Matthew 22: 36-37
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
What does Jesus mean when He says that "the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments"?
"The Law and the Prophets" was a term used in that day to refer to the whole body of works we know today as the Old Testament. So Jesus was saying that all of what God has told us about everything He has made and how it is designed to work is dependent on this principle of Love. For us to love God, and to love one another, is the foundation of how we are to cooperate with how God wants this World to operate.
There was a popular song that said, "Love makes the world go 'round," and it's true: God's love for what He made put His order into this Universe, which is what makes the Earth rotate on its axis, tilted just right to give us the seasons, and just exactly far enough from the Sun to not burn us up or freeze us.
Another song says, "To know him is to love him," and when I apply this to God, it is also true for me: the better I get to know God, the more my heart swells with love for Him. He must be first in my heart, my thinking, and my priorities. I will never pray to anyone else, for He alone is God; I will never place anything else in my life that would be a barrier between us. My love for Him is in response to all He has done to show His love for me. It is like an umbrella that shields me in the storms of life, the banner He has stretched over me (Song of Solomon: 2:4).
This can also be applied to how the World System is to work: this is how we love one another. When I love God, then I want to love what He loves, which is primarily people. When I see others through His eyes, then I will be kind and compassionate toward them, I won't want to kill them, or steal from them, or lie to them. I will automatically follow all the laws regarding interpersonal relationships and consider the other person before myself.
When Jesus fulfilled all the Law (Matthew 5:17) with His life and death and Resurrection, He left us with the principle that the Law was based on, Love. Now this principle of Love has us going beyond what the letter of the Law demanded. We will not only not kill our neighbor, we won't even think evil against him. We will not slander our neighbor, we will encourage him. We will not covet what he has for ourselves, we will commend him and take joy in what he has accomplished. We won't commit adultery, we will take care to respect one another and clothe ourselves modestly and appropriately.
O my Father, thank You so much for Your great love, for me and for everyone You made, and for all of Your creation. Thank You for giving us Your Word, to teach us everything we need to know and apply in this life to know You and to understand how to function in this World. Thank You for giving us everything we need to prosper in this World in getting along with one another, and in living our lives to be pleasing to You, and that You will even reward us eternally for what You are giving us the strength and ability to do here, now. You truly are magnificent, my Father.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 13, 2017
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Wisdom And Discernment
Proverbs 8: 12-13a
I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. ...
O my Father, You are the One Who holds all wisdom and understanding and all knowledge. Please remove from me the stony places that still remain in my heart, my wellspring of the issues of my life. Replace them with flesh molded into the shape of Your wisdom and discernment.
Then may I make wise decisions according to Your ways and Your plan and purposes, and You will receive all the credit, all the honor and glory that You alone are worthy to receive.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. ...
O my Father, You are the One Who holds all wisdom and understanding and all knowledge. Please remove from me the stony places that still remain in my heart, my wellspring of the issues of my life. Replace them with flesh molded into the shape of Your wisdom and discernment.
Then may I make wise decisions according to Your ways and Your plan and purposes, and You will receive all the credit, all the honor and glory that You alone are worthy to receive.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
A Heart For The Lord
Psalm 27: 4
The one thing I ask of the Lord--the one thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in His temple.
David's heart was true to the Lord, he is called, "a man after God's own heart." This verse tells us one of the major reasons God said that of him.
David wanted to concentrate on the Lord with no other considerations to occupy his mind, but, of course, he couldn't. But He wanted to. He couldn't spend all his time in the Tabernacle because he was the king over the nation, and needed to attend to all the matters of state. But I'm sure his mind was on what the Lord wanted him to do, even if he wasn't in the Temple. Most of the time.
I know David wasn't perfect, and didn't consult the Lord for every decision he needed to make every day, because we're told about some of his poor choices, and the consequences.
But he is still a good example of one who we may want as a life model. His heart, for the most part, did belong to the Lord.
O my Father, may my heart belong to You! Let me live in Your house: Your thoughts, Your path for my feet. Let me not turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither trying to control others nor withdrawing into isolation. Allow me to participate, or at least observe, and keep out of Your way in Your workings in others' lives, especially my adult children's.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The one thing I ask of the Lord--the one thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in His temple.
David's heart was true to the Lord, he is called, "a man after God's own heart." This verse tells us one of the major reasons God said that of him.
David wanted to concentrate on the Lord with no other considerations to occupy his mind, but, of course, he couldn't. But He wanted to. He couldn't spend all his time in the Tabernacle because he was the king over the nation, and needed to attend to all the matters of state. But I'm sure his mind was on what the Lord wanted him to do, even if he wasn't in the Temple. Most of the time.
