Author: revjerry

I am a semi-retired Episcopal Deacon, serving at a large church in Round Rock, Texas. I am a retired Police Chaplain; I am a retired State of Texas employee and Nationally certified Crisis Chaplain; I have worked in the Kairos Prison Ministry as a Religious Volunteer as both lay and now clergy for over 28 years. I am a retired State employee, serving as Telecommunications Director for a large State Agency in Texas. This blog is written by myself, which keeps me in God's Word daily and are my thoughts and interpretations of Scripture. I pray you will enjoy the content and share the link with others.

Meditation

03/10/2023

“Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.” (Jeremiah 3:23)

Our salvation is not to be found in idols and/or the worship of false gods, but in a covenant relationship with the living God.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, our salvation was assured to us on the day Jesus was nailed to the cross for our sins. Even though John the Baptist didn’t feel worthy to even touch his sandals, Jesus asked him to baptize Him. Remember that Jesus had two criminals on either side of him, but the one on his left said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘ will tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’ We believe this Abba, that that man did indeed join Jesus in paradise. 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:

“Wisdom doesn’t ‘come with age’ – ‘it comes with the walk.’.”

KNOWING GOD:

“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

Two marvelous things occur when one turns to God. First, that person is saved from death. Secondly, a multitude of sins are covered by the blood of Christ. In this light, to present the truth of our Lord to those who would turn from God is a vital and essential task.

God want the saved to warn sinners about their errors, because the wages of sin is death. One of the ways God takes the initiative in salvation is by providing saved persons who warn the lost. Some interpreters take the sins covered to be those of the warner, but this has no basis in Scriptures.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.” (Luke 1:76-80)

God expresses salvation in many ways in individual lives—-deliverance, refuge, rest, hope, blessing. The basic expression of salvation brought through Jesus is forgiveness, the taking away of our load of guilt and giving us freedom to reach the potential God created in us. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, connected the coming of Jesus Christ with the prophecies of Isaiah 9:2; 11:1. Christ is the Light of the world who delivers His people from the darkness of sin and evil.

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.”

Meditation

03/09/2023

“But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.’” (Genesis 45:7-8)

Joseph’s brothers, by their evil deed, meant to harm Joseph; but Joseph wanted them to know that God had chosen him for slavery and suffering so that the children of Israel would be saved and delivered as a remnant unto God. Joseph’s election or choosing was seeking a faithful remnant to realize God’s purposes. Those purposes and their earthly realization are not always visible even to the eyes of faith. What happened to Joseph in Egypt saved his father and brothers and their families from destruction, along with animals. It set the stage for the Exodus from Egypt. Salvation history was in the making, and it was being divinely guided, for the benefit of Israel.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, Joseph assured his brothers that he held no grudge against him, only because it would be their way, not his. Instead, Joseph took the circumstances given to him and made them an advantage to move up in responsibility. Instead of making his situation into a negative, he looked upon his situation as a divine purpose to use him to save his whole family and all of Israel as well. 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:

“Hello God! Today I will be your ‘waiter.’ How can I be of service?” (Isaiah 40:31)

KNOWING GOD:

“In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—-one from the house of David —- one who is judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:5)

New kings often take the throne amid plots and rebellion. Isaiah looked to the day God in love would establish an absolute trustworthy King for His people. Only Jesus fulfilled the role of King of Justice. Isaiah’s word prepared the way for Him. One day He will establish justice for His people. Salvation points to a social order with justice and righteousness.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name off the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” (Joel 2:28-32)

Joel foretold a time when God would pour out His Spirit upon all people. The world would be shaken, and everyone who called on the name of the Lord would be saved. Both Peter and Paul taught this prophecy was fulfilled in the coming of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.

The hope for an historical day of the Lord gradually took the shape of future, eschatological (end times) hope. Often the two were intertwined as in this passage. This prophecy found direct fulfillment at Pentecost, yet ultimate fulfillment awaits the end time, as we expressed in the apocalyptic language of the passage. Some aspects of the prophecy are fulfilled as people accept salvation provided through the work of Christ and the administration of the Holy Spirit. In regard to end times, the prophecy refers to God’s final intervention to complete His redemptive work. In this aspect the day of the Lord includes both judgment upon unrighteousness and reward for righteousness.

