We Mourn, But w/ Hope!

Reading:  I Thessalonians 3,4
My Verse:  "Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [in death], that you many not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave]" (4:13).

Just the other day I had this strong need to call and talk to my Mom.  It was something I needed to share with her and her alone.  I felt a deep sadness when I realized I could not.  But then surprisingly I found myself smiling because I suddenly felt her smiling at me - it was such a poignant moment!

Yes, this verse is a most wonderful assurance.  Death is such an awful thing.  Paul is not telling us here that we should not grieve - for there is sorrow and we do feel great loss when our loved ones die.  No, we grieve but not as those who see death as the end.  We, believers have such a wonderful hope.

"For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [in death]" (4:14).

Thank You, Lord for this wonderful promise and assurance.

Death was not what You planned for us.  But because of sin it became a necessary part of our flawed life here on earth.  Jesus, You did the unthinkable.  You came to earth and conquered even death by dying, then rose from that death in grand victory.  We still have to go through death - and that is a scary and dreaded event for us all.  But as believers we know what lies beyond.  We can mourn our loved ones passing but only as a temporary separation, for we know they are in Your glorious presence!  We can face death with courage and hope for we know where we are going.

"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

"Wait  and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.  Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord" (Psalm 27:14).

Yes, I miss Mom, sometimes very much.  But she is with You, Lord.  Thank You, for that smile of hers.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

God's Word Is Truth

Reading:  Thessalonians 2
My Verse:  "And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its super human power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]" (2:13).

What a wonderful thing it is when people recognize Your Word, Lord, as truth!  Here Paul speaks of his gratefulness  that the Thessalonians saw the word he preached as Your absolute truth. The Bible is truth, Your truth.  You proclaim this throughout scripture.

"And now, O Lord God, You are God and Your words are truth . . . (II Samuel 7:28).

"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling" (Psalm 43:3).

"The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice:  and all His decrees and precepts are sure" (Psalm 111:7).

"The sum of Your word is truth; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever" (Psalm 119:160).

"For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18).

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power;  it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life(soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [or the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

It is a good thing to know with assurance that You, Lord God, provide us this amazing absolute truth in Your Word.  The more that I read it the more I realize how truly powerful and alive it is.

Thank You for opening the 'eyes of my heart' that I might "behold wondrous things out of Your law" (Psalm 119:18).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches

Ripple Effect

Reading:  I Thessalonians 1
My Verse:  "For not only has the Word concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God.  So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it]"  (1:8).

Dropping a stone into quiet still waters produces a beautiful ripple effect.  It is not only beautiful but rather fascinating to watch how far the ripples go.

Here is a wonderful example of how the testimony of a group of people, a community, ripples out beyond its immediate locale.  Here the Word "resounded forth from you."  And the testimony was so true that it went forth "unmistakably." 

What a wonderful testimony, Lord.  And the ripple effect here was broad.  It did not stop in the immediate surrounding areas of Macedonia and Achaia.  It rippled far and wide.  The King James Bible says it this way - "also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad."

How important that we each do our part to testify of You, Lord, of Your Word.  For Your Word is powerful and effective.

     "For, as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
          and do not return there but water the earth,
      making it bring forth and sprout,
          giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
      So shall my Word be that goes out from my mouth,
          it shall not return to Me empty,
      but shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."  (Isaiah 55:10,11 ESV)

Yes, the ripples on the water is a beautiful and fascinating thing.  It gives me a great visual of what Your Word can do.  Thank You, Lord, for the  communities of people whose testimony resound out for You.  I pray the ripple effect of my life does the same.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Letting My LIght Shine

Reading:  Colossians 4
My Verse:  "Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing the opportunity"  (4:5).

Throughout scripture You tell us, Lord, to be an example of good living to the world.

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15 KJV).

"Ye are the salt of the earth . . . " ( Matt. 5:13 KJV ).

"Ye are the light of the world"  (Matt. 5:14 KJV ).

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven"  (Matt. 5:16 KJV ).

Even the secular world recognizes the strong effect of example.  I just read one such study done at the Durnham University in the UK.  There is a great concern about the rise of binge drinking among the young, ages 18 -24 year olds.  According to the results of the report this binge drinking among the young is due in large part to copying effect.  Most of the young people said they participated in this activity because their friends did.

