Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
2 “I am Yahweh your Elohim, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt.
3 “Never have any other god. 4 Never make your own carved idols or statues that represent any creature in the sky, on the earth, or in the water. 5 Never worship them or serve them, because I, Yahweh your Elohim, am El Kanna. I punish children for their parents’ sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. 6 But I show mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The order of faithful obedience is always the same in Scripture: God reveals himself to us, blesses us with his grace, then asks us to respond with obedience.
In other words, God blesses us first and then asks us to obey – grace precedes the call to obedience!
God is all-powerful and supreme.
He could demand our obedience just because of who he is, but he doesn’t.
He has chosen to reveal himself through Scripture, nature, his acts of salvation, and most completely in Jesus.
He wants us to know him and respond to him.
Our obedience may be difficult.
Our call to obey will sometimes be hard for us to unswervingly wrap our souls around, unquestioningly trust because of our all too rock hard stubbornness.
However, we can overcome such stubbornness when we know such a summons comes to us from a Father who has paid an ultimate price to redeem and adopt us into his family and has repeatedly proven himself to be gracious and faithful.
Genesis 1:26-28 Names of God Bible
26 Then Elohim said, “Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness. Let them rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the domestic animals all over the earth, and all the animals that crawl on the earth.”
27 So Elohim created humans in his image. In the image of Elohim he created them. He created them male and female.
28 Elohim blessed them and said, “Be fertile, increase in number, fill the earth, and be its master. Rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that crawl on the earth.”
God Re-creates His People ….
This is my story, this is my song … Our Implicit Trust vs. Our Implicit Distrust?
1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he doth richly repay; not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor he shows, for the joy he bestows, are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, or we’ll walk by his side in the way; what he says we will do, where he sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
When we seriously study, meditate, about the faithfulness of God, the Ten Commandments are probably not among the first things that come to mind.
After all, one of the main uses of God’s law is to show us that we are sinners.
The commandments help us to clearly envision we absolutely need God to save us from sin, that we need to confess our sins and ask the Lord for forgiveness.
When God first gave his law to his people, they had just been rescued from long years of brutal slavery in Egypt, they were still dealing with being slaves to sin.
God was calling them from generations of slavery to freedom, to live a new life in him that would serve as a blessing to all nations … they needed to learn that.
God’s Truth be Told … So do we.
John 8:31-32 Amplified Bible
The Truth Will Make You Free
31 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”
God’s commands are designed to be a guide for daily living, reminding us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love all our neighbor as we love ourselves. The law ultimately points us to Jesus Christ for salvation and shows us how to live in gratitude to the one, true, faithful God.
God knew that his people who first heard the Ten Commandments would soon stray, wander from him and break their promises. But at the heart of their new creation is the faithful God who’ll always shepherd them and watch over them.
God is faithful from one generation to the next.
Just as he sought after and cared for his people in the desert, God still faithfully summons, seeks after, awaits our response, and always cares for us every day.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Praying ….
Psalm 8
For the choir director; on the gittith;[a] a psalm by David.
1 O Yahweh, our Adonay, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!
Your glory is sung above the heavens.[b] 2 From the mouths of little children and infants, you have built a fortress against your opponents to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the creation of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place— 4 what is a mortal that you remember him or the Son of Man that you take care of him? 5 You have made him a little lower than yourself. You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him rule what your hands created. You have put everything under his control: 7 all the sheep and cattle, the wild animals, 8 the birds, the fish, whatever swims in the currents of the seas.
9 O Yahweh, our Adonay, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have later spoken of another day. 9 Therefore a rest remains for the people of God. 10 For whoever enters His rest will also cease from his own works, as God did from His. 11 Let us labor therefore to enter that rest, lest anyone fall by the same pattern of unbelief.
The Word of God for the People of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The Christian life from beginning to end is to be a life of faith and dependence on God and His grace provisions for us in Christ.
The fallen world we live in and the flesh undermines dependence on God making us think we are sufficient of ourselves.
The flesh is that indwelling spiritual principle, inclination, or force in all of us to operate out of our own provisions independent of God to meet our needs.
Living by the flesh is the opposite of trust in God. It is a spirit of independence and faith in self. Christians are not only saved by faith but are to live by faith.
Our faith allows us to depend on the power of God’s indwelling Spirit and our new nature to live in this fallen world (Galatians 5:17).
Galatians 5:16-18 The Message
16-18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
Real faith is a rest where you are not struggling, frustrated, or anxious, but trusting in the finished work of God for man (which is His grace).
Christian’s rest comes out of the concepts of the Sabbath rest introduced in the Old Testament keeping in mind it was only a shadow of good things to come.
The reality would come with Jesus.
It is resting in faith based on a finished work like God’s Creation Rest (God ceased from His work Genesis 2:2,3), an advance provision made (rest on the seventh day because the Lord gave the bread of two days on the sixth day Exodus 16:23-30), and a defeated enemy (Joshua 21:43-45) all made available due to Jesus’ work in redemption.
It is not the potential of a Sabbath day of rest, but a Sabbath life of rest.
In the Sabbath under law, man was to cease from his own work for one day in seven.
In the Sabbath under grace, Believer is to cease from his own work, constantly, as he wholly yields to Jesus’ finished work in redemption every day Ephesians 1:7.
He is to rest in the advance provision of God who has already blessed us in advance with all spiritual blessings in Christ Ephesians 1:3.
He is to rest because our enemy has been defeated Colossians 2:15.
The Sabbath rest under grace is a life delivered from all works of the flesh, self-effort, struggle, striving, and free from every dependence on the flesh.
No burden was allowed to be borne on the Sabbath day under the law.
Under grace, every burden is to be cast on the Lord every day, producing a burden-free life.
The Sabbath of the law was a day of “rest for self.”
The Sabbath of grace is a life of “rest from self.”
It is a life lived to the praise and glory of another, which is Jesus and the work He did.
In Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 the writer declares five different times that the time to hear God’s voice is “Today” (Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7 twice).
Why warn us of the dangers of unbelief and missing God’s rest if it not a possibility?
This potential rest is not entered into by being passive and it is not automatic as we can see from the following exhortations and warnings:
God’s grace must be entered into (Hebrews 4:9, 10).
God’s grace can be frustrated (Galatians 2:21).
We can come short of God’s grace (Hebrews 4:1).
