"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. " Romans 5:1 NIV
Peace with God. No more guilt, no more fear, no more uncertainty. Peace with God. We have been justified, we have been made righteous in the sight of God, through our faith in Jesus. No work of our own can get rid of our sinfulness, but Jesus, in a miraculous way, gives us a clean standing before God. There is a hymn titled Blessed Assurance. How could anything be more blessed than to be assured that we are at peace with God.
If I start to be bothered by anxiety or irritation, I can remember that I have peace with God, the creator of the universe. Everything else will shrink in significance when I take that gift of peace into my heart.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Saturday, February 8, 2020
A Downward Trend
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." Psalm 1:1 NIV
The book of Psalms starts with this verse. It sets the stage for everything else in the book. A life blessed by God means to not browse through and accept the advice of unbelieving people. Don't spend time with people who encourage you to rebel against God. A progression occurs in this verse. First, one is walking in the counsel of the wicked. Perhaps that is casually moving in ungodly circles. Next, is the standing with sinners. One is now stationery in the company of sinners, not going forward in a search for the truth. Finally, one sits in the seat of mockers. Firmly entrenched, at rest, and making a home with those who laugh at God is the final destination.
Blessings come when we keep our hearts on God and his teachings. In a world that so often ridicules godliness and righteousness, we need to recognize the wicked counsel, the influence of sinners and the beckoning words of those who mock God and his people. Let me be firm in my walk with Jesus and steer clear of listening to ungodly people. God knows this is how I will be blessed.
The book of Psalms starts with this verse. It sets the stage for everything else in the book. A life blessed by God means to not browse through and accept the advice of unbelieving people. Don't spend time with people who encourage you to rebel against God. A progression occurs in this verse. First, one is walking in the counsel of the wicked. Perhaps that is casually moving in ungodly circles. Next, is the standing with sinners. One is now stationery in the company of sinners, not going forward in a search for the truth. Finally, one sits in the seat of mockers. Firmly entrenched, at rest, and making a home with those who laugh at God is the final destination.
Blessings come when we keep our hearts on God and his teachings. In a world that so often ridicules godliness and righteousness, we need to recognize the wicked counsel, the influence of sinners and the beckoning words of those who mock God and his people. Let me be firm in my walk with Jesus and steer clear of listening to ungodly people. God knows this is how I will be blessed.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
The Slippery Slope of Envy
Do not envy the wicked, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 23:17 NIV
Envy strikes without warning. We are happily going about our day when a friend mentions an exciting holiday they have taken. Suddenly joy leaves and dark envy fills the void. A colleague gets a promotion when we never seem to be noticed. Envy twists our hearts. Our life which seemed pleasant now feels dull and unfulfilling. We may envy the wicked, but we can also envy our brothers and sisters in Christ. Out of our envy sprouts greed, anger, frustration, pride. With grumbling hearts, we chaff against the provisions that God has made for our lives. We turn our backs on God and lust after money, adventure, relationships. God's goodness is now not enough.
When envy catches hold of me, I denounce it for its destructiveness. I remind myself that God is giving me exactly the life I need. He is weeding out the evil in me, including envy. He wants to fill me with love; He wants me to be close to him and know his peace. I pray that I will be quick to smack envy out of my life. God is good, all the time.
Envy strikes without warning. We are happily going about our day when a friend mentions an exciting holiday they have taken. Suddenly joy leaves and dark envy fills the void. A colleague gets a promotion when we never seem to be noticed. Envy twists our hearts. Our life which seemed pleasant now feels dull and unfulfilling. We may envy the wicked, but we can also envy our brothers and sisters in Christ. Out of our envy sprouts greed, anger, frustration, pride. With grumbling hearts, we chaff against the provisions that God has made for our lives. We turn our backs on God and lust after money, adventure, relationships. God's goodness is now not enough.
