In the midst of Your warnings against unrighteous Israel, You throw them a lifeline of hope. When they turn back to You, they can know they will find You there, in their midst, working for their good and Your glory. Father, thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You still champion and celebrate over Your people who turn to You as their God, their true hope, their Lord. As I pray that, I realize anew that You again reveal to me that You first do for us what You require us to do for You.
You want us in Your midst, to remain and abide in You. As You fight for us, Your desire is for us to fight the good fight of faith for You. We are Your army, instructed to stand firm and at the ready, fully clothed in Christ and suited in Your armor. One of our greatest weapons is to exult over You with joy, for the enemy of our soul cannot stand in the presence of the praises of Your people who love and serve You. In love, we serve You as we love with Your love, representing You and Your interests in the world. And as we see Your work accomplished and Your name magnified, our joy over You is magnified anew.
Thank You, Father. May we be found faithful at Your coming. In Jesus, amen.
“…For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” – Romans 12:1-3
Reviewing my memory verses today, this stands out to me. It brings to mind the call of God in my life for this season. The place He has me walking and serving Him. It brings to heart the things that He has set my mind to understand and to accomplish for Him and His glory. It reminds me, again, that these things are too big for me. I cannot do it. My only hope and only help is God. God is the way and I must surrender, remember, and trust Him in it.
At the same time, things of daily life responsibilities that overwhelm me come to heart. Then I remember God’s instruction in my Colossians passage. I am to “…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, FOR THE ATTAINING OF ALL STEADFASTNESS AND PATIENCE….” Colossians 1:9-12 NASB1995
This journey cannot all be done today by me. God could make all happen in an instant, if He wanted. But He has set me on a journey to “attain all steadfastness and patience”. This steadfastness and patience couples with a heart of joyous thanksgiving to the Father, who uses it to qualify us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Attain means “To gain as an objective; achieve. To come to or arrive at, as through movement, growth, or the passage of time. To succeed in a directed effort, process, or progression.”
That says to me that I must be intentional about steadfastness and patience in the journey. I must deliberately choose to be joyful and thankful to God for every opportunity He gives to achieve these needful qualities of the proven character He is building in me.
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5 NASB1995
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4 NASB1995
Grant me wisdom for this journey, Father, as You accomplish Your purpose in me. In the working of Your Spirit, grant steadfastness and patience to bear forth perseverance while You build in me the character of Christlikeness with hope, making me perfect and complete in Christ. In Jesus, amen.
“Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”” – Colossians 4:17 NASB1995
This verse was written specifically to Archippus. I’ve not researched him to see if we know anything about him, but we are not told specifics of him or his ministry here. All we see and know is it was important enough for Paul to write this word of encouragement, spurring Archippus on. This good word often catches my heart as from God to me, helping me consider my ways so as to finish the course in the things He has me doing.
Today, I read this encouragement in light of the focus to walk circumspectly, redeeming the time in wisdom, which is in accordance with the will of God (Eph. 5:15-17, NKJV), being filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects (Col. 1:9-12, NASB). The call to fulfill our ministry leads me to ask, in a generalized sense, what Colossians reveals to us as the will of God for us in ministering in His name. Rereading Colossians, here’s some things I found to consider.
“… Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. …We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” (1:23-24, 28-29)
Like Paul, each one of us is called to suffer for the Gospel in fulfilling the afflictions of Christ. We may not all be called to be preachers, teachers, and evangelists; but we are all called to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15). One way of suffering our flesh as Jesus did comes as we deny fear and any other hindrance that comes to obedience to God in sharing the Gospel message and God’s grace to us.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (2:7)
We are the hands and feet of God on earth. As we abide in Him and He in us, we are responsible to fulfill the afflictions of Christ as we daily take up our cross in self-denial to walk in the will and way of God. We continue Christ’s work of revealing the truth of the Father in our actions, reactions, and interactions as we deny fleshly impulses so that we may live in Christlikeness. We are not to represent ourselves and our own desires. We represent God, His will and His way.
One thing I have learned in my years of seeking after and serving God is that many people of the world know we are to be Christlike – though they don’t fully understand what that is. If I forget for one moment the Person of Christ that is to flow through me, they remember, and they catch every slip up, majoring on our humanness to the detriment of our godly example. And the Church of Christ gets the reputation of the hypocrisy the world sees.
