Holy Priesthood

Do you know what you are called to? Do you know you are called at all? Many people do not know they are called. They blindly walk through life without direction or simply going whatever way they want to go. They may become successful in this life, but do not know true success.

We are called to be a living stone. For Jesus is called the chief cornerstone. We are to be living stones who are put together to build the spiritual house of God per his plan. Sometimes, we must be reminded of our calling. That we are to become the spiritual house, the church.

We also must remember that God is only building one spiritual house. Or, as Jesus states in John 10:16, one flock. All believers in Jesus falls under one Lord. Or, as Jesus states in John 10:16, one shepherd. Far too often we all differences of opinion to divide us. The division can grow to a point of despising fellow believers. This is not God’s doing and it breaks his heart.

For if we are to be a holy priesthood, we must follow Jesus rather than our personal preferences. We must make spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God. They are acceptable, if we are doing his work in the name of Jesus Christ. But it must be his work, not our work. The two are often not the same. If our focus is not on Jesus and following Him, we are straying away from God. We are not being a living stone that is being built into a spiritual house.

I pray we know we are being called by God. I pray we understand that we are being built into a spiritual house. I pray each one of us are willing to offer spiritual sacrifices to be a holy priesthood. You are called by God. You are being built into a spiritual house. Offer spiritual sacrifices. Be part of the holy priesthood.

1 Peter 2:4-5 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Behold Wondrous Things

Are you a law-abiding citizen? Most of our citizens are despite what we see on the news. Do you seek to understand the rules? Most of us do. We know it is by observing the rules that we stay out of trouble. We also know that following the rules also leads us to success.

So why don’t we desire to know God’s law? Why don’t we want to follow his commands? If following man-made laws and rules improve our lives, doesn’t it stand to reason that following God’s commands would lead to better lives? God promises it will.

Seeking to follow God’s law and his commands does lead to a life filled with joy. Being filled with joy does not mean we never experience heartache or trouble in this world. Because this world is full of disobedience, we will experience heartache and trouble. Yet, our joy is not based on the world. It is firmly founded on God’s promises.

Therefore, we are to ask God to open our eyes to see him at work in our world. We are to ask him to open our minds to understand his commands. We are to ask him to guide us along the path he would have us travel. By doing so and serving him, we discover his wondrous blessings. We recognize him working in our lives. Our fear, anxiety, hatred, frustration, and anger are transformed into peace, comfort, love, calm, and joy.

Living the life God desires for us is far better than the life we can design for ourselves. Our foresight and goals are limited based on what we know. Since God’s knowledge is unlimited and his foresight goes to the end of time, he has a far superior view to guide us by. So, trust God to be your guide and start by obeying his commands.

I pray we all seek to follow God’s law and commands. I pray we know God has a better life planned for us. I pray each one of us will trust God to guide us as we walk through this life. Follow God’s law. Follow God’s commands. Trust God’s plan. Allow God to guide you. Experience a better life.

Psalm 119:17-28

Deal bountifully with your servant, 

so that I may live and observe your word. 

Open my eyes, so that I may behold 

wondrous things out of your law.

Whole Heart Pursuit

What is it that occupies your time? What are you pursuing? Is it professional achievement? Is it seeking a partner for life? Are you seeking to clear your life of clutter and organize it? Do you desire peace and joy in your life? Where are you looking? Are you looking to God?

There are many things that occupy our time. Most of us work at least eight hours per day. When we are not at work, we have family commitments, exercise programs, meal preparations, yard work, house cleaning, and more. Finding time to fit anything else in is a challenge.

The Psalmist states that he is seeking God with his whole heart, setting the example we should follow. As we seek God with our whole heart, God meets us and fills us with himself. The Psalmist continues by asking God to keep him from straying from his commands. Words to live by.

Treasuring God’s word in our heart is one way for us to pursue God with our heart. Reading, studying, and memorizing God’s word will help us stay on the path God desires for us. It will aid in our understanding of God and grow closer to him. Another reason to treasure God’s Word is to help us avoid sin. The better we know God’s commands, the better prepared we are to turn away from sin.

As we seek out God and do not stray from his commands, our lives change for the better. As we treasure his word and turn away from sin, we find peace and joy. All of this improves our relationship with God, growing closer to him. The better our relationship with God, the better we feel.

I pray we all pursue God with our whole heart. I pray we ask God to help us obey his commands. I pray each one of us will treasure God’s word in our heart and turn away from sin. Pursue God with your whole heart. Obey God’s commands. Treasure God’s word. Turn away from sin.

Psalm 119:10-11

With my whole heart I seek you; 

do not let me stray from your commandments. 

I treasure your word in my heart, 

so that I may not sin against you.

Teach Wisdom

Do you want your children to do well in life? Have you taught them well as they have grown up? Are you continuing to provide them advice or guidance? Are you mere providing them with data? Or are you teaching them wisdom? Are you teaching them to weigh the facts?

