Who?

Who is beyond God's hand and grace if He reached out to me?

Each One Must Answer

Luke 17:21 (New International Version)

²¹nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
The seed has been planted in the heart of man.  How then will it be received?  Each one must answer.  

The Work Of God

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (New International Version)

 ⁵ As you do not know the path of the wind,
       or how the body is formed in a mother's womb,
       so you cannot understand the work of God,
       the Maker of all things.
The Spirit moves in ways we cannot understand, yet is given to us. It is the wind among us and refreshes those whose face is turned to God.  We do not know the Spirit's path, but we know from whence it comes.  We are being formed by the work of the Spirit in the womb of God's creation.  It is the work of God.

Some

Ephesians 4:11 (New International Version)

¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
He gave particular gifts to some, but to all He gave the unique gift of life.  Each is important as the other in the body of Christ.

Together

Ephesians 1:10 (New International Version)

¹⁰to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
Heaven and earth are joined in Christ.  We become the fullness of His body as we are raised up with Him.  He is the cornerstone of the new temple, the dwelling place of God.

Firstborn

Colossians 1:15 (New International Version)

¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Jesus was born of God through Mary.  Through this union truly came forth the Son of God and the Son of Man.  Adam was created; Jesus was begotten.  He is the firstborn of many.  We are the many by His grace when His Spirit enters our hearts.  In this way God keeps sending His Son to be born as a gift of love to and for the world.  We will be like Him.

Manna

Manna
Bread from heaven
Son of Man
First fruits
We will be like Him
And will cover the ground

Since We Belong

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (New International Version)

⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
As people of the light, we are to look and act as a people who follow the Spirit, informed and guided by that light.  Faith and love cover and protect the heart.  We are given hope which protects the head, fed by faith and love flowing from the heart.  This is reason beyond reason, understanding beyond understanding.  

Shadows May Appear

Seeing the light brings shadows into view that would not be discerned otherwise.

Days Are Numbered

Our days are numbered but our life has no end.

Read It For Yourself

You may have a good reason to discount religion, but there is no excuse in letting that get between you and God.  The most important thing is believing in Jesus and giving your life to Him, even as He gives life to you.  His Word is true; it’s interpretations that can be hazardous.  Read it for yourself.  Let the Spirit speak to you.

Gathered

2 Corinthians 8:15 (New International Version)

¹⁵as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
In sharing with each other, we share with God.  Love is expressed in His gift to us.  That is His will for us, to love.  Where two or more are gathered, He is there.  All are fed.

Pure Religion

James 1:27 (New International Version)

²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Where do we spend our energy and resources?  Jesus has shown us how to live and have life.

That Different Person

1 Samuel 10:6 (New International Version)


6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.
People will note the change if you are a different person.  That change will speak eloquently to the presence of the Spirit, whether through word or deed.  They will also take note if you are not.  The power of the Lord was demonstrated and comes through Jesus Christ.  He is here today.  Be that different person.

And So

Romans 4:18 (New International Version)

 ¹⁸Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Just as Abraham, we will become what we believe.  He put his faith not in what he could see or understand, but in God.  As God speaks, so it is and shall be.

Focusing On The Eternal

2 Corinthians 4:18 (New International Version)

¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Focusing on the eternal we are renewed.  Renewed, we can focus on the eternal.

Why Do The Nations Rage?

Love does not make the same noise as made by a bomb, nor does it destroy, or demand submission.  The mark of peace is being humble, as shown by our Savior, Jesus.  Love seeks love.  So why do the nations rage?  The answer is in His Word.

Unexpected

2 Corinthians 8:5 (New International Version)

⁵And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

Surprise the world today.  Do something unexpected, as He gave to us. Some will notice.

To Dance

To dance with the Lord of the dance, you must find a place where the music can be heard.

In Our Darkest Hour

Job 7:16 (New International Version)

¹⁶ I despise my life; I would not live forever.
       Let me alone; my days have no meaning.


We often find the light and meaning in our darkest hour.

Pursuing God

If you pursue God, make sure you pursue the “I AM” rather than what is acceptable to you.  There might be a difference.

Good Things

As we step through the seasons of life, our perspective may change.  What is good or good enough evolves.  May it be that we realize or remember that all good things come from the Lord.

Knowing Jesus

It is possible to know of Jesus, but not know Him.  It is possible not to know.

Enabled

John 6:65 (New International Version)

⁶⁵He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."


God enabled us by sending His Son.  All who listen and respond will be be saved.

A Suitable Companion

God created Eve to be a helper to Adam.  From Adam’s rib Gog made a suitable companion.  God made us in His image.

This may give us insight into why we are here and what it means for the church to be the bride of Christ.  We shall leave our “family”, the world, to join and become one with Him, the Son of Man.  He is the promised One.  It is the promise to us.

All

1 Corinthians 9:22 (New International Version)

²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

God has used all possible means to save us, even giving of Himself.  I notice that the word all occurs three times in this verse.  Though nothing was held back to this end, not all will accept Him.  Those that do, in the end, will be saved.