In our daily living: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (3:16-17)
In the workplace and places of community service or home care: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (3:23-24)
Our walk of faith requires watchfulness for the purpose of maintaining a righteous life testimony. Praying for ourselves and for those of our fellowship is vital. We are called to devote ourselves to prayer, “keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” A specific hint as to how we are to pray is found in Paul’s encouragement to pray “that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,” that we “may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” (4:2-4)
Another hint in our praying for one another is seen in the example of Epaphras. There we learn to pray that we “may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.” (4:12-13)
We are to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Thus, we pray to be found faithful. (4:5)
Our speech is to be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that we will know how you should respond to each person. Praying for God’s thoughts to direct and dictate our words is a good plan. (4:6)
Grace is God’s merciful love, set to build up in truth and empower in righteousness, not tear down in discord and destroy in corruption. A study of salt reveals a work of love that purifies, protects, preserves, and cleanses. This is the purpose and goal of our speech and a good hint as to how we are to pray.
Like the Jesus who is called Justus, we are to prove to be an encouragement to one another, and especially to those called to preach, teach, and evangelize, as they are on the frontlines, and often harshly judged. (4:11)
With these things in heart, I pray we each will be found faithful to take heed to the ministry which we have received in the Lord, that we may fulfill it. May we take up our cross daily and follow Jesus, The Christ. In Your name, Lord, make it so.
Father, I seek You in truth, desiring to know, speak, and live Your truth. May I be found faithful, proving to be zealous for what is good. Sanctifying Christ as Lord in my heart, Father, remove from me every fear and dread of intimidation.
May Your truth so reside in me that I may be able to make a defense when called for, yet with gentleness and reverence. Grant me life in You, making me able to keep a good conscience, even in suffering. If I must suffer, let it be for righteousness sake, that I may be found suffering for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. And use that suffering for the glory of Your name, growing my character to perfection in Christ, shining Your Light so that others may see and be drawn by You to walk in the Light, as You are in the Light.
Father, by Your mercy and grace, grant to me the power and perseverance needed to put to death my flesh, while being made alive in the spirit. Transform me, Father, by the renewing of my mind, so I become living proof of what Your will is: that good, acceptable, and perfect will of my God. In Jesus’ Holy and beloved Name and for Your glory, let it be so. Amen.
“See then that you WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ….” – Ephesians 5:15-21 NKJV
Digging into first reference passage:
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” – Romans 12:1-3
Study: looking at the mercies of God. What can be gleaned about “the mercies of God”?
9 – Because of God’s mercy, we who are saved by grace through faith are born again into a living hope that obtains an eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus – we are heirs with Christ: 1 Peter 1:3-5
10 – Because of God’s mercy, we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10
“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” – 2 John 3
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” – Jude 20-21
“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” – Lamentations 3:21-25 NKJV
This ➡️ “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.“ – James 1:12-16 NASB1995
“IF YOU LOVE ME, you will keep My commandments.” – John 14:15
“He who has My commandments and keeps them IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME; and HE WHO LOVES ME will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” – John 14:21
“Jesus answered and said to him, “IF ANYONE LOVES ME, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” – John 14:23
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; ABIDE IN MY LOVE. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” – John 15:9-11
“For THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3
“And THIS IS LOVE, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.” – 2 John 6
“Owe nothing to anyone except to LOVE ONE ANOTHER; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” LOVE DOES NO WRONG TO A NEIGHBOR; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:8-10
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation WITH THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEPS HIS COMMANDMENTS;” – Deuteronomy 7:9
“But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.” – Mark 6:49-52 NASB1995
The disciples just saw Jesus feeding thousands. Jesus sends them on ahead of him in the boat while he sent the masses away and went up on the mountain to pray. Coming to them walking on the water, we are told how astonished they were to see him. Then it says of them “they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves.” Why? Because their heart was hardened. They were seeing God incarnate doing mighty things that only God can do, but were refusing to realize the power they were walking beside.
