Loved By the Father

Do you long to be loved? Do you feel like you are loved? How many people do you think continue to long to be loved? Are there promises you believe should come from the person who loves you? Are you still seeking those promises? Have you turned to the One who keeps His promises?

Love is arguably the most sought after desire of humankind. Everyone desires to be loved. Unfortunately, far too many do not find the love they are seeking. Many, if not most, are looking for the love they desire in the wrong places or the wrong people. Yet, there is one perfect love for them.

Jesus tells us when we keep His commandments, it demonstrates our love for Him. He also states that He loves those who love Him. Though His love is not dependent on our love, it is a reciprocal love. He loves us, we love Him, and we both love one another simultaneously. We demonstrate our love by obeying His commandments and living them out in our daily lives.

Not only does Jesus love us but the Father loves us, too. This is a demonstration of Jesus and the Father being One. Because Jesus and the Father love us, Jesus says He will reveal Himself to us. This is wonderful news for us! We can get to know Jesus better because He will reveal Himself to us. We can grow closer to Him as we know Him better. We can learn to trust Him more as we grow closer to Him. We can feel a deep bond between Him and us as we trust Him more. That deep bond will carry us through hard times.

I pray we all seek to obey God’s commandments. I pray we love Jesus and the Father and feel their love come into our lives. I pray each one of us trust Jesus and build a deep bond with Him as we walk through this life. Obey God’s commandments. Feel God’s love. Build a deep bond with Jesus.

John 14:21: “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me, and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.

In Tune With the Spirit

Have you ever been promised something and disappointed when it did not happen? Has a very significant promise made to you been broken? How did you feel? Have you broken a promise you made to someone? Were you sorry you broke it? Did you attempt to make up for it?

Promises are made all the time. Unfortunately, many of them are broken. We don’t intend to break them when we make them. Others don’t either. But something happens, life gets in the way, or a higher priority takes precedence. The end result is a broken promise.

The good news for us is God does not break his promises. So, when Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be given to us, it is a promise we can count on. Jesus tells His disciples the Spirit of truth will be given to them. He also says the world cannot receive him. Why? The world doesn’t know him and does not see him. That last bit may be a bit troubling for us.

We don’t see the Spirit physically but neither did the disciples. The Spirit comes to live inside us. Therefore, we see him as he works in others. We feel him as he gently nudges us to do the right thing. We hear him speak when the thought comes to mind that we know we would never think. The more we are in tune with him, the more we will see him, feel him, and hear him.

I pray we all know we can count on God’s promises. I pray we trust we received the Holy Spirit when we accepted Jesus as our Savior. I pray each one of us seeks to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Count on God’s promises. See the Spirit. Feel the Spirit. Hear the Spirit. Be in tune with the Spirit.

John 14:17 “This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

Continual Cleansing

How often do you take a shower or a bath? What is the purpose of doing so? Is it because you are dirty and need to be cleaned? Is it a cultural norm? Do you take your shower or bath at a specific time each day? What if you could be cleansed once for all time? Would you do that?

There is an old saying that states, “cleanliness is next to godliness.” There is a lot of truth in that statement, but I fear it has been lost. The cleanliness that is next to godliness has nothing to do with physical dirt or sweat or even body oils. It has everything to do with our conscience.

Peter tells us that baptism saves us. However, merely getting wet does not. It is our commitment to following Jesus along with the baptism that cleanses us. As Peter says, it is not for the removal of dirt but is our appeal to God to cleanse our conscience. It is not merely for forgiveness but to renew us and remind us that the blood of Christ continually cleans us. This does not mean we do not need to repent, for repentance is a recommitment to change our ways, to turn away from sin while asking for forgiveness.

Since Jesus was resurrected and is at the right hand of God the Father, we have a mediator who continually intercedes for us. He is in the midst of angels and heavenly authorities, continually proclaiming that He has paid the price for us. It is comforting for us to know that Jesus is our mediator, that He is continually cleansing us. At the same time, we must remember His cleansing is not a license to continue to sin. As we love Him like He loves us, we are to strive to follow His commandments and His example.

I pray we all know that we can be cleansed once for all time. I pray we choose to clean our conscience before God. I pray each one of us trusts that Jesus’ blood is continually cleaning us. Be cleansed. Have a clean conscience. Know that Jesus is your mediator. Know that Jesus’ blood is continually cleaning you.

1 Peter 3:21-22 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Defend Your Faith

Have you ever had to defend yourself? Have you defended yourself physically? Have you defended your ideas or beliefs? Have you defended a position you have taken, a person you have voted for, or your favorite team? Are you ready to defend your faith?

We defend ourselves more often than we may think we do. We may not have had to defend ourselves physically, but we defend ourselves in many other ways. We defend our favorite team, our position on various topics, and perhaps who we voted for in elections.

However, when it comes to our faith, many of us feel ill equipped to do so. We read all we can find on our favorite team and can easily point out why this or that has happened. But when it comes to our faith, we struggle to state why we believe. When asked about our faith, we quickly forget what we know…and we know more than we give ourselves credit for.

