He's Made His Choice

Psalms 103:11-12 (MSG)
¹¹ As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him.
¹² And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.

For all those who call upon the name of the Lord, who give Him the honor, love, and the respect He is due, He gives every good thing in return. Instead of our sins being ever with us and heaven far away, now we feel the touch of God’s hand and the judgment resulting from sin has been removed. We are made right before God. His love and mercy makes it so.

He has proved nothing can separate us from His love if we choose to accept it. Love can only exist if freely given. That is why it is still our choice. He’s made His choice.

Lean On Him

Isaiah 47:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.'

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Our struggle has always been between our desire for self over God, has it not? From the time of Adam and Eve to the present day our inclination is to say “I am”, placing everything and everyone else in a distant second place. Isaiah warns of being misled by our own wisdom and knowledge. It is childish thinking to imagine no one sees us and that only we matter. We might chuckle at hearing a child utter these thoughts, but isn’t it sad to hear an adult say these things or act as if these were true?

The world is awash in outcomes resulting from thinking we have all the answers. Have you encountered the realization that the more we know, the more we are aware of the things we don’t know? The more we think we understand God, does it not seem the more He is beyond our comprehension? Yet we are called to trust in the Lord and to lean not on our own understanding. Jesus calls us to come to him with the trust of a child. We are not to be afraid of mystery, but celebrate and take joy in worshipping the One over all creation. He is the great “I AM”.

Lean on Him

Shaping Up

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)
¹⁶ Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way.
¹⁷ Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

How blessed we are to have Scripture that God uses to continue to speak to us. In it we see the unfolding of God’s revelation for us. We see the story of His love and provision for all mankind. I like the Message’s translation of verse 17. We are put together and shaped up in the collective, as well as the individual. Time spent in the Word does shape our thinking. As our attention and hearts are focused on God, the Holy Spirit is more able to be heard.

What a beautiful image, to be shaped to live in God’s way. Isn’t that what is referred to as putting on the mind of Christ? He was certainly equipped for every good work. He has given us what we need to shape up. It is up to us to make use of it.

Sparrow

Luke 12:6-7 (NKJV)
⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
⁷ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Give us grace to trust in You
No matter what we’re going through
You’re always near
What are we to fear
Your are always here
And You are watching us

Of His love there is no end
And this I know
He never takes His eyes from us below
His eye is on the sparrow

(from “Sparrow Song”..Stephen Brown)

For All Men

1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NIV)
¹ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

Some believe that only those predestined to be saved can be saved. There are some verses that seem to imply that belief. But there are others like these which plainly state that Jesus did what He did for all mankind. He wants all men to be saved.

Just as there is only one God, there is only one way by which we may come to the one God. We are predestined to follow Jesus and be like Him if we accept God’s offer of salvation through faith. Some would say there are many ways to get to God, but that is not what the Word says.

John 3:16 (NIV)
¹⁶ "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

One is given for all men.

Being Real

John 4:23 (MSG)
²³ But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.

How rich yet simple are these words. It is who we are and the way we live that count before God. It is being real before Him. It is being honest with ourselves and with others.

The more we engage our spirits with the Holy Spirit the more real we will become. The more real we become, the more we enter into the reality of God. That’s the real thing. That’s being real.

On Our Way

Mark 10:51-52 (NIV)
⁵¹ "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
⁵² "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Mark 10:51-52 (MSG)
⁵¹ Jesus said, "What can I do for you?" The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
⁵² "On your way," said Jesus. "Your faith has saved and healed you." In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

Jesus asks the question of all of us. He makes it possible for us to be healed. Peterson goes on to say in his translation(MSG) that Jesus healed and saved the man. This is a more complete expression of what the blind man received. We know that Jesus could do anything for the man, but He asked what the man desired. The blind man answers, ready to receive.

This story portrays the believing and trusting in Jesus that opens the eyes of us all to the kingdom of God. Our faith in His love and mercy given through His sacrifice heals us and allows us to follow Jesus along the road. We can see Him up ahead.

We are truly on our way.

What Matters

1 Corinthians 7:17-20 (NKJV)
¹⁷ But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
¹⁸ Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
²⁰ Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.

We are not required to respond to God in a particular way, but in our way. Paul tells us that we are unique expressions of God. We are all gifted in different ways. God sings through us in our individual voices. This is the wonder and glory of the body of Christ. Though our voices are distinct and our melodies may vary, we still join in the song of praise for God Almighty.