I know David wasn't perfect, and didn't consult the Lord for every decision he needed to make every day, because we're told about some of his poor choices, and the consequences.
But he is still a good example of one who we may want as a life model. His heart, for the most part, did belong to the Lord.
O my Father, may my heart belong to You! Let me live in Your house: Your thoughts, Your path for my feet. Let me not turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither trying to control others nor withdrawing into isolation. Allow me to participate, or at least observe, and keep out of Your way in Your workings in others' lives, especially my adult children's.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Nothing Can Compare
Proverbs 8: 10-11
Choose My instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
O my Father in Heaven, You truly are much more desirable than any form of riches or wealth this World can provide. Your value is far above any precious gem or substance of this Earth.
Knowing You gives my life so much more value than any manner of fame or notoriety this World can offer. You Who made all these things, for our use, are far more; more than more--You are completely and absolutely other than everything You have created.
Knowing You and loving You gives value and purpose to the few days You have seen fit to grant me on this Earth. Your wisdom and understanding enlighten my eyes to perceive Your glory, Your beauty, in all You have made and in how You are working Your great Plan of the Ages. You are using the details of my life and every other individual life, working them all together as threads, strands of color, You are weaving into a great, grand Tapestry to be displayed through all eternity for Your glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Choose My instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
O my Father in Heaven, You truly are much more desirable than any form of riches or wealth this World can provide. Your value is far above any precious gem or substance of this Earth.
Knowing You gives my life so much more value than any manner of fame or notoriety this World can offer. You Who made all these things, for our use, are far more; more than more--You are completely and absolutely other than everything You have created.
Knowing You and loving You gives value and purpose to the few days You have seen fit to grant me on this Earth. Your wisdom and understanding enlighten my eyes to perceive Your glory, Your beauty, in all You have made and in how You are working Your great Plan of the Ages. You are using the details of my life and every other individual life, working them all together as threads, strands of color, You are weaving into a great, grand Tapestry to be displayed through all eternity for Your glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 9, 2017
The Best Pathway
Psalm 32: 8
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
God knows the best path of life for each one of us. If only we will submit to His Lordship over us, letting Him love us with His enormous love, and in loving Him in return, following His ways; then He will guide us, advise us, and watch over us.
Repeatedly in the Bible I've seen that we are to "be careful" to recognize God's ways, to "pay attention" to everything He says and what He means by it, scattered all through the whole body of Scripture.
So we will never just "fall into" doing what is right, we need to take care and be aware. Every time I find myself going on "automatic," that's when I have troubles and sorrows and difficulties. Then I need to confess to God what I've done and turn back around to observing His ways, the principles He based all His Laws upon.
I know that it's possible for me to miss the great things God has planned for me to do to further His great Plan of the Ages toward His Kingdom; I read about Israel's first king, King Saul, and how he did what was just little things that were not what God told him to do, and he missed out on tremendous blessing that he was never even aware of while he lived (see I Samuel 13:13-14). God wanted to set up a dynasty for Jesus to come through, but when King Saul listened to his "good sense" and yielded to "the people" instead of fully obeying what God told him to do, he missed this great benefit, and God chose another man for that role.
If I don't do what He wants me to accomplish, then He will just choose someone else to do it. But I will lose out on what He wants for me. Nothing I can do will ever interfere with or deter God's Plan, He will see that it is carried out. But I will miss out on great blessing if I'm not "careful" to "pay attention" to all the little things He is directing me to do as He guides me along the path. All the little things build into the great thing.
O my Father, Your love to me is better than anything I can ask for, think of, or even imagine. Because You love me, You are leading me along Your path set before me; Your plans for me are for my good, so that when others see all the good You do for me, they will be drawn to You, and You will receive all the credit, all the glory and honor for all You are doing in my life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
God knows the best path of life for each one of us. If only we will submit to His Lordship over us, letting Him love us with His enormous love, and in loving Him in return, following His ways; then He will guide us, advise us, and watch over us.
Repeatedly in the Bible I've seen that we are to "be careful" to recognize God's ways, to "pay attention" to everything He says and what He means by it, scattered all through the whole body of Scripture.
So we will never just "fall into" doing what is right, we need to take care and be aware. Every time I find myself going on "automatic," that's when I have troubles and sorrows and difficulties. Then I need to confess to God what I've done and turn back around to observing His ways, the principles He based all His Laws upon.
