"I also pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
Ephesians 1:18
May this be my daily prayer, O God. Three words jump out at me: hope, riches, power. Open the eyes of my heart, that I may not be oblivious to these shining gifts you've given to all believers! As I await my redemption, I have blessed hope. Sealed by your Spirit, forgiven by your blood, anointed as your daughter, I have the blessed assurance that I will inherit your kingdom with the saints for all eternity! These are the riches Paul, the writer, refers to. And Jesus fills me with a power that has no comparison. Think of the highest title - President or Pope - or the most devastating natural occurence - wind or quake. Nothing compares with God's power, authority and dominion.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sealed, Awaiting Delivery
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession."
Ephesians 1: 13 & 14
When I seal an envelope, I am keeping it safe and secure until it is delivered to the addressee. This is what God has done for me, ever since I said "I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I confess I am a sinner for whom Jesus gave his life." While I wait to see him face to face, he keeps me secure with his Holy Spirit as a deposit. Praise God I am his precious possession!
Ephesians 1: 13 & 14
When I seal an envelope, I am keeping it safe and secure until it is delivered to the addressee. This is what God has done for me, ever since I said "I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I confess I am a sinner for whom Jesus gave his life." While I wait to see him face to face, he keeps me secure with his Holy Spirit as a deposit. Praise God I am his precious possession!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A Healthy Diet
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Proverbs 3: 7 & 8
Good health is the subject of many magazine articles, but how many of them mention the soul as part of the equation? All of the whole wheat, low fat, no sodium solutions in the world are not going to cure me if I am living in sin. If everyone I met got the rough side of my tongue, if I cheated my employer of time, if my fists remained clenched or if I dart about in the shadows of dishonesty, Iwill ail with the disease of sin. A lifestyle removed from the one my Creator has in store for me will cause me to be physically sick. A steady diet of reading the Bible, liberally peppered with prayer, and a surrender to his will in my life - these are the requirements for good health.
Proverbs 4: 20-22 says: "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body."
Proverbs 3: 7 & 8
Good health is the subject of many magazine articles, but how many of them mention the soul as part of the equation? All of the whole wheat, low fat, no sodium solutions in the world are not going to cure me if I am living in sin. If everyone I met got the rough side of my tongue, if I cheated my employer of time, if my fists remained clenched or if I dart about in the shadows of dishonesty, Iwill ail with the disease of sin. A lifestyle removed from the one my Creator has in store for me will cause me to be physically sick. A steady diet of reading the Bible, liberally peppered with prayer, and a surrender to his will in my life - these are the requirements for good health.
Proverbs 4: 20-22 says: "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body."
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Saddest Story
"But when the King came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. Then the King told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
Matthew 22: 11-13
There's revelry, excitement and joy running like electricity through the wedding guests at the King's banquet. Imagine, now, being the guest who is singled out by the host for not being properly attired. He turns ten shades of red as all eyes focus on him, the former mood now dampened to a chilled hush. Speechless and mortified, he casts glances to and fro, noting the robes of the others. He is exposed, shamed and separated. Some may say this is not fair. Poor guy. Does the judgment fit the crime?
We must never underappreciate or misjudge Christ's payment for our sins, and just how our sins separate us from a Holy God. The sacrifice made on the hill called Calvary provided the only way to eternal life. Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father, except by me." All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We each need the robe of righteousness only Jesus can give. Don't be caught wearing anything else.
Matthew 22: 11-13
There's revelry, excitement and joy running like electricity through the wedding guests at the King's banquet. Imagine, now, being the guest who is singled out by the host for not being properly attired. He turns ten shades of red as all eyes focus on him, the former mood now dampened to a chilled hush. Speechless and mortified, he casts glances to and fro, noting the robes of the others. He is exposed, shamed and separated. Some may say this is not fair. Poor guy. Does the judgment fit the crime?
We must never underappreciate or misjudge Christ's payment for our sins, and just how our sins separate us from a Holy God. The sacrifice made on the hill called Calvary provided the only way to eternal life. Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father, except by me." All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We each need the robe of righteousness only Jesus can give. Don't be caught wearing anything else.
