Romans 3: 24
Being justified as a gift by His grace through the Redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
God's grace is truely amazing! His gift of Justification, granted freely and generously, has come about through the whole Redemption which has been accomplished by God's Christ, Who is Jesus!
O so rich, so full, so all-encompassing is the Redemption that has solved every problem, paid every debt, answered every question, healed every wound and sickness, restored everything that has fallen from the glory He originally gave it.
Our Lord Jesus, as the Lamb of God, has Redeemed all of Creation from its fallen state by His precious Blood voluntarily shed at Calvary!
I find it so thrilling to see the beginning of the outworking of this Redemption as it is appearing in our World today; to see the Nations being drawn into position to receive our Sovereign King and His Righteous judgment on the wickedness and rebellion and His just rule over all He has made.
O my Father, thank You for Your great, grand Plan of the Ages, and the ability to see it beginning to work out, just as You have told us it would. History really is Your Story of this Creation. You have told us our whole timeline, from before it began all the way through to beyond this Epoch of Mankind on this Earth.
And from Your storyline, we must now be very close to the end of the story: It's the climax of the final scene, and everything looks utterly hopeless--until the Hero enters the stage, at the last possible moment, to rescue us.
And that final Battle will be amazing! (See Revelation 19, and Isaiah 30:31-32.)
O Father, I long to be with You, to see King Jesus coming, to be following Him in His Battle of Armegeddon, and to help Him set up His Kingdom here on this Earth! Finally the Golden Age! The Redemption of the Earth itself.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Kindness
Ephesians 1:5, 9; 2:7
... The kind intention of His will ... According to His kind intention which He purposed in Him ... The surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
I know that I tend to be direct. And my directness can be taken as harsh and abrupt.
But God's kindness is gentle and compassionate.
O my Father, thank You for Your kind and compassionate grace. Thank You for showing us Your gentleness and sweetness in Your agape Love.
Father, teach me how to be kind and gentle in my compassion for Your Truth, and in sharing Your Truth to others. Temper my hard directness with a softening of kindness toward others.
Teach me Your thoughts, Father, let me see with Your eyes and hear with Your ears; help me to think clearly to express Your thoughts and attitudes in Your Spirit of gentleness and kindness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
... The kind intention of His will ... According to His kind intention which He purposed in Him ... The surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
I know that I tend to be direct. And my directness can be taken as harsh and abrupt.
But God's kindness is gentle and compassionate.
O my Father, thank You for Your kind and compassionate grace. Thank You for showing us Your gentleness and sweetness in Your agape Love.
Father, teach me how to be kind and gentle in my compassion for Your Truth, and in sharing Your Truth to others. Temper my hard directness with a softening of kindness toward others.
Teach me Your thoughts, Father, let me see with Your eyes and hear with Your ears; help me to think clearly to express Your thoughts and attitudes in Your Spirit of gentleness and kindness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
The Lord's Bondservant
II Timothy 2: 24-26
And the Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the Truth,
and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
As those who are being transformed into the image of Christ, we must never pick a fight or argument, but be aware of where that person is coming from and do or say what would be appropriate.
Even when they work against us, we can't afford to get riled up, but be patient with them, speaking quietly, reasoning with them. And perhaps God will open their minds to understand, so they can come to their senses and reason with logic, instead of the twisted thought processes promoted by our enemy.
We all think that we're making our own decisions, but our choices are influenced by outside forces--they're either God's ways or the devil's. We're never free of their domination, pushing our thinking processes.
We need God's Love to push us into doing what is right, to think along reasonable lines, and break free of the captivity of our enemy who wants to destroy us.
O my Father, I know that even though I have Your Holy Spirit living in me, I still am vulnerable to the clever twistings of the enemy, so I need to lean only on You. You have made this Earth for us, and You have told us how to function in it. But our pride and independence lead us to rebel against You in our thinking.
How we think is foundational to how we live our lives moment to moment, and we need You, Father, to guide us. I don't want to veer off Your path for me even a little, I want to stay in Your footsteps, my hand in Yours, my pace matching Yours. Keep me close, Father, as I seek to draw close to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And the Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the Truth,
and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
As those who are being transformed into the image of Christ, we must never pick a fight or argument, but be aware of where that person is coming from and do or say what would be appropriate.
Even when they work against us, we can't afford to get riled up, but be patient with them, speaking quietly, reasoning with them. And perhaps God will open their minds to understand, so they can come to their senses and reason with logic, instead of the twisted thought processes promoted by our enemy.
