How does God redeem you?

"But God will redeem my life from the grave; 
     he will surely take me to himself."
Psalm 49:15

How does God redeem you?

Do you look forward to God taking you to himself?

Holy Spirit, speak to our hearts.

GOD GUIDES, TO THE END

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; 
     he will be our guide even to the end." 
 Psalm 48:14

In Hebrews chapter 2 we read about Christ become our perfect High Priest by becoming like us. Christ, became a man and experienced life as we know it so that he might save us completely. Jesus knows what it feels like to be a human. Christ even experienced and defeated death on our behalf. 

Whatever you are going through, God knows the way. Wherever you are, God knows the way. God will make a way. 

Father, help us to follow you as you lead us through our lives. Praise be to you in us today! 

A TASTE OF DEATH FOR YOU

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,   now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." Hebrews 2:9

Here's the deal: Jesus was made like us to die for us. Get it? Jesus didn't come into the world to become God, he always has been, and he always will be God. He came to provide redemption, salvation, forgiveness and the deliverance from death.  

When Christ was on the cross just before he died he cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). The pain of separation from the Father shook the earth and spit the temple curtain in two (Matthew 27:51-52). The sting of death, is eternal separation from God. Physical death is only a part of death. Spiritual death is the other. Death, is actually eternal aloneness. Alone from hope, alone from peace, alone from God. 

When Christ died on the cross, he experienced death for us. The superiority of Christ is demonstrated in the completeness of the salvation he provides for us. 

The moments of aloneness we experience on here on earth are to remind us that Christ took that upon himself so that we do not have to die apart from God, but, we can live forever with him in paradise. 

Jesus, thank you for tasting death for us. Praise be to you in us today!

CHRIST REIGNS IRREGARDLESS OF PERCEPTION

""...and put everything under his feet."

 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not  subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." Hebrews 2:8

Well, this is reality isn't it? We know Jesus is Lord, we just can't see it all the time. I think this is where faith truly comes into our lives. 

You may think there is some magic prayer of faith that will induce God to act quickly. But, his time is not our time. 

You may have heard that there is an exalted state of personal faith where your belief in the greatness, faithfulness and power of God will open the blessings of heaven upon your life. But, God's often tends to dispense his blessings in ways we can't imagine. 

You may think that your faithfulness to Christ warrants some kind of tangible evidence of the reign of Christ in and around you life. But, our righteousness is but filthy rags in God's sight. The truth is that it is never about our goodness but it is always about his faithfulness. Although I do believe that living by faith helps us see God working, our works can never force God to act. 

God acts when he sees fit. His ways our not our ways (yes, I find that frustrating sometimes).  But, his love in unfailing and everlasting. His promise is to work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28). God reigns. God will and does act when he sees fit and he will not be persuaded to move until he knows in his perfect wisdom, the time is right. 

Father, help us to be still and know that you are God. Open our eyes to see you in our lives today! Praise be to you in us today! 

HEY! WHAT DID YOU HEAR?

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have  heard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews 2:1 

Sometimes we don't need to hear something new, we just need to get what we got. Students will always tell me they don't understand something, particularly directions. I will tell them to read the directions out loud to me. The vast majority of the time about halfway through they say, "Oh, got it" and get back to task. 

How many times have you gone to church hoping to hear something new, something to stimulate your faith? That's OK. But, I believe that what we really need is to see again the truth found in Christ Jesus and his glorious redemptive saving grace. Maybe we just need to see how his grace applies to our lives at this given moment. 

There has been many a time that I have sought God (alone or at church) and after a time of remembering God' Sovereignty, his unfailing love, and his grace to me, I say, "Oh, I got it" and get back to walking by faith. 

What have you heard about the love of God of you? What have you heard of the faithfulness of God toward you? What have you heard about the power of God in Christ's resurrection now working in you? What have you heard? 

Don't let what you have heard, what you know, drift away. Hold onto Christ, he is holding on to you!

Father, remind us of the many things you have spoken to us and shown us. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD HAS PROMISED GOOD THINGS

"I have been with you been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth."

"O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." II Samuel 7:9, 28-29

What do these verses say to you? 

Spirit of God, speak to us...

CHRIST IS MORE THAN ALL THAT

"So he became as much superior to the angles as the name he has

inherited is superior to theirs." Hebrews 1:4

The point the author is trying to make is that Christs' position in the universe is superior to anything else, save the Father. This is important when we realize that then as now people were concerned with how God worked in their lives. The emphasis is that God sent his Son to intercede in our lives, not just angels. 

It is a wonderful thought to know that God uses his angels to guard us (Psalm 91:10-12; Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10). But, to know that he sent his One and Only Son to die for our sins and that Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf, that is amazing! 