But we are required to keep the commandments of God; this is what matters. We are all the same in that regard. He is the common denominator, the unifying factor of all creation.

We are to live and obey God right where we are and with who we are. God has imparted His Spirit into ours hearts to do just that. Our paths may vary but the walk is the same because He is with us.

You call us to be children of light
Right where we are
That darkness would be exposed
And Your truth revealed for all that would see

An Invitation To A Changed Life

Luke 5:29-32 (MSG)
²⁹ Levi gave a large dinner at his home for Jesus. Everybody was there, tax men and other disreputable characters as guests at the dinner.
³⁰ The Pharisees and their religion scholars came to his disciples greatly offended. "What is he doing eating and drinking with crooks and 'sinners'?"
³¹ Jesus heard about it and spoke up, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?
³² I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."

Once again Jesus does something that offends the Pharisees. Their history and perspective is all about being separate and clean. After all, they were the chosen people entrusted with the revelation of God from God Himself. Here was Jesus in a most intimate social encounter with those the Pharisees deemed undesirable and unworthy.

The irony here is that from God’s perspective there was no difference between the Pharisees and those they scorned. The angels in heaven might have asked the same question: “What is He doing?” Jesus emptied Himself and became one of us to heal a people who were lost and hurting. Why? The Bible says it is because He loves us.

He brings an invitation to a changed life. He asks if we want to be healed. He is willing. The question then becomes: are we willing?

What do you want Me to do?

Well Adjusted

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 (MSG)
² Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Being well adjusted is more than fitting in your surroundings. That state without God may be better described with just the word adjusted. To me, the key thing is to be adjusted to the right thing and then the word well can be properly applied.

It may be useful now and then to step back and look at our lives to see what they reveal. Many times we may find ourselves doing things without thinking. It is easy to slip into the mantra and rhythm of noise of everyday life. Paul is reminding us that we are to no longer follow after the world, but after the things of God. We put away childish ways of doing and thinking by fixing our attention on God.

It is then the transformation begins. When God brings out the best in us, it is then we can say we are well adjusted. We then drink from the well of life.

May the living water from the well of life fill us to overflowing

Just So It Is Clear

Luke 5:23-25 (MSG)
²³ Which is simpler: to say 'I forgive your sins,' or to say 'Get up and start walking'?
²⁴ Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both... ." He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: "Get up. Take your bedroll and go home."
²⁵ Without a moment's hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way.

Jesus was responding to the leaders of the church. He could tell they were thinking that no one can forgive sins but God. Who is this man? They did not give voice to their objection, but He could see it in their hearts. It is our hearts that Jesus is after. So He healed a man on the outside as proof He could do so for the inside. The change in the seen is given as evidence of the change in the unseen. He did this to show that He is indeed the Son of God. As clear as the truth was, some that beheld this miracle did not believe, though many did. Sadly, that is still the way it is today. God has spoken and salvation has been revealed. He came Himself to show us – just so it is clear.

Sincere Love

Rom 12:9-13

9 Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. 10 Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect for one another. 11 Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. 12 Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. 13 Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.
TEV

Following Jesus is not a complicated or mystical concept. It simply right living and a love for God. It is a sincere loving and sharing with those around us as we keep an eye toward heaven and a heart open to the Spirit within. I have not found it always easy, but the path is clear. The way we treat our brothers and the way our hearts are connected with God reflects our love.

Though at times we may fall short, let us be sincere in our love.

Splendid Friends

Psalms 16:3 (NIV)
³ As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

Psalms 16:3 (MSG)
³ And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make!

We are on a journey together. We are woven together in the life of God. At times it may be easy to overlook the wonder and beauty of those around us as we fall into our daily rhythms and demands of life. I had The Message version of this verse pointed out to me this past week. I was reminded of this truth this morning. I stood in the midst of God-chosen lives, and there felt the joy and delight that the psalmist speaks of. It is humbling to consider what God has done and is doing, in us and through us. He is revealed in our coming together. How precious are those all around for they are splendid friends indeed!

God's Sunrise

Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Luke 1:78-79 (MSG)
⁷⁸ Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
⁷⁹ Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace.

We can be reminded of God’s love for us with the sunrise of each new day. As the sun begins to peak over the horizon the darkness begins to recede. Even the darkness serves the light in its stark contrast to the sunrise which overcomes. Our understanding of its bright and beautiful rays is enriched by our time in the darkness. Our gratitude and appreciation of its warmth is made the greater for our time spent in the cold shadow of death.

Jesus is the Sunrise spoken of in this passage. He is the light that shows us the way.

