Every rose bush has it’s thorns but we celebrate the beauty of the flower.
Focus is the key.
In our broken world, I have choice. You have choice. We all have choice to focus on the thorns or the rose.
I might start my morning strong in believing my Lord, but often, dark clouds of trial and hurt, pain and sorrow come quickly to cover the Son’s warmth and love by noonday.
The praise to God in my heart flies away leaving me flat and despairing.
I become cut up by the thorns of life and forget to be careful in my thoughts. I forget to enjoy the rose.
As a believer in Christ, I’m tested. We’re tested. We pray for this when we ask of God to:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 119: 23,24.
The Lord is faithful to answer my request. He shows me . . . Impatience. Inner destructive dialogue of myself and others. Stubbornness. Unbelief. Hatred.
The beauty of the Lord is: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” 2 Timothy 2:13.
Let’s choose to change our mind when we’re flooded with troubles and tempted with thoughts that destroy, and instead choose to grow in the grace of our Lord and in knowledge of Him.
How? We’ll proclaim aloud His glory from His Word and grow in believing:
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness Psalm 96: 13.
Do I believe He will? Do we believe God?
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary Psalm 96: 4,5,6.
Do I believe He is? Do we believe?
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land Psalm 95:3.
He is the great King above all gods.
How can we despair in the midst of praise?
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Can we say together? Has our faith increased? Yes, we will:
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity Psalm 96: 7-10.
I will focus in the morning. I will re-focus at noon. Join me in desiring to have a song the whole day through:
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:1-3.
Jesus is the rose:
“I am the rose of Sharon, The lily of the valleys” Song of Songs 2:1.
Can we help each other keep our eyes on the Rose? Together, we win.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care Psalm 95: 6.
Amen. Amen.
Let me know if you joined me in proclaiming, “In Jesus name, Amen.”
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, wrote There is a Voice of Sovereign Grace. This hymn is found in 32 hymnals.
I pray this old treasure speaks light to stir up deep joy down in every believer’s heart today:
HOW sad our state by nature is! Our sin how deep it stains! And Satan binds our captive minds Fast in his slavish chains. 2 But there’s a voice of sovereign grace Sounds from the sacred Word, ‘Come, all despairing sinners, come, And trust upon the Lord.’ 3 My soul obeys the almighty call, And runs to this relief; I would believe Thy promise, Lord, O help my unbelief. 4 To the dear fountain of Thy blood, Incarnate God, I fly; Here let me wash my guilty soul From crimes of deepest dye. 5 A guilty, weak and helpless worm, On Thy kind arms I fall; Be Thou my strength and righteousness, My Jesus and my All. Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 (1)
In my Spurgeon Devotional Bible, I’m reminded that “God’s grace outruns human sin.”
The Word of God explains:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God Romans 5:1,2.
A New Living Translation simplifies this rich thought:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
But there’s a voice of sovereign grace Sounds from the sacred Word, ‘Come, all despairing sinners, come, And trust upon the Lord.’
December cheer is here, in the Word and this Hymn. This truly is a hiding place. My refuge in a storm. Romans 5: 3-5.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love Romans 5:3-5, NLT.
My soul obeys the almighty call, And runs to this relief; I would believe Thy promise, Lord, O help my unbelief.
Healing flows in old lost words added to Spurgeon’s thoughts on Romans 5: No. 562 in C.H. Spurgeon’s “Our Own Hymn Book”
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us Romans 5:5.
Because the LORD is Omnipotent in wisdom and power, I invite you to speak aloud His Word back to Him:
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad Psalm 118: 21-24.
Together we pray to the LORD, Creator of heaven and earth His Word:
Listen to (our) my prayer, O God, do not ignore (our) my plea; hear (us) me and answer (us) me . . . Psalm 55:1.
Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets Psalm 55:9-11.
As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice . . . Psalm 55:16,17.
My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords Psalm 55:20,21.
God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God Psalm 55:19.
We unite in prayer and pour out our complaints to a Living God, Sovereign over all the affairs on the earth:
Your words were found, and (we) I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, For You have filled me with indignation. Jeremiah 15: 16,17.
The LORD spoke in regards to Jeremiah’s cry. What is the LORD saying to me? To you? To US? Let’s speak the Word of God aloud that we might have ears to hear and hearts as soft clay in the potter’s hand, that He might work in us,
Therefore thus says the Lord:
“If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile, You shall be as My mouth . . .