The name Jesus inherited is the rank of firstborn. Think of it this way. Why do some religions want to say that Jesus is a prophet? Because they want to make him one of many prophets, not the Son of God. The author of Hebrews is reminding us that Jesus is superior to anything or anyone else. 

Father, praise you for sending Jesus to be our High Priest. Thank you that he died for our sins and that he ever lives to intercede for us at your right hand! Praise be to you in us today!

SECURE IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE: PSALM 48:8-9

"As we have heard,            
     so have we seen
 in the city of the LORD Almighty,
     in the city of our God;
     God makes her secure forever.
 Within your temple, O God,
     we meditate on your unfailing love."
 Psalm 48:8-9

Father, today we thank you for your unfailing love and the security being in You brings. Praise be to you in us today!

HAS GOD BEEN YOUR FORTRESS? / PSALM 48:1-3

"Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, 
     in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
 It is beautiful in it loftiness,
     the joy of the whole earth.
 Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
     the city of the Great King.
 God is in her citadels;
     he has shown himself to be her fortress."
 Psalm 48:1-3

Many times I have found myself to be in the middle of a battle, and God was my only place of refuge. He has always shown himself to be my fortress. I may have taken a few incoming blasts from the enemy, but, in the end, God has always been my fortress. 

I was managing (usually the night shift) a Mimi's Cafe and I caught the day manager, several times, taking money from my drawer and putting it in his. This made my drawers come out off and his were right on. I told the general manager and he just blew me off! Finally, after several months, another manager got the GM to listen and they fired the manager who was taking money from my drawer. It took awhile, but in the end I was vindicated. 

As Christians, we will be in constant battle until Christ comes again to reign triumphant. So, trust and obey. Keep up the good fight and remember the many times he has recused you. 

How has God been your fortress?

Father, open our eyes to see you in our lives. Help us to remain in you! Praise be to you in us today!

IT'S NOT ABOUT SECOND CHANCES/ Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

Wow! Salvation is more than forgiveness. The work of Christ as Savior and Lord is more than dying for our sins, as if that wasn't more than we could imagine in itself. Our Savior provides continued salvation by interceding for us. Later in Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Christ "is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them". That is one reason why he sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

No if, ands or buts about it, your salvation is complete. Every "if I", "and I", or even "but I" is included in your salvation. Remember, it is not about second chances to be good enough. Think about that! Christianity is not about being good enough to deserve salvation. No one will ever be good enough. It's just about living in the grace of the moment. 

Father, help us to live in the realization that Jesus sustains us in his grace. Praise be to you in us today!

POWERFUL WORD/ Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

I once got a phone call at 7am to report to a different school. At the end of the day there was a Staff Meeting and the Director (just under the superintendent) for the group of schools was there. I knew him and asked him why I was moved. He told me, "Because I wanted you here." One word from him, and I was changed from one school to another. That is just a small example of the power that God holds in his very words. 

Revelation 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Sometimes I wonder what is going on in my life and these verses reminds me that ultimately, it is God that holds my life together. 

The entire universe from the electrons and neutrons at the core of every atom are held together by power of God's word. If God can hold the universe together, he can hold your life together. He does. If he wasn't, all would be coming undone. I know sometimes it feels like everything is coming apart. In this world we will have trails, hard times. But, in the end God works out everything for the good of those who love him. 

Father, we pray that you would work all things out in our lives for the good. That which is not good, we ask you to work for the good. Thank you for you gracious faithfulness to us! Praise be to you in us today!

THE SON IS

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

If you have ever watched "Swamp People" then you know who Troy Landry is. You can definitely see him in his sons. They each one reflect their father to some degree. God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ reflects God's glory the deepest most real way possible. 

Jesus Christ radiates the truth and reality of his Father, God. If you want to know what God the Father is like, see Christ. In Matthew 21:12-13 we see that God does not like people taking advantage of others, especially in his house. All through out the gospels we see Jesus dealing with the sinners and calling out the "religious" self-righteous leaders. If you want to know who God is, look at what Jesus did. 

Jesus, loved us by dying for us. God's righteousness and mercy met in Jesus' death on the cross and revealed to us the absolute truth about who God is. Christ's resurrection proclaims God's power over death, which only he can do. 

Do you want to know God? Know Christ.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to reveal yourself to us. Open the eyes of our understanding to know you in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD SPEAKS, DO YOU HEAR?

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." Hebrews 1:1-2

God has something to say to each one of us. And the most important part of what God is trying to tell us is completely centered around his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It may not seem like it right now, but Christ is the King, he will be the King and his reign will be everlasting. When he returns he will take his rightful place as Lord of Lords and King of Kings and every knee will bow down before him and acknowledge that he is Lord.