It is also well-known that children tend to copy their parents social mores.  It is also funny when one moves to a locale with a very distinct dialect and how quickly that dialect gets picked up by the newcomer.

So, yeah, my behavior is observed by others, even those I do not know.  There is this ad on TV that shows someone doing a good deed and being observed by a stranger who also goes on and does something good - the whole "pass it on" thing.  Truth is people do watch one another.  Paul did well to remind us here to "behave yourselves wisely in your relations with the . . . world".


Thank You, Lord for this admonishment.  I am reminded here of a childhood Sunday School song.

     "This little light of mine
      I am going to let it shine . . . .

      Hide it under a bushel - NO!
      I am going to let it shine."

All too often I don't feel like shining.  This is unfortunate but it is the reality.  I cannot be a bubbling brook every moment of every day.   It is at these times that I need to lean on You, Lord Jesus, trusting that You will guard my speech and behavior.  "Who are being guarded by God's power . . ." 1 Peter 1:5).  Thank You for that.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Love Eliminates All Distinctions

Reading:  Colossians 3
My Verse:  "And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness of Him Who) created it.  [In this new creation all distinctions vanish.]  There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person]" (3:10,11).

This is a most wonderful passage -treatise -  on how we as Christians are to live our lives before the world.  Paul spells out those things we are to be eliminating from our lives.  We are to always be in a state of being "renewed and remolded."  How wonderful.  I love being a part of something that is ever growing and changing for the better.  My whole outlook on life should be that of a progressive moving forward to You, Lord Jesus!  I say amen to that.  Draw me ever nearer to Thee!

I especially like how Paul goes on to say that as these "new creatures" there is no room in our lives for status - racial or social - distinctions.  We are all of one blood.  We are all Your creations, Lord God.  And there is not a single life that You are not aware of and care about.  I need to have this same view.  My life should reflect this attitude in all I say and do.

A recent story of ugliness came out concerning a group of police officers in a town in Connecticut.  Apparently this group of police officers devoted much of their time harassing a group of minority people.  Sadly this seems to have been going on for years.  My heart breaks for the victims.  But, I feel a deep sadness for the police officers as well.   What an awful place to be!  To be in such a state of mind.  To have such vile unreasonable ugliness ruling your life!  These officers are bound by those awful chains of hatred.

But You, Lord, want to free us of that.  You want us to be "putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy . . . kind feeling . . .gentle ways."  You tell us to  "Be gentle and forbearing with one another . . ."  In short You want us to be free to love one another.

"And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]" (3:14).

The visual of a flower breaking through pavement comes to mind.  Love is capable of that. 

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Complacency & Curiosity

Reading:  Colossians 2
My Verse:  "I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech" (2:4).

It seems a strange pairing but complacency and curiosity are both great dangers to our spiritual lives.  It is so easy to become complacent - I am guilty of it far too often.  And curiosity can lead us to so many places - places we have no business going.  Lord, thank you for this reminder here in Paul's warning to the Colossian people.  He first compliments them on their spiritual strength but then gives them this strong warning.

The warning is so important because the danger is right in our church.  I need to be careful about becoming complacent about what I hear in the church setting.  We need to be ever alert that "no one may mislead and delude . . . by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech." It is so easy to have our curiosity piqued by "plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech."  Because the speaker sounds good!  We, at least I am, easily taken in by someone with beguiling speech.

Even You, Lord Jesus, warned us about letting ourselves be lead astray.  "And Jesus began to tell them.  Be careful and watchful that no one misleads you [about it]" (Mark 13:5).   I know You were speaking specifically of the end times here but the warning applies to all wrong teaching.  

I am always amazed by how my current other reading (readings other than the Bible) coincides with my Bible reading!  Thank You for that Lord.  Last night I read Calvin Miller's discussion of Bernard of Clairvaux's writing.  Miller says, "Bernard suggests that pride begins in our curiosity about things which are not our duty.  Our duty is to serve God and not be overtaken by undue concerns about others."  Bernard points out that Eve's sin began with her curiosity about something she had no business being curious about.  She was in the Garden of Eden - everything was wonderful.  Yet, she strayed, she let her focus fall away from her Lord.  How easy this is for us.  We so need this warning.  We so need to be ever alert to this danger.

