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Psalm 100:3 “Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
I simply have to admit it—God has given me the best in life from my 30’s onward (I had some very tough years before that). He gave me His Son as my Savior and my husband, who led me to Jesus’ door and helped me knock on it. Recently my sweet guy, Terry, went on a motorcycle ride, leaving very early in the morning before I was up. Later, I found on the kitchen counter an endearing poem that ended with the words: “X’s and O’s, good and plenty and strong; You are the bestest, and to me you belong.” (Yes, Terry loves making up words!) I loved the entire poem, but what really hit me were his words, “..to me you belong.” Now of course I’ve known this all along, but to have it written, there before me, meant so very much! I was and am filled with joy when I think of belonging to Terry because he is such a good man—one who not only treasures me, in spite of all my foibles, but strives after God. God—I was led then and now to dwell on belonging to Him. I came to the conclusion that believing in Christ is the definition of belonging, for as God's children, He will allow nothing to snatch us from His hand! Why? All people are God’s creations, but we become His children when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior; God immediately adopts us and we become part of His family, and God takes care of His own! Being the best of all fathers, God gives us life-changing promises, just as He gave the Israelites, for we become seeds of Abraham: “ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29 What are some of those promises? Here are just a few: “The LORD hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the broken hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.” Psalm 34 17: 19 We undoubtedly will face many sorrows in life, the result of The Fall, but God promises us that He is with us. Sometimes we may feel His uplifting presence; at others, we will not. However, this does not mean God is not there. He is indeed, for He cares what we go through with all His heart, and He is a promise keeper: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 Our God will never fail us: “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5 Our Father provides for us; He leads, refreshes and restores us; He protects us from the evil one and promises us eternal life. Wow—what more could we ask in a dad? (Psalm 23) God gives us an inheritance as His sons and daughters, and what an inheritance that is! “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:7 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17 When we accept Jesus as Savior, we become co-heirs with Christ, and one future day we will not only be blessed by living in His good and perfect kingdom, but we will help Him rule! WOW! "If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us…” 2 Timothy 2:12 Yes, we are deemed God's children, and we belong to Him. What a glorious feeling that is! As the Almighty's children, let us live out the following truths, knowing we will be forever His: Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God; It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says; He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.” John 10:27-29 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will 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.” Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As a believer, you and I do indeed BELONG to God, and whoever God has adopted, is forever saved. We have Jesus’ word on this: “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.” John 6:39 If you are searching for belonging, look no further. Just cast your heart heavenward and ask Jesus to be your Savior! There is no better time than now! VERSES: Galatians 3:13-14 ”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” 1 John 3:1-3 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” PRAYER: Dear Father, there have been times in my life when I’ve searched for belonging—desiring so much to be loved as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend—and though I never knew or recognized this at that time, You were right by my side all along, waiting to rescue me by becoming my Father. Yes, it was You, Father, who answered all my longings. I know I am blessed by Your giving me a loving family, as I truly wish everyone would have—but by becoming Your child, I know that I can find belonging now with fellow believers and that one day I will discover more belonging than imaginable when I finally dwell in Your presence. Meanwhile, as I learn to live more and more for You, I discover that every void and vacuum is filled by You—by your inexpressible love, care, and guidance. Thank You, God, for being my Father. Thank You that You have written me a poem by giving me life and proving many times over,“TO ME YOU BELONG!” SONG: IN CHRIST ALONE-- Stuart Townend & Keith Getty In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! – who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied – For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine – Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand. Stuart Townend & Keith Getty Copyright © 2001 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, [email protected]) DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Why God? Why does He, the creator of all that is, love and desire a relationship with you—with me? It seems incomprehensible, doesn’t it, for we are all such great sinners and God is so pure and good. Well, let me tell you a story.
