What God Asks of Me!

Reading:  John 6
My Verse:  "Then they said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working
                     the works of God?
                     Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that
                      you believe in the One Whom He has sent."  (6:28,29)

That is all You ask of me - that I "believe in the One Whom He has sent."

Oh, Lord God, why do we complicate things so?  It just all gets so muddled we become unable to see the clear simple truths of Your Word.

I think of all the church institutions down through the ages with their ever building volume of myriad rules, regulations, traditions, orthodoxies.  The gospel message becomes lost in it all and awful atrocities are done in what is thought to be the name of You but it isn't You at all.  Horrible things - the crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, beheadings, burning at the stake, mass suicides (and this in our own "enlightened" country).  People struggle to keep all the rules their church asks of them.  By doing so they hope they make it into heaven. 

I watched a TV documentary on people's ideas of getting into heaven.  Most said, "I hope I am going there."  or "I am trying to do what is right."  Such uncertainty and the interviewer was asking most people as they were leaving their churches!

Lord God, all You ask of us is that we believe in Jesus, Your Son.  Believe that He did come to earth.  He did die on that awful cross for my sins.  He did rise on the third day just as He said He would!

"For this is My Father's will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."  (6:40)

"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who believes in Me has eternal life." (6:47, 48)

Oh, to say with the confidence and surety of Peter.  "And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God." (6:69)

Blessed Assurance!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Single Purpose of Scripture

Reading:  John 4,5
My Verse:  "Just as the Father raises up the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whoever He wills and is pleased to give it."  (5:21)

Here is an Aha! moment.  I finally get it!  I finally get that the whole of scripture has a single purpose.  This verse simply, clearly focuses my mind on the fact that all of the Bible - its entire single purpose is to save us! As I think back on it all - all the drama, tragedy, history, songs of joy, songs of despair, songs of inspiration and praise, prayers, examples of men and women living for You or not, there is so much there and all of it put together is to show us the way to YOU!

First You desire to save me from my sin.  "Therefore if any person is in Christ he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away.  Behold, the fresh and new has come!"  (II Cor. 5:17)  By saving me You enable me to live  an abundant life here on this sinful earth.  You continually grow me and transform me.

Then You save me from the result of  physical death by resurrecting my body to be rejoined with my spirit on Your great and glorious Day!  "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the ] last trumpet call.  For a trumpet will sound and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (transformed)."  (I Cor. 15:52) 

The Bible is so grand!  It simply shouts of Your love for us and our need for salvation.  Forgive me Lord, for those weak moments when I doubt this truth.  I see all the awfulness and begin to wonder, but You do things in Your time.  A wonderful song has been running through my mind, we sang it at evening church last Sunday.
    
    " In His time, in His time.
     He makes all things beautiful, in His time.
     Lord, please show me every day,
     As You are teaching me Your way,
     That You do just what You say
     In Your time."

Thank You for that Lord Jesus.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical

Reading:  John 1 - 3
My Verse:  "Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again, he cannot ever see the kingdom of God."  (3:3)

Nicodemus, an obviously learned man, had trouble getting past the simplicity of the gospel message.  He questioned You Lord, "How can these things be?"

Jesus, You questioned him back.  You asked him how is it that he, Nicodemus,  is a teacher of Israel and yet does not understand the basic message of the gospel, the message of salvation?

It is so easy to get away from the basics of the gospel as the educated Jewish leaders seemed to have done.  Too many churches today sidestep the gospel message of salvation - of being born again. 

A lot of education - even of the Bible does not guarantee salvation.  Neither do a lot of good works or church membership. You point out Lord that salvation is the act of being "born again".  This is a spiritual process but must include our minds as well as our bodies.  I cannot be spiritually born again without being physically and intellectually renewed.

You tell me to "work our your salvation". (Phil 2:12) In  II Tim. 2:15 I am told to study so that I "rightly handle the Word of Truth".

I also need to live out through my physical body the life You would have me to live as a born again believer.  In James I am told to be "doers of the Word". ( James 1:22)  "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."  (James 2:26)

Lord Jesus, salvation is through You.  It is spiritual and intellectual and physical!  You went on to tell Nicodemus.  "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (3:5)

Oh, Lord, You want for me to have this wonderful life, as a born again believer!  I pray for spiritual discernment as I study and as I live out Your truths.  Open the eyes and ears of my heart to You!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Mercy & Grace

Reading:  Luke 22, 23
My Verse:  "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.  And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them."  (23:34)

There must have been such incredible tension in the universe as the incomprehensible was happening!  All the heavenly beings had to witness this awful event and do nothing.  It is unimaginable to me what You, Father, had to be feeling.

