Every time we face something in life that appears impossible or tempts us away from faithfully following You; any time we sense Your call to a hard thing we aren’t sure we can do; with every opportunity to doubt or fear, a stone pops up to cause stumbling, making us stop, leading us to sin against You. Father, grant us faith to trust You that, in all You call us to and every opportunity You set before us, You are with us to move those stones or show us the path to removing their hindrance. When we walk with faith that fully trusts You, stones of stumbling get crushed under the Cornerstone of our faith, and we walk free to stand firm on the foundation of our victory in Christ. Increase our trust as we walk securely in The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Make us faithful to trust You more and obey You fully, especially in the hard places. IJA
“For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.” – Hebrews 2:10 AMPC
Thank You, Lord, for doing life in human experience to the full so You are adequately equipped to encourage, strengthen, and help us in our struggles. Thank You that You understand human flesh and how to overcome, setting the example that helps us know truth so we can walk free indeed. Thank You for being with us and for us. May we be faithful in walking through life with and for You. In Jesus, amen.
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” – Revelations 2:2-6
Father, thank You for this passage that always gives me opportunity for self evaluation. Am I producing a work that honors You as God, laboring in patient endurance out of love for You, as pleases You as my First and Foremost desire? Am I testing the teachers and teaching I sit under by digging into Your word for myself, that I may know truth, giving me a basis for recognizing falsehood? Do I live as one who hates evil? Am I remaining true to You as my First Love?
Here am I, O God. Search me and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. Grant me eyes to see myself – my heart – as You see me. See if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me to a right heart in walking through life into eternal purposes fulfilled to the glory of Your Name. Grant me right heart attitudes in serving You with whole hearted fervor, practicing patient endurance, to a finish that glorifies Your name and accomplishes Your purpose. May I realize the evil around me and recognize any way in which I inadvertently give myself to those things that displease and dishonor You. Deliver me from evil, and lead me to repentance that reestablishes right standing with You. Make me a light that helps those I love or come in contact with to find You for themselves. This I pray in Jesus’ Name and by His authority, amen.
Father God, You have been encouraging my prayer life all morning, reminding me to ask, seek, and knock with a view toward right and true evaluation of my motives in my requests. To pray with a pure heart dictated by love. To pray with a heart set to love You through obedience. To seek Your face with a whole heart set on things above, not on worldly desires, lusts of my flesh, or demonic wisdom and influence. Praying this way does require an honesty with self and with You that only Your Holy Presence can empower in me. As You give me eyes to see my own heart and know the truth of it, only then can I pray in truth and righteousness, from an honest stance and in full assurance of faith that reveals my trust in You. Here am I, O God. Grant me understanding that will empower me to ask, seek, and knock with a pure heart and clean hands. In Jesus, amen.
Father, thank You that You do care about the smallest details of our lives, and You tell us to seek You for them, as whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we are to do it to the glory of Your Name.
As I pray that, my heart turns to Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”
Of course You care about the smallest details of our lives, for how we behave in the small speaks volumes about our ability to rightly and truly handle the big. If we won’t seek You, Your will and Your way, in the small things, why should You bless us with and in the big. Thank You for this enlightening and encouraging truth. In Jesus, amen.
As I have studied Your Word, I have come to understand that the thing that caused You to sweat blood drops was knowing that You would, for the first time EVER, experience the turned back of God who could not look on our sins born on Your shoulders on that cross, thus, saving us from eternal damnation. You saved us who know Your sacrificial gift, have received it and are walking out the salvation You provided, from ever having to know God’s turned back. For this, my eternal soul saved in Christ and walked out in love for You, I thankfully praise You. In Christ, amen.
Thank You for the privilege of allowing me to know You as Abba, my loving, life giving, caring Father. Thank You for teaching Your daughter to trust Your love, which disciplines me for my eternal good and Your here and now and everlasting glory. May I be found faithful to turn quickly to Your truth and walk away from sin to the path of Your will done Your way. It is my greatest desire to follow and serve You. Grant me eyes to see, ears to hear, a mind to know, and a believing, understanding heart that gives way to a willing Spirit of obedience. In Jesus, Amen.
“And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.” – Luke 11:2 AMPC
Thank You, Father God, for loving and receiving me, and for delivering me from my most unjustifiably rebellious and miserable failures, consummate waste and ruined potential. Here am I, O God. Grant me eyes the see and recognize every opportunity You give me to honor and glorify You as Lord of lords and King of kings, my Savior. In Jesus holy and righteous name I pray, amen.