When envy catches hold of me, I denounce it for its destructiveness. I remind myself that God is giving me exactly the life I need. He is weeding out the evil in me, including envy. He wants to fill me with love; He wants me to be close to him and know his peace. I pray that I will be quick to smack envy out of my life. God is good, all the time.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
A Jolt
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
Some people take issue with the idea of fearing God. Isn't He the God of love? Isn't He always compassionate and kind? Doesn't He forgive all my sins? Yes, but He is also the God that loves us enough to not let us wallow in our sinfulness and destructive behaviours. As a parent, if my child is in imminent danger of being hit by an oncoming car, I will speak sharply to him to get his attention and, in that moment, he fears me enough to stop and listen to me. Is that cruel or unjust? After the danger has passed, I will give him knowledge about the situation so that in future he can stay safe. He will understand how to avoid being hit by a car. To fear the Lord is to acknowledge his authority and to realize that He can strongly affect our life if we don't listen to him. He does this out of love. He doesn't want a car crash. Fear him and trust him.
I pray that I will remember that God always wants what is best for me. Sometimes I just want to eat life's candy but He wants me to have turkey dinner - good food that will strengthen and nourish me. I know He will not hesitate to discipline me when I am going the wrong way and need to be redirected. The more I learn about him, the more I appreciate his direction and cherish his ways.
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
Some people take issue with the idea of fearing God. Isn't He the God of love? Isn't He always compassionate and kind? Doesn't He forgive all my sins? Yes, but He is also the God that loves us enough to not let us wallow in our sinfulness and destructive behaviours. As a parent, if my child is in imminent danger of being hit by an oncoming car, I will speak sharply to him to get his attention and, in that moment, he fears me enough to stop and listen to me. Is that cruel or unjust? After the danger has passed, I will give him knowledge about the situation so that in future he can stay safe. He will understand how to avoid being hit by a car. To fear the Lord is to acknowledge his authority and to realize that He can strongly affect our life if we don't listen to him. He does this out of love. He doesn't want a car crash. Fear him and trust him.
I pray that I will remember that God always wants what is best for me. Sometimes I just want to eat life's candy but He wants me to have turkey dinner - good food that will strengthen and nourish me. I know He will not hesitate to discipline me when I am going the wrong way and need to be redirected. The more I learn about him, the more I appreciate his direction and cherish his ways.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Unlimited Return
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her,"Will you give me a drink?"..."the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:7,14 NIV
Jesus blessed the Samaritan woman in several ways when He met her at the well. First, He affirmed that she was significant enough for him to speak to her. Because of her lifestyle, she was looked down on by the villagers and she came to the well when her fellow villagers weren't there. Even though the Jews and Samaritans were antagonistic to each other, Jesus was polite to her and engaged her in meaningful conversation. He taught her about the spiritual water that God gives that leads to eternal life. When He questioned her about her husband, she felt safe enough to be truthful with him about her relationships. Jesus revealed to her that He is the Messiah and she returned to the village to share this with the villagers. They believed her account and come out to see Jesus for themselves. Through this event, the woman was brought back into fellowship with her community. Jesus asked for a drink of water. In return, He gave her a sense of worth, courage to be honest, healed relationships and eternal life.
Sometimes Jesus asks us to get a pail of water. Do I begrudge it? Do I complain about helping another person, especially someone not of my "tribe"? Jesus is always gracious and merciful, and He blesses us many times over for the little acts of goodness that we do because He asked us to do them. I will try to remember the Samaritan woman and how getting one drink of water for Jesus had so many positives outcomes.
Jesus blessed the Samaritan woman in several ways when He met her at the well. First, He affirmed that she was significant enough for him to speak to her. Because of her lifestyle, she was looked down on by the villagers and she came to the well when her fellow villagers weren't there. Even though the Jews and Samaritans were antagonistic to each other, Jesus was polite to her and engaged her in meaningful conversation. He taught her about the spiritual water that God gives that leads to eternal life. When He questioned her about her husband, she felt safe enough to be truthful with him about her relationships. Jesus revealed to her that He is the Messiah and she returned to the village to share this with the villagers. They believed her account and come out to see Jesus for themselves. Through this event, the woman was brought back into fellowship with her community. Jesus asked for a drink of water. In return, He gave her a sense of worth, courage to be honest, healed relationships and eternal life.
