Romans 15:5
May God, Who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other--each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.
O my Father, I praise You for Your great wisdom and understanding in all that You do for us, in the way You are directing all the events of this world to draw to the close, the culmination of Your Plan of the Ages.
And I thank You for considering me worth Your attention, Your love and Your care. Thank You for using the events and happenings in my life to contribute in a small way to Your great Plan. Thank You for Your patience and encouragement in me to be able to live in harmony with one another, as I learn to have in my own thinking Your attitudes, as the life of Christ demonstrated.
Thank You for continuing to work in my life to both will and to act according to Your good will for me, until I am perfected in that Day that our Lord Jesus returns as King over all kings, and I will reign with Him as His queen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Just Do It
John 13: 17
You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing.
We have been taught how to do right. Our parents all did their best to teach us the right way in life. God has given us His Word to teach us what is right. We have pastors in our churches who endeavor to teach us the right way to live. Every person wants to live in a way that would be right for them.
But we all have been born with a defective soul and a dead spirit. Our own hearts lie to us and deceive us. So sometimes we can be mislead, and believe that what is actually wrong is right for us. But it is not healthy, or moral, or helpful at all.
God's ways are not our ways, because He is absolutely pure and holy, and we do not understand these concepts naturally, without His help. That's why He gave us His written Word. That's why He sent His only Son, to fulfill all the prophesies about Him and all the Laws that point to what He would accomplish. So He became our personal Sacrifice, fulfilling that requirement from Leviticus chapter 1. And He fulfilled all the letter of all the laws God had His people follow. Now He has written His Law in our hearts, so we can understand the principles underlying all those Laws; we not only do not sleep with our neighbor's spouse (the letter of the law), we do not even entertain the thought of doing so. We not only do not murder, we do not refuse to forgive, letting ourselves off the hook of hatred and resentment. And so for all the Laws.
So with Jesus having taken our place in death, and God having given us New Life in His own Holy Spirit, healing our soul and making our spirit alive; now we have the ability to understand God's ways, how they are not the World's ways, and the strength to obey them, to actually do them in our thoughts, attitudes and actions. God does not tell us to be "perfect" (mature), then leave us hanging, unable to live it out. His Holy Spirit speaks into our spirit, in His still, small voice, that we perceive as an inward "knowing," showing us the right way to go. He has given us His written Word, and His Spirit teaches us as we open our understanding to what He has written actually means for us.
When Jesus said this (scripture above), He had been teaching His disciples for over three years. Now He is telling them that only by putting these ideas into practice in their daily lives will they enjoy the blessings of God's favor.
Only by putting these principles into practice in our thinking processes, our attitudes and our actions every day will we experience God's favor and His blessings in our health, our finances and our relationships.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing.
We have been taught how to do right. Our parents all did their best to teach us the right way in life. God has given us His Word to teach us what is right. We have pastors in our churches who endeavor to teach us the right way to live. Every person wants to live in a way that would be right for them.
But we all have been born with a defective soul and a dead spirit. Our own hearts lie to us and deceive us. So sometimes we can be mislead, and believe that what is actually wrong is right for us. But it is not healthy, or moral, or helpful at all.
God's ways are not our ways, because He is absolutely pure and holy, and we do not understand these concepts naturally, without His help. That's why He gave us His written Word. That's why He sent His only Son, to fulfill all the prophesies about Him and all the Laws that point to what He would accomplish. So He became our personal Sacrifice, fulfilling that requirement from Leviticus chapter 1. And He fulfilled all the letter of all the laws God had His people follow. Now He has written His Law in our hearts, so we can understand the principles underlying all those Laws; we not only do not sleep with our neighbor's spouse (the letter of the law), we do not even entertain the thought of doing so. We not only do not murder, we do not refuse to forgive, letting ourselves off the hook of hatred and resentment. And so for all the Laws.
So with Jesus having taken our place in death, and God having given us New Life in His own Holy Spirit, healing our soul and making our spirit alive; now we have the ability to understand God's ways, how they are not the World's ways, and the strength to obey them, to actually do them in our thoughts, attitudes and actions. God does not tell us to be "perfect" (mature), then leave us hanging, unable to live it out. His Holy Spirit speaks into our spirit, in His still, small voice, that we perceive as an inward "knowing," showing us the right way to go. He has given us His written Word, and His Spirit teaches us as we open our understanding to what He has written actually means for us.