I know that it's possible for me to miss the great things God has planned for me to do to further His great Plan of the Ages toward His Kingdom; I read about Israel's first king, King Saul, and how he did what was just little things that were not what God told him to do, and he missed out on tremendous blessing that he was never even aware of while he lived (see I Samuel 13:13-14). God wanted to set up a dynasty for Jesus to come through, but when King Saul listened to his "good sense" and yielded to "the people" instead of fully obeying what God told him to do, he missed this great benefit, and God chose another man for that role.
If I don't do what He wants me to accomplish, then He will just choose someone else to do it. But I will lose out on what He wants for me. Nothing I can do will ever interfere with or deter God's Plan, He will see that it is carried out. But I will miss out on great blessing if I'm not "careful" to "pay attention" to all the little things He is directing me to do as He guides me along the path. All the little things build into the great thing.
O my Father, Your love to me is better than anything I can ask for, think of, or even imagine. Because You love me, You are leading me along Your path set before me; Your plans for me are for my good, so that when others see all the good You do for me, they will be drawn to You, and You will receive all the credit, all the glory and honor for all You are doing in my life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 8, 2017
The Joy Set Before Him
Matthew 26: 32
But after I have been raised from the dead...
Hebrews 12: 2
... But for the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross. ...
Jesus knew that the only way to win us back to Himself was to sacrifice Himself; to suffer a most gruesome and horrendously painful death; but more--to be actually separated from His Father while He "became sin for us." This anguish of soul is incomprehensible to me!
Yet through it all He was sustained and strengthened by that sure hope that He would be successful, accomplishing the purpose for which He was born, and be "raised from the dead." Even making a date with His disciples to meet with them, at a specific date and time and place. That's confidence.
That "joy set before Him" was the answer to His High Priestly Prayer, that we could be with Him where He is (John 17:24). He came down here to be with us where we are, now He wants us to be with Him where He lives. He knew that, as the Lamb of God He would wash away our sins completely with His Blood.
The blood of all the Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sins, only cover them (Hebrews 10:4). So they could be forgiven, but still could not go to Heaven, but to the Place of the Dead, Sheol. Jesus described this place as having two areas, a Paradise side and a fire side (in Luke 16:19-31, The Rich Man and Lazarus). He told the "good thief" being crucified beside Him that "today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). While His body was in the tomb He went down to this Paradise to gather all those there who had let their sacrifices take their place in death, to bring them to Heaven, as His Blood had now cleansed them (Colossians 2:15).
Jesus has now finished all the work of Salvation for us, available to every single person alive. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We all deserve death, by just having been born in the line of Adam (John 3:18).
Having that sin-nature causes us to make the poor choices to do what is convenient, or what we don't think we'll get caught at; or just thinking that we can make our own decisions in life without considering God, leaving Him out of our lives.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9); that every person would realize that they deserve death, and turn around (repent) to recognize that Jesus died in their place. Then they will be cleansed and made suitable to be with Jesus in Heaven. That's the only way.
He's the only Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But after I have been raised from the dead...
Hebrews 12: 2
... But for the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross. ...
Jesus knew that the only way to win us back to Himself was to sacrifice Himself; to suffer a most gruesome and horrendously painful death; but more--to be actually separated from His Father while He "became sin for us." This anguish of soul is incomprehensible to me!
Yet through it all He was sustained and strengthened by that sure hope that He would be successful, accomplishing the purpose for which He was born, and be "raised from the dead." Even making a date with His disciples to meet with them, at a specific date and time and place. That's confidence.
That "joy set before Him" was the answer to His High Priestly Prayer, that we could be with Him where He is (John 17:24). He came down here to be with us where we are, now He wants us to be with Him where He lives. He knew that, as the Lamb of God He would wash away our sins completely with His Blood.
The blood of all the Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sins, only cover them (Hebrews 10:4). So they could be forgiven, but still could not go to Heaven, but to the Place of the Dead, Sheol. Jesus described this place as having two areas, a Paradise side and a fire side (in Luke 16:19-31, The Rich Man and Lazarus). He told the "good thief" being crucified beside Him that "today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). While His body was in the tomb He went down to this Paradise to gather all those there who had let their sacrifices take their place in death, to bring them to Heaven, as His Blood had now cleansed them (Colossians 2:15).
Jesus has now finished all the work of Salvation for us, available to every single person alive. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We all deserve death, by just having been born in the line of Adam (John 3:18).
Having that sin-nature causes us to make the poor choices to do what is convenient, or what we don't think we'll get caught at; or just thinking that we can make our own decisions in life without considering God, leaving Him out of our lives.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9); that every person would realize that they deserve death, and turn around (repent) to recognize that Jesus died in their place. Then they will be cleansed and made suitable to be with Jesus in Heaven. That's the only way.
