Matthew 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
What a sobering statement for Jesus to make to the Jewish people! The Pharisees and teachers of the law kept the 613 laws (not just the 10 commandments) perfectly. So when Jesus is saying this, I'm sure people listening were very concerned. How could anyone keep the law more than perfectly? His point exactly. We can't do it. We, in our brokenness, cannot begin to keep the law. Even the Pharisees and teachers were not keeping the law to the standard Jesus described later. Jesus would go on to teach that even our thoughts are considered sinning, not just our actions. So the Pharisees, who were keeping the law on the outside were not doing so hot on the inside. Their hearts were not changed at all, they just had great self discipline. So, what are we to do with this information then? We cannot do it, and that is what we must first recognize and admit. Once we do, then we can begin to live a life in Christ where our thoughts and actions are affected by the Holy Spirit. We tell God we are sorry, we ask Jesus to come into our life so we can die with Him and be resurrected to a new life in Him. We enter the kingdom of heaven through the finished work of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His death on the cross we accept as ours and we can live in the power of His resurrection now and for eternity. On our own we cannot follow all of the rules and do all of the good deeds to the standard God requires. That is why Jesus came. Seek Him and accept Him today.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
He Is Life Giving
Psalm 50:1 The Might One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
Sometimes I am just in awe of the work of God. It is incredible to me that He created all that we see, and so much we can't. Then not only did He make it from nothing, He set it in motion and controls all of the motion. He knows every single person on the earth better than we even know ourselves, whether we "know" Him or not. I find myself looking at people as I drive and thinking, "God knows them and loves them like he knows and loves me." It's unfathomable to me. I just have no concept of what that takes on His end. It seems so vast, and it is. I think of the love that He has for each of us and the way He gave us free will to choose Him or not. He set the world in motion and gave us the gift of freedom of choice. Then to redeem it, when He wasn't chosen by us, He sent Jesus, His son, to die for us while we were still sinning. The justice of the Father through the love of the Son is a beautifully humbling relationship to experience. There is nothing like our Holy God. There is none other like Him, nor will there ever be, and we get the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in glory. He is so much bigger than I can grasp, and yet, I will try with all that I am to seek Him and know Him as fully as He knows me. You are so loved by the Creator of the universe, not by the universe, but by the Creator of it. That's, no, He is life giving.
Sometimes I am just in awe of the work of God. It is incredible to me that He created all that we see, and so much we can't. Then not only did He make it from nothing, He set it in motion and controls all of the motion. He knows every single person on the earth better than we even know ourselves, whether we "know" Him or not. I find myself looking at people as I drive and thinking, "God knows them and loves them like he knows and loves me." It's unfathomable to me. I just have no concept of what that takes on His end. It seems so vast, and it is. I think of the love that He has for each of us and the way He gave us free will to choose Him or not. He set the world in motion and gave us the gift of freedom of choice. Then to redeem it, when He wasn't chosen by us, He sent Jesus, His son, to die for us while we were still sinning. The justice of the Father through the love of the Son is a beautifully humbling relationship to experience. There is nothing like our Holy God. There is none other like Him, nor will there ever be, and we get the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in glory. He is so much bigger than I can grasp, and yet, I will try with all that I am to seek Him and know Him as fully as He knows me. You are so loved by the Creator of the universe, not by the universe, but by the Creator of it. That's, no, He is life giving.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
When Life Kicks You
Isaiah 42:3-4 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.
I didn't have an awesome day today. Sometimes life kicks you around a bit and it's not always easy to take the hits. I'm sure you know what I mean. Things just don't seem to go well, small or big. Your pants have a stain in a spot you didn't even know was possible. You pull up to the wrong side of the pump with your car. You balance the checkbook and realize there is not nearly enough money to make it through the month. Your spouse is having his own bout with life. And whatever else you need to add to the list. Some days are just crummy. You miss those who've gone before you to be with Jesus. You miss your own time with Jesus. Life seems to be more than you want to deal with, but you keep trudging along (even if your attitude might stink a bit). These are days when my only response is, "Well, at least my salvation is secure." I know I've written and spoken about this before, but these days happen randomly. There really isn't a silver lining to the storm clouds, that is in view anyway. You need time to pass in order to really see the forest for the trees. Then I read Isaiah 42 and I am reminded not only of my secure salvation, but the suffering of my Lord to complete the redemption work of my soul. There is more to my day than just the physical and emotional things that go awry. There is a spiritual aspect that is full when I seek Jesus on my crummy days. When I attempt to be with Him when all else seems to be failing me. He does not fail. He is always the same. He loves me even when my reaction to my stained pants is a little over the top. ;-) He cares for me when I'm frustrated with my schedule. He prepares a plan of providence when the finances aren't so awesome. He carries me and my husband when we just can't handle anymore. He is our redeemer and our sustainer. I'm learning to turn to Him quicker on those days that aren't awesome and when I'm not awesome with them. It's a journey, a lifelong journey.