"Be well balanced, be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion, seeking someone to seize upon and devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

You, Lord are Truth.  I must ever be in Your Word.  I must ever weigh all that I hear against Your word for . . "In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden" (Colossians 2:3).


Lord, keep me from complacency.  Keep me from allowing my curiosity to lead me to places I need not go.

"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling" Psalm 41:3).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

A Powerful Prayer

Reading:  Colossians 1
My Verse:  "May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (1:11,12).

This sentence is loaded with wonderful encouragement and wisdom.  I know Paul prayed this at the time he wrote it for the Colossians.  But all of scripture is God-breathed and written for all believers.  This prayer then is for me!

The first thought that stands out to me is that I "be strengthened with all power." Thank You for this, Lord.  I know that it is only through Your power that I am able to live in a manner worthy to be called Your child.

The next gem here is "for all endurance and patience with joy."  This kind of prayer always causes me to quiver a bit.  Forgive me, Lord, for my timidity.  I do like how the ESV explains this phrase.  "The purpose of this God-given power is to provide the divine strength needed for the believer to attain Christian virtues, to persevere in the faith, to resist temptation, and deceitful teachers, and so to know the joy of the Lord."  This is good.  I am ever aware of my neediness.  I need You Lord to help me each and every day - every step of the way!  Thank You for helping me to endure.

Then I am so grateful for the third phrase, "Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance."  Wow!  I have access to You Father in heaven.  I am an heir to the inheritance You promised Your people - the saints.  Lord God, You sent Jesus to redeem me and so make this possible.

"The Father has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transformed us into the  kingdom of the Son of His love.  In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins"  (1:13,14).

Praise You, Lord God!  I am truly blessed.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Think On These Things

Reading:  Philippians 4
My Verse:  "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things"  (4:10).

I have often been accused of walking around with my head in the clouds because I do not want to dwell on the negative.  But, it is not that I am unaware of the ugliness in life for You, Lord God did not spare us that in your Word.  You spell out all the awful things man does in Your Word.  You even made lists of them so that we as Your children know to stay away from them.  I am well aware of the ugliness in our world.  I just choose not to think on those things.

Many studies show how effective and calming to the agitated mind thinking positively - thinking on lovely things - can be.  A recent news story told of how dogs were trained to sit quietly and attentively while children read to them.  It seems this not only encourages the child but helps to calm the child enabling him/her to focus.  The story further spoke of dogs being used on college campuses to calm the stress of college students.

One has only to think of all those that look forward to their vacations.  That time when they can get away to a lovely, relaxing place.   No, we are not built for the continual stress our minds are subject to daily.  Unfortunately, many people forget how to build into their days calming and soothing activities.

You tell us here, Lord, that we are to actively "think on these things".  This is something we need to strive to do.  Not just to think on these things but to practice them as well.  If we do this then " the peace of God will be with you" (4:9).  Therein lies the peace we so strive for.

Of late I have been dwelling on the loveliness and joy of my grand nephew.  His Mom posts these delightful photos of him and how my heart swells with love and joy to view them.  It just makes me so grateful to You, Lord.  You continue even in this progressively more stressful and confused world to send us these delightfully wonderful bundles of joy.  For that I thank You.  I  pray Your blessings on this precious little guy.

Right now we are in a winter wonderland.  While I do not enjoy the cold so much the landscape is quite incredible.  There is a certain time of the day when the lighting is simply exquisite on the snow and trees.  Thank You for the beauty I can enjoy simply by looking out my window!

Yes, I am aware of all the bad in the world.  But You tell me Lord to dwell on that which is good.  So today I will think on things that are  true,  lovely,  honorable,  pure,  just, excellent and commendable.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

The Triune God

Reading: Philippians 3
My Verse:  "For we [Christians] are the true circumcision who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exalt and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances"(3:3).

What a verse!  All three persons of the Trinity are here - God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ!  Thank You, Lord God. for this reminder of the incomprehensible mystery of Your existence as a holy triune God!

This brings to mind Tozer's study The Knowledge of the Holy.  He teaches in this study on the incredible importance of thinking rightly about You, Lord God. We cannot think of You just as we want - making You into our own fallen sinful image.  That is idolatry which is something You hate.