As the Lenten Season has begun…

Meditation

03/08/2023

“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Samson) in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.” (Judges 14:6)

The destructive effects of deceit and quarreling on personal relationships is exemplified tragically in the story off Delilah and Samson. It also demonstrates graphically how the word “love” can be used in a relationship which reveals no indication that love exists at all. Samson was apparently drawn primarily by sexual attraction, and Delilah showed no concern for his welfare when offered money to betray him. Relationships based on feelings such as these have little or no chance of survival. Only faithful commitment can overcome conflicts and competing loyalties.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, You know more than we do about good and lasting relationships. They must have equal amounts of respect for each other and love that goes beyond simple trusting hearts to be successful. Delilah showed Samson how love should be, but she recognized his lack of knowledge in the relationship she was offering him. This led to his relaxing in a situation he was not prepared for and he was tricked by Delilah and she cut off the power he had been given by You. Samson had rejected you in his weakness, but You allowed him one last time to reveal the gift he had lost, to show his honor to You and to take down those who would use trickery to try and change Your commandments. Let us all take courage and strength of faith seriously and to be on guard against those who might try to remove them from us. 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:

“The first step in hearing God is for us to shut our mouths and listen.”

KNOWING GOD:

“But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. ‘Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. Th righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.’” (Ezekiel 3:19-21)

The apostle Paul took this passage seriously (18:6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ 20:26 ‘Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.’). God’s people are to watch over themselves and others and warn persons of the dire consequences of their sins. We cannot save ourselves, not can we save others through warnings or any other good work. God will use our warnings to turn us and others from wickedness and sin. Persons are free to accept or reject salvation. Failure to let other people know the “wages of sin” is sin, and we will be help accountable for our inaction.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)

Sin at its deepest level is unbelief in Jesus. Total trust and commitment to Jesus leads us to seek to live the perfect life Jesus led. Our society makes such commitment difficult, for ours is a sinful generation committed to many things and causes opposed to God and godliness. Society makes us feel shame and embarrassment because of our Christian commitment. Christ calls us to witness to that commitment everywhere. Failure to witness grows out of shame and fear when faced by society. Failure to witness reflects unbelief and lack of commitment. That, beloved, is sin!

As the Lenten Season has begun…

Meditation

03/07/2023

“So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, he Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’ Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ‘O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes,’ he said, ‘then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people,, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.’” (Exodus 34:4-9)

God punished the children of his elect people as far as the 3^rd and 4^th generations for their wickedness, rebellion, and sin, but His compassion, grace, love and covenant of faithfulness provided forgiveness for Israel. Election is based on the holy, loving God forgiving the sins of his sinful people.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, forgive us when we fall short of pleasing You and gently guide us back onto the narrow path, which will lead us to You. You so want us to be pleasing not just to You, but in our interactions with others each day, that other people will see You working through us and that our love will be a observed as coming only from You. 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:

“Never take the advice of your fears!”

KNOWING GOD:

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple as the time of prayer—-at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was carried to the temple gate called “Beautiful’ and place there to beg. When he saw Peter and John he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him as did John. Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and angles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and praise God. The man stood next to Peter and the crowd recognized him as the beggar at the temple gate and they were filled with wonder and amazement.”

You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your father: You have always resisted the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not predicted the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have betrayed and murdered him—-You have betrayed and murdered him. You have put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it. (Acts 3:5-6-, 7:51-53)

The healing of the young man became a sign for a sermon, and many believed. A physical life had been redeemed from uselessness. It provided opportunity to redeem many from spiritual unbelieveness. As for Jesus He fulfilled the prophets predictions, for which the prophets were persecuted and killed. The prophets pointed to Jesus as the sinless, righteous Messiah. The Jews treated Jesus just as they had the prophets.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’” (Mark 11:25)

The chosen people of God had accepted God’s laws and did implemented them. However, if someone asks you if you have received the Holy Spirit, is it enough to say, “I believe in God? If you then ask them if they believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and they say, Yes, have they really accepted the Holy Trinity? Beloved, people will say God or Jesus interchangeably, but have not received the Holy Spirit in their hearts? Each of us who have accepted God through Christ Jesus is also offered the Holy Spirit as a free gift for wisdom and guidance in our lives. In this scripture, if we have not forgiven anyone we need to forgive, it is then a sin and we are asking God to forgive us. If we don’t name it, how can ask God to forgive us if we cannot forgive others??? Understand?

