Starting tomorrow, I will be posting at http://davesbiblejournal.wordpress.com It's going to be a lot easier for me in terms of posting on the go. Thanks for checking in!
Dave
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Matthew 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost it's taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."
I was thinking about the implicatons of being referred to as "salt". There are concepts of flavor and preservation, but what it comes down to for me is having distinct positive qualities that are brought into a situation that needs them. I only add seasoning to food because that seasoning brings a flavor to the dish that is lacking. If the food already tastes like paprika, why would I add more paprika?
I need to make sure I am mindful of how much I "taste" like the world. Just yesterday I struggled with a difficult day and had to wrestle with grumbling and complaining or having a joyful disposition. Those closest to me know how I fared. If I cannot be distinguished from the rest of the world, God will have no use for me and throw me out to be trampled. It's a hard task (impossible, really), but thankfully our Lord has given us His Word and His Spirit to provide the means and the strength to be "salty".
Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. Help me to submit to Him and to bring Your "flavor" to those around me. Amen.
I was thinking about the implicatons of being referred to as "salt". There are concepts of flavor and preservation, but what it comes down to for me is having distinct positive qualities that are brought into a situation that needs them. I only add seasoning to food because that seasoning brings a flavor to the dish that is lacking. If the food already tastes like paprika, why would I add more paprika?
I need to make sure I am mindful of how much I "taste" like the world. Just yesterday I struggled with a difficult day and had to wrestle with grumbling and complaining or having a joyful disposition. Those closest to me know how I fared. If I cannot be distinguished from the rest of the world, God will have no use for me and throw me out to be trampled. It's a hard task (impossible, really), but thankfully our Lord has given us His Word and His Spirit to provide the means and the strength to be "salty".
Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. Help me to submit to Him and to bring Your "flavor" to those around me. Amen.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Matthew 4:5,6
"Then the devil took Him... and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "He will command His angels concerning you," ' "
I found this to be a scary reminder of how resourceful the enemy can be. We've heard of the many tactics of the devil, but here he's using scripture, which is frightening. I've encountered many people who have misinterpreted God's Word, but I've never really looked at it as a scheme of Satan.
I am extremely blessed to have spent the last 18 years in a church that puts the study of Scripture of foremost importance. Even so, I need to guard against lazy reading and falling victim to Satan using the Bible against me. Many evil purposes in history have been predicated on supposed adherence to the Word of God (Joseph Smith comes to mind...)
Lord, thank You for Your holy Word. Help me to approach it with respect and submission to Your Spirit guiding me into truth.
I found this to be a scary reminder of how resourceful the enemy can be. We've heard of the many tactics of the devil, but here he's using scripture, which is frightening. I've encountered many people who have misinterpreted God's Word, but I've never really looked at it as a scheme of Satan.
I am extremely blessed to have spent the last 18 years in a church that puts the study of Scripture of foremost importance. Even so, I need to guard against lazy reading and falling victim to Satan using the Bible against me. Many evil purposes in history have been predicated on supposed adherence to the Word of God (Joseph Smith comes to mind...)
Lord, thank You for Your holy Word. Help me to approach it with respect and submission to Your Spirit guiding me into truth.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Genesis 6,7,8
8:20 "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar"
After Noah and company unload from the Ark, Noah presents a burnt offering to God and it is described as a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord. My whole life, I've been mildly puzzled about why God told Noah to bring seven pairs of every clean animal on the ark, but only two of the unclean animals. Then today, when I was reading, it struck me for the first time: "If Noah sacrificed animals right when he got off the boat, wouldn't they be extinct?" Give time for the hamster to turn the wheel in my brain... I get it now! Once again, God proves that He knows what He's doing.
I don't know if I'm just dense or if I never took the time figure out what was going on here, but I never saw this here before. The Word of God truly is living and active. This is so cool! God provided the sacrifice! Just like the ram in the thicket with Abraham and Isaac, just like Christ in a manger, God provides the sacrifice. Pastor was preaching on thankfulness this morning and it's fitting to what I found in the Word today. Whether it's my paycheck to allow me to give back to the Lord, or Jesus being sent to pay for my sins, I can be thankful that God provides the sacrifices he desires and requires. Hallelujah!
