Uncategorized

Great Gain by Laura

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” I Timothy 6:6-7

“We buried dreams.  Laid them deep into the earth behind us. Said our goodbyes at the grave but everything reminds us. God knows we ache when He asks us to go on.  How do we go on?”  Ellie Holcomb’s lyrics are fresh in my mind as I think about the last few weeks.  We buried my sweet 97 year old daddy who slept into the arms of Jesus, and by God’s grace, we will go on.

Chuck Rice was “daddy” to me.  My first example of a man, he was one of the best!  He was a husband, daddy, grandaddy, and great-grandaddy among many other titles.  His example of hard work was handed down to me as he taught me to cut the grass, let me help him build a fence in our back yard, taught me to drive a stick shift, and so many other things.  I always knew he loved me and was proud of me.  He told me!  He lived a long life and was loved by many people.  At his funeral, a common remark was made about daddy…“he was such a sweet man.”  

What was sweet about daddy?  His smile, his voice, his wink, his laugh, his love for music, my mama, and his girls.  His kindness toward others was consistent and charming.  This “sweetness” we all witnessed in daddy, I believe, was contentment.  He truly had sweet peace that comes with being content.  He never seemed to strive for the riches of material things, but had a quiet godliness with contentment resulting in great gain.  What a legacy to leave!  Growing up we had everything we needed, and he worked hard to provide, but deep down in his heart I believe he trusted God to be our provider.  As he aged, he faced a living situation that was difficult, to say the least, and even in that hard circumstance, he was content.  He never complained, and his care givers loved him and said, “he was such a sweet man.”

This was his great gain!  Contentment is indeed an attitude of the heart that leads to peace and rest.  Dependency on our Heavenly Father while on earth will produce great gain as we look to eternity.  Our faith in Jesus sustains us in life and satisfies us in death.  “…for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”   My sweet, content daddy showed me this as he lived and as he died.  

Are you experiencing the great gain of godliness with contentment? 

JOY by Beth

“The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called the Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” (John 4: 25-26)

I was recently asked to speak on the topic of “Joy” for a ladies night out at a local church here in South Carolina. As I began to pray about the direction the Lord would have me go in regards to what the Scriptures tell us about joy, the Spirit led me straight to John 4. I thought, but Lord, that’s about an outcast! Not only an outcast, but an outcast who longs for contentment and fulfillment found in the world.  It talks about the disciples arguing over who brought Jesus’s lunch! Where is joy in that Lord? 

Do you recall the story in John 4:7-30? 

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her,?“Give Me a drink.” For His?disciples had gone away to?the city to buy food.?So the?Samaritan woman said to Him, “How?is it that?You,?though?You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink,?though?I am a Samaritan woman?” (For?Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)?Jesus replied to her,?“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you?living water.”? ^?She said to Him, “Sir, You have no bucket and the well is deep; where then do You get?this?living water??You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who?gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons and his cattle?”?Jesus answered and said to her,?“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again;?but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him?shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to?eternal life.” 

The woman said to Him, ^“Sir,?give me this water so that I will not be thirsty, nor come?all the way?here to draw?water.”?He said to her,?“Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said to Him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her,?“You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’;?for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this?which?you have said?is?true.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are?a prophet.?Our fathers worshiped on?this mountain, and?yet?you?Jews?say that?in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship.”?Jesus said to her,?“Believe Me, woman, that?a time is coming when you will worship the Father?neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You?Samaritans?worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because?salvation is from the Jews.? ^?But?a time is coming, and?even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father?in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks?to be?His worshipers.?God is?spirit, and those who worship Him must worship?in spirit and truth.”?The woman said to Him, “I know that?Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”?Jesus said to her,?“I am?He, the One speaking to you.” 

And at this point His?disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What are You seeking?” or, “Why are You speaking with her?”?  So the woman left her waterpot and went into the city, and said to the people, “Come, see a Man?who told me all the things that I have done;?this is not the?Christ, is He?”?  They left the city and were coming to Him.”

Do you see the JOY found in this passage? 

I love what John 15:16 reminds us, “I chose you, you did not choose me.” Look at Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them,” and Ephesians 1:4, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” Long before the outcast was ever born, Jesus saw her and knew her. He chose her before the foundation of the world. So, on that day, at high noon, this outcast coming to draw water alone, was not alone! Jesus was there. He saw her before she saw Him. He already knew her whole life! He knew her beginning and her end and everyday in-between. 