We can fall from or fail God’s grace (Hebrews 12:15and Galatians 5:4).
We must labor to enter into this rest (Hebrews 4:11; labor – Grk. “spoudazo” to make effort, give diligence, study; translated “study” in 2 Timothy 2:15).
The years Israel spent in the wilderness were a time of testing.
Would they learn to trust in God to provide for their every need?
Unfortunately, they often grumbled against Moses, God’s appointed leader.
They complained, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” (Exodus 17:3).
They continued to quarrel with one another to the point where they began to doubt whether God was with them at all (Exodus 17:7).
They became so angry that Moses began to fear for his life (Exodus 17:4).
Reflecting later on that experience, the psalmist wrote,
“Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did … in the wilderness” (Psalm 95:7-8).
The writer of Hebrews wants us to know “Today” is still the day of God’s grace!
Don’t follow the example of the people in the wilderness whose hearts were hardened.
Enter into the Sabbath rest God has for you.
Salvation is not found through our own efforts or our own work.
We can rest because Jesus has won salvation for us through his sacrifice on the cross. We don’t need to bring anything to God other than our need for mercy.
What is the meaning of Hebrews 4 9?
The Sabbath in Hebrews
“’The Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God‘ (Heb 4:9)
is not only a physical cessation from work to commemorate God’s perfect creation but also a spiritual entering into God’s rest (Heb 4:10) made possible through Christ’s complete redemption.
How do I enter into God’s rest?
Trusting God means we give up worrying, reasoning, and anxiety and we enter into His rest with simple childlike faith—we live by grace through faith!
Mark 10:13-16 Modern English Version
Little Children Blessed
13 They brought young children to Him, that He might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was very displeased and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
What does Mark 10 14 mean?
The kingdom is open to those who come humbly with no illusions that they belong there. Here, Jesus says that leaders in His ministry must not only accept the powerless, they must recognize that they are powerless, as well.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God!
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …..
Praying …..
Psalm 16
A Miktam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
2 I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; my welfare has no existence outside of You.” 3 For the holy ones who are in the land, they are the majestic ones; in them is all my delight. 4 Those who chase after other gods, their sorrows will be multiplied; their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor lift their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, an inheritance is beautiful for me. 7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my affections also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in security. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You suffer Your godly one to see corruption. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
28 “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching.[a] Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.”
Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your circumstances, when nothing you do seems to be enough? I have been there more times than I would like to admit.
You are facing a crisis situation at home, job, financial loss, worry about the long and short term future, mourning the loss of loved ones, a prodigal child, or an unfavorable medical diagnosis. Maybe people and commitments are tugging at you from all sides and you don’t know how to avoid letting people down.
Where do you turn when no answer is apparent?
The unforced rhythms of grace
What are the rhythms of grace?
“Unforced rhythms of grace” is like a lesson for walking in time with what God is calling us to do.
When looking at this phrase, we will see that God’s unforced rhythms of grace are really about our flowing with His current, His will,obeying God, following God, finding our place, finding new opportunities, doing the things that God summons us to and into ministries and missions that come naturally to us.
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) echoes in my soul,
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Verse 30 from the NIV says, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
I feel as if I have been wrestling with King Kong and Godzilla with these verses from the first moments following my Triple Bypass Heart Surgery July 17, 2023.
Recovering from that, how could His yoke be easy? His burden light? Nothing about my circumstances feels easy or light, but rather heavy and overwhelming, yet I need His grace. I want to live freely and lightly. I want to learn from Him.
God promises to be our refuge
Hebrews 6:18-19 reminds us, “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold on to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”
We don’t have to have all the answers to learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
As we journey to Him for help, for refuge, for security. we can be confident in the hope from the promises discerned from His word.
This hope is an anchor for our souls.
Our God is unchangeable.
If He says it, we can believe it.
If He promised, it will come to pass.
When we are overwhelmed by our circumstances, the weight of our trials in this world, we can take Psalm 91 refuge in Him.
As we keep company with Him, He promises we’ll learn to live freely, lightly.
What are you struggling with today?
Are you willing to take refuge in Him and learn the unforced rhythms of grace?
How can I practice rhythms of grace daily?
Adherence to a daily routine of disciplined practices such as Sabbath, praying, meditating, reading God’s Word, and worshipping—are how Jesus breathes life into our days. They’re not another burden he places on our shoulders, but a narrow way he Himself illuminates, and relieves the burdens we already carry.
Jesus did a lot in His 3 1/2 years of ministry but He was never rushed.
He didn’t go from one miracle to the next.
He had time to preach, teach, heal etc, spend time with His father and eat.
Yes – He did get tired but Jesus lived in those unforced rhythms of grace. He knew what to do and how to do it. He knew who to heal and who to speak to.
Today, in our lives, consider Jesus’ example for us and learn to live in those unforced rhythms of grace.
Go to the Father and recover from your busyness then let it go and learn to live a different way.
This applies to me too.
So this week let’s learn from Jesus, evaluate our priorities ensuring they are truly from God and learn how to walk in the phrase that’s the title of this blog.
Your priorities will change and so will your life.
This is how you live the life God intended for you.
Version 1.0.0
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …..
Praying ….
Psalm 91 Names of God Bible
Psalm 91
1 Whoever lives under the shelter of Elyon will remain in the shadow of Shadday. 2 I will say to Yahweh, “You are my Machseh and my Metsuda, my Elohim in whom I trust.”
3 He is the one who will rescue you from hunters’ traps and from deadly plagues. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.
5 You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day, 6 plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. 7 They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.
8 You only have to look with your eyes to see the punishment of wicked people.
9 You, O Yahweh, are my Machseh!
You have made Elyon your home. 10 No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house. 11 He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways. 12 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock. 13 You will step on lions and cobras. You will trample young lions and snakes.
14 Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. 15 When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you. 16 I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us[a] in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice[b] for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in[c] us and his love is made complete in us.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
As you scroll through social media, you will notice everyone is talking about manipulation, narcissism, gaslighting, avoidant attachment, and emotional unavailability.
It feels like we are living in a time where the primary relationship skill people learn is how to protect themselves with utmost diligence.
We are trained to look for red flags, to not be “too trusting,” to stay guarded, in control.
And sure, some of that is necessary. But we do not realize that we have become very good at protecting ourselves…and very bad at connecting with each other.