Children of God, we often do the same when we see God meet our needs in ways that amaze our heart and make us know it is him acting on our behalf. Then the next challenge comes and our hardened heart panics without realization that God is still on the side of those who are His and still provides for our needs.
A heart that trusts God remembers the things he has already done for us, and with the hope revealed in our experience, faces the next challenge with a greater peace that understands that God is faithful. He, who has looked after us before, will look after us now.
A heart of trust knows there is nothing too great for God, there is no need beyond his reach. Trust in the Lord, even now, when fear attacks our thinking, and do the good that faith produces.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” – Ephesians 5:15-21 NKJV
References for vs. 17:
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” True wisdom comes from understanding God, His will and His ways. Wisdom walks us safely through the storms of life in a fallen world.
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” – Romans 12:1-3
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” – Colossians 1:9-12
“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Oh yum! That’s good eating. Be sure to feast on God’s Word daily. Pay close attention to that which clutches for your heart’s full attention. Eat it.
Father God, in the opportunities these devastating fires have presented me and each of us, Your children in Christ, empower us to accomplish Your will done Your way for the glory of Your name and the building of Your Kingdom and people. All I have and all I am belongs to You for Your Name’s sake. Make me a faithful steward of all Your good supply.
I want to use my home and resources well as I help these in need, Lord. Help me trust You with my home and the things going on here that make for wear and tear, and stress my patience and peace. Help me to trust Your supply for household things when this unusual strain is relieved. The important thing is to trust You, be Your light that reveals Your trustworthiness and care, and practice the hospitality that accomplishes Your righteousness and makes You known to the hearts of those I seek to help.
I want to love as You love, with patience, kindness, endurance, and graciousness. Help me give my all fearlessly, as You have given. This need will not pass us by in a day, Lord, as the devastation is extensive and area resources are stressed. It will take time to get people back into homes. Grant us endurance with peace of heart and mind, taking every thought that hinders peace and righteousness captive, so love prevails and encouragement flows to help the stressed and distressed find the hope to be had in You alone.
Grant us Your heart, Lord, as we weep with those who weep, and as we seek to help them recognize Your goodness in the midst of these storms all around us and inside us. These opportunities present eternal purpose, Father. Fill our hearts with Your truth as we encourage the grieving and fainthearted. In Jesus and for His glory, amen.
Grace (as I understand it) is stated in part by the well known acronym “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” It is the unmerited favor of God, which is His mercy in action, at work in us. The power of God unto salvation. The sufficiency of God manifested in our weakness, as His power accomplishes it’s purpose, giving His strength to brace us up where we fall short, making us able to stand firm as His servant. Grace is powerful. It’s the power of God at work in us.
“How can we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land?” – Psalms 137:4 NASB1995
Life in these days is so foreign to Kingdom living. Things in life that are so greatly against You and Your ways set our hearts in a tailspin and stop the flow of prayer as we feel we know not how to even begin to pray. So, set our hearts on the things above where You are. Keep our hearts set on You. Only then do we have hope and find help in time of need. You not only hold the answer to every trying situation. You are the answer. We pray You for life. Deliver us and those we love from everything that’s not You. In Jesus, amen.
Grief can darken our understanding of the ways of God and the truth of His care for us. This darkness is dangerous for our relationship with God and can pull us out of His will as the dullness of the light in us makes us feel our inability to be light for others. Recognizing the darkness, refusing its rule over life, and trusting God’s light to reveal to us our path to healing is vital in times of grief that brings the veil of shadow to our hearts. I pray God’s light for our need so we can truly be His light in the land of our living.
Father, thank You for this new journey You have me on that is definitely stretching and putting my faith to the test. And thank You for the original language study You have me in that warns me today about fainting – losing faith, falling to despondency in fear.
Our nemesis to faith is fear. The sensation of that evil pounding on the walls of my faith in this journey has been frequent, with increasing fervor. Thank You for reminding me today that You are sovereign. You know best and are good. Your plan, will, way, and purpose is perfect. I can and must trust You. It is the only safe path through this life in these evil days.
Forgive my leaning toward the temptation to give self to the fear that is wanting residency in my life, with desire meant to cause me to back away from all You are doing. I choose to stand by faith that fully trusts You and press forward in the strength You supply. In Jesus, amen.