True JOY came after she confessed her sin in verse 17. Even after arguing with Jesus about what true worship is in verses 19-20, the Spirit begins to draw her to the Father! He begins to open her spiritual eyes, begins to give her understanding, and she cries out to Jesus in verse 25 saying, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called the Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Then Jesus (the only place in Scripture that He declares Who He is) replies, “I who speak to you am He.” Talk about JOY!  She could hardly contain the joy! She had met the One true Christ! The Messiah, her Savior! Christ the Messiah had found HER!   

The Scriptures go on to tell us in verse 28 “so the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me all the things I have done; this is not the Christ, is He?’” She could not contain her joy! She couldn’t hold it in. She exuded the joy of Jesus because she had been found by Him and forgiven of her sin. 

Have you experienced this Joy in your life? Have you confessed and repented of your sin? Romans 3:23 tells us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and I John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What is keeping you today from experiencing everlasting joy in knowing Jesus?  

What is your response?

Jesus Was Willing. Are You? by Miriam

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)

During the month of December, in my daily time with the Lord, I’ve been reading Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp. On day two of this advent devotional he said, “Jesus knew he had to come not just to preach the gospel of sacrifice, but also to be that sacrifice, yet he was perfectly willing.”

Think about that for a minute. You know, we often forget the real reason Jesus came and what it actually means when we get caught up in all the fun and joy that celebrating Christmas brings. I know I do. We should celebrate — it was a glorious day when Jesus came to this earth. He left His home in heaven to take on human form and to ultimately sacrifice His life so we could have eternal life (John 3:16-17).

It’s important that we remember Jesus knew the end to the story before He left heaven and He was still willing to come in humble obedience to God. While Jesus was willing, we are often so unwilling aren’t we? Dr. Tripp goes on to say that “one of the dark character qualities of sin that we don’t recognize as much as we should is unwillingness.” He says, “we’re often unwilling to do what God says if it doesn’t make sense to us. We’re often unwilling to inconvenience ourselves for the needs of someone else. We’re regularly unwilling to wait. We’re often unwilling to be open and honest. We’re too often unwilling to consider the loving rebuke of another. We struggle to be willing to say no to our own wrong thoughts and desires. We often struggle to be willing to answer God’s ministry call. Often we are unwilling to admit that we are wrong. Too often we struggle to serve willingly and to give generously. Unwillingness is one of sin’s powerful damaging results.”

I don’t know about you, but every time I read that quote I think of the number of times in my marriage, as a parent, daughter, sister or friend that I’ve been unwilling to do something I should have. Or maybe I did it, but with an attitude that was anything but humble, obedient, and willing. Several years ago, my grandchildren came over so we could make Christmas cookies. After cutting out several, the children got tired and wanted to play. At one point I went into the playroom and told them to please pick up the crayons that were all over the floor since they weren’t playing with them any more and so the crayons wouldn’t get stepped on. One of my granddaughters said, “I won’t step on them.” It was her way of letting me know she was unwilling to stop what she was doing and pick them up. She was four at the time. We learn very early about what we are willing to do and what we not willing to do. 

Dr. Tripp says this is what the Christmas story is all about, “a willing Savior is born to rescue unwilling people from themselves because there is no other way.” I’m so grateful Jesus was willing to come to this earth and ultimately die for me and for you. My prayer this Christmas and in the year ahead is the Holy Spirit will convict me quickly of the sin of unwillingness, and I will be willing to do whatever the Lord asks of me. I’m praying I will have a humble, obedient, and willing heart. What about you?

Signs of Life by Laura

“…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-21).

Where there are natural disasters and life threatening situations there are always rescuers.  They selflessly risk their own lives to save others.  Hopefully looking and listening for signs of life, they relentlessly search.  When we hear the testimonies of those rescued, we are flooded with thoughts and emotions that are difficult to put into words.

There is a RESCUER who gives spiritually dead people spiritual life; transferring darkness-dwellers into glorious light-givers.  Jesus is THE RESCUER with the power to save completely.  By His life, death and resurrection, He has done everything to provide this rescue.  Our selfless Savior lived a perfect life of obedience to His Father, laid down His life for His sheep and defeated death and sin.

