Tag Archives: Jesus

June 2

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Proverbs 19-21

20:9 says:

Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?

The Bible tells us no one is righteous.  Not even one. It also says all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. 

We all sin. And just because we have a personal relationship with the Lord doesn’t mean we are immune from sinning. Satan doesn’t just write us off when we accept Jesus as our Savior. In fact, if we’re honest Satan often steps up his game a little in the lives of Christians.

Sometimes I think we can be too hard on ourselves about past sins. We might have committed what we consider to be some pretty awful sins or we might feel guilty about lying to someone. 

One thing I see in the Bible is that God doesn’t grade sins. He doesn’t consider murder more of an offense than gluttony. He didn’t die once for some sins and twice for others. He died once and for all.

Ok. So you’re a sinner. Welcome to the human race. Repent and move on. Jesus died for you. Your sins… all of them… are forgiven when you repent. If you carry the guilt of your sin, if you keep beating yourself up for past mistakes, if you allow those things to hold you back, that’s on you. It’s not from God. In fact, it just might be Satan’s weapon to keep you ineffective for the kingdom.

When we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. Did you get that? You can stand before God today whiter than snow because Jesus’ blood paid the price. 

If you have gone to God and asked him to forgive you, then trust him to do that. The guilt you hold on to just might be a sin you need to confess. Let him free you of that, too.

And remember, no one can say they have kept a pure heart or are clean and without sin. Don’t let Satan make you think your sins are too ugly for God to forgive. Or that you deserve this feeling of guilt. All of us are in the same boat. And we have a great God who wants us to accept what he has to offer: forgiveness, cleansing, freedom.

Letting go of guilt doesn’t mean we don’t remember. We should remember so we don’t repeat our sin. Letting go of guilt doesn’t mean we think we got away with something. The penalty for that sin cost Jesus his life. But he wanted to pay for it. He wanted to go to the cross to free us from that sin. My prayer is that we all will let him do that.

If you are feeling guilty about something, thank God for his grace and use the memory of that sin to remind you how really awesome his grace is to forgive even that. Don’t let Satan steal your joy. Let God turn Satan’s attack into a blessing.

Father in Heaven, I pray for hurting people today. I know there isn’t one person reading this today who hasn’t done something or said something that they regret. I know some are carrying the physical consequences of past sins. But, God, I also know you are faithful to forgive when we ask. Please help your people to forgive ourselves, too, so that we can be free to reach out to others. Defeat Satan in our lives when he would keep us captive to past sins. Thank you for Jesus and his work on the cross that allows us to live lives free of sin that would entangle us. Help us to walk free today.

May 29

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Proverbs 8-10

Wisdom is speaking. And in 8:22-36 who do you see described there? Isn’t it Jesus? 

‘Before the oceans or mountains I was given birth. I was there when the heavens were created. I was the craftsman at his side. Whoever finds me finds life.’

Those are things we know about Jesus, aren’t they? So I re-read these chapters and substituted the word “wisdom” with the name of Jesus. It’s Jesus who bids me come to him. It’s Jesus who sets a table and invites me to sit and eat. It’s Jesus who promises to be found when I look for him. It’s Jesus who delights in mankind.

Once again I am reminded that it’s all about Jesus. We were created by and for him. And in the end, nothing else will matter. I can accept him and be blessed or reject him and be rejected by him. That’s a scary thought.

Choosing Jesus is wisdom. Choosing anything else is foolishness.

I paraphrase Proverbs 8:11:

For Jesus is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with him.

Dear Father, I thank you for Jesus. He is more precious than rubies and when he comes into a heart nothing can compare. I thank you for your Word that never ceases to speak to me. I pray that today I will be aware of how important Jesus is in my life and how important I am to him. Give me wisdom. Give me Jesus.

May 28

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Proverbs 5-7

Solomon talks a lot about the adulteress. His warnings against her are urgent and strong. But if we look at this section of Scripture as simply talking about sex between people who are not married to each other we miss some urgent and strong warnings directed at all of us.

God is our bridegroom. Remember Solomon’s Song? The relationship between God and those who accept his grace is as intimate, as personal, and as exclusive as a marriage relationship is designed to be.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me” is one of God’s top ten commandments.

So when I read these verses in the book of Proverbs I need to remind myself that anything that compromises my relationship with Christ is to be taken seriously. Anything. 