I didn't have an awesome day today. Sometimes life kicks you around a bit and it's not always easy to take the hits. I'm sure you know what I mean. Things just don't seem to go well, small or big. Your pants have a stain in a spot you didn't even know was possible. You pull up to the wrong side of the pump with your car. You balance the checkbook and realize there is not nearly enough money to make it through the month. Your spouse is having his own bout with life. And whatever else you need to add to the list. Some days are just crummy. You miss those who've gone before you to be with Jesus. You miss your own time with Jesus. Life seems to be more than you want to deal with, but you keep trudging along (even if your attitude might stink a bit). These are days when my only response is, "Well, at least my salvation is secure." I know I've written and spoken about this before, but these days happen randomly. There really isn't a silver lining to the storm clouds, that is in view anyway. You need time to pass in order to really see the forest for the trees. Then I read Isaiah 42 and I am reminded not only of my secure salvation, but the suffering of my Lord to complete the redemption work of my soul. There is more to my day than just the physical and emotional things that go awry. There is a spiritual aspect that is full when I seek Jesus on my crummy days. When I attempt to be with Him when all else seems to be failing me. He does not fail. He is always the same. He loves me even when my reaction to my stained pants is a little over the top. ;-) He cares for me when I'm frustrated with my schedule. He prepares a plan of providence when the finances aren't so awesome. He carries me and my husband when we just can't handle anymore. He is our redeemer and our sustainer. I'm learning to turn to Him quicker on those days that aren't awesome and when I'm not awesome with them. It's a journey, a lifelong journey.
Friday, May 4, 2018
Don't Forget
1 Samuel 16:11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
As I read the story of David's annointing, there were connections to Jesus that stood apart. I knew that, but for some reason today it really struck me. David's family was from Bethlehem and he was out tending the sheep. This great king was doing the lowest activity, shepherding. He wouldn't have been seen as anything amazing. He was the baby of the family. He was not even deemed worth having at the table with Samuel requests the meal with Jesse's family. This is who God chose to lead Israel. This is who God made to be the greatest earthly king. We get all caught up in our success, status, and stature and we forget to look to the one who makes kings great. We forget that God takes the lowest of the low, the outcast, the fallen, the downtrodden, us and brings us a life of greatness. Jesus does that. He was bruised for our transgressions. He bore our iniquity. He was a man of sorrow. And God raised Jesus above all. We are called to seek God and follow Jesus. We are to do the tasks we are given and do them for the glory of God. And not only will we receive our future glory in Heaven when we do these things, but we will also experience the glory of God on earth, as David did. God is for us. He showed us through His son. The Son of man is not only our example, He is our very life. Who needs success, status, or stature when the living Christ is in you? Christ in you makes you great. Don't forget that.
