Tag: God's Promises

A Timely, Seasonal, Reflection on the Value of Self-Reflection. In Christ, is there Genuine “God-Esteem”? Acts 3:19.

When was the last time we caught ourselves straying from our daily walk with our Savior Jesus? Refreshing times come when we change our hearts and our lives to live for God alone and with God alone in our everyday lives! In fact, our Jesus has told us that he will reveal himself to us as we live obediently for him (see John 14:15-21). His home will be in us until he returns for us, and we get to enjoy the pen ultimate refreshment — our going home to be with him forever.

Acts 3:19-23 English Standard Version

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia1 Amen.

Following the pages of social media as I try to do, I have noticed there has been quite the noticeable uptick in our interest regarding self-love and care. Being someone who has struggled with those things in the past, it has been refreshing to see and hear a renewed acceptance of valuing the health of our mental state.

Anything which promotes the wholeness of one’s mind and emotions further enables us to learn how to relate well with each other and encourage the people around us as people. There has long been a hard focus on physical health with a much smaller degree of focus on the mental and emotional health of a person.

It is somewhat relieving quite honestly, to feel okay about struggling in those areas where things “do not feel quite right” and to not feel as if there is also something inherently wrong with me and to feel alone with those feelings.

I don’t want what I am going to say next to contradict the above, but I do believe the world’s emphasis on self-esteem has become a little bit skewed in terms of the proper view. I know self-esteem is a great thing and we should continue to focus on improving all aspects of health regarding human beings, but I do also believe we have strayed a bit from the proper understanding of human beings.

One of my main points 0f contention with the modern understanding, application of so-called self-esteem boosting is we just forget that we are exactly “only human.”

By forgetting we are “only human”, one of the consequences is we are passing along false expectations of perfection being the goal of being a human.

While having an accurate view of our mental health and over-all well-being and steps which lead us to very serious decline and worse is imperative in caring for people, we also have to take serious safeguards against our passing along false expectations unto our future generations of them one day achieving perfection.

As success-oriented beings, we are always going to want to be “the very best we can be,” to accept losing and be winners and we are going to believe that to be anything less than this goal means we are not good enough yet. By continuing to encourage oneself towards self-improvement through self-esteem, we are in fact handing them the crutch upon which they will depend the rest of their life.

It is easy in our world to lose touch with the value of the inward man. Because we are an accomplishment “at all costs”- oriented society, it is hard to “rank” the inward man on those “by all means necessary” scales our culture deems the most important. Therefore, in order to feel “significant,” we focus too heavily on developing the outward things that give us “credibility” in the eyes of others.

Apostle Paul said the “outward man is always perishing.” No amount of our own “working on it” is going to change that. How sad then, it is to see people wanting to look “youthful” at every stage of their life. But, Paul, had a vastly different philosophy. He accepted the inescapable fact that the outward person is always going to be perishing, and the inward man is going to live forever.

But how exactly do we demonstrate that we value the inward man? How do we invest in that part of us which we know is most important? We have to reflect on what has been, assign what has been an appropriately critical value and work out with the inward man just what was essential to our living for Savior Jesus. We need to somehow connect with what is “rusting out and perishing” and lose them with a higher effort as we would lose our excess weight in a gymnasium.

Just as the outward parts of my body needs food, so the inward man needs food. The Bible clearly teaches me that the Word of God is that “super food.” As I approach this season of Lent 2022, when I begin to reflect back on myself, when I consider what my purpose in life is right this moment, there’s a part of me that does desire it to be something, someone who is glamorous and eternal.

I want my name to be remembered, not necessarily in a famous sense, but by the people with whom I have had a relationship. I don’t want to believe I was simply born to go to school, get a job, get married, retire, and then die. I want to steadfastly believe that I have somehow been God-gifted in this life to make an impact on this world and that people would know my name — maybe not in any famous sense but at least with the people whom I deeply care about the most.

For years, we will struggle with this internal battle of knowing the correct way, the politest, the safe and most-safest way, to view our lives and our stories.

I read in the Bible about how God has a plan for us and that we were created to live out our story according to God’s plans and purposes, but I also read about how we are fallen and sinful beings who couldn’t do anything on our own.

It always seems like my faith, your faith in God and His plan for my life, your life was in a constant and perpetual state of continuous opposition to the ideals of self-improvement and self-help the focus on self-esteem was telling me.

It seems like there were so many voices going on in our heads that all sounded right, and all felt right but seemed to be telling us vastly different things.

The same person could, on different days in vastly different scenarios, tell us that we need “devote more quality time” to believing in ourselves, that we are only sinful human beings who could only do anything because of God, and that we were knit together in our mother’s womb to do good in the world and that we had strengths/gifts that we were asked to reinvest in the people around us.

None of these three things ever seem to be or feel wrong to us and yet, they all still kinda serve to confuse our poor minds that already had an ironic tendency to view itself in an incredibly poor light. We want to be better, and we want to have a good self-esteem so as to not be so overly anxious or zealously worried over every little thing which exposes itself to our very limited field of vision.

But we also want to have an accurate view of total depravity and the necessity of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives. There are times where it seems right to believe that we could do some things, that we could improve our weaknesses and become a “better person.” There are other times where we feel we could not do anything worthwhile and that we had really had no impact on the world at all.

Being human, to me, does not mean that we are called to either be 100% perfect nor 100% useless. We are to have very positive self-esteem — to understand that we have value inherently as a human being and a member of this world.

But we are also to have God-esteem — to understand that we cannot live life on our own wisdom with our own worldview and that we can only live up to our full potential only through our glorifying God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This then, ought to inevitably lead us to the goal in life to not be doing all WE can to improve our weaknesses for OUR own sake but to know that these weaknesses, though weaknesses, are the areas in which our Creator God is going to interrupt us, then intercede into and go to work on the most within us.

As members of this modern-day 21st century world, we live in a culture which is hard driven by success and a desire for acceptance through success and thus, hard won perfection. We live in a contemporary world where there is an entire genre of online literature dedicated to self-help and the amount of pressure to be accepting and open-minded in regard to accepting people for who they are and how they perceive themselves is at, what may well be, an all-time high.

We as a diverse culture are moving into a world that is driven more and more by perception than it is driven by an absolute standard of success and failure. As with any movement, there are pros and cons as people feel more and more free to be themselves and less like they have to change themselves in order to fit in. With the diversity of social media and social circles increasing, there is more of a chance for people to feel (mis)understood, like they do/don’t fit into a group.

However, there are also negative consequences to the movement as well. While it is a good thing for people to feel understood, it may not always be healthy for them to not feel as if they don’t have weaknesses. As the world continues to tell more and more people more and more that they are okay just the way they are, they are also incongruently passing along the message there is likewise nothing wrong with them. We grant access to their perception of 100% invulnerability.

When I look at Dr. Luke’s writings from the Book of Acts, and Apostle Paul’s writing in the New Testament though, I don’t see this message at all though.

Instead, I see men who were very aware of their struggles, weaknesses, and had come to the understanding that though they aren’t things to be proud of, they are thoroughly humbled of the way God was still able to work through them.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 New American Standard Bible

A Thorn in the Flesh

7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to [a]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [b]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in [c]insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

In the forefront of my mind is the maturing fear that in this world where we are growing to accept “all” people “exactly as they are,” we are losing the truth we are all humans created by the hand of God, given His own breath for living our life and there are going to be areas in our life that we struggle and aren’t good enough. But these weaknesses are not something to be ashamed of, but rather, they are the areas through which God can work the very hardest and the most.

