Always Faithful

One of the great truths about the God we serve is that he is faithful. From before the creation of the world, before we were a twinkle in our mother's eye, before the fall, he has faithfully loved us. 

In our struggle with sin Paul reminds us that, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can endure it" (I Corinthians 10:13).

And when we didn't exactly get the victory John says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

The Lord promised at the fall that the seed of the woman would one day crush the serpents' head. Yesterday was Good Friday and we remembered that Jesus died on the cross, in our place. The enemy thought he had the victory, but tomorrow we remember that Christ rose from the grave, conquering sin and death. Christ fulfilled the promise of the Father, destroying the power of sin and death. That is the foundation of our faith. That is love, that is faithfulness.  

Remember His Faithfulness

Stop and take a few moments to remember God's faithfulness to you this past year...

Great is His Love

What Do They See?

When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Genesis 39:3-4 NIV

What do people see when they observe when they observe us going about our daily life? If we are just doing what we should be doing as servants of Christ, people should see someone acting righteously, serving others. 

A few years ago I attended a funeral of long time friend of the family. One thing that I was impressed with was that nearly ever person who worked with him said that he would always take the time to help others. No matter what he was doing he would help them with whatever they were dealing with. As a Christian he left a powerful impression on those around him. That is a good legacy.

The Apostle Paul instructed us to, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each of one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free" (Ephesians 6:7-8). Do what you do as if you are working directly for Jesus and trust him to be glorified in your efforts. He will use you in some way. If we concern ourselves with what God sees, he will take care of what others see as we serve him.

The Word of the Day: Faithfulness

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, 
   for he comes,

   he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness 
   and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Psalms 96:13 NIV

God is not like an earthly judge who can be swayed to interpret laws according to their political leanings. He has no confusion about what is right or what is wrong. He doesn't change his mind and he shows no favoritism. 

There is something that God alone can provide in his faithfulness and that is Jesus. In Christ Jesus not only is all justice met, but, mercy and grace are provided. If we are honest we all realize no one will be able to stand before God and claim righteousness in and of themselves. In his faithfulness he provided justice and mercy for you and me. Thank God for his faithfulness!

Be Faithful, Not Afraid

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

I wish I could tell you that as soon as you decide to follow Jesus everything goes perfectly. It would be lovely it that was so. It's just not the reality of life as a Christian. We do have trials. We still don't see the end from the beginning. Painful things happen.

Yesterday, one of my best friends, who was the best man at my wedding, went to be with the Lord. He had been in a terrible accident several years ago that resulted in the loss of a lung and the use of one arm, not to mention nearly the loss of his own life. He was in constant pain. Before I got married we used to go to Rudy's Diner for breakfast on Saturday mornings. I remember many a conversation around why God would allow suffering. Eventually he healed enough where he could get around. He volunteered as a greeter in church. He learned to be faithful, even in the struggle. Now, he is part of that great cloud of witnesses. 

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Revelation 2:8-11 NIV

Word of the Day: Faithfulness

I will praise you with the harp

   for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
   Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
   when I sing praise to you—
   I whom you have delivered.

Psalms 71:22-23 NIV

I started reading through the Psalms on a daily when I was in college. I did it with the purpose of finding attributes of God to meditate on and remember throughout the day to help me to not be anxious. Every time I would start to feel anxious I would just repeat to myself the word/attribute of the day. 

Each season of my life has brought on new challenges to my faith. Each time I must seek God anew and learn to trust him. The difference is now, I look back and even though I didn't see how God could bring me through, I remember the times he did. His faithfulness is new everyday. 

Father, thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you that even if we are faithless, you remain faithful (2 Timothy 2:13)! Help us to rest in you today, knowing that even though we can't see how we know who will bring us through. Praise be to you in us today!

The Encouragement of Hardships

Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 

Acts 14:22 NIV

This is not what some seem to preach these days. I hear a lot about asking for what I want, not what God wants. I see much about Christianity for success and prosperity, rather than righteousness and being a servant. 

According to Paul and Barnabas we need to be concerned about being true to the faith and hardships will be the tests that lead us to the kingdom of God.  I know this is true, yet I am often caught off guard when I encounter hardship, as if it was unexpected. This verse reminds me that hardships are part of the process. I need to be faithful and remain true to the faith. 

Lord, help me to remember that hardships are neither punishment or failure, rather, they are pathways to the kingdom of God. Strengthen me that I may remain true to the faith, true to you. Praise be to you in us today!

Reverence: A Good Deal

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 

Malachi 4:2

I think this is a good deal. I revere God's name. He heals my life. 

What can I do today to revere his name? 

I can read the Bible. I can pray. 

From the book of Malachi I can: 

• remember and thank God that he has loved me in Christ Jesus.
• be honest in my offerings to God.
• tithe.
• keep my marriage vows. 

These may seem simple, but, sometimes simplicity is the key to success. I find it profound that the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, begins with the reminder that God first loved us. The New Testament will be the demonstration of God first loving us by the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. Our response is to revere his name and love as he has loved us. 

IT'S ABOUT GOD

"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." Hebrews 11:4 

Sometimes I don't feel like my prayers are being heard. I don't feel like my confession is accepted. Frankly, it's not about me. It is about God's faithfulness. 

Cain just brought some of his stuff. Abel brought the fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. Abel sees the first thing his efforts produce and acknowledges it comes from God. I kind of get the picture that for Cain he just sort of grabs some stuff on the way to church as an afterthought. A little convicting. 

We need to remember, God gives us everything we have, even the ability to work, to produce and to provide for our families. For that I we should always be grateful.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness and graciousness. Praise be to you in us today!

LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS ARE GOD'S GLORY

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us

     but to your name be the glory,

     because of your love and faithfulness."

 Hebrews 115:1

Sometime things get pretty crazy. Whatever the crisis, whatever the trial, it will be the Lord's love and faithfulness that will carry us through. He will be glorified.

Everyone has struggles. But, we have God. Everyone encounters difficult people who seem to be enemies with everyone they come in contact with. But, we have the Lord on our side to fight our battles and vindicate us.

What is your trial today? Who or what is your enemy that you are battling?  Call on God. Trust in him. He is loving and faithful. It is his glory to help us and shield us. 

Father, help us to call upon you and trust you with the trials and enemies we face. Be glorified in us. Help us and shield us today! Praise be to you in us today!

BOY SCOUTS AND GODLINESS / Titus 2:13-14

"While we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14

My youngest son is in Scouting and he just transitioned from a Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He had to learn the Scout Oath and Law. We had a Court of Honor meeting last night and our troop does a potluck. As we were getting in the car my son held the door open for his sister to get in first. That does not always happen. But, going to the scout meeting reminded him to act like a scout. I think that is kind of like us and the second coming of Christ. Realizing that Christ is coming should give us extra motivation to good. 

I think I should be eager to do what is good naturally. Unfortunately we do have a sinful nature that seeks self gratification without thought of the consequences.  It is worse than eating something that you know will give you heartburn later. It is worse because sin sometimes leaves a scar or a hook. But, doing what is godly, living a life of love in faith, never leaves a scar and doesn't hook you but frees you. When we do what is good, which is love as Christ loved us, we will reap the fruit of righteousness. 

Here's the to do: Be good to other people. How will you be good to your spouse today? Your kids? Your fellow workers or employees? Love as Christ has loved you...

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for your forgiveness, patience, grace and mercy. Your faithfulness is amazing! Help us to love as you have loved us! Praise be to you in us today!