Within this verse is a perfectly simple but totally effective description of the Trinity. The Trinity being three persons in one Godhead… Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. First, we are called or summoned to salvation through the the Gospel Message by the Holy Spirit as we are wooed or drawn in. For the Holy Spirit shows us very plainly our shortcomings and convicts us… so that we may be saved. Next, we need to grasp just how greatly valued, esteemed, and loved we are by God the Father. For who else would give His only Son to die on a cross for all that we might have eternal life? (John 3:16) Finally, know you belong to Jesus who watches over you to keep you safe. (John 17:12) So just think of it…we are His and He is ours, and no one can ever snatch us out of His hand. (John 10:28)
Month: August 2020
Ephesians 2:13 ” But now in Jesus Christ you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”
The blood of Jesus Christ is a rich theological symbol for His sacrificial death…His life given for the sins of the whole world. Or as Colossians 1:20 tells us, “We’ve been reconciled through His blood shed on the cross.” God sent His only son, Jesus, to atone for our sins and make a way for us to have a relationship with Him. There was no other way to do it…the chasm is too deep between us…our ability to save ourselves impossible. So, “Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away…For through Him we have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:17-18)
Psalm 5:11 ” But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.”
Ever since the COVID 19 pandemic struck I’ve been praying daily for my kids, grand-kids, family, and friends across the United States asking God to keep evil far from them. So when I read this Psalm, I see David bringing his enemies before God, asking Him to deal with them. That’s because God is our only reliable stronghold to seek refuge in times of trouble…for only He can we place our trust to shield us from all evil. So today, I ask Lord that You spread Your protection over Your people as we place our confidence in You. Shield us and keep us far from evil as we look to You for help. Amen.
Hebrews 3:1 ” Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”
This verse is not addressing unbelievers…it’s speaking directly to those who belong to God and confess their faith in Him. As we read this verse we see it’s directed towards those who have accepted the invitation to trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. So why then does the Writer of Hebrews have to remind us to, “fix your thoughts on Jesus”?? Anyone who’s lived through the first part of 2020 knows how difficult it’s been to focus on anything other than COVID 19 and the pandemic. Surely it takes a concerted effort daily in order to push all the fear, confusion, and media overload aside and put our attention on the Lord. When it says “fix your thoughts on Jesus” it means to first consider what He’s done for you, then contemplate the sheer magnitude of that… finally, ask the Lord for the wisdom in order to comprehend His plan and purpose for your life. You’ll find that when you fix your thoughts on Jesus the things of the world are put into proper perspective.
Isaiah 45:19 ” I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek Me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.”
The Lord makes it very plain in this verse…He will always be truthful, honest and fair with His people. From the very beginning God has never hidden His word from us or lied about what He can do. And when we call to Him it’s not some worthless action…for He will be there for us…today, tomorrow, and forever. For He is the God of truth and will always treat His people with justice and equity.
Proverbs 10:4 ” Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
Elsewhere in Proverbs we find references to diligent hands. Proverbs 12:24 tells us, “Diligent hands will rule.” while Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit.” But in this particular Proverb above it’s interesting to discover that the meanings of the two “hands” in the verse are different. The first, (lazy hands) the Greek meaning is just hands…but the second, (diligent hands) means hands having power and strength to do physical labor. So the goal of this Proverb is simple…laziness will never get you anywhere, while diligent hands… hands that are busy, earnest, and energetic will get you far.
I John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Romans 12:9 tells us that, “Love must be sincere.” But there’s no genuineness of our love when we talk about helping someone, but never actually do it. All it amounts to is a lot of hot air. Rather, this Scripture exhorts us to put our words into practice…to take action with good works that will demonstrate with sincerity and integrity our love one for another.
John 2:3-5 ” When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to Him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Dear woman, why do you involve Me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ “
Jesus, His newly called disciples, and His mother were attending a wedding when the wine ran out. This social blunder was quickly noticed by Mary, who in turn looked to her Son to resolve it. Jesus gently contended that His appointed time wasn’t yet, but Mary wasn’t take no for an answer. When she told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them, she had no idea what would happen next…but decades before when the angel Gabriel told her that her son would be called Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, she knew in her heart there was nothing beyond His capabilities. And so out of love and respect for His mother, Jesus performed His first miracle that night, changing water into wine.
Isaiah 45:5 ” I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me.”
Today, you may admit that you have no idea who God is… or you may confess that you’ve never heard the name of Jesus and the Gospel Message proclaimed…but the good news is God already knows you! For as He told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5) So while you may not recognize Him as Lord or concede your need for a Savior…yet… that doesn’t stop God from still working in your life. Why you ask? It’s simple, “The Lord declared you are My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.” (Isaiah 43:10)
Psalm 112:4 ” Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.”
There is much hope in this Scripture for us today. For even in the darkness of loss, and suffering the light of a new day comes…and with it comes hope. That even when shadows shroud and obscure our view…dawn will break, and with it the Lord’s new mercies. Psalm 18:28 promises that “My God turns my darkness into light”. But where does this light come from? “For God made His (Jesus’) light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 4:6) We need to look to Jesus for the light… for unfortunately, we know that darkness will come into all our lives, but our hope, joy, and peace will only be found in the light.
Safetypinlove 