My goal then in life is to accept who I am: as a human, as a fallen being, as that singularly unique someone who has weaknesses and struggles. But I am also going to accept that I do have gifts, strengths, and can offer value to the world; not just through these areas where I am “good” but even more so through the areas where I’m weak as God uses them to glorify Himself, to edify all others.

We can remain open to accepting people as they are and meeting them where they’re at without losing the hope offered through the gospel and the 100% fact, we absolutely need 1000% of Him in order to reach our full potential here.

In essence, let us not be so focused on establishing self-esteem that we lose our God-esteem. We are, only by the grace of God, His beloved, imperfect, children.

When we acknowledge our sin, turn away from our sinful, immoral deeds, and turn ourselves over to our Savior Jesus, true refreshment can come to us. The Holy Spirit can, will bring us life that is fresh, new, clean, and full of purpose!

We can live knowing that Savior Jesus will return for us and bring us home to our Father. In the meantime, Jesus is still present and available to those of us who live for him as he pours his fresh grace and power into our lives.

No matter what we may have done — and whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly be as bad as betraying and crucifying Jesus. When we come to Jesus as Lord, we are offered His mercy and we are forgiven, and our lives are redirected toward our future with Jesus as we live in each moment by his power and grace. We wait eagerly for the LORD God to send our “appointed Messiah” and Savior, Jesus!

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

Let us pray,

Abba Father, as I sit and reflect upon what has been for me, I am consciously turning my life over to you today. I ask for your forgiveness for any sin that I have committed. Please refresh me through a deeper awareness of Jesus’ lordship and presence in my life today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Alleluia! Amen.

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When Living Hope is all that Remains for us to Live our Lives by. Psalm 42:2

Psalm 42:1-4 New American Standard Bible

BOOK 2

Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.

For the music director. A [a]Maskil of the sons of Korah.

42 As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks,
So my soul [c]pants for You, God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and [d]appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 I remember these things and pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go over with the multitude and walk them to the house of God,
With a voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude celebrating a festival.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Moses had to quickly flee into the desert after being discovered to have killed an Egyptian. He had not nearly enough time to outfit and provision himself for the long journey to wherever it was going to take him. Moses was a strong man, and a strong leader, he was truly well versed in surviving desert environments when he has had that large number of others serving his needs and also providing for each and every last one of them before he needed to ask or command for them.

Now, it was all going to be different now that he was discovered to have killed the Egyptian. He needed to leave and leave quickly or risk his own arrest and his humiliation, and the humiliation of the very throne of Egypt and then his death. No time to plan for provisions – for water and for food and for transportation by some means other than great chariots pulled by all the very mightiest of horses. He would be on his own now. He would be traversing the vast wilderness, desert upon his own two feet. Not one could help him, else they’d risk their own lives.

On your own. Thrust by circumstances both seen and unforeseen, in unfamiliar territory. Not knowing where to turn or when to turn for help. Enveloped deep within a situation for which there seems to be no visible nor evident solutions. We walk alongside Moses in such times as this held captive by our thoughts and our actions we cannot take back or move forward from. Homelessness, poverty, a total lack of resources and lack of even basic day to day provision to survive.

We have our own inner resources – our wits, our life skills which our parents had given us as we grew up. We learned about surviving life as life was thrust at us at a pace, we allowed ourselves to believe was wholeheartedly manageable. I have been there and done that more times than I can count, and I believe myself to be a strong person as I am sure each of those who read these few words also believe themselves to be a strong person capable of surviving whatever comes.

That is … until when the irresistible force of our pride and vanity runs headlong into that immovable brick wall, we are unceremoniously stopped in our tracks. There are no more survival skills for us to fall back on – that well has dried up. We are in that penultimate place where we literally have nowhere else to turn. No direction of the compass can we travel where there is any resemblance of that which we can call a living hope for a living and prosperous hope for our future. There is not one single hair follicle from our head that is left unpulled. No food, water is apparent to us as we navigate this most unwanted barrenness.

That is, until we chance to look up from out of our vast misery to see that quiet scene as the Psalmist did those thousands of years ago. That tranquil scene of one lone deer prancing and walking up to that source of water we had not seen nor even considered taking notice of, but which had always been there before us. A deer, coming out of the wilderness, seemingly without a care in the world approaches the edges of a flowing stream, sets itself to the business of taking a long cool drink to slake its lingering thirst. Such a tranquil scene, courtesy of the Lord our God in that exact moment when we needed to see and learn from it.

A scene which suddenly, now totally distracts us from the worst of the worst we had assigned to our limited fields of vision. A deer quietly reaches its head down to the still and quiet waters flowing and running before it. Lo! Placed before us is a brand-new survival skill. “LOOK UP!” NOTICE ALL THE QUIET WHICH IS ALWAYS AND FOREVER THERE BEFORE US! If the one deer is drinking quietly, why aren’t we? It is not as if that deer does not have anything else to be leery of, such as predators lurking nearby, it is just that in that exact moment, it knows it needs to drink, it recognizes its thirst, it recognizes the water as its survival. It’s absolute need for survival in that moment, overwhelms all its worst fears.

Such a tranquil and inspiring and empowering scene, for me, leads me away to the few remaining quiet places which remain unidentified deep within my soul.

It places a great, and much needed pause in all my most sorrowful pleadings: “WHERE ARE YOU, GOD, WHEN I NEED YOU THE MOST? LIKE RIGHT NOW!”

It encourages me to look OUTWARD and therefore, move myself FORWARD.

• It challenges us look at the real “dry places in our life” being our prayer life.

• It urges us to look up into the reality of God’s creation and to worship.

• It directly and decisively confronts the dynamic vibrance of our sin life.

• It helps us to enter the battlefields of the whims of our flesh versus God.

• It breathes a new and EVER living hope into us when we are under attack.

• It opens our eyes to the greatness of God and the power of His salvation.

• It mightily, quietly, softens the “immeasurable” blows of disappointment.

• It molds and shapes our minds into the greater SHALOM and plan of God.

The intense heart-soul – spirit yearnings of the Psalmist for the Lord and his deep pleading enquiry to know the whereabouts of his God, resounds like the repetitive tolling of a thousand, thousand blasts of the great Shofar through the intensely personal and sorrowful pleadings of Korah, in his Psalm – before he finally reached God’s victory in his heart and a deep satisfaction within his soul.

The soul which mightily thirsts for the Lord and heavily and zealously pants for the presence of its living God and keep on and on thirsting and panting for Him is the one for whom the Lord Himself will provide His deep well of satisfaction, brimming to over-abundance, overflowing with the refreshing waters of His life – living water that revives, restores revitalizes and reinvigorates the man or woman whose deepest inner being cries out; “I thirsteth!’ for more of my Jesus.

The one who asks, and indeed, mightily, thirstily, pleads for more of Jesus and keeps on asking will surely receive. The one who seeks the Savior and keeps on seeking will find Him and the one that thirsts and pants and keep on thirsting and panting for more of Jesus – will have their mightiest of thirsts quenched!!!

2 Corinthians 4 New Revised Standard Version

Treasure in Clay Jars

4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth, we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture— “I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. 15 Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

When our wells seem to be at their driest, in all times and in and from all places, when we are in the very smallest or the very greatest of needs of revival, may we all in humility of heart, and the thirstiest of souls and gentleness of spirit thirst and all keep on thirsting for God, for the more deeply we sense our need of our Lord, Savior Jesus, the more passionately we’ll pursue the Living Waters of life.

