Tag: God

Tis again, that ponderous season we eagerly celebrate all the anticipated, tiresome years of hurry up and wait. Hebrews 9:23-28

A wooden manger and three wooden crosses

Hebrews 9:23-28 New King James Version

Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice

23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be [a]purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are  [b] copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

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.

Jesus came to earth some 2000 years ago.

God, taking on human form.

Born into this world to a peasant girl.

He lived among us for maybe 33 years.

And then was brutally crucified on a Roman cross.

Three days later he rose up from the grave, conquering death.

He sits now at the right hand of God.

And from that moment his followers look for him to return someday.

But why did he do this?

The author of Hebrews tells us here that his death was a sacrifice.

A sacrifice that would take away the sins of many.

Jesus is the perfect lamb who could, once and for all, wash us clean of our sins.

His sacrifice was one of atonement.

His sacrifice was to take away the sins of many people. 

1 John 2:2 tells us he was the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

But in a special way for believers, for those who accept him as savior and Lord.

And he is returning a second time.

This time it is not as a sacrifice.

It is not for the world.

He is returning, bringing salvation, for those looking forward to his return.

We rightly say that we have been saved.

But that salvation is not complete until he returns for us, taking us to be with him forever (John 14:1-3).

There are many things in life that we look forward to.

But which of them is better than Christ’s return for those who are his own?

But, are we 10/10 ‘EAGERLY’ waiting for CHRIST to RETURN? 

Hebrews 9:27-28 Amplified Bible

27 And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] [a]the sins of many, will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and  confidently waiting for Him.

The anonymous writer of Hebrews presents a contrast between the Old and New Covenant in the above passage.

Under the Old Covenant, the law condemned sinners to die and face the judgment.

However under the New Covenant Christ, as God’s ‘perfect sacrifice’, was offered once to bear all the sins of humankind.

He finished that work at the cross, but will come to take us to His home in heaven.

This will be the culmination of our salvation; we will receive glorified bodies and be forever beyond the reach of sin.

The expression, those who ‘eagerly’ wait for Him, is a description of all true believers who belong to Christ (1 Cor. 15:23) – who are “the dead in Christ” and  “we who are alive and remain” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17).

Hebrews 9:24–28 mentions three appearances of Christ: a past appearance for our salvation (v. 26), a present appearance for our sanctification (v. 24), and a future appearance for our glorification (v. 28).

This may be described further as follows:

  1. Jesus has appeared (v. 26). This refers to the first time when He came to earth to save us from the penalty of sin (the past tense of salvation).
  2. Jesus now appears (v. 24). This refers to His present ministry to save us from the power of sin (the present tense of salvation).
  3. Jesus will appear (v. 28). This speaks of His imminent return when He will save us from the presence of sin (the future tense of salvation).

Jesus Christ appeared on earth once to accomplish His atoning work (v. 26).

Then He entered “into heaven,” opening the way for our access to God (v. 24).

One day He will reappear to consummate our salvation.

Are we eagerly waiting and looking forward for our Lord Jesus Christ to return?

Are we maintaining a steady relationship with God on a day-to-day basis?

Are we seeking God’s interest and His kingdom before anything in our lives? 

If not, let us make a new commitment to God’s kingdom values, and give Him the top priority in our daily living!

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3) 


“In the name of God, the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”

Praying …..

Psalm 27

By David.

1 Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
    Who is there to fear?
    Yahweh is my life’s fortress.
    Who is there to be afraid of?

2 Evildoers closed in on me to tear me to pieces.
    My opponents and enemies stumbled and fell.
3         Even though an army sets up camp against me,
            my heart will not be afraid.
        Even though a war breaks out against me,
            I will still have confidence in the Lord.

4 I have asked one thing from Yahweh.
    This I will seek:
    to remain in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life
        in order to gaze at Yahweh’s beauty
            and to search for an answer in his temple.
5 He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble.
    He keeps me hidden in his tent.
    He sets me high on a rock.
6 Now my head will be raised above my enemies who surround me.
    I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy in his tent.
    I will sing and make music to praise Yahweh.
7 Hear, O Yahweh, when I cry aloud.
    Have pity on me, and answer me.
8 When you said,
    “Seek my face,”
        my heart said to you,
            “O Yahweh, I will seek your face.”[a]
9 Do not hide your face from me.
    Do not angrily turn me away.
        You have been my help.
            Do not leave me!
                Do not abandon me, O Elohim, my savior!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    Yahweh will take care of me.
11 Teach me your way, O Yahweh.
    Lead me on a level path
    because I have enemies who spy on me.
12 Do not surrender me to the will of my opponents.
    False witnesses have risen against me.
        They breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I will see the goodness of Yahweh
    in this world of the living.

14 Wait with hope for Yahweh.
    Be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
    Yes, wait with hope for Yahweh.

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.

https://translate.google.com/

I am completely sure, I will see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take my heart. Do not quit. I now say it again: I’ll stay with God . Psalm 27

Psalm 27 New American Standard Bible

A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom should I fear?
The Lord is the [a]defense of my life;
Whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 If an army encamps against me,
My heart will not fear;
If war arises against me,
In spite of this I am confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the [b]beauty of the Lord
And to [c]meditate in His temple.
5 For on the day of trouble He will conceal me in His [d]tabernacle;
He will hide me in the secret place of His tent;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer sacrifices in His tent [e]with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“I shall seek Your face, Lord.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
God of my salvation!
10 [f]For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me Your way, Lord,
And lead me on a level path
Because of my enemies.
12 Do not turn me over to the [g]desire of my enemies,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And the violent witness.
13 I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for 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.

Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude Even in Uncertainty

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

It’s always been a favorite holiday of mine.

Family, friends, pie, and pure gratitude for all God has done over the past year.

But this year might be a bit different. Right?

Depending on where you live, there may be financial restraints from the recent 43 day government shutdown, limiting health concerns, weather restrictions.

Depending on current circumstances, what losses you’ve experienced recently, you may not be feeling very motivated or thankful for the blessings, memories. 

How do we cultivate a heart of gratitude in the face of loss and uncertainty?

The Psalmist, David, wrote, “Seven times a day I praise you…Great peace have those who love your law and nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:164-165). 

I’ve been meditating on his words all week.

What’s striking about this passage is that David lived a very uncertain life.

Anointed to be King as a teenager, he waited a long time for the fulfillment of that promise.

At least 15 years or more.

During that time Saul hunted him and tried to kill him many times.

David lived with continual uncertainty even after he became King because there was always an enemy threatening Israel.

Yet, David writes, seven times a day He praised and thanked God.

I believe David’s passionate praise was the key to his resiliency.

I also happen to believe that it is the key to our resiliency. 

When we choose to give thanks to God – even when we don’t feel like shouting, “Hallelujah” – God is pleased.

How do we do this in light of all the uncertainty surrounding us?  

Set an alarm on your phone. 

Develop regular rhythms of praise and giving thanks.

A little discipline will help.

Is it hypocritical to praise God for who He is when everything in your life is falling apart?

No. It’s called a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Use the alarm on your phone or ask Siri or Alexa to remind you.

Seven times a day, stop.

Pause, give thanks to God for either an attribute of His or a blessing in your life.

By reminding your brain of the good and holy character of God, you train your brain towards peace.

Create a list of the attributes of God and keep them handy.

Stop whatever you’re working on 7 times a day for a few seconds and praise God for His character.

