Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

Heb. 10:22-25 “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Observation:

Early Christians needed guidance. Today’s Christians need the same guidance. The writer of Hebrews provides us with five things that we are to do as Christians. They are:
1. Draw near
2. Hold fast
3. Consider how to love and do good works
4. Meet together
5. Encourage one another
These are not commandments but guidance and examples of what it takes to live a Christian life and how to maintain the life given there will be temptations and evil around us.

Application:

As iron sharpens iron and makes it stronger, Christians can help other Christians stronger.

As Christians, we are to encourage and strengthen one another. If you read Jason’s email this week you learned that Good Life members have recently suffered the loss of loved ones. During these times it is easy to become depressed, saddened and even sometimes question ones faith. It is during these times that it is important to remember what we are called to do on a regular basis. Draw near, hold fast and consider how to love one another and encourage one another. It is this love and encouragement that will help lift us up during the low times and provide us with the opportunities to share our love with one another.

I need to be surrounded by new Christians to be reminded what it’s like to find Jesus for the first time. The excitement and exuberance of the first love. I need to be around mature Christians to be taught and learn from their experiences and their wisdom.

I need the encouragement, the guidance and the accountability of other Christians to help me stay focused and on the right path. As we mature, we have the obligation to share our knowledge and experience with others as well. I cannot expect to grow as a Christian on my own. Everyone, from the new Christian to a very mature Christian, has something to offer.

A website can’t offer a 360 view. A TV program or TV minister can’t get into deep discussions with you. A book doesn’t allow you to ask questions. Or laugh with you. Or cry with you. Or give you a hug. Christians need each other now just as much as the early church needed each other then.

Prayer:

Father I think you for the Christian men and women you have brought into my life. I thank you for the example they provide, the wisdom they bring and the encouragement that they offer. I ask that the members of Good Life continue to seek you as individuals and as a body so that we may make disciples and bring the good news to those who do not yet believe.

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Observation:

The author of this chapter of Hebrews is taking the audience back to the historical fact that people that were saved from the Egyptians still did not enter the rest of God they would have in the promise land. This is because they were disobedient in many ways leading them to 40 years of wandering in the desert. This is something so interesting because looking at times now and realizing that we can be saved by grace through faith yet at the same time not enter in the rest of God because of our disobedience in our life. As you read further down there is a verse that gets all in my grill and though convicting, it is so beautiful of the love and sovereignty of my God.

Application:

The verse says, “And no creature is hidden from the sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” WOW, this is not only scary but humbling. There is nothing that I can hide from God. So many times I think to myself, “I can do this any not one person will every know about it.” Not only does the author say that I can hide nothing from his eyes it says that I am naked before him. I can’t do like I did when I was in high school and middle school and hide something in my pocket and nobody know about it. Jesus through the Father is everywhere. I lay bare before him, yet why do I still try and hide things from him? Why do I act as if I can keep things from him and he won’t know? The reality is the God of all creation knows me and sees ALL I do and I lay totally bare and revealed to him. I always want to talk about things that are frustrating me or that are kinda secret, who better to talk to than the one whom SEES all and knows all. Not only can I not hide anything from him, but I have to give an account to him. I am responsible to answer for the things I do in secret and in public. This is so powerful for me to read this morning because I can just be honest with God. I don’t have to hold anything back from him, frustrations, fears, insecurities, joys, and every other feeling and emotion and struggles I experience, HE KNOWS. I lay bare before him and can keep nothing from him. Wow, this is a huge burden off my shoulders as I can just be with him and lay it all on him and let him fill me with his love, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, and all the things of his heart.

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for trying to hide form you. Thank you for showing me you know me. You know all of who I am and I am sorry that I run from you sometimes rather than just knowing who you are and be honest with you. Lead me to lay daily before you and cast my burdens before you. Thank you for loving me, I need it.

Scripture:

Heb. 3:13

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Observation:

This chapter goes into detail about what we are supposed to do, as Christians, to help each other remain strong in the word. Although written to the early Christians and filled with references to those that walked 40 years in the wilderness because of their unbelief, this chapter provides warning signs to today’s Christians. It is easy to stray, easy to become distracted and discouraged and it is our responsibility to encourage one another.