Sometimes Jesus asks us to get a pail of water. Do I begrudge it? Do I complain about helping another person, especially someone not of my "tribe"? Jesus is always gracious and merciful, and He blesses us many times over for the little acts of goodness that we do because He asked us to do them. I will try to remember the Samaritan woman and how getting one drink of water for Jesus had so many positives outcomes.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
The Invitation
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. Luke 19:6 NIV
It's interesting to see who is named in the Bible. Here is a story about the chief tax collector, a man who would have been despised by most people of his town, and yet he is given the honour of being named in the Scriptures. Although he was a man of power Zacchaeus probably had few, if any, friends because of his occupation. Something about Jesus intrigues him though and he climbs a tree to get a view of Jesus. Surprisingly, Jesus invites himself to eat at Zacchaeus' house and Zacchaeus gladly accepts. Had Zacchaeus been longing for someone to show him some kindness and friendship? Was his heart aching for someone to see him as a person and not just a tax collector? The grace and mercy that Jesus shows Zacchaeus brings a quick response and Zacchaeus promises to give half his money to the poor and to repay fourfold anyone he has defrauded.
I pray that I may follow Jesus example and be sensitive to people who live on the fringes. They might be poor or rich. I hope I will extend an invitation to spend time with them so that I can get to know them in a meaningful way. I don't want to just smile at them and wish them a blessed day. I want to share life with them just as Jesus did with Zacchaeus. A heartfelt welcome will draw people to the Saviour.
It's interesting to see who is named in the Bible. Here is a story about the chief tax collector, a man who would have been despised by most people of his town, and yet he is given the honour of being named in the Scriptures. Although he was a man of power Zacchaeus probably had few, if any, friends because of his occupation. Something about Jesus intrigues him though and he climbs a tree to get a view of Jesus. Surprisingly, Jesus invites himself to eat at Zacchaeus' house and Zacchaeus gladly accepts. Had Zacchaeus been longing for someone to show him some kindness and friendship? Was his heart aching for someone to see him as a person and not just a tax collector? The grace and mercy that Jesus shows Zacchaeus brings a quick response and Zacchaeus promises to give half his money to the poor and to repay fourfold anyone he has defrauded.
I pray that I may follow Jesus example and be sensitive to people who live on the fringes. They might be poor or rich. I hope I will extend an invitation to spend time with them so that I can get to know them in a meaningful way. I don't want to just smile at them and wish them a blessed day. I want to share life with them just as Jesus did with Zacchaeus. A heartfelt welcome will draw people to the Saviour.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Love That Binds
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Colossians 3:14-16 NIV
Sadly, the Church has often not been represented by unity. Many denominations have experienced schisms causing many people to feel hurt and even perhaps betrayed. Congregations have split and continued with varying degrees of animosity between the two factions. This is clearly not what the apostle Paul or Jesus had in mind. Above all, live in love with one another is their message. Live in peace with your brothers and sisters in Christ is their teaching. The imagery of the body of Christ makes it clear that division is not God's plan. A body wrenched apart will likely die. Divisions do not occur when we are loving and peaceful. They occur when we are selfish, egotistical, envious, angry, self-righteous and unkind.
I pray that God will help me to keep my ego in check. I pray that He will open my eyes to the gifts that He has given the other members of his body. I pray that He will keep our churches whole, and that He will give them godly leaders and parishioners who will humbly listen to the teachings of the Bible. Our unity will be a powerful witness to a broken world.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Colossians 3:14-16 NIV
Sadly, the Church has often not been represented by unity. Many denominations have experienced schisms causing many people to feel hurt and even perhaps betrayed. Congregations have split and continued with varying degrees of animosity between the two factions. This is clearly not what the apostle Paul or Jesus had in mind. Above all, live in love with one another is their message. Live in peace with your brothers and sisters in Christ is their teaching. The imagery of the body of Christ makes it clear that division is not God's plan. A body wrenched apart will likely die. Divisions do not occur when we are loving and peaceful. They occur when we are selfish, egotistical, envious, angry, self-righteous and unkind.
I pray that God will help me to keep my ego in check. I pray that He will open my eyes to the gifts that He has given the other members of his body. I pray that He will keep our churches whole, and that He will give them godly leaders and parishioners who will humbly listen to the teachings of the Bible. Our unity will be a powerful witness to a broken world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)