I bet if you did this for a month, you would begin to experience more joy and more peace than you ever thought possible.

Try it. I dare you!

Thank and praise Him for simple gifts.

You can thank Him for simple things: “Lord, I thank You for the beauty of the blue sky. I thank You for the cup of hot coffee. I thank you for the beauty of the snow on the mountain peaks out my window.  I thank you for the joy of clean water to drink.”

Make it a habit to thank God for everything!

This is what Paul meant in I Thessalonians 5:18 when he wrote, “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

This is the hardest part … No matter how dark the circumstances of our lives.

No matter what we are grieving, we can cultivate the habit of giving God thanks for every gift, whether small or great. 

Find the blessing of each day. 

Think of it as a treasure hunt.

Every single day of your life holds a treasure chest of blessings.

It’s a gift to be alive and to be able to know God.

So teach yourself to pause, look for, give thanks for the blessings of each day. 

Every evening at dinner, I reflect back on the day and write down in a journal three blessings of the day. Even in seasons of great pain, finding the blessings of each day has helped, will help, us rediscover just how wonderful life can be.

Friend, this will likely be a different Thanksgiving for many of us.

You might be grieving losses that are deep and dark.

Find the courage to stop and praise God 7 times a day, give Him thanks for even the simple joys of life and learn to find the blessings of each day.

I guarantee you’ll live a more joy-filled and peaceful life. 

While Thanksgiving Day is special, for the Christian it is only a starting point.

Thanks/living is so much grander.

“Thanksgiving really should be thanks living—a way of life—morning, noon and night—continually, forever giving our very highest thanks to the Lord.”

It’s a lifestyle, showing gratitude in action, every day and at all times.

Thanks living begins in the mind, filters through our attitudes and plays out in our actions.

I believe there are many ways we can build on Thanksgiving Day to cultivate God-honoring Thanks living.

1. The Foundation of Thanks living

Jesus is the foundation of a life of thanksgiving.

Our gratitude is rooted in Him—including all we have and who we are because of His sacrificial work in us.

Our foundation must be in the Lord, seeking Him and His righteousness first.

Lack of gratitude was evidenced in mankind’s initial disobedience and continues today in all who rebel against God.

Gratitude is a response to the great mercy we’ve been shown.

People may or may not express gratitude as a result of common grace. 

Only one of the 10 lepers Jesus healed returned to thank Him.

But “A thankful heart,” John MacArthur says,

“is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. … No matter how choppy the seas may become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by our constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.”

Thankfulness is, in fact, a command for the Christ-follower,

“God has commanded it—for our good and for His glory. God’s command to be thankful is not the threatening demand of a tyrant. Rather, it is the invitation of a lifetime—the opportunity to draw near to Him at any moment of the day.”

And that is Thanks living.

2. The Framework for Thanks living

Our habit of gratitude forms the framework for thanksliving.

Authentic gratitude builds on the foundation of Christ.

We receive all things from His hand.

We must learn from the Israelites whose gratitude was wavering and conditional—thankful when God delivered them, but murmuring when He didn’t.

Grace rather teaches us to actively pursue and practice gratitude.

We count our past and present blessings and are receptive to what God is doing in and through our lives in the present.

We are grateful not only for what we have and can do, but also for so many things did not touch our lives in a negative way—burdens, hurts and troubles.

And with maturity, we will even learn to be grateful for the trials, knowing  Romans 8:28 is true: “… all things work together for good….”

“No matter what our circumstances,”

Dr. David Jeremiah said, “we can find a reason to be thankful.”

J. I. Packer says much the same: “The habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy and zeal.”

Gratitude comes hard in our entitlement culture; we often have an ungrateful mindset. But we must teach our souls the truth, and choose thanksliving.

“Gratitude is a decision of the will,” Pastor Chuck Swindoll said. “Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work.”

We must learn to desire the Giver more than His gifts, and thank Him for His steadfast love and goodness. He is a “good, good Father,” and our first daily habit should be thanking Him for the small things, the simple pleasures.

3. The Focus of Thanks living

In a culture of “more,” there’s a lot of whining and grumbling; we’re not happy with our many blessings, and focus instead of our losses and lack.

We dwell on what is difficult or inconvenient and take things for granted.

But like Paul, we can learn to be content, and that is the focus of Thanks living.

“It is not how much we have,” Charles Spurgeon said, “but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.”

Spurgeon also reminds us, “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

Most Christ-followers need an attitude check.

“God has promised to supply all our needs,” Elizabeth Elliot said. “What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.”

People want food, a job, education, medical care, peace, and freedom—and I have all of these. How can I be discontent? How can I not express gratitude?

How can anyone not say “thank you, God” from the first moment they wake up?

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit

Praying …

Psalm 100 New American Standard Bible

All People Exhorted to Praise God.

A Psalm for [a]Thanksgiving.

100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with jubilation;
Come before Him with rejoicing.
3 Know that the Lord [b]Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and [c]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter His gates with [d]thanksgiving,
And His courtyards with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting
And His faithfulness is to all generations.

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.

https://translate.google.com/

On a good day, to enjoy yourself; On a bad day, to examine your conscience. Share a true heart of thankfulness, all the live long days God gives everyday! Ecclesiastes 7:8-18

Ecclesiastes 7:8-18 New American Standard Bible

8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit.
9 Do not be [a]eager in your spirit to be angry,
For anger resides in the [b]heart of fools.
10 Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good,
And an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For wisdom is [c]protection just as money is [d]protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive.
13 Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
14 On the day of prosperity be happy,
But on the day of adversity consider:
God has made the one as well as the other
So that a person will not discover anything that will come after him.

15 I have seen everything during my [e]lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die [f]before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp one thing while not [g]letting go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with [h]both of them.

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.

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.” – Ecclesiastes 7:14  

It’s now Thanksgiving season, and I have naturally been thinking of all I am thankful for.

God, life, family, friends, jobs, material blessings, church, etc.

Those are all things I am absolutely thankful for, but year after year it all just seems, too familiar, too routine, too “blah” “ho-hum” ugh, predictable.

Saying I’m thankful for my family, etc. just doesn’t seem like enough for some reason. It doesn’t seem honest enough. It doesn’t show the reality of my days.

It doesn’t show the depth of my thoughts of depravity – to just finally forget it all – stop answering my phone and similar such excuses, things of this nature .

It is all just too superficial.

You may get what I’m saying.

You may not. 

But hear my heart, here. 

I have gotten to know a number of souls in the past five years or so who live day to day through situations and relationships I cannot even begin to understand.

Their hearts and minds carry burdens that I would not allow myself to imagine, I cannot even fathom because, in all honesty, I have lived a fairly “bruised” life.

There have been hang-ups, hiccups, hurry-ups, h_ll no’s, along the way, some unfortunate choices, and some major league, hall of fame worthy regrets.

However now, through it all, through divinely revealed 20/20 hindsight, I trust that without question, that I was always loved and forgiven and accepted too.

But some whom I speak of have never had the security I feel.

They don’t have “their people” who they can say with absolute certainty will always love them and stand by them as long as they are able.

They don’t know, without a doubt, that there is a God who loves them and will never leave them because no one in their life has truly modeled a love like that.

It’s because of them that thankfulness takes on a new meaning this year.

I can’t just give a blanket statement anymore.

I need to tell them and others exactly what I am thankful for and Who alone is responsible for every good thing in my life.