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

Let us now seek the quiet, tranquil places from where even the deer will pray,

Heavenly Father, I thirst! therefore I pray that You would develop within me a deeper and more personal thirst for You with each passing day, for it is only as I drink deeply of You that my soul can be satisfied – only as I am refreshed by Your Living Waters of life… may I be used as a conduit through whom Your refreshment may be poured out to other thirsty souls, in Jesus’ name I pray, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

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Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling, Calling for You and For Me. So, Come! Take the Chance! Seek the Whole of the Lord While He May be Found!!!!

Come! Now is the Acceptable time!

Come! Now is the Acceptable Time to Worship!

To worship not even one single part of ourselves,

but to Worship only the entirety of GOD the Lord who is our Salvation!

Come, exactly as you are right now, into this very exacting moment ….

What have you got to lose?

Who is it you got to lose?

What is it you stand to gain?

Who is it you stand to gain?

Sound Intriguing?

A little?

A whole lot?

Exercise your God given right to dare yourselves to take ONE risk …

Dare to enter into your best voice (or worse if that is the case)

And read and then sing ….

And then wait and see what comes afterwards ….

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling, Will L. Thompson, 1880

1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home;
ye who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me?
(Refrain)

3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me.
(Refrain)

4. O for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.
(Refrain)

Isaiah 55:6-7 New American Standard Bible

6 Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked abandon his way,
And the unrighteous person his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

In truth, God was, is, and always will be close to those who genuinely seek after Him with the fullness of their hearts. The real problem is that we drift away from him, lose interest, and leave his presence. So, let’s seek him and receive his grace, his help while we recognize that He alone is the one who truly saves.

Our heavenly Father cares for us and loves us. He wants us to seek Him and draw near to Him with confidence and faith. He wants all of us to find Him

Not seeking and failing to call upon the Lord while He is near, means we miss the opportunity to get to know our awesome God and miss out on the blessings He promises. The writer of Hebrews tells us that, without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, (11:6). 

The Prophet Isaiah impresses the need for repentance among God’s people. Repentance is turning around from doing things our own rebellious way and wholeheartedly turning to God to do it His way. It clearly means forsaking our own manner, because the Lord’s restoration work is through our repentance.  

We need to understand that the battleground for a righteous walk with the Lord is often found in the hidden places of our hearts, minds, inside our thoughts.

Just as Paul wrote: “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). 

Paul also stated that we are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). 

When anyone turns to the Lord and forsakes their sinful way and thoughts, the Lord will have mercy on them and will pardon then.

Apostle Peter writes: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 

We can read the words of Isaiah 55:6-7 and we will not be stirred. Our hearts will not be touched, our minds and souls will not recognize their importance. We will read over them and not give a second thought to their significance. It is true that these few ancient prophetic words were written about 2800 years ago.

If, however, something about them raises our curiosity bar by .001%, then if you and I are being drawn to seeking out the why of that soulful impression, that is the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit because as Scripture tells us: 

“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:8-9). 

To become a God-seeking, God-fearing person takes more than just external behaviors; it is the continual seeking after God’s heart (Isaiah 55:6-7).

To zealously seek and become a godly person refers to our having an inward devotion for God that is being outwardly displayed. So, a godly person is one who has received Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as payment for His own sin and has accepted the righteousness purchased for him (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

With God’s Spirit inside their being (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), the seeking person is able to understand the deep things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

The “eyes” of their hearts and “eyes” souls are subtly or even suddenly opened.

They begin to see life just a wee bit differently.

Life is no longer about pleasing themselves but about pleasing the Lord (Hebrews 12:28).

They realize that they will still stumble as they strive toward holiness

(James 3:2), but their goal is to be holy as the Lord is holy (1 Peter 1:16). 

Those who are even tentatively seeking learn early that their fleshly attempts at holiness only result in a stark revelation of their pride, vanity and failure. They slowly, steadily learn that as they gradually surrender up their will to the work of the Holy Spirit and come to rely more and more upon Him for strength to overcome temptation, they can withstand more temptation and accomplish even greater eternal goals than they ever thought possible (Philippians 4:13). 

Those seeking the Lord rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help them say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to the Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:16).

And as the person regularly opposes sin, they find that their spirit grows stronger, and temptation to sin becomes easier to resist (Hebrews 10:23).

If you want to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you must first and foremost come to invite Him into your whole heart as your personal Savior. As Christ comes to accept, as He comes into your life your faith grows; and as you repent, ask Him to forgive and cleanse you, He will. And as you submit to Him and ask Him to take total control of your life, He will do it if you allow Him.

And finally, when Savior Christ lives and reigns in our heart, He expects us to willingly let Him live and reign, recognizing 1000% Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

If you have not already done so, then I definitely invite you to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your life. Let Him be your Savior and cleanse you of your sins.

I definitely invite you to make the choice for abundant life, to give Him control of all your days while you are still able to do so. Remember that once your life ends, you have sealed your fate; therefore, seek the Lord while He may be found.

If you are indeed ready to turn your life over to God, you can talk to the Lord and sincerely pray to Him:

“Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I accept the fact that Christ died upon the cross to save me. I now therefore open my heart’s door and receive you as my personal Savior. Please forgive me of all my sin. I also receive you as my Lord and willingly give you full control of my life. I thank you for helping me to be the kind of person you want me to be. Guide and direct me from this day forth so that I will serve you faithfully in everything I say, think and do.”

Always remember to seek God with all of your heart, your soul, and your mind! 

Please do not hesitate to place God first in everything and in everything to give Him thanks and praise.  Do not hesitate to keep all your mind on the things of heaven, not on worldly pleasures, because the Lord is 100% faithful, righteous, never-changing, always the same: loving, kind, merciful, forgiving, and true.

Isaiah 41:9-11 New American Standard Bible

9 You whom I have [a]taken from the ends of the earth
And called from its remotest parts,
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will also help you,
I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.

In truth, God is always close to those who genuinely seek after him. The real problem is that we drift away from him, lose interest, and leave his presence.

So, let’s not hesitate for even one moment more to seek him and receive his grace and his help while we recognize that he alone is the one who truly saves.

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

Let us now pray,

God my Father, I am a homeless sinner so very tired of my ways. I seek you out with all my heart. While I seek to know about you through your Word, I long to know you and be known by you as a tender father knows his child and as a child feels complete trust toward his tender father. Father, not only be my God, but also be real to me in ways that transcend explanation. Help me to sense your nearness and to know your presence. In the name of Jesus, I do pray. Amen.

I Can Only Imagine Christ my Savior is Approaching my Door, Standing at my Doorway, and He is Getting Ready to Start Knocking, on my Doorway ….

Jesus told us that he stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to open up the whole of our lives to him. His invitation is for believers, for Christians, for those of us who claim to follow him. We can so easily and lackadaisically lose our passion and become lukewarm. Jesus passionately called to his churches in Asia Minor and urged them, and also now is urging us, to hear what the Spirit says. To those who have become lukewarm, Jesus says “be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19) — he wants the entirety of our hearts and minds and souls dedicated unto him so we will follow his teaching and example with passion!

