Devotion Journal

It’s ingrained in us to think we need to be doing something at all times.  We are very driven; yet, what is it we are driven for?  Do we feel God is some task master and that we have to be about some some duty?  Our days are not of rest and enjoyment but of guilt and a constant searching for what we need to be doing.  If for any reason we decide to do nothing, we feel guilty until we do something in response to our guilt.  That is not life.  Jesus told us that He came to give us life and life to the fullest. 

Our Christian walk should not be about duty.  We are told to dwell in the Lord.  He is the Shepherd who leads us by still waters and restores our soul.  He wants us to abide in him and be lead by Him. 

Stop and hear him say, “I love you.”  I bet that concept of God is far from many of us.  Why?  Do we feel we haven’t performed up to the standard by which we think we should.  If there is a standard then who sets the standard.  We can look at one fellow and think we are doing well.  On the other hand we may look at another and think we are failing miserably.  The truth is there is no standard.  The law was that standard and we’ve already failed.  Jesus has released us from the trying to live up to that standard.  He has freed us and now we live by grace.

Knowing that how do you and I change our thinking about that?  I think it begins by just be-ing.  It’s not about do-ing but be-ing.  More Bible study, or being more faithful in your devotions, a good prayer life will never get us there.  It’s simple- just love Him now and be in his presence.  Whatever you are doing realize that God enjoys you and enjoys doing what you are doing.  Stop trying to do something or even be something but simply just be.  Be in love with God.  Now isn’t that free-ing!

There are those who practice righteousness and those who practice sin. Which category are you in? Those who practice righteousness are God’s children. On the contrast, those who practice sin are of the devil. There is no in-between. Those who practice righteousness have been born from above. Meaning they have obeyed God by believing in the name of Jesus Christ. When that takes place God’s seed is placed in them. As a result they will begin to bear fruit after their Father.

We practice in order to become better. If you enjoy tennis then you will practice. In the same way, if you are born of God you will begin to practice those things which are pleasing to Him. The one who is not born of God practices sin. Do you desire the things of God or are you only interested in pursing that which you know is wrong? That is a good indicator who you belong to.

As a believer in Jesus you will love God and love others. The disciple, John, tells us not to love in word or with tongue but in deed and truth. We have to put action what we know. Jesus is the example, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” So how do we do this? John says, “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him.” Don’t think it’s the churches responsibility to take care of needs. If you see a need don’t send them to talk with the pastor. You have seen the need for a purpose. Use what you have to demonstrate your love and build the body of Christ.

We have a pretty simple job or commandment that has been given to us. John writes, “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” So now you know what you can begin to practice. Put off practicing sin… for as a believer you cannot continue in sin. Now put on simply doing what is right.

These thoughts were inspired by 1 John 2 & 3

I was sitting this evening looking through a book.  I came across this quote that encouraged my heart.

Be persuaded, timid soul, that He has loved you too much to cease loving you.  Archbishop Fenelon

He does love you and I so much. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Throughout the scriptures we are instructed to cast all our cares upon the Lord.  Over and over again in the scriptures the Lord provides and acts in behalf of His people.  The passage in Isaiah promises us perfect peace if our minds are set upon the Lord.  The problem though is that most of us set our minds upon the issues we are facing.  The result of that is worry and anxiety.  In this passage we discover those who have peace are those who are trusting the Lord.  We are not promised that all our problems will go away.  It does mean that we can leave our issues with Him and trust that He will bring us through and meet our need. 

So today may you bring those issues to Him and allow Him to show Himself strong on your behalf.

In the book of Hebrews in the chapter known has the hall of faith the writer mentions, “from weakness were made strong.” This statement is encouraging to me. I am aware of my own weakness and my need for Him. It’s easy to become discouraged with our weakness and lack of ability. Yet it’s from weakness that the Lord can make one strong. The Lord is not looking for mighty men to use but willing men that will say yes to Him. It’s the weak things of this world that God chooses. In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul writes,

“God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: that no flesh should boast before God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

The beautiful thing about this is that He will get the Glory when the works are accomplished in us. He is the one who’s working in us to accomplish what He desires. In Ephesians Paul tells us that we are His workmanship. We are not our own works. The gifts that we have are something He has deposited in us. What good news this is. Not only have we been redeemed by Him, He now has begun a work in and through us. If you feel week and useless then remember you are a great candidate for the Lord. For it’s “from weakness” we are “made strong!”

Why Do The Nations Rage?

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.Psalm 2:1-3

Why are the nations in an uproar? That was the question David asked in Psalm 2. I recently read that passage and felt it fit the days in which we live. Today we have conflicts and threats all around. Did David get an answer to his question? Yes he did. And he sheds light upon the Lord’s response for us readers.

He’s laughing at their threats! The Lord sitting on His throne is laughing at the threats that are being made. Not only is he laughing, it says He will speak to them in His anger. The world’s constant plotting, their injustice will soon be judged. Soon the Lord will return and set up His throne and will wipe away every tear. The Psalm is the first of the Messianic Psalms. According to Halley’s Bible handbook this Psalm speaks of the, Deity and universal reign of Christ. The Psalmist writes,

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Psalm 2:6-9

What nation is right? You may say, I’m proud to be an American but as believers we now belong to a new kingdom. A kingdom in which the Lord rules. It’s a new economy and a new way of life. No longer are we individual nations but we are one in Christ as believers. Currently we don’t see the completion of God’s plan but one day Christ will return to establish His throne. For now we get to share the good news of the Kingdom. We have seen the first part of the Lord’s ministry, that of a suffering servant and one day we will see the King coming in glory to establish an everlasting kingdom.

That is good news! We have a new King who is perfect. He has bore all our sins upon the cross and has taken the judgment upon Himself. We are now truly free citizens. Now Christ is on the throne in our own hearts. It’s a kingdom of love. We don’t fight with the sword but we fight upon our knees against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Who’s the King? The king is Jesus. Upon the cross the title deed for the earth was purchased back. In essence He bought the world for what was in it, you and I. If you read through Revelation you will see Jesus as that King who one day will come again.

So do you feel a bit uncomfortable looking at what’s going on in this world? Take heart Christian, your redemption is nearer than when you first believed.

The heavens certainly do declare the glory of God.  Today I’m in North Carolina, a great break from the Florida heat.  This morning I enjoyed sitting on the porch with a nice breeze blowing, looking at beautiful flowers, trees, watching bees and hummingbirds.  As I read through Psalm 19 this morning I agree that creation does tell of an awesome God.  The diverse landscape, many various plants and flowers.  The beauty and complexity of it all tell me of a very creative, awesome, righteous, and beautiful God. 

I think it’s easy to try to put ourselves in places and areas to find life.  Many would escape into nature to try to experience God, to take in the surroundings and try to be filled.  Yet as beautiful and as perfect as the surroundings may be you will leave just as empty as before.  Remember, these things only tell us of a wonderful God.  If you want to be filled you have to look to the creator not the created. 

Jesus said that He is the bread of life, the living water, and the resurrection.  The right therapy and perfect surrounding will not fill but only leave us empty.  We need to go to the source to the one who made it all.  He alone can fill our empty hearts. 

So next time you are taking in the beauty of creation let it cause praise to well up in your heart for the creator of it.