Father, by the power of Your Spirit working in and on me, grant me to walk in Your ways, guarding and keeping my heart so it will be perfect and blameless toward You. May my heart prove to be completely Yours, loyal in all things, fully committed to You. Fill me to overflowing with the power of Your holy presence so that my every thought, desire, word, work, and deed prove my heart to be completely dedicated to You, Your will, and Your way as I walk this pilgrimage to Your eternal Kingdom. Set my mind and heart, and keep them set on the things above where Christ is, seated on the throne of glory, and let Your throne possess me. In Jesus, Amen.
I see a practice among God’s people that stems from the fallacy of pulling a portion of scripture out of context and running with it as the sum of all truth. One such practice dictates the way many fight against evil. People too often take “resist the devil and he must flee,” under their belt and run with it, fighting the devil. But before that we are told, “submit, therefore, to God.”
“Therefore” in scripture tells us we need to look back and see what the “therefore” is there for. Looking back this scripture passage says, “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:5-7 NASB1995
Submission requires humility that bows in surrender to the work of God’s Spirit in us. God is jealous to see this work accomplished in us. When we enter this level of submission to God in surrendering ourselves to Holy Spirit’s work in us, we automatically resist the devil in that act of submission. Thus we are instructed, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:8-10 NASB1995
We are lifted to victory in the spiritual battles of life as we draw near in humility to submit to God. As we focus on the death of our flesh through submission to God, we win without ever acknowledging the devil. Our humbled submission automatically resists him who must then flee, not because of us, but because of our proximity to God in the working of God’s Spirit in us.
Father, my daily desire is to know You more, and live You more fully and completely. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live, I live by faith in this Son off God who loved even me and gave Himself up for me. That truth being so, we are not promised ease in this life. Jesus says we will have trouble. But He has overcome the world and, as we yoke with Him to know Him, He will lead us through to live in His victorious peace that passes understanding as we rest our load in union with Him. Help us, Lord, to realize when we have changed yokes or changed position in His yoke. Empower us to enter Your rest and find strength for each challenge that comes to the load we bear in Christ. Thank You that, as we humble ourselves in Christ, we find rest for our souls that quiets the storms this life’s trouble too often brings. In Jesus, Amen.
Father, I choose You. Empower, by Your presence in me, that I may walk in the light of Your way. Grant me to press forward in Your service without fear, keeping eyes focused on the path before me, refusing to look back with longing to days gone by. I cannot see what You have for me in service to You where I am now if I let longing for the past draw my attention away from the now. Empower me to trust that, as long as You give breath to my lungs, You have purpose for me in these days, and keep my focus on Your footfalls leading the way before me. In Jesus I pray, amen.
Father calls his people to love, wholeheartedly, unconditionally, and compassionately. Recently, He inspired by the power of the Spirit in me, an understanding that I was failing to fully love someone because I am failing to recognize any value in them. When I see only the things that frustrate me in them: their faults, flaws, annoying habits, or past sins, making me unable to give focus to the good that is in them, love actions toward them become burdensome.
It is difficult at best to have love for those we fail to value. It is near impossible to truly care for, and fully trust them. So what’s the solution.
One: forgive the past for my own sake, following the example of God in Isaiah 43:25 and John 3:16. It hurts me to hold unforgiveness, keeping me from being able to rightly, truly, and justly give love and care that honors God. So for my sake in protecting self from bitterness, hate, and other unloving, self-destructive attributes, I must choose to forgive and refuse to hold a grudge.
Two: adjust my focus. God tells us how to rightly think so we can walk in peace with God, self, and others.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV
Think on — the true:
Is the person the same as when they hurt you or are they different? Do they mean to harm, or are they acting out of their own hurt from days gone by? We are all wounded souls, sin sick and war torn. We all need the healing balm of Christ, the Savior. See the truth of their need and your own. See the truth of the Savior. “What would Jesus do?” is a legitimate truth to discern.
— the noble:
One who is noble possesses or shows qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor. Being truthful in your evaluation of another, do you see any such qualities? We must be watchful for every sign of nobility and focus on those attributes in our love toward others. While we are at it, are we practicing such noble traits toward those around us? Be careful of picking at other people’s splinters while ignoring one’s own logs. Too often the things we see to dislike in others is a reflection of what we hate in ourselves.