I have been blessed with a couple of “close” friends. It wasn’t always that way, though. There was a time when I didn’t share much about myself with others.
I went to great lengths to hide the “not pretty” part of my life in a figurative Fort Knox strong bank vault, with the bad memories boxed up on the top shelf.
There were things I had learned that you do not talk about.
All of this changed when I started a new season of small group at church.
Within those safe spaces, I learned I could risk sharing my life with others and be fully accepted.
This surprised me.
I realized the vault doors had to be opened, and the memories, one by one, taken off the shelf, boxes opened, and shared with others. What I learned was that friendship is a blessing and absolutely essential to the Christian life.
In friendship, we encourage each other and help each other grow.
I have a friend with a gift for encouragement. He has a great way of encouraging me in the Lord and reminding me of the Lord’s truth not my own. I can come with my hard circumstances and prayer requests and leave with a sense of hope.
In 1 Thessalonians 5, it says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 Amplified Bible
9 For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. 11 Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
It is so critically important to encourage each other because life can get chaotic.
We need each other’s help to keep going.
As friends, we also help each other grow.
In Proverbs, it says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
We make each other better in Christ.
We help each other in times of need.
John 13:34-35 Amplified Bible
34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you [a]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
1 John 4:11-12“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”
As we put our love into action, we show each other trust and the love of Christ.
We confess our sins to each other.
In Galatians 6, Paul says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).
1 John 1:5-9 Amplified Bible
God Is Light
5 This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], will forgive our sins, cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].
What I found in surrendering, sharing these hard things with friends is we begin to confront, reality check, fight this battle together—I am no longer by myself in it. It also removes the shame that I feel, which causes me to hide sin.
Coming further into the light, my friends have been waiting and ready to help.
In James, it says,
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16).
When we stop hiding our sin from each other and from God, He can heal us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As I’ve continued to learn about friendship, I’ve found that friends help pick each other up.
In Ecclesiastes, it says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
The writer continues, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
I pray that you find these things to be true in your friendships as well.
Genesis 2:18-25 Amplified Bible
18 Now the Lord God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] [a] suitable and complementary for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed out of the ground every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs, closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man He made (fashioned, formed) into a woman, and He brought her and presented her to the man. 23 Then Adam said,
“This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”
24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed or embarrassed.
In Genesis 2 we find a close-up of the first wedding ever celebrated.
It took place in Paradise at the beginning of history, and it was one of the most impressive events ever.
The setting was more beautiful than at any other wedding.
The first bride and groom, Adam and Eve, were surrounded by the unstained, breathtaking beauty of God’s creation.
No modern-day florist or outdoor photographer could begin to capture the beauty of that setting.
Most impressive about that first wedding, though, was God himself conducted the ceremony: “the LORD God made a woman … he brought her to the man.”
This is the Bible’s way of teaching us coming together, being brought together, is from God, established as a creation ordinance.
1 John 1:1-4 Common English Bible
Announcement about the word of life
1 We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. 2 The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 3 What we have seen and heard, we also announce it to you so that you can have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy can be complete.
Fellowship was not invented by a human being; it was instituted by God when he created “male and female” (Genesis 1:27) brought Adam and Eve together.
Disciples of Jesus aren’t lost when they are right where God has told them to be.
And God the Father has told us to enjoy fellowship with him and Jesus and with the community of believers.
We are never really lost when we are connected in fellowship with God and with other Christians. We become lost when we think we can go it alone in this world.
God didn’t create us as an island to be alone or to walk out this life by ourselves.
In all sincerity I pray that God will bring you the right people at the right time to empower, inspire, prosper and strengthen the relationships you already have.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ….
Praying ….
Acts 2:42-47 English Standard Version
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
15 But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to [a] myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night [b]your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The Value of Our Soul
Foolishness and Wickedness of People.
14 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good.
Psalm 38:5New American Standard Bible
5 My [a]wounds grow foul and fester Because of my foolishness.
Psalm 85:8 New American Standard Bible
8 [a]I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; And may they not turn back to [b]foolishness.
A certain ungodly tavern-keeper who liked music decided to attend one of John Wesley’s meetings to hear the singing.
He had resolved however, not to listen to the sermon.
He sat with his head down and fingers in his ears.
But when God wants to speak to a man’s soul, He has His ways.
A fly flew on the man’s nose and when he attempted to drive it away, he heard nine words that changed his life.
He heard Mr. Wesley say,
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
From that moment the ungodly tavern-keeper had no rest in his soul.
He returned the next night, listened intently and was converted.
Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew,
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26
Matthew 16:24-26 The Message
24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me, I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
The human soul is a priceless treasure; it is the real you.
In fact, the Bible teaches that your soul is more valuable than the whole world!
Yet, far too many people “sell their souls” for what surely are petty bargains, and temporary wealth.
We are far far more than just material beings and science and psychology has proposed; the Bible teaches that we are body, soul and spirit.
We also see that a great price was paid for the soul, but not in an earthly sense.
1 Peter 1:18-19 says,
“you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold,… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Jesus Christ allowed himself to die on a cross for your soul.
His death pays the penalty for the sins of those who believe on Him by faith.
But just as the man in this parable neglected and lost his soul.
It is possible for you to lose your soul forever.
I want to share with you 3 reasons why many people lose their soul in the end.
Three reasons why many people lost their souls:
I. WRONG PREPARATION (v. 16-18)
This man’s life was far too busy in pursuing the comforts of this life and not on pursuing God.
The farmer cares was about to BUILD BIGGER BARNS, but God brought in a new perspective.
The farmer won’t live to see them.
In fact, he won’t live to BUILD BIGGER BARNS. He made plans only for this life but not what comes after. God was not in his life. He did not consider God at all.
Jesus wants us to see things in the right perspective.
He told the young man who came to Him:
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (12:15)
12:24 “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.”
12:27 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin…” and look how God clothes them.
You can lose your soul if you plan for yourself alone.
You were created to pursue a relationship with God; riches or sin can never satisfy your soul. (Mt. 6:33)
In the parable, God called this man a fool. He had amassed great wealth, but was poor toward God.
“Nothing is wrong in seeking great things. But it is wrong to seek great things for only yourself” – Oswald Sanders
Jesus reminds us of the need to remember God – the Source of all our blessings.
God wants us to invest in things that has eternal value.
