24 posts from February 2008 (page 2)

You will be judged on whether or not you are doing what Christ wants you to. So watch what you do and what you think.

You are a great debtor to His grace. It’s not only what we are saved “out of” but what we have been saved “from” that makes our hearts worthy of a spot in the chorus of the redeemed. Anyone who receives Jesus as Savior is welcome to join in the choir of praise: “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever” (Ps. 89:1).

It’s one thing to say we believe that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the holy Trinity, identifies Himself with us. It’s quite another to feel the blessed experience of our identification with Him. But we need not resort to extreme measures to grasp the truth of that oneness, for Christ Himself has endured the most extreme of all measures to identify with us. He went to the cross to reconcile a sinful human race to Himself (Rom. 5:10-11).
Reading Scripture, praying, and partaking of the Lord’s Supper can help us gain at least some awareness of our identification with our Lord and Savior. But regardless of how we feel, our unity with Him is a fact that we must grasp in faith. The just shall live by faith—not by feeling.

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word. 68 Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74 They that fear thee shall see me and be glad, Because I have hoped in thy word.

75 I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

76 Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant.

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be put to shame; For they have overthrown me wrongfully: But I will meditate on thy precepts.

79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me; And they shall know thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes, That I be not put to shame.

The best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible. The Bible tells of God’s great love for us. This is expressed in what my friend called the best love note she had ever received. It’s found in John 3:16                              
For God so loVed the world,                                           
      That He gAve
           His onLy
           BegottEn                                         
                SoN
                    That whoever
        Believes In Him
         Should Not perish,
       But have Everlasting life.
God loves us like no one else ever could. He showed that love when He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. He’s also the best companion we’ll ever have.
Open your Bible and learn more about Him.
The more you read the Bible, the more you’ll love its Author.

Not everyone appreciates correction, but David did. He felt indebted to those who corrected him and realized how much he owed them. “Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. Let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it” (Ps. 141:5).
Correction is a kindness, David insists, a word that suggests an act of loyalty. Loyal friends will correct one another, even when it’s painful and disruptive to relationships to do so. It’s one of the ways we show love and help one another to grow stronger. As Proverbs 27:6 states: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
It takes grace to give godly correction; it takes greater grace to receive it. Unlike David, who accepted Nathan’s correction (2 Sam. 12:13), we’re inclined to refuse it. We resent the interference; we do not want to be found out. But if we accept the reproof, we will find that it does indeed become “excellent oil” on our heads, an anointing that makes our lives a sweet aroma wherever we go.
Growth in grace sometimes comes through the kind but unpleasant correction of a loyal friend. Do not refuse it, for “he who receives correction is prudent” (Prov. 15:5) and “wise” (9:8-9).

Don’t fear tough transitions in life for God will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Always look to God’s laws for free men and He will always bless you in everything you do.

Many people are confused about who Jesus is. But through His Word,  God helps us know and enjoy the real Jesus. You will find Him wonderfully compelling. Tough fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots gave up everything to follow Him (Mark 1:18). Women felt safe with Him. Crowds stood in awe of His power and authority. To know Jesus is to love Jesus.

All of us have a secret garden of the heart. How we tend it will determine what speech and behavior it produces. Proverbs wisely admonishes us: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). The word keep means “to watch or guard with fidelity.” Guarding what we take into our hearts and monitoring our response will determine what takes root there. As we remove the thorns of resentment, weeds of lust, and roots of bitterness, we can replace them with the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).
Are you tending the garden of your heart? God wants you to water the seed He’s planted in your heart.