Because I can’t guarantee them family or friends who will always be there.

But I can guarantee them that there is a Savior who loves them and will never let them go.

And we, as Believers, can help introduce them to  Him….the One a true heart of thankfulness comes from.

Here are 3 things to consider when you share Jesus, not only this Thanksgiving season, but throughout the year:

1. Talk to the Lord and proclaim His name out loud.

When Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead he said: “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” – John 11:41-42

Jesus didn’t need to talk to the Lord out loud.

He did it so those around Him would hear and recognize and acknowledge that this miracle came from God.

If He had not, they might have given credit to his human flesh. 

It is our turn to acknowledge, out loud, publicly, for all to hear, where all of our thankfulness is due.

When we do that, when we claim the name of our Savior Jesus and share with others about all that He has done in our lives, it can’t help but resonate with those who might not know Him yet. 

2. Remember to thank Him in the good and the bad. 

If we can share thankfulness in the good things, awesome. But if we want to make even more of an impression… share thankfulness for the hard things too.

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.” – Ecclesiastes 7:14

I am thankful for all of those times the Lord has brought me to my knees in tears because they humbled me. I am thankful for those health issues I’ve had recently because they’ve show me the stark limits of my humbled humanity.

When opportunities arise in everyday conversation, when we are sharing life with others, talk about the One who gives you life.

Say His name out loud for others to hear.

If others hear us talk about the Lord outside of church-away from the Christian setting where we are “supposed to”- it may mean more.

If we publicly show others that we think enough of Jesus to give Him all of the credit for our good days and trust Him to guide our steps in the hard things too, it may plant seeds that will grow in time. 

3. Keep it simple and speak gently.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” – 1 Peter 3:15

The majority of the people you talk to are not Bible scholars.

Many may have never even read one.

You don’t need fancy answers and highfalutin talk to impress anyone.

You just need to speak your heart, simply.

Go ahead and have an idea of what you would tell someone about the Lord and all He has done in your life, so that the next time you have an opportunity, you don’t back down because you feel unprepared.

Don’t believe the lies Satan may whisper in your ear, that you are not qualified enough to share about the Lord or that you are undeserving of that opportunity.

You are a child of the King and He wants you to share!

And finally, speak gently because you never know what someone has been through or what negative experiences they may have had with “church.”

Going Deeper with God – Living through Good and Bad

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/eat-this-book/

In Eat this Book, Eugene Peterson teaches us to chew on a passage of scripture, digest it and then put it to use in practical ways. Our early Christian fathers and mothers called this process Lectio Divina. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 re- minds us that the life God breathed into us is replete with good and bad times and how to live through it all.

Ecclesiastes 7: 13-14 (NIV)

13 Consider what God has done: 

Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14 When times are good, be happy;
    but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one  as well as the other.
Therefore, no one can discover
    anything about their future.

CHEWING

When I ran across Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 recently, I was struck by the concept of straightening what God has made “crooked.”  First of all, what does it mean to say that God chose to make anything crooked rather than straight?  In my reading about this concept I found a variety of possibilities:

  • God makes our lives “crooked” at some point to prepare and train us for the role he has planned for us.  Think of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David – the list goes on. (Rodelio Mallari, Sermon Central)
  • Crooked things are the events of life that thwart our inclinations, the difficulties which meet us in life that we cannot alter (Pulpit Commentary).
  • Crooked things are things that are uncomfortable or  painful or do not work out the way we want (Lonnie Atwood, Cazenovia Park Baptist Church, Buffalo, NY).
  • Our lives are made up of events which are “straight” – those that meet our expectations-and events which are “crooked” – which by their seeming inequality baffle our comprehension (Barnes Notes on the Bible).

And then there is the phrasing of Eugene Peterson in The Message:

Take good look at God’s work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles to a plain straight line?

On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won’t take anything for granted.

Peterson tells us that not only can we not understand God’s geometry, we can do nothing to change it.

We can only take the good days and the bad days as they come.

Perhaps God for some reason wants this crooked thing in my life to be crooked; who am I to bitterly complain about it?

Trying to argue about how and when and why both the good and bad days are apportioned in our lives (or in someone else’s) is not only foolhardy but also not our role.

We are not privy to how God works; we can only accept what comes and believe that it will all work out for our good.  

DIGESTING

Try this experiment in soul training for at least two weeks – or a month if you can summon up the discipline:

  1.  Put your favorite translation of Ecclesiastes 7:13–14 on a card or in your phone. Read it every morning.
  2. At the end of each day, use any of the definitions of “crooked” in the “Chewing” section  above to help you find and list the crooked things that have surfaced in your life that day. Also include memories of crooked things that surfaced today unbidden.
  3. Note how you handled the crooked things. Did you complain? (I do – endlessly.) Did you get depressed? Did you doubt your ability or wisdom to handle them? Did you get mad at someone – yourself, someone in your life, a person whom you contacted to fix the crookedness? Did you pray about them? Compare those responses with those recommended in Ecclesiastes 13 -14.
  4. At the end of each week, journal about your experience with  these verses.  Or talk to a friend or family member. At the end of the month intentionally choose better ways to respond to your crooked things and begin implementing them.
  5. Once you have practiced this soul training and are comfortable with it, introduce it to your family or small group. Share with each other your responses and attitudes  to crooked things in your life.

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. The sorrow overwhelms us, makes us throw ourselves on the ground, faced down, and sweat drops of blood. Then we need to be reminded that our cup of sorrow is also our cup of joy and that one day we will be able to taste the joy as fully as we now taste the sorrow” (Henri Nouwen, You are the Beloved).

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …..

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 New American Standard Bible
A Time for Everything

3 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—

2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What benefit is there for the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of mankind with which to [a]occupy themselves.

God Set Eternity in the Heart of Mankind

11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13 moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will [b]fear Him. 15 That which is, is what has already been, and that which will be has already been; and God [c]seeks what has passed by.

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.

https://translate.google.com/

I am now calling Heaven and Earth to be an eyewitness against you today: Choose this day to be an encourager, Choose this day to be a discourager? Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 New King James Version

The Choice of Life or Death

11 “For this commandment which I command you today is [a]not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13  Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you, your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

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.

When I first became a Christian, I decided I would somehow find a way to live in two different worlds.

I was planning to hang out with my old friends and still be a Christian.

For a time, I felt as though I were in a state of suspended animation.

I wasn’t comfortable with my old buddies, but I wasn’t quite comfortable with the Christians, either.

So, I decided to be Mr. Solo Christian.

I even said to my friends,

“Don’t worry about me. You’re thinking that I’ll become a fanatic and carry a Bible, spontaneously say, ‘Praise the Lord.’ It will never happen. I’m going to be cool about this. I won’t embarrass you, but I’m going to believe in God now.”

However, as God became more real to me, I began to follow Him more closely, He changed my life and my outlook. As a result, my priorities began to change.

Without exception, on our Christian journey, we’ll find that there are always going to be people who will impede, discourage us, from growing spiritually.

They’ll say things like,

“I think it’s truly wonderful that you’re a Christian. I go to church too—but only at Christmas and Easter and for weddings. But you’re getting a little too fanatical. You brought a Bible to work the other day. That’s going a little too far. We were both so embarrassed. You’re no fun anymore. We are glad you’ve made changes in your life, but we’re afraid that you’re going to become too extreme.”

When we’re confronted with people like this, we have the choice of either to do what God wants us to do or to go with the flow of their lukewarm commitment.

