing

Deuteronomy 30:15,19

Moses said: See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil. I call Heaven and Earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your children may live.

"Choose life, that both you and your children may live" would make a good bumper sticker.

Today America has chosen death for our children. We call it choice, but only if it is a choice for death, and by this we have chosen God's curse upon our once great nation.

My prayer is that God would return His righteousness to America before the end. Jesus is coming soon, we don't know how soon, but all the signs to look for seem to be present all at the same time today. We need leaders who have a high personal moral standard, and will not compromise the Truth for convenience or political gain. As a Democratic Republic, we as Americans are responsible to elect those officials who will represent us in the halls of Congress, and the Executive branch. When good men do nothing, it leaves the evil men to prevail, which they have done. If each one of us will do what we can do, we will again be the salt and light this world needs.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Effort And Envy

Matthew 20:15

Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?

Our society today has elected a government that encourages envy. We have God-given rights, including life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. But our government has decided to punish the achievers and give to those who have not put forth the effort. We have been denied our right to do what we want with our own money, and have instead been forced to fund many programs that reward indolence and laziness; that do nothing to better the citizens, but instead to make them poor, dependent subjects. This creates in them the belief that society owes them a living, without contributing anything useful or valuable to that society, of getting something for nothing. But there's no "free lunch" in this world, somebody has to pay. The only funds any government has are the taxes they have assessed on those citizens who have earned an income by providing some value that is worth getting paid for. So those who are responsible and provide for the needs of the people are the ones who have to pay for the ones who do not have a job, who do nothing to contribute, so "need" to have someone else pay for their food, housing, etc. The number of those who today depend on the government for their income far outnumbers those who are unable to provide for their own needs. Our government keeps these people poor, in that it would cost them their hand-out if they sought more self-respecting means, so it maintains power over them to control them. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Importance Of His Rules To Us

Psalm 19

(1) The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the Skies proclaim the Work of His hands.

(2) Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

The sky and the sun, moon, stars and planets are all displayed before us all, no matter where we are in the world, we can see them.

(3) There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

(4) Their voice goes out into all the Earth, their words to the ends of the world.

No matter what the culture or language, no one in the world has ever denied that they are there, but looked at them, studied them, wrote stories about them and wondered about them.

In the Heavens He has pitched a tent for the Sun,

(5) which is like a Bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

(6) It rises at one end of the Heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

The sun is our star, the mighty light that gives life to our world. It rises in the East and sets in the West, and always returns each morning to rise again; it gives heat and light to every part of this Earth, as regular as clockwork. (All our time-keeping systems are based on the Sun's relationship with the Earth.)

(7) The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

(8) The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

(9) The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.

God's Law, Statutes, Precepts, Commands and Ordinances are all His rules for living, like the Manufacturer's instructions, so we can know what to do, how to behave in this life for our best benefit. He is our Maker, and whether we believe in Him or not, He has put everything together so that if we follow His instructions we will have a good life in this world. Also, though, This "Fear of the Lord" is a reverential awe of God's greatness, power and authority as the Creator and Owner of us, our world and all the Universe; and He always will be. We enter into a much deeper, more satisfying appreciation when we acknowledge who God is and His roles in everything that happens. 

(10) They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

These rules are worth more than all the resources of this world, because in following them we can not only have these worldly resources, but will also enjoy deep, satisfying relationships with our loved ones, and we will come to know God in a personal, intimate way, realizing how much He loves us and wants to meet all our needs, and has, in fact, met our most pressing, urgent needs already.

(11) By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Not knowing these rules, or knowing them and not following them, leaves me liable to suffering adverse consequences; but if I do follow them, then I can expect to experience prosperity, not only in finances and worldly things, but also in my relationships with my family members and friends and with God.

(12) Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

Even David realized that he may be in denial of parts of his character that would fall short of God's expectations of him, and asks for cleansing of these attitudes.

(13) Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. 

He asks God to help him make good decisions, right choices, and not deliberately do anything that he knows is not right, knowing that a bad choice made repeatedly will become a bad habit, and is addictive.

Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

David wants to live a right, righteous life, making wise decisions, and choosing to do what is right in every situation.

(14) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Now he is asking that all these thoughts and the words he has written in this song all be according to God's Truth, and that this teaching will cause God to smile upon him, in helping others also know God better and realize how good God is in giving us His rules for living this life.