— the just
Are we being just in our focus? Often I find people’s behavior toward me is a response to some perceived insult from my words or actions toward them. Tiredness, the concerns of this world, miscommunication, and more can effect our actions and reactions in word and deed toward others without our realizing it. Many other times the response I receive from another has nothing to do with me. Some thing they are troubled with in some unrelated area of their lives may hit me as I inadvertently get in the path of their frustration. Seeking to discern truth in a situation leads to just assessment and the ability to clear the air with a more comprehensive understanding.
— the good — the lovely — the good report — their virtues — anything praiseworthy
All these points for the focus of our thoughts and opinion of those we are called to love are vital to our ability to value them. Meditate on these things; practice these attributes in relationships. Focus on these things worthy of value in one to another will work God’s peace in our relationships and strengthen our love walk.
This is a “food for thought” post. Bare with me for a little ground work:
““Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.” – NLT
“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. [Heb. 8:1, 2; 10:1.]” – AMPC
“Salvation is God’s grand design for recovering His original plan: God tabernacling with man!” …According to the Word of God, the plan is working!” Jack Hayford
“Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” – Hebrews 8:1-2 NASB1995
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NASB1995
“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.” – Hebrews 10:1 NASB1995
We are the tabernacle (temple) of God who desires to DWELL among us. The question is, are we living it? Are we living in such a way that our God is finding SANCTUARY in His Temple? Are we a dwelling place for Him, set up and made ready for His comfort, supply, and security? Does He find a restful sanctuary in us? To aid our thought, let’s get Merriam-Websters help.
Dwell – to remain for a time; to live as a resident; exist in; lie in; to keep the attention directed —used with on or upon; to speak or write insistently —used with on or upon.
Synonym: Abide – to bear patiently : TOLERATE; to endure without yielding : WITHSTAND; to wait for : AWAIT; to accept without objection; to remain stable or fixed in a state; to continue in a place : SOJOURN.
Sanctuary – a consecrated place: such as the ancient Hebrew temple at Jerusalem or its holy of holies; the most sacred part of a religious building (such as the part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed); the room in which general worship services are held. A place of refuge and protection.
Synonym: Refuge – shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
“The re- in refuge means basically “back” or “backward” rather than “again;” thus, a refugee is someone who is “fleeing backward”. Refuge tends to appear with certain other words: you generally “seek refuge”, “take refuge”, or “find refuge”. Religion may be a refuge from the woes of your life; a beautiful park may be a refuge from the noise of the city; and your bedroom may be a refuge from the madness of your family.” Merriam-Webster dictionary
I would add: A sanctuary is a safe place; a quiet place; a peaceful place; a restful place. A place where dwelling there is desired; a desirable abode – place of abiding. A storehouse that meets my needs. The place I most want to be.
God Himself is our Sanctuary, our Refuge, our Dwelling place, our Secret Place; our Hiding Place; a place where every supply is found for us to prepare for and live out of, so we can go and live Him in the earth, then return to find our refuge and rest, and to restock for the next outing.
As one with Him in Christ, does God find a sanctuary in which to dwell within and through us? Are we a place where He can find quiet, peace, joy, rejoicing, repose, and refreshing? Are we a place where He can rest, hide His treasures, and store His supply for safekeeping and good use? Can He dwell here and work out of us as a secure, well stocked, home base? Are we a peaceful place, rested in Him so He can find His rest in us?
I feel secure in God, knowing He loves me unconditionally. Though He will definitely sweep, mop, and dust me out, He will never leave nor forsake me. Does He find unconditional love and acceptance in me that will never desert Him? Am I at peace in His Presence, accepting of His Who; at peace with His living in, with, and out of me?
I find no fault in Him. He is a comfortable place for me as He keeps Himself Holy. Do I cooperate with Him as He makes Himself comfortable in me, making me Holy as He is Holy? Do I want to be?
As I am with Him and He with me, can others experience this Holy Sanctum with my God and me when they come near? Do they find peace and acceptance, encouragement and inspiration that inspires them to tabernacle with God?
Enjoy this day, this journey, Brothers and Sisters, wholeheartedly trusting “…that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6 NASB1995
Now, let’s construct a Tabernacle Sanctuary for our God, shall we!
In YouVersion’s devotional series, Finding Rest (Day 1/5) titled Make Rest Your Friend the author writes:
“By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” – Genesis 2:2-3 NASB1995
““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” – Matthew 11:28-30 NASB1995
“Rest—to relax, pause, breathe, and be at ease.”
