Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(1 Peter 2:13-15, 17-19, 21 NIV)
I may generally vote Republican and yet I respect and submit to President Barack Obama. I don't believe he is a Jesus follower. I don't like a lot of his policies. But I respect him as our president and his leadership. I submit to his authority. If there is conflict in he law of the US and Gods law then I will follow God. But in most things I recognize the US government and representatives for the rule of law over me. For God has given them authority. And for the most part they maintain the rule of law.
God you alone do I fear. Not life or death or government or war or disease or sin do I fear. And yet my heart and strength is weak. God strengthen me in your Love that is in Christ Jesus.
God help us to do great good in the midst of the world. Let us not argue or complain but do such good that we would be evidence of who you are and your reality God to those who resist you and do not know you.
Amen
Saturday, December 15, 2012
The Word is our source of truth and reality
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
"All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
And this is the word that was preached to you.
(1 Peter 1:22-25 NIV)
In a day of science and technology the world questions our faith and the bible. Yet we who follow God hold to he bible for truth and guidance. I struggle with this sometimes. It starts with the authors of the New Testament beyond Jesus words. But it erodes our whole faith if we let it.
The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. Yet the wisdom of God: the Cross and the word of God is foolishness to the world and yet life and salvation to us who believe.
For by the word we know Christ and his work for us. By the word we know God our creator and the epic pageant of human history. By the living Word of God we meet God in he words, people, truth and in the events in the bible. As the Spirit reveals God and truth and as we respond in prayer, word and deed we find God to be real and relevant today as he was thousands of years ago and in eternity. Jesus himself is the Word of God.
I still have fears and doubts. But I give them to you God. Help me to hold more to your living word and your promise. Help me to share you and your word with others. God please move in heir heart to reveal yourself and your truth.
Amen
"All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
And this is the word that was preached to you.
(1 Peter 1:22-25 NIV)
In a day of science and technology the world questions our faith and the bible. Yet we who follow God hold to he bible for truth and guidance. I struggle with this sometimes. It starts with the authors of the New Testament beyond Jesus words. But it erodes our whole faith if we let it.
The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. Yet the wisdom of God: the Cross and the word of God is foolishness to the world and yet life and salvation to us who believe.
For by the word we know Christ and his work for us. By the word we know God our creator and the epic pageant of human history. By the living Word of God we meet God in he words, people, truth and in the events in the bible. As the Spirit reveals God and truth and as we respond in prayer, word and deed we find God to be real and relevant today as he was thousands of years ago and in eternity. Jesus himself is the Word of God.
I still have fears and doubts. But I give them to you God. Help me to hold more to your living word and your promise. Help me to share you and your word with others. God please move in heir heart to reveal yourself and your truth.
Amen
Be Holy like God
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
(1 Peter 1:13-19 NIV)
Let us seek to be holy like our father. Keeping mind who God is and our perfect example in Jesus let us live holy and pure lives of love. God help us not to conform to the pattern of the world, but instead to shine like a light in the darkness! Let us not give in to gray areas but love well. For example in gay marriage, let us not conform to the world but let us love the people we know in that situation. God I pray for your wisdom and love to flow in that.
For truly we rely on your wisdom by the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding what is right as you instruct us in your Word. God transform us by the renewing of our mind that we may know your will in our lives and in our circumstances. But give us the will to fight and flee from sin by remembering the pain and precious blood of Christ who endured all things for our forgiveness and salvation from sin.
God we set our hope in you and in heaven. Our righteousness is only what Christ has already done for us. Our only hope is to live in heaven in your house eternally God. Let us not be proud but humble to be obedient Father.
Amen
Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
(1 Peter 1:13-19 NIV)
Let us seek to be holy like our father. Keeping mind who God is and our perfect example in Jesus let us live holy and pure lives of love. God help us not to conform to the pattern of the world, but instead to shine like a light in the darkness! Let us not give in to gray areas but love well. For example in gay marriage, let us not conform to the world but let us love the people we know in that situation. God I pray for your wisdom and love to flow in that.
For truly we rely on your wisdom by the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding what is right as you instruct us in your Word. God transform us by the renewing of our mind that we may know your will in our lives and in our circumstances. But give us the will to fight and flee from sin by remembering the pain and precious blood of Christ who endured all things for our forgiveness and salvation from sin.
God we set our hope in you and in heaven. Our righteousness is only what Christ has already done for us. Our only hope is to live in heaven in your house eternally God. Let us not be proud but humble to be obedient Father.
Amen
Monday, December 10, 2012
A small light in dark times
But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, "My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city." Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." (Jeremiah 38:7-10 NIV)
While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 39:15-18 NIV)
Even as God finally unleashes his wrath on unrepentant Israel and Judah, he has mercy on one for his faithfulness and righteous act. This man who is a foreigner knows God and acts to save Jeremiah. So God saves this man a foreigner even as he shows no favoritism to his chosen people Judah.
In these sometimes dark times in he midst of an unrepentant and ungodly generation God invites us to remain faithful. God invites us to bring light into a dark world. And he will not forget. God I want to be that light and I pray you would encourage me by your hope and the light of others around the world. God I am weak and selfish but I pray you would use me for your good.
