Easter 2013

Woke up this morning thinking of the lyrics, “set me free … none but Jesus.”  I wasn’t quite ready to get up, so I thought I’d just text these lyrics to myself and go back to sleep.  The thought came that if I did that, that would be all I got; but if I would just wake up enough to write these words down, I would be given more.  Thankfully, I made the decision to grab a pencil, find some paper, and write.  Just after I jotted down the lyrics, the question came, “How can [I] be disobedient in any [thing / way] when [I] consider the price paid to ransom me?” 

Because I had been so personally focused on the crucifixion of Christ after attending a Good Friday service, the question loomed large.  I wondered what area of disobedience the question was addressing, and immediately got an answer.  I thought of all the fearful thoughts and feelings I had about obedience in this regard, and realized how trivial they were in the face of Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice.  I repented and asked the Lord’s forgiveness, resolving to obey as soon as I got up.  Then I heard Christy Nockels’ voice singing “Grace Flows Down” in my head.  I turned over in the bed and my hand landed on a journal given me by a friend.  So, another directive: the online devotional blogging may be over, but my personal journaling has to be stepped up a notch.  Ok.

I thought of the phrase, “obedience is better than sacrifice” from 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NKJV):

²² So Samuel said:

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”

(The NCV rendering of verse 23 begins: “Disobedience is as bad as the sin of sorcery.  Pride is as bad as the sin of worshiping idols.”)

And I thought about the greatest obedience (that of Jesus) that led to the greatest sacrifice (Jesus’ crucifixion)…

So I didn’t go to church today, on Easter / Resurrection Sunday.  Instead, I was honoring the ransom paid for me by obeying the voice of my Lord.

LORD, please help me remember this lesson and live it, through Your grace, every day of my life. Thank You for Your all-consuming love for me…

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 46 (2)

So, in the quiet, hearing God’s voice … a tender correction.  I had recently been at an event with two young ladies, and before we got to the gate, one of them noticed that the venue wouldn’t allow the outside food or drinks (even water) which we had with us.  When we went back to the car to divest ourselves of these restricted items, I made some glib comment about items in our pockets probably not being detected when our handbags were searched.  When we got to the gate, though, not only were our bags searched, but we were asked if we had food or drinks.  I didn’t think about it at the time, but today the Lord was showing me that had we actually been trying to sneak in our snacks (which we really didn’t have any intention on doing), we would have either had to lie or turn over the disallowed items.  So I was convicted to call and apologize for even jokingly suggesting that we try to act in a way that was not in accordance to what was accepted.  After all, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (AMP) instructs us to:

²² Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

During the ensuing discussion with one of the young ladies, she mentioned how having items confiscated during her recent travels had taught her to not even try to get around restrictions – to be mindful of what the restrictions were and make every effort to be in compliance with them.  I thought this a valuable lesson to remember in life’s journey as well.

The Daily Guideposts 2013 devotional for today mentions “a story from the life of Francis of Assisi” which seems similar:

 

One evening Francis was sitting before a fire, when a novice drew near to speak with him about acquiring a prayer book.  The novice, knowing how passionately the founder of the Franciscans felt about not owning things, was nevertheless asking for permission to own one.

 

“Then,” Francis said to him, “you will want a fancy Bible too.  And then you will seat yourself in a pulpit like a great priest and beckon to your companions, saying in a proud voice, ‘Bring me my Bible!’”

 

Taking up some cool ashes from the nearby fire, Francis gently smeared a line of ash on the forehead of the novice, saying, “There is your prayer book.”

This makes me think of the progression and conclusion mentioned in James 1:14-18 (AMP):

¹⁴ But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).

¹⁵ Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.

¹⁶ Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

¹⁸ And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].

 

And this makes me think of a song I recently heard Christy Nockels sing, “Already All I Need”.

 … and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thought - Lent 2013 - day 46

I was thinking about how Jesus’ disciples must have felt on the day after His crucifixion - their sadness, disappointment, confusion, hopelessness, helplessness, any guilt or shame for abandoning Him, loneliness, grief, despair.  Today’s Daily Guideposts 2013 devotional speaks to this, starting with these words:

This is one of those few days on the calendar when we don’t quite know what to do with ourselves.  Some call it “Black Saturday.”  Jesus’ body lies in the tomb on this day, and our churches are usually quiet and dark until tomorrow morning, when we begin to celebrate.