We must invest our life – time, talent, knowledge – in the work of His Kingdom.
Lay up “treasures in heaven..” (cf.12:33).
Live life in the light of eternity and we shall be greatly blessed.
All that the farmer has – will not go to him, and will not go with him.
Life without God is meaningless.
Man finds true fulfilment in this world – we want to have “plenty of good things laid up for many years” and then we can “take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (v.19)
Jesus says true fulfillment can only come through a relationship with our God.
“Security in life does not lie with barns but with God.”
II. WRONG INTENTION (v. 19)
The chairman of the community charity called on a notorious miser.
“Sir,” said the fund-raiser, “our records show that despite your wealth, you’ve never once given to our drive.”
“Do your records show that I have an elderly mother who was left penniless when my father died?” fumed the tightwad.
“Do your records show that I have a disabled brother who is unable to work?
Do your records show I have a widowed sister with four small children who can barely make ends meet?”
“No, sir,” replied the embarrassed volunteer.
“Our records don’t show those things.”
“Well,” said the miser. “I don’t give to any of them, so why should I give anything to you?”
This man’s heart was filled with pride and self-reliance – He was a self-made man read (verse 19)
There are 2 sins of a man that are bred in the bone: one is self-dependence and the other is self-exultation—Spurgeon
I Timothy 6:17-18
“Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them” (Living)
“All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.” Proverbs 21:26 (RSV)
The real issue here is not your possession (rich or poor), the issue here is your focus—self?
The command is general=“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 (RSV)
The problems today is perhaps, probably, most certainly, definitely…the church is poor because Christians do not give to the Lord???
Illustration: A pastor stood before his church and said,
“I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the church has all the money it needs… The bad news is that it’s all still locked inside your wallets.”
Remember this:
“At the close of life, the question will not be how much have you got, but how much have you given. Not how much have you won, but how much have you done. Not how much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed. Not how much have you honored, but how much have you served.”
Mark 10:35-45 New American Standard Bible
35 [a]James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to [b]Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “[c] Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 But to sit on My right or on My left is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 Hearing this, the other ten began to feel indignant with [d]James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them; and their [e]people in high position exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become [f]prominent among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [g] life as a ransom for many.”
III. WRONG VISION (v. 20)
This man had made good vision assuming that he would be around to enjoy his wealth – not knowing that that night would be his last. (James 4:13-14)
The pastor was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas.
After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area.
Pointing to the oil wells, he boasted, “Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it’s all mine.”
Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, “That’s all mine.”
Turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, “They’re all mine.” Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, “That too is all mine.”
He paused, expecting the pastor to compliment him on his great success.
The pastor, placing one hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing heavenward with the other, simply said, “How much do you possess in that direction?”
The man stared blankly for a moment, then hung his head and confessed, “I never thought of that.”
Most of us don’t realize we are just one breath away, one heartbeat away, or one accident away from eternity.
No one is ever prepared for that moment until they have made peace with God…
“We are always complaining that our days are few” – Senecathe Younger
Mark 8:36 – “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Mark 8:34-37 New American Standard Bible
34 And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his [a]life will lose it, but whoever loses his [b]life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what could a person give in exchange for his soul?
What if you just heard those words: “Today, you will die.”
Are you ready for that?
Proverbs 9:1-6 New American Standard Bible
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom has built her house, She has carved out her seven pillars; 2 She has [a]prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; 3 She has sent out her attendants, she calls out From the tops of the heights of the city: 4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks [b]understanding she says, 5 “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 [c]Abandon your foolishness and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.”
Are you ready to give an account for the way you’ve raised or are raising your family?
Are you ready to give an account for what you’re doing with your talent and abilities?
Are you ready to give an account for the way you’re spending your time and energy?
Are you ready to give an account for what you’ve done with the money and wealth that God has blessed you with?
Are you ready to give an account for the way you’re using your body and managing your appetites?
Some day, there’s going to be a knock at your life’s door.
Death will be waiting outside.
The music will suddenly stop.
The frantic whirling of the dancers will cease.
And you and I must answer the door.
Soon thereafter, what we did with the gift of life will be required of us.
Heb. 9:27 “ It is appointed for a man to die once but after this the judgment.”
Hebrews 9:27-28 New American Standard Bible
27 and just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
A popular musician-songwriter of the early seventies was Jim Croce.
One of his most famous recordings was ‘Time in a Bottle,’ a love song about his desire to save time in a bottle in order to spend it later with someone he loved.
The eerie thing about that piece was that by the time it hit the airwaves, Jim Croce was dead.
When God enters, this farmer realized that there was ONE THING he did not prepare.
He made good plan to store his crop, made good plan to save up for the future, he made plan to enjoy himself.
In fact, he has done many things good but he did not prepare for his own soul.
Death was not in his planning book.
A person does not know when his or her time is coming.
You can avoid being one of those people who lost their souls by:
· Admitting to God you are a sinner (Rom. 3:10 & 23)
· Believing that Jesus died for your sins (1 Peter 3:18)
· Fully Committing your life to Him as Savior and Lord(Acts 4:8-12)
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Proverbs 3:1-12 The Message
Don’t Assume You Know It All
3 1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, And do not ignore your mother’s teaching; 9 For they are a graceful wreath for your head And necklaces for your neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, “Come with us, Let’s lie in wait for blood, Let’s ambush the innocent without cause; 12 Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, like those who go down to the pit; 13 We will find all kinds of precious wealth, We will fill our houses with plunder; 14 Throw in your lot [a]with us; We will all have one money bag,” 15 My son, do not walk on the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, 16 For their feet run to evil, And they are quick to shed blood. 17 Indeed, it is [b]useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any [c]bird; 18 But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. 19 Such are the ways of everyone who makes unjust gain; It takes away the life of its possessors.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
These opening verses from Proverbs remind us how important it is to be wise and careful about the choices we make.
Our current lives and our future lives are gifts from God.
It is up to us to steward, to protect them by listening to His guidance and staying away from things that can hurt us.
As we learn from this part of God’s Word, we will find simple, helpful ideas to keep our hearts and minds safe so we can live in a way that pleases God and gives us hope for the future.
In this writing, we will see how God’s wisdom can help us stay away from temptation and bad influences.
The Bible warns us about hanging around people who try to lead us into doing wrong. It also teaches us to listen to both our parents and God’s instructions.