Once you are rescued by grace through faith, it is hard to put words to your thoughts and feelings, but there will be signs of life.  Your Rescuer doesn’t leave you to yourself to try hard to live your new life. He makes His home in your heart and lives through you as you depend on Him.  There will be evidences of the Holy Spirit’s life within you.  We learn from Paul in Ephesians 5 about these signs of life.  

Jesus commands you to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).  That simply means depending on Him, enjoying intimacy with Him and allowing Him to meet your every need.  The first sign of life comes from within you.  It’s a song in your heart as you sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord (v.19).  Then there is the vertical sign of life, an attitude of gratefulness, “giving thanks always…to God” (v.20).  Finally, there is the horizontal sign of life, as you “submit to one another” (v.21).  As you depend on His life in you, your life gives testimony to your rescue, proving you belong to Jesus as you exhibit these signs of life.  

Have you been rescued by Jesus?  If so, are these signs of life apparent in your life? Are you depending on God’s Spirit for a song in your heart, an attitude of gratitude, and a submissive spirit toward others?

Don’t Know You’re Lost by Miriam

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.  Luke 15:3-7 (ESV)

Several weeks ago I went to our zoo’s splash pad with my daughter-in-love, Lindsey, and four of my grandchildren. Technically, I was responsible for two of them — my daughter’s youngest two, Joanna and Willa. We had a wonderful couple of hours letting them splash around. A few minutes before we were going to leave, we let them play in a grassy area in the middle where there were some games to play. Lindsey and I sat on a bench a few feet away watching them. Every few minutes I was counting heads and making sure they were all there. We were both suddenly distracted by a little girl who was trying to get away from her momma. The next thing I know, I look up and can’t find Willa, who was two and a half at the time. I immediately jump up and and start running and screaming Willa’s name. As I ran I was calling out to the Lord to please help me find her. Lindsey was doing the same while also keeping her eyes on the other three children. After what felt like hours, but was actually about 5 minutes (still way too long), Lindsey came walking up to me with Willa in her arms. Willa had a dirty diaper and was trying to find me. I was so relieved and thankful!

Later that night when I was telling my husband what happened, I said, “Willa wasn’t rattled at all, while my heart felt like it would jump out of my chest.” Jim said, “Well honey, she didn’t know she was lost.” He was right. She was just looking for me to change her diaper. 

Too often people are walking around unaware of their lostness spiritually. You see, we were created with a void that only Jesus Christ can fill, but we keep trying to fill that void with other people or things. The Lord is waiting for us to accept His gift of salvation — provided by the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. But we believe what the world tells us — we are good people, we give to the poor, we don’t do anything horrible. But in Romans 3:10 the apostle Paul tells us:  “ as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one…” It doesn’t matter how good we are or how kind or how loving. In John 3:16 we read where Jesus told Nicodemus “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus also told the parable of the Lost Sheep in the passage at the beginning of this devotion. God loves us that much — He sent His only son to die for us and He longs for us to come to Him like a shepherd who searches for his lost sheep (or like a Mimi who runs around like a crazy woman looking for her lost granddaughter).

Have you ever accepted God’s free gift of salvation? If not, I pray that you will — seek out someone who can share with you how you, too, can be found by the Lord. Maybe you accepted His free gift, but you have gotten a little lost since then. Maybe you have stopped reading your Bible or going to church where you can be encouraged and equipped in your relationship with the Lord. Call on the Lord — ask Him to help you find your way again. That doesn’t mean you lost your salvation. It means you just got a little lost from walking close to Him.

Jesus Prays for You by Laura

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). 

If you have belonged to Jesus for any length of time, it is likely that you know He lives to make intercession for you. He prays for you. The writer of Hebrews states this in chapter 7:25. What a profound, life-giving truth to depend on as you live in this fallen world. Do not lose heart. Jesus prays for you! 

To hear specific requests He prays on your behalf, listen to John 17. Hearing the words that come from the heart of Jesus to His Father, His Abba, concerning you, will fill you with hope and bring comfort beyond any possible worldly comfort. Looking up to heaven, knowing His hour had come, our eternal high priest poured out His obedient heart to His attentive, merciful Father and God of all comfort on behalf of those who belong to Him. “…those You have given Me, for they are Yours” (v.9). “I do not ask for these (His disciples) only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (v.20). That’s you beloved! You have been given to Jesus by the Father out of the world and He has given you eternal life. “Yours they were, and you gave them to me…” (v.6). You belong to Jesus for eternity and He prays for you! 