And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; And they will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you;
For I am with you to save you And deliver you,” says the Lord. “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible” Jeremiah 15: 19-21.
Can we hear the cry of the LORD, “Will you come back to Me?”
Can we hear His voice over the noise, “You’ll be able to extract the precious from the vile.” “Come back to Me. I am able to make all grace abound. I make all things work together for good to those who are the call according to My purpose.”
Together, evening, morning, and at noon we will:
22 Cast (y)our cares on the Lord,
we recite together His faithful Word. We will seek His face forevermore:
. . . He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days
But as for me, I trust in you Psalm 55: 22,23.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph. 3: 20).
“Listen to this message that the Lord has spoken,” the prophet Amos recorded for whosoever has ears to hear and eyes to see, “against you, O people of Israel—against the entire family I rescued from Egypt:
“Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey? Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait? Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch? When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?” Amos 3:3-6.
“That’s it,” many people shout in this present time, I refuse to believe in a God who is evil!”
Yet, Amos the prophet continues, Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7.
The lion has roared— so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message? Announce this to the leaders of Philistia and to the great ones of Egypt: “Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria, and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel.
My people have forgotten how to do right,” says the Lord. “Their fortresses are filled with wealth taken by theft and violence. Therefore,” says the Sovereign Lord, “an enemy is coming! Amos 3:8-11.
Paul the apostle recorded in Romans 9:7-16 the common belief that God’s not fair. Are we curious to hear the Scriptures on this point?
Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too.
This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes;
he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.” In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”
Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not! For God said to Moses,“I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
In our human cry for fairness, we are tempted to believe God is unfair. But Paul continues in Romans 9:18-23.
So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.
Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”
When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?
In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.
“God, give us hunger for the Word of God,” a daily prayer on our lips. For such a time as this, we must thirst for the Living Waters of God’s Word, continually praying for wisdom and understanding in His ways:
Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea,“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.”
And,“Then, at the place where they were told,‘You are not my people,’there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”
And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out,“Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant will be saved. Romans 9: 25-27.
The LORD is a gracious God, compassionate, slow to anger the Bible proclaims. We must turn from the words of man and hear the testimonies of God:
For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth quickly and with finality.”
And Isaiah said the same thing in another place:“If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.”
What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place.
But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.
Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him.
They stumbled over the great rock in their path. Romans 9:28-32.
Jesus is the rock of stumbling: “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 1 Peter 2:8.
We have choice. Will we choose Jesus?
Amos 4, consider. This is the Word of the Lord, NLT. Is it time to turn and trust in the Lord?
Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!” The Sovereign Lord has sworn this by his holiness: “The time will come when you will be led away with hooks in your noses. Amos 4:1,2. (This is how they treated their enemies).
Every last one of you will be dragged away like a fish on a hook! You will be led out through the ruins of the wall; you will be thrown from your fortresses,[b]” says the Lord.
“Go ahead and offer sacrifices to the idols at Bethel. Keep on disobeying at Gilgal. Offer sacrifices each morning, and bring your tithes every three days. Present your bread made with yeast as an offering of thanksgiving. Then give your extra voluntary offerings so you can brag about it everywhere! This is the kind of thing you Israelites love to do,” says the Sovereign Lord.
“I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
“I kept the rain from falling when your crops needed it the most. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. Rain fell on one field, while another field withered away. People staggered from town to town looking for water, but there was never enough. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
“I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
“I sent plagues on you like the plagues I sent on Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and led all your horses away. The stench of death filled the air! But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
“I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like charred sticks pulled from a fire. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
“Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!”
For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
Can we hear the word “return?” Do we choose today in humility to return, to “repent” for the kingdom of heaven,
is.
at.
hand.
God is gracious to receive those who chose to believe in the Son He graciously gave to pay our debt in full on the cross at Calvary.
“Today, today . . . ” the Good Shepherd calls His sheep. Do we turn to Him? The choice is ours.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” John 12:24.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
How can we bless the Lord at a time of trial or loss? We can . . . when we remember all His benefits as Psalm 103 reminds us:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Circumstances change continually. We’re tempted to fret. We try to figure things out. We become angry and impatient.
Will we remember our great and mighty Lord?
He forgives all (y)our iniquities, Who heals all (y)our diseases, . . .
The struggle is great, . . .
to fret, or choose faith?