"These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was once entirely like you.  but [now] I will reprove you and put [the charge] in order before your eyes" (Psalm 50:21).

Many struggle with this concept of You as Three In One - because it seems contradictory.  Yet this fact of Your Triune existence is referred to throughout scripture.  Even the believers of old, some 1500 years ago saw this truth and spelled it out for all.  This truth has stood the test of time because it is in Your Word.  The Nicene Creed states concerning the Father and the Son, Jesus as quoted by Tozer:
      I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
     The Only-begotten Son of God,
     Begotten of Him before all ages,
     God of God, Light of Light,
     Very God of Very God,
     Begotten, not made,
     Being of one substance with the Father,
     By whom all things were made

It goes on to say concerning the Holy Spirit:
      I believe in the Holy Spirit
     The Lord and giver of life,
     Which proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
     Who with the Father and Son together
     Is worshiped and glorified.

No, You are nothing like us.  Even though You created us in Your own image - we have fallen so far from that perfect creature.  Without You healing, leading and guiding us we cannot even come close to imagining the true You!  Even as a believer I cannot fully comprehend this great Truth.  There are just certain truths that we must simply accept.  Those that say they cannot believe in something they do not fully understand are not really facing reality.  For in Tozer's words "Every man lives by faith, the nonbeliever as well as the saint; the one by faith in natural laws and the other by faith in God.  Every man throughout his entire life constantly accepts without understanding!"

 Thank You, Lord God, for helping me to embrace this great Truth.  I love that You are so far above me that I cannot grasp it all but have some wonderful revelations to look forward to when I am united with You.  "The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting" (Psalm 50:1).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Absolute Truth!

Reading:  Philippians 2
My Verse:  "That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.  And every tongue confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (2:10,11).

This is a beautiful thing.  This is an absolute truth.  It is truth that is perfect and complete and sure.

Yes, it is beautiful because Jesus, You more than deserve such honor and worship.  You paid for our sins with Your precious life.  You made it possible for all human beings to enter into fellowship with You.

Yet there is a tragic sadness here, too.  Because it states "every knee should bow", there is no free choice here.  At this time - all will acknowledge You as Lord God, not because they love and adore You but because they must.  The time for choosing will be gone.

I was speaking with a nephew.  I asked him where he stood concerning You.  His response was that he wasn't sure God  even existed.  Oh, Lord God, far too many are in this place aren't they?  Far too many treat You way too lightly.  For there is coming that glorious day and yet dreadful for unbelievers when all will acknowledge You as Lord not because they want to but because they must.

This is an absolute truth.  I pray, Lord, for my nephew.  I pray that You will reach out to him and draw him to Jesus, that he might choose to believe and place his life in Your hands.  I pray he chooses thus before all ability to choose is gone.  For You tell us, "Surely I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:20).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Jesus Keeps Me!

Reading:  Philippians 1
My Verse:  "And I am convinced and sure 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" (1:6).

This is my life verse.  It is a verse that has been the anchor of my soul.  I have hung onto it through many storms throughout my walk with You, Lord.  I know that even at those times when I couldn't hang on You held me tight.  It was those times that Your strength kept me.  As I write this I am listening to Pandora radio and the song He'll Hold You by the singing group Selah came on.

      "When you're fallin' . . .
      He will hold you through it all"

Lord, I know I am in Your Hands.  "The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore" (Psalm 21:8)"  That I can hang onto.  But I still find myself questioning why something is happening or has happened to me.

Dislocating my shoulder Christmas Eve has been my recent storm.  I am so embarrassed to remember my weeping because I couldn't bear the pain. But I am even more embarrassed to recall my recent tears of frustration and self-pity.  My embarrassment lies in the fact that I always thought I was pretty capable of dealing with stuff. I couldn't understand what all these tears were about.  I would chide myself.  As I thought about this I began to realize that You Lord were teaching me something.

I have been reading Calvin Miller's Unchained Soul.  Miller discusses The Cloud of Unknowing by an unknown author of the14th century.  This unknown author points out that we need to be careful that we not become prideful of the fact that we attend church, spend time doing devotionals, etc.  For our main goal which all of these activities should be only a means to is union with Christ. And this union with You, Lord means I must be less me and more You.