The “adulteress” in my life could be another person. But it could also be my career. It could be a prideful heart. It might be gossip, fun or fantasy, lying or lust. 

Solomon is warning us to flee anything or anyone that would lead us astray. If you haven’t read today’s chapters in Proverbs I hope you do. And if you have, I challenge you to reread them and ask God to put a face on your “adulteress”. Identify that person or thing that is actively seeking to compromise your relationship with your bridegroom.

Then, my prayer is that you will commit that adulteress to the Lord, asking him to help you resist, to flee, to have victory over the temptation to be unfaithful to Jesus. God wants to give you victory today.

May 23

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I Kings 7:13-51, 8:1-21; 2 Chronicles 4:1-5:14

God wants us to know him. He put it all out there in creation – the heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows his handiwork. Throughout his written Word he has said and done countless things to reveal himself to us.

Even as we picture this beautiful temple we see a picture of God Himself. It’s hard for me to wrap my  mind around the Old Testament Presence of God because I am used to him being with me 24/7. He lived in a cloud, separate from humanity. In the Old Testament he is revealed as a Holy, untouchable God who had Solomon place the ark in the middle of a sea suspended on the backs of sculptured bulls. 17,500 gallons of water separated men from God.

But then God touched humanity in the person of Jesus. The Holy God stooped to our level so we could know him better, more intimately than ever before. At his death he broke down the walls between us and the Most Holy Place. And he lives within us in the form of the Holy Spirit.

But here’s something to think about. While we are living this life on earth there is still a separation between us and our Holy God. Jesus stands in the gap and the Holy Spirit prays for us. But we are still separated by a sea of time and space.

Revelation 21:1 tells us that when this life is over there will be no more sea! No pool of water, no time or space. We will see him face to face! We will know him as we are known by him. We will be able to touch him, feel his arms around us.

I am praising God for the promise of that day!

May20

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Psalm 50; Song of Solomon 1-4

Jesus is our bridegroom. Solomon’s Song was always confusing to me until someone told me to read it picturing Jesus as the lover and me as the one he loves. When I do that the words don’t only make sense, they thrill me!

I am loved. Really, totally, unashamedly loved by Jesus. He loves me in an intimate, personal way. And he loves me very publicly. 

His love sees the best in me. He just can’t get enough of me.

As we read the Song of Solomon together, let’s allow God to express his love for us. And let’s be challenged to return his love. It’s a love that will make us want to live up to it’s view of us. And it’s a love that will invite us to rest in it’s sweetness.

Jesus is our bridegroom. And we are loved.

May 11

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Psalms 28, 39, 41, 42, 43; 2 Samuel 16:16-17:23

We’ve all heard it said, “life is short”. But do we have a clue about the length of life on this earth compared to eternity? David said it’s like taking a breath. Ninety years on earth is like the time it takes to inhale. A second? A fraction of a second?

So, yes life is short. But what we do in this hiccup in eternity is so important. In fact, nothing is more important because the choice we make here will determine our eternity.

It’s not like we have to hurry and live a good life or get involved in a church or give more money to charity. Those things certainly effect the quality of life we enjoy while we’re here. But there is only one question God will ask of us when we see him face to face.

What did you do with my Son?

At that moment our good intentions, our good deeds, our position in society will be laid aside and all we’ll have is the answer to that question.

Is Jesus my Savior? Yes – or No.

April 22

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2 Samuel 22, Psalms 14, 53, 1 Samuel 26

The fool says in his heart that there is no God. I don’t get how anyone can deny God when there is so much evidence surrounding us. Evidence that points to God as Creator, Powerful, Merciful. 

I would think that those of us who read today’s Scripture and this blog know that God is who he says he is. We believe.

But wait. How does my belief in God translate to my day-to-day? What is it I believe about God?

Scripture tells us God is the one true God. It tells us he is holy, the Creator of this world. It tells us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one can get to God except through him. Scripture tells me that Jesus died on a cross so that my sins can be forgiven. And it tells me one day every knee will bow before him and even the fool who said there is no God will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and God is real.

Scripture tells me that God demands holiness of us. He put down a set of rules we must live by. Breaking those rules… sin… has only one outcome. Death. It also tells me he provided a way for us to be forgiven of all our sin.

Scripture warns us that those who accepted Jesus in this life time will go to heaven. All others will spend eternity in hell. Period.