When we understand, take heed of these warnings and trust in God’s wisdom, we can make better choices and live a happy, meaningful life.
Let’s open our hearts to God’s Word today and ask Him to help us stay safe and wisely follow His way.
Proverbs 1:8-9
You protect your life when you…
1. Heed your parent’s wisdom.
This tells us to listen to our parents’ advice because it helps protect our lives and future.
Spiritually, this shows God’s plan for families and how important it is to respect the authority He has given to them as our parents.
When we follow their guidance, we are choosing prudence, wisdom and safety, which can keep us from making harmful choices.
In everyday life, this means really listening to our parents, respecting what they say, and using their advice when making decisions.
When we do this, we can avoid dangers like bad friends, reckless actions, or wrong choices that may hurt us physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Practically, this teaches us to be humble and willing to learn from our parents’ experience.
It also reminds us that respecting our parents is a way of showing respect to God, since He put them in our lives to help guide us.
When we obey, honor our parents, we protect ourselves from many problems and open the way for God’s blessings. In the end, honoring our parents is a way of honoring God, helping us stay safe and make good choices for our future.
Proverbs 1:10-15
You protect your life when you…
2. Reject foolish and sinful influences.
The writer of Proverbs warns us not to give in to foolish and sinful influences that try to lure us away.
Spiritually, this shows us that obeying God’s wisdom and rules is the best way to stay safe and live fully.
Sinful influences can lead us away from God’s good path, causing harm to our hearts, minds, and even our bodies.
When we choose to resist these temptations, we are choosing God’s way, which promises protection, guidance, and a life full of purpose.
In everyday life, this means setting boundaries, establish clear limits, avoiding bad peer pressure, and being careful about what influences us, (media, friends, or environments) so we don’t fall into harmful behaviors that could hurt us now or in the future.
To put this into practice, rejecting wrong influences requires us to be rigorously intentional and disciplined.
It helps to read and study the Bible, pray regularly, and stay accountable to mature Christians who can guide us.
It also means choosing friends and activities that encourage us to do what is right, instead of those that tempt us to do wrong.
When we do this, we protect ourselves not just today; but also in the future- Spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Living this way helps us stay true to God’s plan for our lives, leading us to a safe and meaningful future.
Proverbs 1:16-19
You protect your life when you…
3. Choose wisdom over violence and rebellion.
The writer warns us not to give in to the temptation of violence and rebellion because they only lead to trouble and destruction.
Spiritually, God teaches us to seek wisdom and do what is right instead of fighting or rebelling.
This aligns with God’s desire for us to live peacefully, justly, and to value life.
In practical ways, this means that when we face problems or conflicts, we should respond with patience, prayer, and wise choices instead of trying to get revenge or fighting back.
Doing so helps protect our spiritual life and future, saving us from the harm that rebellion and violence can cause.
To put this into practice, we need to pray, read God’s Word, and ask for advice when we’re unsure what to do.
We should resist the urge to escalate conflicts or handle problems on our own, trusting that God will bring justice in His perfect time.
When we choose wisdom instead of violence or rebellion, we not only protect our physical lives but also keep our hearts healthy spiritually.
This shows we trust God’s plan and love, leading to a more peaceful and secure life that follows God’s purpose for us.
Conclusion:
Our text teaches us that it is very important to protect our lives and future by staying away from temptation and bad choices.
It reminds us to listen carefully to the wisdom of our parents and God’s Word, which help us make good decisions.
When we choose to walk in honesty and wisdom, we can have a life full of purpose, safety, and God’s blessing.
Remember, the decisions, the choices we make today will shape our tomorrow, so we need to stay alert and stay connected to God’s truth.
Now, I want to invite you to respond to God’s call today.
If you feel you need His help, protection, or guidance, open your heart to Him.
Jesus offers balance, forgiveness, fresh starts, strength to live wisely and safely.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …
Praying ….
Psalm 119:9-24 Complete Jewish Bible
ב (Bet)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; don’t let me stray from your mitzvot. 11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I won’t sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, Adonai! Teach me your laws. 13 I proclaim with my mouth all the rulings you have spoken. 14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction more than in any kind of wealth. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and keep my eyes on your ways. 16 I will find my delight in your regulations. I will not forget your word.
ג (Gimel)
17 Deal generously with your servant; then I will live and observe your word. 18 Open my eyes, so that I will see wonders from your Torah. 19 Though I’m just a wanderer on the earth, don’t hide your mitzvot from me. 20 I am continually consumed with longing for your rulings. 21 You rebuke the proud, the cursed, who stray from your mitzvot. 22 Remove scorn and contempt from me, because I observe your instruction. 23 Even when princes sit and plot against me, your servant meditates on your laws. 24 Also your instructions are my delight; they are my counselors.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of [a] Jacob’s hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but [b]Israel; for you have contended with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 And Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there.30 So Jacob named the place [c]Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my [d]life has been [e]spared.”
Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Life will often present moments when transformation requires intense engagement with God.
Jacob should have known better.
He knew what it was like to have a brother whom his father loved more than him (Genesis 25:27-28), but he favored his youngest son Joseph over his other sons anyway. Sadly, it led to jealousy and resentment among Joseph’s brothers.
When Joseph’s older brothers looked at him, blood pressures went up, hatred and jealousy filled their hearts. Still, they should have kept their emotions in check if Joseph hadn’t stirred the pot with notions about the dreams he had had.
God had provided the dreams, but Joseph took pride in them. He interpreted those dreams as showing he was better than his brothers, and even his father rebuked him for the self-centered nature of those interpretations.
The meaning of those dreams became clear later (Genesis 41-47), but all that the brothers knew now was that they didn’t want anything to do with Joseph!
In this story we eventually see God can take the human failings of these broken family members to bring about something good, despite the sinful attitudes locked inside each individual’s heart.
We also learn in life God intercedes, leads, guides, directs and works through the troubles in our world and in our hearts to make something new and better.
He is faithful to the purpose and plan that he holds and creates for us.
Jacob’s night-long struggle at Peniel illustrates that change is not always passive; sometimes we must wrestle spiritually to experience breakthrough.
This struggle can be with fear, destiny delays, or internal limitations.
Wrestling with God is not about overpowering Him but about encountering Him in a way that reshapes identity, perspective, and purpose.