God waits. He’s patient and kind. It’s one thing to be patient, but patient and kind? That is glorious. That is the Lord. Fret brings on a deaf ear. Faith opens the hearing,
“Look up. Let go. Turn around. Follow Me.”
The struggle is great. There’s a war in our spirit. We have a choice to make.
When we look into His Word, we’re reminded that He who is faithful and true, keeps His promises:
He redeems (y)our life from destruction, He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, He satisfies (y)our mouth with good things, So that (y)our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Emphasis mine).
What will I think on today? What will I remember? The losses, the hurts? Or the promises of God?
Do I choose to believe the Lord, this moment, this day? Who is my Lord? Is it my own understanding or God’s proven character:
The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” Jeremiah 2:13.
Selfishness and a stubborn spirit steal and bring thirst to my soul. But to all who seek Him, Jesus, He gives benefits:
” . . . but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” John 4:14.
If I’m aware that I’m full and overflowing with the Lord’s love and sufficient grace, then my eyes see the green pastures the Lord has made me to lie down in, ( even in the storm), then I understand He restores my soul, yesterday, today, forever. He is God.
Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
Who is God that I should bless?
He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
He is a gracious and compassionate Lord whom we can trust at all times.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Is He “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name?” Do we agree and ask to surrender as His children under His will? As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.
Do I bless the Lord and remember His Word? It is light and life to our soul when we choose Him, Jesus.
Yes, when we remember His benefits toward us, those who choose to be children, forgiven and free: But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
The battle is won in prayer and praise.
Dear Lord, with all that is within me, let us remember all Your benefits:
The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all Psalm 103: 1-19.
There are times when we make a choice of a road, thinking it’s the right way, only later to discover, after a loss of time and energy, it’s a dead end.
We turn around, with much of our insides churning and turning as well.
Along our journey, do our ears hear the temptation of an acquaintance,
“Let’s go out and raise some hell. Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman. Let’s pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals. We’ll load up on top-quality loot. We’ll haul it home by the truckload.
Join us for the time of your life!With us, it’s share and share alike!” Proverbs 1, The Message.
Or, do we undergo the continual temptation, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol . . . ” the Proverbs 1 NKJV.
S T O P! For a moment, instead of the pointing finger, and a heart on the defensive, can we look inside and consider our hearts? Are we offended about the shedding of blood for any human kind?
God knows us better than we know ourselves. Do we care about God more than our own self-satisfaction?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction Proverbs 1: 7.
Do we really care about love? God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is Love.
God is love 1 John 4:7.
Do we want to give Love our ear? Our decision is either a Dead End or Life and Light. (Yes, each with capital letters.)
Some may ask, “How can a God of love allow all the death and suffering?”
God speaks, each and every moment of each and every day. Do we have ears to hear? That is the life and death question:
“Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:
“How long you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning. And fools hate knowledge” Proverbs 1:22.
We have a choice to make. Do we believe the Holy Bible? Do we consider the writings penned thousands of years ago by the inspiration of God to many authors through a large span of time, over a huge expanse of area? Are we curious to take not of the hundreds of prophesies stated, each fulfilled in due time.
Or, not? God speaks:
“Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded.
Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you Proverbs 1: 26,27.
Are you offended by the Word of God? Or does this put a reverent fear in our heart?
Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you . . .
God calls. Do we refuse? Or do we turn to hear what the Spirit says:
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat Psalm 19: 1-6.
Do we consider the Word of the LORD?
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Is today a day we turn and give the true and living God our ear? Or, not:
“Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies . . . But,
whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil” Proverbs 1: 29-33.
It’s time to listen. I want to hear Him today. He’s perfect, pure and holy. I’m not. He covers me and gives me new life. Power is the gospel message:
1 John 4: 7-21, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Today. He who has ears to hear let him hear, and turn to follow God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit. Amen.
Simply pray and talk to the Lord yourself . . . and tell someone else, that you have decided to turn to Christ today.
Are we choosing man’s enlightenment above the Lord’s report for our light?
What we believe can cost us the destiny of our eternal life: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27.
The Bible teaches that we are simply passing through the life we live on this planet, and then . . . our eternal destiny. This is a matter of choice on our part. The LORD God is a gentleman. He gives us choice.
However, what does the Word of God say? Do we have curiosity? What if the report of man is faulty? Are we journeying on a Dead End?