The word “today” is written three times in this chapter. “Today” not only means today in the traditional sense but also “now” as in the present.

Encouragement is a powerful tool in the fight against the enemy.

Application:

Signs are meant to keep us informed, provide us with knowledge of potential hazards and for our safety and protection. We see signs on a highway or road and we use those signs to make decisions. Am I driving too fast, too slow? Where do I turn? Are there flashing lights, etc. The Holy Spirit is giving us a warning with the “if then statements”. I am stay true to the belief that Jesus is our risen Lord and Savior. I am to act in the will of God and not resist His will so the word of God and the Holy Spirit can guide my life.

We are to act now, while we have the chance and not procrastinate. How many times have I said “I will get to that later.” only to not get to it at all or have someone else do the job because I either forgot, got too busy or ran out of time? I get angry when my kids procrastinate yet I am just as guilty as they are at times. Yet, the Holy Spirit clearly states in Chapter 3 that if we hear his voice “today” we are to listen and as long as it is called “today” we are to encourage other Christians. It is my job. And I am to do it today.

It only takes a little bit of encouragement to keep people focused on living in His will. It is my job to help others stay true. If we can encourage others on a daily basis, we are kept accountable and keep others accountable. Our spirits are lifted and we are reminded daily that God is in control and He should be the influence in our lives.

Prayer:

Father, I am often a “do as I say and not as I do” Christian. I ask that you remind me today and every day that you are in control and that I want what you want for me, not what I want for me. Help me to be aware of the struggles of others so I can be the encouragement that you seek us to provide.

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Observation:

Paul challenges the church to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ. He then explains how. Humility, gentleness, patience, love, unified through the peace of God.

Application:

Humility-
A proud Christian is an oxymoron. When we see pride welling up in our lives as we live out the life of a believer, we must fight against it and quickly repent of it. Pride comes before destruction. Nothing we come to know or experience as a believer is apart from grace. This must remain at the front of our minds and hearts so pride doesn’t come creeping in. Humility is considering others better than yourself. It is fighting against that worldly pull to self-promote.

Gentleness-
Many of things have been taken by force in this world. However the human heart is unable to be taken by the force of another human. We can’t make someone believe, we can’t make some love, we can’t make someone change. Scripture tells us the kindness of God leads people to repentance. In other words, God draws people through the exercising of grace and kindness. All believers should take note of this. We should live gently.

Patience-
In a culture where we want it all and we want it now, a believer must trust the timing of God as he/she lives out the Christian life. Both in our relationship with God and others. Demanding our timeline usually doesn’t work. God’s will, God’s timing.

Love-
This is in fact the easiest and most true litmus test for maturity in Christ. Living out the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit will always be driven by love. If “loving” isn’t one of the first words someone would use to describe us, something is up. In other words, there is still way too much of “us” still controlling our thoughts, actions and relationships. Jesus said this would be how people know we are from Him. I don’t understand how we miss this so much.

Unified in Peace:
Divisiveness is the way of the world. It somehow makes us feel better to get in little “tribes” and then highlight our differences to everyone else. This is part of the “self-preservation” drive of the world systems. Yet in Christ our life should be one of unifying believers, not dividing them. We should also be agents of peace in our communities, not agents of enmity and war. Living out a life worthy of the calling means laying aside our need to always “win” and instead seeking common ground. We are to seek to live at peace with other people instead of defending our “stance” by any means necessary.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for this convicting and clarifying passage of scripture given to help us live out the calling you have given us. I want to live the life you expect of me. I truly believe with this small passage of scripture as my guide, I have been refocused in the proper direction. Forgive me for creating my own idea of what it means to live my life worthy. Thank you that in all these areas you have been the perfect example. May I through your Spirit live these out!

Scripture:

Ephesians 5:1-2 – Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Observation:

We are God’s adopted children and as children follow their parents, we should follow the example of our heavenly Father. We are to follow God’s example not just in some things where we think it would be good, but in everything we do. Our lives are to be filled with love through the Spirit. Christian love is sacrificial with the greatest example being Christ’s sacrifice for all of us. A life of sacrificial love is pleasing to God.