As the Lenten Season has begun…

Meditation

2^nd Sunday in Lent 03-06-2023

Psalm 121; Genesis 12:1-4; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17

Our lesson from Psalms is a prayer, probably sung by pilgrims as they approached Mt. Zion in the annual feasts (One of seven, 120 – 134 called the Ascents). They are concerned with Jerusalem, the house of the Lord; and Zion. The series begins with a lament of a person stationed far from Jerusalem and being falsely condemned. Prayer is the path to God no matter where one lives.

From the Old Testament lesson, we read of the call of Abraham, who was considered the first disciple. Abraham was a classic example of one who trusted God’s leadership and served obediently according to God’s commands. In a sense, this first disciple became the father of Israel, and the example of faith to all of God’s people. God promised to give Abraham a place of honor and to make him a channel of blessing for all the people on earth. Discipleship is in reality a call to follow God and bless others. Abraham represented the covenant people of Israel.

Our Epistle from Romans informs us that Abraham, the father of all the faithful, was justified by faith and not by law. Go credited him as righteous because of his faith. Persons are not justified by the religious rite of circumcision or any other rite but by faith in Christ crucified and raised from the dead. That faith came from Jews and Gentiles alike; therefore, it is available to all who have faith in God through Christ Jesus. This is a promise from Almighty God, and He always keeps His promises. Paul often quoted the following: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is he man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

From the Gospel of John it talks about Nicodemus a member of the San Hedren, and comes to Jesus under the shadows of nightfall, to ask for clarification saying, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one would perform the miraculous signs you are going if God were not with him.” Jesus’ immediate reply is: “I tell you the truth, no one an see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Nicodemus is a learned man, but he says, “How can a man be born when he is old?” “Surely he cannot enter into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered him; “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit!” Nicodemus asked no more questions, because he realized the signs signified that God was with Jesus and authenticated Jesus as a Teacher of God’s truth.

There has been small arguments over the centuries, as the Greek version didn’t have a “the” before where it says must have been baptized by water and THE Spirit, and it is well documented. It also does state the water you are baptizing with for a baby should be slightly warmed up, but you try and hold a baby in one arm and pour cold water on the baby! Beloved the main point is abundantly clear: “physical birth is not enough; one must be born again spiritually to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus further stated that even religious leaders such as Pharisees must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. He further clarified the new birth as a work of the Holy Spirit. Nicodemus was a blue blooded intellectual of Israel and he had trouble believing in Jesus. Yet, then and now, whoever believes in Jesus as the Son of God has eternal life. Total commitment to Jesus is the one requirement for salvation.

The most profound expression of the love of God for us is the gift of His only Son to be our Savior. It is a love that seeks the best interests of its object while seeking nothing for itself in return. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Today, if you have not claimed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so, as it is your decision alone and no one can make it for you. Just remember, eternal life is in the balance and where you will be. I hope it is in the kingdom of heaven. Amen

Meditation

03/03/2023

“So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations.’ Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ‘O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes,’ he said, ‘then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.’” (Exodus 34:4-9)

The God whom Moses sought to know better expressed Himself not just by allowing Moses to “see” more of Him. He came in the cloud to reveal His character and heart deeply. The cloud gave concrete expression of the God whose features cannot be chiseled in concrete. God told the one who interpreted Him to Israel what kind of a God leads them into their promise. Faith matures all human beings in moments like this when we come “face to face” with the good news about who our Gide is and thus less concerned about where we are going with Him or how we are going to get there.

God punished the children of Israel until the third and fourth generation for their wickedness, rebellion, and sin; but His compassion, grace, love and covenant of faithfulness provided forgiveness for Israel. Some have said hat the God of he Old Testament is only a God of strict justice. God can be stern in meting out justice, but H would rather be known for His love, compassion, and mercy.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, often You seem to be hard of heart towards Your people, but we now realize You were teaching Your people how they were to live their lives and with righteous understanding of reasons He was teaching us to live moral and ethical standards unlike the world around them. Thank You Abba, for Your desire that we live our lives to be worthy of Your love. Send us out each day with the desire to serve only You. 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:

“If you don’t find your God-given purpose, Satan will supply one for you!” (Acts 9)

KNOWING GOD:

“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of he Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea, so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of he Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah. He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem, and he threw them out of the city. The he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.” (2^nd Chronicles 33:10-17)

God’s judgment is discipline seeking to turn His people back to Him. When people respond to judgment with repentant hearts, God responds in grace. Both deliverance and judgment in history seek to lead people to confess God as the only God and to serve Him faithfully.

