Psalm 86:11 / New Living Translation - "Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you"
If you have ever tried to clean a white dog who rolled around in the mud, you know that it seems impossible to get rid of every speck of dirt - especially if said puppy isn't too keen on bathe time. If it would just sit still and allow its owner to get him/her cleaned, all traces of dirt could be eliminated. But often times, neither the dog nor the owner has that type of patience.
Cleaning up the sin in our lives can feel similar. Finding and ridding ourselves of all impurity can be a slow and painful process. It might seem downright impossible at times. Maybe we don't want to be examined, or perhaps sitting still is the problem.
The good news is we don't have to try to purify ourselves. We allow God to do it for us. Fortunately, he is patient, and he has the perfect solution. He uses the sacrifice of his Son - the pure, spotless lamb - to wash away all of our dirt. Every last speck.
Does the thought of being thoroughly cleaned appeal to you, or does it make you nervous? Maybe the answer is a little of both. You can trust the Lord to gently wash all the filth away and cause you to be pure again. Can you sit still for long enough to let him do it?
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
He Makes Me Whole
Philippians 3:21 / New Living Translation - "He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control"
When a flower pot crashes to the floor or a vase shatters, we consider the damage in hopes that it can be repaired. What is left? Dangerously tiny shards of glass, too small to piece back together? Or simple, bulky pieces like those of a puzzle, needing only glue and patience? One thing is certain: we will work harder to fix something that has great value to us.
Just like the broken vase, we are broken vessels in need of extensive repairs. No elaborate doctoring is required, however, just the humblest of procedures. We hold out our hands and give our broken, desperate, painful, sinful, prideful selves over to the one who mends us into wholeness without a single remaining scar or crack.
How can God do this? Because he is both holy and whole, and we are his creation. We were always meant to be perfect, but sin got in the way. Now, we can only submit to the one whose healing work never leaves a scar and whose abiding love makes us whole forever.
Do you have scars of brokenness that need healing? Hold everything up to God, who fully covers everything, and in the process makes you whole.
When a flower pot crashes to the floor or a vase shatters, we consider the damage in hopes that it can be repaired. What is left? Dangerously tiny shards of glass, too small to piece back together? Or simple, bulky pieces like those of a puzzle, needing only glue and patience? One thing is certain: we will work harder to fix something that has great value to us.
Just like the broken vase, we are broken vessels in need of extensive repairs. No elaborate doctoring is required, however, just the humblest of procedures. We hold out our hands and give our broken, desperate, painful, sinful, prideful selves over to the one who mends us into wholeness without a single remaining scar or crack.
How can God do this? Because he is both holy and whole, and we are his creation. We were always meant to be perfect, but sin got in the way. Now, we can only submit to the one whose healing work never leaves a scar and whose abiding love makes us whole forever.
Do you have scars of brokenness that need healing? Hold everything up to God, who fully covers everything, and in the process makes you whole.
Friday, May 6, 2016
He Gives Me Victory
Romans 8:35,37 / New Living Translation - "Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us"
It is tempting to take shortcuts, but a life of victory is not a life without disappointment or hard work. Jesus promised us trials and difficulties as we follow him. This world is a fallen one, full of people using their free-will for sin and destruction. Jesus' promise was meant to prepare us for the rejection, bitterness and hatred we would encounter.
Jesus also promised us grace, strength, hope, and victory. Don't be deceived to think that good works, prayers or even faith will produce a life of ease and earthly blessing, showered down from above. We have one promise of victory and that is the saving love of Jesus Christ.
Don't ever fear that you will be overcome; his love, even in times of despair, is victorious over all. Anything other than Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection are your great and glorious victory, is a waste of your precious time!
It is tempting to take shortcuts, but a life of victory is not a life without disappointment or hard work. Jesus promised us trials and difficulties as we follow him. This world is a fallen one, full of people using their free-will for sin and destruction. Jesus' promise was meant to prepare us for the rejection, bitterness and hatred we would encounter.