“I don’t believe Christians, they’re all hypocrites,” might be the response. But what about believing God, the Creator of every living thing in this Universe? Will we believe Him? What is His report?
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad 2 Corinthains 5:10.
The Bible proclaims this as truth.
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil John 3:19.
Is this truth?
The Prophet Isaiah asks plainly,
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Isaiah 53:1.
The arm of the Lord has been revealed to anyone who has ears to hear. Nine hundred twenty-two times is repeated the phrase, “He who has ears, let him hear.”
Parables were told by Jesus. A parable of the seed falling on different soils, . . . And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” Luke 8:8.
Gardeners understand good soil. Do we have ears to hear?
Hearers of the Word of God are likened to those who build their house on a solid foundation. Who would think to build their house on the sand?
Yet, are we choosing to build our eternal destiny on man’s word above the Word of God?
Jesus says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 2
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” Matthew 7:24-27.
Is this a day of deep darkness? Is there no light to see? Are we willing to open the light of God’s Word? The arm of the Lord is revealed to all who will hear:
” . . . when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him Isaiah 53: 2-3.
Jesus knows this is each of us, yet His arm is held out still.
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted Isaiah 53: 4.
Does Jesus carry my sorrows?
Do I care for my own pleasures and desires above the holy requirements of God? Sin separates me from His holy presence . . . Does this not break my heart?
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all Isaiah 4-6.
We’ve all gone astray.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 8:5.
Jesus. Prays. For. Us.
Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors Isaiah 53:14.
Do I believe the LORD’s revelation of love to me?
This is what matter most in the life of each and every living soul.
Do we turn on the light of His Word? Jesus stands at the door of our heart. Do we open up to Him today?
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me Revelation 3:20.
As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion” Hebrews 3:15.
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Thro’ death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion– For more than conqu’rors we are!
His Word shall not fail you–He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
“Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near” Revelation 1:3, Amplified.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Do I believe it? Do you believe it? Why does this matter?
If God’s Word is truth, as Jesus Himself proclaimed in His prayer for those who follow Him in John 17:17, Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth,
then, I must understand there is blessing in hearing and receiving the Book of Revelation along with the entirety of the Bible. This is the revelation of Jesus.
Jesus is the Word. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God Revelation 19:13.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth John 1:14-15.
Everyday I need revelation of Jesus Christ. I need to see His glory. How about you?
The Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Am I separated to Him that I might receive His amazing grace, one time for salvation, everyday for light in the midst of a dark world.
Let our hearts sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17.
“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved . . . “
Am I separated to receive the fullness of His grace? Grace is His unmerited favor on my life. Jesus offers sufficient grace and forgiveness. Am I in a place to receive this?
Happy, blessed, and safe are those who read and hear, who keep these words in our heart, who choose to believe and follow the prophesy. From the first Book of Genesis to the final Book of the Revelation of Jesus.
Where do I stand? Where do you stand. Are we separate unto the Lord?
Can we sing, “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
What does it mean to be sanctified?
Why would I want to be separated to God? Will He take away my life’s desires? Does fear keep me from receiving God’s love and life eternal through His Son Jesus Christ?
Am I half-hearted or set apart?
Jesus was all in:
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit John 19:28-30.
Jesus gave all when our backs were turned to Him: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
The revelation of Jesus is grace and truth. “And of His fullness we have all received grace for grace.” We receive because he gave us what we didn’t deserve. This makes me want to be on His side, no?
Read in Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828, the definition of sanctify:
SANC’TIFY, verb transitive . . .
1. In a general sense, to cleanse, purify or make holy.
2. To separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use.
God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Genesis 2:3 . . .
5. To cleanse from corruption; to purify from sin; to make holy by detaching the affections from the world and its defilements, and exalting them to a supreme love to God.
Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.
To sanctify God, to praise and celebrate him as a holy being; to acknowledge and honor his holy majesty, and to reverence his character and laws. Isaiah 8:13.
God sanctifies himself or his name, by vindicating his honor from the reproaches of the wicked, and manifesting his glory. Ezekiel 36:23.
Is this not safety? In a day where so much expense and time is being spent on safety are we safely set apart to God, the keeper of our souls?
Am I a lost soul? or am I sanctified to the Lord, the One who is able to save us to the uttermost:
Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them Hebrews 7:25.
“Give me revelation,” we pray in this dark day. We need to know truth. Let’s read aloud the Amplified version of His grace upon grace for those who choose Him today:
Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever]
and Who was [continually existing in the past]
and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth.