This brought me up short.  My weeping made me realize that I have ever so much to learn, Lord.  You draw me nearer to You each and every day.  You bring me all these experiences - even my dislocated shoulder  to reveal to me something else I need to shed.  Thank You.

I have always known that I am physically frail but  I thought I was pretty capable mentally and emotionally.   My seemingly pointless tears showed me otherwise.  Thank You for constantly teaching me.

I am grateful for Your love and for not only that You keep me but also that You are ever "developing and perfecting and bringing . . to completion"  the work You have started in me. I praise You for that!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Hold Your Ground!

Reading:  Ephesians 6
My Verse:  "Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God" (6:14).

Our pastor taught an enlightening sermon on this concept of "Standing Firm".  He was concerned about a recent trend or movement that actually encourages believers to seek out and engage in battle with the evil forces of Satan.    He showed us through scripture that this was actually not a biblical teaching.  His teaching made me not only realize that everything I hear needs to be checked.  I need to make sure the teaching is scriptural. 

After his lesson on this I read this verse in a different light.  For Paul teaches us that we are to:
"Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger] and, having done all [the crises demands], to stand [firmly in your place]" (6:13).  Yes, there is no mention of charging out into battle here.  Throughout this passage I am told to stand - hold my ground. 

Our pastor pointed out that we are incredibly weak before evil.  We cannot and should not be  charging out or seeking battle.  We need to focus on being fully armed so that we will when it becomes necessary be able to hold our ground - and we would be doing well to do that!  "Put on God's whole armor that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil" (6:11).

Oh, Lord, thank You for this lesson and reminder.  You do the battling for me.  I need only stay clothed in the full armor, that You provide, and so be able to stand firmly.  If I do that I can be assured of victory.

"For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.  Who is it that is victorious over the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"  (I John 5:4,5)

With this wonderful assurance and the full armor of You I can stand firmly "against [all] the strategies and deceits of the devil" (6:11).

Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Live Purposefully, Worthily & Accurately!

Reading:  Ephesians 5
My Verse:  "Look carefully then how you walk!  Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless but as wise" (5:15)

This seems to have become something of a mantra.  Live Each Day With Purpose!  It is a good one, but what purpose?  I like that the amplified used worthily and accurately to help clarify this verse.  I do need to live with purpose - with the purpose that You give me, Lord.  I need to live worthily - as a child of You the King.  I need to live accurately - as You guide me through Your Word.

But before I can do any of that I needed Your cleansing Light to shine on me.
     "Awake, O sleeper,
      and arise from the dead,
      and Christ shall shine upon you
      and give you light" (5:14).

Such a beautiful visual.  Thank You, Lord for waking me with Your cleansing and healing light.  I am now awake and aware of who I truly am.  I am aware of all the wonderful possibilities. Your beautiful light not only lights up my present world but it shows light toward the future.   You have placed so many beautiful promises in Your Word to encourage and give us hope.

"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him."  (Pslam 103:11)

"The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121:8)

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come [back] to you."  (John 14:18)

I am now able because of the light  You continually shine on me to "Look carefully"  as I walk this path You have placed me on.  I am enabled to live with purpose.  I realize I am worthy and so can live as a child of You the King with high expectations of myself and those around me.  I can strive to live accurately as long as I search out Your Word for guidance.

Yes, as long as I seek Your face, Your beautiful light will shine on me - healing and guiding me to live purposefully, worthily, and accurately!  Thank You, My Lord and Saviour!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Let Our Lives Express Truth

Reading:  Ephesians 4
My Verse:  "Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly].  Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Annointed One)" (4:15)

What a wonderful chapter.  Paul calls us to unity.  He teaches that the purpose of spiritual gifts is for us to build one another up, to unify and strengthen and bring to maturity the body of Christ. 

I particularly like this phrase, "let our lives lovingly express truth".  I had to go to the doctor's office yesterday.  The nurse that took my vitals was very efficient, but almost robotic in how she handled me.  There did not seem to be any joy in her life.  It made me realize how I appear to others is so important.  Does my daily life "lovingly express truth"?  Do people see You in me, Lord?

I had to really think about this.  The Amplified Bible spells this phrase out with "[in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]".

In today's world speaking crassly seems to be considered hip, cool.  One even hears Christians and Christian leaders speaking disparagingly of others.  But we are to be speaking truly.  "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it" (4:20).  This is pretty clear, and does not allow for anything but good to be spoken. Lord, please put a guard over my tongue this day.