God Means What He Says
"The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: 'Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.'"
Genesis 8: 21,22
After the deluge and devastation, Noah's sacrifice pleased the Lord. Oh, how it must have grieved God to destroy all that he'd made, but now, he sees a new beginning and makes a promise.
When I see the seasons revolve, the leaves fall as cold air is ushered in, I am reminded of this promise. He blesses me with brilliant leaves, pristine snow, the warm embrace of sunshine and unfolding daffodils.
Genesis 8: 21,22
After the deluge and devastation, Noah's sacrifice pleased the Lord. Oh, how it must have grieved God to destroy all that he'd made, but now, he sees a new beginning and makes a promise.
When I see the seasons revolve, the leaves fall as cold air is ushered in, I am reminded of this promise. He blesses me with brilliant leaves, pristine snow, the warm embrace of sunshine and unfolding daffodils.
Friday, January 11, 2013
The Twenty Third Psalm Part 6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Psalm 23
What a glorious ending to this beloved Psalm that has become my evening prayer. My Shepherd provides all I need. He grants me peace and restoration for body and soul by leading me on right paths. Even in the darkest moments, he eases my fear as I fully trust my Victor who comforts me. He anoints me as someone who is very special and generously provides the richest of fare. The magnanimous outpouring of blessings is more than I have room for, and I will dwell in his house forever! Where else would I want to be?
Before going to bed, recite the 23rd Psalm and truly rest in peace.
Psalm 23
What a glorious ending to this beloved Psalm that has become my evening prayer. My Shepherd provides all I need. He grants me peace and restoration for body and soul by leading me on right paths. Even in the darkest moments, he eases my fear as I fully trust my Victor who comforts me. He anoints me as someone who is very special and generously provides the richest of fare. The magnanimous outpouring of blessings is more than I have room for, and I will dwell in his house forever! Where else would I want to be?
Before going to bed, recite the 23rd Psalm and truly rest in peace.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The Twenty Third Psalm, Part 5
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over."
Psalm 23
Imagine God preparing a table. He may spread a fine, linen cloth, lay a lovely centerpiece composed of his finest flowers, pull out the best accouterments, draw up a most comfortable chair. I am sure all needs would be met: salt and pepper, a napkin. Who would dine with me? Personally, I would love to converse with King David and Queen Esther! Jesus would be at the head, regaling us with stories of old, laughing at some of our foibles or revealing great mysteries. Who is NOT invited? My enemies, who are skulking about the hall, perturbed to have lost my company. Isaiah 55, verse 2 says: "Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
Some biblical characters who were anointed were Aaron and his sons as priests, Saul, David and Solomon as kings, as well as other kings in the Old Testament. Am I to be counted amongst this honored number? Figuratively, God anoints my head with oil as a symbol that I am to be set apart, in service to him and his people. Just like a king or a priest, I am duty bound to uphold my reputation; it's an honor not to be misused and, with the Holy Spirit's help, I am up to the task.
Indeed, my cup runneth over!
Psalm 23
Imagine God preparing a table. He may spread a fine, linen cloth, lay a lovely centerpiece composed of his finest flowers, pull out the best accouterments, draw up a most comfortable chair. I am sure all needs would be met: salt and pepper, a napkin. Who would dine with me? Personally, I would love to converse with King David and Queen Esther! Jesus would be at the head, regaling us with stories of old, laughing at some of our foibles or revealing great mysteries. Who is NOT invited? My enemies, who are skulking about the hall, perturbed to have lost my company. Isaiah 55, verse 2 says: "Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
Some biblical characters who were anointed were Aaron and his sons as priests, Saul, David and Solomon as kings, as well as other kings in the Old Testament. Am I to be counted amongst this honored number? Figuratively, God anoints my head with oil as a symbol that I am to be set apart, in service to him and his people. Just like a king or a priest, I am duty bound to uphold my reputation; it's an honor not to be misused and, with the Holy Spirit's help, I am up to the task.
Indeed, my cup runneth over!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)