We begin teaching our children at a very young age. By the time they start crawling and walking, they should begin learning what good for them and what is harmful. Parents are to begin teaching them what is allowed and what is not. It is the beginning of learning discipline.

Children are curious and they are learning at a rapid rate throughout those first few years. Both their minds and their bodies are growing. They continue growing for several years physically and should continue to learn for the rest of their lives. This means each of us should continue to learn. As we learn, we pass our knowledge onto our children.

But knowledge alone does not make for good decisions nor a life lived well. For that to happen, we need wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to think through the facts and make a right judgment or decision. It includes a good sense of right and wrong, which begins being instilled at a very early age. Wisdom can be taught but often includes experience in the learning process. All of can continue to increase our wisdom by learning from the experiences of others, learning new facts, and continuing to think through them.

I pray we all decide to teach our children right from wrong. I pray we choose to teach our children think through the facts. I pray each one of us continue to learn and pursue wisdom. Teach your children right from wrong. Teach your children to think. Learn to think through the facts. Pursue wisdom.

Proverbs 4:10-11

Hear, my child, and accept my words, 

that the years of your life may be many. 

I have taught you the way of wisdom; 

I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

The Good Shepherd

Have you wondered or wished you had a guardian angel? Do you want someone who looks over you and keeps you safe? Have you searched for that person? Do you believe that person is your spouse or your parents? Would you believe there is someone who is looking out for your best interests?

Having someone be our shield, protector, and provider is not only nice but a requirement. We may not always think it is needed, but we are wrong when we think that way. We need someone who is continually looking out for us. We need someone who will run off the wolves who stalk us.

That someone is Jesus. He uses the analogy of being a good shepherd. It is one the people of the first century understood. The good shepherd guarded the sheep. He or she was constantly on the look out for predators. The good shepherd sought out abundant fields for the sheep to feed and clean water for them to drink. If a wolf or bear or lion came to prey on the sheep, the shepherd would fight them off to protect the sheep.

We have a Good Shepherd in Jesus. He continually seeks to shield, protect, and provide for us. However, just like the sheep, we sometimes wander away. We become the stray that has left the safety of the Good Shepherd. But He has not abandoned us. He will search for us and call us back. If needed, He will put us on His shoulders and carry us back to safety. When He does, He and the entire host of heaven will rejoice.

We are to listen for His voice. We are to know His voice. It takes practice. It requires us to focus on Him. But when we do, His call will be heard and will always find our way back to His open arms waiting to welcome us.

I pray we all listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. I pray we know He is continually our shield, protector, and provider. I pray each one of us will seek the safety of the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. Listen for the Good Shepherd. Know He is your protector. Know He is your provider. Know He laid down His life for you.

John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Power of Jesus

How many times have you thanked God for raising Jesus from the dead on the third day? I have done it more times than I can count. Do you believe God raised Him on the third day? What if it wasn’t the Father who raised Him, but He raised Himself? Would that be significant for you?

We often thank God for raising Jesus on the third day. Depending on our view of who God is, we are either incorrect or correct in our thinking. We believe in the Trinity. We believe God is one God made up of three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Belief in the Trinity is universal across Christianity. Unfortunately, when we think of God or say God, we are far too often thinking only of God the Father. We don’t think of the Son or the Holy Spirit. If we are only thinking of the Father when we are thankful God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, then we are incorrect in our thinking.

Jesus tells us Himself that He had the power to take up His life again. Now, He also states that His authority came from the Father. Yet, it was not the Father who raised Him but Him raising Himself. That may sound illogical from our human point of view, but it is not according to God’s power. Since Jesus was both fully human and fully God, He could raise Himself up from the dead. His Spirit could raise His physical human body. We need to remember that the next time we thank God for raising Jesus from the dead.

I pray we all are thankful Jesus rose from the dead. I pray we are thankful He went to the cross for us. I pray each one of us will remember that Jesus had the power to raise Himself from the dead. Be thankful for Jesus. Be thankful He died for you. Be thankful He rose on the third day. Remember He has the power.

John 10:17-28 “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Healed

Have you sacrificed yourself for someone else? Have you given up doing something you prefer to do something someone else wants to do? Have you had someone sacrifice themselves for you? Have you taken notice of their sacrifice? Have you acknowledged God’s sacrifice?

If you are a good parent, you have sacrificed for your children. We sacrifice for them quite often and in many different ways. Some parents forgo eating so their children can eat. Some do not buy new clothes for themselves for years to buy new clothes for their children.

Parental sacrifice is expected, even if the new parents have not realized it yet. By the time our children are a few years old, it becomes the normal thing to do. It becomes such a large part of our lives that we are unsure what to do when they grow up and move out of the house. But often we continue sacrificing for them. Our sacrifice has simply taken on a different form.

