Jul

01

A time for everything…

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Through God’s grace, we are given an allotment of time on earth. Regarding the lives of Adam and Eve, rather than cutting off life at their first sin, God graciously extended his hand to take care of them even outside of the Garden where they’d been banished. Despite their rejection of his simple command to not eat of the fruit, God continued to care for them by giving them time to live.

Generations later, God is still in the life-giving business. Since coming to know Him personally, we now understand the days, weeks, months, and years he’s allotted are given to us for His purposes. Our time is lent to prioritize and utilize constructively, remembering always the days are fleeting, and what’s not done to glorify him is time we’ve wasted. (Yes, even washing the dishes can be done to the glory of God!)

While we know our days are numbered here on earth, in the time given to each of us, may we always say as with the Psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” ~ Psalm 118:24.

Jun

24

His guiding light

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Our God is awesome to say the least. He determines the position of the moon and stars…our hearts beat at his command… he knows the number of hairs on our heads…he’s in our every breath. He’s everywhere!

Those who doubt the existence of God may do so for one of many reasons. Feeing abandoned? Too much pain, tragedy, or suffering? How can a loving God allow such travesty that is in the news 24-7?

All valid concerns, yes, but the source of the trouble does not belong to God, and the unbelieving may not be aware that God has already touched their lives—every day. In countless ways, he’s healed, protected, and preserved them.

This world will never be perfect or completely satisfy. We know there can be no complete fulfillment here. But Christ came to touch our lives with his presence…to bind our wounds and make us completely whole and satisfied—in Him. For this world is not all there is; it’s only the beginning.

How beautiful to be loved by the one true God, and it’s all possible through the saving grace of Jesus.

Jun

16

A father’s love

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Being a father is more than just having children. The job requires time, patience, discipline, and sacrifice. Above all, love.

It’s a tremendous task to rear a child in the way to go. It can be daunting, especially when a man does it in his own strength. Though a father tries, he may fail at times.

There is no official instruction guide for fatherhood, though the instruction book for life—the Bible—has everything one needs to accomplish the job. And what better example to follow than that of our heavenly Father who, by His grace, has given us more than we deserve. That is, not to spoil us, but to show us the riches of His glory.

 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him ~ Proverbs 23:24

As a father, men–young and old–have been given a special task and privilege. With the Lord as the role model and His word as the guide, they have all that’s needed to achieve the responsibility of being a great father. Today, we celebrate our dear fathers whether grand, surrogate, adoptive, or biological, you are special and appreciated.

Jun

10

In Him do we trust

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It’s comforting to know that in times of fear or uncertainty, our Lord is nearer than we think. As we abide in Christ, there is nothing to fear because we are held in the palm of his hand. We are as close as marrow is to bone.

 

The incredible depth of God’s love for humanity began in the Garden of Eden when after the first killing of an animal, God used its skin to clothe Adam and Eve.  Even outside the Garden where they’d been cast due to disobedience, and while the fellowship had been broken, his love for them remained. It continued so much that he eventually sent his son to redeem all of mankind from sin. 

 

Unlike worldly love that ebbs and flows at its own discretion and is often conditional, God’s agape love is an unlimited source that wells up from his true nature. There are no conditions attached to it.

 

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” ~ Psalm 9:10

 

Today, Christ sits at the right hand of God after making the ultimate sacrifice. Those who’ve put their trust in Him should no longer have any fears, worries, or doubts about the Lord’s love or his plans and provisions for their lives. Whether there’s famine, peril, nakedness, or sword, there’s nothing—at all—imaginable that can come between the Lord and His redeemed. 

Jun

03

In His footsteps

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The God who preserved Jerusalem is the same God who guides, encourages, protects, and keeps us secure by and through His grace. Whatever befalls us…whether issues, circumstances, troubles, persecutions, impending doom, or even death, our Lord is there to guide us every step of the way. Surely, he’s our best help in all of life’s situations as we walk securely in his footsteps.

A believer should be forever grateful to be part of the Lord’s flock because our great shepherd is there to guide us. Who better? You can find no better ally to have your back than our beloved Jehovah. Though we may need prodding like sheep, to be part of the Lord’s fold is the most humbling—yet gratifying—place to be.

Without a shepherd’s guidance, a flock of sheep can easily roam right out of the pasture and end up falling off a cliff. Same with people. Though for the saved, we have a personal 24-hour shepherd who holds us in the palm of his hand and who offers a better way than a cliff dive.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father ~ John 10:14-15.