Lord, thank You for providing the sacrifices you require! Thank You for your lovingkindness and your faithfulness!
After Noah and company unload from the Ark, Noah presents a burnt offering to God and it is described as a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord. My whole life, I've been mildly puzzled about why God told Noah to bring seven pairs of every clean animal on the ark, but only two of the unclean animals. Then today, when I was reading, it struck me for the first time: "If Noah sacrificed animals right when he got off the boat, wouldn't they be extinct?" Give time for the hamster to turn the wheel in my brain... I get it now! Once again, God proves that He knows what He's doing.
I don't know if I'm just dense or if I never took the time figure out what was going on here, but I never saw this here before. The Word of God truly is living and active. This is so cool! God provided the sacrifice! Just like the ram in the thicket with Abraham and Isaac, just like Christ in a manger, God provides the sacrifice. Pastor was preaching on thankfulness this morning and it's fitting to what I found in the Word today. Whether it's my paycheck to allow me to give back to the Lord, or Jesus being sent to pay for my sins, I can be thankful that God provides the sacrifices he desires and requires. Hallelujah!
Lord, thank You for providing the sacrifices you require! Thank You for your lovingkindness and your faithfulness!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Matthew 2
2:16 "Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under..."
The reason this caught my eye was that I found it interesting that this "ruler" of Israel had just ordered the same heinous act of Israel's most notorious oppressor, the Pharaoh of Egypt from Exodus 1. Granted, Herod was an evil and depraved impostor (so expectations were pretty low), but it's still quite ironic that God's people fled this kind of horror only to have it now come on them again.
I was thinking about if I have ever been blinded by my own ambition only to become that which I despise. One thing that I know I struggle with is my attitude towards parenting. Sometimes I get so focused on teaching conformity to rules that I forget that parenting is about cultivating hearts towards Christ. When you lose sight of that, voices get louder, tempers flare, and learning is replaced with bitterness. I won't compare myself to Herod, but there's a warning here to watch what you are striving for. Herod had an opportunity to fulfill his charge as a leader and protector by presenting Christ to the nation as their true salvation and deliverance. It's pretty obvious... he blew it.
Lord, help me to make my desires conform to Yours. Help me to shepherd my kid's hearts towards You. Please draw my family closer to You.
The reason this caught my eye was that I found it interesting that this "ruler" of Israel had just ordered the same heinous act of Israel's most notorious oppressor, the Pharaoh of Egypt from Exodus 1. Granted, Herod was an evil and depraved impostor (so expectations were pretty low), but it's still quite ironic that God's people fled this kind of horror only to have it now come on them again.
I was thinking about if I have ever been blinded by my own ambition only to become that which I despise. One thing that I know I struggle with is my attitude towards parenting. Sometimes I get so focused on teaching conformity to rules that I forget that parenting is about cultivating hearts towards Christ. When you lose sight of that, voices get louder, tempers flare, and learning is replaced with bitterness. I won't compare myself to Herod, but there's a warning here to watch what you are striving for. Herod had an opportunity to fulfill his charge as a leader and protector by presenting Christ to the nation as their true salvation and deliverance. It's pretty obvious... he blew it.
Lord, help me to make my desires conform to Yours. Help me to shepherd my kid's hearts towards You. Please draw my family closer to You.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Matthew 1
1:1 "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
It would be easy to read this first verse as part of the physical lineage of Christ, but it's significant that Jesus is first and foremost identified with David and Abraham. David and Abraham are symbolic of the promises God has made to Israel. Abraham was promised to have a family line that would bring blessing to the entire world (Gen 22:18), and David was promised to have a family line that would have an enduring kingdom (2 Sam 7:16). Matthew begins his book by presenting Jesus as the culmination of these promises.
