“Do not be afraid, little flock,
for your Father has been pleased
to give you the kingdom.”
(Luke 12:32 NIV)
The Good Shepherd is also the Prince of Peace, the King of kings. He can bestow on His people, even unruly sheep, whatever He wants to give. Can you imagine He actually wants to give His followers the kingdom? He wants them to rule with Him in eternity. What is there to be afraid of? Nothing can touch me outside His perfect will. I will be brave. I hope you will, too!
“Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy
name.”
(Psalm 103:1 NIV)
As I look out over the beauty of creation, I am reminded of my Creator. Every ripple in the water, every flutter of every leaf in the breeze, every sparkle of dew on the grass points to a loving God who surrounds me with His beauty and peace. This spinning sphere called earth and the brilliant sun are His. Every breath, in and out, is from my heavenly Father. I cannot help but praise Him. I hope you will, too!
“But you are a chosen people,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
As the descendants of Abraham were called God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, believers in the New Testament are designated as chosen, elect. We now receive God’s mercy and forgiveness, just as those who exercised faith years ago. I look forward to spending eternity with my High Priest, Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God -
this is your spiritual act of worship.”
(Romans 12:1 NIV)
Jesus is Lord of every part of life. New life in the Holy Spirit calls me to obedient service as worship. I will sacrifice my desires on His altar. Since I have died with Him to this world, I can live with Him in a new life. I will worship God in all I do. I hope you will, too!
“The Lord will fight for you;
you need only to be still.”
(Exodus 14:14 NIV)
Like a loving father, God sometimes takes my head in His hands and turns my face to Him. In a gentle way, He says, “Look at me! Ignore all the distractions. I will fight for you. You only need to be still. Rest in my arms.” No matter how fiercely the battle rages, I am secure with my Savior. He will give me the next steps. I will look at Him. I hope you will, too!
“And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7 NIV)
If I present all my requests to my heavenly Father with thanksgiving, I will experience His holy peace, power, and presence. He warns me to not be anxious about anything, because He is always with me. There is nothing too difficult or too big for Him. He lives in the details. He created the atoms and molecules of all life. I will rest in Him. I hope you will, too!
“But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your
love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.”
(Psalm 59:16 NIV)
Paul David Tripp wrote, “Each morning the people of God are blessed with mercy from the Lord that is form-fit for the trials, opportunities, pressures, obligations, griefs, and temptations of that day.” Jesus is our only Reason for Hope. He will deliver me from all the storms that attack me and try to rob me of my peace in Him. I will trust Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is
not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.”
(Jeremiah 10:23 NIV)
Proverbs reminds me in chapter 16 that I can plan my daily course, and even my life’s path, but my heavenly Father will determine each step along the way. The steps, the minute details are in the hands of my God. He gives me the vision, then lays out the steps before me. I dare not wander away. I will stay close to Jesus today. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people,
holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience.”
(Colossians 3:12 NIV)
What is the main purpose of a dress or slacks and a shirt? I like to think it is a cover, something for my true appearance to hide behind. What can compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience cover up? What nastiness in my heart needs to be camouflaged behind holiness? Only the Holy Spirit can clothe me in a way that glorifies my Lord. I will put on the clothes of the Spirit today. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“As the toes were partly iron and
partly clay,
so this kingdom will be
partly strong and partly brittle.”
(Daniel 2:42 NIV)
Jeff, my
husband, and I relaxed in our rocking chairs on the porch early one Saturday
morning. Storms had passed in the night and water dripped from the trees in a
pitter-pat rhythm. Hummingbirds flitted around the lantana and salvia bushes,
back and forth, to and from our feeders full of nectar.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the
door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he
with me.”
(Revelation 3:20 NIV)
Oh, the sovereignty of God! There is a sweet peace when I think of Jesus coming to me. I cannot save myself. In fact, I have pushed the Holy Spirit away too many times to count. He never gives up. He pursues those He loves. I will listen for His knock and ask Him to live in my heart. I hope you will, too!
“We demolish arguments and every
pretension
that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
“What was I thinking?” I ask myself several times a day. Thoughts are not random, as I once thought, but babies birthed from my heart. I should be asking, “What is in my heart?” Paul instructed the church at Corinth to capture every thought for Christ. I will try very hard to do just that. I hope you will, too!
“Because through Christ Jesus the law
of the Spirit of life
set me free from the law of sin and
death.”