Revelation 3:14-22 New American Standard Bible

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the [a]Origin of the creation of God, says this:

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. 22 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Many use this passage from Revelation 3 as an evangelism passage for the unsaved but in reality, like all the seven letters in the book of Revelation, this is a warning to the Church of Christ – saved believers who are part of His body and bride. This is a verse is written to the one that has already been justified – made righteous through believing on that the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross as their own sin substitute –for His death paid the price for all sin.

The promise of God is that everyone that is justified will unquestionably be glorified when our King Jesus comes in the clouds to receive His body and bride unto Himself – and take all believers home to His Father’s mansions in heaven.

Justification is a past action – which happened at the point that we were saved. And glorification is future – at the point when we are taken to heaven. Both are promised to the person who overcomes, believes on the Lord Jesus Christ – But what of our sanctification – which is the process of our living in this world now.

Sanctification means that the holy Spirit carries out a life-long work in the one that is justified, in order to conform us into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus – but believers do actually have a choice in the sanctification process – which is only one aspect of salvation. We can yield to the Holy Spirit doing a work in our new, born-again life, that we received at rebirth – OR our other choice is that we can subtly, not-so-subtly, resist the work that the Holy Spirit desires to do in our new life and continue to live a carnal type of life under the power of the old sin nature – the “bad old life” that still fights for supremacy…

How quickly do we allow ourselves to forget our King and our Savior Jesus loves us so much that He literally gave up everything in Heaven, came to earth, lived, ministered among us, healed us, taught us, showed us the Father, then died for our sin and gave us a new life that He longs we will be conformed into His image and likeness – but how many believers, like Laodicean believers, are lukewarm in the life they live for the Lord, are growing disinterested in the things of God?

They choose to live a carnal life that excludes the Spirits work in their life but in His great love for all His children the Lord continues to plead with every one of His born-again children, to yield to the call of his voice and live godly in Christ Jesus – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

We have this sure and certain promise from God, one day all believers will be taken to be with the Lord Jesus whether or not they submitted to the Spirit in their lives – should we not harken unto the call of our Lord and King, Who died so that we might live in newness of eternal life – submitted to His Holy Spirit?

“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” ― John Wesley

“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth.”
― John Wesley

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley

Where are you and I with standing up with and for our King Christ right now?

I have no doubt that he is approaching someone’s door right this exact moment.

I have no doubt that he stands at someone’s door right now waiting to get in.

I have no doubt that he is getting ready to knock on someone’s door right in this exact moment wondering if his knock will be ignored, will the door be opened!

What alleged “reality” television show are we so very intently watching inside?

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

Let us now pray,

Father in heaven, thank you for speaking to us through the ministry and words of Jesus. Thank you for speaking to us through the message of the Scriptures inspired by your Holy Spirit. I open my heart unto your message and ask that I be convicted and motivated by your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Alleluia! Amen.

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With All of My Heart, With All of My Soul, With All of My Strength, I Will Either Fear Man or I Will Trust God!

The providence of God has brought to my spirit today this well-known Hymn

– Give to the Winds Thy Fears

Translator: John Wesley (1739); Author, Paul Gerhardt (1653)

1 Give to the winds thy fears,
hope and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;
God shall lift up thy head.

2 Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way;
wait thou His time, so shall this night
soon end in joyous day.

3 Still heavy is thy heart,
still sink thy spirits down?
Cast off the weight, let fear depart,
and ev’ry care be gone.

4 What though thou rulest not,
yet heav’n, and earth, and hell
proclaim, God sitteth on the throne,
and ruleth all things well.

5 Leave to His sov’reign sway
to choose and to command,
so shalt thou wond’ring own His way,
how wise, how strong His hand!

6 Far, far above thy thought
His counsel shall appear,
when fully He the work hath wrought,
that caused thy needless fear.

7 Thou seest our weakness, Lord,
our hearts are known to Thee;
O lift Thou up the sinking heart,
confirm the feeble knee.

8 Let us in life, in death,
Thy steadfast truth declare,
and publish with our latest breath
Thy love and guardian care.

Proverbs 29:25 Amplified Bible

25 
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

There are many pressures in our 21st century life that causes us to be fearful more than we are trusting, and all too often it is fear that causes man to seek to escape life’s problems through less than desirable means. If anxiety or worry causes a person to be controlled or to be restricted by their circumstances, or if they seek to, “any way possible” escape the cascade of consequences of life’s pressures by committing some sort of acts contrary to the laws of mankind and God, then that person sets a trap for themselves.

They become ensnared and embroiled in their own wrong responses, in their own limits of wisdom. However, the Word of God for the Children of God gives us a wonderful reassurance the one who implicitly trusts the LORD, with all of his heart and all of his soul and with all of his strength, is both safe and secure.

Many passages throughout the Word of God give a believer encouragement and “God” confidence and blessed reassurances, but they often come in the form of contrasts, sinners and the saved, death and life, darkness and light, carnal and spiritual, unbelief and trust. Here inside the book of Proverbs the little word but peppers its pages with many such glorious contrasts. One verse reads, “The fear of man brings a snare, BUT he who [1000%] trusts in the LORD will be exulted.”

This short verse has an undiscovered, unplumbed, depth, a richness of meaning and much to teach us because it first describes a problem, ‘the fear of man’, yet concludes with ‘the GRACE principle’ – “but the Lord…”

The inevitable outcome for the fear of man is a snare which entraps both the heart and soul and without warning results in disappointment, deep despair.

However, Proverbs 29:25 teaches the opposite of fear is faith, which ironically is sometimes called ‘the fear of the Lord’ which is the beginning of wisdom.

As the fear of man and dread of circumstances increases, so, conversely, faith in the Lord decreases. But as our faith stands firm on the promises of God, so fear is likewise and equally dispelled. When faith in God is practiced, fear is snuffed out like a candle and vaporizes like the morning mist. The result of trusting the Lord and reverencing His holy name brings with it wisdom, exaltation and joy.

There is a world of difference between the ungodly ‘fear of man’ and godly ‘fear of the Lord’. Reverence for the Lord brings with it wisdom and strength, hope and joy, humility and purpose while esteem for fallen man too often entraps the soul and is accompanied by a whole host of anxieties and worry. How important then, in these precarious of 21st century circumstance to take this warning in Proverbs to heart, “fear of man is a snare while trusting the LORD brings praise?”

Placing implicit, unquestioning trust in anyone other than the Lord, brings in its wake problems and pain, disappointments and despair. However, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and we have the assurance that the man who trusts in Him will be lifted up and certainly receive many blessings.

The fear of man over the fear of God often comes when we are trying far too hard to be a ‘people pleaser’ instead of honoring the Lord and pleasing Him.

The Bible clearly teaches that you and I cannot reverence God and man at the same time, and Paul addresses this issue in Galatians 1:6-10 when he asks, “Am I now seeking the favour of men, or of God? Am I striving to please men or the Lord?” And in Psalm 56, the writer shows that fear of man evaporates when we place our trust and confidence in the Lord. “In God I have put my trust,” he declares. “I shall not be afraid! What can man do to me?”

In every situation in which we find ourselves, in each life-problem we meet, we have irrefutable assurance in God’s Word that He is able and willing to deliver those that trust in the name of His only begotten Son – our Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:8-11 New American Standard Bible

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [a]So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [b]brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Please make no mistake here! Fear is an “up close in your face” sobering and dangerous emotion which entangles man in deep dark problems, and fear is also a favorite tool used by the enemy… who seeks to bring saved men down into his chaos, imbalance, ‘Slough of Despondency’ and entrap them in his ‘Pit of Despair’ which can over time, subtly, suddenly cause a believer to doubt the power and veracity of God’s Word and the Gospel truth of God’s Holy Scriptures.

