Not Deserving...

Scripture:1Timothy 1:12-16 (ESV)

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Devotional:

Throughout my life there have been many times I have questioned my own faith.  I think who am I, and why would God save me.  I definitely do not deserve it.   Then I read something Paul writes.  Throughout all his writings, Paul is faithful.  However, this was not always the case.  In fact, Paul starts out persecuting Christians and putting them to death.

So what happened?  How did Paul come to change his ways.  It was not anything he did.  It was not his strength or will.  Are you asking what happened?  Simply put Jesus showed up.  Paul became faithful for the rest of his life, even unto death.

Jesus did show up.  He was born a baby.  He lived life here on earth.  He suffered a horrible death.  He rose from the dead victorious over sin and death.  The best part is that is not the end of the story.  Jesus is still showing up today.  The Holy Spirit is at work all around.  Jesus came not for a few but for everyone.  Jesus is waiting for us to welcome Him in.  He wants to be part of our lives.  The fact is anyone can be saved.  Jesus did not come for a select few.  He desperately wants each one of us to believe.  Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…”  Yes that means every single one of us has sinned.  Every single one of us deserves death, separation from God for all eternity.  Jesus offers redemption for us all.  His death and resurrection paid our debts.  Romans 6:23 (ESV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Even though we do not deserve it, we are given life.  The most precious thing we could ever gain is freely given.  I think that single thought gives people the most trouble.  We place a price tag on everything.  The more valuable the higher it costs.  Therefore, something free must not be of great value.  Something free has to have strings attached.   The truth is there was and is a price for our salvation.  It cost a man his life.  He was severely beaten.  He was nailed to a cross and suffered a painful humiliating death.  Why did he do it?  You might find it hard to believe, but He did it because He loves YOU. 

Paul is a great example for us.  He would be one of the last people we would think God would redeem and use.  God chose Paul.  Paul accepted and devoted his life to Christ.  He did not deserve it, but he did receive it.  What about you?

Praising Our Lord…

Scripture:

Psalm 68: 32-35 (ESV)

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Devotional:

Sing praises to the Lord…  Something I really like about church service in the church my wife and I attend are the praise songs we sing at the beginning of the service.  We usually will sing three or four songs at the beginning.  Following the praise songs is a message given directly from the Bible.  The entire service is a worship time to God.  The songs are a wonderful way to begin everything.  It helps everyone prepare our hearts, minds, and spirit for praising and worshiping Him.  We prepare and have our focus placed upon God.  Many Psalms or passages in the Bible show us that ceremonies, worship, among other things begin with music and song.

I may not sing aloud in a crowd but I do love singing praises to God.  Most of the time I like to listen to Christian radio stations like J933.3 The Joy FM or The Fish Atlanta 104.7.  Listening to these stations help me to keep my mind and focus on God.  It is a way for me to praise God throughout the day.  There is nothing wrong with listening to other music.  In fact, there are times I like to listen to music from the 80’s. 

This brings some thoughts and questions to ponder.  Do you praise God?  What are different ways we can praise God?  When should we praise God? 

What do you think God thinks about our praising Him?  Pray over these questions and come up with your own answers.  If you do not like them, you can change them…  The best place to start is to pray. 

As The Moon Shines

Scripture:

John 12:4-46 (ESV)

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Devotional:

How many nights have you looked up at the night sky and seen the moon?  When the moon is full and shining brightly, it lights up the night so that we can see in the darkness.  How about those nights when there is no moon.  The night is even darker, making it almost impossible to see.  During the day, the sun shines brightly lighting everything up.  We can see clearly for a great distance, OK on a clear day we can.

Christ is the light of the world.  He shines brightly for any, and all to see.  As the sun pushes back darkness so does Christ.  Just as the moon reflects the suns light, we too reflect Christ to the world.  Where are you in your walk with Christ?  Are you like a waning or waxing moon?  Are you a sliver of light that barely reflects any light?  Are you like the full moon shining brightly in the night sky for all to see?

Take some time to reflect your walk with Christ.  Where are you?  How strong is your relationship?  Our goal should be to shine like a full moon.  We can then reflect the most of Christ to those around us.  Then we shine the brightest making it is easier for those in darkness to see. Maybe they too will come to know Him and starting reflecting His light.

The moon has no light of its own.  It can only reflect what light is shining upon it.  We are in total darkness without Christ.  Without Him, we are lost.  It is only through Jesus that we have any light what so ever.  It is through and by Jesus that we are made righteous and can have salvation.  The moon cannot create or make its own light.  We cannot do anything to make or earn salvation.  The moon is completely dependent on the sun for its light.  We are completely dependent on Christ.

Inheritance...

Scripture:

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Devotional:

The first-born.  Throughout the ages, the firstborn son was the heir.  He was the one who would become responsible for the family and its possessions.  He would get most if not everything.  Younger siblings would be jealous and sometimes try to cheat the firstborn out of their inheritance.  Just look at Jacob in Genesis chapter 27 Rebekah had Jacob bring a meal to Isaac that Esau was supposed to bring.  This way he would get the blessing, and inheritance instead of Esau. 

Luckily, for us Jesus is the firstborn and the inheritance.  He has paid the price in order that; we too may share in the inheritance.  It is through Jesus that we can be reconciled back to God.  We do not have to fear someone will swindle us from our inheritance.  We cannot lose salvation.  No one can take it away from us.  We inherit salvation, a place with God for eternity, because of Jesus.  John 17:11:

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus is not going to lose anyone of us.  We are His… We will be with him with God for all eternity.  God the creator of all things cares enough for each of us that He has made it possible to be reconciled with Him.  He made it possible that we would not be slaves to sin.  We are indeed coheirs with Christ, because of Christ.  As a good friend of mine likes to say, “God does not have any grandchildren.”