The universe itself was created by him. Christ is eternal. Christ is Creator. If anyone understands anything, it must  be Christ. He knew before the creation that mankind would rebel and sin. He knew that Satan would try to usurp his authority. He knew that many would reject his gracious act of redemption. Yet, he created. Still he came and died in our place, for our sins. 

What God has to say to us, he is saying through Christ. 

Listen...

Father, praise be to you, praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. You are Creator and Redeemer. Open our hearts and minds to hear all that you are saying to us! Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU FINDING REST?

"Sing praises to God, sing praises;
     sing praises to our King, sing praises.
 For God is the King of all the earth; 
     sing to him a psalm of praise.
 God reigns over the nations;
     God is seated on his holy throne."
Psalm 47:6-8

Sunday is a day of rest. Rest in God. What in you life do you need to remember to rest in God about? 

Father, thank you that we can rest in you! Praise be to you today!

EVEN THERE...

"Clap your hands, all you nations;
     shout to God with cries of joy!
 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
     the great King over all the earth!"
Psalm 47:1-2

Where on the earth are you right now? God is King over even there. There is no place he can not reach you.

What is going on in your life right now? God is King over even that. There is no circumstance he can not use when we chose to love and trust him.

Father, reveal yourself to our very lives today! Praise be to you in us today!

GO ALL IN! / Philemon 6

"I pray that you may be active in your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Philemon 6

There is a difference between an observer and a participant. If you have ever played any kind of sport, you know what I am talking about. Being active in your faith is the only way you can see the good things God has for you. 

Many people say they are members of a church, yet, they don't really participate. Even though I attend a weekly men's study and try to be active in my group I feel there is a deeper level. Think about it. Going to church on a weekly basis doesn't really make you an active member, it just means you are a permanent visitor. The deeper the investment the greater the experience. 

Christianity is more than just going to church and evangelism (both of which are necessary). Christianity encompasses all our lives. From home to work, Christ reigns. Faith is to be active in every part of our lives. I had a youth pastor once who was a drywall contractor. He said, "There is no Jesus in the kingdom of drywall." He learned, there is. Christ must reign in every area of our lives. Seeking Christ in every area of our lives allows us to see Christ in every area of our lives.

Father, help us to seek you in every area of our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? / Titus 3:14

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." Titus 3:14

If being good was easy, the whole world would be a different place. But, that pesky sinful nature, just doesn't want to go away. And, truth be told, to some extent, behavior is learned. That is why, Paul reminds Titus to teach the people to do good and he mentions it twice here at the end of the letter (3:8, & 14). 

Another way of saying this would be to be in the habit of setting in place the right or best things to do. When you are devoted to something, you make time for it. My neighbor is definitely a devoted Dodger fan. I know this because every time there is a Dodger game I can hear him cheering (then I check my ESPN app  and see that the Dodger just scored). The point is that he plans and makes time to watch the games. In the same way we should think about good works; plan them out, and execute them. 

Right now, think of one good work you can do today. Plan it and do it. 

* I would love to hear what you come up with. Please write it in the comments section below. Then come back and let us know how it went. 

Spirit of the living God, give us wisdom to plan and do good works. Praise be to you in us today!

TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN: Titus 3:9

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." Titus 3:9

If you have ever been involved in an online "discussion" with someone with an opposing viewpoint,  then you probably have a pretty good idea what this verse is talking about. Most of the time people just write whatever pops into their minds without really thinking about it. Frankly, most people are trained to think anymore and it shows in what they write. I thought I was involved in a decent conversation with an atheist about two weeks ago. But, he just kept avoiding responding to anything that would cause him to evaluate why he actually held any of his beliefs. It was time to shut it down. 

The point is to be wise. Know when it is time to not say something. Sometimes silence makes people listen to not only what they said or what they were going to say, but, it also allows God to speak.

Father, give us wisdom to know when and when not to speak. Praise be to you in us today!

THIS IS A FOOTBALL: Titus 3:8

"This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." Titus 3:8

There's a famous story about Vince Lombardi giving a speech to the Green Bay Packers at the beginning of training camp. He took a football at set it down in front of the team and said, "Gentlemen, this is a football." One of the players jokingly asked, "Coach, can you go over that again?" The point was that they needed to get back to the basics. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Christianity. The basics of our Christian life pretty much boil down to trust God and do good to others. Some people tend to overcomplicate things. Some, try to create a system by which they can check to see if what they're doing is right. Both, in my opinion lead to legalism. Legalism kills the joy and strangles the love inherent in following Christ. In Galatians 5:6b Paul reminds the Galatians that "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love". 