Man was oblivious - so totally blind to the import - the awfullness of what they were doing.

Yet, there were small bright lights amidst all this.  You, Lord, even in Your incredible suffering brought those that saw You for Who You were to Yourself!

The other man, a convict, on the cross.  "Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingly glory!" (23:42)

The Roman centurion, " . . . having seen what had taken place, recognized God and thanked and praised Him, and said, indeed, without a question this Man was upright (just and innocent)!" (23:47)

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin,  bravely steps forward to care for Your body, Lord.

These individual stories of salvation make the reading of Your sacrifice somewhat more bearable because they speak of Your amazing mercy and grace - Your unlimited goodness.  Even though I feel so unworthy - Your love lifts me up.  You enable me  like these individuals to cry out to You and be saved.

Thank You, Lord, for this incredible mercy and grace - You prayed for us while hanging on that cross, bleeding and dying.

"For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory!  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!"  (Psalm 84:11,12)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

God Of The Living

Reading:  Luke 20, 21
My Verse:  "Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him."

This is a wonderful passage on resurrection!  We are eternal beings!  It is something I sensed even as a child - although I did not fully understand what it was I was sensing.

A.W. Tozer spoke of this sense of eternity in us that is perhaps marked by or revealed by "man's insatiable craving for immortality."

You made us in Your Own image.  You did not mean for us to know death - that is the result of sin.  Yet, Lord, You did not abandon us.  You sent Your precious Son Jesus to conquer death so that we can know life beyond the grave.

Watching my mother die was a heartrending and yet - and yet it was also kind of fascinating.  Fascinating because I knew where she was going - to meet You!  There was eternity happening before my very eyes!  - and it was wonderful.  She was so ready for that passage - so sure and peaceful about it.  She faced death with such calmness and bravery.  It was a wonderful thing to watch her saying good-bye to all her grandchildren, to all those that she cared about.  Thank You, Lord for helping her through that most difficult of passages.  I find myself missing her and wanting to talk to her - but then I smile because I know where she is.  She is with You and that is good.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come [back] to you.  Just a little while now, and the world will not see Me any more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also."  (John 14: 18, 19)

"And whenever the living creatures offer glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him Who sits on the throne, Who lives forever and ever (through  the eternities of the eternities)."  (Revelation 4:9)

Yes, You live!  Vivit!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Persistent Prayer

Reading:  Luke 18, 19
My Verse:  "Also [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up)."  (18:1

This wonderful parable illustrates my need for persistence -perservence in prayer.

Lord, you tell how even a man who has "neither reverence or fear for God nor respect or consideration for man." gave in to the persistent pleas of the woman.  And how much more You  - a loving God "will defend and protect and avenge them speedily."

Lord, You tell us throughout scripture to pray.
     Eph. 6:18   "Pray at all times . . ."
     I Thess. 5:17  "Be unceasing in prayer . . . "
     James 5:16  ". . . pray for one another . . ."

The Old Testament has many accounts of the great men of God praying effectively to You.  I thank you for all the prayer warriors of the past and the present - such wonderful examples for me.

More special still are the accounts of You praying fervently. 
     Luke 22:32  "But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], ..."
     Luke 6:12  "Now in those days it occurred that he went up into a mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God."
     John 17:9  "I am praying for them, I am not praying for the world but for those You have given me, for they belong to You."
    
Prayer is not easy but You do not ask something of us that we cannot do.  You set forth wonderful examples of prayers - and even You Yourself showed us by example how important an active prayer life is to our life as believers.

Yes, persistent, fervent prayer is hard.  And yet in the words of William Carey, "Prayer -secret fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness." 

I pray Your blessing on me today as I continue my walk with You - learning and growing through Your Word and through prayer.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

The Great Chasm Is Fixed!

Reading:  Luke 15, 16, 17
My Verse:  "And besides all this, between us and you a  great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us."  (16:26 ESV)

This has always been a fascinating passage.  So much to learn from it!  The most important, Lord, is that once death occurs - the time for decision making is over!  The "great chasm has been fixed" and there is no crossing it!  You tell us this story to warn us.

This last Sunday our pastor spoke of hell - the reality of that place.  He was passionate in his plea to the congregation to do what is needed to not go there! 

In this story the rich man pleads for someone to warn his family - he didn't want them to suffer as he is suffering in that awful place!  He thought if someone came from death they (his family) would listen.  He was told, "If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead."  (16:31)

Oh, Lord, too many have hardened hearts - too many will wake up like the rich man and finally realize the truth, but find it is too late to confess their sins, to beg You for forgiveness and ask You Lord Jesus to be Lord of their lives!  "The great chasm is fixed!"

