Trust and Obey

We need a self-sacrificing, self-denying, unconditional, unchanging, unending love for Christ permeating every area of our lives. Then we will be in a place to deomstrate to the lost world that Jesus is all He claims to be.

Psalm 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Is it enough for us to say, "I love the Lord?" True love for the Lord always manifests itself in trust  and obedience.

If we want to be happy in Jesus, if we want the world to see Christ in us; trust and obey Him.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows

Are for them who will trust and obey

John H. Sammis,1887

Doing God's Work

God has called His people to be builders. What an example Nehemiah is as he returns to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His "so" statements show how God used him:

"So I prayed"  --  "So I came to Jerusalem"  --  "So they strengthened their hands for this good work" --  "So built we the wall"  --  "So we labored in the work"  --  "So the wall was finished".

Were it not for determination that came from his faith in a great God, Nehemiah would never have finished the work.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Do you have a burden in your heart for the work God has called you to do?

The Glory Of God's Grace

When God saves a soul, it's His greatest miracle.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

God's grace is greater than any sin you have ever committed. Lay your baggage at His feet, just as you are, and believe in Him. That's all.

When Jesus saves, He blesses, changes lives, gifts you, and uses you for His Glory. He will make you far better than you can ever be.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. 

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see.

Standing On The Promises

I thank God for His promises. I don't always live like I believe them. Sometimes I forget that He's with me. I fret and worry about things I can't control. Then I read the following promise.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

How can I forget? My Lord  wrapped his arms around me when I woke up after cancer surgery. How can I forget His assurance that I wasn't alone as I embarked  breast cancer treatment? God was there in a beautiful way the whole time, just as He promised. A year later I was surprised that treatment wasn't as bad as I imagined.

I should memorize this promise. I will need it again and again. You should too.

I have never walked alone.

Conquering The Flesh and Spirit Roller Coaster

Some believers are on fire for The Lord today and cold as a hammer tomorrow. They're battling the flesh and Spirit roller coaster. God wants Christians to totally sell out to Him, people who are tired of the roller coaster ride.

By God's grace, there is flesh/Spirit victory to those who humbly surrender their lives to Jesus, to those who get in The Word and pray every day.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

Does God have your very best or does He have a cheap imitation of your best?

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

At The End Of The Road

Isaiah 35:8  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness: . . . 

As Isaiah speaks to the Jews about that highway that will exist during the millennial Kingdom, we can see something about the spiritual road we walk today.

This road is a clean, holy way reserved for those who have been redeemed and  delivered from their sins.

Regardless of the path we are called to walk in this life, the King's highway leads His pilgrims home.

At the end of the road there's a glorious city of gladness. Sorrow and sighing will flee.

At the end of the road there's a place of peace, and blessing, especially when we meet King  Jesus face to face. I'll know Him by the nail prints in his hands.

If He Is Lord

Throughout history men have ridiculed Jesus, mocked Him and ignored Him. Today, His name is a byword.

Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

The day is coming when the Name of Jesus and what He represents will receive the glory and honor He is worthy of. God declares Jesus to be "Lord".

If He is Lord, He is worthy to be loved, served, worshiped, and obeyed.

If He is Lord, He is worthy of all our time, our talents, and our treasures.

If He is Lord, He deserves first place in our hearts and lives.

If He is Lord, He should be exalted, praised, and loved.

If He is Lord, let Him be Lord of all. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.