I would do well to remember that our God makes and, more importantly, keeps promises. "I will never leave you or forsake you"; "and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ"; "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you". If I spent more time thinking about the promises God has made, I will be more aware of how he is keeping those promises and will in turn be able to more effectively praise Him.
Lord, thank You for Your promises and Your faithfulness. Help me to be less consumed with what I am doing in this world and more consumed with what You are doing in this world
It would be easy to read this first verse as part of the physical lineage of Christ, but it's significant that Jesus is first and foremost identified with David and Abraham. David and Abraham are symbolic of the promises God has made to Israel. Abraham was promised to have a family line that would bring blessing to the entire world (Gen 22:18), and David was promised to have a family line that would have an enduring kingdom (2 Sam 7:16). Matthew begins his book by presenting Jesus as the culmination of these promises.
I would do well to remember that our God makes and, more importantly, keeps promises. "I will never leave you or forsake you"; "and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ"; "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you". If I spent more time thinking about the promises God has made, I will be more aware of how he is keeping those promises and will in turn be able to more effectively praise Him.
Lord, thank You for Your promises and Your faithfulness. Help me to be less consumed with what I am doing in this world and more consumed with what You are doing in this world
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
2 Timothy 1-2
2:22 "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
What stood out to me is the "along with" in the verse. The Christian pursuits that Paul is encouraging are not to be sought in seclusion. Our growth and sanctification is a process within the body of Christ. Trying to do these things on our own might be compared to mountain climbing without any rope... precarious at best.
This post was meant as a test run to see how running my blog as my journal would work with my current schedule and resources. I just picked the part of scripture I was already reading and this is what came up. The main reason I like the idea of using the blog to journal is that if I fall of the horse, everyone reading will know about it. I need that kind of accountability. If you take the time to check here over the coming year and you see that it's been a couple days since my last post, please email, call or talk to me and tell me to get with the program. Thanks.
By the way, this starts Jan 1, so chill out until then ;^)
Lord help me to pursue You and Your purposes. Help me to do this with transparency among my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
What stood out to me is the "along with" in the verse. The Christian pursuits that Paul is encouraging are not to be sought in seclusion. Our growth and sanctification is a process within the body of Christ. Trying to do these things on our own might be compared to mountain climbing without any rope... precarious at best.
This post was meant as a test run to see how running my blog as my journal would work with my current schedule and resources. I just picked the part of scripture I was already reading and this is what came up. The main reason I like the idea of using the blog to journal is that if I fall of the horse, everyone reading will know about it. I need that kind of accountability. If you take the time to check here over the coming year and you see that it's been a couple days since my last post, please email, call or talk to me and tell me to get with the program. Thanks.
By the way, this starts Jan 1, so chill out until then ;^)
Lord help me to pursue You and Your purposes. Help me to do this with transparency among my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Monday, June 23, 2008
State of the Blog
I must apologize for the lack of new content on the blog. I primarily started this blog out of convenience for my endeavor to journal my Bible reading. I was surprised, however, to find that I somehow developed a small but regular following among some friends and family. After some re-evaluation of how much time and energy I devote to the things in my life, I have decided to cease posting to this blog and accept an invitation from Ryan to be a contributor on his blog, Out of the Miry Clay. I appreciate your willingness to listen to my point of view on scripture, and invite you keep up with Ryan, Chris and I as we tackle all things Christian and try to relate them to the world. Thank you (all six or so of you!), and God bless.
Dave
Dave
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
John 14
14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way , and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' "
Jesus gives this famous response to Thomas' comment about not knowing how to get to where Jesus was going.
And who says guys don't ask for directions?