We all think that we're making our own decisions, but our choices are influenced by outside forces--they're either God's ways or the devil's. We're never free of their domination, pushing our thinking processes.
We need God's Love to push us into doing what is right, to think along reasonable lines, and break free of the captivity of our enemy who wants to destroy us.
O my Father, I know that even though I have Your Holy Spirit living in me, I still am vulnerable to the clever twistings of the enemy, so I need to lean only on You. You have made this Earth for us, and You have told us how to function in it. But our pride and independence lead us to rebel against You in our thinking.
How we think is foundational to how we live our lives moment to moment, and we need You, Father, to guide us. I don't want to veer off Your path for me even a little, I want to stay in Your footsteps, my hand in Yours, my pace matching Yours. Keep me close, Father, as I seek to draw close to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, December 10, 2018
In My Pain
Psalm 104: 1
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty.
O my Father, I thank You and praise You for Your tremendous splendor and majesty! You alone are God, and You alone deserve all glory, all honor, and all praise!
When I was in pain, I gave God the praise and honor and glory that is due Him, and He had me do what I needed to do to alleviate that pain.
The doctor found a pulled muscle, and the little bottle of natural herbs and liniment I had on hand was sufficient to take care of the problem quickly, with no side-effects.
Whenever I am facing a pain or a sorrow or a problem, I have learned to give God the thanks and praise for answering my prayer even before I ask!
That's what He said He would do, and I trust Him and believe Him. I also trust in Him, and believe in what He said. He is my Source and my Maker, and He loves me more than I can imagine! He gives me everything I need.
His Word is my dear Father's Love-letter to me, written in a kind of code that takes His Holy Spirit in me to divine. And He has taught me so many Truths that I would not ever be able to discern on my own.
History is His story, from the beginning to the end. He has told us all the pertinent happenings for us to know, to understand what is going on around us, and to be able to trust Him to know what He's doing.
Whenever it looks like this World is careening out of control, I know that He has it on a string, like a yo-yo; and He will let it go so far, then flick His finger to bring it all back into His hand! So I need not worry about anything! I know He has it all, even when the World is "going to Hell" all around me.
I know I will be all right, because even though a thousand may fall at [my] side and ten thousand at [my] right hand, it shall not approach [me]. [I] will only look on with [my] eyes and see the recompense of the wicked (Psalm 91:7-8).
So all my pains, all my sorrows, all my problems and troubles are nothing. They are my school lessons, to learn to trust Him more, love Him more deeply, and seek His face more passionately each day.
We have only a few days in this World, no matter how long our life may endure; it is but a moment in the scheme of Time and Eternity. And how we use these days of our lives will determine how we will spend the Forever of Eternity.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty.
O my Father, I thank You and praise You for Your tremendous splendor and majesty! You alone are God, and You alone deserve all glory, all honor, and all praise!
When I was in pain, I gave God the praise and honor and glory that is due Him, and He had me do what I needed to do to alleviate that pain.
The doctor found a pulled muscle, and the little bottle of natural herbs and liniment I had on hand was sufficient to take care of the problem quickly, with no side-effects.
Whenever I am facing a pain or a sorrow or a problem, I have learned to give God the thanks and praise for answering my prayer even before I ask!
That's what He said He would do, and I trust Him and believe Him. I also trust in Him, and believe in what He said. He is my Source and my Maker, and He loves me more than I can imagine! He gives me everything I need.
His Word is my dear Father's Love-letter to me, written in a kind of code that takes His Holy Spirit in me to divine. And He has taught me so many Truths that I would not ever be able to discern on my own.
History is His story, from the beginning to the end. He has told us all the pertinent happenings for us to know, to understand what is going on around us, and to be able to trust Him to know what He's doing.
Whenever it looks like this World is careening out of control, I know that He has it on a string, like a yo-yo; and He will let it go so far, then flick His finger to bring it all back into His hand! So I need not worry about anything! I know He has it all, even when the World is "going to Hell" all around me.
I know I will be all right, because even though a thousand may fall at [my] side and ten thousand at [my] right hand, it shall not approach [me]. [I] will only look on with [my] eyes and see the recompense of the wicked (Psalm 91:7-8).
So all my pains, all my sorrows, all my problems and troubles are nothing. They are my school lessons, to learn to trust Him more, love Him more deeply, and seek His face more passionately each day.
We have only a few days in this World, no matter how long our life may endure; it is but a moment in the scheme of Time and Eternity. And how we use these days of our lives will determine how we will spend the Forever of Eternity.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Our Own Deceitful Hearts
Proverbs 28: 26
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.