To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)—
and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, He is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath].
So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 1: 4-7.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”Revelation 1:8.
Separated to God? Yes!
Let’s proclaim together: “I will be careful and safe, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Today, we ask to be cleansed and emptied of ourselves and filled with the Spirit of God, that we might have lives that bear much fruit. That God’s love and joy and peace would permeate from our lives because we choose to be separate to Him.
That we might have patience in all things. That we might have the fullness of self-control and gentleness.
We ask for a filling of His Spirit over and again. That we would be faithful to read and hear the revelation of Jesus Christ through the entirety of His Word.
He has given us a new song. Today we will choose to make music in our heart to the Lord.
Let’s continually give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His love, He has made glad, me, you, and those we are around!
PS: If you’ve never asked the Lord Jesus in your life, . . . do it now.
Simply bow your head and talk to Him. Ask forgiveness for your stubbornness and hardness of heart. Ask Him to wash, cleanse, and purify.
He will. He will sanctify you.
Ask the Lord to fill You with His Spirit and understanding in His Word, in the revelation of Jesus.
He will. He looses the stronghold of every chain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
And tell someone that you have opened your heart to Love.
When the news of the day brings weariness, I ask God to give me an open heart and an understanding mind to receive His Word. Anyone else need a bite of comfort food?
“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God . . . The voice of one crying the wilderness says, “Prepare the way of the LORD; . . . Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth;
The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5.
I must allow breakthrough of the water of the Word to run through the desert of my weariness. I will. Join me?
Yes, we will allow the Lord to move the mountains of trouble in our personal worlds today.
The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass. And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers and the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40: 6-8.
When circumstances are hard, we can see our God is greater.
We search His Word to increase our faith.
We take up the shield and God protects from all the fiery darts of the enemy, of doubt, and fear, and helplessness. The Word is living and alive. Our God is an awesome God:
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span . . . Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?
With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way . . . Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales . . . to whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him? Isaiah 40: 12-18.
I choose to fear the LORD and take hold of His Word that I might discern the lies from what’s true:
The voice of the Lord speaks, do we respond, “I will receive His love this day.”
“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, . . .
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, three in One . . . He is the I Am speaking to us. He speaks personally.
He takes hold of me, personally, individually, and you. My great and mighty God, Creator of the universe and all that’s in it, and yours. We can say, “He is mine.”
We will weep and cry aloud. And we will receive His love and healing. He is with us, now . . .
O how He loves you and me, O how He loves you and me,
He gave His life, what more could He give?
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me. Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for mankind to show;
What He did there bro’t hope from despair:
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth” Psalm 57:11.
God, the Creator of heaven and earth, our holy Father says to those who have ears to hear His voice today: “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.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously”Psalm 96:10.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” Psalm 96:4,5,6.
Active worship brings victory over anxiety.
We will lift our eyes vertical instead of horizontal. We will seek His face. We cry out for mercy, justice, truth, provision, and protection. And we worship Him:
“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” Psalm 96:7-9.
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; . . .
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth” Psalm 96:11-13.
Amen! We will be still. God is faithful. Speak aloud
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise . . .
It’s proven, vibration of strings . . . moves waters.
The waters of our being must be stirred up with a good theme. The Psalms offer songs that often speak our unspoken thoughts.
I offer a place of refuge today.
Psalm 55, Trust in God Concerning the Treachery of Friends.
Originally, this psalm was intended to be played on a stringed instrument. Today will you join me to use your vocal chords and pray aloud this Contemplation of David written to the Chief Musician:
“Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.
My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me.
So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness.
Selah (Pause and think quietly about this), the Amplified Bible reminds us.
“I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.”
“Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together And walked to the house of God in the throng . . .
As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.
For there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. the words of his mouth were smoother than butter. But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out have their days; But I will trust in You.
Psalm 55.Pause and think quietly about this.
God is on the throne. He knows each of our stories.
Time is slowed. Emotions stirred. Pain and restlessness fill each residence in this world.
Speak aloud psalms and hymns? Pray aloud? For such a time as this? We can’t afford not to!
In my cancer battle, I would play hymns in a slow lullaby style to calm my restlessness in light of the unknown future. Singing and making melody offered release and relief, and a present escape through my physical, emotional, and mental concerns.
(I recorded a “Sleepy Hymns” playlist to share for a baby gift for my niece and others. I would like to offer opportunity that others might experience a release and relief as well.)