“For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” – II Corinthians 4:15-16 NKJV
This writing contains tons of scripture necessary as proof text. It also requires some introduction as to what brought me here, necessary for friends and family who read my posts. As a result, it may turn into a two or more days series. Please bear with me and hear God’s Word.
Before getting into why I am asking God this question and presenting it to you, I must share a bit of testimony about what is going on that has me asking this question, and where God has me at this time in my life.
I recently joined a local Church of Christ fellowship. Yes, I received baptism to do so, not because I believe I came to them as a lost soul. My life bears fruit in every area God’s word tells us proves our union and calls us to evaluate ourselves. I pass the test spoken of in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6.
After my baptism, I told them I will not deny the work of God’s Spirit that has grown me. To deny the spiritual growth I already have seems to me as blasphemous. I cannot do that. But I dug into baptism and learned a deeper truth concerning having a right heart in it. Convinced that I needed to make sure I had a right heart in the receiving of that baptism, I was baptized into this fellowship.
I’ve been baptized twice before in my life. The first was at the age of nine+, when I recognized Christ as Savior and my need of Him. It was in a fundamental Baptist church that believed a whole lot like the Church of Christ. Baptism was treated as a vital part of the steps of salvation. It is not done as some testimonial show, but is a vital part of entering into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to new life.
In my recent baptism, I realized just how much the first breath when coming out of that water is like the first breath of a new born babe. It is a vital part of rebirth, the receiving of new life with new breath that starts our journey into a life that is, in that instant, a clean slate, ready for new input. But I was young when I first received baptism, and it was long ago, so I cannot recall my heart attitude and level of understanding in it.
The second time was in my mid twenties. God was dealing with me on my level of commitment and degree of surrender to Him in my obedience to and trust level in Him as a disciple of Christ. Speaking with my pastor at the time, we decided that it would be a good thing for me to just make sure of my stance in Christ, by going through the steps of salvation, including baptism, with that full understanding of the commitment I was making in heart. Thus, I was baptized anew.
Still, with many years behind me, I could not recall if my attitude of heart was in line with my deepened understanding regarding the significance and importance of baptism to salvation. Desiring to make sure my heart was right and my baptism was done with full understanding of its importance to the salvation process and it’s significance, I walked into those cold, baptismal waters and made sure my commitment in Christ.
That little sidestep of testimony behind me, let’s return to my reason for going to the Church of Christ in the first place.
Since my husband‘s passing, I have felt very out of place in the church I was attending. I just did not feel like I belonged there in this new season. I missed Johnny, and I felt like it was not right being there without him. I was a square peg. Not knowing where to even begin to look for where God wanted me, I asked Him where I needed to start. He immediately brought to mind the Church of Christ.
Now, I did not just go with that thought. That is not my practice. First I called on friends to pray, then I got into God‘s word, and began to ask Him to confirm for me the word heard. In my daily reading, scriptures stood out to me, not only confirming that I was hearing God clearly, but instructing my heart in the purpose and heart attitude I was called to have on this journey. I was instructed to go with a humble and submissive heart toward God, having ears to hear with a listening heart, ready to be as the men of Berea, who did not just receive the word preached, but dug into the word of God to prove its truth.
So, I am immersing myself in the Word of God as I consider the teachings of the Church of Christ, digging into the scriptures to find truth. My heart cry is for truth. Most of what I am finding, I have long believed, and practiced. There is really not that much, so far, that I cannot stand in agreement with, from what I already know, believe, and practice. But there is still much study to do, as there are many areas that I question, especially end time beliefs.
And I ask questions. Right now I am digging into Ephesians, letting God teach me and show me all that He desires me to know. I started with Ephesians because my scripture focus for spiritual growth this year is in this book. I begin that focus by looking at it in context to the full thought process it flows from. As I draw near to the conclusion of my own study, I will dig into notes that were given to me by the preacher’s wife, from the preacher’s notes on the study of the New Testament at the church I attend, and see where we agree and where I need to ask questions.
This commitment to God’s calling will take time. God has called me to full immersion, so even when I miss in person fellowship because of sickness and the like, I do a Church of Christ service online. Lord willing, I will soon make a month long trip to my daughter’s, to be there for the birth of a granddaughter’s first child. Usually I would go with her to church, but I am fully committed to God in this season and will look for a Church of Christ fellowship to attend.