But before Easter Sunday comes, there is a time to be quiet, to listen for God’s voice.  …

Then today’s God Calling begins:

Be calm, be true, be quiet. I watch over you.

In the darkness, to remember that He is watching over all.  To have faith… part of last night’s God at Eventide says:

I must trust Myself and My Cause to My followers who see me with the eyes of faith. How else can I be loved and known?

 They will meet Me, the outcast Savior, when I am performing no mighty deeds, wandering unheeded and unacclaimed through dark and lonely ways, and they will pause, all other pursuit forgotten, and will yet turn and follow Me.

Follow because of some chord in them responsive to the yearning of My Heart for Man, who has shut Me out. Follow, too, because of that in Me which is responsive to the cry of man's hungering soul.

 … and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 45 (2)

Good Friday - BibleGateway.com Verse of the Day, 2 Corinthians 5:21:

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  – KJV

God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness.” – CJB

God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him. – GW

He orchestrated this: the Anointed One, who had never experienced sin, became sin for us so that in Him we might embody the very righteousness of God. – VOICE

Christ did no wrong thing. But for our sake God put the blame for our wrong ways on Christ. So now God sees us as good, because we are in Christ. – WE

Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God. – CEV

Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us, that we might be made the justice of God in him. – DRA

Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God. – ERV

For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]. - AMP

The Our Daily Bread stated, in part:

When Jesus died, He shared in what all of us must experience. But far beyond that, He did what none of us can do. He paid the price for our sins that we might be forgiven and have eternal life through faith in Him.

Scripture from Good Friday service:

1 Peter 3:18 (New Life Version)

¹⁸ Christ suffered and died for sins once for all. He never sinned and yet He died for us who have sinned. He died so He might bring us to God. His body died but His spirit was made alive.

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 45

Ok – some other things about yesterday that I didn’t see until today:

On the radio, there was an opinion question about which people were calling and commenting.  The question involved something about a father whose young daughter had not seemed to have the right attitude about passing food to a sibling at dinner. The father reminded his daughter about Jesus’ attitude in serving, shown in the fact that Jesus would wash the feet of His disciples.   I thought it was cute when the two songs I remember playing during the discussion were Chris Tomlin’s I Will Follow, and Jamie Grace’s You Lead.

The Our Daily Bread devotional from yesterday also mentioned Jesus’ last meal with His disciples – the time and place where He washed His disciples’ feet.  And yesterday’s verse from You_Version at www.twitter.com/Daily_Bible  gives Jesus’ take on His role of service in instruction to His followers on servanthood and leadership:

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. http://bible.us/Matt20.28.NLT

Then, yesterday’s devotional from the 2013 Daily Guideposts, entitled “Maundy Thursday: Following the Teacher” also mentioned Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet – including Judas – “around the table of what we have come to know as the Last Supper.”

So I think again of some of the lyrics of Stuart Townend’s song, How Deep the Father’s Love for Us:

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Thank You, Jesus …

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 44

I just didn’t do it. 

I felt the “quiet persistence” of an instruction but did not obey.  Now it was too late and all I could do was repent, pray for God’s forgiveness, and apologize to those affected by my obedience.  Conviction came while listening to and contemplating the words to the song “Amazing Love (You are my King)”, as revelation came regarding what is referred to in today’s Our Daily Bread as the “vileness” of my sin.  Graciously, mercifully, the LORD provided opportunity for the apology (which I made) and, through a poem and this devotional, lovingly assured me that my plea for forgiveness had been granted at Calvary.

Psalm 32:1-2 (KJV)

  Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

² Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Then, I read today’s My Utmost for His Highest, and could only agree:

’Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to Him, ’. . . are You going there again?’ —John 11:7-8

Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.

Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5).

 

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 43

I was just getting ready to leave for a prayer meeting yesterday when things started coming up that initially looked like would cause me to be late, and eventually would cause me to miss it altogether.  Though I had wanted to go to the meeting, I had a peace about missing it, and thought I was okay with that, believing that what I was doing was what I should be doing, what the LORD would have me do in caring for and assisting others, and otherwise taking care of some of my responsibilities.  But driving along, the LORD seemed to say to me, “Going to the prayer meeting was for you; what you chose to do instead was for Me.”