Our hearts, our emotions, are not reliable. They are fickle. They change, and they lie to us (Jeremiah 17:9). That's why we need God's wisdom, to teach our hearts how to think according to Truth, to reality.
So often I've found myself living my life according to some fantasy, some made-up world that distorts reality.
O my Father, please help me, strengthen me, teach me to trust You and lean on You! Let me not trust my own heart, that has deceived me in the past, and it always will.
Let my life be an example to others to give them understanding of You and Your ways. Draw them to trust You and seek Your face. Then grant them repentance, to turn to You and receive Your great gift of Salvation, and the Redemption that is in Your Son.
Teach me to have an inviting spirit to offer Your good gifts to others. Lead me to the ones whose hearts You have prepared to hear Your Good News, and give me Your words to speak and teach.
When I was at the end of my rope, I ended up back home: there is where You came to me!
Use me, Father, to draw others back home to You, our Source and our Sustenance.
Father, use the crises in others' lives to show them Your goodness and care for them, drawing them to Yourself. Show them their own culpability in the misfortunes and sorrows they face, that they may repent and turn from their foolish ways; put their feet on the path of righteousness for each one, according to Your plan for their lives.
I know that You deal with each person differently, according to how each one is made. We are all human, but we each have our own personalities and abilities and proclivities. Father, You love a variety, and even all Your angels are individuals, too.
Father, help me to recognize the differences in the people I meet; to love each one according to who they are, seeing the common needs we all have. Don't let me stand in Your way with anyone.
Send more workers into Your fields that are white to harvest, Father. Send even me, to find some of those lost sheep, to bring them into the safety of Your One Fold with One Shepherd. There are only a few "days" left.
For Your Son, our Savior and our King, will be returning to this realm of humanity soon, to rule as our Righteous and Just King over all kings and Lord over all lords. And this Epoch of Man will give way to the Kingdom of God in Christ, on this Earth, and all our choices will be paid with Life or with Death.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.
Our hearts, our emotions, are not reliable. They are fickle. They change, and they lie to us (Jeremiah 17:9). That's why we need God's wisdom, to teach our hearts how to think according to Truth, to reality.
So often I've found myself living my life according to some fantasy, some made-up world that distorts reality.
O my Father, please help me, strengthen me, teach me to trust You and lean on You! Let me not trust my own heart, that has deceived me in the past, and it always will.
Let my life be an example to others to give them understanding of You and Your ways. Draw them to trust You and seek Your face. Then grant them repentance, to turn to You and receive Your great gift of Salvation, and the Redemption that is in Your Son.
Teach me to have an inviting spirit to offer Your good gifts to others. Lead me to the ones whose hearts You have prepared to hear Your Good News, and give me Your words to speak and teach.
When I was at the end of my rope, I ended up back home: there is where You came to me!
Use me, Father, to draw others back home to You, our Source and our Sustenance.
Father, use the crises in others' lives to show them Your goodness and care for them, drawing them to Yourself. Show them their own culpability in the misfortunes and sorrows they face, that they may repent and turn from their foolish ways; put their feet on the path of righteousness for each one, according to Your plan for their lives.
I know that You deal with each person differently, according to how each one is made. We are all human, but we each have our own personalities and abilities and proclivities. Father, You love a variety, and even all Your angels are individuals, too.
Father, help me to recognize the differences in the people I meet; to love each one according to who they are, seeing the common needs we all have. Don't let me stand in Your way with anyone.
Send more workers into Your fields that are white to harvest, Father. Send even me, to find some of those lost sheep, to bring them into the safety of Your One Fold with One Shepherd. There are only a few "days" left.
For Your Son, our Savior and our King, will be returning to this realm of humanity soon, to rule as our Righteous and Just King over all kings and Lord over all lords. And this Epoch of Man will give way to the Kingdom of God in Christ, on this Earth, and all our choices will be paid with Life or with Death.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Withering Grass
Psalm 102: 11-12
My days are like a lengthened shadow, and I wither away like grass. But You, O Lord, abide forever; and Your Name to all generations!
The older I get, the faster the days and years and decades speed by!
My days are passing and fleeting. The longest human life is but a mere moment in the grand scheme of things.
I have so much more to learn, such a brief time to learn it, and I seem to be such a slow learner!
O my Father, open my eyes that I may see, open my ears to hear, and open my heart to accept and receive Your understanding and discernment.
Teach me, Father, how brief is my time here, and how to apply my heart to Your wisdom.