God made a major sacrifice for us. The Son, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven in the form of a human and sacrificed His life so that we may have eternal life. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we accept His sacrifice. We are made righteous by His sacrifice. We are healed of our sickness—the sickness of sin. We often say we are forgiven, which is true. Perhaps the better way to think of it is to think of sin as the worst possible, most deadly cancer, and we have been cured. Maybe, just maybe, then we would appreciate what we have been rescued from.

I pray we all know what it means to sacrifice. I pray we know that Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. I pray each one of us understands that by Jesus’s sacrifice we are healed of our worst disease. Know sacrifice. Know Jesus sacrificed Himself for you. Understand you have been healed by Jesus’s sacrifice.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Bond of Christ

Have you ever been ostracized? Was it because of your faith? Have you been physically beaten because you were a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you know anyone who has? Would you consider it commendable if you suffered because of your faith?

Being ostracized, beaten, or suffering in any other way is not something we seek out. We prefer for things to go along smoothly. Most of us don’t like confrontation of any kind. We don’t want to be the one left out when others gather. We desire to feel like we belong.

Our human nature to seek belonging can get us into trouble. We can go along with people or situations that are not healthy for us or completely wrong for sole reason of wanting to feel like we belong. Unfortunately, doing so can get us into trouble. Rather than making things better, it can make things worse.

On the other hand, if we are mistreated because we are Christians, we are to consider it commendable. Not that we enjoy it. Quite the contrary. Our suffering is difficult. We must rely on our knowing that we belong to Christ. We must understand that our bond to Him is stronger than any other bond we could have.

Our bond to Christ can be strengthened by being an active member of a church. Though attending Sunday worship services can help, we are strengthened even more when we participate in Sunday School, Bible studies, and other church organized activities. We build relationships with other Christians, and they become people we can count on when things are difficult.

I pray we all know we belong to Christ. I pray we understand our bond to Christ is the strongest bond possible. I pray each one of us will be an active member in the church and build relationships with other Christians. You belong to Christ. Your bond with Christ is unbreakable. Be an active member of a church. Build relationships.

1 Peter 2:20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.

Jesus In Prophecy

Do you get confused when you read prophecy? Have you wondered how some people can read it and make perfect sense of it? Have you taken time to study it? Have you studied the history and context surrounding the prophecy? Or have you read a few verses without it?

Reading and understanding prophecy requires work. We need to know more than the few verses of prophecy. We need to know the history prior to the prophecy. We need to know the context in which the prophecy was written. Finally, we need to put the pieces together.

Ezekiel was of the priestly line. He was one of those taken into exile to Babylon nearly six-hundred years before Jesus. The temple had been destroyed. The Israelites had been conquered. They were crying out for deliverance. Ezekiel’s call to prophecy came at the time he would have begun to serve as a priest in the temple.

With this history in mind, when Ezekiel prophecies that David would feed and shepherd God’s people, he was not speaking of King David. He was speaking of someone in the line of David. When he spoke of David being a prince among them, he is speaking of a son, for the son of a king is a prince.

How do we interpret this prophecy? Ezekiel is prophesying about Jesus coming. Jesus is of the line of David from a human perspective. We interpret being the prince as Jesus being the Son of God. And we know now that Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. He is our provider and protector. He cares for us and loves us.

I pray we all seek to know the history and context of prophecy. I pray we take time to study Scripture. I pray each one of us knows that Jesus is our Good Shepherd who loves and cares for us. Know history. Know context. Study Scripture. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Jesus cares for you. Jesus loves you.

Ezekiel 34:23-24 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them; he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I the Lord have spoken.

Know the Lord

Have you ever thought about where you come from? Have you thought about why you came to be? Have you considered who you belong to? Or do you think you belong to no one? Do you know who God is? Do you claim him as your Lord? Do you know that you are his?

We all have different backgrounds. We may look like either of our parents. Our personality may be similar to either of them. We may have talents that favor one parent or the other. But in the end, we all come from God. He is the Creator of all things, which includes each of us.

The Psalmist tells us God made us and we belong to him. Just like a good shepherd who cares for his sheep, God cares for us. He provides for us, protects us, and loves us more than we can fathom. Our response to God’s unending love is to proclaim him as Lord and to praise his name. We should love him as he loves us, even though we can never love as much as he does.

Knowing that God is our Lord and proclaiming his as such is the beginning of our surrendering to him. It also acknowledges him as Creator and our relationship to him. Our surrender indicates that we trust him. God acknowledges our surrender to and praise of him by blessing us in ways we cannot imagine.

I pray we all know that God is our Creator. I pray we know that God loves and cares for us. I pray each one of us will surrender to God and praise him for who he is and his many blessings. God is your Creator. God loves you. God cares for you. Surrender to God. Praise God. Thank God for his blessings.

Psalm 100:3

Know that the Lord is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.