Matt 6:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
6:45 In order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Luke 6:36..and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind (good) to the ungrateful and the evil men.
It is an amazing thing this love of Yours, Father. You show no partiality (Rom 2:11 ).
For you have created all things and they were created for You. (Col 1:16)
When you make us your own through Jesus Christ and His Cross, we become a new creature in Him. (2 Cor 5:17)
You see who we are with perfect love toward us, knowing our soul is being transformed into the image of Him who has risen from the dead…Jesus!
Human eyes see only the fleshly part of us. That is why our love is so faulty. Jesus enables mankind to know what true love is through the love You, Father, have demonstrated to us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)
A person without Jesus can never be all that he was created to be because he was created for Him and Him alone. Each life has a purpose and that purpose is able to be completely fulfilled through Jesus Christ. His Spirit active in us produces that life .
Yes, Father, that You, a Holy God are kind to ungrateful and evil men is amazing in itself and not only kindness do You give. You extend Your mercy and forgiveness in perfect love to give them the opportunity to come to You and become a child of Yours.
Help the Body of Christ to be merciful as You are merciful.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Rough Fishermen
Luke 5:1-11
:2And He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them, and were washing the nets.
:3And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land.
Jesus had people pressing around Him, teaching them by the lake Gennesaret but He still noticed that Peter and his partners were through fishing for the day, they were done.
After He finished speaking to the multitudes, He told Peter to go into deep water and let the nets down.
Peter let Jesus know they had been working hard all night and hadn’t caught a thing.
In reading in Bible History.com about fishing and fishermen it clearly tells about the hard work that fishing in those times was. It was strenuous; they had to pull the nets, dive into the water to draw the net and haul the net on board the boat or drag to the shore; They were hardy and fearless yet had to have the patience with the weather and patience to try again when there was no catch.
These men were crude in manner, rough in speech and harsh in the treatment of others.
Not exactly the diplomatic type.
Peter had let Jesus know they had been working hard all night. Yet he obeyed Jesus because Jesus asked him to…“at your bidding (word)…”
When the Lord speaks to us it is always with purpose. Many times he requires us to simply obey without question.
Verse 8 says that when Peter saw the catch it took two boats to hold and then because there were so many fish the boats began to sink.
Peter responded by falling down at Jesus’ feet, saying "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
What was he thinking? Maybe though he obeyed he realized the doubt that had been in his heart OR he had a deeper revelation of who Jesus was at that moment. This miracle was very personal to Simon, John, and James. They knew their trade and probably could not even have dreamed of such a catch as this. Surely they had never seen or heard of anyone draw a catch like this in all their years of hearing the great fishing stories told by their fathers and elders.
They had to know that they alone could never have made this happen; only God Himself could do this. Jesus is God!
They were all “seized with amazement” and then Jesus said to them “Do not fear from now on you will be fishers of men.” Fear in this context can mean “of those struck with amazement”. They were totally amazed!
He told them they would be fishers of men. These rough tough men were accustomed to fishing, not people. But they followed Him.
Father God, You are truly amazing the way You transform the believer’s heart to be what it needs to be to serve You. Whatever changes You make it is in conformity to the image of Jesus to work the purposes one is created for. No matter what we are at the point of salvation, an intimate walk with our Savior will transform the hardest heart! And in this we find hope!
:2And He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them, and were washing the nets.
:3And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land.
Jesus had people pressing around Him, teaching them by the lake Gennesaret but He still noticed that Peter and his partners were through fishing for the day, they were done.
After He finished speaking to the multitudes, He told Peter to go into deep water and let the nets down.
Peter let Jesus know they had been working hard all night and hadn’t caught a thing.
In reading in Bible History.com about fishing and fishermen it clearly tells about the hard work that fishing in those times was. It was strenuous; they had to pull the nets, dive into the water to draw the net and haul the net on board the boat or drag to the shore; They were hardy and fearless yet had to have the patience with the weather and patience to try again when there was no catch.
These men were crude in manner, rough in speech and harsh in the treatment of others.
Not exactly the diplomatic type.
Peter had let Jesus know they had been working hard all night. Yet he obeyed Jesus because Jesus asked him to…“at your bidding (word)…”
When the Lord speaks to us it is always with purpose. Many times he requires us to simply obey without question.
Verse 8 says that when Peter saw the catch it took two boats to hold and then because there were so many fish the boats began to sink.