Application:

For me this means not only displaying love to our brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday, but also loving those who don’t think like we do, look like we do or share different worldviews on current events. When we are consistent in our love, this will lead to opportunities to share the Gospel and why we love. Our love needs to be sacrificial as modeled by the greatest sacrifice of all on the cross. In other words, I must to place others needs above my own wants and desires to serve the Church, my family, my customers, our community, our nation and the world. All of this can only be accomplished through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit within us. As I think of an example of love, I am reminded by the lyrics of the old hymn, “They will know we are Christians by Our Love.” The song and our lives will not be as rich and winsome if the lyrics to the song were, “They will Know We are Christians by What We are Against.”

Prayer:

Father, Thank you so much for your immeasurable unconditional love for us. Please use me as a vessel to share your love and your gospel as encouragement to believers and those who are yet to know your love.

Scripture:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” (Ephesians 6:4-9 ESV)

Observation:

When Paul gives instructions he segments a lot. Fathers: do this; Bondservants, that; Masters, Husbands, Wives, Children, Church, Leaders…—he addresses all of them specifically and sometimes with curiously intersecting directions. …

Application:

I think reading the passage above there is an overriding principle that I struggle to remember: “…knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven…” I think that all of the stuff I am reading about other people should have a halo over my thoughts that say “I serve the same Master in Heaven as they do; I am a sinner saved by His Grace and need a Savior everyday…just like they do.” I know I shouldn’t read the scriptures about somebody else (“Hah—Amen, Lord—that’s just what Danny needs to hear…”) but let’s face it: it happens way too often. It takes practice to address the guy in the mirror first and especially when I am expected to exert any kind of leadership. I am a father and grandfather: Do I provoke my children to anger? It isn’t that they should not be angry at me but am I PROVOKING it? I am an employee of a company: Am I serving the Company in the fear of God or am I a man-pleaser? Probably a good bit of both—gotta work on that. The inter-connectedness of the Scriptures (perspicuity) rings out especially from Gal 5 and the fruit (evidence) of living a life unto Christ. The point that I take away today is two-fold: Don’t sit in condemning judgment over another because Christ died for them just like me—if it wasn’t for the Blood, I more than deserve the Wrath of God against my sin, and; …I have to work at this stuff, pay attention to it…every day. After all, that is why I hammer “review the Gospel everyday” because I forget or take it for granted…. Oh, yeah: Don’t shirk leadership. Just remember who is really Master…

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that Your Word is living and active. It dances and sings. It is both somber and has hilarious rejoicing all at the same time. When I review the Gospel I have to stop and be amazed at the intricacy of your Plan—everything around, even the End of Days is a part of the Gospel. And this passage—chock full of the redemptive Gospel. Why do you pay such attention to my life? This is a mystery; a profound and glorious mystery to ponder for the rest of my days. Please make my heart soft so that Your Word takes firm root…

Scripture:
Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you gentiles

Observation:

Paul has gone from spiritual blessings from heaven to thankfulness and salvation by grace through faith on to the unity one has in Christ. In the first two chapter of this letter the church of Ephesus have enough words to last a lifetime as it is rich in the spirit and glory of Jesus. He then makes a comment in verse 1 in chapter 3 that seems so ironic. He is a prisoner FOR Christ Jesus, but on behalf of the gentiles. Now knowing that Paul is not a stranger to being put in prison and his experiences in prison I find it interested he calls himself a prisoner for Christ Jesus and behalf of others.

Application:

When I think of prison or being a prisoner the natural thought of my mind is not positive or not even in any way twisted a positive thought. Yet Paul uses prisoner in such a quaint comment. What could this mean for not only Paul but for my knowledge of the Father through Christ and even more than that, how can this be translated to action steps? When in prison you belong to the state, the government, the system that has not only taken custody of you based on their rights to do so. Now their taking custody of you was based on your actions, yet it has landed you in a place that you don’t really want to be, especially in modern prisons. When I think of being a prisoner in our context it is not pleasant but in the thought stream of prison and how you get there, for me this exalts the Father through Christ in amazing ways. Through my actions, the enforcer has seen a problem, many actions that are demanding of charges and ultimately a long time in prison. I usually don’t like to think of God as an enforcer, yet if I don’t remember he is the judge and the enforcer my fear of him lacks, and wisdom is non-existent and my faith won’t grow. Knowing that my ability to be a prisoner of Jesus is only if he takes me into custody (SALVATION) I am thankful to be a prisoner. Not many times in life do you hear people say that want to be a prisoner, this is a time. last thought, is that his being a prisoner for Christ is on behalf of others. His faith in Christ though is so important for him, it reaches others and is for others to see Jesus. My faith in Christ is not only for me to be more and more in love with God my Father, but it is to show the world the Love of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Prayer:

You are a good good Father and my life is and has changed forever because of you. Thank you Jesus for giving me life because of your death. May I realize whom I belong to and she it with others. Thank you Jesus and I pray I please you.