When Jesus said this (scripture above), He had been teaching His disciples for over three years. Now He is telling them that only by putting these ideas into practice in their daily lives will they enjoy the blessings of God's favor.
Only by putting these principles into practice in our thinking processes, our attitudes and our actions every day will we experience God's favor and His blessings in our health, our finances and our relationships.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 17, 2017
We Will Never Fall
Psalm 37: 23-24
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
II Corinthians 4: 8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
I want us all to remember how much God loves us, how great He is, and how He takes care of us. No matter what mere Man decides to do, God will use for His purposes. When we make mistakes, or make poor decisions, we stumble; but God will never let us be destroyed, because He has determined our good. God's enemies, the minions of our enemy, may conspire against us, but they can never prevail against us. Whatever is against us can never succeed against the good God has planned for us.
"Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger." God has determined that whatever gives us heartache or sorrow or perplexity will only strengthen us against what can destroy us, so that we will gain the victory over it, in His power. And even when we are killed, martyred for our proclaiming God's Truth, then we will only gain the crown to become a living stone, not only in God's Heavenly Temple, but of the very altar in that Holy Place.
God's plans for us are only for our good, our good right now, and our ultimate good. That will bring Him glory, for that is how He has decided everything will work out. His plan directs the Cosmos, World events, and our every moment of our lives.
May we each put our hand into His hand, follow His leading, and do His works in love for Him and for one another. Let us all acknowledge Him in our every thought, attitude and step of our lives. May we continue to seek His Face every day, and continue to learn His ways in ever more detail, so that our lives will show forth His goodness, His love and His righteousness to the World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
II Corinthians 4: 8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
I want us all to remember how much God loves us, how great He is, and how He takes care of us. No matter what mere Man decides to do, God will use for His purposes. When we make mistakes, or make poor decisions, we stumble; but God will never let us be destroyed, because He has determined our good. God's enemies, the minions of our enemy, may conspire against us, but they can never prevail against us. Whatever is against us can never succeed against the good God has planned for us.
"Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger." God has determined that whatever gives us heartache or sorrow or perplexity will only strengthen us against what can destroy us, so that we will gain the victory over it, in His power. And even when we are killed, martyred for our proclaiming God's Truth, then we will only gain the crown to become a living stone, not only in God's Heavenly Temple, but of the very altar in that Holy Place.
God's plans for us are only for our good, our good right now, and our ultimate good. That will bring Him glory, for that is how He has decided everything will work out. His plan directs the Cosmos, World events, and our every moment of our lives.
May we each put our hand into His hand, follow His leading, and do His works in love for Him and for one another. Let us all acknowledge Him in our every thought, attitude and step of our lives. May we continue to seek His Face every day, and continue to learn His ways in ever more detail, so that our lives will show forth His goodness, His love and His righteousness to the World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 16, 2017
No Good Will The Lord Withhold
Psalm 84: 6, 11
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains!
No good will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
O my Father, thank You for being such a good God, and so powerful and great. Your goodness is in all You have made: in the way Your Universe runs--as in mathematics, with 2 plus 2 always equaling 4, so that my checkbook can be balanced. And NASA calculating time in the Cosmos and missing that day You gave Joshua in the battle, and the forty minutes You gave Hezekiah in the ten steps backward on his sundial! I love how You break into even NASA's calculations to prove Your Word true!
I love how You make all the Universe to run and flow so beautifully, and how the rivers all run to the salty sea and still return to flow fresh again. I love how You have made and do now cause everything on this Earth to work together, to be "self-sustaining."
And when we know Your ways, and live our lives with the attitudes and thinking processes You have given us in Your Word, then we will experience the good You have built into Your creation, and enjoy the bounty You have designed it to provide. Your wisdom and knowledge and intelligence and cleverness all astound me. And these words are so totally inadequate to describe You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains!
No good will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
O my Father, thank You for being such a good God, and so powerful and great. Your goodness is in all You have made: in the way Your Universe runs--as in mathematics, with 2 plus 2 always equaling 4, so that my checkbook can be balanced. And NASA calculating time in the Cosmos and missing that day You gave Joshua in the battle, and the forty minutes You gave Hezekiah in the ten steps backward on his sundial! I love how You break into even NASA's calculations to prove Your Word true!
I love how You make all the Universe to run and flow so beautifully, and how the rivers all run to the salty sea and still return to flow fresh again. I love how You have made and do now cause everything on this Earth to work together, to be "self-sustaining."