Peter responded by falling down at Jesus’ feet, saying "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
What was he thinking? Maybe though he obeyed he realized the doubt that had been in his heart OR he had a deeper revelation of who Jesus was at that moment. This miracle was very personal to Simon, John, and James. They knew their trade and probably could not even have dreamed of such a catch as this. Surely they had never seen or heard of anyone draw a catch like this in all their years of hearing the great fishing stories told by their fathers and elders.
They had to know that they alone could never have made this happen; only God Himself could do this. Jesus is God!
They were all “seized with amazement” and then Jesus said to them “Do not fear from now on you will be fishers of men.” Fear in this context can mean “of those struck with amazement”. They were totally amazed!
He told them they would be fishers of men. These rough tough men were accustomed to fishing, not people. But they followed Him.
Father God, You are truly amazing the way You transform the believer’s heart to be what it needs to be to serve You. Whatever changes You make it is in conformity to the image of Jesus to work the purposes one is created for. No matter what we are at the point of salvation, an intimate walk with our Savior will transform the hardest heart! And in this we find hope!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Scribes
John 4:22 And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
I looked up scribes on line; Bible History.com says: They were men from all classes, merchants, artisans and laborers. Their authority did not come from ancestry or finances, but from their learning and studying for many years.
“By age 14 they had mastered the law and were thoroughly familiar with the scriptures. Thereafter they spent years in close association with scribal teachers, receiving lengthy instruction in personal conduct and application of the law in everyday situations.”
About age 40 they could be formally ordained as scribes.
Scribes were highly honored having the place of honor at important events; they were held in high respect and awe. They were thought to possess secret knowledge of the Lord’s power.
Father, you say that knowledge makes arrogant (1 Cor 8:1). These men had dedicated their lives to learning and teaching the law and the scriptures. They were considered as having this “secret” knowledge that no one else had.
With them being held in this kind of high esteem, it is truly amazing that the people in the synagogue when they heard Jesus, were “amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” They saw the difference in Jesus and the teaching of the scribes.
They saw authority in Him. Not just knowledge but authority. There is such a huge difference. Jesus spoke with the direct authority of the one who had sent Him, God the Father. This was the same God that these people worshipped but did not recognize Jesus as He who is the (Heb 1:3) “radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” They worshipped God but did not know Him.
Father, you have revealed Your wonderful Son to us who have believed. You have gifted us with His Spirit to lead us, to teach us the Word, and to guide us unto righteousness.
Reading the Bible to gain knowledge of it is a good thing; but going further and reading it to find Jesus in it, to seek His face, to be in His presence and to develop an intimate relationship with Him is our ultimate goal. For Jesus is ALL.
Jesus has given His own authority to those who believe in Him. That is why when the Holy Spirit speaks through us, the truth spoken has the authority to be effective and have an impact on the listener.
Thank you for the grace, Father, that will enable your children to listen and obey when You prompt us to speak.
I looked up scribes on line; Bible History.com says: They were men from all classes, merchants, artisans and laborers. Their authority did not come from ancestry or finances, but from their learning and studying for many years.
“By age 14 they had mastered the law and were thoroughly familiar with the scriptures. Thereafter they spent years in close association with scribal teachers, receiving lengthy instruction in personal conduct and application of the law in everyday situations.”
About age 40 they could be formally ordained as scribes.
Scribes were highly honored having the place of honor at important events; they were held in high respect and awe. They were thought to possess secret knowledge of the Lord’s power.
Father, you say that knowledge makes arrogant (1 Cor 8:1). These men had dedicated their lives to learning and teaching the law and the scriptures. They were considered as having this “secret” knowledge that no one else had.
With them being held in this kind of high esteem, it is truly amazing that the people in the synagogue when they heard Jesus, were “amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” They saw the difference in Jesus and the teaching of the scribes.
They saw authority in Him. Not just knowledge but authority. There is such a huge difference. Jesus spoke with the direct authority of the one who had sent Him, God the Father. This was the same God that these people worshipped but did not recognize Jesus as He who is the (Heb 1:3) “radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” They worshipped God but did not know Him.
Father, you have revealed Your wonderful Son to us who have believed. You have gifted us with His Spirit to lead us, to teach us the Word, and to guide us unto righteousness.
Reading the Bible to gain knowledge of it is a good thing; but going further and reading it to find Jesus in it, to seek His face, to be in His presence and to develop an intimate relationship with Him is our ultimate goal. For Jesus is ALL.
Jesus has given His own authority to those who believe in Him. That is why when the Holy Spirit speaks through us, the truth spoken has the authority to be effective and have an impact on the listener.
Thank you for the grace, Father, that will enable your children to listen and obey when You prompt us to speak.