We’ll find that there are biblical consequences for each option.

Deuteronomy 30:19 

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Choosing life includes choosing people who encourage you to live the life God offers.

Luke 18:9-14 New American Standard Bible

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the [a] temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee  stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be [b]merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Which Would We Despise, Be Discouraged By Today?

Tax collectors were despised for two reasons.

They are traitors because they collected taxes for the oppressive Roman Empire.

And they knowingly overcharged their fellow Jews and kept the extra money for themselves.

Because of these sins against God’s people, tax collectors were considered unclean. So it’s a surprise that in his parable Jesus speaks of a tax collector observed, set apart, praying at the temple, where he wouldn’t be welcome.

The Pharisees, however, worked hard to be pure and spotless, to be able to say, with

Psalm 26:4-5, “I do not sit with the deceitful … I … refuse to sit with the wicked.”

If any of the Jews were righteous, it was the Pharisees.

But Jesus says the tax collector in this story was justified—and not the Pharisee.

That surely shocked his first listeners!

Today, however, we may have to avoid a similar pitfall.

We might tend to despise the Pharisee and treat the tax collector as a hero.

But that would be a mistake.

We have to be careful not to be like the Pharisee, the one who despises others, even as we see that he’s a hypocrite.

Jesus’ judgment in this parable raises the question of how our assessment of people squares with God’s assessment.

If we judge people as less than ourselves—whether Pharisee or tax collector—we are in serious danger of excluding ourselves from God. It’s that serious.

The apostle Paul’s instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 are clear:

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

The believers who take those instructions to heart are the ones we should be surrounding ourselves with.

The Christian life is a challenge.

The people who recognize that and offer words of comfort, wisdom, and encouragement along the way are extremely valuable resources. They counteract the negativity and discouragement that others throw our way.

Why are we going to let people hold us back?

Why are we going to let people discourage us from wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ?

Reflection question:

Where can we find encouragement and support in our walks with Christ?

Jesus Chooses Life for Us

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Complete Jewish Bible

(RY: iv, LY: vii) 15 “Look! I am presenting you today with, on the one hand, life and good; and on the other, death and evil — 16 in that I am ordering you today to love Adonai your God, to follow his ways, to obey his mitzvot, regulations and rulings ; for if you do, you will live and increase your numbers; and Adonai your God will bless you in the land you are entering in order to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, if you refuse to listen, if you are drawn away to prostrate yourselves before other gods and serve them; (LY: Maftir) 18 I am announcing to you today that you will certainly perish; you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Yarden to enter and possess.

19 “I call on heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, so that you will live, you and your descendants, 20 loving Adonai your God, paying attention to what he says and clinging to him — for that is the purpose of your life! On this depends the length of time you will live in the land Adonai swore he would give to your ancestors Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya‘akov.”

Haftarah Nitzavim: Yesha‘yahu (Isaiah) 61:10–63:9

B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Nitzavim: Romans 9:30–10:13; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 12:14 –15

In Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his farewell speech to God’s people Israel.

So he tells the Israelites straight up: “You can go one of two ways—the way of blessings and life, or the way of curses and death. Choose life!”

The choice seems rather simple and obvious, right?

I can’t imagine people saying, “Well, I’ll choose curses and death.”

But some do.

Some people reject or ignore the choice that God gives them.

The same thing happens today.

People reject or ignore the choice to follow Christ.

In Moses’ day, God laid the choice in front of Israel in terms of a “covenant.”

That was a pact between God and his people—a pledge of fidelity on both sides.

God promised to be faithful to his people, and the people were summoned to reciprocate.

They needed to be faithful to God.

They needed to keep the terms of the covenant.

Those terms made up the law, summarized in the Ten Commandments:

do not worship or serve other gods; do not harm your neighbor; and so on.

Yet no human could keep the terms of that covenant perfectly—till Jesus came.

John 3:16-21 Complete Jewish Bible

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved. 18 Those who trust in him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the one who is God’s only and unique Son.

19 “Now this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness rather than the light. Why? Because their actions were wicked. 20 For everyone who does evil things hates the light and avoids it, so that his actions won’t be exposed. 21 But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that his actions are accomplished through God.”

Jesus is, will be, the only human who kept every stipulation of the covenant.

And he not only chose life for himself but, once and for all time, also made it available to all who would choose life in him.

Thanks to Jesus, we have blessings and life!

In summation ….

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …..

Praying …..

Psalm 40 Complete Jewish Bible

40 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:

2 (1) I waited patiently for Adonai,
till he turned toward me and heard my cry.
3 (2) He brought me up from the roaring pit,
up from the muddy ooze,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my footing firm.
4 (3) He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will look on in awe
and put their trust in Adonai.

5 (4) How blessed the man who trusts in Adonai
and does not look to the arrogant
or to those who rely on things that are false.

6 (5) How much you have done, Adonai my God!
Your wonders and your thoughts toward us —
none can compare with you!
I would proclaim them, I would speak about them;
but there’s too much to tell!

7 (6) Sacrifices and grain offerings you don’t want;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you don’t demand.
Instead, you have given me open ears;
8 (7) so then I said, “Here I am! I’m coming!
In the scroll of a book it is written about me.
9 (8) Doing your will, my God, is my joy;
your Torah is in my inmost being.
10 (9) I have proclaimed what is right in the great assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, Adonai, as you know.
11 (10) I did not hide your righteousness in my heart
but declared your faithfulness and salvation;
I did not conceal your grace and truth
from the great assembly.”

12 (11) Adonai, don’t withhold your mercy from me.
Let your grace and truth preserve me always.
13 (12) For numberless evils surround me;
my iniquities engulf me — I can’t even see;
there are more of them than hairs on my head,
so that my courage fails me.
14 (13) Be pleased, Adonai, to rescue me!
Adonai, hurry and help me!
15 (14) May those who seek to sweep me away
be disgraced and humiliated together.
May those who take pleasure in doing me harm
be turned back and put to confusion.
16 (15) May those who jeer at me, “Aha! Aha!”
be aghast because of their shame.

17 (16) But may all those who seek you
be glad and take joy in you.
May those who love your salvation say always,
“Adonai is great and glorious!”

18 (17) But I am poor and needy;
may Adonai think of me.
You are my helper and rescuer;
my God, don’t delay!

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.

https://translate.google.com/

Write this to Ephesus, Christ Knows Your Works. “I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. “But you’ve walked away from your first love—Pray, tell Me why? Revelation 2:1–5

Revelation 2:1-5 Amplified Bible

Message to Ephesus

2 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Ephesus write:

“These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):

2 ‘I know [b]your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and  impostors; 3  and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. 4 But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. 5 So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent.

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.

Revelation 2:1-5 New King James Version

The Loveless Church

2 “To the [a]angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your [b] patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

The Witness of the Church

Throughout the first century A.D., Jesus’ followers fanned out across the Roman Empire to spread the good news of God’s salvation in Christ.

They formed communities to support and encourage each other in life, faith, and witness. Yet by the end of the century, persecution came to many Christians in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), and they needed major assertive support.

Christ Knows Our Works

Apostle John, one of the exiled leaders, wrote the book of Revelation to them.

It’s filled with words of hope and caution and warning from Jesus to the churches, whom he calls golden lampstands.

What a comfort to know Christ the King walks among the churches he loves.

Jesus knows you.