Hmmm … in the perfect light of His love, it seemed the LORD was exposing my heart and how He is working in it to will and to do His good pleasure.  I admit that I had been momentarily tempted to go on to the prayer meeting without taking the time or effort to address some of the needs of which I became aware; but I knew that would not have been the “right thing to do”:

James 4:7

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

1 John 3:16-18

¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

¹⁷ But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

I am grateful for the LORD’s direction through the devotionals I have read over the past few days in even preparing my heart to make the right decision and resist the temptation to do things according to my plans instead of following the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  For example, part of Monday’s God Calling said:

Your heights of success will be won by the daily persistent doing of what I have said.

Daily, steady persistence. Like the wearing away of a stone by steady drops of water, so will your daily persistence wear away all the difficulties and gain success for you, and secure your help for others.

Yesterday’s God Calling said, in part:

I am with you to guide you and help you.

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt
go: I will guide thee with mine eye." - Psalm 32:8

Monday night’s God at Eventide said:

Walk in My Ways. Follow the path I have bidden you tread.

Humble yourselves before Me, and keep My laws, so shall you have perfect peace.

I am with you to give you the needed strength. Go forward unafraid. Grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of Me, your Master and your Friend. Count all the learning of earth's wisest as nothing compared with the wisdom that I, your Lord, would show you.

Love and learn. You have much, very much to do for My Kingdom. So seek to become perfect. Sift your motives. All that is unworthy cast aside, uproot its inner growth.

You are freely forgiven. Forgive freely, largely, wonderfully.

And last night’s God at Eventide said:

Go forward, glad indeed.

Walk with Me until your faltering, flagging footsteps learn to keep in step with Me, and gain a firmness and a confidence unknown before.

Walk with Me until a gladsome rhythm reveals the conquest-spirit that you draw from Me and your whole being thrills with the joy of being, doing, and even suffering with Me.

Thus in loving Communion with Me you learn to know my needs and My wishes for others.

"Hear am I, Lord, send me" shows very surely a child-like eagerness, the eagerness of love, even the eagerness for adventure for My cause.

For in My Secret Service there is surely the thrill of adventure.

Then, today’s My Utmost for His Highest seems to sum up all of this as it says, in part:

Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place . . . —Revelation 4:1

A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be achieved through the higher practice of personal character. If you live up to the highest and best that you know in the outer level of your life, God will continually say to you, “Friend, come up even higher.” There is also a continuing rule in temptation which calls you to go higher; but when you do, you only encounter other temptations and character traits. Both God and Satan use the strategy of elevation, but Satan uses it in temptation, and the effect is quite different. When the devil elevates you to a certain place, he causes you to fasten your idea of what holiness is far beyond what flesh and blood could ever bear or achieve. Your life becomes a spiritual acrobatic performance high atop a steeple. You cling to it, trying to maintain your balance and daring not to move. But when God elevates you by His grace into heavenly places, you find a vast plateau where you can move about with ease.

Compare this week in your spiritual life with the same week last year to see how God has called you to a higher level. We have all been brought to see from a higher viewpoint. Never allow God to show you a truth which you do not instantly begin to live up to, applying it to your life. Always work through it, staying in its light.

Your growth in grace is not measured by the fact that you haven’t turned back, but that you have an insight and understanding into where you are spiritually. Have you heard God say, “Come up higher,” not audibly on the outer level, but to the innermost part of your character?

LORD, I can only humbly, say “thank You” … for the greater degree of intimacy with and knowledge of You that You have initiated and facilitated, for transforming me from the inside out such as to be conformed to the image of Your dear Son, for exposing my motives and attitudes, for allowing me to repent and be forgiven and cleansed, for ever leading and guiding me, for an awareness of Your continual Presence with me, for all that You do that my words cannot even express, for all that You are that my mind cannot even comprehend, for Your love that surpasses all knowledge … thank You. 

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 42

Both today’s My Utmost for His Highest and today’s Our Daily Bread speak of how we treat (and care for) others.  In part, the former states:

God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our “inner sanctuary” be kept right with God, but also the “outer courts” must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our “outer court” is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.

A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”

… while the latter shares and challenges us …

… to consider the Christian’s role in caring for the planet—especially how that relates to reaching the most needy in the world.

Our stewardship of the beautiful world God gave us, and our care for the people in it, express our reverence for God and is grounded in two biblical principles.