O my Father, I also join my prayer with David's in this Psalm, that Your rules are perfect, they energize my psyche; they are trustworthy, teaching me wisdom; they are right,  putting the Joy of the Lord in my heart; they are radiant, enlightening the eyes of my understanding; they are pure, sure to stand forever; they are precious, in that they will always be right with no shades of gray; and they are sweet, truly sweeter than the sweetest substances we have that we use in our food. They affect every realm of living in a most positive way, making everything pleasant and enjoyable. And they will last forever, through all eternity, as we spend forever learning more and more of how good You are as our God, how extensive is Your love, how perfect is Your judgment, Your wisdom, knowledge, power, authority, and graciousness. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Spiritual Self-Deceit

Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

O my Father, please cleanse my heart, forgive my sins and transgressions and heal my spirit of the deceit that has lied to me and hidden my faults from myself. Keep me open and aware of my own thoughts, attitudes and beliefs; that Your Truth would set me free from these chains of denial of what resides in my self. Bring it all out for cleansing.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

When Will The End Come?

Matthew 24:13-14

But he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Daniel 12:3,10

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. . . . Many will be purified, made spotless and refined . . . those who are wise will understand.

O my Father, purify me, refine me, teach me Your wisdom, so that I may impart Your wisdom to others and lead them into Your righteousness. Allow me to be one of your workers who reap Your fields that are already white to harvest, to share Your Gospel of the Kingdom to those who have never heard, that Your Word will cover the Earth as the waters cover the oceans.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Today, The Present, God's Gift

Matthew 6:28

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This is good to remember. Whenever we have a lot on our plates, or whenever things just don't seem to be turning out the way we want or expected, it does us well to remember that our days are all in our Father's hand, and His plans for us are for our best good. He only gives us one day at a time: yesterday is past, we can do nothing to change it; tomorrow is totally uncertain, anything can happen, there may not even be a tomorrow. Today is the time we have right now, all our opportunities are before us today, now is the time we can act, or say, or do. Today is called the present, because it is the gift God has given us each day. The trouble we face today can be dealt with today. Today I can write that letter, send that text, compose that email; today I can sweep that floor, do that laundry, wash those dishes; today I can study that Bible passage I've been thinking about, to see how I can live it out today. Today I can schedule my time to see what I will be able to accomplish to further God's Kingdom today, instead of just passively going with the flow to see what happens. 

O my Father, Today is the day You have given me. Show me what You have planned for me to accomplish today, that will draw me closer to You as I seek Your face; that will further my spiritual growth toward maturity; that will further or finish the projects that will help others to know You and what You have already done to bless them and meet all their needs; to continue to prepare me and all of us to be ready to meet You, and Your Son, Jesus, as He returns to claim His Kingdom.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Go And Be Reconciled

Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

This does not mean that we have something against another, it's if someone else has something against us. If we have offended another in some way, and we are aware of it. We are to be the first to make a move to resolve the issue, and not wait for the other to come forward.

O my Father, please help us! We have all offended and wounded one another; grant us Your wisdom and discernment and compassion to begin to mend our relationships with one another. Give us Your words to write, text, say to start the process of healing, to invite and inspire the others to begin to reconcile. Please lead us in healing our families in Your church, so we can be a light to the world, displaying Your love and compassion as an example to the lost. And You will receive all the credit, all the glory, because You have designed us to operate and relate to one another in genuine love.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Unworthy Servants

Luke 17:10,18

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty."

Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

O my Father, I am Your servant: Show me what my duties are, so I can fulfill every one in obedience to You. And enable me to go above and beyond whatever is expected of me. Help me always to give thanks to everyone who does anything to help or benefit me, no matter how small or insignificant. And may You always and ever receive all the glory.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Generosity

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

O my Father, You are so generous to me out of Your bounty! You never scrimp. Please teach me to be generous with others as You are with me. Show me opportunities to learn generosity whenever I tend to scrimp, or even close my eyes and heart to a need. Teach me to trust in Your promise to always meet my needs, even when the future looks dim.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Good And Evil

Psalm 119:96

To all perfection I see a limit; but Your commands are boundless.