I read this passage (which I have read many times before), and a light bulb went off. I went back and read over what Jesus said a couple times and realized something amazing! Jesus says that the way to Him is Him! In this account is the spirit and thought behind Colossians 1:19 and the whole book of Hebrews. Christ is everything! Think about how Jesus describes Himself in this chapter:
- The Preparer of a place for His children
- The Redeemer who will come back for us
- The Destination we are bound for
- The Path to the destination
- The Truth
- The Life
- The One who introduces us to God the Father
- The Knowledge of God
- The Presence of God
- The Revelation of God
- The Glory of God
- The Agent of God's power
- The Mediator of God and man
- The Sustainer of His children
Good grief! Jesus is everything we need and (should) want! I feel like I'm using too many exclamation points, but I can't help it! I read this and I wonder why I ever have feelings of wanting more out of areas of my life. I have the ultimate source of all that is good dwelling inside me. I would do well to go to Christ and try to draw on the depths of what He is offering me. If I would just fill up more of my life with Him instead of other things, I would never feel wanting.
Lord, You are all I need. You are the fullness. Fill me with that fullness and help me seek the depths of the good gifts you have given me.
Jesus gives this famous response to Thomas' comment about not knowing how to get to where Jesus was going.
And who says guys don't ask for directions?
I read this passage (which I have read many times before), and a light bulb went off. I went back and read over what Jesus said a couple times and realized something amazing! Jesus says that the way to Him is Him! In this account is the spirit and thought behind Colossians 1:19 and the whole book of Hebrews. Christ is everything! Think about how Jesus describes Himself in this chapter:
- The Preparer of a place for His children
- The Redeemer who will come back for us
- The Destination we are bound for
- The Path to the destination
- The Truth
- The Life
- The One who introduces us to God the Father
- The Knowledge of God
- The Presence of God
- The Revelation of God
- The Glory of God
- The Agent of God's power
- The Mediator of God and man
- The Sustainer of His children
Good grief! Jesus is everything we need and (should) want! I feel like I'm using too many exclamation points, but I can't help it! I read this and I wonder why I ever have feelings of wanting more out of areas of my life. I have the ultimate source of all that is good dwelling inside me. I would do well to go to Christ and try to draw on the depths of what He is offering me. If I would just fill up more of my life with Him instead of other things, I would never feel wanting.
Lord, You are all I need. You are the fullness. Fill me with that fullness and help me seek the depths of the good gifts you have given me.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
John 7:32-53
7:52a "They replied, 'Are you from Galilee too?'..."
The Pharisees rebuke Nicodemus for defending Jesus.
Prior to this outburst at Nicodemus, the Pharisees scold the men they sent to arrest Jesus by asking them if they have "also been deceived?" It struck me as comical in a sense that they hate Jesus so much that they regard anyone moved by the obvious power in His message as dolts. It really seems that the implication of their two statements is to ask "are you stupid?" Galileans unfortunately had a stereotype of being uneducated manual labor-types.
This points to a problem I have with sharing my faith. Among like minded brethren, I love discussing my faith and God's holy Word. Among unbelievers, however, I'm not as comfortable because I expect the same reaction as with the Pharisees. Mind you, I don't doubt the truth of the Bible, but I expect scoffing from those who do doubt, and in all truthfulness, I don't want a reputation of idiocy. To avoid beating around the bush, I have a pride issue. I wholeheartedly believe my faith is true saving faith, but I still care about spiritually blind people calling me stupid.
Boy, when you write it out like that... I actually do sound stupid.
So, to rectify my problem (after I repent to God), I'm going to meditate on 1 Cor. 1:18 tonight and for however long it takes to drive out this preoccupation with what my unsaved acquaintances think of me.
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Who cares what they think!? They think it's stupid because they can't understand it because they don't have the Holy Spirit because they're lost! I should react to derision with pity and prayer, not shame.
Lord, help me to be quick to boast about You and Your salvation. Help me to be bold in proclaiming You and Your gospel. Draw in the hearts of the mockers and open their eyes to Your truth and glory.
The Pharisees rebuke Nicodemus for defending Jesus.
Prior to this outburst at Nicodemus, the Pharisees scold the men they sent to arrest Jesus by asking them if they have "also been deceived?" It struck me as comical in a sense that they hate Jesus so much that they regard anyone moved by the obvious power in His message as dolts. It really seems that the implication of their two statements is to ask "are you stupid?" Galileans unfortunately had a stereotype of being uneducated manual labor-types.