He arrived late at night, December 28th. My son had brought him down from Salem, and it was traumatic for the little, almost fourteen pound guy. He hadn’t traveled in a car before, and being thoroughly scared, had thoroughly wet himself. First thing of order, thoroughly bathe him! Then I began to smoother him with love and attention. It took him three days before he barked (and yes, many a time I wish we could go back to those no bark days), and he was afraid to go outside without me. For months I walked him in early morning freezes or late at night darkness trying to encourage him to use the great outdoors. I stuck to the formula—take him out after every nap, when he got up in the morning, and before he went to bed. Still, it took me a year and a half to teach this little guy to ring a bell to let me know when he had to go out and constant cleaning up the rug and floor meanwhile! He had a regal look about him, so after studying a good number of names, we tagged him with Sir Bentley Winston Thomas. Now Bentley was shy of people but snoopy and adventurous when it came to the world. During the first two weeks we had him, he managed to squeeze his way through a four inch square of fencing at ten o’clock one night. He had wandered through brush up a hill on our property, and I was in my pajamas with a flashlight. There he went, trotting down the neighbors’ driveway. Now, I couldn’t climb that fence, so I called and cajoled him with sweet talk, and finally he came back, and I somehow managed to squeeze him back through that fencing. Four hundred dollars later, we had added another layer of fencing around our one acre of property to keep him from getting out--keeping him safe. Bentley was not meant for our country property. He has long hair that continually gets matted no matter how much I brush him, and he gets tree sap stuck to his skin in multiple places. Recently, he got a foxtail stuck in his paw, and three visits to the vet and almost another four hundred dollars later, he was on the mend. I was told I could buy little boots for him to keep this from happening again (I pictured Bentley never walking again and my having to carry him everywhere), and of course I was told when the vet checked him out that he would need a tooth pulled and teeth cleaned—that I should start saving up another six hundred to one thousand dollars for that procedure. OH, BOTHER! When I ask Bentley if he wants to go for a walk, he runs and hides. When I head for the leash, he runs and hides. When I ask if he wants to go for a car ride, he runs and hides. Still, I seek him, and still I take him for walks and car rides because, in the one case, I want him to be healthy, and in the other, I want him with me. All in all, I do everything I can for him because of love. Yes, in spite of wanting to pull my hair out from time to time, I really love my little guy. Now what does all this have to do with God? On a billion times more than an electron microscopic level, so very, very much! Although seemingly ridiculous, let’s compare what we do for our pets to what God has done and continues to do for us—our God, the Almighty King of the universe--the One who pursues us when we try to run and hide because He wants us with Him. We might ask ourselves, "Why would God pursue me? Why would He desire a relationship with me—one who because of sin sometimes sees herself as lower than a pregnant ant, as the saying goes?" Yet, that is not how God sees me or how He sees you. He studies us from His throne and sees us as His beloved people—people who need to be rescued, just like some of our pets, and knowing that we many times do not understand what is good for us or what will keep us safe, He continues His pursuit because of who He is--LOVE. There we are, mangy and matted due to sin, and just like Adam and Eve who rebelled against God by stepping outside the boundaries He had given them, He watches us many times do the same. An example: He tells us in His Word, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 Based on this Scripture, let’s each ask ourselves simple questions, such as “ What kinds of books am I reading, movies am I watching, and what kind of music am I listening to? Is there soft porn (sex scenes) and/or foul language in them? Is God honored or dismayed by what I am doing and putting into my mind? Is there any other way I am stuck in the sap of this world? Am I cheating, perhaps on a test, on taxes, or on my spouse? Do I tell lies, whether little or great? Do I suffer from an addiction such as drugs, alcohol, or gambling? Do I promote the practice of homosexuality or other related behaviors--those that our culture is constantly pushing through media?” These are all good questions to ask ourselves, but we must know that no matter what we may be doing or have been involved in, God still loves us! He “. . . showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 All it takes on our part for God to bathe us, to wash away the dirt and remove the mats affecting us, is to confess our sin and accept Jesus as our Savior. Then, as the Holy Spirit immediately enters us, He gives us the strength and desire needed to begin cleaning up our act as we live willingly within the boundaries God has set for us--those rules designed, as was Bentley’s fencing, to keep us safe. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 GOD IS LOVE, and His love is so great that it overpowers all else! Not only did He pour out His love by sacrificing His Son, Jesus, to save us as He desires no man to perish, but He loves us so much that He continues to pursue us each and every time we step outside His boundaries. He then rejoices when we return to Him, as illustrated by the Prodigal Son: “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.’” Luke 15:20-22 Dogs—they come in many varieties and types! They may arrive flea bitten, mangy, unvaccinated, and malnutritioned, or perhaps they are pampered and groomed. Some look prim and proper, having registered papers, while others—well, we just have to shake our heads, asking, “Is that really a dog?” Yet each of us who have adopted dogs into our families dote on them. We treat them for fleas, give them food, water, shelter, and naturally, treats, all to keep them clean, well-nourished, and healthy. God does so much more for us! He does not superficially bathe us on the outside, perfecting our outer shells, but desiring our inner transformation, He cleanses us from the inside out by nourishing us with His living Word. He provides us with food, water, and shelter, and treats us by lovingly hearing and answering our every prayer, not always in the way we would ask, but in the way that is best. Most of all, God treats us for those pesky fleas, those sins we commit, by forgiving them when we but ask, then leads us on His path of righteousness straight into heaven: “ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 Salvation through the sacrifice of His only Son—now that’s doting on us! So why God, and why me? No, none of us deserve God’s love and care, but He truly values each and every one of His creations and continually pours His love upon us, seeking our salvation and a mutual love relationship. Did God consider the cost of this? If He did, He thought us worth it because Jesus’ gift of His life paying the ransom for our sins is priceless. I guess that is what love is--freely giving your all: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 