It is in the intensity of confrontation, prayer, and dependence that God’s power brings transformation.
The encounter at Peniel shows that the most significant changes often occur during periods of discomfort, vulnerability, and persistence.
By wrestling with God, we are prepared for new identity, divine favour, and renewed purpose in life.
1. RECOGNISING THE NEED FOR DIVINE CHANGE
Transformation begins when we acknowledge areas where God’s intervention is essential.
a) Facing Fear (Genesis 32:7-8)
Jacob recognized the imminent threat of Esau wanting payback and felt fear.
Change often starts with confronting realities beyond our control.
b) Acknowledging Weakness (Genesis 32:9-10)
Jacob admitted his inadequacy and appealed to God’s mercy.
True change begins with humility and dependence on divine power.
c) Seeking Divine Intervention (Genesis 32:11)
Prayer becomes the arena where change is negotiated and requested.
d) Desire for Transformation (Genesis 32:12)
Jacob’s plea reveals that longing for God’s intercession initiates spiritual struggle.
Hannah’s desperate prayer for a child after years of barrenness and scorn in Shiloh demonstrates that determined self-same recognition of need and her persistent pleading lead to divine response (1 Samuel 1:10-20).
2. ENGAGING IN SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE
Spiritual breakthrough often requires persistence, discipline, and resilience in prayer and obedience.
a) Wrestling through the Night (Genesis 32:24)
Jacob physically wrestled with the angel, illustrating the highest intensity of Jacob’s spiritual struggle.
b) Refusing to Let Go (Genesis 32:26)
Persistence at all costs is essential; intercession is often released to those who remains steadfast and refuses to relent in faith.
c) Painful Transformation (Genesis 32:25)
Change can be minimally or hardcore uncomfortable; divine intervention often requires painful surrender and enduring pressure.
d) Seeking God’s Favour (Genesis 32:27)
Jacob’s insistence shows that breakthroughs require intentional engagement with God’s presence.
Moses wrestled in prayer and intercession for Israel, advocating persistently for mercy during rebellion (Exodus 32:11-14).
3. RECEIVING NEW IDENTITY
Transformation brings a redefinition of purpose and identity.
a) Name Change (Genesis 32:28)
Jacob became Israel, meaning “he wrestled with God.”
Divine encounters redefine identity.
b) Empowered for Destiny (Genesis 32:28)
New identity equips for new responsibilities and challenges.
c) Recognition of Divine Authority (Genesis 32:29)
Encounter teaches reverence and dependence on God’s sovereignty.
d) Witness of the Change (Genesis 32:30)
Jacob called the place Peniel, acknowledging God’s transformative power.
Saul of Tarsus became Paul after encountering Christ on the road to Damascus, receiving a new identity and purpose (Acts 9:1-19).
4. WALKING IN THE RESULTS OF STRUGGLE
Breakthrough demands action in alignment with the transformation received.
a) Living with Courage (Genesis 32:31)
Despite being limping from the encounter, Jacob walked forward strengthened in faith.
b) Pursuing Destiny (Genesis 33:1-4)
The struggle prepared him for reconciliation with Esau, illustrating that divine change impacts relationships and destiny.
c) Strengthened Faith (Romans 5:3-5)
Endurance through struggle produces character, hope, and spiritual maturity.
d) Continuous Dependence (Philippians 3:12-14)
Even after breakthrough, persistent faith is necessary to run the race of destiny.
Biblical Example: Daniel’s perseverance in the lions’ den demonstrates walking in faith and victory after trusting God through testing (Daniel 6:16-23).
CONCLUSION
Wrestling with God is not about confrontation in anger but persistent seeking, humility, and surrender.
Jacob’s night long struggle at Peniel resulted in new identity, empowerment, and readiness for destiny.
Believers are encouraged to embrace spiritual struggle, trusting that God meets intensity with transformation. Every heavenly encounter with divine struggle can redefine identity, establish faith, and prepare for destiny fulfilment.
“highly suggested”PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me the strength to persist in prayer until breakthrough is achieved in Jesus name.
2. Lord, help me confront areas of my life that require divine transformation in Jesus name.
3. Father, teach me to wrestle with You in faith and humility in Jesus name.
4. Lord, redefine my identity according to Your purpose and glory in Jesus name.
5. Father, empower me to walk forward courageously after every spiritual encounter in Jesus name.
6. Lord, release divine blessings that result from persistence and struggle in Jesus name.
7. Father, help me endure trials with patience and perseverance in Jesus name.
8. Lord, strengthen my faith through every wrestling season in Jesus name.
9. Father, prepare me for destiny fulfillment through divine encounters in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let every struggle result in victory and testimony in Jesus name.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Praying …..
Psalm 16 New King James Version
The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory
A Michtam of David.
16 Preserve[a] me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You [b]maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My [c]heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will [d]rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in [e]Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [f]see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Whenever I read Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant, my blood begins to boil.
I think,
“How cold, anti-social, ruthless, ungrateful, mean, and greedy this man is. There isn’t a kind bone in his body!”
Here was a man who owed more money than he could ever repay.
But after he was forgiven of his huge debt, he punished another man for owing him just a small amount.
The forgiven man had received mercy, but he did not show mercy to the other man.
It is not wrong to be angry about this.
In fact, this is the response Jesus is looking for.
But we must not stop there.
Jesus designed this story to help us think and act faithfully as children of God.
How should we respond to the kindness God has shown us?
God has forgiven our huge debt of sin; will we do the same for others who have sinned against us?
It is easy for us to ask for God’s forgiveness and yet carry grudges and ill will toward others.
It is easy to remember and resent what others have said and done against us.
But if we unconditionally accept God’s forgiveness and yet fail to forgive others, our Christianity is no different from the cold, ungrateful man in Jesus’ parable.
Jesus teaches us to forgive and to keep forgiving so we cannot remember how many times we have forgiven.
When we walk with the Spirit, we are changed.
God’s kindness begins to flow from us to others.
Forgiveness Forgiven and Forgiving
Matthew 18:26-35 New Living Translation
26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars.[a] He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters[b] from your heart.”
A forgiven person should be a forgiving person—and, since forgiveness does not come so easily or naturally to us, we need to hear this again and again.
In other words, we forgive because God, through Jesus, forgives us.