The second part, "dealing truly" speaks to my relationships with others, with all those I interact with throughout my day, most particularly to fellow Christians.  Verse 25 states,  "Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another."  Help me, Lord, to be honest and true in all my dealings with others.  Help me to deal truly with all.

Finally, the last part tells me to be "living truly".  How does one live truly?  I realize, Lord, that I cannot do this on my own.  You must enable me.  I must be constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind (4:23).  I must "put on the new nature created in God's image" (4:24). 

The words of the song "Grace" by Laura Story expresses this well for me.
     "As long as you are seeking my Face,
      you'll walk in the power of my daily sufficient grace."

How beautiful to have my life lovingly expressing truth!  Only with Your all sufficient Grace, Lord!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Free Access

Reading:  Ephesians 3
My Verse:  "In Whom because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access ( an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear)" (3:12).

In many Bible versions and in the original Greek this verse is an independent clause placed at the end of a very long sentence.  Yet, it speaks to such a great and wonderful Truth.  Whenever I read this I visualize the tearing of the great curtain partitioning the Holy of Holy's room from the rest of the church sanctuary.  Lord, I do not know how the priests of the day dealt with that event upon Your death but it is so freeing for Your followers.  No longer do we need to go to a priest to speak to You.  No more intermediaries!  No more filters.  We now have the freedom to go directly to You, because we now have direct access.  You are now our High Priest.

The Greek meaning for boldness is so telling - openly, frankly, cheerful courage, without ambiguity, without concealment.  You know me like no one else ever can and so I can be so much freer in my communication with You.  There is no need of reservation or fear of misunderstanding.  I can pour out my hearts deepest concerns, worries and You will be there for me.

I also like the Greek meaning of the word "access".  It implies that not only are we able to approach You but that we are acceptable to You and we can have assurance that You will be favorably disposed towards us.  Wow!  Herein lies our confidence.

Thank You, Lord, for Your great purposes that You have and continue to carry out here on earth through Jesus Christ.  "This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purposes which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord" (3:11).

"You are my God, and I will confess, praise, and give thanks to You; You are my God.  I will extol You.  O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever"  (Psalm 118:28,29).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

What A Contrast!

Reading: Ephesians 2
My Verse:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast"  (2:8,9 ESV).

This verse does an interesting thing for me.  It reveals to me a clear picture of the person I was when
I first came to know You., Lord.  It shows in stark contrast the person I was then and the person I am today.

Initially, I did not want to remember what I was, for I was a sad, struggling person.  I was struggling to make sense of my world - from where I was looking it was not a very nice place.  I remember recognizing You as truth, Lord.  I remember being so grateful for the  "gift of God".  I knew that if anything was required of me there was no way I would attain salvation.  So when I first memorized this verse I was so grateful and the verse was like a lifeboat for me.  I hung onto it.

I was so grateful to accept this gift that You so lovingly offered me.  I was so grateful to find that there was  a hope for better things - a hope in You, Jesus.  I was so grateful that there was so much more to the world than what I saw with my eyes.  I was so grateful that there was more to me than my mere physical body - for I did sense that there was more.  I was so grateful for the Truth You were revealing to me in Your Word.  Yes, I was poor and struggling but I was ever so grateful for Your grace.

It is a good thing to do - to look back and see where I was in contrast to where I am today.  You have brought me so far from that sad, struggling girl.  Today I look at this verse from a whole different perspective - still with much gratefulness but but such a deeper appreciation. 

I see Your grace, Lord, as not only that special favor that allowed me to come to You, but also as a power that keeps me.  I often worried about straying - for I saw so many fall away from their first love of You.  I feared this for myself - but now I realize I do not need to spend time worrying about that.  I can rest in You - on that wonderful assuring grace.  You have provided me the faith to feel and know I am secure in You.

Yes, I like that this vere has shown me where I was and where I am today.  I like seeing how changed I am.  I know we change but the change in me has been nurtured by You.  Lord, thank You for bringing me so far along the path - so far in my walk with You.  I know I will never 'arrive' while in this physical body but I am loving that You keep bringing me closer to what You would have me to be.

Thank You for this look back.  Thank You for keeping me.  Thank You for loving me so much.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!