Same Respect For All Persons Before The Law

Exodus 12:49

The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you.

God gave this stipulation to Moses and Aaron even before they left Egypt to go to the Promised Land. It has always been the Law for God's people Israel, and it continues to be the Law in Israel today, even for those who are Arab and Palestinian who live in Israel among the Jews. The same laws apply to everyone. That is a real wonder, that even today the Israelis have the same respect for all persons, regardless of pedigree, even knowing that there are enemies among them.

Thank you, Father, for Your faithfulness to Your promises, that You are keeping Israel in Your hand, protecting and preserving them for That Day!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Mending Family Relationships

I John 4:19-21

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother (or sister), he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother (sister), whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother (sister).

The concept of "family" is to include all differences, accepting one another as we are, whether we agree or not. We may disagree on many issues, and we will offend each other from time to time; but we are to voice our complaints in a loving way within the family, without blaming or criticism. We are to love one another unconditionally, no matter what it costs us, as God loves us. We can do that by talking out our differences and being willing to come to some kind of agreement.

My dear Father, please teach us how to live in our Earthly families as we will live in Your Heavenly family, in the love with which You love us. Help us to accept each family member, recognizing the good and admirable in each other's personalities and characters, and reaching out compassionately to one another expecting eventual reconciliation of the differences that have built walls between us. Show us how we can demolish those walls, one stone at a time.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Governmental Authorities

I Peter 2:13-14

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: Whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

This means whether we agree with his politics or not, as long as we are not required by that obedience to sin against God's Law of Love.

Verse 15

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

So when we obey God and live our lives according to the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), then that will counteract "the ignorant talk of foolish men:" Foolish in denying God's ultimate authority, and ignorant in ignoring His Word and ways.

Verse 12

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the Day He visits us.

This says that they will see our good works now, but they will refuse to give God the glory until they are forced to on That Day.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Law, Love And Joy

John 15:10-12

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy will be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

We are to love one another with God's "agape" love, that unconditional, accepting love that is sacrificial. When we do that then we are obeying all the other laws that have been given. We are not under the Old Testament Law because are subject to the higher Law of Love. Just like pilots do not "break" the law of Gravity, but obey the higher law of Aerodynamics to fly their planes. We cannot "break" any of God's laws, including His moral law--we only break ourselves over them. When we obey His Law of Love, then we're cooperating with how He designed this world to work, and we reap the benefits of our actions and attitudes--His joy!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Garments Of Salvation

Isaiah 61:10-11

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of Salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

O my dear Father, thank you so much for Your great and precious promises! Thank you for Your perfect Faithfulness to remain True to fulfill every detail of what You have said! Teach me, Father, Your great Plan of the Ages, and my small part in that Plan, to bring in Your Kingdom here on this Earth, under King Jesus. Make me Your hands, Your feet, Your voice; put Your thoughts into my mind and allow Your glory to shine in me, and praise will redound to Your Name.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

A Muzzle On My Mouth

Psalm 39:1-2

I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. 

O my Father, help me to put a muzzle on my mouth, especially in the presence of those who do not yet know You. Put Your words in my mouth to boldly tell of Your greatness and goodness to all of Mankind You have made. Help me to speak only when Your words are on my tongue and keep the muzzle on if I have only my own words. Let me share Your Word with others, for it will not return to You empty, but will fulfill the purpose for which You have sent it.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

In The Land Of The Living

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still confident if this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

O my Father, I don't know all the good plans You have for me while I am still in this land of the living, but I know I can trust You to have my best in mind.

Wait for the Lord: Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

So I will wait for You, my Lord, in strength of heart, and continue to learn new things about You and about this world You have made for us to live in. I am open to Your showering of blessings, of either gaining material possessions or the loss of what I now possess for the gaining of spiritual riches. Teach me Your ways and Your will for me, Father, dear.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!