This points to a problem I have with sharing my faith. Among like minded brethren, I love discussing my faith and God's holy Word. Among unbelievers, however, I'm not as comfortable because I expect the same reaction as with the Pharisees. Mind you, I don't doubt the truth of the Bible, but I expect scoffing from those who do doubt, and in all truthfulness, I don't want a reputation of idiocy. To avoid beating around the bush, I have a pride issue. I wholeheartedly believe my faith is true saving faith, but I still care about spiritually blind people calling me stupid.
Boy, when you write it out like that... I actually do sound stupid.
So, to rectify my problem (after I repent to God), I'm going to meditate on 1 Cor. 1:18 tonight and for however long it takes to drive out this preoccupation with what my unsaved acquaintances think of me.
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Who cares what they think!? They think it's stupid because they can't understand it because they don't have the Holy Spirit because they're lost! I should react to derision with pity and prayer, not shame.
Lord, help me to be quick to boast about You and Your salvation. Help me to be bold in proclaiming You and Your gospel. Draw in the hearts of the mockers and open their eyes to Your truth and glory.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
2 Kings 20, 21, 22
Today's reading was done from my brand new ESV Bible. Thanks Ryan!
2 Kings 22:11 "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes"
King Josiah hears the words of God for the first time and reacts with fear and penitence.
I did the math and found out that Josiah was 26 when this happened... the same age as me. That got me thinking; what if the Bible I was just given today was my first Bible? Well, first of all, I'll go out on a limb and assume I wouldn't be a believer. My family would probably be a mess (and might not even exist altogether!). Many areas of my life would be disgusting junk heaps. I probably wouldn't know many of the dear people I count as friends today. Yet I know I take this book for granted sometimes.
I'm not at all suggesting we do this, but I wonder how many people would have a greater appreciation for the Bible if they had to live without it for a couple months or years. Josiah instantly knew what he had been missing and reacted just as God wanted him to. With humility and a penitent heart. I'm trying to think of the last time I felt cut to the quick after reading a passage or hearing a convicting sermon... ok, it was actually quite recently.
If you're a fundamentalist like me (and I don't mean in the "suicide bomber" sense of the word), you probably struggle with the balance of making truth come before experience and emotion, yet not pushing emotions out of the picture completely. We need to come to the word completely and allow it to perform it's convicting work in us. We should use proper study and exegesis to mine truth, but when the truth slaps you in the face, take a second to stop studying and talk to God about it.
If you were "slapped" by James 1:20, pray for forgiveness for a temper that stunts your spiritual growth. If you were "slapped" by Psalm 65:1-4, praise your God for choosing you and saving you. This should be a conversation, God talks through His word, we respond through prayer and application. Don't be afraid to show some emotion!
Lord, thank You for Your Word! Let me be consumed with Your words and let them convict me and lift me up. Let me meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. Let me delight in Your statutes and not forget Your word.
2 Kings 22:11 "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes"
King Josiah hears the words of God for the first time and reacts with fear and penitence.
I did the math and found out that Josiah was 26 when this happened... the same age as me. That got me thinking; what if the Bible I was just given today was my first Bible? Well, first of all, I'll go out on a limb and assume I wouldn't be a believer. My family would probably be a mess (and might not even exist altogether!). Many areas of my life would be disgusting junk heaps. I probably wouldn't know many of the dear people I count as friends today. Yet I know I take this book for granted sometimes.
I'm not at all suggesting we do this, but I wonder how many people would have a greater appreciation for the Bible if they had to live without it for a couple months or years. Josiah instantly knew what he had been missing and reacted just as God wanted him to. With humility and a penitent heart. I'm trying to think of the last time I felt cut to the quick after reading a passage or hearing a convicting sermon... ok, it was actually quite recently.