The letter to the church in Ephesus is the first of Christ’s seven letters to the first-century churches in Revelation 2 – 3, and each begins, “I know…” Jesus knew and understood these early believers’ circumstances.

When it came to their successes, their struggles, trials and their tribulations, He was deeply aware and concerned. He wrote directly to each church specifically about the context in which it found itself (Revelation 2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15).

Pause a minute. Ponder about the nature of that phrase, “I know your works.”

Who knows you?

Perhaps you might think of your spouse, your children, or your boss.

But ultimately, “Who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him?” (1 Corinthians 2:11).

The only one who truly knows is the one who, through the apostle John, wrote this letter.

The psalmist, understanding this, marveled:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
    You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar …
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O LORD, you know it altogether …
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:1-2, 4, 6)

Christ’s letters to the first-century churches are historical, written to real churches in real places, with real men, women, and families living at a certain point in time.

Revelation 2:1-5 are Jesus’ words for John to write to the church in Ephesus.

He recognizes how good and faithful the church in Ephesus has been, but they had forgotten their first love.

Yet the specific issues which the Lord addressed are timeless:

believers enjoying a sense of triumphant expectation or dealing with failures in their Christian pilgrimage; struggling converts who had begun well but had slid back into laziness; congregations once known for their vibrancy and genuine commitment to Christ and His people are becoming dreadfully complacent.

These specifics are not unfamiliar to us; neither are they unknown to Jesus.

There is an awesomeness about the simplicity of this phrase, “I know all of your works,” relevant to gatherings of God’s people in which we find ourselves today.

The risen Christ looks upon us, saying, I know.

What did Jesus mean when he said “I will remove your lampstand”?

The Lord warned these brethren that unless they repented and did “the first works” He would remove their “lampstand from its place” (Rev. 2:5).

The “lampstand” was symbolic of the Lord’s presence and His recognition of that congregation as belonging to Him.

20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Come before Jesus today, with honesty and openness and willingness. He already understands, and, through the authority of His word, He wants to speak directly with us about the shaky situation in which we, too, find ourselves in.

In the first of seven messages to different churches, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus that he knows all of their deeds, hard work, and perseverance.

He also challenges them, giving compliments before critique.

Church communities are filled with blessing because Jesus walks among us!

Christians care for each other, hear biblical preaching and teaching, praise God, and pray together.

We host programs, help community causes, and contribute to international relief and missions.

In what ways is your church community a witness for God?

How could you do this better?

How might our churches become a better witness for God?

We are witnesses of Christ when we receive a sure, personal testimony that He lives within.

Being a witness of Jesus Christ in the most fundamental sense is to possess a sure, personal testimony He is the divine Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

What does the Bible say about being a witness for Christ?

Jesus instructs (and prayed for) us to witness (John 17:18; 1 Chronicles 16:8–12).

John 17: Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

Telling people about Jesus, how he has transformed us, saved us, and renewed our lives is witnessing and is obedience to Him.

https://billygraham.org/answers/how-can-i-witness-for-christ

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/blog/witness-to-jesus-christ

You Will Be My Witnesses: God’s Job Description for Every Christian

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….

Praying …..

Psalm 84 The Message

84 1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
    I’ve always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
    where I could sing for joy to God-alive!

3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
    sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
    singing their songs in the place where we worship.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!
    How blessed they are to live and sing there!

5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,
    whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
    discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
    at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!

8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:
    O God of Jacob, open your ears—I’m praying!
Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,
    our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.

10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,
    beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches.
I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God
    than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
All sunshine and sovereign is God,
    generous in gifts and glory.
He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions.
    It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

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.

https://translate.google.com/

Glad Submission to God? For we are cheating on God. If all we want is our own way, dating and flirting with the world every chance we get, we end up enemies of God, his Truth, his Way. James 4:6-10

James 4:6-10 Amplified Bible

6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

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.

Truth is; human nature hasn’t changed much in the 2,000 years since these words were written by James. As James points out, quarrels and fights come from people’s win now competitive desires for things they don’t have.

We want a better job, or a more affectionate spouse, or a faster car, bigger truck, a place on the starting team, or a bigger house—or any number of other things.

We don’t always get what we want, we get upset. We strive and argue and fight to get what we want. The assumption we make is “I need it” or “I deserve it.”

There are things we really do need or deserve.

But, according to James, most of our desires stem from our love for the world and its expansive material things.

Each of us needs to evaluate our desires.

Where do they come from?

Why do we have them?

Because advertisements convince us we deserve something newer or better?

Is it because neighbors or relatives have nicer things than we do, and we are just envious as the sun is hot, just as good, better and more hard-working as they?

This kind of subtle resentment leads to bitterness and frustration.

As James says, “Resist the devil,” and instead “come near to God … Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Are you unhappy or quarrelsome today?

A hundred different shades of Green with envy and jealousy?

See how many of your desires are justifiable or really important.

Then draw near to God, the source of all blessing.

He will, in his time, lift you up.

Glad Submission to God

James 4:6-8 Complete Jewish Bible

6 But the grace he gives is greater, which is why it says,

“God opposes the arrogant,
but to the humble he gives grace.”[a]

7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!

It seems hard to imagine now, but there was a time in the not-so-distant past when people hardly ever wore seat belts, and children weren’t required to have the sort of car seats they must have now.

Without belts and latches to restrain them, it could prove rather difficult to get children to sit and stay sitting.

The story is told of a young boy who found himself in the car with his mother.

He was in the back seat, and, as young boys tend to do, he found himself getting restless, so he was up and down and moving around.

His mother, of course, told him he needed to sit.

Finally, after repeated requests and repeated refusals, his mother felt the need to stop the car and exercise appropriate discipline.

She then got him back in his seat and set off down the road again.

A few seconds later, the boy mumbled defiantly from the back seat, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside.”

That little story is likely to prompt us to smile—but it also sounds something of a warning for us.

This boy, while outwardly obeying, was inwardly rebelling.

How often might that characterize our own behavior toward God?

Perhaps we outwardly do and say the right things, especially when we are in public and most of all in church, but inwardly we are thinking and feeling just the opposite.

As innocent, normal as the scenario may seem, it was pride rearing up in that small boy’s heart that provoked that defiant comment— is pride that is rearing up in our hearts when we subtly sit down outwardly but stand up internally.

And God sees all.

Philippians 2:5-18 Complete Jewish Bible

5 Let your attitude toward one another be governed by your being in union with the Messiah Yeshua:

6 Though he was in the form of God,
he did not regard equality with God
something to be possessed by force.
7 On the contrary, he emptied himself,
in that he took the form of a slave
by becoming like human beings are.

And when he appeared as a human being,
8 he humbled himself still more
by becoming obedient even to death —
death on a stake as a criminal!
9 Therefore God raised him to the highest place
and gave him the name above every name;

10 that in honor of the name given Yeshua,
every knee will bow —
in heaven, on earth and under the earth —
11 and every tongue will acknowledge[a]
that Yeshua the Messiah is Adonai —
to the glory of God the Father.

12 So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you: keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling,[b] 13 for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him. 

14 Do everything without kvetching or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure children of God, without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation,[c] among whom you shine like stars in the sky, 16 as you hold on to the Word of Life. If you do this, I will be able to boast, when the Day of the Messiah comes, that I did not run or toil for nothing. 17 Indeed, even if my lifeblood is poured out as a drink offering over the sacrifice and service of your faith, I will still be glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise, you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Real submission to God is the outworking of a truly humble heart.