A song of longing, healing, hope, . . . somewhere over the rainbow.
We hear opinions and beliefs in our post modern culture, of patched-together ideas of Jesus, personal truths as it relates to each individual, such as, “The Jesus I believe in is love. He would never condemn anyone to hell.”
And we, Christians, understand that Jesus doesn’t condemn anyone to hell, our unrepentant sin does that. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Christians understand that Jesus is Savior of the world.
We hear open arguments such as,
“The oppression throughout history has been caused by Christianity.”
The idea of Christian’s believe there is only one way to heaven and they are prejudice against any other belief system is hateand toxic.“
As Christians, we hear these thoughts of great misunderstandings with broken hearts, because we desire to be witness to the Gospel message: Mankind is plagued with dark hearts due to sin. The Father gave His Son, Jesus to make a complete and sufficient payment on the cross for our sins, and He overcame death and sin and with the miraculous wonder of being resurrected from the dead.
He lives forevermore, and offers life eternal to whosoever will believe. This is the Gospel. Jesus is the solution to all of the world.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
We all have many questions. The Bible is a Book worthy of study and a place to bring our misunderstandings, that we might cry out our questions to God. He will answer.
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? John 6: 4-9.
Christians don’t live by a set of rules and make rules for the world. We don’t read simply black and white letters on a page.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart Hebrews 4:12.
Christians receive the Holy Spirit when we believe on Jesus. His Word speaks and the Holy Spirit moves and gives us understanding in His Word. God is Holy and able to draw all men to Himself to all who believe.
“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” John 16:8.
We’re tempted to be shaken by people’s opinions and thoughts about “their” Jesus. But what did Jesus Himself tell us who believe?
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” Matthew 24:3-14.
God’s Word strengthens us. Our faith is restored by God’s Word. Jesus speaks to us today:
“Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone.
And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:32,33.
In the Bible, Jesus was brought to Pilate’s court the Praetorium.
“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?“
Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of the world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?“
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all” John 18:33-38. What is truth? Let all the Christians say, “The person of Jesus.”
Jesus prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane in John 17,
” I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth.
Your word is truth.
As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” John 17:14-19.
Who is my Jesus? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” Hebrews 13:8.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5.
Are there Christians strengthened in God today by His glorious Word? Let all the people say, “Amen.”
“Be still my soul, the Lord is in thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide. In every change, He faithfully will remain.
Be still my soul, thy best and heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”(Hymn, Be Still My Soul by Katharina von Schlegel).
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, My God, my strength, in whom I will trust . . .
He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me . . . For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect . . . The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock!
It is God who avenges me . . . Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD . . . And sing praises to Your name” Psalm 18.
I recorded Be Still My Soul with portions of Psalm 18 in the midst of my cancer battle 10 years ago. Bald, sick from chemo, weak, anxious about finances, and school lessons and schedules, kid’s health, etc., yet speaking and singing hymns was God’s living and breathing therapy for me.
He lifted me. The LORD God, Creator of the heavens and earth and everything in it held me up. The prayers of family and the saints far and wide were heard by the Lord.
His hand was on our family. He gave exceptional gifts to my kids. God was faithful, (even in my faithlessness at times). What a gracious, compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and forgiveness, (Ex. 34:6,7).
Yes, I believe God’s Word. He touched me physically, emotionally, and spiritually and kept me during a very dark time, and continues each and every day continuing.
“I LOVE the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live . . . ” Psalm 116:1,2.
And of my days, there will be no end. All because of Jesus taking all my failure on the cross. He forgives me. He cleansed me. He gives me hope today. He is risen, and He continually raises me up and rescues me.
And He stretches His arms out and offers this to all who will believe. “Yes, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Increase my faith.”
If there is one person this blesses, it’s enough for me -Toni
The sweet love of Jesus is genuine and steadfast, enduring forever through all things. And the meaning of the word “all” is ALL!
Where is love?
“If God is love, where is He?” Some might be asking.
“This is so elementary. I don’t have time for this,” some might be thinking.
But perhaps, it’s in simplicity that God paints His pictures of love everyday.
If we open our eyes, we can see love in everything.
Color, design, majesty, in each leaf and flower. We are awed by each morning’s sun.
We understand the need from protection from danger. We blink before something might touch our eye.
Simplicity is found in much complexity.