Scripture:

Eph. 1:3-12Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Observation:

Here Paul lays out as big a picture as possible of the goodness and grandeur and sovereignty of God.
This is a picture of the full time line of everything past and of everything future.
“Before the foundations of the world” to “the fullness of time”
And it’s all about Him!
All of it! All of time!! Every second!
From before the first until after the last!
And, yet, He makes us part of it!
He allows us to participate.
Look at the string Paul mentions …
“He chose us …”
“He blessed us …”
“He predestined us …”
“He has given us …”
“He lavished on us …”
“He made known to us …”
WHY?
“In order that we … might be for the praise of His glory.”

Application:

So I have “every spiritual blessing in Christ”.
Every spiritual blessing!
Do I still live and act like I want something more?
As if every spiritual blessing isn’t enough.
Every spiritual blessing isn’t enough, only if I’m not using them for their intended purposes: The Praise of His Glory!
I could have every tool a mechanic needs.
If I’m not using them for their purpose, it won’t be enough.
I could have every instrument a surgeon needs, if I’m not using them for their intended purpose it won’t be enough.
I could have every piece of equipment a farmer needs, if I’m not using them for their intended purpose it won’t be enough.
I have “every spiritual blessing”.
Is it enough?
When I feel it’s not, am I perhaps using the blessings of God to praise myself?
It will never be enough.
I will never be content until I use the blessings God has graced me with for the praise of His glory.
This “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will”.

Prayer:

Thank you Father for your incredible grace.
Everything thing I have or am is because of your grace.
May it be used for your glory.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Observation:

I did not come to Jesus, He came to me.
Nothing I did brought Jesus to me, He came and I did nothing to deserve it
It was through Jesus blood that has allowed me to be close to Jesus
Only “in Christ Jesus” are we with Him.

Nothing I did made Jesus love me and want to die for me. Jesus died for my sins because He first loved me. There is nothing I can do to make him love me more.

It is not because of laws, not by birth, nationality, the family I was born into or the money I have or give. It is only through a decision that Jesus made to give His life for me that we are able to be close to Him. It is by His blood.

Application:

I have been given a great gift: forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus. He paid my price.

I can’t live in arrogance. Nothing I did brought Jesus to me. I can’t live in denial. I must accept Him. I can’t live alone. I must live in Christ Jesus. I can’t live in disobedience. I was brought in, brought near to be part of His family.

I have to be “in Christ Jesus” which means I have to accept His gift. I have to live with Him in my life and as my guide.

Jesus is always there for us. It is similar to someone coming over to your house and knocking on your front door. He is there whether you let him in or not. I must let others know that Jesus is waiting for them to answer. He is there. He has given you a gift. You have to accept the gift He has given us and let him in.

Prayer:

Father, it is truly amazing that you loved me before I even knew you. You loved me enough that you allowed your son to die on a cross for me. Help me to live a life humbly in the remembrance that nothing I can do will ever make you love me more. I praise you, I thank you and I seek to show your love so others can know you.

Scripture:

Galatians 4:3-7 – And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts prompting us to call out, “Abba Father”. Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Observation:

The Galatians have drifted from the true Good News of Jesus Christ and have returned to following the law. Paul is sharing with the Galatians that when they follow the law they are bound to it and become slaves to the law. Paul reminds them that through Christ, God gave us freedom from the law and adopted us as his children. As children of God, we have been given the Holy Spirit and are able to have an intimate relationship with the Father as an heir.

