Meditation

02/28/2023

“Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return, renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure. The writer of Lamentations complained to God, but he refused to give up hope, knowing God would still reveal Himself as merciful and attentive to His people. It is right toward those who have slid back away from Him to pray that He will return hem to their first love. Divine wrath and punishment may cause God’s people to feel totally rejected and beyond hope of restoration. Such feelings are not cause for despair and loss of hope. Rather they represent God’s invitation to renewed confession, repentance, and petition for restoration to God’s saving presence.” (Lamentation 5:21-22)

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, there are times when we comment that backsliders are history, but we also know that if You hear from them in prayer, confessing their sins with penitent hearts and seek Your forgiveness, that unless it is the unforgivable sin, You will receive them back into the fold of Your church. After all, you have done the same for all of Your church. Be with all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“In our Father’s house are many mansions, and He wants every one filled with His people.”

KNOWING GOD:

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica, Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.” (2^nd Timothy 4:6-10)

Demas has deserted the faith. He loved the world more than Jesus Christ. Paul remained faithful until the very end. Persecutions, sufferings, or an inadequate understanding of Scripture may lead people to reject the faith. Students of sound doctrine look in faith and hope to the coming day when Jesus will judge the living and the dead. They look to receive a crown of righteousness, for they keep their legacy as God’s people forever.

Death for believers may be described as a departure to be with Christ and to receive rewards. It is also described as the putting down of a temporary tent in order to take up a building of God that is eternal. Christ’s final judgment will include rewards for all who have centered life on Him and His promises.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2^nd Peter 3:17-18)

Believers make every effort to be spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. We strive to be spiritually alert persons who grow continuously in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. False false teachers seek to lead us away from sound biblical teaching. We are responsible and accountable to maintain sound moral foundations and persevere in and with Christ.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

“Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.”