Never forget somewhere in the Bible there is always a resounding, ‘BUT GOD…’

Purely as an illustration, suppose the Lord Jesus told you that “I am coming back very soon!” Do you think or believe He would then tell you to spend your time stockpiling provisions? Adding an addition to your home just for storage?

Hardly! I believe He would say “give all that you have to the homeless person who has nothing or go up and down the highways and by-ways and dark and darkened corridors and alleys and share the Gospel of His pending arrival. Give everything you have to those who do not have and declare the glory of what God has done for you, so they too may find someone to share the Good News also.

It is not my task or purpose to make people feel guilty or self-conscious. Every one of us knows they could be doing a better job of telling other people about our Savior. I am not talking about cornering people, backing them up against a wall and being “in your face” obnoxious. That only risks alienating someone.

I am here talking about starting everyday by praying this prayer: “Lord, today I am going to live solely for you. Today, if you would please just bring someone across my path who needs you, I will try hard to help them by pointing them unto you!”

Please, never allow any fear, as being conceived in your mind, to be birthed into a slice of terror which destroys the inner peace God gives to those who love Him. Rather, be too quick, be sober minded to dispel those thoughts which threaten to bring down your heart and soul, as soon as they come to mind, by setting your heart on the face of Jesus, taking those thoughts captive to Christ.

Our God of GRACE and peace in Whom we trust, has promised us all temporal, spiritual, and eternal mercies. Remember, it is fear of man that spawn’s death and dis-ease BUT the one who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ honors the Father in heaven and brings life and release. Grace! Grace! God’s Grace! is always #1!

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

Let us pray,

Thank You, Father, for Your many beautiful promises of ‘contrast’. I begin now to understand more and more that there is nothing in life that should cause me to fear. Thank You that You have promised to be with me in every circumstance of life and have given me an assurance that Your GRACE is sufficient to counter every fear in my heart. Keep me looking UP to Jesus and trusting in His precious promises. I pray that on those occasions when doubts and fear arise within, that Your Spirit will prompt me to turn my thoughts away from the fear of man and onto trust in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

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Guess What? Grace Wins! God Wins! The Assurance of God’s Part in it All!

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
(Refrain)

3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
brighter than snow you may be today.
(Refrain)

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
(Refrain)

Julia H. Johnston. 1911

1 Peter 5:8-11 New King James Version

8 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But [d]may the God of all grace, who called [e]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [f]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

1 Peter is a letter that was written to Christians who were suffering under some measurable degree of persecution and hostility for their faith. Like them, we too, in this 21st century, are living in a time in which it is growing harder and harder to truly live for Jesus Christ. Like them, we feel some measure of cultural pressure against our faith. And like them, we find that we’re being called upon increasingly to stand faithfully and sacrificially for our Savior in tough times.

And it’s not just the pressure of the culture around us that we feel. That cultural pressure is ultimately the manifest hand of the #1 true enemy of our souls.

As the Apostle Peter wrote to Christians in our passage; Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV).

So, in addition to the cultural pressures we feel around us, we also need to be on guard against an overwhelmingly powerful spiritual enemy who is committed to our destruction. And what’s more, if you add to all of that our own personal weakness and failings, it truly does seem to be an overwhelming thing Peter is calling us to do—to stand faithful to the Lord Jesus all the way to the very end.

But I am exceedingly and abundantly encouraged by the fact of who it was that wrote this letter to us. We of course know him as Peter, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. We know him as the one who stood tall and SOBER, preached that first great sermon after the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost—where 3,000 people at one time believed on the Lord Jesus. We know him as the one who authored two great New Testament letters, whose testimony was the inspiration behind the Gospel of Mark, and whose ministry occupied so much of the Book of Acts.

We know him as the great martyr who faithfully laid down his life for the Lord Jesus—and who, as tradition tells us, even asked to be crucified upside-down; having felt unworthy to be crucified like Jesus Himself. But we should never forget that he was also the one who—before all that—failed miserably; and who even looked eye to eye at Jesus and denied the Lord Jesus at his crucifixion.

Exactly like you and I, Peter was a very flesh-and-blood man—subject to all the failures and fallibilities that you and I suffer under. And if it had been up to him, he never would have ended his race on this earth faithful to the Lord Jesus. But it wasn’t up to him. It was up to the God who had called him and redeemed him. And I steadfastly believe that this Peter would want you and I to trust in the very same grace of God that he trusted in to keep us and preserve us to the very end.

GRACE

Divine Guidance

Divine Restoration,

Divine Assurance,

Divine Continuance

Divine Encouragement

Not only do we serve the God of all GRACE as 1 Peter 5:10 describes Him, who never leaves our side, who never slumbers or sleeps, who forever walks along side with His Shepherd’s Crook at the ready, who diligently keeps His eyes and ears on the Devil’s prowling ways, but we are here now being guided, restored assured, continued, encouraged of our Lord and Savior’s countless virtues.

“Restore Unto Me the Joy of thy Salvation and Renew a Right Spirit Within Me!” (Psalm 51:12)

Check out Psalm 18:1-3 if you’re looking for an example of our Savior’s virtues.

The God of all GRACE — God is compassionate, full of mercy and truth, long-suffering (Psalm 86:15). He provides stillness and peace, rest and security, nourishment and drink in the face of our enemies (Psalm 23, Isaiah 26:3).

He has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus —

The Savior of the world has personally invited us to His eternal glory.

I’m not sure that we will ever be able to fully comprehend just how absolutely amazing that GRACE is!

After you and I have suffered in our sin for a while — When we then accept Jesus as your Savior, we are still not guaranteed a life without pain or suffering. In fact, now, more than ever, Christians are persecuted for what they believe.

Trials, Tribulations, Pain and Suffering are and must become an accepted part of this life in the shadow of Calvary. Just remember this life on earth is only the beginning; I think we could all use that reminder to live with eternity in mind.

If you are seeking after divine Guidance,

If you are seeking after divine Restoration,

If you are seeking after divine Assurance,

If you are seeking after divine Continuance,

If you are seeking after divine Encouragement,

Pray and meditate upon these encouraging facts from 1 Peter 5:10:

God will perfect you (Psalm 138:8)

God will establish you (Psalm 16)

God will strengthen you (Psalm 10:17-18, Isaiah 41:8-11)

God will settle you no matter what else is going on (Psalm 107)

God will continue you (Psalm 36:10, John 14:6, John 15:1-8)

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

NO MATTER WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON – GOD AND GRACE ALWAYS WINS!

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So!

In his closing benediction in this letter—something which I would like to call a ‘prayer/wish’ for his brothers and sisters in Christ of all coming generations—Peter expresses this very thing. In 1 Peter 5:10-11, he expressed his absolute confidence in God’s ability to keep His own dear redeemed ones; and wrote,

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11 NKJV).

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

Let us pray,

Holy God, make me a partaker of your Holy Spirit. Enlighten me, oh, God. May I taste this heavenly gift that you reserve for your righteous people. Cleanse me of any barriers within my heart and mind that would stop me from feeling your presence in me. Flood any dark spots in my heart with your light. Help me to walk in your light and shine your beauty and grace on everyone I meet. Amen.

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An Invitation is An Invitation! Come! Freely Drink! Come Freely Eat! Come Freely Live! O’ Come and Be Satisfied!