“So, Darlene,” you ask, “what brought you to the question at hand, “Is ‘legalism’ a manmade philosophy?” This piece is long already, so let’s start here in my next post.
I pray God for us in this new year, for He is the source of all blessing and good to those who seek Him, trusting Him to see them through. When we choose to bless the Lord at all times, walking in His ways, growing in His Word, His praise continually in our mouths, we enter His presence and find His help in time of need.
May our souls make their boast in the Lord, humbly seeking Him through and in accordance to His Word. He hears and rejoices to help us in our need as we do.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Seek the Lord as he calls us to, and He will answer, and deliver our hearts from fears. Looking to Him lifts our countenance and makes our souls radiant, our faces never needing to be ashamed as we follow closely to Him, keeping His Word.
We, who realize that we are poor without Him, seeking Him wholeheartedly in this way, can cry out to Him in our need, and find Him faithful to hear and save us out of all our troubles. Following through faith that trusts Him makes us strong to face hardship, walk through it, and see His good come out of it. His reputation is that He, the angel of the Lord, encamps around those who fear Him and He rescues them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed are those who take refuge in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. He satiates us and makes us content in every circumstance as we walk in reverence for Him. Young lions do lack of and suffer hunger; but we who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. These are truths I have walked in with ever growing understanding and fervor, every day for over 45 years. He has not let me down. Come join me. Let’s walk hand in hand together as family in Christ through 2024.
We are called to walk in God’s Light and to be light in the earth. The true light pours forth from God, to us, and through us back to God and out to others. The light Jesus calls us to be moves in the will and way of God, desiring to please Him above self-will and man-pleasing.
The light we are called to produces
the fruit of The Word of God living and active in us,
the fruit of repentance,
the fruit of righteousness,
the fruit of good works,
the fruit of the Spirit of God,
the fruit of God’s Kingdom on earth, which is the bearing forth of Christlikeness.
If these things are not living, active, and growing in us, the light in us is the false light of darkness.
A profession of knowing Jesus, while not having this light visibly working in us is darkness – it is useless and accomplishes nothing good or of eternal value. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” - Ephesians 5:15-17 NASB1995
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him. You have done foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you shall have wars.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9 AMPC
“God is not democratic. His Kingdom is not a democracy. He is never subject to our whim or rule. The only real authority we ultimately have with God is the right to completely rule Him out of our lives. You can do that. But who in their right minds wants to? That’s the decision of those who refuse Christ, who reject God’s redemption and rule through His appointed King.
“But once I receive Jesus Christ as Savior, He enters to become Lord. Once my choice is to “rule Him in,” He comes in to rule! He takes over at Master-control and exercises God’s Kingdom rule to achieve our best blessing and highest destiny.” (From Praise in The Presence of God, by Jack Hayford)
Father God, I am so grateful for Your saving grace found in Jesus Christ, my Savior and King. Thank You for leading my heart to bow before You and choose Jesus as Lord and Redeemer King. Thank You for paying the price I could not pay so I can have the Life I do not deserve.
And thank You for giving Your Word and Teacher Spirit to train me in righteousness and empower me to walk out the salvation You call me to, living out the righteous life You call me to display. You are awesome God and Faithful Creator, worthy of all glory, praise, and honor. May my life and every breath prove these truths to the glory of Your name. In Jesus and for Your glory and crown, amen.
“… These are inveterate {chronic} murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk is boastful and arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men’s persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). They told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions. It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions–merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life. ….” – Jude 1:14-25 AMPC
Inveterate (murmurers) – Firmly and long established; deep-rooted. Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: synonym: chronic.
Father, I don’t think I’m a grumbler – especially not habitually so. But if I, in any way or depth, am given over to grumbling and complaining, reveal this evil in me and deliver me from its grasp.
I do see that I tend to fall to the sin of giving compliments, not falsely – what I speak, I say out of true evaluation, but with the wrong motives of trying to get into another’s good graces, or trying to prove something they believe about me to be incorrect. This, too, is not out of a lie. The things the ones I think of in this do believe of me is a lie. But working to please them in proving them wrong is prideful. So forgive me this sin, O God, and prove righteousness and truth in me in ways they can rightly see. I rest my defense into Your capable Hands, for You see and know the truth of every heart.