First, the earth belongs to God (Ps. 24:1-2). The psalmist praised the Lord for His creation and His ownership of it. The heavens, the earth, and all that are in it are His. He created it, He is sovereign over it (93:1-2), and He cares for it (Matt. 6:26-30). Second, God delegated the responsibility for the well-being of His earth to us (Gen. 1:26-28). This includes appreciation of and care for both nature (Lev. 25:2-5,11; Prov. 12:10) and people (Rom. 15:2).

This is our Father’s world. Let’s show Him how much we love Him by respecting it and caring for the people who populate it.

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 41

(First, yeah, I know that there are only 40 days in Lent, but I was trying to write most days, whether or not it is Sunday, with the Sundays not being counted in the 40 days of Lent.  Maybe I can get close to 40 blog entries, at least!)

I heard someone say that a cross like Jesus carried weighed 300 pounds.  Strange that I had never thought about how much the cross weighed in pounds … anyway, I looked this up on the internet.  According to several sites, it seems that while an entire cross used for Roman crucifixions could weigh about 300 pounds, the vertical stake could have been a permanent fixture with the crossbeam weighing around 100 pounds.  Many sources posited the view that Jesus carried only the crossbeam.  I was sharing this with someone when I said something about Jesus carrying the horizontal beam.  It hit me then like a new revelation, about Jesus carrying the burden of our “horizontal” – our horizontal relationships, the way we function on a horizontal level with our environment, etc. – even in His incarnation to reconcile us with the Father (on a vertical basis).  Made me think of Hebrews 2 Scripture (verses 9-18, from the KJV):

⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

¹¹ For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

¹² Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

¹³ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional speaks of burdens also, specifically the “burdens of life”:

Whether the burden that weighs us down is one of guilt such as the one that consumed David’s thoughts (Ps. 32:1-6), the fear Peter experienced (Matt. 26:20-35), or the doubt Thomas carried (John 20:24-29), Jesus has invited us to bring them all to Him: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

We are not built to bear burdens alone. When we cast them on the One who wants to bear our burdens (Ps. 68:19; 1 Peter 5:7), He replaces them with forgiveness, healing, and restoration. No burden is too heavy for Him.

I thought of the words to the song, I Must Tell Jesus, the first verse and refrain which are:

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

 

Thank You, Father, that You invite us to call on You, to pour out our hearts to You, to cast all our care upon You, for You care for us.  Thank You for Your thoughts toward us, more than can be numbered, for our complete welfare in and of peace (shalom), [on the vertical and horizontal planes!] that we would have a future in the hope You provide.

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 39

Many of the devotionals from yesterday and today seem connected.  For example, today’s Verse of the Day from BibleGateway.com says:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV

Wondering if the words rendered trial and test in this version are related, looked on BlueletterBible.org, and first viewed the verse in the KJV:

Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Checking the Lexicon Results tool on that site, saw the following under Outline of Biblical Use:

- for the word “temptation”

1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving

a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 4:14)

b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy

1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances

2) an internal temptation to sin

a) of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand

3) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness

4) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness

c) temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men

1) rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves

 

- for the word “tried”

1) accepted, particularly of coins and money.

2) accepted, pleasing, acceptable

"In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft, and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens to stop the practice of whittling down the coins then in circulation. But some money-changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money; they were men of honour who put only genuine, full-weight money into circulation. Such men were called dokimos, and this word is used here for the Christian as he is to be seen by the world." (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Romans: God's Glory, p. 18.)

 

- for the word “endureth”

1) to remain

a) to tarry behind

2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee

a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ

b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments

 

So this verse to me speaks to one’s perseverance, endurance, abiding in Christ and holding fast to one’s faith in Christ during adversity, affliction, trouble, or temptation to sin so as not to lapse or turn away from faith or holiness, but instead to strengthen and be consistent in (and not lessen) one’s good character and integrity such as to be accepted, approved, regarded as a person of honor and having a genuine, proved, skillfully honed faith.  And this faith, more precious than gold…

1 Peter 1:3-9 (ESV)

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

From the above verse is a tie-in to the Our Daily Bread devotional which, too, spoke of hope and love:

Biblical hope is unique; it’s a confident trust in God and what He is doing in the world and in our lives. That’s something everyone needs! The writer to the Hebrews clearly stated the importance of hope when he wrote, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Having biblical hope is not foolish, because it has a strong foundation. We hold fast to the hope we have received in Christ because our God is faithful. He can be trusted with anything and everything we will ever face—both for today and forever. Our hope is grounded in the trustworthy character of the God who loves us with an everlasting love.