Today the Lord our God is extending an invitation to you. He is saying to each one of us today: “Come and eat!” “Come and drink!” “Come and Be Satisfied!” Today, we are walking through the chaos and the desperation which are even now grievously threatening to starve us of our places of peace and prosperity. Chaos starves us of our places at the great feasting tables of plenty and purpose. In these times of many great and greater worries, we grow hungry and thirsty. How hungry and how thirsty are we today for life which is so infinitely better?

Isaiah 55:1-2 New Revised Standard Version

An Invitation to Abundant Life

55 Ho, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

“Come and be satisfied!” This is the message our God is speaking to us today through his prophet Isaiah. Our text is the Old Testament Reading from Isaiah 55. Ponder again the first part of this text: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

This day we are walking through Isaiah 55.  The prophet is speaking God’s Invitation to people who are in exile, who are broken: “Time to go home.”  He is speaking to the hungry and the thirsty… those who are yearning for their deepest needs to be quenched… It has been 70 years since the people of Israel have been taken into captivity by the Babylonians.  Most of the people have been born captives, knowing nothing else.  Only a small percentage of the very oldest among them have childhood memories… Isaiah is sent by God to tell the people: “This is the Word of the Lord for the Children of the Lord: “It is Time to go home!””

It is time to go home.  It is time to return to God.  It is time to accept the Lord’s greatest invitation to return to Him.  May this coming Lenten season, we will witness God’s Spirit move upon the hearts of the broken, those that are Thirsty.

 When God speaks to the people though Isaiah, “Come, all you who are thirsty” he is speaking to a people that have hit the bottom and have nowhere else to go. 

70 years in exile.  Some have known nothing else.  All of their efforts to rescue themselves have fallen short.  Arrogance/posturing/false strength has long ago vanished.  I have seen people literally on their death bed that are at last broken now ready to receive the Lord Jesus Christ…it’s awesome.  Only those that hit the bottom are ready…  The invitation to return home to God is to the thirsty. 

Rabbi Jesus extended a similar invitation in John 7:37. The scripture says, “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” 

Money doesn’t do any good.  God’s invitation is not for the rich, the powerful.  The invitation is for those who have nothing but simply bring trust and faith and receive what mercy God has to give all.  Water, wine and milk, it’s all free. 

  • Water is life giving, refreshing, cleansing, growing.  Without water there is no life. The human body cannot long survive the total absence of water within it.
  • Wine is to bless and celebrate life. Wine represents the joy of being a Christian saved by the grace and mercy of God, celebrating the new life offered in Christ. 
  • Milk is nourishing and has substance, representing the need to grow in Him, learn.  When we were first born, it was our mother’s milk which first nourished our bodies, gave us the antibodies to protect, fight off infections. Water, wine and milk are offered by the Lord Jesus Christ for those that return home to Him. 

Isaiah 55:2 asks the question of ages: “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?”  

Often all we have energy to do is to shake our head at the crazy world we live…We ask the same question of others and ourselves as Isaiah all the time, only we use different words: “Why do we waste our money, time, with ________?” 

We lament the business of being in business, the relentless drama… it’s all our choice you know, we are not victims!  Why did I spend my money on worthless stuff that is gone… Anyone ever buy anything in the past month they regret? 

Anyone engage in activity this week which was unwise?  Are any of you even now planning to waste your money and time with things that bring no lasting peace this coming week?  Do you not ever get tired of making decisions and choices you know already will not be the wisest and most fruitful possible? 

Here in these verses, we see several things about the Lord’s invitation. We see who the ones are to whom the Lord issues this invitation. We see how much it costs to come and buy the rich food and thirst-quenching drink the Lord offers to each of us. And we see the folly of going after those things that do not satisfy.

First, then, who are the ones to whom the Lord is extending this invitation? Isaiah tells us: “everyone who thirsts” and “he who has no money.” Is that you? Are you thirsty? Do you realize your spiritual poverty? If so, then this invitation is definitely for you. If not, then you need to rethink your situation.

So, are you thirsty?

In the New Testament, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

To the sinful Samaritan woman at the well, in the high heat of the day, he says, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever.” And at the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” You see, Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. When Isaiah says, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters,” he’s really looking ahead to the birth, life of Jesus, who would give the waters that will satisfy our thirst.

So, are you “just thirsty” or “desperately thirsty?” Do you sense and feel your spiritual thirst? Do you realize something’s wrong, something’s wrong with you? That you are a sinner? That you have broken God’s good commandments and gone contrary to his will? That you haven’t done the things that you know God wants you to do? That you have done things you know you shouldn’t do?

That’s sin, and it should make you thirsty, spiritually thirsty for something, anything, that will take away your guilt and your shame. Do you sense and feel your own lack of inner righteousness? That you aren’t good enough to stand before almighty God on Judgment Day and pass his muster? Do you feel these things? Do you know it and own it? If so, that’s actually a good thing, because now you are ready to hear and respond to the invitation, He extends to you.

 The great invitation of God is to return home to Him, like the soldier returning home to a waiting family…Why do you spend your energy, your time, on dead end decisions.  The invitation to go to God is free, free to us…we know, however, in the fullness of time, this act it is not going to be even the least bit free to God.

Hundreds of years after the time of Isaiah, God sends us his son Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary.  We call it Christmas….  Jesus was born to die/// die on the cross as the ultimate act of mercy and sacrifice for our sins.  The invitation is free, but it literally costs God everything.  I imagine tears as God’s children return home to him, like the tears of the family when the solider returns home. 

“Come” is the invitation of God.  The thirsty/broken are invited.  LISTENING is the way to accept the invitation.  I’m believing God has in mind a leisurely sort of listening which takes a whole lot of time for we the hearer to digest what is surely being said, listening that considers what is being heard, listening that is, on our parts, thoughtful and attentive, merciful and sacrificial (Romans 12:1-2)

There is too much listening to the invitations from man to enter into an abiding relationship with the god of this world. There is, too, far far, too little listening to the God who created this world, who authored and ordered our lives from the very beginning of our existence (Psalm 139:13-18) and we are not the least bit attentive to the quiet invitations of “Yes! there is definitely a far better party” to go to and be a part of the truest life of someone who definitely knows how to live.

“The Best Party Anywhere?” We have all heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Meaning, it may sound like it’s free, but it really isn’t. There are strings attached. You may not be paying directly for that supposedly free lunch, but somewhere down the line, you are, whether in higher taxes or whatever. In this world, in this life, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

But when it comes to the food and drink that God offers, it is absolutely free, absolutely truly free. This is a gracious invitation, all by grace, a free gift. A free gift of life in maximum abundance, of eternal Salvation. Leave your debit cards at home. Leave your credit cards at home, or better yet, lock them all up forever! God has already paid the bill in full. (John 3:16-17, John 17-18 and John 19:35)

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

Let us pray,

God, from the beginning, you were the word. You sent your only son to save us all and he even allowed himself to be tortured and crucified to obey you. Bless me with the gift of understanding and of unshaken faith in you. Let me know the meaning of your words in the Bible and how to live accordingly. Open the door of my heart. Fill me beyond overflowing with your light, your wisdom and understanding. Make me hungry beyond hungry, thirsty beyond thirsty. Amen.

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Proverbs 21:21 > What is the Single Greatest Pursuit We Can Undertake?