“Rest is a gift that we too easily tend to push aside. But life without rest is not sustainable. Rest refreshes our bodies, giving us the energy we need to honor God and to love others. Learning to practice rest is a spiritual discipline that helps you enjoy God’s presence and realign your priorities.
“God Himself modeled rest for us from the very beginning. Immediately after He finished creating the universe—and everything in it—he gave Himself a day to look back on the goodness of all the work that He had just completed.”
This is us, entering into rest from our works in the likeness of God’s example to us. I have practiced this rest for many years. But this morning God showed me something, revealing to me that, this personal practice of resting falls short of the call of God for our deepest, most vital rest. The call of God is. . .
“Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, And saw My works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with this generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they did not know My ways’; As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” …So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
“Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
“…Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.” – Hebrews 3:7-11, 19, 4:1-3, 6-11 NASB1995
This is what Father showed me today: our calling is not simply to rest from our works, but to enter into His rest with Him. I’ve always looked at it in this way YouVersion expresses it, as me, trying to rest in likeness to Him. He finished His work list then sat back to enjoy the produce of His hands.
But us entering His rest with Him is deeper and less “me” than that. He rested because He knew His work was finished “from the foundation of time” and it was good. We enter His rest when we join Him there, rested in the fact that God is finished, and always finishes His work, and His work is always revealed to be good. We enter His rest trusting His finished work, though we can’t see it yet, and earnestly anticipating the last word from Him: “and He saw that it was all good.”
Trust Him. Believe Him. Follow Him in obedience out of faith’s trusting belief. The whole while entering His rest with Him knowing He will not fail to finish the good work He started in and through you.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6 NASB1995
Cooperate with God, and be at rest in His finished product.
Thank You, Holy Presence, for being with me and in me. Thank You, Patēr, for granting me to house and know Your Holy Presence. Fill me up and spill me out. Continue to work in me this trust and assurance that powers me in these days. You truly are my first, most vital, and only true need and necessity. Thank You for allowing me to know and experience this truth. In Jesus, amen.
Father, despite my own struggles that preoccupy my mind and rob my attention, grant me eyes that clearly see others who are away from Jesus and without hope. Fill me with power to get outside of myself and tend the needs of others as of first priority. Show me how I can reach out to draw them into Your security, family, and the pure hope found only through Christ. Make me faithful as You are faithful. In Jesus, amen.
I don’t groan as in I am ready to die and leave this earth. I groan for the perfect: to put off this body of flesh and put on the glory of The Eternal. But I am not ready to go home yet, Father, You know. My life and work here is incomplete. You are not finished with me yet. There is much more to learn, grow into, and experience. And there is a testimony and service still in me for those You send me to. Here am I, O God. Have Your own way. In Jesus, Amen.
“…Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31
As I read this, Lord, I realize that these strengths listed here are not only reward for being faithful to wait on You, trusting Your timing. These are symptoms seen in the life of one who is waiting well. Waiting that truly honors You as God enters Your Rest through a trust in You that knows You are faithful and will not fail, how ever long the wait.
Lord, You have also shown me in my readings today, that to fail to wait well on You is kicking against the goads. It is useless, pointless, vain and perilous resistance of You and Your will in our lives. As I am reminded today, Your timing and way of things is perfect and always works Your glory for our greatest good. Thank You for the privilege of knowing You in the wait. Grant me to be found faithfully waiting for You. In Jesus, amen.
Since my husband died, I find that I sleep better with gentle noise in the background. An easy to listen to narration of scripture is best. Listening to scripture the other night, this passage caught my attention:
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB1995
I asked God to help me remember to look at this the next morning and note what He was saying to me. He brought it to mind this morning when I was praising Him for growing me in greater understanding of intentional selflessness, asking Him to help me remember all He is teaching me, because I felt like I was forgetting something important. That’s when the ghost of this passage rising up in my remembrance sent me searching it out.
This truth about Jesus, taking up His chosen cross, bearing our sin and need on His shoulders, “despising” the shame of it, is the greatest act of intentional selflessness.
As God’s people, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Christ’s example. Taking up our cross requires we deny our own will, way, desires, and purposes, even our own comfort and safety, to take up God’s will, way, desires, and purposes in accomplishing His goals and meeting the need of others. It is done in faith’s total trust that one’s own safety, security, and good, one’s very life, is best when placed securely in the capable hands of God.