Father, let me not be found an instigator of division, but use me to bring peace that unites from a position of righteous understanding. In Jesus I pray, amen.
A devotional done with friends reminds me of the need of long hours at Your feet in some life issues, Lord. My heart stays so overwhelmed by so much in these days that part of me feels prayerless – or at least inadequate in prayer for such unbelievable turmoil, while the other part feels the groaning of Your Spirit that has me constant at Your feet – watchfully waiting. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
Thank You for Your Word that is the dictator and heart of my prayers in these days. And thank You for the answer received today in one of those major devastations. I love You dearly and long for Your will, to see Your hand in the land of our living, as You have so faithfully done so many times throughout my years of running hard after You. In Jesus, make it so. Amen!
”He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”“ – Luke 13:6-9 NKJV
We planted two trees in our front yard at our home of 32 years. The one to the right, as one looks at the house, soon grew big and tall and shaded the yard. The one to the left, after numerous years, was barely bigger than when we first planted it. As I was giving up on it and about ready to change it out, God used this passage to speak wisdom and instruction to me. I followed the instructions in the scripture, and the tree began to grow. After a couple of years, it was almost as big as the first one. It did not take long for it to catch up after that.
There are two truths to capture here. First, there is great wisdom for our day in the Scriptures, if we will but hear, take counsel, believe, and obey. And second, for growth to happen, living things require the proper care and nourishment. For the Christian, the food and water needed is found in God’s Word, and in the fellowship of believers.
Is your spiritual growth stunted? Get with the people of God who can help you know how to study, and let God take His bread and living water to the root of the problem.
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.” – Luke 12:49-51 NKJV
Jesus took our sins upon Himself for the purpose of taking our eternal death of separation from God for us. In the baptism of His death and burial, followed by His rising again as Victor over sin and death, He gave us opportunity to enter into His baptism and rise again to newness of life.
Do not take the baptismal waters lightly, as commonplace. This is the sin of the Pharisees who ritually washed without thought of its importance. When you enter those waters, do so in full understanding of its meaning, as this is a vital step in the experience of the saving grace of Christ. It is not a ritual. It is a commitment, requiring full understanding of its importance as a first act of obedience for righteousness sake. This, too, follows the example Christ gives (Matthew 3:13-15 NKJV).
Entering the baptismal waters is the reality we enter into in Christ when we surrender ourselves to walk in the newness of life Jesus provides for us. As we enter those waters, we enter His death. Recognize that as you step into that glorious bath. Your old life is over. Leave it behind and let it die.
In being lowered in submersion to those waters, we are buried with Him. If you want the full experience of this, let those waters be cold. It takes your breath away so in rising again, you inhale deeply, as taking the first breath of life – a life made new in Christ. The slate of your past is wiped clean.
As you step out of those waters, fully realizing the reality of entering the baptism Jesus took for you, do so with a heart determined to write on the slate of your life the good God desires to write through You, following the example of the Christ with every subsequent breath.
This is the meaning of “There is also an ANTITYPE which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21 NKJV).
Anyone can say the right words and get dunked under those waters. But God, who knows the heart of every person, sees the sincerity of the commitment we make when we enter the baptism of Christ in this first step of obedience. It is vital we understand the heart of the action, and do not take these steps lightly.
Wow! Father, I love when You refuse to allow me to give myself to fleshly fears and self-centered cares. You truly are giving me purpose in making this trip with my daughter. You’re speaking to my heart about not allowing fear to rob me of the blessing of fulfilling Your purpose as I choose to live life to the full. It’s been made clear that she wants time with me and this is opportunity to gift that to her – and to myself. I long to see my granddaughter and family, and to meet my new great grand and his dad, my new grandson in love. This is my chance to do that.