If you're a fundamentalist like me (and I don't mean in the "suicide bomber" sense of the word), you probably struggle with the balance of making truth come before experience and emotion, yet not pushing emotions out of the picture completely. We need to come to the word completely and allow it to perform it's convicting work in us. We should use proper study and exegesis to mine truth, but when the truth slaps you in the face, take a second to stop studying and talk to God about it.
If you were "slapped" by James 1:20, pray for forgiveness for a temper that stunts your spiritual growth. If you were "slapped" by Psalm 65:1-4, praise your God for choosing you and saving you. This should be a conversation, God talks through His word, we respond through prayer and application. Don't be afraid to show some emotion!
Lord, thank You for Your Word! Let me be consumed with Your words and let them convict me and lift me up. Let me meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. Let me delight in Your statutes and not forget Your word.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
John 5:1-24
5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
Jesus summarizes the gospel, emphasizing the power He yields to save.
I was thinking about passing from death into life. This isn't a reference to hell vs. heaven as much as it is a statement of the difference in the earthly life of a believer vs. an unbeliever. We have "passed" (past-tense) from death into life. What is "death" and what is "life"?
"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world...in the lusts of our flesh, indulging in the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath" - Eph 2:1-3
"Death" is the slavery to our own sin nature. Like zombies we walk around not even hardly aware of our spiritually dilapidated state. We sin and think nothing of it, we deceive ourselves with good works that are themselves sins of pride and arrogance.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Eph 2:4-6
"Life" is the freedom from sin and the exultation with Christ. Despite deserving destruction, we are exalted with Christ by being joined to Him in His resurrection. The miracle of the "third day" when Christ showed His power over death is ours as we pass from "death" to "life". We are rejoined to our Creator as we had never been, but always should have been. We are given a desire to do good works for God's pleasure, not our own. We are given the Holy Spirit, God dwelling inside us to guide and mold us. We are grafted into the body of Christ, the church which gives us direction, purpose, and support. Now that's what I call life!
Don't get me wrong... heaven will be great! But when you read this passage, don't skip past it with fleeting images of pearly gates and gold pavement. Realize that Jesus is talking about the power to punch the bully of sin a deathblow and lead you to the life that God always dreamed for you.
Lord, help me to appreciate the LIFE I have now! Thank You for Your Word, the good works You prepared for me, Your Holy Spirit, Your body, and most of all for the ability to commune with You as I was made to do. Help me to ever grow closer to You.
Jesus summarizes the gospel, emphasizing the power He yields to save.
I was thinking about passing from death into life. This isn't a reference to hell vs. heaven as much as it is a statement of the difference in the earthly life of a believer vs. an unbeliever. We have "passed" (past-tense) from death into life. What is "death" and what is "life"?
"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world...in the lusts of our flesh, indulging in the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath" - Eph 2:1-3
"Death" is the slavery to our own sin nature. Like zombies we walk around not even hardly aware of our spiritually dilapidated state. We sin and think nothing of it, we deceive ourselves with good works that are themselves sins of pride and arrogance.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Eph 2:4-6
"Life" is the freedom from sin and the exultation with Christ. Despite deserving destruction, we are exalted with Christ by being joined to Him in His resurrection. The miracle of the "third day" when Christ showed His power over death is ours as we pass from "death" to "life". We are rejoined to our Creator as we had never been, but always should have been. We are given a desire to do good works for God's pleasure, not our own. We are given the Holy Spirit, God dwelling inside us to guide and mold us. We are grafted into the body of Christ, the church which gives us direction, purpose, and support. Now that's what I call life!
Don't get me wrong... heaven will be great! But when you read this passage, don't skip past it with fleeting images of pearly gates and gold pavement. Realize that Jesus is talking about the power to punch the bully of sin a deathblow and lead you to the life that God always dreamed for you.
Lord, help me to appreciate the LIFE I have now! Thank You for Your Word, the good works You prepared for me, Your Holy Spirit, Your body, and most of all for the ability to commune with You as I was made to do. Help me to ever grow closer to You.
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