Jesus also promised us grace, strength, hope, and victory. Don't be deceived to think that good works, prayers or even faith will produce a life of ease and earthly blessing, showered down from above. We have one promise of victory and that is the saving love of Jesus Christ.
Don't ever fear that you will be overcome; his love, even in times of despair, is victorious over all. Anything other than Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection are your great and glorious victory, is a waste of your precious time!
Thursday, May 5, 2016
He Understands Me
John 10:27-28 / English Standard Version - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand"
An international festival is held each year and the most popular event showcases the talents of Irish sheep dogs. The shepherd uses whistles and quiet voice commands to direct the dog, who in turn herds the sheep through various obstacles and dangers. Audiences marvel at the speed of the dogs and the swift changes in the herd's direction, all due to the effective communication between man, dog and sheep.
Jesus often spoke about shepherds, calling himself our Good Shepherd. His followers understood that sheep need help through many obstacles and dangers, just as we do. And we need Jesus to communicate with us in a quiet, familiar voice so we will know which way to turn for safety.
Our shepherd has one goal: keep his lambs safe. He hems us in, depending on our destination, with gentle calls and prodding when necessary. He understands our limits, our tendency to wander, our nature to rebel. In his goodness, he nudges our sides, reminding us to trust him and obey his commands. We must follow him to safety, to eternal life.
When you listen to God, moving in unison with speed and accuracy, you are an example in a lost world. Trust and obey, knowing that God understands you and leads you to glory.
Take some time to listen for his voice today. He understands you on a much deeper level than you may know.
An international festival is held each year and the most popular event showcases the talents of Irish sheep dogs. The shepherd uses whistles and quiet voice commands to direct the dog, who in turn herds the sheep through various obstacles and dangers. Audiences marvel at the speed of the dogs and the swift changes in the herd's direction, all due to the effective communication between man, dog and sheep.
Jesus often spoke about shepherds, calling himself our Good Shepherd. His followers understood that sheep need help through many obstacles and dangers, just as we do. And we need Jesus to communicate with us in a quiet, familiar voice so we will know which way to turn for safety.
Our shepherd has one goal: keep his lambs safe. He hems us in, depending on our destination, with gentle calls and prodding when necessary. He understands our limits, our tendency to wander, our nature to rebel. In his goodness, he nudges our sides, reminding us to trust him and obey his commands. We must follow him to safety, to eternal life.
When you listen to God, moving in unison with speed and accuracy, you are an example in a lost world. Trust and obey, knowing that God understands you and leads you to glory.
Take some time to listen for his voice today. He understands you on a much deeper level than you may know.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
He Is Truth
Psalm 43:3 / New King James Version - "Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling"
When we are weak, the enemy may just try to sneak in and pepper us with lies - to kick us while we are down. It's an incredible effective tactic. Our best line of defense is to surround ourselves with the truth. Read it. Think it. Pray it. Declare it.
In John 1:1, we read that the Word was with God in the beginning, and the Word was God. In Psalm 119:160, it says, "The very essence of your words is truth." Using simple logic, we put these Scriptures together and derive the following: If the Word is God and the Word is truth, then God is truth.
When you find yourself believing the lies of the enemy, turn to God's Word. Find your encouragement, joy, peace, and strength in his never-changing truth. No matter how many lies you have believed in the past, or how many you are believing right now, you can shut that deceptive voice down by saturating yourself in the truth of God's Word.
What lies do you need to expose to God's truth today?
When we are weak, the enemy may just try to sneak in and pepper us with lies - to kick us while we are down. It's an incredible effective tactic. Our best line of defense is to surround ourselves with the truth. Read it. Think it. Pray it. Declare it.
In John 1:1, we read that the Word was with God in the beginning, and the Word was God. In Psalm 119:160, it says, "The very essence of your words is truth." Using simple logic, we put these Scriptures together and derive the following: If the Word is God and the Word is truth, then God is truth.