To submit to God is to align our whole selves under His authority.

By nature, we oppose authority and do not like to be told what to do.

But obedience to God ought never to be grudging.

Nehemiah 8:1-11Common English Bible

Ezra reads the Instruction aloud

8 When the seventh month[a] came and the people of Israel were settled in their towns, all the people gathered together in the area in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Instruction[b] scroll from Moses, according to which the Lord had instructed Israel.

2 So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Instruction before the assembly. This assembly was made up of both men and women and anyone who could understand what they heard. 3 Facing the area in front of the Water Gate, he read it aloud, from early morning until the middle of the day. He read it in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand, and everyone listened attentively to the Instruction scroll.

4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for this purpose. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his righthand side; while Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam stood on his lefthand side.

5 Standing above all of the people, Ezra the scribe opened the scroll in the sight of all of the people. And as he opened it, all of the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all of the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” while raising their hands. Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

5 Standing above all of the people, Ezra the scribe opened the scroll in the sight of all of the people. And as he opened it, all of the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all of the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” while raising their hands. Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah[c]—helped the people to understand the Instruction while the people remained in their places. 8 They read aloud from the scroll, the Instruction from God, explaining and interpreting it so the people could understand what they heard.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all of the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Don’t mourn or weep.” They said this[d] because all the people wept when they heard the words of the Instruction.

10 “Go, eat rich food, and drink something sweet,” he said to them, “and send portions of this to any who have nothing ready! This day is holy to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength!”

11 The Levites also calmed all of the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Don’t be sad!”

We should submit with a joyful, happy abandonment to God’s will as it is revealed to us in His word.

It is our delight to discover His truth and act accordingly.

Such joyful submission is possible because of the nature of the one to whom we submit.

When we submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, we give ourselves to true freedom (Galatians 5:1).

We yield to a light burden and an easy yoke (Matthew 11:30).

So, take a close look at your own life and heart today.

Are there ways in which you are sitting down on the outside but standing up on the inside—obeying God but grumbling about it and begrudging having to do it?

There is always more grace for such pride, but it truly does need to be humbly addressed, repented of. What is it that you need to remember about God in order to do that, and then to submit willingly, joyfully, and wholly to His will for you?

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….

Praying ….

Psalm 16 Complete Jewish Bible

16 (0) Mikhtam. By David:

(1) Protect me, God,
for you are my refuge.
2 I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good outside of you.”
3 The holy people in the land are the ones
who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.

4 Those who run after another god
multiply their sorrows;
To such gods I will not offer
drink offerings of blood
or take their names on my lips.

5 Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup:
you safeguard my share.
6 Pleasant places were measured out for me;
I am content with my heritage.

7 I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
8 I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
11 You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight.

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.

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Heads up! The days are coming when I’ll set up a new plan for dealing with Israel and Judah. They failed to keep their part of the bargain, so I looked away and let it go. Hebrews 8:7-13

Hebrews 8:7-13 New American Standard Bible

A New Covenant

7 For if that first covenant had been free of fault, no [a]circumstances would have been sought for a second. 8 For in finding fault with [b]the people, He says,

“Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
[c]When I will bring about a new covenant
With the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers
On the day I took them by the hand
To bring them out of the land of Egypt;
For they did not continue in My covenant,
And I did not care about them, says the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, declares the Lord:
[d]I will put My laws into their minds,
And write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
11 And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen,
And each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For they will all know Me,
From [e]the least to the greatest of them.
12 For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings,
And their sins I will no longer remember.”

13 [f]When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is [g]about to disappear.

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.

Much of chapter 8 is a summary of chapters 1-7.

It was written to Hebrew believers.

These Men and women of the mid first century grew up in the Jewish religious tradition with the priesthood. The sacrifices of animals as a covering for sin.

But now, they were free from all of that.

Because the Messiah had come in Jesus.

He fulfilled the law and was the perfect sacrifice, because He was without sin.

They placed their faith and trust in Him for their salvation, and were no longer under the long failed Old Testament Law.

However,… for many of them, their families still were, their friends still were, that was their community.

Persecution is spreading rapidly and life was way more difficult and dangerous as a Christian, that what they ever remembered in the world of rules and black and white religion.

They were sorely tempted to abandon their faith in Christ, and turn back to their former ways.

The book of Hebrews was written as an encouragement to them to hang on.

It was written for them to gain some perspective, and to learn that Jesus was better than all of that.

Out With The Old, In With The New

This is the “sum” of all that the writer has been saying so far:

“We have such a high priest…” (Hebrews 8:1a).

Jesus, our high priest, is ‘holy, innocent, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens’ (cf. Hebrews 7:26).

He is “seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1b; cf. Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2).

At the time of our writer’s writing (Hebrews 8:4), the Levitical priesthood was continuing to make offerings and sacrifices: but, even if He was still upon earth, Jesus wouldn’t have qualified to conduct these – He is not of the tribe of Levi (cf. Hebrews 7:14).

No, Jesus’ priesthood is quite another order (Hebrews 7:17): which ensures we lift our eyes above the earthly and temporary into heaven itself (Hebrews 9:24).

Jesus’ “has obtained a more excellent ministry” in proportion to “how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon far far better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

The shadow gives way to the reality. “For if that first (covenant) had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for the second” (Hebrews 8:7).

In Hebrews 8:8-12, our writer goes on to quote the ‘new covenant’ text (of Jeremiah 31:31-34) in full. First, the LORD “will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Hebrews 8:8; cf. Jeremiah 31:31).

This new covenant is so much superior to the old, that now the LORD will write His laws upon the hearts of His people (Hebrews 8:10b; cf. Jeremiah 31:33b).

This internalizing of the otherwise impossible law points forward to the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (cf. Ezekiel 36:27). No longer is God’s law written upon tables of stone, but upon our fragile human hearts (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:3)!

Delighting in God’s Will

When God’s people cannot rise to the pinnacle of His standards, the Lord does not lower His standards to match their abilities. Instead, Lord determines to transform His people through the person and work of His Son, Jesus.

According to Old Testament practices, every high priest was appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of the people.

But, when Jesus came to fulfill the role of our Great High Priest, He ushered in the new and perfect covenant by offering His own life as the final sacrifice.

By His death and resurrection, Jesus secured a covenant which can never be broken—a covenant that these worlds had looked forward to when the prophet Jeremiah first spoke them (Jeremiah 31:31-32);

31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.

A covenant that transforms the hearts of those with whom it is made.

But how does this transformation take place?

Following His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down “at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 8:1).

This decisive act not only signified His work was complete but also initiated the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Prior to His death and resurrection, Jesus essentially told His disciples, It is necessary for Me to go away. If I’m here, I’m just here, in this body and in this place. But when I go, when I send the Holy Spirit in all of His fullness, He will not only be with you, but He will be in you—all of you, wherever you are. And He will take the things that are Mine, and He will make them precious to you.

It’s the ministry of the Holy Spirit, then, to transform and renew our hearts so God’s law will be written on them and so that it will be our delight to do His will (Jeremiah 31:33).

Previously, God’s ways were irksome to us.

Previously, His law was only condemnation to us.

But now it has become a joyful reality.

To live in purity, wholeness, and faithfulness has now become our delight.

The new covenant also enables us to know God through His word.

Our knowledge of God doesn’t come primarily through sacraments, a hierarchy of priests, or teachers and pastors.