By taking up our cross daily, we despise the shame of dishonoring God and denying the need of those we serve (Genesis 39:6-21).
Thank You, Father, for bringing this back to my mind and engraving it on my heart. Make me faithful as a Spirit led steward of Your manifold graces, despising the shame that may come to the cross born. In Jesus, amen.
Father, increase love in me. What I am about to pray is scary to pray, because such praying brings one to pruning and testing ground. But I want the growth that makes stronger Christlikeness. So . . .
There are people in situations that I find hard to pour love into. You know where those areas are even better than I. Grow me strong in love so I do not let demeanor and circumstance stop the flow. In Jesus, amen.
“But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”” – Exodus 3:11-12 NASB1995
When God calls us to a task, especially to a big work that may blow our minds, we often want God to give us a sign that we are hearing Him correctly and that this thing we are experiencing is real – and is truly Him – before we go. But more often than not, God gives the sign after the work is done.
We want proof now. God wants us to work in a faith that trusts Him even while we walk with Him in a fog. He desires a believing faith that trusts He will succeed and glorify Himself in our lives as we go (Romans 1:17; Hebrews 4:2; 10:38-39; 11:1, 6; James 4:22-26; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 2:19; 14:12).
God says that a prophesy is known to be from Him when it comes to pass (Jeremiah 28:9), for God’s word will not go out from Him without accomplishing the purpose for which it is sent (Isaiah 55:11). He wants us to believe and trust Him for these truths.
God’s word tells us that we know those who are His by their fruit, which is the final stage in a tree or bush revealing its true nature (Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:44). We know God’s hand and see His glory most on the backside of life’s challenges, when He gets us where we are going, and we see the fulfillment of His plan (Exodus 33:18-23).
God is faithful. We can trust Him. The greatest form of trust believes Him true even in the deepest fog of uncertain paths rolling out before us, knowing He is doing great things in and through us that will bring the evidence of the glory of His presence to undeniable life on the earth as in Heaven.
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:6-9, NASB
One commentary read long ago said the better translation for this passage would end, “I Am your exceedingly great reward.” God is the reward. When we recognize that, we recognize exactly how blessed we are despite circumstance.
Fretting need is ended when God is our greatest desire. And when we have Him fully, we know we have all else we may need.
God is calling me to greater depths of deliberate, intentional holiness. My focus for growth this year is already set to intentional selflessness. So, am I to add intentional holiness to my goal? Yes: and no.
As I think on the holiness God is calling me to, I realize – recognize – that being holy by choice in obedience to God is the greatest form of selflessness. This call to holiness is a deeper level of continuation in achieving the first goal. I can’t truly attain to the first goal of intentional selfishness without majoring that effort on this vital aspect of holiness.
Holiness requires putting God first. When He is first, pleasing Him and accomplishing all that concerns Him, majoring on His interests above my own, is the ultimate selflessness.
Seeking to please God above all and give self to His interests then gives priority to others: their best interests, their better good. As I die to self, take up my cross daily, and live the image of God in ministering to the needs of others in Christlikeness deliberately choosing selflessness in action out of holy purpose, holiness and selflessness collide as one together in Christ. Dying to self chooses to live godly, being as He is in all our ways, thus producing holiness. That holiness pours Godward-interest into accomplishing His will and purpose, and through that, meeting the best interests of others in addressing their needs.
Thus, my next and biggest step in growing intentional selflessness is to dive deep into intentionally sought after and deliberately chosen holy living. The following passages give pictorial definition to what “holy” truly is.
“So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. [Lev. 11:44, 45.]” – 1 Peter 1:13-16 AMPC
“The person who turns to those who have familiar spirits and to wizards, [being unfaithful to Israel’s Maker Who is her Husband, and thus] playing the harlot after them, I will set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people [that he may not be included in the atonement made for them]. [Isa. 54:5.] Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 20:6-7 AMPC
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
“WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members? You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.] [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God. Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love? [Jer. 3:14; Hos. 2:19ff.]
“But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). [Prov. 3:34.] So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
“[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” – James 3:17-4:10 AMPC
The flow of my quiet time led me to this thought for today’s journal entry, “To Live Kingdom Life,” starting with the following verse.
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” – Proverbs 24:33-34 ESV
This verse says to my heart that, to live Kingdom Life, I must not put off today’s responsibilities, allowing them to become tomorrow’s hindrances and hold backs, inviting mountains and giants into my future.