So, let's keep this simple. Whatever is going on in your life. Wherever you are at. Trust God and devote yourself to doing what is good. 

Father, help us to trust you and do what is good today, no matter where we work or what we are going through. Praise be to you in us today!

LISTEN... Psalm 46:8-11

"Come and see the works of the LORD,
     the desolations he has brought on the earth.
 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
     he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
     he burns the shields with fire.
 "Be still and know that I am God;
      I will be exalted among the nations,
      I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah" 
Psalm 46:8-11

Listen...

EVEN YOUR FORTRESS: Psalm 46:7

"The LORD Almighty is with us;
     the God of Jacob is our fortress."
 Psalm 46:7

Two things to remember today. The LORD Almighty is with you and the God of Jacob is your fortress. 

I see it all the time coaching my son's teams. I kid will be looking into the stands, popping their head out to see if their mom or dad is there yet. Once they know they're there, the kid settles down. Sometimes that's us! We look around trying to see God in whatever situation we are in. The truth is: God is with us. He will never leave you or forsake you. God, the LORD Almighty is with you.

Not only is God with you, he is your fortress! When the Psalmist says "the God of Jacob" he is saying that God is the God of those of us who are not exactly perfect. Remember, Jacob was the one who stole his brother's birthright and the blessing of the first born. His name means "he grasps the heel"  which figuratively means "he deceives"! Lying sneaky thief might be one way to say it. Think about it. You, like me, may know that you are not exactly perfect. Yet, God is your fortress. God is with you and he is going to keep you safe.

Father, help us to abide in you. To live in your presence and under your protection. Praise be to you in us today!

WILL LEARN VS WON'T LEARN: Titus 3:5-7

"He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5b-7

Did you notice that everything in those verses is what God does? All we do is receive and reap the benefits. Now, there is a process that we are active recipients in. Yes, he saves us. Yes, he washes us through rebirth. Yes, he renews us by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But, we must let God do those things in our lives. 

For the last couple of years I have been working with middle school students who struggle with their English language skills. What it usually boils down to is those who "will do" and those who "won't do". If a student will give any kind of effort they will learn something. But, if they choose not to learn there isn't much I can do. I can work with them one-on-one, set up individualized software programs, and allow them extra time, but, if they choose to not learn, they won't.

Isn't that how we are with God working in our lives? God speaks to us in ways that only we could understand, sets up individualized learning experiences (trials), and even patiently allows us extra time to learn. And yet... The point is that God is not done with you. God is still patiently teaching you that he loves you and is sovereignly in control of your life. There is hope. 

Father, help us to learn the lessons you put before us. Open our eyes to see your gracious, sovereign hand in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

"I walk about in freedom,
     for I have sought out your precepts." Psalm 119:45

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
     because the LORD has anointed me
     to preach good news to the poor.
 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
     to proclaim freedom for the captives
     and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1


May God richly bless America with his freedom and grace. 

Paula Deen, Hate and Mercy / Titus 3:4-5

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy." Titus 3:4-5a

The Apostle Paul knew all about hate. He went from house to house to persecute the church.  But the kindness and love of God appeared to him. Saul was changed to Paul. 

Think back in your life. Remember what God in Christ has saved you from. I am always struck by the amount of hate I see in the world today. And there is no mercy, no grace. Think of Paula Deen, the now ex Food Network host. Years ago she used a racial slur. There is no grace for Paula Deen from the world. There is forgiveness, mercy and grace from Christ.

But, that is not how God works. God sent Jesus Christ to die for ALL our sins. It is not about our righteous deeds, because they are but filthy rags in his eyes (the only eyes that matter), it is about his mercy. There is mercy for me and you. 

So stop and take stock. Are you living more like before you gave your life to Christ? Maybe you have never given your life to Christ? Is hate, malice and envy controlling you and dominating your thoughts? Maybe it's time to get some mercy. Maybe it's time to share some mercy and grace. 

Father, thank you for your mercy and grace toward us! Help us to live in your mercy and give your mercy to those around us. Praise be to you in us today!

TODAY IN 1555 / Titus 3:1-3

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." Titus 3:1-3

On July 1, 1555, John Bradford was martyred in England. While in prison he watched others being taken to be executed and said, "There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford." The phrase has become, "There, but for the grace of God, go I". I remember hearing it from my grandmother if there was someone who was poor or had a problem. It was always presented in a way that made me remember that I have and I am only what I have an am by the grace of God.  

In I Corinthians 1:26-29 Paul reminds us, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thing - and the things that are not - to nullify the thing that are, so that no may boast before him." 

The to do is very simple. Approach everyone else with humility, remembering that, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." 

Father, thank you for your grace to us. Praise be to you in and through us today!