and “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 A great question, therefore, lies before each of us that we must answer: “Will I turn on my Master, as a dog may his, and in stubbornness viciously bite, being unwilling to accept His love and sacrifice; or will I, in obedience and response to my Master’s incomprehensible love, live in obedience to Him because I love Him in return and know He has my eternal welfare in mind?” Choices—our eternal future is based on this all important one. My prayer is that each of you will run to the safety and shelter of your loving Father. VERSES: I John 1:7 “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” Psalm 23:6 “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Ezekiel 34:11 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep.” Micah 7:18 “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because You delight in showing unfailing love.” Romans 7:18-20 “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it." PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You with all my heart for loving me during my mongrel state, that is before I accepted You as my Savior; and after, when, like Paul, I desire to do what is good, but I don’t, and when don’t want to do what is wrong, I do!” Still, You are faithful to forgive my every sin and provide for my every need. You are filled with love, compassion, and mercy, and You never tire of forgiving. Thank You for Your perfect plan of salvation and Your steadfast love for me and every person You’ve created. We often say to one another, “You are the best,” but truly, Father, YOU ARE THE ONE AND ONLY GOD AND THE VERY, VERY BEST!! Amen. DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! “DEAD LEAVES” —“You will find it less easy to uproot faults, than to choke them by gaining virtues. Do not think of your faults; still less of others’ faults; in every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong: honor that; rejoice in it; and as you can, try to imitate it; and your faults will drop off, like dead leaves, when their time comes.” Ruskin 1
A season has ended and a new one has come: summer has made way for autumn’s breathtaking beauty—trees made glorious with God’s creative plan of multi-colored leaves, the reds and oranges especially striking. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with His glory!” Isaiah 6:3 Indeed, all creation shouts God’s glory! And I begin to look around at God’s creation. I do see the leaves of my trees turning color, some already fallen to the ground. I turn from looking up to looking at my home’s borders where I find the lavish colors of my mums and other autumn flowering plants refreshing to my soul; and I also note that some ground cover newly planted during summer, has done an excellent job of spreading and chocking out weeds that had previously resided there. Next spring they will flower. What joy! I believe God’s creation provides an excellent analogy of what Ruskin wrote: choke out faults by gaining virtues. That’s what my ground cover did! Moreover, Ruskin advised not dwelling on our faults or the faults of others but to look for the good in others. Great advice! Perhaps Ruskin read Scripture before writing those words. I hope so! So what is it that we need to choke out, anyway? What is a fault? In the Bible, fault implies a defect, of less moral weight than a crime or sin.2 Such might be impatience, rudeness, not listening well to others, being a user, not a giver, etc. Rather than focus on these shortcomings, however, we need to focus on Jesus’ teachings, considering others more important than ourselves. Paul wrote, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:1-4 Jesus summed this all up when He said, “’A second (commandment) is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39 When we follow Jesus’ teaching, we become less and less self-absorbed—a great cause of fault; and when we place others’ needs before our own, selflessness replaces selfishness, and we become the servants Christ so very much desired us to be. Jesus also taught the importance of our words. “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 Rather than using words rashly without thought, the cause of being rude, insensitive, condemning, etc., we are to use words to encourage one another and build one another up, to be good and helpful to others (1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Ephesians 4:29). “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 Again, Jesus taught us that we are to humble ourselves in placing others’ needs before our own, and the fault of selfishness grows less and less. Jesus also said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 Although when Jesus said these words He was talking to men who were using excuses not to follow Him immediately, I believe this verse can also be applied to our lives today. By not looking back at the errors of our ways, but by studying God’s Word so that we may become imitators of Christ, our faults will drop off like dead leaves and be replaced by the green leaves of godliness that edify our Lord and Savior and prayerfully will touch the lives of others drawing them to the light of salvation in Him. Paul wrote, “. . . but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14 Our past equals dead leaves; let us not wallow in it! Let us focus on our future in Christ which promises a brilliant, joyful life in eternity! Let us run our race with vigor and follow Jesus’ command: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Faults . . . dead leaves . . . have you let yours fall from your tree of life, or do you focus on your past and feel overwhelmed? I would urge you, as I am doing for myself, to look forward, not back; to focus on who you can be in Christ and how others’ lives can be touched for Him when you act as His hands and feet. When you pass your goal line, how wonderful it will be if you then watch others following on the path to life in Jesus because of how you lived your life. 1. Leaves of Gold, edited by Clyde Francis Lytle, Gossett Publishing Company, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 1948. 2. https://www.biblestudytools.com › dictionary › fault VERSES: Genesis 19:26 “But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.” Romans 12:10 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” PRAYER: Dear Father, I would ask that you would help me to remove all dead leaves from my life and continue to learn from Your Holy Word who and what you desire me to be and do. Rather than focus on my faults or the faults of others, let me always focus on Your life and how you placed the welfare of others before your own and imitate You. Turn what is dead in me into life, and help me always focus on the hope that lies before me—the knowledge that when this race has been run, I will live with you in incomprehensible joy. Thank You, Father, for continuing to teach me and lead me on the path that leads to You, and help me guide others in Your footsteps. Amen. DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Luke 23:42 “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ ”
His disciples looked up to Jesus, for He was more than amazing. He healed the blind, the sick, and the lame; and He exorcised demons, raised the dead, and forgave sin. So great were Jesus’ teachings and miracles that while walking with Jesus for three years, these men attested that He indeed was the Son of God.