He's the only Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 7, 2017
God's Description Of Himself
Exodus 34: 6-7, 14
The Lord passed by him and proclaimed, "Yahweh, The Lord God, the God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren, the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations. ... You must worship no other gods, for the Lord [Yahweh], Whose very Name is Jealous, is a God Who is jealous about His relationship with you."
God will not share with any other any of His worthiness to receive adoration. He must be first, He must be recognized as the Only One Who deserves to be worshiped and adored.
He alone is our Self-Existent One Who has designed and made everything that is by creating it, everything else that exists other than Himself. He is our Owner and Master by Creation. He is also our Owner and Master by purchase, when Jesus bought the whole World by fulfilling the Corporate Sacrifice (Leviticus 4:13-21. I believe He will fulfill the Day of Atonement [Leviticus 16:29-34] at His Return.) As our Owner, He is our rightful Judge.
Jesus also fulfilled the first Sacrifice every person was to bring, the Personal Sacrifice, listed first in the Book of Sacrifices, Leviticus.
So Jesus died for each of us for Salvation, and for all of us for Judgment.
O my Father, You are the very God Who is filled with love and faithfulness to send Your Son to take upon Himself the death each of us deserves, to suffer Your wrath for our sins in our place; and Who is also just and will call the guilty to account to the third and fourth generation of those who refuse to admit their culpability before You in deserving death.
Thank You for calling me to Yourself, granting me the gift of faith to believe You and put my trust in You to accomplish everything You have said You would do. Thank You for forgiving me and cleansing me in the precious Blood that washes away every stain inside and out. Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit, placing Him into my spirit to make it alive and teach me everything I need to know from Your Word to live my life following Your will for me.
You are so good, Father, and so generous with Your blessings to us all. I don't understand other people who don't recognize You, who don't see Your goodness and Your greatness and Your authority over them; who choose the darkness over Your wonderful Light (John 3:19-20).
I praise You, Father, for Your justice in judging those who refuse You, those who hate You, and those who want to destroy Your people. You are just, and Your justice will prevail.
Thank You for Your glory, Your love, Your faithfulness, Your power, and Your wisdom. Thank You for Your great Plan of the Ages, which no one is able to defy or deter. Thank You that You are working out Your Plan in this World, upon this Earth that belongs to You. Thank You that Your Plan will give You all the credit, all the glory, as it plays out to the good of Your children here. Thank You.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
The Lord passed by him and proclaimed, "Yahweh, The Lord God, the God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren, the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations. ... You must worship no other gods, for the Lord [Yahweh], Whose very Name is Jealous, is a God Who is jealous about His relationship with you."
God will not share with any other any of His worthiness to receive adoration. He must be first, He must be recognized as the Only One Who deserves to be worshiped and adored.
He alone is our Self-Existent One Who has designed and made everything that is by creating it, everything else that exists other than Himself. He is our Owner and Master by Creation. He is also our Owner and Master by purchase, when Jesus bought the whole World by fulfilling the Corporate Sacrifice (Leviticus 4:13-21. I believe He will fulfill the Day of Atonement [Leviticus 16:29-34] at His Return.) As our Owner, He is our rightful Judge.
Jesus also fulfilled the first Sacrifice every person was to bring, the Personal Sacrifice, listed first in the Book of Sacrifices, Leviticus.
So Jesus died for each of us for Salvation, and for all of us for Judgment.
O my Father, You are the very God Who is filled with love and faithfulness to send Your Son to take upon Himself the death each of us deserves, to suffer Your wrath for our sins in our place; and Who is also just and will call the guilty to account to the third and fourth generation of those who refuse to admit their culpability before You in deserving death.
Thank You for calling me to Yourself, granting me the gift of faith to believe You and put my trust in You to accomplish everything You have said You would do. Thank You for forgiving me and cleansing me in the precious Blood that washes away every stain inside and out. Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit, placing Him into my spirit to make it alive and teach me everything I need to know from Your Word to live my life following Your will for me.
You are so good, Father, and so generous with Your blessings to us all. I don't understand other people who don't recognize You, who don't see Your goodness and Your greatness and Your authority over them; who choose the darkness over Your wonderful Light (John 3:19-20).
I praise You, Father, for Your justice in judging those who refuse You, those who hate You, and those who want to destroy Your people. You are just, and Your justice will prevail.
Thank You for Your glory, Your love, Your faithfulness, Your power, and Your wisdom. Thank You for Your great Plan of the Ages, which no one is able to defy or deter. Thank You that You are working out Your Plan in this World, upon this Earth that belongs to You. Thank You that Your Plan will give You all the credit, all the glory, as it plays out to the good of Your children here. Thank You.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
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