I just got done doing a yearly rite of early Spring…I ordered my garden seed! For me, there’s so much hope tied up in that little task. Hope of warmer weather, hope of a great growing season ahead, hope of a plentiful harvest to share with others. Hope gives us, just that – hope! Without hope and looking forward, there is only despair, depression, and doubt. Thank You Lord, for Your everlasting, ever renewing hope!
Month: March 2015
Acts 20:24 “…so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from The Lord Jesus…”
There is no description for the happiness and satisfaction in fulfilling our purpose…our ministry in life. Each one of us has been given a specific calling…a niche in life that only we can fill within our circle of influence. And God entrusts to each one of us unique gifts, talents, and passions as we all labor for the Lord.
Jeremiah 6:16 ” Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Interestingly enough, the Hebrew word for “ancient” can mean both future and past times. How many times have you stood at the crossroads…imploring the Lord on which way to go. Or maybe your actions and behaviors have brought you to one of “God’s Crossroads”, where He has made it painful evident that you need to make hard decisions. The Lord wants all to choose the right path…the one that leads to Him.
Romans 12:18 ” If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
When it comes to living in harmony with others – the only control we have, is over ourselves. The Lord wants us to make every effort to do what leads to peace. (Romans 14:19) I remember a song we sang in High School Choir…”Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.” Peace has to start with each of us determining that we will live a life of reconciliation with our fellow man.
Luke 6:9 ” Then Jesus said to them, ‘ I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’ “
The definition of legalism is – the strict, literal, often excessive adherence to the Law. In this verse, Jesus had just healed a man – on Sunday, in Church, in front of God and everybody! He was attempting to show the crowd that they had taken the Law and turned it into something God had never intended. Legalism will take our focus from God to works…it will change our perspective from doing good, to what we can’t do. In Mark 2:27, Jesus gives a clear answer to this matter when He says, ” The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
Isaiah 33:6 ” He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
The Lord is that stability when life’s events and circumstances come crashing down on our heads. He’s that wall around us when the world is crowding in and threatening to overwhelm. The fear of Him is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)
II Corinthians 12:15 ” …though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”
We as humans love, expecting something in return. But If we look at Jesus, He was a servant to everyone…always denying Himself, and teaching others that they should follow His example. To make an impact in the world today, we can’t just proclaim the Gospel, but we must be willing to become broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of our Savior for the sake of others.
Safetypinlove 