We Must Grow Up

John 1:12-13; 3:7

Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 

You must be born again.

We must be born into God's family in order to perceive God's kingdom. We are not yet "adopted" as adult children with all the rights and responsibilities of running the family business, but we are to be born spiritually, comparable to having been born physically into our natural families. 

We are now brothers and sisters in God's own Family. And we squabble as children do. When we "grow up," we will rule with King Jesus.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Our Adoption As Sons

Romans 8:22-24

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. . . .

Our "adoption as sons," We have been "born again," born into God's own family. But we are still "children" as we live in this world. The ancient Roman idea of "adoption" was more than taking into your family one who wasn't born into it, but actually referred to the ceremony that declared a son (born into the family or not) to be an adult with all the rights and responsibilities to run the family business and inherit the fortune. So our "adoption" will be our  glorification, when this mortal body will take on the immortal, when this corruptible will become eternal. Then we will shine like the sun.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

 

Fervent Lips With An Evil Heart

Proverbs 26:23-26

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

This describes a smooth-talking politician. Don't believe anything they say while campaigning; look at their record, or their past life, see what they have done, how they've voted or lived their life. And pray for discernment.

Pray that God will bring His righteousness back to our National life, to shine His light into the other Nations again, and draw them back to God's Truth.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Slippery Slope

Psalm 19:12-13

Who can discern his errors? --

We lie to ourselves.

Forgive my hidden faults. --

Those I am still in denial of, hiding from myself.

Keep your servant also from willful sins, --

The ones I choose to commit, my foolish choices.

may they not rule over me. --

The slippery slope becomes a plunge into darkness: addiction.

Only then will I be blameless, --

Fully forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.

Innocent of great transgressions. --

If I never do the little thing, it won't lead to a bad habit; if I stay as far away as I can from that edge, there'll be no danger of slipping over it.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

To Save That Which Was Lost

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who takes care of the sheep. I know how lost I was. I was wandering across this nation when God used circumstances to "herd me into a corner," so to speak: He brought me home to my mother's house. There He found me. I had been searching for the Truth, but I didn't know that Jesus is the Truth. So when God showed me Jesus, hanging on that Cross, I knew He didn't deserve that death at all, I did. I had been living my life totally against all His rules, and Jesus took my full, eternal debt to God and paid it in full, as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, and set me free from the bondage that had held me fast. Praise God for His mercy and grace to me!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Jesus' Human And Regal Genealogy

Jesus was a Jew of the Tribe of Judah. He received His human nature from Mary, whose genealogy we find in Luke 3:23-31. His legal father, Joseph, was also descended from King David, through the royal line, through Solomon and the whole dynasty of kings of Israel and Judah, as recorded in Matthew 1:6-16. But the last king of Judah, Jehoiachin, was so wicked that he was cursed, in that none from his bloodline would ever again assume the Throne of David, in Jeremiah 22:30. So Joseph was not eligible to be the king, even though he was of the bloodline, because he was directly descended from Jehoiachin. But Mary's line came through King David's son Nathan, the brother of Solomon, who received the crown. So, Jesus inherited the Royal authority to the Kingship legally through Joseph, and directly through the bloodline of His mother Mary. Jesus alone could reign on David's throne.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Don't Let The Baton Drop

Judges 2:10, 19

 

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord not what He had done for Israel. ... They refused to give up [doing their own things] their evil practices and stubborn ways.

It only takes one generation to drop the baton. We who know the Lord must be sure to teach our own children and grandchildren who God is, what He is like, and what He has done and promised to do. We must give them the only hope there is for this world. Even if our own children neglect to practice or believe, then we must teach our grandchildren, and even their children, should we remain here to see them. We cannot allow our own families to sink into the pit of evil and wickedness, hopelessness and misery.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!