The next verse and comment catching my attention reminds me that living Kingdom Life brings God’s Word and promises to life in our days, living heaven on earth.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:19 NASB1995
“Whenever you determine to lay claim to the Father’s counsels as opposed to the adversary’s, you’ll find that earth can have what heaven has already decided on!” Jack Hayford
Jesus’ words in John 19:30 – “It is finished!” – couple with another Hayford comment, telling me that, in living Kingdom Life, the destruction of struggle and suffering is dead. In Christ no struggle is pointless, no suffering is without end. Though struggle and suffering are constant in this life, the cross and the empty tomb assure us of an eternity set free from their destructive force. For those who believe Christ’s finished work with trusting faith, there is purpose in our pain, and pain has an end because of Christ. Remembering that fact equips us to walk in this life with the hope and peace of Kingdom Life on our hearts and faces, despite the pain.
Psalm 89 reminds me to walk through each moment and every challenge trusting God’s faithfulness that is established forever. God’s Kingdom is filled with His sustaining faithfulness, because He is encompassed by it. He, who never leaves nor forsakes us spills His faithful watch keep and care all over us. Trusting God’s well established faithfulness brings Kingdom Life to our now days, for He cannot deny Himself in us (2 Timothy 2:11-13).
Farther on in Psalm 89, Father reminds me of a promise given for my son many years ago as he left home after high school to strike out on his own (2 Samuel 7:14-15a). The portion of Psalm 89 (vs. 89:30-33 NASB1995) reminding me of that promise then speaks that promise anew, extending it to my son’s children, helping me rest my care for them in His faithful hands. Living Kingdom Life takes God’s Word to heart and trusts Him for its fulfillment.
God is love (1 John 4). God loves us (John 3:16, (Romans 5:8). He loved us before we ever knew Him or our need of Him. His love for us is what propels His faithful care in our lives. He loves us as we are, but it is true, also, that His love for us desires our best self, the person He planned us to be and says we can be in Christ. So He disciplines us in love, training us in His good will and way to be the spitting image of our Father (Hebrews 12). Living Kingdom Life realizes this parent to child relationship and receives His discipline, walking in it out of a love for Him that desires to be just as He is in all our ways.
Kingdom Life means walking in the Majestic Glory of God’s loving presence and watchful care, determined to be the sort of people we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness. A Kingdom Kid works diligently to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, regarding the patience of our Lord as salvation.
“…You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 1:17, 3:11-18, NASB)
I’m sure there is much more that could be added to the subject of Kingdom Life now. This is what God gave me to focus on today. This is a good start to a deep, abiding life in Christ. Go forward in God’s prosperity, Beloved, to live the Kingdom Life, abundant and full.
“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your OWN husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.” – 1 Peter 3:1-6 NASB1995
I’m so grateful God used this passage in teaching me and growing me as a wife for Johnny. It made for a harmonious, happy, peaceful marriage of 47 beautiful years, until death. In understanding it, however, one must look back and see what is to be done “in the same way.”
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” – 1 Peter 2:13-25 NASB1995
There is a hierarchy in God’s order of things, all of which mimics the hierarchy of God’s Kingdom. Marriage mimics the relationship between God and Jesus. Family mimics the relationship between God, Jesus, and the church. When we learn to live God’s hierarchal principles, marriage and family function well.
Jesus had a voice and authority in His relationship with the Father, given Him by God, but He always bowed to the Fathers will in life, seeking one purpose with Him. He never overstepped His authority with the Father in disrespect of Father’s right as Godhead. He always died to self-will in order to accomplish God’s will.
Like Jesus, the wife has a voice and authority in her marital relationship. When she learns quiet, respectful ways with her husband, her influence will be great. But when the husband says, “This is the way, walk in it,” she is to let go of self-interest and self-will to follow her husband. The only exclusion to the rule is God’s law, when we must bow to the Godhead. If the way of the husband – or wife – leads to sin against God, we have a right to refuse to follow. Husband and wife follow God first. If both are following God, Kingdom purpose and God’s will will prevail.
The way the wife bows to the husband is first to bow to God. Trust God to lead the heart of the husband, and watch while He leads the way. I was set in awe of God many times by following this simple rule. Gently plant a seed of suggestion in your man’s mind, then be quiet and let him think on it while you pray God’s will. Once he decides the path, follow him.