You have opened doors for me. I must not let my flesh, the ills and difficulties of this world, and satanic fear rob me. I must cling to faith’s trust in You as You are clearly calling me to do through Your Word to my heart today. Grant me to remember Your words to me and put fear thoughts and self-centered comforts behind me. In Jesus, amen.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NASB1995
You are so faithful, Lord, to lead us and direct our paths as we seek Your opinion. Thank You for sparking my heart today with Deuteronomy 31:6-8, increasing faith in me to make this upcoming trip with my daughter to see my granddaughter and family three days journey away: a daunting distance to me. I am trusting You have a purpose to fulfill in my going, and giving me a word from You to hold to confirms Your will and provision for it. I am so very grateful.
This is exactly what I needed to hear from You. Thank You that You never fail to inspire my faith in You for the things You call me to, and You are faithful to encourage my perseverance on the path You lead to. I do trust You. Now, Lord, entrusting this journey to You, I pray to be Your instrument in loving these, and in shining You into their lives and the lives of others at every opportunity as we go. In Jesus, amen!
“And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”” – Exodus 15:26 NASB1995
You are! You are my first, most vital need and necessity. I can do nothing apart from You of any eternal worth or value. With You working in and through me, nothing shall be impossible, for I can do all things through the strength of Your supply.
You are my hope, my help, my provision, my treasure. Every good and perfect is from You, the Father of Lights, in Whom there is no variation or shifting of shadow. I trust You, looking to You for my every good. Make Yourself known as You show Yourself strong in me.
You are my life. You cleanse and sanctify me in holiness. You heal me by Your Word from a sin nature in my flesh and bring me surely into righteousness and truth through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I bow!
Thank You for saving me and making me whole as You make me wholly Yours. In Jesus name, amen.
In reading this passage today, Father, I see something different. I always read it as our love for one another. Now I see it as our love for You.
This is speaking of coming into perfected love, in which there is no fear. As we grow in love for You in our knowledge and discernment of You, we then are able to approve the things that are excellent. It is in loving You that we are enabled to desire the things You deem excellent. That focus equips us to walk love out into life in ways that are sincere and without offense. That love for You makes fertile soil in hearts made ready, able to produce in us the fruit of righteousness in Christ to the glory and praise of our God.
It’s in growing understanding of You and Your desire for us to walk with You that works in us an increasing love for You, that enables us to love others well as part of bearing Your fruit into life. Here am I, O God. May my love abound still more and more to the glory and praise of Your great name. In Jesus, amen.
“Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”” – John 8:28-29
Your Word is pure joy to my heart, Father. Even when it’s words convict me of sin, I rejoice, for that conviction reveals Your love that wants a pure relationship with me and desires I be holy as You are holy. I desire to know and walk in Your truths, so that I may know and walk with You. Grant me to love Your Word, abiding in that which makes me to know You and Your ways.
I pray to only speak Your true words, Father. Teach me, that I may have truth to speak. Show Yourself strong with and through me. Grant wise discernment of clear paths that I may consistently walk as pleases You at all times and in all things. As Jesus – our example for life – is, so I desire to be. In Jesus, amen.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 NASB1995
Thinking on this verse this morning, I couldn’t remember exactly how it’s worded, so I looked it up. As I think on it, I realize – maybe not for the first time – the significance of its parameters.
The Word of God is living and active. It’s timeless: useful to God for directing and instructing, inspiring and strengthening our lives now as much as it did those it was originally spoken to. God can highlight any portion of it to our hearts, giving wisdom for our now situations. It is as relevant and vital to life now as it was in the days it was lived out. It has the capacity to lift us out of death and depression, giving us all that is needful for an abundant life that glorifies and honors God, accomplishing His purpose with wisdom and grace. So how does it work? This verse tells us.
The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts to the quick of life as God’s Spirit highlights it to our hearts for our good, to inspire, teach, direct, reprove, and train in righteousness. It pierces our lives as far as the division of…
Soul and spirit: the soul is our mind – the way we think; our will – the desires and inclinations that dictate choice; and our emotions; all making us the unique individuals we are. Our spirit is that part of us that is eternal. It cannot be separated from that which makes us who we are and will live on after our flesh shell dies. The question is, where? There is an eternal destination we are responsible to choose before our physical flesh dies. We will either be with God for all eternity, or we will be doomed to separation from Him, given over to the hell that separation brings us to.