The Bible makes it perfectly clear that forgiveness doesn’t spring from any human merit and is not the result of our own endeavors to be gracious and forgiving towards others; rather it comes from the grace of God.
One of the chief evidences that someone has truly repented of their sins, therefore, is a forgiving spirit.
Conversely, if we continually harbor enmity, grudges, and bitterness in our hearts, we not only harm our own lives and jeopardize our relationships, but frankly we also call into question whether we have ever truly discovered or grasped the authentic nature of God’s forgiveness at all.
It’s impossible to extend genuine forgiveness unless we have experienced it ourselves, and impossible not to do so if we have.
It will only flow outward from our hearts once we have been changed by God’s grace and have considered the true enormity of our many offenses against Him.
When such a transformation takes place, the sin of others against us will carry less weight as God enables us to forgive as often as we have been forgiven.
This is the principle behind Jesus’ parable of the servant in Matthew 18, who, having been forgiven a debt that was the first-century equivalent of $8 billion, then harshly refused to forgive a debt of $20,000.
Jesus wants us to see the depths of unreasonableness of the servant who had been forgiven an enormous debt in refusing to forgive the debt owed to him.
Viewed on its own, that debt was substantial; set against the amount he himself had been forgiven, it was tiny.
Likewise, it is inconceivable that we, who have been forgiven such a vast debt of offense against God, should ever fail to reciprocate and callously fail to forgive.
If we have experienced God’s mercy, then we must certainly not neglect the exercise of forgiveness.
In forgiving others, we enjoy the fullness of God’s pardon.
Give up the records of sins that you’re tempted to hold on to.
When this is hard because the wrong you’re being called to forgive was serious, look at the debt for which God has forgiven you, and look at what He gave up to do so—and that will enable you to extend mercy in your turn.
Surely, God has forgiven you through His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. He will pour out His grace and mercy to help you walk in truest harmony with others.
Talking about forgiveness and mercy in the kingdom of God.
Forgiveness and mercy are very important to God.
How do I know this?
Because Jesus said so!
Forgiveness and mercy are not natural reactions when we get wronged or hurt.
But they are core values in Jesus’ kingdom.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …..
Praying ….
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
19 1-2 God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome! The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
7-9 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.
10 God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
We are going to talk about the perfection of God’s law, our search for moral values, and how we need to submit ourselves to God’s moral absolutes.
Navigating this world, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters in the chaos and noise, but as Christians, we have a perfect guide in the form of God’s law.
Lee Strobel once wrote, “If Jesus sets the divine standard for morality, I could now have an unwavering foundation for my choices and decisions, rather than basing them on the ever-shifting sands of expediency and self-centeredness.”
And that’s exactly what we will be digging into today.
We’ll be delving into Psalm 19, a beautiful passage that can enlighten us all.
Psalm 19:10 The Message
10 God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
The Perfection of God’s Law
The perfection of God’s law is a testament to the divine wisdom and absolute righteousness of our Creator.
The law of the Lord, as described in Psalm 19, is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, enduring, firm, and righteous. Each of these descriptors paints a deliciously vivid picture of the divine perfection that is inherent in God’s law.
God’s law is perfect:
We are acknowledging that it is complete, flawless, and without any deficiency.
It is a holistic guide for our lives, addressing every aspect of human existence.
It is not a set of arbitrary rules, but a comprehensive blueprint for righteous living. It is perfect because it originates from a perfect God.
It is a reflection of His character and His will for humanity.
It is a law that refreshes the soul, as it is aligned with our true purpose and the ultimate truth of the universe.
The trustworthiness of God’s law:
In a world where falsehoods and deceptions abound, the law of the Lord stands as the surest beacon of truth.
It is reliable and dependable, providing a solid foundation for our lives. It makes the simple wise, illuminating the path of righteousness for those who seek it. It is a law that we can stake our lives on, knowing that it will never lead us astray.
The righteousness of God’s law:
It is not just a set of rules, but a moral compass that guides us towards what is right and just.
It gives joy to the heart, as it aligns us with the divine will and leads us towards a life of righteousness and virtue.
It is a law that radiates light, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance.
The purity of God’s law:
It is untainted by sin, corruption, or any form of evil.
It is a law that endures forever, unchanging and eternal, just like God Himself.
It is firm and unyielding, standing as a bulwark against the shifting sands of moral relativism.
It is a law that’s righteous in all decrees, reflecting the absolute righteousness of God.
It’s a law we should strive to understand and obey, as it is the shortest route to spiritual perfection.
Our Search for Moral Values
Our search for moral values is a lifelong journey that begins the moment we become aware of the difference between right and wrong.
It’s a quest that requires us to constantly evaluate our actions, decisions, and attitudes in light of God’s perfect law.
This search is not just about knowing what is right or wrong, but also about understanding why certain actions are deemed right or wrong according to God’s law.
Acknowledge that our morality is not self-derived:
It is not something we create or decide upon ourselves, but rather, it is something that is given to us by God.
This is a crucial point to understand because it establishes the basis for our moral values.
As Christians, we believe that our moral values are not subjective or relative, but are absolute, unchanging because they are rooted in the character of God.
The Bible:
Matthew 7:12 The Message
12 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
This is our primary source of moral values.
It provides us with clear guidelines on how we should live our lives, how we should treat others, and how we should relate to God.
It teaches us about love, justice, mercy, forgiveness, humility, and many other virtues that form the foundation of our moral values.
Not always easy:
We live in a world that often promotes values that are contrary to God’s law.
We are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage selfishness, greed, pride, and other sinful behaviors.
In such a world, it can be challenging to stay true to our Christian moral values.
The importance of community:
As Christians, we are not meant to navigate this world alone.
We are part of a community of believers who can support, encourage, and hold each other accountable in our continuous search for moral values.
We need to be surrounded by a community of people who live the Christian life, who encourage us, rebuke us, teach us, guide us in our search for moral values.
A continuous process:
It requires constant reflection, prayer, and study of God’s word.
It requires us to be humble, to admit when we are wrong, and to seek God’s forgiveness and guidance.
It requires us to strive to be more like Jesus, who is the perfect embodiment of God’s moral values.
Our ultimate goal:
It’s not just to know what is right or wrong, but to live in a way that honors and glorifies God.
As Paul wrote in Colossians 3:15-17,
15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. Cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of Jesus, thanking God the Father every single step of the way.