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Truth Enrages
Luke 4:15-29
Luke 4:15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.
:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
This whole passage was amazing to me, Father.
After Jesus stood up and read from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue the religious leaders’ response was favorable toward Him….
: 22 all were speaking well of Him and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips, and they were saying “Is this not Joseph’s son”?
They were all amazed UNTIL He spoke the Truth about them. In just a moment’s time…
: 28 “all in the synagogue were filled with rage” at Him.
He knew that they had heard of the miracles He had done in Capernaum and wanted to see the same in Nazareth, His own hometown. But when he reminded them that the OT said there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah…”yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon,
“And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eisha…and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian”
Luke 4:24 And He said, Truly, I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his home town. He was telling them that even the prophets of O.T. went outside of Israel where the non Jews were to do miracles. The religious leaders had studied the scriptures and for Him to reprove them using the scriptures, was intolerable. It infuriated them. They hated Him for it. The Truth will stir up emotions and show one’s true heart.
This is true today.
Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
Many in the world hate Jesus and as stated above, a believer will be hated also for standing up for Truth. Truth makes people accountable. It enrages them just as it did the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Today, following religion and its burdensome duties instead of the person and Spirit of Jesus Christ will only lead to resistance to Truth and the liberty that only a relationship with our Lord Jesus can bring to our life.
Jesus is life; He is our path to freedom…freedom to live with joy, freedom to love unconditionally as He has loved us, and freedom to give ourselves as He gave Himself for our sake.
We need not be surprised that the world does not receive the Truth when the Holy Spirit speaks through us. It will cause some to hate us. But the seeds of Truth are never in vain.
The cost may be high in the way of relationships and popularity but His word never returns void.
Help me Lord to stand up for Truth no matter the cost.
Luke 4:15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.
:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
This whole passage was amazing to me, Father.
After Jesus stood up and read from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue the religious leaders’ response was favorable toward Him….
: 22 all were speaking well of Him and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips, and they were saying “Is this not Joseph’s son”?
They were all amazed UNTIL He spoke the Truth about them. In just a moment’s time…
: 28 “all in the synagogue were filled with rage” at Him.
He knew that they had heard of the miracles He had done in Capernaum and wanted to see the same in Nazareth, His own hometown. But when he reminded them that the OT said there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah…”yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon,
“And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eisha…and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian”
Luke 4:24 And He said, Truly, I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his home town. He was telling them that even the prophets of O.T. went outside of Israel where the non Jews were to do miracles. The religious leaders had studied the scriptures and for Him to reprove them using the scriptures, was intolerable. It infuriated them. They hated Him for it. The Truth will stir up emotions and show one’s true heart.
This is true today.
Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
Many in the world hate Jesus and as stated above, a believer will be hated also for standing up for Truth. Truth makes people accountable. It enrages them just as it did the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Today, following religion and its burdensome duties instead of the person and Spirit of Jesus Christ will only lead to resistance to Truth and the liberty that only a relationship with our Lord Jesus can bring to our life.
Jesus is life; He is our path to freedom…freedom to live with joy, freedom to love unconditionally as He has loved us, and freedom to give ourselves as He gave Himself for our sake.
We need not be surprised that the world does not receive the Truth when the Holy Spirit speaks through us. It will cause some to hate us. But the seeds of Truth are never in vain.
The cost may be high in the way of relationships and popularity but His word never returns void.
Help me Lord to stand up for Truth no matter the cost.
Friday, October 22, 2010
How Beautiful Your Love is
You brought to my mind how beautiful Your love is. It is pure and lovely. It brings down barriers that are humanly immovable, it transforms hearts, it illumines the dark places, and it bears the eternal fruit of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
What a privilege it is to know the love of God the Father! There is no greater treasure on this earth than to have this divine love dwelling within us through Your Holy Spirit.
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” 1 John 3:1
“So we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the surpassing greatness of the power
will be of God and not from ourselves. 1Cor 4:7
There is no one on this earth that can earn the love of God. It is a free gift and ready to be given to any that are willing to ask and receive it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9
Having accepted this marvelous gift, You, Father, continue to pour it out to us daily, hour by hour, minute by minute; to be held, but not kept. When we allow Your love to be active within us, it is a crystal clear river divinely appointed to flow to the lost, the unlovely, and the ones in our lives most difficult to love in our own strength. What hope You give to us Father! It is not us, but it is Your love flowing in the grace of Your Spirit.
Thank You Father for the amazing grace to know this divine love You have loved us with. His name is Jesus.