Application:

There is but one true Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is our creator and as part of His redemptive plan he sent Jesus in to the world to rescue us from our sin against Him. By faith in Jesus and repentance of our sin, we respond positively to the Gospel and are allowed to be children of God. There are no other requirements and we always need to be alert to any false preaching that adds to the Gospel. The Gospel with Jesus death on the cross at the center and His resurrection alone is enough! The Gospel frees us from our bondage to the law/sin.
This is why we need to remind ourselves of the Gospel daily, not just once upon salvation. We should continue to respond each and every time we hear the Gospel for what God has done and what he is doing in our lives! How awesome is it, that when we place our faith and trust in Jesus that we become the adopted children of the one true God? The God who is creator of the universe and everything in it loves us enough to gives us the opportunity to be His child and heir to all in His Kingdom.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you so much for loving us enough to send your Son so we may be free from the law. Help me to never get over the true Gospel. Let me be led by your Spirit to realize the power in the Gospel and share it freely with all to have many more become your adopted children.

Scripture:

Galatians 3:21-22 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Observation:

The law was never meant to give life or to make one righteous. Instead it was given to “imprison” all so that righteousness through faith in Christ would be revealed as the only way to experience the attaining of righteousness.

Application:

#1. The law isn’t bad, it just doesn’t give life. I must stop aligning my righteousness up to my ability/inability to follow rules. instead I must remember that my righteousness is in Christ.

#2. Apart from the Spirit within me I am powerless to keep the law. My only hope of obedience to the law is through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is obedient at all times and submitting to His authority everyday and every moment is my key to obedience.

#3. Believing is more import at than laboring. I have too options in the battle to live righteously. Place my faith in Christ or try to do it myself. I have tried myself too many days and fell flat on my face. I choose today to trust in the Spirit alive in me to live righteously today.

Prayer:

Jesus, you’re my one defense, my righteousness, oh God how I need you! My I remember today that I stand positionally righteous before you today because of the work of Christ. My I also remember that I can live practically righteous because of your spirit within me. Not because I am strong or experienced, but because you are strong in me.

Scripture:

Gal. 2:16

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Observation:

Paul whom knows the law and kept the law to the utmost esteem is a vital person writing these words. If anyone in the biblical history can have a reason to say they were a law keeper and was in right standing with God because of how well he or she kept the law it would have been Paul. The transition in vocabulary and different train of through proves a difference in Paul. Paul does not want people being led astray and for hypocrisy to take root in young and new believers. Salvation is by faith alone and in Christ alone by his grace.

Application:

So many times I can be a judaizer and hold myself or others to the law of which subconsciously I believe makes God more happy with me and he some how favors me. I look down on others that may not keep man made laws and sometime God made laws as good as me. I tend to in my heart believe that works and good things justify me before God. This is so counter to the Gospel. It is by his grace, through faith in Christ that I am justified. My right standing before the Father has nothing to do with I have done or what I do, yet has all to do with what Jesus Christ did. I must stop each day and rest, sit, and walk in the justification of Christ. As I think about it, it genuinely makes me just stope and pray and thank my Heavenly Father who is so good and so loving.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you. Thank you for loving me and us so much. You have made a way for us to stand justified before you and my prayer is ALL would come to the truth and knowledge of your Son. I the powerful name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen

Scripture:

Psalm 118

Vs. 4 “Let those who fear the Lord say His steadfast love endure forever.”
Vs. 14 “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Vs. 18 “He had disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.”
Vs. 19 “Open the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.”
Vs. 29 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his steadfast last endures forever.”

Observation:

The author has gained a deep understanding of God’s Covenantal Love. It is steadfast. It endures forever.
The author recognizes that this type of Covenantal Love means God is everything!
God is how he endures struggle. “God is my strength.”
God is how he celebrates good. “God is my song.”
God is the very reason he is alive. “God is my salvation.”
Yes, God is everything!
And when God is everything, even discipline is recognized for its good purpose.
Discipline is not punishment.
Discipline’s intention is to draw us even closer to God.
“Open the gates that I may enter and give thanks!”
This is someone who deeply appreciated the Covenantal Love of God.