So if I truly believe that God is God and his Word is true, if I understand people will go to hell without him, that there is just no other way… why aren’t I doing more to share him with my friends, neighbors, and family? 

It’s not just the ones who deny God who are fools. We who know God and don’t share him just might be the biggest fools of all.

Father, I believe. Yet I have foolishly ignored opportunities to share your truth with friends and loved ones. Forgive me and help me to recognize your leading, to be faithful to you, and to introduce someone to the one true God who loves them and gave himself for them.

April 19

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Psalms 13, 17, 22, 54, I Samuel 24:1-22

Isn’t Psalm 22 thrilling? It starts off with the words Jesus spoke from the cross and includes great detail about the crucification. It’s all there from the mocking and insults, a weak and thirsty Jesus, the nails in his hands and feet, the fact his bones were not broken, to the casting of lots for Jesus’ clothing. “For he has done it.”

There is no way David could have described that scene except God told him. This is quite an example of “God-breathed” Scripture. 

So when I read how David treated Saul, who wanted David dead, I have to believe it as God-breathed Scripture. Instead of treating Saul the way Saul was treating him, David showed kindness and respect. Saul wanted an enemy in David. David wanted a friend in Saul.

It’s human nature, I think, to repay evil with evil. It’s supernatural to treat evil with kindness. I’m certainly not saying we turn a blind eye to abuse or illegal activity. There are laws we must follow.

I used to tell kids it’s hard to be mean to someone who’s nice to you. It’s not impossible, but it’s not as fun, either. Most bullies pick on people for the reaction they get from their victim. Walking away without reacting doesn’t give the bully what he wants. And doing something kind or thoughtful for the bully confuses him or her.

Kindness is not a quick-fix as we will see in David’s story. But Paul reminds us in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. It’s a process. And it’s hard. But it works or God wouldn’t have breathed those words into the ears of the writers of Scripture.

Is there someone who is being mean to you or treating you unfairly? Give him a sincere compliment. Smile and say hello instead of avoiding her. They may not deserve your kindness. But you deserve the satisfaction of knowing you have done the right thing.

All I know is, the Bible recommends kindness. Pray about it. See if God would have you repay some evil with good. You might as well begin today.

God, I am blown away by Scripture. Thank you so much for inspiring the writers to put down your truth. I pray for people who are experiencing some form of mistreatment. May they look to you for direction and, if they feel led, do something kind for the person who is mistreating them. Not just once. But as long as it takes to win them over. I trust you, because it is in your Word, that you will bring about good.

April 8

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Ruth 3&4, I Chronicles 2:3-16

Aren’t ancient customs funny? Ruth couldn’t tweet Boaz what was on her mind so, while he was sleeping, she uncovered his feet and slept there. A business transaction consisted of taking off your sandal in front of a few people. That was it? No contract to sign? No down payment?

I guess things have changed a bit since then. Except for the fact we still need a kinsman redeemer. And his name is Jesus. From the cross and in front of the world Jesus proclaimed… “I’ll redeem Connie. I’ll take her to myself and care for her.” All I had to do was go to him.

Blessed Redeemer, Jesus is mine!

I know that my Redeemer lives.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Lots of good old hymns speak about the fact that once I was lost. But Jesus paid whatever it took to make me his own. 

Redeemed! Redeemed! His child and forever I am.

March 31

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Joshua 22-24

Now the descendants of Abraham were going to be able to enjoy living in the land promised to him so long ago. There were no more enemies to defeat. They were home.

Before they all went their separate ways Joshua spoke to them. Listen to what he said:

Be very careful to keep the commandments and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

Jesus reminded us of Joshua’s words and added… love your neighbor as yourself

What is the purpose of our lives? What is the greatest commandment and the secret for happiness? We just read it today.

And by the way, it’s Easter Sunday morning. I attended the sunrise service at the pier on the ocean. Hundreds of us worshiped the risen Savior as the sun came up over the lighthouse. Was it a morning like this when Jesus walked out of that tomb? When the angel spoke those amazing words to the women… He is not here. He has risen as he said.

Dear friend, do we realize the truth in what we celebrate today? Jesus is alive. Really, physically, absolutely alive! What a privilege we have to love him with all our hearts and souls, to walk with him, to obey him, to hold fast to him and serve him.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!