Oh, Lord, I thank You for Your Word - the truth.  I thank You for drawing me to You and saving me.  I pray for wisdom in being the kind of witness I need to be for those who face an eternity without You!

"Behold I am coming soon, . . .  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.  Blessed are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to approach the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:12-14)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Without Him We Perish!

Reading:  Luke 12, 13, 14
My Verse:  "Nothing is [so closely] covered up that it will not be revealed, or hidden that it will not be known." (12:2)

This is such a  vital truth!  If only we could grasp the significance of this and live out our lives in openness and truth. There is such freedom in that. 

You are Light, Lord.  If we live out our lives always in Your light then we needn't be anxious about anything - nothing hidden in the closets of our lives!

But sin in all its forms drags us down into the mire.  In its stormy waywardness it constantly threatens to throw us overboard into a sea of chaos, confusion, depression, brokenness.  McDonald, our Sunday School teacher, pointed out the urgency of Matthew 8:25.  "And they went and awakened Him, saying, Lord, rescue and preserve us!  We are perishing!"  He pointed out that this not a one time cry but should be our cry daily for we are ever in danger of perishing.  Living in this sinful world is hard. And , Oh Lord, I know that I am saved and I cannot lose my salvation but I can drift far from You.  I do not want to die in such a state.  I do not want to meet You and be ashamed.

 I must live out my life with a constant upward gaze.  "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment when you do not anticipate it."  (12:40)

I love the song based on John 15:5:

    " Without Him, I would be dying,
     Without Him, I'd be enslaved
     Without Him, Life would be hopeless-
     But with Jesus, Thank God I am saved!"

Yes, Lord, You are Truth and my Help!  Keep my heart ever open to You. 

"...He who has ears to hear, let him listen and consider and comprehend by hearing!" (14:35)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Worldly Wisdom is Deceptive!

Reading: Luke  9, 10, 11
My Verse:  "For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and ruins or forfeits (loses)  himself?"  (9:25)

Oh, Lord, this is such a plaintive cry.  How You love us and  want for us to be in relationship with You!

This verse brings to mind that very painful period in my life when I drifted so far from You.  I was swayed, intrigued and confused by worldly wisdom.  My college years were my agnostic years.  These were indeed some of the darkest nights of my soul.  I did not try to bury myself in alcohol, drugs or relationships - thank You for that Lord.  But my mind and soul were in such anguish - I was questioning Your very existence!

You, Lord, did not give up on me!  You forced me to think through to its ultimate conclusion - a world without You.  You showed me how insane that world would be!    Even after coming to that realization, Satan had his awful hold on me.  I was convinced that I was forever lost - Oh, I wept!  You were there, Lord, in my weeping.  You loved me even then.  You met me where I was - and brought me back to You.

"Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying.  This is My Son, My Chosen One yield to and obey Him!" (9:35)

With these words Peter, James and John were snapped back to reality.  So You, Lord, opened the ears of my heart to Your Truth and helped me slowly, painfully to find my way back to You - to the reality of You and Your Truth!"  Words cannot express how grateful I am.  You did not leave me wandering in a world of unknowing - constant fruitless searching - a most miserable place!

"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me, let them bring to me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling.  Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; yes, with the lyre will I praise You, O God, my God!"  (Psalm 43:3,4)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Power!

Reading:  Luke 7,8
My Verse:  "But Jesus said, Someone did touch Me; for I perceived that [healing] power has gone forth from Me."  (8:46)

Lord, this  event  makes me think of superheroes - those fictional characters so popular because of special power that enable them to do so much more than ordinary people.  Yet, they always have some kind of limitation.

You, Lord, were so much more that a superhero!  No limitations hindered You.  It is difficult to completely comprehend the fact that as You dwelt amongst man You had to ever keep Yourself in check - so to speak.  You were God amongst man!  A person had only to touch You to receive some of Your awesome power - just as the woman did.

I wonder if our fascination with superheroes is an innate realization on our part that there is more, much more to  our world than what we are experiencing with our limited human senses!  I know as a child I had that sense - that there was more to my world than what I was seeing with my eyes.  Was I sensing You, Lord?

You do so much for us, and yet we are not mindless creatures.  You gave us rational minds and a will - choice.  You, because You are all-knowing knew of this woman.  But not until she reached out  to You and placed her faith in You, did You heal her.  "And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well!" (8:48)

And so I must actively seek You.  Each day - each moment I need to reach out and touch You, Lord Jesus, for You are my Savior and Healer!