When you find yourself believing the lies of the enemy, turn to God's Word. Find your encouragement, joy, peace, and strength in his never-changing truth. No matter how many lies you have believed in the past, or how many you are believing right now, you can shut that deceptive voice down by saturating yourself in the truth of God's Word.
What lies do you need to expose to God's truth today?
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
He Is My Strength
Exodus 15:1-2 / English Standard Version - "I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him"
Have you ever watched the Olympics and marveled at the incredible strength, discipline and God-given talent of the athletes? Watching interviews, we commonly hear the question, "Where do you get the strength - the motivation?"
Daily life, while not an Olympic sport, requires its own motivation if we are to push through the blood, sweat and tears to the gold medal that awaits us. Moses, after the victorious escape from Pharaoh's army, praises the source of their strength in the Scripture above.
Are you facing an Olympic-sized trial? Are you wondering where your strength to endure will come from? Does it seem absolutely crazy that God can and will lift you up to overcome? Remember that he is your strength and your song; trust his power to be yours and praise him because he is worthy. He alone has the strength you need, and he supports you time and time again. Trust him, thank him, exalt him, and the gold medal will be yours!
Have you ever watched the Olympics and marveled at the incredible strength, discipline and God-given talent of the athletes? Watching interviews, we commonly hear the question, "Where do you get the strength - the motivation?"
Daily life, while not an Olympic sport, requires its own motivation if we are to push through the blood, sweat and tears to the gold medal that awaits us. Moses, after the victorious escape from Pharaoh's army, praises the source of their strength in the Scripture above.
Are you facing an Olympic-sized trial? Are you wondering where your strength to endure will come from? Does it seem absolutely crazy that God can and will lift you up to overcome? Remember that he is your strength and your song; trust his power to be yours and praise him because he is worthy. He alone has the strength you need, and he supports you time and time again. Trust him, thank him, exalt him, and the gold medal will be yours!
Monday, May 2, 2016
He Is My Reward
Isaiah 42:16 / New King James Version - "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them"
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, a reward for making it through the long, cold winter. Some parts of the world have enjoyed colorful spring gardens in full fragrant bloom for weeks. In other regions, the cold snow recently came to a close and the earliest bulbs may not have reached their full potential yet. Whether above the surface or below, resurrection is happening all around us, revealing us with new life and vitality!
When this happens around you, let the joy lead you to the empty tomb, where Jesus' miraculous resurrection also brings new life. Resurrection is a revival of hope, of light shining in the darkness, of our glorious reward!
The above verse shares a promise that cannot be taken away from us. He has achieved his glory and we will share in its reward: death cannot conquer or steal our inheritance! Therefore, we can fully trust and believe in Jesus Christ, our hope. There is nothing more magnificent, nothing else worthy of our expectations, for he has made a way for us to share in his glory!
Let the sins that have hindered you melt away the winter snow and allow his renewing strength to overwhelm your soul. Breathe in this fresh start. Today is a new day, full of promise and life. Receive the reward of salvation as a gift.
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, a reward for making it through the long, cold winter. Some parts of the world have enjoyed colorful spring gardens in full fragrant bloom for weeks. In other regions, the cold snow recently came to a close and the earliest bulbs may not have reached their full potential yet. Whether above the surface or below, resurrection is happening all around us, revealing us with new life and vitality!
When this happens around you, let the joy lead you to the empty tomb, where Jesus' miraculous resurrection also brings new life. Resurrection is a revival of hope, of light shining in the darkness, of our glorious reward!
The above verse shares a promise that cannot be taken away from us. He has achieved his glory and we will share in its reward: death cannot conquer or steal our inheritance! Therefore, we can fully trust and believe in Jesus Christ, our hope. There is nothing more magnificent, nothing else worthy of our expectations, for he has made a way for us to share in his glory!
Let the sins that have hindered you melt away the winter snow and allow his renewing strength to overwhelm your soul. Breathe in this fresh start. Today is a new day, full of promise and life. Receive the reward of salvation as a gift.
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