The darkness gives way to that which comes from God
Praise be to God, let us embrace His Son
To no longer sit in the shadow of death
But walk toward the light
Even as we are in the light

In Unexpected Ways

Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV)
²⁴ When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"
²⁵ He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"
²⁶ Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.
²⁷ Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."

Jesus tells Peter that the temple tax does not apply to Him because the temple is His Father’s house. He includes Peter as a son, just as we are all included. The sons are free indeed. This is a gift of following Jesus.

Then Jesus tells Peter to do an odd thing. Peter is a fisherman by trade. He is told to go fish and the first fish he catches will have money in its mouth. What are we to make of that? There are probably many astute interpretations of the event. But what strikes me is that Jesus took Peter’s abilities and brought about something unexpected. He made something extraordinary out of the ordinary. Isn’t that what He does? We just have to believe and be willing to go fish.

He tells Peter the money will be “for Me and you.” I can’t help but think that this could be a picture of us being able to stand before God because we are in Christ. Jesus paid the ultimate price to reconcile us with God. Through His obedience He is glorified and we are saved. Does this not have echoes of the sign of Jonah that Jesus said would be the one sign given?

Words In The Dark

Matthew 10:27 (NIV)
²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

In those times of trouble, when doubt and fear descend, we face a darkness of the soul in which our spirit founders like a ship at sea that begins to take on water. But through the noise of confusion comes the whispered words of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts with words of comfort and strength. It is sometimes difficult to become still enough for our ears to hear. At times the pain of our struggle is louder than the healing peace that comes from the words of our Savior. These are the times when we can most understand the meaning of the One who knows our suffering when He says:

I am with you. I will never forsake you. I love you.

This is the message for our broken hearts. This is the message to proclaim from the rooftops.

A Broken Heart

Ps 34:18-19
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
NKJV

Menachem Mendel of Kotzk – “Nothing is as whole as a broken heart.”

When we are confronted with our weakness, it is often then that we find God near. He is always near, but we are more likely to see Him in the midst of our afflictions. Is that because we more likely to see our illusions for what they are? Our projections and assumptions can fade in the light of scrutiny. Isn’t it true that the further we get from God, the shakier our world becomes?

It is when we see our weakness that the strength and fullness of God is most understood. Only when we can see our poverty can we begin to see the richness of God’s mercy and grace. A broken heart allows entrance of God’s love. That is what makes us whole.

For He Is With Us

May we find in this day
The beauty and glory of God’s creation
In all things let us be thankful
In His love and presence
For He is with us
His Word makes all things new
Our hope and trust is in Him

When We Know Not

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)
²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:26-27 (MSG)
²⁶ Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
²⁷ He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God.

When we don’t know what to say, when we don’t know what to ask for, when we don’t understand what is going on around us, the Spirit knows. He knows our heart completely, more than we are able. He knows our needs and the weakness that is ours.

The Spirit goes beyond just knowing, He does something on our behalf. He intercedes and speaks for us in way that we could not. We can be assured that the Spirit is able to speak for us on a heart and spirit level that is beyond our understanding or articulation.

How rich are the mercies and grace that God has given those who seek Him. How blessed are we to be called children of God! Truly in our weakness the love of God is revealed.

Whispers Of Another Place

He beckons to us
Come join the dance
Now and then the music comes through
Above the noise
Underneath our skin
In quiet places
He calls our name
He leaves us clues
In the landscape of our lives
Whispers of another place
Of love and grace

Keep It Simple

Romans 12:9 (MSG)
⁹ Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.

The life we lead may be overwhelming at times. There are many struggles and uncertainties. At times we are unsure of what to do. The Message version of this verse reminds me of the fundamentals of being a Christian. We don’t have to make it hard. I’ve heard of a respected theologian summing up the Bible’s message from the simple song of faith: “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

Seek that which is good. Flee from evil. God shows us the way in His Word.

I especially like the start of the verse which speaks of love and being real. That is what God allows us to do if we embrace His Spirit. We cannot do otherwise. That is true freedom.

May love find expression in me today and that the things I do be pleasing to You,

Come Out And Be Separate

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (MSG)
¹⁶ Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: "I'll live in them, move into them; I'll be their God and they'll be my people.
¹⁷ So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God. "Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.
¹⁸ I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and daughters to me." The Word of the Master, God.

We are the dwelling place of the Lord. Is that not an awesome thought? The One who created all things and the one Who is above all things lives in us. He chooses to be with us. His desire is to be in a loving relationship with us, as a loving Father to His children.