The massive sins of Manasseh were forgiven when he sincerely turned back to God. Believers find a relationship with God in which forgiveness is possible. Let me put it this way, have you ever turned back toward God, and found Him not there? I suggest that He is always right there, waiting for us to come to our senses and return to Him. It is never He moving away from us, but us moving away from Him in our sins.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, ‘Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 3:6-10)

God requires sincere and genuine repentance. Judah’s return to God was only in pretense, as God saw their hearts and there was no true repentance. Election is dependent on God forgiving sinful people, but forgiveness comes only to those willing to change their guilty ways and follow God. You don’t have to say anything when God sees the repentance in your heart, but it is how we honor our relationship with Him that matters. His forgiveness for our sin, is simply waiting on us to reveal our true repentance, so that He may pour our His love, compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in abundance.

As the Lenten Season has begun…

Meditation

03/02/2023

“Then the Lord said to me: ‘Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.’” (Jeremiah 15:1-2)

When King Josiah became king over Judah, there were three things he had to deal with and God was watching: 1) Judah could continue on the course of unswerving and exclusive faithfulness to the God of Israel on which Josiah’s reform had set them or 2) They could continue to worship their own God, at the same time reincorporating the worship of other gods alongside the Temple ritual, as had been the practice before Josiah’s reform. or 3) They could abandon the worship of their own God altogether, and give themselves over completely to the worship of the gods of Canaan, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. God told Josiah He was removing His blessing upon Judah, and to get off the dust of his feet, as the people had totally rejected Him and He sent in the destroyers. There would be no compassion poured out on those who had rejected Him and no funerals to be held, for the birds of the air and the beasts of the ground. Some would die from the sword, some from starvation, some for being taken captive, and none to be remembered anymore.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, this is a very sad turn of events. No one was willing to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness, because they were living not as God’s people, but rather like animals. Even those that confessed were not humbled by their actions and certainly were not penitent in any way. 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:

“God has never lacked the power to work through ordinary, available people.”

KNOWING GOD:

“Thus will it happen to you, O Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.” (Hosea 10:15)

Israel was at the point that Judah had found itself, only they heeded God’s word and confessed their sins with fully penitent hearts and God responded with grace and mercy. What God sought of His people was not more and more offerings, not more elaborate rituals of worship, but more consistency in their love. His controversy with the nation was over the absence of expected faithfulness, loyal love, and the knowledge of God. The entire nation failed to live by the covenant principles God had established and that they had agreed to live by. Priests and prophets failed to fulfill their calling, and the people plunged deeper into sin. Social injustice, immorality and political anarchy all revealed Israel’s lack of loyal love. Beloved, He wants us to love as He loves. He understands we are not perfect, but when we commit a sin, we are to atone for it and seek restoration of our relationship with Him. By doing this, we will feel His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1^st Corinthians 3:15-17)

God’s Spirit dwells in His believers temple. The church is us! We believers in God through Jesus Christ are the church. Thus, it is to be built as sacred, built sturdy and firmly planted on the foundation of Jesus Christ. The church is a collective group of believers can be called God’s temple. This applies the Old Testament experience of the Temple as the place where God lived and met His people to the New Testament church, a group of believers with various geographical locations. God cannot be located geographically, but He can be represented personally by a member in whom the Spirit lives. Members have a sacred duty to live as God directs and protect the unity of God’s temple. Members who sow dissension and discord in the church must take seriously God’s threat of destruction. As believers, we have the responsibility and accountability to take the message of salvation beyond the walls of the physical church and into the greater world. The church I serve could not possibly fit into the space we have today, but wouldn’t it be fun to have that problem, that the message we are sending out brings people to us, because we are living out the life of serving God in such a way, that everyone wants to come join us and we could grow into God’s plan for all of us?