Submission to God’s Moral Absolutes
Submission to God’s moral absolutes is the conscious decision to align our lives with the standards and principles outlined in the Bible, God’s holy word.
This submission is not about losing our freedom or individuality, but rather about our gaining true freedom and peace in the knowledge that we are living according to God’s divine blueprint for our lives.
Not arbitrary rules designed to restrict us:
They are loving guidelines given by a wise and caring Creator who knows what is best for us.
They are the boundaries within which we can live, love, and serve in the most fulfilling and meaningful way.
They are the standards that help us to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and truth from falsehood.
Requires humility:
Isaiah 55:8-11 The Message
8-11 “I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.
It requires acknowledging that God’s wisdom is greater than ours, that His understanding is beyond our comprehension, and that His ways are higher than our ways. It requires trusting in His goodness and love, even when we do not fully understand His commands or when obeying them seems difficult or costly.
Requires a commitment to ongoing spiritual growth and transformation:
It involves daily reading and meditating on God’s word, seeking to understand His commands and principles, and asking the Holy Spirit to help us apply them in our lives.
It involves regular self-examination and repentance, as we recognize and confess our failures and shortcomings, seek God’s forgiveness and help to change.
A lifelong journey:
It is a process of growing in obedience and faithfulness, as we learn to love what God loves, hate what He hates, and value what He values.
It is a journey marked by challenges and struggles, but also by joy and peace, as we experience, we live the blessing of living in harmony with God’s perfect law.
Let’s strive to understand and obey God’s perfect laws.
Let’s seek His wisdom and guidance in our search for moral values. And most importantly, let’s submit ourselves to His moral absolutes. Remember, His laws are not burdensome, rather they are the narrow path to true freedom and joy.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …
Praying …
1191-8 You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Apostle Paul calls his fellow Christians to imitate God in order to live up to the reputation of God’s family.
He challenges believers to “walk in the way of love,” as Christ did.
This is about loving the way Jesus loved.
And Jesus always acted in line with the Father’s will.
The love of Jesus embraced outcasts, pardoned sinners, healed the hopeless, challenged the complacent, and willingly sacrificed everything so we sinners could be reconciled with God.
Sacrificial love is our most visible and defining family trait.
The only reason we are in the family of God in the first place is because of God’s extravagant love.
As Paul calls us to imitate God’s love, he reminds us that we are all ultimately defined by it—we are “dearly loved children.”
Our own love emerges from the depths of that eternal love.
Our love is an overflow of the love God has personally shown to each of us.
Love is the DNA test that determines paternity with our Father God (1 John 4:7-8). God loves you because you are his child, and you are his child because he loves you. Children of God are caught up into the infinite circle of God’s love.
We are most like our Father, most godly, when we allow that love to flow from us into the lives of others.
Colossians 1:10-12 The Message
9-12 Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
Christians are to manifest the light of what glorifies the Lord.
Christians must constantly test the standards for pleasing the Lord.
The Christians is to ascertain by testing what pleases the Lord.
We need to know what and how scripture applies to the Christian walk.
The supreme end of the believer’s life is to glorify God.
The ultimate standard for testing what pleases the Lord, or what is His will, is the Word of God.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 The Message
9-10 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
How do we prove what is pleasing to the Lord?
God is pleased when we put the entirety of our trust in Him and walk by faith.
He is pleased when we believe His Word, preach His Truth and His promises, live out our days acknowledging He is present with us and He is Lord over all.
However …. to avoid some of the debates
Intriguing Things that Make God Angry …..
This week I came across an intriguing phrase about Jesus in Mark 3:5: “He looked around at them with anger.”
This wasn’t the scene where Jesus throws over tables in the temple.
It was in the midst of a conversation about healing.
It got me wondering what other surprising references to God’s anger I might find in the Bible.
Pride and thinking oneself is better than another person (Isaiah 13:11-13)
Injustice – God tells the prophet, Amos (5:21-24), that God hates worship and worship services when God’s people don’t also act outside of worship with justice and righteousness.
Stubbornness about religious rules. The Mark 3:5 verse I mentioned at the beginning says that Jesus got angry with Pharisees – religious leaders – when they would not even engage in a conversation about whether it was right to heal someone (legal good work) on a Sabbath day (when the law said to do no work).
Complaining about misfortune that comes when following God (Numbers 11:1). This reminded me of Jesus telling his followers to expect (Matthew 5:11) and even seek (Luke 9:23) misfortune as part of following him.
Failing to trust God. In Numbers 32:11-13, God expresses anger that the people “have not unreservedly followed me.”
Jesus taught that he and the Father (God) are one (John 10:30).
Jesus then summarized what pleases the Lord this way:
“‘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.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
So, there you have it.
Love God above all else, and love your neighbor as yourself.
But what if you don’t feel like loving God or others?
Worse, what if you don’t feel lovable? How do we please the Lord, then?
Fortunately for us, the kind of love Jesus looks for is not a feeling.
Don’t get me wrong!
It can be a feeling, but it doesn’t have to be.
Having a bad day?
Feeling down?
Do you feel sorry for yourself today because of _____ (fill in the blank)?
God understands.
He made our emotions.
He doesn’t want us to feel bad, but he understands if we do.
After all, we live in a corrupted world.
Worse, we live in corrupted bodies (See Genesis 2-3).
Anytime we take our eyes off Jesus, we see only our hurts, wants and needs.
In Jesus, we see solutions.
Without him, we see emptiness and frustration.
John 13:34-35 Amplified Bible
34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you [a]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
What pleases the Lord?
Trusting him with His Truth, acknowledging our wants and needs pleases him.
Trusting him to take care of us.
Trusting him to decide what is important.
We are not the superheroes we aspire to be.
We are human, often with “feet of clay.”
Jesus is the superhero.
He is the one who stood up to the bullies, who called their bluff, and who let them try to call him.
Only Jesus wasn’t bluffing.
He died. Yes, that is true.
They killed him for standing up to them.
They killed him for being honest about who he is.
They killed him because he threatened the darkness they used to cover what they were really like.
Yes, Jesus died on a cross, crucified and humiliated.
And he was buried. And then … he rose from the dead.
What pleases the Lord?
Acts 4:8-12 New American Standard Bible
8 Then Peter, [a]filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[b]Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are [c]on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to [d] how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [e]by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—[f]by [g]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [h]He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 