Making Decisions Right

Good Morning!! Are you concerned about financial security, or social approval, or a future you can't see? Fearfulness does not come from God. As children of God, who believe in the perfection and power of Jesus Christ, we don't need to be anxious about the future, or fret over circumstances out of our control, or  worry about what others may think. Paul reminds us, we are to rely upon the power, love, and mental soundness, that we are granted by God. This is the only real way to make God-honoring, God-directed decisions.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

It is so easy to crumble under the weight of our problems, or to surrender because of uncertain situations, or to be paralyzed because of possible conflict. But through his admonition to timid Timothy, Paul confronts our natural fearfulness, and exhorts us to courageously make wise decisions,...out of love for God.

Why worry?....through Christ, we will be granted the strength to do anything, that He requires of us.

O' Lord, keep us walking in paths that are guided by the power of the Spirit, motivated by a love for Christ, and carefully chosen for us, according to our faith. Amen.

"By faith, we are able to accept, that which we cannot understand." 

Your Work, Your Witness

Good Morning!! In today's scripture, the word "business" refers to any responsibility or activity, in which we might be engaged,...not just career or financial obligations. Paul exhorts us not to be slothful, or lazy, in anything that we do. Whether you are parenting, or studying,...working, or ministering, you should do it to the very best of your ability.

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;—Romans 12:11 (NIV) 

Sometimes we confuse our American rights, with our Christian rights,...and we begin to grumble, complain, and get by with as little as we can. But as Christians, we should be the most conscientious and virtuous employees, husbands and wives, or citizens,...no matter where we are, or what our circumstance. Why? What is the motivation for such constancy and integrity, in the midst of a lazy and selfish culture? Paul reminds us simply that we are "serving the Lord ", in all that we do.

No matter what responsibility or opportunity we may be given, we are ultimately to understand that it comes from God,
...and that we are to perform the duty for His sake, and for His pleasure.

 

Holy Spirit, keep us mindful of what we do, and for Whom we do it. Let the works of our hearts and hands be pleasing to God. Amen.

 

"By faith, we are able to accept, that which we cannot understand."

Thank God, For Faith And Love

Good Morning, Great Monday!! Where does faith in Jesus Christ come from? How does one come to truly love Jesus Christ, and others. With uncommon delicacy and diplomacy, Paul is careful to place the credit where it is due,...entirely with God, as addresses his Christian brother Philemon. It is God who is to be thanked, Paul clearly implies, even for Philemon's love and faith in Christ.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.—Philemon 4-5 (NIV)

 While Paul does describe the love and faith as being Philemon's own ("your"),...he is giving God the thanks for it. (as he does in every other epistle) God is the author and finisher of true, Christ-centered faith. God is the spring from which all genuine love for Jesus and His people comes.

We must remember to whom we should pray, and why,...for love and faith.

Father God, we  thank You for the grace of love, and the mercy of faith, in Jesus Christ,...and we pray to You for more. Amen.

"By faith, we are able to accept, that which we cannot understand."

Forgiveness

Good Morning!! Learn to "L.I.G." Let It Go! How must God's elect, respond to God's gift of salvation? How should those who themselves have been  forgiven of every offense, then, behave, towards others?

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.—Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)

"Even as Christ forgave you," Paul says, you ought to forgive,...with the same unconditional, and complete absolution. This is an explicit connection between the forgiveness that the elect have in Christ, and the forgiveness that all believers ought to practice. And how broadly does the command apply? If any one has anything against any one! We cannot claim that anyone is too insignificant, or that any offense is too significant, for us to pardon. After all, weren't we insignificant, in relation to God, when He forgave us? God is so gracious.

We are to exercise forbearance and forgiveness, wherever we go,...and with whomever we come in contact.

Holy Spirit of God, keep us conscious of the greatness of God's grace to us. Remind us of how utterly undeserving we are of His continued forbearance. We want to get to a place, where there will be no hesitation on our part, to reflect God's goodness and mercy,...even to those we see as the most unpleasant, and abusive of people. Amen.

"Feed your faith with God's promises,...and you'll starve your doubts." 

Reconciliation

Good Morning!! "Reconciliation", the bringing together of two parties that were previously at odds,...this how Paul frequently sums up the accomplishment of the cross. In Colossians Paul describes in detail why this reconciliation was necessary,...that is to say; there is not a person in the world who is by nature at peace with God. While we love to invent our own ideas and images of God, we resist His authority over us, and His self-revelation to us, by way of the Bible. We just want what we want, our way.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—Colossians 1:21-22 (NIV)

 And for this reason, we are unacceptable in God's sight. He is good and we are evil. He is right and we are wrong. He is holy and we are dirty. But Jesus, has reconciled us through His death on the cross. And the clear implication is that, for those who are now in Christ, they have been reconciled to God in their minds and in their actions. We now strive to please and uphold God's glory.

 When God sees us in Christ, He views us as Holy, unblameable, and unreproveable!

 Thank You Father God, our reconciliation has been made possible only by the blood of Christ. Amen.

"Feed your faith with God's promises,...and you'll starve your doubts."

God, Our Father

Good Morning!! God is the father of our very existence. We would not be here, if it were not for His creating, sustaining power. We enjoy the "privilege" of being. It is for this reason the psalmist writes, "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker". All creation owes God praise and submission,...if for no other reason, than that of His unique position, as our maker.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.—Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)

Our obligation to our maker is so plain, and so complete, that Isaiah pronounces a curse upon all those who question God's authority: "Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands?' Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?' Or to the woman, 'What have you brought forth?'"(Isaiah 45:9-10). And finally, Jesus encourages those who are adopted into the family of God, to address Him in prayer in this warm and intimate language: "our Father, which art in heaven."

We now enjoy not only the privilege of existence, but also the astonishing favor of salvation!

Thank You Jesus, by Your perfect work on the cross we are able to call the God of the universe "Father." Amen.

"Feed your faith with God's promises,...and you'll starve your doubts."

Prayer

Good Morning!! Every word of Jesus' model prayer is remarkable, and vital,...but it's especially important to notice first, what He puts first. He begins with these wonderful and welcoming words: our Father. Even God's chosen people,...the people of Israel, had never been encouraged to approach God, with such familiarity and warmth, in the Old Testament. While it's true, that Jesus addressed almost every one of His prayers to His "Father",...it's so unexpected, and a pleasant surprise, for Him to beckon us to enjoy that same intimacy. Yet, in the same breath, Jesus reminds us not to grow complacent or presumptuous in the presence of our Father,...because He is no ordinary father,...He is our Father in heaven. But even this is good news, because the very One to whom we are encouraged to pray to, is the One who has the power, authority and wisdom to fulfill our desires, and answer our prayers.

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.—Matthew 6:9 (NKJV)

No matter how big our issue might be, or how impossible the request might seem,...there is nothing that we cannot bring to our Father in prayer,...and there is nothing that He cannot do. And what is to be the first request on our lips, the chief desire of our hearts? Hallowed be Your name. Recognizing that our heavenly Father is worthy of our every praise and devotion, we are to hallow (set apart and above) His name in our hearts. If His name is sacred in our hearts, then His name will be consecrated in our choices,...our actions,...our lives.

The heavens are His throne and the earth is His footstool.

Our dear and Heavenly Father, may Your great name forever be hallowed, in our mouths and hearts! Amen.

"Feed your faith with God's promises,...and you'll starve your doubts."