We know that Jesus was born of a virgin. We know He performed miracles of healing, raising the dead, and feeding thousands. We know He was falsely accused and crucified. We know He was buried and rose from the grave on the third day. We know He lives and sits at the right hand of the Father today. We know He is the Son of God, one part of the Trinity, which is one God represented in three persons. We know He has fulfilled God’s promises and promised us eternal life. We know He taught us how we are to live our lives so we can live the abundant life He promised. We know we are forgiven because of His death, burial, and resurrection.

It is not a question of whether we know enough to defend our faith. It is a question of whether we believe deeply enough to stand up and make a defense when asked. It all comes down to our conviction and courage. If we feel ill-prepared to defend our faith, we need to study more, commit key pieces of information to memory.

I pray we all believe in Jesus. I pray we realize we know more about Him than we give ourselves credit. I pray we are convicted and courageously defend our faith in Jesus. Believe in Jesus. Trust your knowledge of Jesus. Be convicted in your faith. Be courageous in the defense of your faith.

1 Peter 3:15b-16a Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Glorify God

Are you seeking glory for yourself? Do you give credit to people who help you along your way? Are you chasing after the things of this world? Are you trusting in yourself, and yourself only? Do you know there is a better way? Are you willing to trust in God who is in control of all things?

We often like to brag about our accomplishments. We like to puff ourselves up to feel good about ourselves. We forget that it is not our accomplishments that make us good people. We forget that not one of us can do anything on our own. We all need help along the way.

God is the one who has blessed us with talents, skills, the ability to reason, and good physical health. He is the one who provides the materials we need for our accomplishments. He is the one who picks us up when we stumble and fall. Therefore, everything we accomplish should be used to the glory of God and to pray his name.

We are not to chase after false gods like so many do. False gods of material wealth and possessions, notoriety and fame, self-pride and aggrandizement, or physical beauty. Though there is nothing wrong with any of these. The issue becomes our desire for them for selfish reasons. It is all about our attitude and who we are putting first. If we use any or all of these to glorify God, we are using his blessings for his benefit rather than our own.

Rather than chasing after the false gods of this world, we are to accept God’s blessings and praise him. For we are to trust that he is in control and the author of all our successes. It is in him that we are truly loved and we witness true faithfulness. God blesses those he chooses to bless to bring glory to him.

I pray we all accept the wonderful blessings of God. I pray we use those blessings to glorify him. I pray each one of us know God is the author of our successes and glorify him in them. Accept God’s blessings. God authors your successes. He truly loves you. His true faithfulness. Glorify God.

Psalm 115:1-3

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, 

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 

Why should the nations say, 

“Where is their God?” 

Our God is in the heavens; 

he does whatever he pleases.

God Will Rescue

Have you worked for a bad boss? Have you known a company that seemed to have a revolving door of employees? Have you noticed there are some cities, states, and countries that people are leaving in droves? Have you taken time to consider why this is happening?

There are a variety of reasons for people to change jobs or move to different locations. But one of the most prominent is bad leadership in the workplace or the place where they live. People will stay at a place with good leadership, often working for less money.

The prophet Ezekiel is passing along God’s message to the leaders of Israel. God had seen that they were not following his commands and guidance while leading the nation. They were not doing what was best for the people under their leadership. They were being selfish, looking out for only themselves. God lists just a few of their failures and states these failures are the reason the people scattered to different locations.

Perhaps the most condemning accusation is the last one — they ruled harshly and with force. We might say they ruled with an iron fist. They squashed the people with demands. They used force to extract payment. They showed no care for the people other than as a source of revenue and forced labor.

God states he is against those types of leaders. He will remove them from their role as leaders. He will rescue the people from them. He equates it to rescuing a sheep from the mouth of a wolf. Though this promise came to Ezekiel nearly six-hundred years before Christ, it is a promise we can still hold on to today. God cares for his people and he will rescue them.

I pray we all recognize the bad leaders we encounter. I pray we know that God is against them. I pray each one of us trusts that God will rescue his people from bad leaders, including us. Recognize bad leaders. Trust God will rescue his people. Trust in God’s promises.

Ezekiel 34:4 You have not strengthened the weak; you have not healed the sick; you have not bound up the injured; you have not brought back the strays; you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them.

Shepherd Leaders

Are you a leader? Are in you in a position of authority? Are you a team leader, manager, director, vice president, CIO, COO, CEO, or president? How can you know if you are doing your job well? Do you think your responsibilities are only what is written in your job description?

If we stay at the same workplace long enough, many of us eventually are promoted into management positions. Some of them are lover level, some mid-level, and some are upper-level management positions. If we are true leaders, we take responsibility for those who work for us.

The same responsibility should be taken by leaders in our churches. God expects it. As the prophet Ezekiel speaks the words God gave him to speak, God expects shepherds, leaders, to feed the sheep. Feeding takes many forms. It includes speaking the truth of God, teaching the congregation God’s Word. It also includes caring for them, looking after them, and counseling them when needed.

Depending on the size and demographics of the congregation, no one person can provide for all the care needed. Other leaders and caregivers must assist. This is an important task God has given to his people. If the shepherds are not taking care of the sheep, God will remove them. This especially true if the shepherds are being selfish, only taking care of themselves and ignoring the sheep. A shepherd, leader, must focus on what is best for those under their care.

I pray we all know that shepherds are to care for their sheep. I pray we also know that it may require multiple shepherds working together. I pray each one of us who are leaders have a heart for caring for others. Shepherds care for their sheep. Leaders care for others. God will remove selfish shepherds.

Ezekiel 334:1-2 The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: To the shepherds—thus says the Lord God: Woe, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?

Anything?

Have you ever heard only a sentence or two of a conversation and completely misunderstood it? Have you read only part of an article and taken a quote out of context? Have you seen or heard others restate something out of context? Have you heard people do the same with Scripture?

Our stories are all about context. If I told you I average running an eleven minute pace for a three mile run, you might think I was rather slow, if you were a runner. However, when I tell you my age, it makes a big difference. We all know our mobility and athleticism is reduced as we grow older.

That is context, and context makes a big difference when we read Scripture. If we were to pull today’s verse out of Scripture and read it all by itself, we might think we could ask for anything and God would give it to us. But that is not the case. We must read what Jesus says before this verse and what He says afterward.

Before this verse, Jesus is talking about works. He says the works are done to glorify the Father. After this verse, He is talking about keeping His commandments. The verses before and after today’s verse puts parameters around Jesus’s statement. Those parameters include doing the works God has set aside for us to do and obeying his commandments.

Ultimately, this is about being in relationship with Jesus. Our relationship should be one in which we are so close to Him that we know what He wants. It is in this type of relationship that we ask Him anything, but that anything is in accordance with what He wants. In other words, we are asking Him to do what He has already planned.

I pray we all seek to understand the context of Scripture. I pray we seek a close relationship with Jesus. I pray each one of us will ask Him, with full confidence, to do anything that is in His will and use us to accomplish it. Understand context. Grow closer to Jesus. Ask in Jesus’ name. Ask according to His plan.

John 14:14: “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

Accept Truth

Do you like tough saying? Do you adhere to hard truths? Do you live by those hard truths? Or do you seek a softer, easier path? Do you follow your own preferences rather than statements of truth? Are you learning hard lessons because you are not following the truth?

We live in a time when our culture tells us that anything goes. Whatever seems right to you is fine. When things don’t work out, our culture fights against the consequences for not following the truth. Unfortunately for many, many people, there will come a day when fighting against the truth will no longer be an option.

We have a choice, each one of us, we can obey the truth of Jesus Christ, or we will face the consequences. Our world can deny Him all they want. But there will come a day when they can no longer ignore nor deny who He is. When that day comes, it will be too late to have a change of heart. The consequences of not believing in Him are severe. No, worst than severe. Worse than the most severe outcome we can imagine.

Jesus tells us who He is. He tells us that He is the pathway to the Father. He tells us that He and the Father are one. If we know Jesus, we know the Father. He is the author of life, and not just any life, but life eternal. He is truth. He speaks only truth. Every word of Scripture tells us His truth. We have a choice. Deny Him. Believe in Him. The consequences are dire. May each of us make the right choice, the choice to believe in Jesus Christ.

I pray we all accept the truth of Scripture. I pray we choose to believe the words of Scripture. I pray each one of us will believe in Jesus Christ and accept the eternal life He is willing to give us. Accept the truth of Scripture. Believe in Jesus. Know that He is the way. Accept eternal life from Jesus.

John 14:6-7 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

Anxiety vs Peace

Are you troubled? Do you battle anxiety? Are you continuously nervous about one thing or another? Do you worry about something different each day? Do you worry about the same thing every day? Would you like to be rid of it all? Have you turned to One who can relieve you of it?

We all worry about things from time to time. We all have days of troubling experiences. But we don’t have to live that way continually. We don’t have to hold onto the anxiety and worry. We can release it to Jesus Christ. He has offered to take it from us. We simply need to believe in Him.

It sounds simple. It is not. Why? Satan is continually whispering to us to hold onto it. He is continually doing his best to keep us bound up, imprisoned by negative thoughts and emotions. His goal is to steal our joy, to steal us from Christ. It is a spiritual battle that is going on every moment of every day. It is not one we see with our eyes but an invisible war going on all around us.

Jesus told His disciples to not be troubled. How? Believe in God and believe in Jesus. That belief is not merely head knowledge but includes the heart. It is a deep belief, including trust that God is in control of all things. Trusting that everything will work out according to God’s plan regardless of what we are going through. When we do, our troubled hearts are relieved and peace and joy returns.

I pray we all are willing to give up our worry and anxiety. I pray we desire the peace and joy that comes from Jesus. I pray each one of us believe in God and believe in Jesus, trusting that God is in control. Give up your worry. Give up your anxiety. Desire the peace of God. Seek the joy of Jesus. Believe in God. Believe in Jesus. Trust He is in control.

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”