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride. Author: Sir Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Does anyone find it kind of ironic that when we set off to find happiness or joy or significance or meaning or purpose or passion, we seldom find it? Instead, when we zealously pursue opportunities to love God, to declare our love of God and then to serve others and we seemingly find ourselves zealously pursuing every opportunity for giving our whole selves wholeheartedly to the Lord and his work, it is then we find what we most need? What is this zealous pursuit?

Proverbs 21:21 New American Standard Bible

21 One who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

What are we pursuing in life?  It is not unusual to hear someone say that they are pursuing a career in some field of endeavor.  When we hear someone say this, we know that they are putting their energies and their time into study and practice of that discipline.  It means that they have a goal in front of them and that goal is what guides them in much of what they do.  Thus, the question begs to be asked, “What exactly are we pursuing when it comes to spiritual things?”  
 
God points us to wisdom by telling us that there are two things that are very worthy of pursuit when it comes to spiritual matters.  These two things are righteousness and loyalty.  Today we will take a closer look at what it means to pursue these two things.  We will also see in the rewards that God says come to those to zealously follow this pursuit the reason why this is exceedingly wise.
 
When God says to pursue these things He uses the word, “radaph.”  This word means to chase or to follow after closely and with great effort and energy.  The idea is that one is not just to pursue – but one is to overtake these things.  

The mindset is that we will not be content with a life without righteousness and without loyalty.  These are things we absolutely must have – and thus in our pursuit we are to be passionate and totally committed.  This is not a hobby or just something to add to our resume.  This is a hot pursuit that is pleased only with the eventual ‘catching’ or ‘having’ of these things.  Nothing else will do.
 
We pursue righteousness – which in Hebrew is “tsedequah.”  This word means righteousness abstractly – but when applied to how we live our lives it speaks of moral rectitude – of an over-zealous desire to have our lives measure up to a standard of right and good and moral that is found in God and in His Word.  

It speaks of living a life of justice in how we relate to others and especially how we relate to the poor and unfortunate.  The word refers to a moral standard that is not set according to the world and its views.  The moral standard and ethical sentiment we embrace is that which is found only in the pages of Scripture.  

Yet the righteousness we seek is not by law.  The Scriptures which speak of this righteousness say that we obtain it by faith.  It is not a set of rules – it is a person – the Lord Jesus Christ.  Ultimately, we over-zealously pursue Him for only He can transform us and make us righteous.  
 
We also pursue loyalty.  The Hebrew word used here is “chesed” which refers to more than just a loyalty.  This is the word that most closely relates to the New Testament word grace.  It is the word that is used to describe God’s love and commitment to His covenant people.  It is easily translated, “covenant-love.”

Apostle Paul repeatedly says to us in the New Testament to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  

What we are to pursue in life is the grace of God.  We live by the grace of God – and advance in life by the grace of God.  In pursuing grace – we are kind of pursuing the One who is waiting for us to come back to our senses.  We pursue love and we pursue commitment.  We pursue a selflessness that is evidenced by the unconditional love of God in Christ Jesus.  Kind of cool here to see that even in an Old Testament proverb we are told to pursue righteousness by faith and a God who gives us such a righteousness by His loving, matchless, selfless grace.  
 
What will we find when we give ourselves to such a pursuit?  

We are told of three things.  

First is that we will receive life.

“Chayim” is the word for life here – and it simply means life itself.  We are made alive when we pursue these two wonderful things.  

Consider the New Testament call to us – that when we pursue Christ, Who is the ultimate source of life – the ultimate way of life – and who is the life itself – we receive eternal life.  This is the life of our God, Who alone is eternal.  We have an unmatchable quality of life that can only be received from God Himself.  

Second in our set of three blessings is “righteousness.”  

This is the same word as was used earlier – and it simply means that in seeking and pursuing righteousness – we receive our righteousness as a gift by faith – only through the grace of God.  

This does not mean we attain righteousness by our own choice of lifestyle.  The fact is we are given righteousness by a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  We are stunned to learn that when God gives us this gift – we are just as righteous as Jesus Himself – by God’s wonderful gift – and as a result of that – we can be transformed to reflect that righteousness in all our ways.  

The third in this list of glorious benefits is honor.  

The word for honor here is “kavod” and it is the word God uses for glory.

When we pursue the proper things – it is to the glory of God – and we receive from it the honor of His working in our hearts.  What a glorious gift is ours – to receive the glory of salvation – the glory of God’s righteousness – the glory of being at peace with God – the glory of His marvelous transformation of our lives.  This is ours when we pursue the One Who in His mercy still waits for us.
 
Want to know what to pursue in life?  Pursue God our Heavenly Father!  

Want to know what to pursue in life? Pursue His only Begotten Son, Jesus!

Want to know what to pursue in life? Pursue our great helper, Holy Spirit!

That is the ultimate answer when all is said and done with today’s proverb.  

It is an immeasurably wise thing to pursue God, Jesus and Holy Spirit – and to pursue His righteousness by His grace.  This is both the ultimate pursuit in life and the ultimate prize!  Oh, the glories of pursuing the One Who waits for us! Oh, the joy of hugging the One Who by grace captures all our hearts.  Pursue, ye dearest saints – pursue for you will find as you do – you are gloriously hugged by the One Who loves you more than you could ever dream of being loved by!

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

Let us pray,

Father God, my Guide and Guardian, illuminate my mind so I can understand how you want me to live. Your word tells me that people of integrity who follow your instructions are joyful. You have said that those who obey your laws and search for you with all their hearts are blessed and happy. I want that joy! Holy Spirit, please guard me against allowing evil to influence what I believe and do. Help me walk only in your paths. May my daily actions consistently reflect what you have said is right and righteous, good, moral and ethical. Alleluia! Amen.

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Faithful in our Little Things. Faithful in our Wealth of Poverty! Why do we Choose Faith in God? Luke 16:10-11

Over the brief course my writing this devotional, I have received an uncountable number of requests, from quite literally every corner of the globe, for prayers to be lifted up to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The predominance of these is a sincere, heartfelt request for intercession to be “lifted up” out of poverty. They ask me to pray unto God that their material needs are magnified and their station in life be uplifted through God’s benevolence and my powerful prayers. Typically, these requests for prayers are worded and phrased quite eloquently.

“I have no very little money to my name.” “What I do have plenty of is a whole lot of Poverty.” “It’s just a little thing. It doesn’t hurt if I fudge a little, does it?” “Does my wealth or my poverty matter to Jesus?” “I want to be faithful to God, but I have nothing to be faithful with!” “I so want to be an authentic Christian, but I only have my abundance of poverty to be authentic with.” I want to be an empowered, inspired and motivated follower of my Savior God, but I can only be motivated and be inspired and empowered by my vast wealth of poverty!”

All of these aforementioned concerns are absolutely legitimate prayer issues. I do everything I can to pray to God to give me the “right” words. They want to know how they can maximally serve God and their neighbors even if they have so precious little resources from which to serve their family needs. Service to God and service to our neighbors is absolutely needed to show the unyielding, unending magnitude of the unconditional love of God which resides in our hearts. Except, we only have our poverty to express our love of God from. Our love of God compels our hearts and our hands and our feet to move forward. But the reality of our “impoverished selves” limits what we believe we can do.

With such a vast wealth of poverty to live by, does my faithfulness matter? Does my trustworthiness matter? Jesus says, “Yes, it does matter.” Why? Because integrity is about faithfulness to our values and to our Lord, regardless of the price. Faithfulness in small things, including matters involving money, is an essential part of what reveals the truth about our authenticity as disciples. What we do with a little reveals a great deal about exactly what we will do with much.