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

03/01/2023

“When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.” (Psalm 30:6-7)

Security and stability and blessings which come to the elect from God. Experience of God’s hiddenness may trouble us at times, but the door to prayer and security is always open, bringing renewed joy.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, there are times when we feel alone and far aware from you, but when we come to understand that we have moved away from You, not You moving from us. It is in these times, that we can always and anywhere come before Your throne of grace, and call out to You. We must confess our sins and seek Your forgiveness for thinking we should ever move away from You, and truly understand that we need You at all times. Come Abba, and walk with us again and give us peace. 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:

“Instead of looking where someone has been—-try looking at how far they’ve come.”

KNOWING GOD:

“It has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immorality to light through the gospel. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2^nd Timothy 1:10, 12)

Beloved, the Christian no longer mus fear death as the end of the life and hope. Christ’s resurrection reveals death’s power is dead. Paul had great assurance in the permanence and security of his salvation. He knew whom he had believed and was convinced that Jesus Christ would guard what he entrusted to Him. Nevertheless, he encouraged Timothy to guard his deposit of faith with the aid of the Holy Spirit. “Have believed” is in the perfect tense in the Greek, which indicates action begun and completed in the past with its effect continued in the present. Our faith is tested belief or trust. We can stake our whole life on the trustworthiness of God in Christ. The judgment day will prove our faith to be vindicated.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ” (John 10:27-29)

True believers hear the Lord’s voice and follow Him. They know the security of being united with Him. They neither complain nor rebel. They obey. Simply put, discipleship is total obedience to Christ.

The salvation of all believers is secure for time and eternity. This eternal security is because they are in God’s hands. No one is strong enough to take them from God’s hand. Eternal security is not payment for human achievement; it is a gift of God’s to give salvation through Christ Jesus.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

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…:

Meditation

02/27/2023

“But you have said, ‘I will surely make your prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ” (Genesis 32:12)

Rape, the forced, sexual violation of a woman, is one of the most graphic examples of the misuse of God’s gift of sexuality. The consequences of Shechem’s violation of Dinah brought death and destruction on the men of the city even though Shechem wanted to marry Dinah after his sexual experience with her. Dinah’s brothers justified deceit, plundering, and murder because of what had happened to her. The sexual sin created destructive effects for many people unrelated to the actual crime. In all ages rape is “a thing that should not be done.” If everyone had simply calmed down and prayed to God for the right thing to do, He would have given them guidance, but they instead, were filled with anger and hatred and refused to humble themselves to seek God out.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, the story of Dinah being raped by Shechem and the following crimes which nothing at all to do with her being brutalized and rape. The justification had nothing to do with what happened to Dinah, it was an excuse to plunder and murder others. Abba, crimes are being committed more and more often, violent crime, and justification is presented because of other sins, such as: no father at home, bad neighborhoods, etc. Help us as a society to stand up to the problems we face in society and be honest with ourselves and others, as well as accountable for our actions or the actions of family members. 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:

“Our weakness makes room for God’s power.”

KNOWING GOD:

“I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (2^nd Chronicles 7:16)

God was speaking with Solomon and made the statement in verse 16. David had wanted to build the Temple in honor of God, but his own actions had disappointed Him and so He allowed David’s son to build the Temple and God consecrated it with the idea it would remain there forever undefiled and a place where by His people could come. He had heard the people ask in prayers in a humble, repentant and trusting Him to build Temple that all could come and worship and praise God’s Name. The people of God must always strive to keep their relationship with Him, and it is done through our prayers, beloved. He desires our relationship with Him, but we have to desire the same for ourselves. It begins with us.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“I lay prostrate before the Lord those forty days and forty nights because the Lord had said he would destroy you. I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, do not destroy your people, your own inheritance that you redeemed by your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people, their wickedness and their sin. Otherwise, the country from which you brought us will say, ‘Because the Lord was not able to take them into the land he had promised them, and because he hated them, he brought them out to put them to death in the desert.’ But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.’” (Deuteronomy 9:25-29)

When the Israelites failed to trust and honor God, Moses interceded, reminding God that He had chosen Israel to be His inheritance. Intercessory prayer is a necessary from of prayer for those followers of God through His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Such prayer grows out of the love that followers have for God and for each other. Such prayer seeks God’s honor in the world rather than deserved justice for His followers.

As the Lenten Season has begun…: