“‘I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.’ Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.” Isaiah 44:22-23
This passage describes the Lord’s heart for the nation of Israel and for each of us. Even though the Israelites forsook their Heavenly Father and began to worship other gods, he was willing to forgive them, sweep away their sins, and take them back. For us, he is willing to adopt us as his sons and daughters despite our natural sinfulness and our repeated patterns of sinning against him. This is absolutely amazing!
Look up at the sky and watch a cloud pass by – there for a time, but quickly passing by. Consider the morning mist – present for a short time, but then burns off. God treats our sin in a similar way. Our sin is present and he completely and justly hates it, but due to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, he sweeps it away.
God pours out his wrath on his Son instead of us, the guilty. He is holy and must punish wrong doing, and he loves us, providing the solution for our sins. He sweeps away our offenses and our sins, and he redeems us for himself. He brings us into his family and gives us the righteousness of Christ.
This is glorious news! We should shout aloud and burst into joyous song for the Lord has redeemed us. He has swept away our sins and saved us. This is an amazing display of his glory, power, and love.
Stand amazed today at your loving Heavenly Father and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for you.
Friday
Tuesday
Forget God???
God miraculously rescues the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, he faithfully provides for them for 40 years of wandering in the desert, he stops up the Jordan River to allow them to cross into the Promise Land, and he helps them defeat the Canaanites as they take possession of the land. God’s chosen people with their faithful God protecting and providing for them at ever turn. Yet Judges 2:10 describes the shocking news of the next generation of Israelites, “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.”
How can this be? How can the faithfulness of God be forgotten? How can the nation God has chosen neither know him nor what he has done for them?
Scripture doesn’t describe the process, but if the nation of Israel is like us, we can imagine how this might happen:
1. Maybe they were distracted by what the good they found in the Promised Land, focusing more on the gifts of the land instead of the Giver.
2. Maybe they became enchanted with the idols of the Canaanites and began to worship them instead of the only true God.
3. Maybe they failed to tell their children about the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Let’s make sure that we rejoice in our Lord and let everyone around us know of our love for him. Let’s make sure that no one is ever surprised to find out that we are Christians. And let’s commit to educate our children in all that the Lord has done for us and Christians throughout the ages, inspiring our children to know and love him as their personal Savior.
How can this be? How can the faithfulness of God be forgotten? How can the nation God has chosen neither know him nor what he has done for them?
Scripture doesn’t describe the process, but if the nation of Israel is like us, we can imagine how this might happen:
1. Maybe they were distracted by what the good they found in the Promised Land, focusing more on the gifts of the land instead of the Giver.
2. Maybe they became enchanted with the idols of the Canaanites and began to worship them instead of the only true God.
3. Maybe they failed to tell their children about the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Let’s make sure that we rejoice in our Lord and let everyone around us know of our love for him. Let’s make sure that no one is ever surprised to find out that we are Christians. And let’s commit to educate our children in all that the Lord has done for us and Christians throughout the ages, inspiring our children to know and love him as their personal Savior.
Friday
Our Words Matter
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul lays out what a Christian should believe – the essential truths of the Christian faith. Then he transitions to how a Christian should live.
In 4:29 he pauses to provide extremely helpful guidance for how a Christian should speak. He states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
First, a Christian should be marked by what he doesn’t say. The term used for “unwholesome” literally means “rottenness” and “giving off rottenness.” These are words that have a destructive effect on those around us – gossip, slander, malice. Theses should not be on our lips.
Second, a Christian should say words that are helpful for building others up and benefit those who hear. Christianity isn’t demonstrated just by avoiding evil; we must also pursue good. With our mouths, we need to encourage, be thankful, communicate gratefulness, and help those who are down. Our words are to be a blessing to others and meet the needs of those around us.
Notice Paul focuses on the effect our words have on others. We live in a community and function in various groups – our family, our classmates, our friends. Our words can make our social circles stronger or weaker. A genuine Christian should aim to build up others and avoid tearing them down.
How do you talk to your parents and siblings? How do you talk with your closest friends? Evaluate yourself with the standards of Scripture laid out in Ephesians 4:29, and seek develop a personal, biblical conviction regarding your words.
In 4:29 he pauses to provide extremely helpful guidance for how a Christian should speak. He states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
First, a Christian should be marked by what he doesn’t say. The term used for “unwholesome” literally means “rottenness” and “giving off rottenness.” These are words that have a destructive effect on those around us – gossip, slander, malice. Theses should not be on our lips.
Second, a Christian should say words that are helpful for building others up and benefit those who hear. Christianity isn’t demonstrated just by avoiding evil; we must also pursue good. With our mouths, we need to encourage, be thankful, communicate gratefulness, and help those who are down. Our words are to be a blessing to others and meet the needs of those around us.
Notice Paul focuses on the effect our words have on others. We live in a community and function in various groups – our family, our classmates, our friends. Our words can make our social circles stronger or weaker. A genuine Christian should aim to build up others and avoid tearing them down.
How do you talk to your parents and siblings? How do you talk with your closest friends? Evaluate yourself with the standards of Scripture laid out in Ephesians 4:29, and seek develop a personal, biblical conviction regarding your words.
Thursday
A Promise for the Weary
Are you wiped out physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Than Isaiah 40:29-31 is a prescription and a promise for you, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
We have a God who is in the business of giving strength to the weary and power to the weak. He knows our condition, understands our deficiencies, and comprehends our needs. Plus, he is capable of renewing us with physical strength, renewed focus, grace for the new day, and a fresh passion for living for him.
Everyone becomes tired and weary. Young and old wear out physically, get to the end of their emotional strength, and go through spiritually dry seasons. We shouldn’t be surprised when this happens to us. It should remind us that we are human and have limitations. We each need rest, sleep, and renewal. This shouldn’t surprise us, but it should humble us.
What do we do? What is God’s prescription? It is to hope in him. We many have limitations, but God does not. We may grow weary, but God does not. We may stumble and fall, but God does not. We may be overwhelmed by our circumstances, but God is not. And when we realize how strong, stable, and firm our God is, we will learn to trust him and hope in him all the more.
The result will be a renewal of our strength. We will still have our limitations, but there will be new grace for the new day head. We will be equipped to run again, to walk again. Trusting in God, we will be ready to face the challenges of every day life.
Lord, help us to hope in you.
We have a God who is in the business of giving strength to the weary and power to the weak. He knows our condition, understands our deficiencies, and comprehends our needs. Plus, he is capable of renewing us with physical strength, renewed focus, grace for the new day, and a fresh passion for living for him.
Everyone becomes tired and weary. Young and old wear out physically, get to the end of their emotional strength, and go through spiritually dry seasons. We shouldn’t be surprised when this happens to us. It should remind us that we are human and have limitations. We each need rest, sleep, and renewal. This shouldn’t surprise us, but it should humble us.
What do we do? What is God’s prescription? It is to hope in him. We many have limitations, but God does not. We may grow weary, but God does not. We may stumble and fall, but God does not. We may be overwhelmed by our circumstances, but God is not. And when we realize how strong, stable, and firm our God is, we will learn to trust him and hope in him all the more.
The result will be a renewal of our strength. We will still have our limitations, but there will be new grace for the new day head. We will be equipped to run again, to walk again. Trusting in God, we will be ready to face the challenges of every day life.
Lord, help us to hope in you.
Saturday
Humility
I am currently reading Humility: The forgotten virtue by Wayne Mack. It is clear, convicting, and encouraging. I highly recommend it.
Here are a few points and quotes from chapter 1:
How do we know humility is tremendously important?
1. The Bible frequently commands us to be humble
2. The Bible frequently warns us to rid ourselves of pride and warns of its serious consequences
3. God promises to bless those who are humble in heart
“While a humble person may not experience blessing as this world defines blessing, God promises that the humble in heart with know His blessing.”
“Apart from the grace of God in our lives, we all naturally tend to ignore God and exalt ourselves.”
“Ultimately, as we grow in humility, we are becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ, and that is a great privilege!”
Mr. Mack does a great job of explaining how a prideful person focuses on himself, while a humble person focuses on God and others. I have been challenged to consider what my focus is. I feel the natural tug in my heart to look at myself, my desires, and my actions. I tend to exalt myself, whether through words to others and even more in thoughts only known to me. I’m sobered as I’m reminded how God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Lord, help us all to cast of our self-focus and pride. Enable us to humbly exalt you and serve others. Equip us in the battle against our naturally prideful hearts, and help us to choose to be humble. Remind us that this is the way to life, joy, and peace.
Here are a few points and quotes from chapter 1:
How do we know humility is tremendously important?
1. The Bible frequently commands us to be humble
2. The Bible frequently warns us to rid ourselves of pride and warns of its serious consequences
3. God promises to bless those who are humble in heart
“While a humble person may not experience blessing as this world defines blessing, God promises that the humble in heart with know His blessing.”
“Apart from the grace of God in our lives, we all naturally tend to ignore God and exalt ourselves.”
“Ultimately, as we grow in humility, we are becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ, and that is a great privilege!”
Mr. Mack does a great job of explaining how a prideful person focuses on himself, while a humble person focuses on God and others. I have been challenged to consider what my focus is. I feel the natural tug in my heart to look at myself, my desires, and my actions. I tend to exalt myself, whether through words to others and even more in thoughts only known to me. I’m sobered as I’m reminded how God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Lord, help us all to cast of our self-focus and pride. Enable us to humbly exalt you and serve others. Equip us in the battle against our naturally prideful hearts, and help us to choose to be humble. Remind us that this is the way to life, joy, and peace.
Tuesday
Our Amazing God
Psalm 36:5-9, “Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”
Have you considered the character of God? What is He like? How does He act? How do we know?
Scripture is our primary source of information about God. The bible records many stories about individuals and a lot of history of the nation of Israel, but underlying it all is the story of God – His ways, His attributes, and His interactions with mankind.
At times scripture teaches us directly about God. I love this passage from Psalm 36. I especially enjoy reading it outside, where I can see the sky, mountains, and water. It paints a grand picture of a few of the attributes of God, yet His ways and abilities are far greater.
God’s love is so great that it reaches to the heavens (and even more). His faithfulness is so huge that it reaches all the way to the skies (and beyond). He is so righteous that you can think of him as an immovable, mighty mountain (and stronger). His justice penetrates far down, like the deepest part of the ocean (and deeper).
Our God and His love towards us are priceless. He has completely transformed us in a way that we could never do for ourselves or purchase for ourselves. He sent His Son to live a sinless life, suffer death on the cross in our place, bear the full wrath of God for our sins, overcome sin and death, and rise from the grave – all for us. This is priceless!
We can find refuge in the presence of our God. He is a source of comfort, support, and protection in the midst of trial. From the abundance He has, we can feast and be nourished. He delights in being our refuge, and He equips us for living the Christian life.
Ultimately He is the source of light and life. He gave us a new life in Him. He placed His light in us that we might have life and live all out for Him.
We serve an amazing God!!!
Have you considered the character of God? What is He like? How does He act? How do we know?
Scripture is our primary source of information about God. The bible records many stories about individuals and a lot of history of the nation of Israel, but underlying it all is the story of God – His ways, His attributes, and His interactions with mankind.
At times scripture teaches us directly about God. I love this passage from Psalm 36. I especially enjoy reading it outside, where I can see the sky, mountains, and water. It paints a grand picture of a few of the attributes of God, yet His ways and abilities are far greater.
God’s love is so great that it reaches to the heavens (and even more). His faithfulness is so huge that it reaches all the way to the skies (and beyond). He is so righteous that you can think of him as an immovable, mighty mountain (and stronger). His justice penetrates far down, like the deepest part of the ocean (and deeper).
Our God and His love towards us are priceless. He has completely transformed us in a way that we could never do for ourselves or purchase for ourselves. He sent His Son to live a sinless life, suffer death on the cross in our place, bear the full wrath of God for our sins, overcome sin and death, and rise from the grave – all for us. This is priceless!
We can find refuge in the presence of our God. He is a source of comfort, support, and protection in the midst of trial. From the abundance He has, we can feast and be nourished. He delights in being our refuge, and He equips us for living the Christian life.
Ultimately He is the source of light and life. He gave us a new life in Him. He placed His light in us that we might have life and live all out for Him.
We serve an amazing God!!!
Sunday
Happy New Year
I hope you saw God’s faithfulness in your life in 2005. God was incredibly faithful to me over the past year, and I look forward to all that He has in store in 2006.
What are your new year’s resolutions? As you form your list of goals, consider Galatians 6:7-10, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
These verses remind us of three things:
1. God has laid out a truth that will always hold true: A man reaps what he sows. This has both a positive and a negative promise. If you sow to please God, you will reap good. If you sow to please yourself, you will reap bad. It is guaranteed!
2. Don’t become weary of doing good. Although you may feel like you do not see the good as you sowing to please God, continue to persevere. You will, in time, reap an abundance of good if you do not give up.
3. Look for opportunities to do good to all people. Opportunities abound, if we are watching for them.
What are some ways to sow to please the Spirit? You can study the Bible and seek to apply God’s truths to your daily life. You can faithfully attend church and worship God and listen to your pastor’s preaching. You can listen carefully in youth meetings or chapel services and evaluate your thoughts and actions. You can humbly confess your sins to your parents, pastor, or trusted friend. You can serve in your church or help out those in need. You can reach out to individuals around you that need a friend. In all these things, remember that God is faithful to His promise, “A man reaps what he sows.”
So, as you consider your resolutions for 2006, consider how you can sow to please the spirit and do good to all people. By His strength and power, we can all persevere in these things.
I pray that God richly blesses you and your family in 2006!
What are your new year’s resolutions? As you form your list of goals, consider Galatians 6:7-10, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
These verses remind us of three things:
1. God has laid out a truth that will always hold true: A man reaps what he sows. This has both a positive and a negative promise. If you sow to please God, you will reap good. If you sow to please yourself, you will reap bad. It is guaranteed!
2. Don’t become weary of doing good. Although you may feel like you do not see the good as you sowing to please God, continue to persevere. You will, in time, reap an abundance of good if you do not give up.
3. Look for opportunities to do good to all people. Opportunities abound, if we are watching for them.
What are some ways to sow to please the Spirit? You can study the Bible and seek to apply God’s truths to your daily life. You can faithfully attend church and worship God and listen to your pastor’s preaching. You can listen carefully in youth meetings or chapel services and evaluate your thoughts and actions. You can humbly confess your sins to your parents, pastor, or trusted friend. You can serve in your church or help out those in need. You can reach out to individuals around you that need a friend. In all these things, remember that God is faithful to His promise, “A man reaps what he sows.”
So, as you consider your resolutions for 2006, consider how you can sow to please the spirit and do good to all people. By His strength and power, we can all persevere in these things.
I pray that God richly blesses you and your family in 2006!
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