Application:

Is God everything to me?
Is He who I lean on and seek first to get through a struggle I may be in? Is He my strength? Or do I rely on self?
Do I look around and see His goodness at work in my life and in my family and in the world?
Do I see God at work and celebrate Him?
Or do I just see the frustrations in my life and let that darkness overcome His light?
There is light. There is goodness. There is reason to celebrate and sing.
God is with me. He is here.
He is my salvation. That is enough.
Because of this I can “give thanks always”, as Paul says.
And because he is my salvation, even when I endure discipline, I can see it as an act of His enduring love.
It’s in this understanding that I can actually appreciate discipline.
I can it draws me to God, not away from God!
Our culture misunderstand discipline as punishment because it misunderstands Covenantal Love for conditional love!
God’s love is now and forever. I can always draw close to Him, regardless of circumstances, and thank Him, and love Him.

Prayer:

God, thank you for your goodness.
Thank you that you are all good. Even when you discipline.
Help me see you always.
As my strength when I struggle.
And as my song when I celebrate.
Holy Spirit remind me to be grateful even for breath because You are my salvation.
Thank you that you love me forever.
Help me love others the way you love me.
In Jesus name, Amen.

8/29/16

Scripture:

Ps 110-114

“Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! … Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man … who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” (Psalm 112:1-8 ESV—emphasis mine), and:

“Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. “(Psalm 111:2-4 ESV)
Observation: There are 2 great themes I see in Ps 110-114: The Works of the Lord and our response to them. Not just these 5 Psalms but all of Psalms has at least these two themes wrapped in them somehow. So we can think: Ok, that’s good….but what does that mean to me?

Application:

I am committed to a practical, reflexive, integrated Christian walk. With that what I read in the Scriptures becomes something to deeply consider, thinking about not only how “they” did it but how am I to emulate it as well? As I have written before it is easy to skim right over these Words and not let them burrow down in my soul. Take for instance the Ps 111 passage above: Great are the works of the Lord but when I study, if I study am I recognizing “full of splendor and majesty” in what I study? Do I even remember His Wondrous Works? My point in thinking about this is the Ps 112 passage especially this “…He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid…” Being brutally frank with the guy in the mirror I struggle with fear many times—about my finances, my job, my obligations, etc….struggling because of this root cause more than anything else: I FORGET what He has mercifully done for me. Let me put aside the Salvation He has accomplished—let me just focus on His bountiful Goodness over the course of my life. There is not one place that I can conjure up from my memory where He did not do marvelous things. I can succumb to fear of the future because I forget to look backwards through my history and remember and acknowledge with thanksgiving what His Hand has accomplished, then turning around and looking with faith to His Bountiful Goodness for the future. I have heard it said that the failure of Israel was “they soon forgot…” One of the practical foundations of Faith can be as simple as “Remembering great are the Works of the Lord—Studied by all who delight in them.”

Prayer:

Lord God—Israel soon forgot and wandered often; I am just as forgetful–not can be forgetful but am forgetful. The challenges of the day, of my life’s circumstances, of being a part of this Earth and community—I do not just “lose sight”, I forget!! If only I can put my culture’s focus on “keep my eye on the prize”—always putting the focus on forward, but to put your clear direction of “not forgetting your Wondrous Works”, of talking about them, bearing witness, teaching Your Works to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. How do I testify of You? “Look at what He has done and be amazed!!”

Scripture:

Psalm 101:1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.

Observation:

The psalmist sees both the love and justice of God as characteristics worthy to write songs about.

Application:

I have heard a million love songs. Songs about the way someone looks or the way they make someone feel or how much their heart beats when there with them. However, I don’t know many songs on justice. Though it is easy to celebrate a characteristic of love because of its impact in our lives, it is difficult to celebrate the characteristic of justice because many times the impact to our life is punitive. Yet we read this passage of scripture on the other side of the cross. God is just. And where his love and justice collided was the cross. Sin had to be atoned for. His love for us was extraordinary. Therefore the sacrifice of Jesus was the greatest extent of his love as well as the perfect execution of his just judgment.

I need to celebrate today the love of God.I also need to celebrate today the justice of God. Because God is just he did not overlook my sin. Instead he executed judgment on his own son so that the demands of the law were met. I am reminded today that the justice of God at times has punitive results. However, the cross of Christ is where the punitive results of my sin were dealt with in full.

Prayer:

Father thank you for reminding me of your great love today. Thank you for showing me how your justice is worth singing about. May I write songs with my life, my words and my gifts that tells the story of your love and justice