Luke 16:10-13 New Revised Standard Version

10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, [a] who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” [b]

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Our title this morning is “Be faithful in the little things.” We are looking at a principle that Jesus teaches and how he applies it to two different areas of our lives. The principle is stated most clearly in Luke 16:10. We can call it –

The principle of our having too little wealth, ask, can we have too much God”

Luke 16:10 – “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is unreliable in a very little is also unreliable in much.”

So, we have what is little in terms of material and monetary wealth and what is much which is our undeniable measures of poverty. And there is a relationship between them. How one does with what is little is a clear indicator of how one will do with much. This is stated by Jesus in both a positive and a negative way – whether we are faithful or unreliable with vast wealth or with vast poverty.

This verse is very realistic. If we can satisfy God in a small thing, then we will satisfy Him in a great matter. God observes the depths of man’s heart. If we are willing to practice the truth in small things, if we are willing to participate in the truth with the small things, then when big matters come upon us, even if we feel all of it is insurmountable, God will protect us so that we can all stand firm.

We may be poor in wealth; we may dream and wish and pray mightily for any way and any means out of our captivity to poverty, but whether we are poor in our bank accounts, poor in our spirits, we are forever infinitely rich in our God.

One too many times, we will limit our access to God’s infinite wealth. We will take our own action based on our own limited wishes for more things in small things too improve our socio-economic status and to bolster our self-esteem.

We will limit ourselves in our God-Esteem, become good at forgiving ourselves, believing that we do not deserve or need to care about such small things as trust and integrity and faithfulness. We cannot find reason to care, therefore God too, cannot and does not care about our being trustworthy and faithful either. As long as we do the maximum to stand firm in our own worrying about our big matters, everything will be OK. Hence, we miss the chance to satisfy our God, maximally serve our neighbors from our wealth of poverty one after another.

However, when we least expect it, when something “God” big happens to our wealth poverty and has to do with our own personal benefit, what do we do? If and when that “God Miracle” moment comes, will we recognize God’s blessing? Will we remember that God will recognize our faithful efforts and multiply our blessings 5, 10 or 100-fold? Will we grab onto these blessings and thank God for being forever faithful and trustworthy and true to His Word and His Promises?

The key here is, ‘Will we serve God from our “poverty,” do what he has tasked us to do?’ If we are faithful with the small responsibilities in this life that God gives us, God will give us greater responsibilities and honor us in the world to come.

The principle of our having too little wealth, ask, can we have too much God.

Mark 12:41-44 New Revised Standard Version

The Widow’s Offering

41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed from out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

This principle teaches us that what we do in this, our “impoverished life” will determine what we have in the life to come. God tests us in the little things of this life, before we get the real blessings of the world to come. Because he can tell from what we do in this life, what we should have in the life to come.

If we let our vast measures of poverty effect how we serve our God, if we aren’t trustworthy and faithful in ministering from deep “within the little things”, we will not be so quickly entrusted with the greater things – the much of the world to come. So, whether it is how we use our poverty of wealth or wealth of poverty in this life, or how we choose to use such poverty to fulfill the tasks that God has given to us in this life, our characters and integrity are continually being tested.

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy Prayer Warriors?

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy servants of God?

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy dish washers?

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy preparers of food?

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy servers of food?

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy bearers of water?

From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy stewards of grace?

And so, my word of encouragement to you this morning is this be faithful in the little things of this world! Be radical in your giving – do not let fear of being held captive in a vast wealth of poverty drain or hinder your love of God and service to your neighbor. Serve God with reckless abandon – don’t let the things of this world distract you from what is truly important. Do this and you will be blessed with the much of the world to come – with what is true, with what is lasting and with what will be very soon your own – untold blessings in the kingdom of God.

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

Let us pray,

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all that you’ve given me. I pray to ask for your guidance. Help me be faithful in the small things and the big things. Help me be just and make good decisions in small things and big things. I trust you and follow you. Guide me Lord and give me wisdom. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

I am Practicing the Presence of God today. I need His Healing Presence! Abiding in the Presence of My Jesus!

Every Christian I know wants to live a healthy and effective life for Jesus. The key to this healthy life, the key to this healing life, the key to succeeding in this is practicing His presence, abiding in him. Abiding in Christ is foundational to centering your whole life around God. Our efforts at tapping into Savior Christ’s healing presence and power is what will allow you to bear good fruit in this life. It is my hope that after today we are more aware, we are more equipped, and we are more empowered to live out a life centered on the healing presence of God.

John 15:1-8J.B. Phillips New Testament

Jesus teaches union with himself

15 1-8 “I am the real vine, my Father is the vinedresser. He removes any of my branches which are not bearing fruit and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit to increase its yield. Now, you have already been pruned by my words. You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me. I am the vine itself; you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share my life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like, and it will come true for you. This is how my Father will be glorified—in your becoming [healthy and] fruitful and being my disciples.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

So often out of a right desire to do good and God-honoring works we try too hard and force fruit out of ourselves without taking the time to rest and receive the healing nutrients we can only get from abiding in our heavenly Father. A branch disconnected from an apple tree can no more produce good apples than you and I can do good works apart from our continual abiding in the love, grace, and healing presence of God. Without truly centering our lives around meeting with God on a secluded park bench far away from the deepest uncivility of our world, we’ll never get to producing the healthy fruit we were created to make. 

John 15:1-5 New American Standard Bible

Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already [b]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, [c]and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit [d]of itself [e]but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [f]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

God’s heart is for us to abide in him all day, every day. How incredible is that! You and I can graft ourselves every day into the perfect, good, and powerfully connected vine of our healing heavenly Father. We can wake up every day, open our hearts to God, practice His presence, daily acknowledge Him, daily sit, pray with Him and live out of the union afforded us by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus.

Rather than striving to do good works from the moment our feet hit the ground, we must take time to be loved by our heavenly Father.

Rather than making our own opportunities to serve God, we must allow him to guide us to the healing works he’s set out for us.

Rather than trying to lead others to Jesus by our own efforts, we must simply live openly and honestly with others, thereby revealing God’s heart to meet with those who are broken and in need of him.

And rather than living as if God has left us to our own unhealthy devices, we must acknowledge our healing union with the Holy Spirit in every moment, thereby allowing his loving presence to permeate inside everything we do.

James 2:21-26 The Message

21-24 Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that weave of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?

25-26 The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.

James 2:26 teaches, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” Connect yourself to the wonderful vine of Jesus today. Center your life around meeting with him. It’s only in abiding in God that your faith will produce works that are alive, eternal, filled with the transformational, healing and restoring power of God’s Spirit. May you discover the freedom and love available to you in continual communion with your heavenly Father today.

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

Take some time to heal yourself with Prayer

1. Meditate and Ponder upon the undeniable importance of abiding in the vine. Be healed! Allow Scripture to stir up your desires to rest in God today.

Psalm 23:1-3 The Message

23 1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh[a]
    and refreshment[b] to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:5-10

“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

2. Where have you been striving too hard to do too many good works apart from the abiding presence of your Creator? What parts of your life need to have a greater connection to the love of God? What part of your life need His healing?

3. Take time to rest in the presence of God. Abide in him. Don’t look to or think about the things YOU set before you today. There will be plenty of time for tasks and relationships. Focus all your attention on the reality of God’s nearness and open your heart to receive all the love he has for you in this EXACTING moment.

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