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
As I read the story of David's annointing, there were connections to Jesus that stood apart. I knew that, but for some reason today it really struck me. David's family was from Bethlehem and he was out tending the sheep. This great king was doing the lowest activity, shepherding. He wouldn't have been seen as anything amazing. He was the baby of the family. He was not even deemed worth having at the table with Samuel requests the meal with Jesse's family. This is who God chose to lead Israel. This is who God made to be the greatest earthly king. We get all caught up in our success, status, and stature and we forget to look to the one who makes kings great. We forget that God takes the lowest of the low, the outcast, the fallen, the downtrodden, us and brings us a life of greatness. Jesus does that. He was bruised for our transgressions. He bore our iniquity. He was a man of sorrow. And God raised Jesus above all. We are called to seek God and follow Jesus. We are to do the tasks we are given and do them for the glory of God. And not only will we receive our future glory in Heaven when we do these things, but we will also experience the glory of God on earth, as David did. God is for us. He showed us through His son. The Son of man is not only our example, He is our very life. Who needs success, status, or stature when the living Christ is in you? Christ in you makes you great. Don't forget that.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Growing or Decaying
I've just got a reflection for today. As I was sitting with God this morning, I was a bit convicted about the amount of time I spend on my phone. Really, any free time I have, I am on my phone. I'm checking email, looking at Facebook, exploring Instagram, reading articles, and what have you. I'm not addicted in the sense that I need to have likes and shares or compare myself to others. It's just literally a waste of time. It's doing something so that I'm not "bored". I'm changing that. I will no longer be on my phone at any and all down time. I want to do things with my time that grow my relationships with others and with God. It doesn't mean that I won't go on Instagram and explore or that I won't read about England's royalty. ;-) It just means that I am going to be more purposeful with my time. I'm going to let myself be "bored" and use that time to talk to God, connect with a friend, or talk to my husband. I was reminded today that my relationship with God is either growing or decaying, it is never just stagnant. And being on my phone is probably not growing me most of the time. Just a thought for today.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Waiting Patiently
Hebrews 6:15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Promises are something I have been praying about lately. I've been seeking promises God has made to others in the Bible, promises He has made to people I know, individual promises, corporate promises, and even personal promises. I have been trying to discern and remember any promises God has made to me over the years. It's not an easy topic to seek in prayer. It seems like I am looking for a way to get something from God. And yet, I know I God has promised me certain things. He has promised me salvation through Jesus. He has promised me hope in Him. He has promised me grace sufficient for all of life's twists and turns. He has promised me His love and affection. I currently am being challenged with what kinds of things God has promised me in the realm of my physical need. I can easily understand and relate to the emotional and spiritual promises, but the physical ones are harder for me. I believe He has personal promises for me, some of which I am struggling to wait patiently to receive. Only by continued prayer and time with Him am I able to wait on the Lord and deeply know that He is faithful to His promises. What has God promised you and are you waiting patiently for their fulfillment?
Promises are something I have been praying about lately. I've been seeking promises God has made to others in the Bible, promises He has made to people I know, individual promises, corporate promises, and even personal promises. I have been trying to discern and remember any promises God has made to me over the years. It's not an easy topic to seek in prayer. It seems like I am looking for a way to get something from God. And yet, I know I God has promised me certain things. He has promised me salvation through Jesus. He has promised me hope in Him. He has promised me grace sufficient for all of life's twists and turns. He has promised me His love and affection. I currently am being challenged with what kinds of things God has promised me in the realm of my physical need. I can easily understand and relate to the emotional and spiritual promises, but the physical ones are harder for me. I believe He has personal promises for me, some of which I am struggling to wait patiently to receive. Only by continued prayer and time with Him am I able to wait on the Lord and deeply know that He is faithful to His promises. What has God promised you and are you waiting patiently for their fulfillment?
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Grow Up
Ephesians 4:13 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Paul often talks about getting into the real "meat and potatoes" (my paraphrase) of life in Christ instead of only talking about "milk". To get there, he talks prior to this verse about the grace given us by Christ, that He apportions each of us what we need. This is a pretty incredible gift. We are given the grace we need for each and every situation we encounter. The key is to live in that grace and allow it to change our hearts so that we can grow past the infant stage in our Christianity. Following Jesus is so much more than just getting into Heaven at the end of life. Yes, that is definitely a part of it. However, we can experience Heaven on earth if we allow the grace of God to penetrate and change our hearts. We can have so much more to our lives when we let grace work. Paul also says, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." Living in Christ is taking on his death and getting new life through the forgiveness and grace of our Lord.
Paul often talks about getting into the real "meat and potatoes" (my paraphrase) of life in Christ instead of only talking about "milk". To get there, he talks prior to this verse about the grace given us by Christ, that He apportions each of us what we need. This is a pretty incredible gift. We are given the grace we need for each and every situation we encounter. The key is to live in that grace and allow it to change our hearts so that we can grow past the infant stage in our Christianity. Following Jesus is so much more than just getting into Heaven at the end of life. Yes, that is definitely a part of it. However, we can experience Heaven on earth if we allow the grace of God to penetrate and change our hearts. We can have so much more to our lives when we let grace work. Paul also says, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." Living in Christ is taking on his death and getting new life through the forgiveness and grace of our Lord.
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