Head knowledge told Jesus’ disciples that He was indeed the Messiah—the Son of God. He daily demonstrated this, and as He was in the Davidic line, they, as generations of Jews before them, expected Him to physically conquer the Romans and set up Israel as the ruling nation. Why? Perhaps it was because they were strong in believing the first two parts of God’s promise to Abraham—that Abraham and his descendants would become a great nation and that they would be given land. But it appears that the third part of the promise was not fully understood—that through Abraham and his descendants, all nations would be blessed. How so? It goes back to Adam and Eve and the promise that Satan and sin would be crushed. God’s kingdom would be one of purity and of love for all. It does appear that the disciples truly didn’t understand Jesus’ role or His kingdom, though time and again, Jesus spoke about who He was, His kingdom, and His purpose—not to be an earthly king at that time, but to save mankind from sin: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 This was Jesus, foretold by the angel of the Lord to Joseph, “ And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” God’s purpose was very clear: Jesus would save mankind from sin. Therefore, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 “Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’ Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.’ ” Luke 19:8-10 Don’t you sometimes wonder if the disciples were really listening? Don’t you wonder about them putting two and two together to understand the prophecies of Scripture? If they fully understood Jesus, why did they abandon Him in the garden? Deny Him? Leave Him at the cross? Lock themselves behind locked doors after His crucifixion? False expectations—this is what it appears the disciples suffered from. Where was their conquering hero when He was mocked, tortured, and crucified on the cross? How could He allow these things to happen to Himself if He were truly to be their Messiah Ruler? These men who walked with Jesus, ate with Him, and traveled with Him, now doubted who He was. When we examine Scripture, however, there was one man--a most unlikely man--who did understand who Jesus was. He was a criminal—some believe a murderer—and he was being crucified at the side of Jesus. While a criminal on the other side mocked Jesus, this man protested, “ ’Don’t you fear God when you’ve been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’ ” Luke 23 40-43 Now I must ask myself, as you might ask yourself, “What about me? Do I have false expectations of You, LORD? Do I, knowing you are God, expect You to answer my every prayer with “Yes, so it shall be done,” or do I expect You to act like a genie, giving me my three wishes? Do I expect You to crush everything bad in the world because, like some say, if You were good, You wouldn’t allow it? Is there anything I expect of you that I should not? OR am I in Your Word enough to understand who You really are, the all-compassionate, merciful Master planner who walks with me every step throughout my life? Do I understand that there will be multiple times of joy as I walk in my Christian faith, but also know I am guaranteed in Your Word to face difficult trials, and maybe, someday, even persecution by those who hate You? All these questions are answered by faith—even a simple faith such as that of the criminal who repented and was saved just before his death. Faith helps us understand that God is good and trustworthy—that we live in a fallen and decaying world because of sin, but that sin has been conquered through Jesus’ work on the cross. Faith gives us the knowledge that one day there will a new heaven and a new earth where all will be well and where there will be great rejoicing and praise for our Almighty God. Our enemy, Satan, would have us rely and fall back onto false expectations, for he wants us to think God fails us. Let us never succumb to his wily tricks by immersing ourselves in God’s Word. God never fails! He is our rock and salvation. May He be praised forever and ever. VERSES: John 1:12 “But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 3:3 “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ ” John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” Colossians 2:8 “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” PRAYER: Dear Father, as I read Your Word, help me by the light of Your Spirit completely understand what You are teaching so that I never suffer from false expectations concerning You or about what is happening in this current world. You are the answer to every question and to every search for meaning. You, Almighty God, are majestic and awesome. Thank You for Your perfect plan for mankind and thank You for Your perfect plan for me. DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! |
Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
December 2022
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