Jesus' Anger And Disappointment

Mark 3:5

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts . . .

Jesus knew that the religious leaders of His day did not want to believe that He was their Messiah. They wanted a strong military leader, not this meek, humble Teacher. Their mis-use of God's laws angered Him, but He was "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts." It distressed Him deeply that they could see Him and perceive His power to heal and over demons, yet they were too stubborn in their own self-importance to accept who He was. Sin angers Him, but our own poor choices break His heart.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Those Who Must Give Account

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden for that would be of no advantage to you.

O my dear Father, please teach me to obey those You have set above me, especially in Your church. Teach me how to listen to what they teach with complete understanding of all the implications that apply to my thinking, reasoning and doing. Help me to display Your love to all whose lives touch mine, however briefly or extendedly, that others would see You in me and be drawn to You through me.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Reconciliation

Colossians 1:19-20

For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on Earth or things in Heaven by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.

I know that Jesus was our atoning sacrifice, the Lamb of God, to take away the sin of the world. That is here on Earth. But what is in Heaven that needed reconciliation? Jesus did not die for the angels that sinned, there is no known redemption for them. What else is there in Heaven that needed Jesus' blood shed on the cross?

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Loving

Jon 15:12,16

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name.

O my dear Father, I pray that You would teach me how to love You and others with the Love that You love me with. Show me Your ways, and teach me to be generous with what You have given me, as You have generously and graciously given me all things. Make me a channel of blessing to others.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Clothing

Revelation 3:4

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

Clothing is what we use to cover our nakedness, as well as present to others who we are. So we disguise our real selves with a "public" self. Or we present to the world what we want others to think of us. If we're honest and have integrity, we will dress in a way that reflects who we really are inside.

When God clothes us in white, we will be more than "dressed up," we will glow, shine like the sun, publicly displaying that New Life, that Eternal Life that God has placed in us in Christ. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

We Are Safe

Romans 8:28-39

For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined, . . . called, . . . justified, . . . glorified. What then shall we say? . . . If God is for us, who can be against us? . . . Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. . . . In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that [nothing] in all of creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No matter what happens to us in this world, we will still belong to God, and He will always be true to His own Word, both in the Bible and also in His Son Jesus. He will fulfill every promise He made, He will accomplish His grand Plan of the Ages according to His will, in His ways, and on His time-table. And He will make sure that we will never be lost in all the melee that is coming, according to all the Old Testament prophets, Jesus in the Gospels, referred to in the Epistles, and laid out in the Revelation. Jesus is coming soon!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

A Song In My Heart

Psalm 59:16-17

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble: O my Strength, I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

God has put a song in my heart, that often bubbles up into my mouth. Sometimes it's the last song I heard, or thought about. Sometimes one song will repeat in my mind continuously, then later I find another song playing. I find that the music that plays in my head is usually a prayer. Sometimes I debate with myself if I really want God to answer that request, but I end up asking anyway. And I find that He will answer it in my life, my attitudes, my circumstances. He is always so good to me.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!