A Designer? Many of us agree, “Yes. I believe in God.”
Many believe shallow thoughts that the Bible is only a religious book. Fluffy, fairy-tale like, with a long set of rules.
God’s Word is far from soft and fluffy, especially in its definition of love.
God’s creation went his own way, deceived by the snake, disobedient to God’s instruction way back in the beginning, Genesis 3.
The prophet Isaiah sums it up like this,
“All we like sheep have gone astray . . .”
no longer under the protective care of the Shepherd, we, stubborn sheep go our own way and then are overcome by pestilence and fear.
Hatred.
Pain.
Darkness. Every day. More and more.
Where is love?
Over 2000 years ago, on a hill called Calvary, Jesus took all our filthiness, cruelty, stubbornness, envy, pride, hatred, and murders and was nailed to the cross. He willingly left the glory of heaven to come down to us.
He took all our sin on Himself.
That’s what love is.
“Who has believed our report? . . . He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him” Isaiah 53: 1-3.
God. Loves. The world. He sees. He knows. He never slumbers.
Do we cry out for His presence?
“God so loved the world that He . . . “
gave. . .
His only Son, . . .
for me. For you.
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-6.
Love offers freedom, healing, the power of . . .
forgiveness and new Life.
Love is not like the natural man, ever.
Only God is perfect love. And He took all our failure on Himself and He offers His love to us, today, no matter what we’ve done.
The Bible tells us so:
Love is very patient and He’s kind.
Love’s not irritable,
or rude.
Love doesn’t demand His own way.
He’s never jealous or envious.
Love is never selfish, boastful or proud.
Do we hold grudges?
God’s love does not.
God’s love hardly notices when others do it wrong.
Love is never glad about injustice!
But, Love rejoices whenever truth wins out.
Love came down and was, and is loyal at a great cost.
Love always believes the best about people.
Love hopes the best for all.
He says, “I’ve been waiting for you. You are such a treasure to Me. You are Mine.”
He cleanses and heals our broken and darkened hearts. He shines light to repair all damage done. He makes all things new when we invite Love in.
Do we resist God’s love? . . . still?
Isn’t it time?
His love never fails.
Never.
(Taken from 1 Corinthians 13, Living Bible with emphasis added).
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” James 4:8.
Can we be angry and humble at the same time? Can justice be found without anger? Where is the love we all long for? Can forgiveness be complete?
Today, our eyes witness evil. That is an absolute we can agree on.
“Justice,” is the people’s cry in the streets. This is a two way street that is an absolute .
Love is planted deep in the heart of every human. Family is a place to often see it grow.
Forgiveness is an absolute necessity and a great need.
“Where in the world do evil, justice, love and forgiveness converge at one point in history?” Ravi Zacharias concluded his talk at a United Nations Prayer Breakfast.
We know evil exists. We seek justice. We’re hungry for love. Forgiveness is needed. “Can I take you to a hill on Calvary and show you the person of Jesus Christ.”
Ravi, who has recently gone home to be with the Lord after a short but painful battle with a rare bone cancer stated, “Deep in my heart, I believe there are no other answers apart from the person of Jesus Christ.”
He shows us evil, taken on himself. He was the just and justifier who loved us so greatly that He prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
What’s truth? Where’s God in all this suffering and pain?
Ravi Zacharias shared thoughts by James Stewart of Scotland:
“It is a glorious phrase of the New Testament, that ‘he led captivity captive.’
The very triumphs of His foes, it means, he used for their defeat.
He compelled their dark achievements to subserve his end, not theirs.
They nailed him to the tree, not knowing that by that very act they were bringing the world to his feet.
They gave him a cross, not guessing that he would make it a throne.
They flung him outside the gates to die, not knowing that in that very moment they were lifting up all the gates of the universe, to let the King of Glory come in.
They thought to root out his doctrines, not understanding that they were implanting imperishably in the hearts of men the very name they intended to destroy.
They thought they had defeated God with His back the wall, pinned and helpless and defeated: they did not know that it was God Himself who had tracked them down.
He did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil. He conquered through it.”(James Stewart, October 17, 2012).
We seek peace in the midst of evil. We pray for justice. We desperately need love and forgiveness . . .
There are many questions.
Jesus Christ laid down His life us. He paid our debt in full on the cross at Calvary. He rose from the dead. And He lives today. Does He live in our heart, today?
The final answer? The Gospel:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.