What a privilege it is to know the love of God the Father! There is no greater treasure on this earth than to have this divine love dwelling within us through Your Holy Spirit.
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” 1 John 3:1
“So we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the surpassing greatness of the power
will be of God and not from ourselves. 1Cor 4:7
There is no one on this earth that can earn the love of God. It is a free gift and ready to be given to any that are willing to ask and receive it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9
Having accepted this marvelous gift, You, Father, continue to pour it out to us daily, hour by hour, minute by minute; to be held, but not kept. When we allow Your love to be active within us, it is a crystal clear river divinely appointed to flow to the lost, the unlovely, and the ones in our lives most difficult to love in our own strength. What hope You give to us Father! It is not us, but it is Your love flowing in the grace of Your Spirit.
Thank You Father for the amazing grace to know this divine love You have loved us with. His name is Jesus.
Monday, October 18, 2010
A Mom's Heart
In reading Luke 2:48, there is an interesting passage that caught my attention;
: 48 “And when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
: 49 and He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house? (lit: affairs; in the things of My Father)
: 50 And they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
His parents were troubled and worried because they had not found Jesus after three days of looking for Him. When they did find Him, the scripture says that they were “astonished” perhaps that here He was, sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
After finding Him safe and well (I wonder where He spent the night or who He had eaten with, if He had eaten at all?) they asked Him, “Why have you treated us this way?” They were relieved yet perhaps a little angry and frustrated at His seemingly inconsideration and irresponsibility for not letting them know what He was going to do and where He would be. (would they have understood that?) All they could think of was the fear and anxiety they had as they sought Him for three days. Three days is a long time.
Mary had been told by the angel that she would conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit and that the child would be the Son of God. Yet it had been more than twelve years and they had raised Him among His other siblings, so perhaps for those days of His being “missing”, her heart knew Him more as her first born son rather than His real identity, the Son of God. We know that Jesus was perfect, therefore the type of behavior that this seemed to be was totally out of character of their responsible first-born.
"Why have you treated us”…also speaks to me of the hurt Mary felt that He would do such a thing and worry them so.
Their reaction was totally human and from our standpoint, understandable. But God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.” (Is 55:8)
But Jesus answered them first with questions, “Why are you looking for me? Did you not know…? Jesus had never forgotten who He was, who His real Father was, and His business here on this earth. He was not apologetic in anyway. He had expected them to know He was tending to the affairs of His Father God. He expected them to trust in knowing this and therefore not be alarmed. His attitude was totally divine. This is how he thought… in the reality of God’s will all the time.
This is also a rebuke to them for not understanding; for perhaps seeing Him as only their human son. Mary had conceived Him by the power of the Holy Spirit and had been told He was the Son of God. But in her mom’s heart he was her son to be cared for and watched over.
This mainly reminded me of believer’s relationships with their families, especially parents. Sometimes we tend to our human family at times when the Father is calling us to do something else. It can cause misunderstandings and hurt on the family’s part. Yet God will provide the grace necessary to do His will
when we ask for it. Our priority must be His will even at the cost of family relationships.
Matt 10:37 He who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matt 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
In this last verse he includes houses and farms. To me that means any thing or possession that could hold us back by hesitating or not doing His will.
We are very human and our Father knows it. Just like Mary, we have our human heart and emotions and He knows that too. I am so grateful to you Father, that You see our human hearts and love us where we are.
What a wonderful, marvelous, and awesome Father you are to us!
: 48 “And when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
: 49 and He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house? (lit: affairs; in the things of My Father)
: 50 And they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
His parents were troubled and worried because they had not found Jesus after three days of looking for Him. When they did find Him, the scripture says that they were “astonished” perhaps that here He was, sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
After finding Him safe and well (I wonder where He spent the night or who He had eaten with, if He had eaten at all?) they asked Him, “Why have you treated us this way?” They were relieved yet perhaps a little angry and frustrated at His seemingly inconsideration and irresponsibility for not letting them know what He was going to do and where He would be. (would they have understood that?) All they could think of was the fear and anxiety they had as they sought Him for three days. Three days is a long time.
Mary had been told by the angel that she would conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit and that the child would be the Son of God. Yet it had been more than twelve years and they had raised Him among His other siblings, so perhaps for those days of His being “missing”, her heart knew Him more as her first born son rather than His real identity, the Son of God. We know that Jesus was perfect, therefore the type of behavior that this seemed to be was totally out of character of their responsible first-born.