Jesus prays, “I have given them your word…” (v.14). “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (v.17). What a gift! God’s Word is truth given by Jesus for your sanctification as you live in this world where you are hated. Jesus prays, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one” (v.15). You are here on purpose, kept by Jesus to display His glory, love and perfect unity so the world will know Him. It is God’s will that you, as His disciple, be sanctified (set apart for His purposes, for holy service to God) in the truth! How does this sanctification take place? By His Word! The Bible is a powerful, supernatural book, accomplishing God’s work of sanctification in you from the inside out. You have the gift of God’s truth in His Word and Jesus prays for you! 

“Because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:24-25). Jesus prays to His Abba for you to be sanctified in the truth and He has given you God’s Word to accomplish this purpose. 

How will you respond to this truth? Will you choose to not lose heart as you live in this world? Will you remember you belong to Jesus and He is keeping you? Will you embrace, believe and receive the gift of His sanctifying word of truth? Will you depend on Him as your eternal high priest to live through you and set you apart for His purposes, for holy service to God? Let this profound truth change your life…Jesus prays for you! 

Thy Word by Beth

I was reminded recently of some of the lyrics to the song titled “Thy Word” by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith: 

“…Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way, still you’re there right beside me. And nothing will I fear as long as you are near, please be near me to the end…I will not forget your love for me and yet my heart forever is wandering…” 

The Word of God is needed. The Word of God is enough. The Word of God is understandable. The Word of God is final. 

II Timothy 3:16 reads, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” Hebrews 4:12 reads, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than a two-edge sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Romans 15:4 reads, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through the perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Also, God’s final word in His Son according to Hebrews 1:1-4 reads, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in the last days has spoken to us through his Son whom He appointed heir of all things through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” 

The Word of God is inerrant! Inerrancy means the Scriptures do not affirm any errors. The Bible is all true and nothing is untrue. It tells history, it tells us actually how it really happened. The Word of God is infallible. Infallibility is the belief that what the Bible says regarding matters of faith and Christian practice is wholly useful and true. It is the “belief that the Bible is completely trustworthy as a guide to salvation and the life of faith and will not fail to accomplish its purpose.” The Word of God is inspired. This is, in fact, the claim the Bible makes for itself. The apostle Paul says in II Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness”. The biblical word for “inspired” means Scripture is “breathed out” by God. God breathed out His Word by using godly men to write down exactly what He wanted them to write.  

Let me encourage you to read the Word of God! Meditate on it, memorize it, and live it out in your daily life. It is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105). It will guide you, challenge you, encourage you, convict you, take hold of you, overwhelm you, satisfy you and bless you. 

Stay on the Path by Laura

Recently I visited Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC.  Even though I have lived in South Carolina for 32 years and have traveled to this area of our state often, this was my first time to see this “unique melding of art, nature and history.” (www.brookgreen.org)

Included on the property is a zoo where animals native to the Low Country have either been bred and raised in captivity or have sustained a major disability due to injury.  They are well cared for and protected since they could not survive in the wild.  Careful thought went into the design and layout of this area and I noticed signs all along the path that read, 

“CAUTION:  Please stay on the path.  This area contains sensitive natural habitats with some unstable land surfaces, alligators, venomous snakes & stinging insects.” 

Well, let me tell you, that caught my attention and I made sure I stayed on the path.  Taking a detour risking unstable land surfaces, alligators, venomous snakes and stinging insects was not an option for me!  It seemed I heard a whisper from the sweet Holy Spirit, “Stay on the path, Laura.  There is purpose on the path I have you traveling and most importantly, I am with you on the path.”  Immediately Psalm 119:105 came to mind.  “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” How do I stay on the path?  Only the supernatural Word of God can illuminate “the path” to follow.  It is radiant with truth, exposing the next step to take.  King David knows this path and prays, “Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Psalm 143:10).  On this secure path I follow a trustworthy leader.  As my Good Shepherd, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).  He goes before and behind me and hems me in according to Psalm 139… all for His glory and my good.  Why would I stray from the path?