Instead, all of us, from the least to the greatest, can know God (Hebrews 8:11).

When we genuinely know God personally and intimately, we are assured of our forgiveness; and when we see Christ personally and intimately in His word, we are transformed by the Spirit to become more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).

This is the wonder of what Jesus has done as our Great High Priest.

He has secured our forgiveness, and He has sent His Spirit.

In what ways are we struggling to obey God, or even really to want to obey Him?

Ask Him to work through you, by His Spirit, to transform your view of His law and to enable your obedience of it.

What you could never do on your own, you can do as you keep in step with Him.

In God’s strength, grow to deepen relationships, broaden horizons, and find peace and hope for everyday living. Let God pull his weight! We’ll be pleasantly surprised—and overwhelmingly thankful—for the changes that we’ll all see.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …..

Praying …..

Psalm 8 New American Standard Bible

The Lord’s Glory and Mankind’s Dignity.
For the music director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

8 Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
You who have [a]displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established [b]strength
Because of Your enemies,
To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.

3 When I [c]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have set in place;
4 What is man that You think of him,
And a son of man that You are concerned about him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than [d]God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You have him rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put everything under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the animals of the field,
8 The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all 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, amen.

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Jesus is asking, Are we welcoming the quiet? “Come off by yourselves; lets take a break and get a little rest.” Mark 6:30-31 

Mark 6:30-31 Amplified Bible

Five Thousand Fed

30 The apostles [who had been sent out on a mission] gathered together with Jesus and told Him everything that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while”—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat.

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.

“Come with me by yourselves to a place where we can be alone, and you can get some rest.”

Jesus said these words to His followers after a busy day in ministry. Perhaps He felt drained from all the demands and expectations placed upon Him from crowds of people who wanted something from Him. Perhaps He felt burdened at all there was to do, and so many people to help that He needed to get away to a quiet place with His Father in heaven. And certainly, He knew His followers could use some rest and respite as well. And that’s why He invited them to come with Him to the quiet to get some rest.

If Jesus, being fully God, yet fully man, could sense His need to go away to a quiet place, then we should sense our need for the stillness and quiet as well. And I find it interesting that Jesus, while there were times He got away by Himself to be with God, in this particular verse, He invited those He loved to come away with Him. Part of Jesus’ rest and refueling was to be with those He loved—in the quiet.

What is the world’s quietest room challenge?

https://www.good.is/worlds-quietest-room

In Earth’s quietest room, even lasting 45 minutes are unbearable for anyone.

Standing in the room gives people the creeps, making them feel as if they’re losing their spatial balance and orientation.

Can too much silence drive us mad?

This question arises from a unique room in Minneapolis, where visitors report eerie sensations and disorientation due to its profound silence. They often hear faint ringing in their ears, and so far, no one has lasted more than 45 minutes.

Now holding the Guinness World Record for the quietest place on Earth, the anechoic test chamber at Orfield Laboratories has a background noise level of -24.9 decibels. The human audible range is from zero to 120 decibels, so a sound of negative decibels is inaudible by humans.

An anechoic chamber, meaning “no echo,” achieves profound silence through its design.

Fiberglass wedges coat the walls, floors, and ceilings, absorbing any internal sounds, while thick layers of brick and steel reinforce the soundproofing.

This meticulous design guarantees complete isolation from external noise.

The maximum someone has stayed inside this chamber is 45 minutes.

The room is so quiet a person inside it will hear their heartbeats, even the sounds of their organs, Steven Orfield, lab’s founder, told Hearing Aid Know.

“We challenge people to sit in the chamber in the dark – one person stayed in there for 45 minutes.

When it’s quiet, ears will adapt. The quieter the room, the more things you hear,” he said, adding, “In the anechoic chamber, you become the sound.”

NASA regularly sends astronauts there to help them practice adaptability to the silence of space.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Do you ever sense the need to get away from it all to a quiet place where you can get some rest?

Perhaps you sense that every day.

But that is more than just your body’s way of saying “get some rest” or your mind’s way of saying, I need a vacation.

I believe it’s our soul’s way of saying “God’s been waiting. Get away with Him.”

I believe it’s Jesus’ way of saying, “Come with Me to a quiet place where we can be together.”

You and I can view quiet, alone times as reminders of our loneliness and do everything we can to avoid them.

Or, we can try to get to a place where we think it will be quiet, but we will be taking our noisy minds and selves with us. But I encourage you to welcome the quiet as a much-needed respite from the noise—and as an invitation from God who has been whispering to you: Come with Me to a quiet place and get some rest.

How often do we feel we must set aside time to be with God and then feel guilty for not doing it?

How often our hearts may long for an indeterminate getaway with Him, not realizing that getaway is available to us every moment of the day because He indwells us and calls us out to come to Him within the recesses of our hearts.

“Be still and know that I am God,” says Psalm 46:10.

We can get to know Him in the stillness as we allow Him to quiet our thoughts, and we begin to focus on His presence.

Psalm 46:10 in the New American Standard Bible reads: “Stop striving and know that I am God.”

Having a beating heart at rest means we are not striving to control, not anxious or stressed, nor long distracted, about what might happen, or all we have to do.

It means we are in a place of quiet contentment, like David sang in 

Psalm 131:2: “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (ESV).

Quiet. Full. Satisfied. Secure.

Is it time to slow your pace, switch off the inner chatter, and ask God to still your mind from anxiety or busyness and flood it with His peace?

Is it time to close the smart phone apps, shut the lid on your device, or turn off the music or the TV, and develop a heart that not only welcomes but longs for the quiet stillness?

It’s there you will begin to discern your Savior’s voice, which is much more loving than your own internal critic.

It is there you will hear His tender words: I have loved you with an everlasting love… I have drawn you with kindness (Jeremiah 31:3).

It is there you will be assured of His promise to never leave you or abandon you (Hebrews 13:5).

It is there, in His presence, that you will find fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

Embrace the quiet of your day—or escape to it by carving it out somewhere—so you can get away with God in your heart.

Close your eyes.

Enjoy the stillness of the moment and the assurance of His presence.

Spend some time thanking Him for breathing rest –and quiet—into your day.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….

Praying ……

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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.

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Have I learned to be content whatever the circumstances? Or am I too good at faking it, until I think I believe it? Philippians 4:10-14

Philippians 4:10-14 The Message

Content Whatever the Circumstances

10-14 I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

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.

What Is Contentment? 

Merriam-Webster defines being contented as “feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.”

But for Christians, contentment goes beyond mere satisfaction; it roots itself in a deep trust in God’s provision and sovereignty. Contentment means aligning your desires with God’s will and finding joy and peace in His plans for your life. 

The Role of Faith in Contentment 

Faith plays a crucial role in finding and maintaining contentment. Trusting in God’s goodness, His provision, His timing can help you rest in the assurance He is in control. When challenges arise, lean on your faith and remember this: God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  

Biblical Perspective on Contentment 

The Bible offers numerous insights into finding contentment: 

  1. Trusting in God’s Provision: Philippians 4:11-12 says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Paul’s words here highlight that we learn contentment through trust in God’s provision. 
  2. Avoiding Materialism: Hebrews 13:5 advises, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” This verse teaches that true contentment comes from knowing God is always with you, rather than acquiring material wealth. 
  3. Embracing God’s Plan: Psalm 33:11 reassures us, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Contentment involves trusting that God is good, He can’t be anything but good, and therefore His plans for you are always good. Rest in that truth to find contentment. 
Finding Contentment: Six Practical Steps 

So now that we’ve addressed the big question of “what is contentment and how do I find it,” here are practical steps to help us to embrace contentment in our daily life: 

1. Practice Gratitude 

Gratitude is a powerful antidote to discontentment. Take time each day to list things you are thankful for. This simple practice can shift your focus from what you lack to what you already have, fostering a sense of satisfaction and peace.