"Why have you treated us”…also speaks to me of the hurt Mary felt that He would do such a thing and worry them so.
Their reaction was totally human and from our standpoint, understandable. But God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.” (Is 55:8)
But Jesus answered them first with questions, “Why are you looking for me? Did you not know…? Jesus had never forgotten who He was, who His real Father was, and His business here on this earth. He was not apologetic in anyway. He had expected them to know He was tending to the affairs of His Father God. He expected them to trust in knowing this and therefore not be alarmed. His attitude was totally divine. This is how he thought… in the reality of God’s will all the time.
This is also a rebuke to them for not understanding; for perhaps seeing Him as only their human son. Mary had conceived Him by the power of the Holy Spirit and had been told He was the Son of God. But in her mom’s heart he was her son to be cared for and watched over.
This mainly reminded me of believer’s relationships with their families, especially parents. Sometimes we tend to our human family at times when the Father is calling us to do something else. It can cause misunderstandings and hurt on the family’s part. Yet God will provide the grace necessary to do His will
when we ask for it. Our priority must be His will even at the cost of family relationships.
Matt 10:37 He who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matt 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
In this last verse he includes houses and farms. To me that means any thing or possession that could hold us back by hesitating or not doing His will.
We are very human and our Father knows it. Just like Mary, we have our human heart and emotions and He knows that too. I am so grateful to you Father, that You see our human hearts and love us where we are.
What a wonderful, marvelous, and awesome Father you are to us!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Servants of God
Rev 22:3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him
You say Father, that your “servants” will serve you. In Rev 19:10 the angel speaking to John calls himself
“a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus”. So believers are servants with the angels. If we are called “servants” in heaven then serving You when we come home to You, will be complete fulfillment for us.
But also in Galatians 5:13 Paul encourages believers to ..."through love serve one another." You do call Your children to “serve” You here right now on this earth. When a believer is centered in Your will, we are serving Your plans and purposes.
Here on earth there is sin and struggle. We find it difficult and struggle not only in discerning Your will but doing what You are asking of us. Sometimes because of fear, embarrassment, laziness, etc. we hesitate and selfishly talk ourselves out of what we know we should do. We are weak! I am thankful my strength lies in You! Eph 6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
At home with You and all the heavenly host, serving You by doing Your will is how we will live moment by moment forever and ever! It will be our joy, our deep desire, our way of life and delight!
You have brought to my mind that it needs to be the same NOW in our life; practicing the servant hood of Christ, knowing that is our future. Yielding to your will and serving others for their best interests is something we truly need to remember!
But Father, it is not a matter of simply remembering; it is a matter of a change of heart through the working of Your deep and marvelous Grace. To grow to “be” a servant so that serving comes from a transformed heart and becomes a real part of who I am, by the working of the Holy Spirit.
So much to learn! Thank you for seeing me with eyes of infinite love and mercy.
Thank You that I am perfectly acceptable to You today; You look at Your children and Your love envelopes us and brings hope and promise to our weary hearts.
Hebrews 12:1….and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross , despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You say Father, that your “servants” will serve you. In Rev 19:10 the angel speaking to John calls himself
“a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus”. So believers are servants with the angels. If we are called “servants” in heaven then serving You when we come home to You, will be complete fulfillment for us.
But also in Galatians 5:13 Paul encourages believers to ..."through love serve one another." You do call Your children to “serve” You here right now on this earth. When a believer is centered in Your will, we are serving Your plans and purposes.
Here on earth there is sin and struggle. We find it difficult and struggle not only in discerning Your will but doing what You are asking of us. Sometimes because of fear, embarrassment, laziness, etc. we hesitate and selfishly talk ourselves out of what we know we should do. We are weak! I am thankful my strength lies in You! Eph 6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
At home with You and all the heavenly host, serving You by doing Your will is how we will live moment by moment forever and ever! It will be our joy, our deep desire, our way of life and delight!
You have brought to my mind that it needs to be the same NOW in our life; practicing the servant hood of Christ, knowing that is our future. Yielding to your will and serving others for their best interests is something we truly need to remember!
But Father, it is not a matter of simply remembering; it is a matter of a change of heart through the working of Your deep and marvelous Grace. To grow to “be” a servant so that serving comes from a transformed heart and becomes a real part of who I am, by the working of the Holy Spirit.
So much to learn! Thank you for seeing me with eyes of infinite love and mercy.
Thank You that I am perfectly acceptable to You today; You look at Your children and Your love envelopes us and brings hope and promise to our weary hearts.
Hebrews 12:1….and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross , despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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