Have you been tempted to veer from the path?  Are you taking a detour where you have encountered unstableness, predators and danger?  Our hearts are prone to wander.  We want our own way or path and think we know better than God.  He is full of grace and mercy and is greater than our hearts.  Hear the good Spirit saying, “Please stay on the path!”  Trust your leader, follow Jesus, focus on the author and perfecter of your faith!

Cry out like King David, “Let me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths” (Psalm 25:4). “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).  “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).  Stay on the path!

Take some time to sit with the LORD concerning this truth and write out a prayerful response to Him.

Do Whatever He Tells You To by Beth

“They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night; a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”  Acts 16:6-10

What I love most about this particular passage of scripture is that within the text Luke describes each person of the trinity directing the steps of these men together as an inseparable work of God. They are “forbidden by the Holy Spirit” and “The Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” Then, notice after the vision, they concluded that God (Father) had called them to preach the gospel in Macedonia. Saints, we don’t always understand how our God is working, and we may not always “see” Him working, but know this, He works. Our triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) is always at work for His glory, His purposes and our good.  

As a believer, I desire to do the will of God in my life as a wife, a mom, a teacher, a sister in Christ, and as a friend. How do I know what the will of God is for my life?  I read the word of God and ask the Spirit to give wisdom and discernment as I read it. I was recently reminded from a sermon I read from a pastor friend of mine, Justin Deeter, that the book of Acts is descriptive of the church and not always prescriptive. In other words, Luke, in this particular passage, is reminding us how God led this mission. He is not telling us that we need to wait for a vision from the Lord before we act in every decision. What we are to do is seek the Word of God in every decision to determine the will of God for our lives.  

There are several verses to consider in seeking what the will of God is for any decision you make. First, God’s will according to scripture is for us to make Christ our priority. Matthew 6:33 reads, “But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Is Christ a priority in your life? 

Secondly, God’s will according to scripture is for His children not only to pursue holiness, but to be holy. I Peter 1:14-16 reads, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’” God’s word is clear that God desires us to be holy, sanctified by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  In every decision, ask yourself does this help me or hinder me in being holy? 

Another verse teaches us that the will of God includes having a grateful heart. We are to always be giving thanks to the Lord in everything. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Are you giving thanks to the Lord in all things? 

In closing, let me remind you that often we can use our wrestling over the will of God just to cover up our laziness and disobedience. Do we wait on the Lord for clarity? Yes! However, indecisiveness can cover up a lack of faith in God’s daily working in our lives. We must also guard against impulsive decision-making. I am guilty of this. I often have to confess this impulsive behavior. We can’t spiritualize our laziness or sanctify our disobedience by “cloaking it in the modern Christian parlance of waiting for the will of God”  (Justin Deeter). As John 2:5 reads, “Do whatever He tells you to do.”  

When we become a believer, we submit our lives to Christ’s orders. According to 2 Timothy 2:3-4, we are soldiers, and Christ is our Commander in Chief.   We obey his direction and his call on our lives, being sensitive to the working of the Holy Spirit in what He is directing us to do with our lives. Above all, our desire as believers should be to obey whatever command Jesus gives us. We are to go where He calls us to go and do whatever He asks us to do. May we discern the will of the Lord with wisdom, and in the Spirit, act in faith, trusting in the sovereignty of our glorious King and Redeemer.  

How is the Lord having you respond today?

Chosen to Proclaim by Miriam

Chosen to Proclaim by Miriam

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

As I was preparing to teach on 1 Peter 2:1-12, verse 9 seemed to speak to my heart more than ever before. I’ve read this verse many times, but I think I’ve always focused on who Peter is reminding us we are as believers. However, this time as I studied, the part about what I’m to do because of who I am jumped out at me. You see, because of who we are in Christ — those of us who have accepted the Lord’s gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus — we are called to proclaim Him to the dark world around us.

Now more than ever, the world seems very dark around us. But now, more than ever, we must “proclaim the excellencies of him who called” us out of this dark world. Don’t live in the light alone. It is our mission to share that light. Verse 10 goes on to say, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” We must be ready to share with others how the Lord, through Jesus shed blood, showed us mercy and took us from darkness to light.

The Message paraphrases it this way: But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

My precious daddy went home to be with Jesus on June 20, 2020. As Father’s Day approaches, he has been on my mind a little more. I can’t help but think of him as I ponder verse 9. My daddy was quick to “proclaim the excellencies” of the Lord to everyone he met. May you and I do the same.