"Who...crowneth thy life with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things..." Psalm 103
The Lord has given us so many gifts -- His salvation, His love, His mercy, His kindness, His provision, His joy. Give thanks to Him every day for what He has done and what He is doing.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Taking hold of eternal life
"Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12.
What does it mean to take hold of eternal life? My NIV Study Bible says that Timothy had possessed eternal life since he had first been saved, but that here Paul is urging him to claim its benefits in greater fulness. In verse 19, he says to take hold of the life that is truly life. Surely we all want life that is truly life. We have to examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us the parts that are not truly life. In verse 17 it says that God "provides us with everything for our enjoyment," so true life is a joy-filled life, and the provision for this life is at our disposal. We need to practice taking hold of eternal life, true life, every day, asking God to guide us.
What does it mean to take hold of eternal life? My NIV Study Bible says that Timothy had possessed eternal life since he had first been saved, but that here Paul is urging him to claim its benefits in greater fulness. In verse 19, he says to take hold of the life that is truly life. Surely we all want life that is truly life. We have to examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us the parts that are not truly life. In verse 17 it says that God "provides us with everything for our enjoyment," so true life is a joy-filled life, and the provision for this life is at our disposal. We need to practice taking hold of eternal life, true life, every day, asking God to guide us.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Certa bonum certamen fidei
I think if our family had a banner or crest I would want it to say this. It is from I Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of faith." The Greek word for "fight" gives us our word "agonize." The Christian life is a battle. It is never easy. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, and it is not just against spiritual forces of evil. We have to struggle against our own selfish desires, and perhaps that is the greatest struggle of all. But it is a fight worth fighting, for "godliness with contentment is great gain."
To fight this fight, I have a suggestion. Find a Scripture verse to meditate on and think about it all through the day or even days. This week I have been thinking often about just the first part of I Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." I am trying to let that truth rule every decision.
To fight this fight, I have a suggestion. Find a Scripture verse to meditate on and think about it all through the day or even days. This week I have been thinking often about just the first part of I Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." I am trying to let that truth rule every decision.
Monday, February 6, 2012
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." --C.S. Lewis
If we take the time to reflect, I think we all recognize that there is a yearning within us for something that this world can not provide. We are meant to know God - to have a relationship with Him that transcends earth and time. Let us push aside all the unnecessary things that clog our lives and take time to spend with our Father. He is the One who satisfies and completes us.
If we take the time to reflect, I think we all recognize that there is a yearning within us for something that this world can not provide. We are meant to know God - to have a relationship with Him that transcends earth and time. Let us push aside all the unnecessary things that clog our lives and take time to spend with our Father. He is the One who satisfies and completes us.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Law and Grace
I have to admit I like the law. Give me a list of things I should do, and I will try to do them - that's my personality. But I know that I can't do all the commands of God perfectly - in fact, I can't do any of them perfectly - not even close. So I am totally dependent on grace. And what marvelous grace it is! Forgiveness of sins through the death of Jesus, the love of my heavenly Father, the help of the Holy Spirit.
Grace does change everything. Live your life in God's grace. He loves you and His power is available every moment.
Grace does change everything. Live your life in God's grace. He loves you and His power is available every moment.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Meditation
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Bible reading and Bible study are important and good, but meditation on God's Word, I think, is the most important. That's the way the Word goes down from your head into your heart. One good way to mediate is to take a short passage of Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Meditate on what you learn about God and what He is showing you to do. Remind yourself about what He shows you throughout the day. The hard part is remembering to think about it, and, at first, when you are busy, it seems impossible. But keep asking the Holy Spirit to remind you. It cannot help but be a blessing to you.
Bible reading and Bible study are important and good, but meditation on God's Word, I think, is the most important. That's the way the Word goes down from your head into your heart. One good way to mediate is to take a short passage of Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Meditate on what you learn about God and what He is showing you to do. Remind yourself about what He shows you throughout the day. The hard part is remembering to think about it, and, at first, when you are busy, it seems impossible. But keep asking the Holy Spirit to remind you. It cannot help but be a blessing to you.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Unchanging God
God doesn't change. He doesn't adapt to changing culture. He doesn't lower his standards. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is and always will be holy, mighty, loving, righteous, good. We can always rely on His unchanging love and mercy toward us, as well as on his absolute promise to punish evil. He is to be loved and feared. He is an awesome God in the true sense of the word. There will come a time when EVERY knee will bow before Him. Choose every day to love and follow Him.
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