And it is only by touching You and receiving just a tiny bit of Your vast power that I am enabled to carry on here on this earth.  "God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present and well-proved help in trouble." (46:1)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Firm Foundation

Reading:  Luke 5, 6
My Verse:  "But he who merely hears and does not practice doing My Words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the torrent burst, and immediately it collapsed and fell, and the breaking and ruin of that house was great." (6:49)

Lord, this is a painful truth.  Too often a 'Christian' crashes and burns.  Many times these are people in a leader position and so many are hurt.  Many are left shaken in their own faith.

You have promised me that You will keep me.  As Paul stated in Philippians 1:6.  "And I am convinced of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ, developing and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you."  Such a wonderful promise to hang onto and I have - many times!

And yet, this is a relationship.  I do have my part to play in this.   I need to make sure I spend time with You.  I need to place myself before You daily, seeking You out.  I like how the Amplified states Paul's admonition in Philippians 2:12  "Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit  the name of Christ)."

Peter has a great warning for us as he tells us to watch out for those that ignorantly twist and miscontrue Paul's teachings -Your Word.  "Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind].  But grow in grace and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  (II Peter 3:17, 18)

Yes, Lord, I would be like the wise man because, "He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundaiton upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock." (Luke 6:48)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Special Revelation

Reading:  Luke 2, 3, 4
My Verse:  "But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people." (2:10)

To humble shepherds attending to their job appears a host of heaven's angels with a special revealing of You, Lord Jesus!  The shepherds "went with haste" to find this baby Jesus.  "And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child." (2:17)

To a man, Simeon, "righteous and devout" "it had been divinely revealed to him by the Holy spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." (2:26)  When Simeon saw the baby Jesus he knew prophecy fulfilled. "For with my eyes I have seen Your Salvation!" (2:30)

To a devout eighty-four year old widow, Anna, You were revealed.  She "returned thanks to God and talked of [Jesus] to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel." (2:38)

At first I wonder why these people?  Why did they get this special revealing of You?  Then I am impressed by their belief - for it seemed immediate, no doubts or questions.  They simply marveled at what they were witnessing and believed!

Lord, so You reveal Yourself to us.  I truly believe that each of us are given an opportunity to say "Yes!" to You.  I thank You for revealing Yourself to me!  I thank You for enabling me to believe.  Thank You for the wonder of who You are and what You did!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Luke's Account of Our Lord

Reading:  Luke 1
My Verse:  "[My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainity and security against error the accounts and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed." (1:4)

Immediately, I am drawn into Luke's account.  Suddenly!  There is a stirring!  Our Lord inserts himself again into the history - the pageantry of man.  Prophecy becoming reality!

Gabriel, the angel, who "stands in the presence of God" appears! 

First, to Zachariah to tell him he is to have a son - a special son.  When that son is born Zachariah is given foreknowledge of what his son will do.  "And you, little one, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go on before the face of the Lord to make ready His ways." (1:76)

Then to Mary, to tell her she is to be the mother of the Saviour of the world!  Her response?  "For He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied!" (1:48)

Dear Lord, thank you for this account of Luke.  Thank You, for the effort he put into this.  "It seemed good and desirable to me, also after having searched out diligently and followed all things closely and trace accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus." (1:3)

Luke's purpose was a lofty one and You Lord helped him to succeed in his purpose.  I shall enjoy my time reading the rest of this story for I do love a good story and this is of course the best ever!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

This Man Was God's Son!

Reading:  Mark 15, 16
My Verse:  "And when the centurion who stood facing Him saw Him expire this way, he said Really, this Man was God's Son!" (15:39)

It is interesting how sometimes those that seem least likely to see truth see it.  Perhaps because the centurion had no agenda as did the leading Jews.  He, the centurion, was just doing his awful job.  He probably saw many people die horribly on the cross - this was not something new for him.

Yet - when Jesus died, he knew something different had occurred.  He knew this was no ordinary death - no ordinary man.  "Really, this Man was God's Son!"

Oh, Lord, You are so merciful!  Just as You revealed Yourself to that centurion so You reveal Yourself to each of us.  You enable us to see You for Who You are!  (John 6:44)  For we cannot save ourselves by anything that we do.  Salvation comes only through and from You.  "For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus."  (I Tim. 2:5)

I wonder, Lord God, how hard it was to hold back all of heaven's angels from saving Jesus on that day.  It is so incongruous that You, Jesus, God's One and Only Beloved Son hung on that dreadful cross on that awful day.  Yet, there You were, Lord.