And when we know Your ways, and live our lives with the attitudes and thinking processes You have given us in Your Word, then we will experience the good You have built into Your creation, and enjoy the bounty You have designed it to provide. Your wisdom and knowledge and intelligence and cleverness all astound me. And these words are so totally inadequate to describe You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
"Nice Guys"
Psalm 36:1-2
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
O my Father, I pray for all the "nice guys" who have no understanding at all of Your holiness, so no concept of their own wickedness.
He or she may be a good husband or wife, a good provider or homemaker, a good father or mother. They may even go to church, and help their fellow man. A really "nice guy." But they have no concept of their own sins, how evil they are in Your sight. They do not see their own desperate need for the Savior.
But, Father, You can give them a new heart, You can open their blind eyes to see Your holiness, and how far short they fall from Your righteousness. You can give them the gift of faith to believe and trust in You, and You can cause them to be born into Your own family.
Please, Father, do this for all my loved ones, so that their lives, too, will bring glory and honor to Your Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
O my Father, I pray for all the "nice guys" who have no understanding at all of Your holiness, so no concept of their own wickedness.
He or she may be a good husband or wife, a good provider or homemaker, a good father or mother. They may even go to church, and help their fellow man. A really "nice guy." But they have no concept of their own sins, how evil they are in Your sight. They do not see their own desperate need for the Savior.
But, Father, You can give them a new heart, You can open their blind eyes to see Your holiness, and how far short they fall from Your righteousness. You can give them the gift of faith to believe and trust in You, and You can cause them to be born into Your own family.
Please, Father, do this for all my loved ones, so that their lives, too, will bring glory and honor to Your Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Unfailing Love
Psalm 32:22
Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.
O my Father, my hope is in You alone. Only You are absolutely faithful to Your Word. Only You can and will strengthen me to do Your will according to Your ways. You alone are strong, and just, and merciful. You alone are wise and discerning the thoughts and intent of every heart. You are the God Who made us all, and the whole Universe around us. You alone have given us Your Word, which is true throughout all the Universe through all time. You account for every day, and we will give account to You for how we have used every day.
Thank You for Your faithfulness, my Lord. Because You have shown faithfulness for everything in the past, I can trust You also to be faithful in the future. I can safely put my trust in You, because of Your great love wherewith You have loved me. Your love and compassion for me is beyond my ability to understand, and I know that Your justice and vengeance for Your enemies is just as great.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.
O my Father, my hope is in You alone. Only You are absolutely faithful to Your Word. Only You can and will strengthen me to do Your will according to Your ways. You alone are strong, and just, and merciful. You alone are wise and discerning the thoughts and intent of every heart. You are the God Who made us all, and the whole Universe around us. You alone have given us Your Word, which is true throughout all the Universe through all time. You account for every day, and we will give account to You for how we have used every day.
Thank You for Your faithfulness, my Lord. Because You have shown faithfulness for everything in the past, I can trust You also to be faithful in the future. I can safely put my trust in You, because of Your great love wherewith You have loved me. Your love and compassion for me is beyond my ability to understand, and I know that Your justice and vengeance for Your enemies is just as great.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 13, 2017
Proof
John 13:35
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.
These are Jesus' words. He has spent His whole public life ministering to the people, the ordinary people, the ones who were rejected, not accepted into polite society. He loved them; accepting them, healing them and teaching them. Now He is saying that we are also to display this same love, in helping the least of those in our little worlds. And in serving one another, even when we're not required to, to go the extra mile when it's not expected. To always believe the best of our neighbor, even when the evidence points otherwise, to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Jesus said that if we love Him, then we will obey His commands, and His command is to love one another. So we show our love for Him by how we treat our fellow man, even when no one is looking. For He is watching us!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.
These are Jesus' words. He has spent His whole public life ministering to the people, the ordinary people, the ones who were rejected, not accepted into polite society. He loved them; accepting them, healing them and teaching them. Now He is saying that we are also to display this same love, in helping the least of those in our little worlds. And in serving one another, even when we're not required to, to go the extra mile when it's not expected. To always believe the best of our neighbor, even when the evidence points otherwise, to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Jesus said that if we love Him, then we will obey His commands, and His command is to love one another. So we show our love for Him by how we treat our fellow man, even when no one is looking. For He is watching us!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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