“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:7-9 NASB1995
“In the same way” takes the husband back to our chapter 2 passage to learn the role, attitude, and caring responsibility of the husband. That is followed by instruction for all who strive to work life within the hierarchical values of the Godhead.
“For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”” – 1 Peter 3:10-12 NASB1995
This is the way, Husbands and Wives. Walk ye in it. And when discord comes, seeing one leading or living in opposition to the Godhead, remember:
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but 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; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.” – 1 Peter 3:13-22 NASB1995
“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” – 1 Peter 4:1-2 NASB1995
As we remember our fallen forces who fought and died to protect our freedoms, there is one fallen I glorify God for today. Jesus, God’s Soldier, sent into the final battle of the ultimate war, fought the good fight of faith and won the war, securing freedom for all who will choose citizenship in His Kingdom. Because of Him, as we honor our fallen, we also celebrate Pentecost Sunday today, when life that sees no death poured breath into those who were the birth of the Church – God’s Kingdom people on earth.
Jesus paid the ultimate price to set all who will believe free from sin’s death – the penalty of eternal separation from God. Because of Jesus’ willing service, freely giving His life, God, through Christ, made a way for the dead to truly live. So today I remember; and I thank my Savior for purchasing my freedom. As I seek to honor those who gave their life to protect the interests of this nation in which I live, breathe, and have my being, I pray to live in such a way that honors my Savior, who made a way for our fallen to rise again to life eternal with Him.
If you have not believed this truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection in the battle for your eternal destiny, I pray you choose to believe and receive it today. Jesus took your death, so you can take hold and possess His life. May you be raised up out of death to the new life God has waiting for you.
“(Jesus) Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2 NASB1995
““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NASB1995
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 NASB1995
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB1995
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:21-25 NASB1995
“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:9-19 NASB1995
Father, I thank you for Your mercy as this scripture comes to assure my heart of Your forgiveness for my selfishness practiced yesterday, leading to my missing an opportunity to minister to others in Your love and grace. It makes me exceedingly sad when I fail You.
Thank You for demonstrating Your perfect patience through Christ toward me. I praise You for loving me enough to discipline and teach me so I may grow strong in following You in faith’s trust (Hebrews 12). Help me remember, and may I be found faithful at Your coming.
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
Father, thank You for helping me know beyond a shadow of doubt that I am not powerless.
The devil loves making us think we are powerless (helpless, hopeless). But God! Christ living in us, grants us the full measure of Your grace (strength in weakness, the power of God made effective in us). Along with that, Jesus makes us the righteousness of God in Himself, giving us victory to walk in triumph and have full reign over ourselves in life.
Father, thank You. May we each truly grasp hold of this truth, that when we reign over ourselves in Christ’s power and authority, we will know how to live in every circumstance, with full use of all Your good gifts to us, living life abundantly. Thus, we will experience Your abundance, whether in humble means or in prosperity. Like Paul, we will know how to be content in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves. We, too, will be able to “do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Make it so in us as in Jesus, amen.
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus didn’t need the baptism of repentance. He was perfect in all His ways, living for the will of God. So why did He seek baptism?
“Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Jesus is our example in righteousness. He had nothing to repent, but He did have a call to do all the will of God. It didn’t make sense to John’s way of thinking, and maybe not to ours, but doing things the right way is important. It shows obedience to God, accomplishing His purpose, and expressing our trust in Him that does things His way even when it doesn’t make sense or seem necessary. What was the result, proving Him correct in seeking this baptism?
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.””
His obedience obtained God’s fresh and witnessed anointing for all He was called to; and it provided those watching the assurance of God’s approval of Him as Son.
We don’t always understand the purpose behind the requirements of God for those He calls into some specific ministry, but our understanding is not required. All that is required is our willingness to trust and obey. Many of these requirements are set to test whether we will humble ourselves before God and trust His way of being and doing as we head into the ministry He has for us. Plus, there is power and authority that comes when we trust God enough to do His will His way. Failure to follow scriptural protocol can, and most often does, work against us, rob us of anointing needed for our success, and even serves to close doors that would have opened had we simply trusted God’s design.
If we believe the inerrancy of God’s Word and that His directives have purpose that works His good in and through us, we will trust and obey, even when it doesn’t make sense to our finite minds.
Seeking Holy Habitation, seated at God's feet (Exodus 15:13).
Darlene's Ponderings 