Amen
While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 39:15-18 NIV)
Even as God finally unleashes his wrath on unrepentant Israel and Judah, he has mercy on one for his faithfulness and righteous act. This man who is a foreigner knows God and acts to save Jeremiah. So God saves this man a foreigner even as he shows no favoritism to his chosen people Judah.
In these sometimes dark times in he midst of an unrepentant and ungodly generation God invites us to remain faithful. God invites us to bring light into a dark world. And he will not forget. God I want to be that light and I pray you would encourage me by your hope and the light of others around the world. God I am weak and selfish but I pray you would use me for your good.
Amen
Thursday, December 6, 2012
God gives so many chances
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." It may be that their plea for mercy will come before the Lord, and that every one will turn from his evil way, for great is the anger and wrath that the Lord has pronounced against this people." So they went into the court to the king, having put the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, and they reported all the words to the king. Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son and Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel to seize Baruch the secretary and Jeremiah the prophet, but the Lord hid them. (Jeremiah 36:1-3, 7, 20-26 ESV)
God holds out hope and a chance again and again for Israel to listen and come to him. To repent and new life. But here is an example of the consequences of leadership. King Jehoiakim is afraid of the truth and instead of listening and fearing God and repenting he tries to run from this and he burns the scroll.
But God doesn't let this leader keep his word from his people Israel:
Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.
(Jeremiah 36:27, 28, 30 ESV)
God always pursues us even in our sin. In Jesus alone in Christianity alone does God reach out again and again. And there is our hope: the cross nothing more nothing less. And God let's us choose him and life through the cross or death without God.
Thank you God for loving us to such a price but giving us the choice.
I choose you God.
Amen
God holds out hope and a chance again and again for Israel to listen and come to him. To repent and new life. But here is an example of the consequences of leadership. King Jehoiakim is afraid of the truth and instead of listening and fearing God and repenting he tries to run from this and he burns the scroll.
But God doesn't let this leader keep his word from his people Israel:
Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.
(Jeremiah 36:27, 28, 30 ESV)
God always pursues us even in our sin. In Jesus alone in Christianity alone does God reach out again and again. And there is our hope: the cross nothing more nothing less. And God let's us choose him and life through the cross or death without God.
Thank you God for loving us to such a price but giving us the choice.
I choose you God.
Amen
Our stubborn hearts like Israel
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord. The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered." But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me." (Jeremiah 35:12-19 ESV)
We are a stubborn people. God continually cries out to us. He shows us the right ways that we may walk by still waters in the abundant life of walking in the narrow path of The Lord. When we turn away, he guides us back. When we turn around and sin he rebukes us to save us.
God works all things for his good purposes. But if we are stubborn we may walk away from The Lord and from life. But if like Jonadab and his family are faithful and trust God even when we don't understand we will get to be with God forever. For we have chosen God in this life and his ways. We will know him and his ways. So in eternity we will rejoice in simply being with God.
Amen
We are a stubborn people. God continually cries out to us. He shows us the right ways that we may walk by still waters in the abundant life of walking in the narrow path of The Lord. When we turn away, he guides us back. When we turn around and sin he rebukes us to save us.
God works all things for his good purposes. But if we are stubborn we may walk away from The Lord and from life. But if like Jonadab and his family are faithful and trust God even when we don't understand we will get to be with God forever. For we have chosen God in this life and his ways. We will know him and his ways. So in eternity we will rejoice in simply being with God.
Amen
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
How much this side of heaven?
"You are saying about this city, 'By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon'; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
(Jeremiah 32:36-41 NIV)
That all sounds great. But when did it happen? In the return from exile? In Jesus Or is it only in part now? For it seems like we still turn from you God.
How much of this is fulfilled this side of heaven God.
God I want to remember that you bring freedom and healing in this life. But our eternal home and our hope is in heaven. Not in relationship. Not in being fully righteous now. For though Christ is in me this side of heaven I am still in flesh and sin. But Christ is victorious. So how much do we recieve of your promises this side of heaven?
God thank you for your faithfulness. Please help me to trust in you and to hope in heaven as my home and not anything in this world. Thank you for all the blessings you give me. Help me to be generous! God remind me everyday of the cross and my hope in you alone.
Amen
(Jeremiah 32:36-41 NIV)
That all sounds great. But when did it happen? In the return from exile? In Jesus Or is it only in part now? For it seems like we still turn from you God.
How much of this is fulfilled this side of heaven God.
God I want to remember that you bring freedom and healing in this life. But our eternal home and our hope is in heaven. Not in relationship. Not in being fully righteous now. For though Christ is in me this side of heaven I am still in flesh and sin. But Christ is victorious. So how much do we recieve of your promises this side of heaven?
God thank you for your faithfulness. Please help me to trust in you and to hope in heaven as my home and not anything in this world. Thank you for all the blessings you give me. Help me to be generous! God remind me everyday of the cross and my hope in you alone.
Amen
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