 And the centurion's words ring out through history.  "Really, this Man was God's Son!"

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Be Warned!

Reading:  Mark 13, 14
My Verse:  "And Jesus began to tell them, Be careful and watchful that no one misleads you." (13:5)

I am thankful for godly men who have devoted themselves to studying, preaching and teaching Your Word, Lord.  There are too many false teachers out there - charismatic gifted false teachers that successfully lead many astray, especially when it comes to end times!

I continually pray for discernment as I read Your Word, as I listen to various speakers and read books that expound on Your Word.

I am to be as the Bereans.  "Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

I know that if I am faithful - following the example of the Bereans - You will keep me on the right path to Your truths.  For You tell me that Your truths "are spiritually discerned." (ICor. 2:14)  And to those who belong to You, those who are indwelt with the Holy Spirit You reveal to us Your truth.  "Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit." (ICor. 2:10)

This is so important - being alert -  because You tell us often to be alert, be on guard. 
"Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13:33)  "Keep awake and watch and pray [constantly, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)  "Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God. . ." (Jude 21)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Male & Female

Reading Mark:  10 - 12
My Verse:  "But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female."  (10:6)

Oh, Lord, everytime I hear of another state "legalizing"  gay marriage I feel a kind of dread for our country.  How have we strayed so far?  First killing unborn babies, then . . .

I just heard on the radio of a group of psychiatrists having a conference in Pennsylvania.  Their purpose?  -to destigmatize pedophiles!  Pedophiles - those people that prey on children!  They feel that these people are only doing what is 'natural' for them and so shouldn't be prejudiced against. This is the same approach the gay rights movement took - they are only doing what is 'natural' for them!  You Lord call it sin.

Dear Lord God, once You are taken out of our laws - insanity creeps in! 

There are absolutes!  There is right and wrong!  Your Word is our guide and must be the foundation of all our laws.

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent and shrewd in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20,21)

Lord God, I pray for our country.  The Bible was the guide of our Founding Fathers - let it be the guide of our leaders today. 

You created us male and female from the beginning.  When You did that You declared that 'it was very good"  (Gen. 1:30)

Thank You for Your Word - our guide to life!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Deadening Traditions!

Reading:  Mark 7 - 9
My Verse:  "Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you  [in turn] hand on.  And many things of this kind  you are doing."  (7:13)

Oh, Lord, You were so frustrated (if I can say that!)  with the people for their stubborn haughty hearts.  You use both Isaiah and Jeremiah to remind the people of what You speak.

"Are your hearts in [a settled state of] hardness?  Having eyes, do you not see, and having ears do you not hear and perceive and understand the sense of what is said? And do you not remember?"  (8:17b, 18)

From the great distance of time it is easy to wonder how the Pharisees - these learned men- have been so blind!  Yet we ourselves are not far from having haughty, self-righteous, sanctimonious heart attitudes!  Oh, Lord, keep me ever introspective in this.

"A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers." (John 4:23)

You desire genuineness - pure hearts - truth from us, Lord.  I like how Richard Foster states this.  "To worship is to experience Reality, to touch Life.  It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community."

You, Lord, are Reality.  You are Life.  Help me to ever keep that at the forefront of my mind when I am in church.  And I pray that we as a church continually reexamine why we do what we do in our worship services - that we do not end up performing empty ritualistic traditions.

"Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (Ps. 29:2)
"Extol the Lord our God and worship at His footstool!  Holy is He!" (Ps. 99:5)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Using My Mind

Reading:  Mark 4 - 6
My Verse:  "And He said to them Be careful what you are hearing.  The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you - and more [besides] will be given to you who hear."  (4:24)

I find this so true in my spiritual life.  My ability to understand, to grasp and accept the truths You reveal to me, Lord, grows and deepens as I spend time with You.  I am so grateful, Lord, that You meet me where I am and use what I already know and understand to teach me Your truths.  And so I am able to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

I know that what You speak of here is Your Word, Your truth.  That is what I need to focus on in order to be changed, transformed - not the wisdom and knowledge of the world.

You tell me in Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed by the renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude] . . ."

You even tell me in Philippians 4:8 how to go about this - how to not be conformed to this world - how to have my mind transformed.  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of praise, think about these things." (ESV)

I am to continually fill my mind with these things and so be drawn closer to You!

Thank You for Your Word to guide me and a mind to read and study that Word.
"...study to show thyself approved. . ."  (II Tim. 2:15)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!