A limit on perfection! In this world, there are good things, but all within reason; because too much of even a good thing becomes detrimental. But God's rules will still be in effect for all eternity. God's goodness has no limits, no boundaries, and will last forever. Good will always be good; and what is not good, or against good, will always be evil.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Don't Shrink Back

Hebrews 10:35-39

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

O my Father, please strengthen me with Your faithfulness and perseverance in the things You are calling me to do, that I may accomplish the purposes You have previously planned for me to fulfill.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Trusting God

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

O my dear Lord and Father, I know that You take good care of me every day; no matter what is going on around me or how I see things going in my life, You are still caring for my needs and teaching me to rely on You, to trust you more each day and to love You more every day.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Some Benefits Of Trusting The Lord

Psalm 16:8-9

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because He is at my right hand, 

(1) I will not be shaken. Therefore

(2) my heart is glad and

(3) my tongue rejoices;

(4) my body also will rest secure.

O my Lord, because I have trusted in You, (1) I will never forsake You; so (2) my heat is glad, the joy of the Lord fills and colors my emotions; (3) my tongue rejoices, I will speak positively of good things and focus on the good, lovely, honorable, etc. (see Philippians 4:8); and also, (4) my body rests secure, I sleep peacefully and restfully. All because I trust in You! You alone are worthy of my full confidence.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

"What Is Truth?"

John 18:38 & 19:7-8

"What is Truth?" Pilate asked.

The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God." When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid. . . . 

Pilate expected no answer to his question. He had no interest in Truth. But he was afraid. When he found out that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, he was even more afraid. People do extreme things out of fear, so he handed over the Son of God to be executed as a criminal! Even after he admitted he found no basis for a charge against him (18:33).

Father may I do nothing out of fear, but in confidence in You.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Willing And Obedient

Isaiah 1:18-20

"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The key here is "willing and obedient." I must will, I must want to do God's will rather than my own; then I must actually do whatever it is He asks of me, not putting it off or discounting it. Not refusing, in my laziness, to get up and do; not turn over and go back to sleep!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Unknowable

Matthew 24:42,44

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. . . . so you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a hour when you do not expect Him.

O my Father, please help me and strengthen me to continue to seek You and walk in Your ways. Grant me Your faithfulness to always keep my feet on level paths, not turning to the right or to the left. Let me be Your hands and Your feet and Your voice; let me be Christ to my family members who do not know you, and all others whose path touches mine. Let me not let any opportunity slip by.

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Hollow And Deceptive

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

O my Father, I know that some of my family members and relatives have been deceived by the human traditions and the sciences of this world, just like I once was. Please let me be Christ to them, in His humility, gentleness, kindness and truth. Help me and strengthen me with Your strength and faithfulness.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Kindness, Justice And Righteousness

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him who boasts boast about this: That he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on Earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.

Kindness. Justice. Righteousness.

O my Father, teach me how to be Jesus to others, in practicing kindness, justice and righteousness in all my relationships with my family and friends and others.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Whoever Is Wise

Psalm 107:43

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.

O my Father, always remind me of "these things;" how You have satisfied my thirstiness and filled my hunger with good things (v. 9); how You have brought me out of darkness and broke away my chains (v. 14); how You have saved me from my distress, healed me and rescued me from the grave (vs. 19-20). Help me continually to tell of Your works with songs of joy!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Planting For The Kingdom

Mark 4:26-29

This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.

O my Father, teach me how to plant my words, my dollars, my works into the proper fields that will grow these seeds, then at the proper harvest time, teach me to harvest the crop. Help me, Father, to know what to do, and then to do it.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Who Is Jesus?

John 5:26-27

For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man.

God the Father "has life in Himself," that is, is self-existent; and He has given Jesus to also "have life in Himself," self-existent, as God. So Jesus is as much God as God the Father is God. This is beyond my understanding, but I believe it to be so. And the Father has given Jesus all "authority to judge because He is the Son of Man;" Jesus is also just as human as you and I. He lived a whole life as a human being, always making the right choices and obeying. And He purchased us all with His precious Blood; so is our legal and righteous Judge.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Created For Good Works

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God didn't just plan out our lives, He also prepared the way for us, to be able to do the good works He created us to do. He made each one of us to be different from everyone else, specially suited to do the things He intends for us to accomplish. He wants us to be His hands and feet, and He has prepared the way for each of us to do the specific things no one else can do, so that His purposes will be accomplished according to His plans, in His ways and in His time, to bring Him all the glory; and to bring in His kingdom.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!