Last night’s God at Eventide spoke of our love for Christ also (as does 1 Peter 1:8):

I desire the love of man's heart in abundant measure.

Not because God would be adored for Himself and for His own gratification, but because I know that only as the love of man flows out to Me does man attain to his purest and best.

That rush of love, which follows the understanding and realization of My Love for man, sweetens and purifies his whole being.

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

The love you give to your neighbor is the overflow of your love to Me.

Yesterday’s twitter YouVersion Daily Bible Verse (https://twitter.com/Daily_Bible) was Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) which says:

11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So this discipline (translated “chastening” in KJV, and which I see as including the administration of what I considered above “adversity, affliction, trouble, or temptation to sin”) is (again, according to the BlueletterBible.org Lexicon Results tool, Outline of Biblical Use):

1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body

2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.

a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue

b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)

 

And today’s twitter YouVersion Daily Bible Verse in 2 Timothy 1:9 speaks of God’s having called us “according to His own purpose and grace.”  And part of His purpose is what He is doing in me, that “which aims at increasing virtue” or cultivating the soul.  And this is related to what is spoken of in today’s My Utmost for His Highest about carnality:

Where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal . . . ? —1 Corinthians 3:3

The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). In other words, carnality will disappear.

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn’t ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, “Oh, I can explain that.” When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, “If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!” And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 38

Early this morning kept thinking of the song, "Because He Lives" – especially the part that says, “Because He lives, all fear is gone.”  This while I was praying for someone regarding fear they had been feeling.  Today’s Our Daily Bread references 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and in the Amplified Bible verse 27 says (emphasis mine):

²⁷ But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

Hmmm … there’s that “test” element again …  But “perfect love casts out fear” according to 1 John 4:18, stated thusly in the Amplified Bible:

¹⁸ There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].

And today’s God Calling further references love:

Your need is a spiritual need to carry on My work. All spiritual supply is fashioned from Love.

Love … Earlier in the week, I had been thinking of the song, "How Deep the Father’s Love for Us".  Today, though, I was hearing and singing "How Great Thou Art".  That was followed (in the playlist in my heart) by "You Are Holy" (by Lisa McClendon).  Selah.

LORD, there truly is no one like You.  And there is no love like Yours.  Thank You for loving us, for loving me – so perfectly, so completely, so sacrificially, so unconditionally, so graciously, so mercifully, so wonderfully, so beautifully, so mightily, so patiently- and for allowing us, allowing me, in any measure, to be able to love You back.

… and my journey with Him continues …

Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 37

The question of commitment to Christ – and how I live that out - seems to be the theme for today’s devotionals.  The Our Daily Bread devotional mentions in part:

Remembering that Jesus suffered and died to forgive our sins is the most important thought we have to inspire us to make godly choices today and to make our lives count for eternity.

The Scripture reference encourages us to “stop indulging in fleeting pleasures and instead exhaust” our lives on what pleases God:

1 Peter 4:1-8, (KJV)

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

² That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

³ For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

⁴ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

⁵ Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

⁶ For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Last night’s God at Eventide (http://twolisteners.org/Mar%20Eventide.htm#March 20) devotional also mentioned that the “treasures and joys” of God’s kingdom should have First Place in our hearts and lives, while today’s My Utmost for His Highest says, in part, that:

The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ . . . .” [Galatians 2:20]  He did not say, “I have made a determination to imitate Jesus Christ,” or, “I will really make an effort to follow Him”-but-”I have been identified with Him in His death.” Once I reach this moral decision and act on it, all that Christ accomplished for me on the Cross is accomplished in me. My unrestrained commitment of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to grant to me the holiness of Jesus Christ.

“. . . it is no longer I who live . . . .” My individuality remains, but my primary motivation for living and the nature that rules me are radically changed. I have the same human body, but the old satanic right to myself has been destroyed.

The My Utmost for His Highest devotional selection is entitled, “Identified or Simply Interested?”  This makes me think of a show I’ve seen based on Kyle Idleman’s book, Not A Fan, which calls us to examine ourselves as to our motivations, and the way we live our lives.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NCV)

⁵ Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test.

LORD, my hope is in You, that as You work in me to will and to do of Your good pleasure, I will pass the test as You complete what You have begun in me through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

… and my journey with Him continues …