They don’t have to be big things.

I’m often thankful for a good tall glass of cold Coke Zero or dog’s wagging tail.  

2. Deepening our Relationship with God 

Contentment is closely tied to our relationship with God.

Spend time in prayer, study the Bible, and seek to understand God’s character and promises.

The more we grow in our knowledge and love for God, the more we will trust Him with our whole heart and mind, leading unto our greater contentment. 

3. Simplify our Life 

In our consumer-tech driven society, it is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of more—more possessions, more achievements, more experiences. Simplifying our lives by decluttering our homes, setting boundaries, and prioritizing what truly matters, all of which can help us focus upon what brings true satisfaction. 

4. Serve Others 

Acts of service can bring to us immense joy and satisfaction. When we focus on helping others, it takes our mind off our own wants and needs. Plus, our serving others is a tangible way to live out our faith, our hope and reflecting God’s love.

5. Set Realistic Goals 

While ambition is not inherently wrong, setting unrealistic goals can lead to constant striving and discontent. Align your goals with God’s will for your life and set realistic, achievable steps to reach them. Celebrate small victories along the way. 

6. Reflect on Your Purpose 

Understanding your God-given purpose can bring immense contentment. Reflect on your talents, passions, and opportunities to serve God and others. Pursue activities and goals that align with this purpose, trusting that God has a unique plan for your life. 

Contentment in Community 

Finally, remember we are not alone in your journey to answer the question, “what is contentment?” Engage with our church communities, share of our struggles and victories, encourage one another. Accountability and support from fellow believers will make a significant difference in your journey. 

I want to clarify having dreams and desires does not mean you feel discontent.

Even as my wife continues to savor pictures from our vacations, dreaming of the day we’ll leave on our as yet a still to be planned long distance, we’ll bloom where we are. We’re heavily involved in our church, have deep friendships, and care about our community. God has us here, and we will walk in His purposes. 

Sometimes we have the pleasure of meeting a Christian couple  who exudes calm, peace, and contentment even though they are living with limitations or ailments that are difficult and painful.

Or maybe they have faced heart-wrenching tragedy in the past—and yet there they are, almost too serene in their faith and so utterly joyful on every level.

When we see such people, we sometimes conclude that God must have wired them really well. We figure that such people must have been born sunny-side up with a personality and disposition that lends itself to a contented nature.

But if we think that way, we are usually wrong.

Talk to such folks long enough, and you will discover what Paul wrote to the Philippians: contentment is a learned behavior. You are not born with it.

It does not come easily for anyone. But by grace we grow, we learn, we mature.

And as we do, contentment becomes a way of life.

But it is not inevitable.

Many of us know someone who got trapped by their suffering long ago.

They turned inward and curdled into an angry, judging, resentful person.

None of us can avoid some ­level of pain, hardship, or deprivation in lives.

Our prayer is that when we face difficult times, we can learn what Paul learned over the long haul: a long lasting contentment firmly anchored in Savior Christ.

The tenth commandment— Do not covet (Exodus 20:17)— points the way to contentment.

If we always have a roving eye, hankering for our neighbor’s house, car, or spouse, there will be no end to feeling unsettled.

But with the Holy Spirit living in our hearts, filling the void that would otherwise drive us to distraction, we have peace and contentment within.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….

Psalm 27 New American Standard Bible

A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom should I fear?
The Lord is the [a]defense of my life;
Whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 If an army encamps against me,
My heart will not fear;
If war arises against me,
In spite of this I am confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the [b]beauty of the Lord
And to [c]meditate in His temple.
5 For on the day of trouble He will conceal me in His [d]tabernacle;
He will hide me in the secret place of His tent;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer sacrifices in His tent [e]with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“I shall seek Your face, Lord.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
God of my salvation!
10 [f]For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me Your way, Lord,
And lead me on a level path
Because of my enemies.
12 Do not turn me over to the [g]desire of my enemies,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And the violent witness.
13 I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

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.

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A Love that will always continue to keep growing maturing, flourishing because God will always be working on Me. Philippians 1:3-6

Philippians 1:3-6 Amplified Bible

3 I thank my God in every remembrance of you, 4 always offering every prayer of mine with joy [and with specific requests] for all of you, 5 [thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now. 6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].

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 all a work in progress!

When reflecting on Philippians 1:6, I’m reminded of a song we used to sing in children’s church called “He’s still Working on Me.” It went like this-

“He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to create the moon and stars, the sun and the earth, and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.” 

I love, appreciate, this song applies not just to children, but to us as parents.

It’s easy to get frustrated when kids or other adults make mistakes or when relationships feel strained.

This text reminds us that God’s work in us is not random or incomplete, yet He is always, continually, steadily shaping our hearts and lives one day at a time.

We must be constantly reminded of his unrelenting faithfulness.

The best way to do this is recall the places, moments God has met us in the past.

As families, friends, neighborhoods and communities, we can then confidently, faithfully, fully rely upon God’s past faithfulness to finish what He started.

We often want to reach the finish line without going through the process.

By submitting ourselves to go step by step through the process, the work He started will create a culture of grace, hope, patience and perseverance in our home, rather than one of frustration or division or despair. We are a ‘want it exactly now’ society, with much at our fingertips —the microwave generation.

Spiritual and emotional growth, however, is rarely instant; it happens over time.

This text solidly encourages us to celebrate progress, trust in His timing, and remain committed to showing grace towards one another.

Back to our original Kids Church song- I had moments where I was extremely frustrated with God, along with some unrealistic expectations on my own part.

I began to sing verse two of ‘He’s Still Working on Me’- it went like this-

“There really ought to be a sign upon my heart, don’t judge me yet, there’s an unfinished part. But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan, fashioned by the Master’s loving hands.”

Yikes! What do you say to that?

The only thing I knew to do was smile, and say, ‘You are so right, Father.’ And he’s still working on me today, too!

God is working on all of us.

Let our homes be places of grace.

Places where we are fully aware God is shaping us and making us more into His image through our life experiences and journeys, He has us on.

Next time you feel impatient with how fast He’s working and perfecting you, remember, He’s always, forever still working on you- and it’s going to be good!

Growth Is Guaranteed by God!

We hear a lot about lifetime guarantees in our world today.

Sometimes people are promised a guaranteed return on money they invest.

Gadgets for the kitchen are guaranteed to reduce the time needed for meal preparation, and golf training equipment is guaranteed to fix the dreaded slice.

But there are really very few guarantees in life.

As Benjamin Franklin put it, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.”

Thankfully, there is more we can add to that short list.

Jesus promised, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).

That’s why when Paul prays for the Philippians, he asks God to fill them “with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” Paul knows that “he who began a good work in [them] will carry it on to completion.”

How reassuring these promises are, especially in times of discouragement. It may take a long time before fruit appears, and sometimes it may take painful experiences to produce it, but fruit will grow.

Here’s a rich blessing to conclude our devotion for today:

“May … the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ……

Praying …..

Beth

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
    all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

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.

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