But He requires something of us.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV)
¹⁷ "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

We are to be a fitting place for Him to reside. Though we live in this fallen world, He has called us to come out, to be and live differently to His glory and ours. If we let go of our grip on the illusions of this world and take His hand, He will welcome us with a love beyond our comprehension. He will be our God and we will be His people.

Therefore come out from them and be separate.

Let the difference in me reflect the wonder of You

Do Not Fear

Isaiah 41:8-13 (NIV)
⁸ "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
⁹ I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
¹¹ "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
¹² Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
¹³ For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah comforted Israel with a message from God, a message of reassurance that applies to us today. In the middle of uncertainty we can be certain that He is with us. When we find ourselves in places we don’t understand, He says that we are not to fear. When we are unable to see a way through, He promises to hold our hand and walk with us. His strength is there for us. It is a matter of faith. It is a matter of trust. It is a matter of believing.

For I am the LORD, your God
Do not fear

I Will Sing

Psalms 61:8 (MSG)
⁸ And I'll be the poet who sings your glory— and live what I sing every day.

God gives us a reason to sing because of the wonderful things He’s done and the wonderful things to come. We honor and give glory to Him when we live out our faith.

Let my life be a song of praise, my walk be in step with the Lord of the Dance.

In Our Weakness

Mark 7:34 (NIV)
³⁴ He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!").

Mark 7:34 (MSG)
³⁴ Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, "Ephphatha!—Open up!"

Most translations say that Jesus sighed then healed the man, opening his ears to hear. The word sigh caught my attention. Why would Jesus sigh? The Greek word implies that Jesus turned His full attention on the one seeking His help and then prayed for the man, earnestly praying as He looked toward heaven. The Message translation may be closer to the intended meaning of the account.

Jesus prayed on the man’s behalf, doing what the man was unable to do. The Holy Spirit does the same thing for us today. God gives His Spirit within each one of us that we would have full access to His power and grace.

Romans 8:26 (NIV)
²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Romans 8:26 (MSG)
²⁶ Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.

God is with us
He has done for us what we could not do
How marvelous it is that He is not through

Coherent Life

Romans 14:22-23 (MSG)
²² Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent.
²³ But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

I find three words in the quote above which capture the essence of these verses and are good reminders of how we should live. They all start with the same letter.

Cultivate – The core aspect of being a Christian is our relationship with God. We should seek to grow and mature in our walk with Him. Each relationship will have unique aspects. We are, after all, unique children of God, each one known by name by the Father. Does each day involve God?

Coherent – We are blessed if our behavior reflects what we say we believe. Are we at peace in our own skin? Does what we believe make sense to us and do our actions reflect those beliefs?

Consistent – Could it not be said that something done consistently reflects more of what we believe? Isn’t this the difference between hearing and doing?

Lord, help me this day to remember You and give thanks in all things
Let me reflect on Your wisdom and love
That they may guide me in my thinking and in my doing
Give me the desire and strength to walk in Your way

In Between

We are in between
Loosened from the world
Sealed with the touch of heaven
Quickened spirits in mortal bodies
Not yet revealed
The seed sown awaiting the harvest to come

Knowing

Mark 3:11 (NIV)
¹¹ Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."

Is it possible to know who Jesus is and yet not be a child of God? Clearly this scripture tells us that is possible. They fell down before Him. It is true every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Here the spirits acknowledge Him to be the Son of God, but they do not call Him Lord. Though they know Him to be the Son of God, they do not accept Him as Lord of their lives. They will be cast out when the Day of Judgment comes.

Knowing about God and His Son does not bring salvation. But when we place our faith in Him, when we believe His word, and trust in His promises, He will give us life. It is not knowing about Jesus that saves us, but knowing Him. We know Him by following Him, obeying His teachings, and making Him our Lord. If we do we will not be in danger of hearing Jesus say “I never knew you”.

Is There A Difference?

How do we know Christ is in us, that He is living in us? He will make a difference in how we live. Is there a change in our lives? That is how we know. If there is no change or difference in your life, you may want to revisit your beliefs. Playing at religion will not save you.

We must be careful that we don’t judge others. Our eyes cannot see into another's heart. It is not by our standard that others will be judged. We may not all be in the same place at the same time while here on earth, but our destination is the same. We may come from different places geographically and from diverse walks of life, our views and understanding may differ, but there is one body. We come together in Him through the Spirit.

As we forgive, we will be forgiven.
Where we gather, He is there.