Aug

09

Just as I am

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There’s no pretense with God. No matter how much we want to dress up and present ourselves seamless and flawless to become acceptable, God sees the true nature of our character. No amount of starched collars or finery will cover our sins. Only the blood of Jesus.

When Christ came to earth, he was the division between the pompously proud and the humbly repentant. His purpose was to welcome into his family those who loved and sought the truth of God with a humble, open heart. No finery required.

The Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble ~ James 4:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled ~ Matthew 5:6

Consider what the Lord has accomplished to welcome you into the family of God and know that as a son or daughter of God, truly you are loved and accepted through the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross. Nothing more, nothing less.

We don’t need to dress up for the Lord. Out of respect, we want to present ourselves clean when we come to church as members of a civil society. But remember, if you don’t have anything but the clothes on your back, the welcome mat to the Lord’s house is still free for you to set your foot upon. The Lord does not turn away anyone who comes knocking. By his blood, we are all cleansed of our filth in the precious blood of Jesus.

 O, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him ~ Psalm 34:8

Aug

01

Be still

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With all that goes on in our lives, making the time just to be still is important. The Lord speaks to us so softly sometimes, it’s not always easy to hear his voice in a world filled with distractions and noise. Take a moment and step away from it all and listen for him.

 

Be still and know that I am God ~ Psalm 46

 

One can sense God’s presence in the midst of his awesome handiwork:  the silence of a forest…the rolling of the ocean waves… the serenity of a mountaintop.  Even quiet time alone at home can yield his awesome presence when we seek him and listen with our hearts.  When we draw near to him, he draws near to us (James 4:8).

 

To be still before the Lord is not always a physical position or something to do in the midst of a silent moment. To be still also means to let your ways yield unto his…to mentally put everything else aside and let the Holy Spirit lead.

 

As we are only strong in the Lord’s strength, taking the time to consider his ways above and beyond our own can only lead to opening ourselves up to the direction of the Holy Spirit. This is the only direction we’ll ever need in life.

 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him ~ Psalm 62:5

Jul

25

Are we there yet?

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The roads of life aren’t always smooth, and the rough spots can lead us astray as we navigate our way. In a world where life is so much of a battlefield between good and evil, it’s comforting to know we have an advocate who is on our side. He’s no ordinary comrade or friend who has your back. No, he’s more than that. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of Ages, the Name Above All Names. God is our fortress.

Though the paths are not always free of trouble and debris, God’s word tells us that for those who love Him, everything along our route will work together for good. He has a plan and purpose for everything. Not everything is good, but…

“All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” ~ Romans 8:28

 Our wonderful, Almighty God and Creator of the universe wants to have a personal relationship with each of us as we travel the terrains of life. He wants to be our shield and deliverer, and what better way to go than to yield our lives to Him—our creator—to find the ultimate direction. Like a father, he will withhold no good thing from his children. And even above and beyond the most sophisticated GPS system, God knows the better way to go.

Though we may encounter tribulation and trials, the wise man sees beyond the storms of life, knowing that God is in the midst of every suffering and is not immune to the cares and worries of those who belong to him. His strength will shield and sustain us—always.

Jul

20

Going somewhere?

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When traveling, vacationing, or just visiting a new place, knowing where you’re going will often save time and keep you on the right track.

In the course of our lives, there are so many paths to take while on this planet. Some are better than others. As we walk, we’ll find the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life do not stop once we are saved. In fact, these temptations often appear stronger when we’re walking with the Lord.

When confronted with any kind of situation where we think we’ve got it covered, remember how many times the wrong decision was made simply because we thought we knew best.

Walking with the Lord is not a set of arbitrary rules and regulations to keep us boxed in; rather, it is relationship tethered by a mutual love and bond fostered through the power of the Holy Spirit—our helper—and for our good. It’s a commitment to God. Out of our love for him, we walk according to his precepts.

If we seek Him first…put His way above our own way, and trust in Him as we would our dearest friend, then He will lead us on the path we’re supposed to travel. If you’re ever in doubt as to which way to go, remember, the road map is as close as your faith walk with God.

Show me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths ~ Psalm 25:4

Jul

12

Got love?

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In Apostle Paul’s day, the church in Corinth had a number of problems. Among them were divisions and contentions among the Corinthians, and with their infighting, Paul learned that some were joining different leaders. Some were now following Apollos while others aligned with Cephas.

Why the split? Why had contentious groups and factions formed among the brethren? Had they taken their eyes off of Jesus?

“…let there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment…”

~ 1 Corinthians 1:10

 In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encouraged them also to do everything within the fellowship of a united spirit, intent on one purpose—to love without selfishness or empty conceit—while maintaining the same mind and heart and to let each one consider one another as more important than himself.

At times, we need a self-awareness check, lest we get too full of self. Sometimes, self takes a wrong turn. In gentleness and love, we need to heed to a willingness to learn from one another and accept that we might not always see things the same way. Or is the goal to win the battle at all costs, despite the crossfire over being right? Love would rather be wronged. There should be a spirit of love so present that the differences in the matter become secondary and not what really counts. Love is always the goal, and in our personal relationships, all that matters is that love wins.