Joints and marrow: joints make full, functioning mobility possible. Without the joints, the body cannot move far quickly, nor accomplish much. Marrow is the factory for red blood cells, which are the oxygen carriers of our bodies. Oxygen is necessary for life. The breath of life cannot flow through our bodies without well functioning marrow. God’s Word keeps our spiritual and physical lives healthy and full of Life, able to function at full strength.
Rightly judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Without right thoughts within us, even our best intentions will fall short of God’s glory, which makes even our good to be sin in God’s economy. We cannot recognize when our good intentions are being misled and fed by wrong thinking and selfish motives without the instruction of God found in His Word.
We cannot live righteously on the earth apart from God. We learn of God and His ways through His Word. God transforms us to be and function at our best capacity, with adequate life-breath and full function, as we let His Word penetrate our lives and make us wholly holy, as He is holy.
I pray you find time everyday to be in God’s Word. It is our life breath. Since, in Christ, we live in the New Covenant found in the New Testament, this is the reading plan I recommend. Read 5 times through the New Testament in this fashion:
John through Revelation
Matthew, skip to Acts through Revelation
Mark, skip to Acts through Revelation
Luke, skip to Acts through Revelation
Matthew through Revelation
Then read Genesis through Revelation.
Repeat over and over again. The Word of God never gets old or obsolete. And there is always and forever greater depth of understanding to glean.
When a verse or passage makes your heart jump, don’t just read on as if nothing happened.
Pause over it.
Note the full context of the passage. Who? What? Where? When? And why?
Pray over it, asking for wisdom and understanding in its application to your life.
Make note of it.
Follow the references that are listed with it and note any of them that speak to your heart and need.
Look up definitions of words that stand out – both in a good language dictionary and a detailed Bible Word dictionary.
Note any insights found.
Memorize the verse or passage.
Write the verse or passage on a piece of paper. Put it in your pocket. Reread and meditate on these things throughout your day, asking God for His good seed to take root in the soil of a heart made ready to apply its truths to your life.
May the Lord bless you, through the reading of His Word, to have a glorious life.
“He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray.” – Proverbs 10:17 NASB1995
“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” – Colossians 1:25-29 NASB1995
Thank You, Father, for making a way for us to be clothed again in Your glory, through Christ Jesus our Lord. In Christ, we were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that we might be joined to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Therefore, if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. This we profess and this we trust as we walk out our salvation in the land of our living; this place of habitation You set us in.
Whether, then, we eat or drink or whatever we do, empower us to do all to the glory of God, that Your glory may rest on and shine through us as Your light to a lost and dead world. Whatever we do in word or deed, may we be faithful to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to You, our Father God. For it is in Jesus we pray, amen.
“Walking in the spirit of trust means simply doing what the Holy Spirit directs you to do. And keeping quiet.” Jack Hayford
The focal thought You gave me for today comes from Paul’s words in Acts 26:19, “Be Obedient to the Heavenly Vision.”
The place You called me to in this season is often a hard place to be, most certainly beyond my ability alone. But You keep confirming the path and assuring my heart that You are accomplishing Your purpose in and through me.
Here am I, O God. Help my mouth speak the assurances You give and my heart recognize Your sure presence in this place. Grant me wisdom and perseverance, especially in the hard times. And let my love for You and those around me be visible and palpable, going above and beyond mere words. In Jesus, amen.
“Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”” – Mark 14:37-38 NKJV
Father, thank You for pausing me here this morning, leading me to consider these words. As I do, it dawns on me that Jesus just told these with Him that they would fall away and deny Him. If ever they needed to be praying, it was then. He was warning them of what was coming to Him and that one of their number would betray Him. If ever they needed to be praying, it was then.
Father God, You call us to Yourself, giving us assignment in living and serving You. Living for You is bigger than our flesh can accomplish without Your work in us and cannot be done apart from You. The wisdom of this world, our very flesh, and demonic influences stand against us, set to draw us into falsehood and sin. If ever we need to be praying and seeking Your Face, it is now.
Here am I, O God. Teach me to pray fervently, just as Jesus did. In Jesus, amen.
Seeking Holy Habitation, seated at God's feet (Exodus 15:13).
Darlene's Ponderings 