Let me leave behind my own thoughts, attitudes, and understandings; and think only Your thoughts, display only Your attitudes, and speak only Your words, not mine!
Continue to do all that You do, working out all Your plans You have devised for us all--to be drawn to You and Your ways, or to reject Your compassion and go our own ways. You leave us this choice, and You allow us to experience the consequences of our decisions, for good or bad.
And in Your power and wisdom, You use both good and bad decisions to further Your Plan and accomplish Your Purposes in this realm.
Father, You will call out Your children that have sought You, as You save us one-by-one; and You will judge the Nations of peoples who do not choose to admit the Truth of their need for You.
And that Day is getting closer day by day. Jesus will come soon, and then this Epoch will give way to the next. And the increase, the growth, of this Kingdom will never end! (Isaiah 9:7).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
My days are like a lengthened shadow, and I wither away like grass. But You, O Lord, abide forever; and Your Name to all generations!
The older I get, the faster the days and years and decades speed by!
My days are passing and fleeting. The longest human life is but a mere moment in the grand scheme of things.
I have so much more to learn, such a brief time to learn it, and I seem to be such a slow learner!
O my Father, open my eyes that I may see, open my ears to hear, and open my heart to accept and receive Your understanding and discernment.
Teach me, Father, how brief is my time here, and how to apply my heart to Your wisdom.
Let me leave behind my own thoughts, attitudes, and understandings; and think only Your thoughts, display only Your attitudes, and speak only Your words, not mine!
Continue to do all that You do, working out all Your plans You have devised for us all--to be drawn to You and Your ways, or to reject Your compassion and go our own ways. You leave us this choice, and You allow us to experience the consequences of our decisions, for good or bad.
And in Your power and wisdom, You use both good and bad decisions to further Your Plan and accomplish Your Purposes in this realm.
Father, You will call out Your children that have sought You, as You save us one-by-one; and You will judge the Nations of peoples who do not choose to admit the Truth of their need for You.
And that Day is getting closer day by day. Jesus will come soon, and then this Epoch will give way to the next. And the increase, the growth, of this Kingdom will never end! (Isaiah 9:7).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, December 7, 2018
He Wounds And Heals
Job 5: 18-19
For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds and His hands also heal. From six troubles He will deliver you, even in seven evil will not touch you.
God surely did allow me to be injured and wounded, and He also extended His gracious hand of healing to me.
He brought to me loved ones who had been far away, and He strengthened friendships with some who had been distant.
And He prepared my body and soul to endure this time of weakness, in giving me excellent physical and mental health.
O my Father, thank You for being our great God Almighty. Thank You for being our standard for good and right, and for giving us Life and health and means to survive and thrive on this Earth You made for us.
Thank You for designing our bodies to heal themselves when what is harming is removed. Thank You for teaching us Your wisdom in handling and dealing with the material World that surrounds us, and for Your Holy Spirit to make our spirits alive, and awake to Your quiet voice in our inner being, whispering, "this is the way, walk here."
Thank You, Father, for being our God, the One we need to weather the storms of life and enjoy the good things You desire to bless us with. You are the only One we need, in good times and in bad, in scarcity and in abundance, our Light in the darkness.
Father, continue to open my eyes to see more and more of You, what You are doing, and my part in cooperating with You in promoting Your Kingdom; that Your will will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
And You will receive all the glory, both now and forevermore.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds and His hands also heal. From six troubles He will deliver you, even in seven evil will not touch you.
God surely did allow me to be injured and wounded, and He also extended His gracious hand of healing to me.
He brought to me loved ones who had been far away, and He strengthened friendships with some who had been distant.
And He prepared my body and soul to endure this time of weakness, in giving me excellent physical and mental health.
O my Father, thank You for being our great God Almighty. Thank You for being our standard for good and right, and for giving us Life and health and means to survive and thrive on this Earth You made for us.
Thank You for designing our bodies to heal themselves when what is harming is removed. Thank You for teaching us Your wisdom in handling and dealing with the material World that surrounds us, and for Your Holy Spirit to make our spirits alive, and awake to Your quiet voice in our inner being, whispering, "this is the way, walk here."
Thank You, Father, for being our God, the One we need to weather the storms of life and enjoy the good things You desire to bless us with. You are the only One we need, in good times and in bad, in scarcity and in abundance, our Light in the darkness.
Father, continue to open my eyes to see more and more of You, what You are doing, and my part in cooperating with You in promoting Your Kingdom; that Your will will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
And You will receive all the glory, both now and forevermore.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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