(Romans 8:2 NIV)
One of my favorite gospel songs
is “He Set Me Free”:
Once like a bird in prison I dwelt
No freedom from sorrow I felt
But Jesus came and listened to me
And Glory to God, He set me free!
“This is what the Lord says:
‘Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in
it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
(Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)
Jesus quoted this passage from Jeremiah in Matthew 11. The tried and true ways of Judah’s ancestors would have led God’s children back to Him. But they thought they knew better than the Creator of the Universe. Sounds familiar to me! I will walk on the ancient paths. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, there is now no
condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 8:1 NIV)
The law brings condemnation because it points out, stimulates, and condemns sin. The Christian is no longer under “the law” but controlled by the Holy Spirit. I am united with Christ through faith in Him. I am allowed to enter into the presence of the King only through His blood. When my heavenly Father sees me, He sees His Son, too. I will rejoice in my freedom in Christ, my Brother. I hope you will, too!
“Because He Himself suffered when He
was tempted,
He is able to help those who are being
tempted.”
(Hebrews 2:18 NIV)
Jesus experienced every kind of temptation a person can have, and did not sin. He is the only One who could claim sinlessness, because He created it. The Creation messed up His plans, allowed by His perfect love. I cannot grasp that love, but I do not have to. I will thank Him for taking my place of punishment and paying my debt to Him. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore He is able to save
completely
those who come to God through Him,
because He always lives to intercede
for them.”
(Hebrews 7:25 NIV)
Because Jesus lives forever, He is a permanent priest. He is the ultimate Priest, the High Priest of all creation. It is humbling to know He talks to the Father about me. When I stumble and fall, He picks me up and presents me in His righteousness. I will stand up for Him and thank Him for standing up for me. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“Jesus got up, rebuked the wind
and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be
still!’
Then the wind died down
and it was completely calm.”
(Mark 4:39 NIV)
Buoys are
floating markers anchored to the bottom of a body of water. They act like road
signs for boats. They mark safe channels, show hidden dangers, and give
directions.
“For where two or three
come together in my name,
there am I with them.”
(Matthew 18:20 NIV)
Jesus told His disciples that if they agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them. Wow! I believe the key word is “agree.” Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can anyone agree with anyone else, especially in spiritual matters. From that point of view, Jesus’ words are simple and easy to accept. I will come together with my brothers and sisters and agree to do God’s will. I hope you will, too!
“And God blessed the seventh day
and made it holy,
because on it He rested
from all the work of creating that He
had done.”
(Genesis 2:3 NIV)
Because my Creator rested on the seventh day, so should I. One day a week free of pressure is a gift from my heavenly Father. I will ask Him what He wants me to do with this special day, and every day He gives me. My life is not my own. I will follow His lead and rest and worship Him on the Sabbath. I hope you will, too!
“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.”
(Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Blah! Blah! Blah! Wasted words are meaningless. Pride tickles selfish thoughts and suggests I have a right to be heard. I have no rights in God’s kingdom. When tempted to talk about myself, I should ask questions about the other person. I will follow my calling to lift others up to Jesus in His throne room. I hope you will, too!
“Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good.”
(Romans 12:9 NIV)
Matthew Henry wrote, “There is a mutual love that Christians owe, and must render. It must be affectionate, respectful, liberal, sympathizing, united, and gracious.” To love half-heartedly would be like accepting a handshake from Jesus. He wants a hug. He wants to pour all of His love through us so we are changed in ways that bless others. I will cling to Jesus and embrace others with the love of Christ. I hope you will, too!
“For whoever wants to save his life
will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for me will
save it.”
(Luke 9:24 NIV)
To follow Jesus requires self-denial, complete dedication, and willing obedience. He repeated this command in all four gospel accounts. No other saying of Jesus has been given such emphasis. Do I dare wonder why? He is the forerunner. He came to earth and fulfilled the Father’s demands so I can spend eternity with Him. Jesus gave up His life to save me. I will lose my life for Him. I hope you will, too!
“Yet, O Lord, You are our Father.
We are the clay, You are the Potter;
we are all the work of Your hand.”
(Isaiah 64:8 NIV)
A co-worker in the Gift Gallery confessed her ability to remember was not as it once was. I reassured her that we all drift away. That is how we were made. Aging is a part of life. Only my Creator knows what I go through as my body weakens and I experience pain. I will rejoice as I move closer to having a new, resurrected body. I hope you will, too!
“Dear friends, let us love one another,
for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God
and knows God.”
(1 John 4:7 NIV)
"Love does not consist in
gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same
direction." –Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince.
“As a father has compassion on his
children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who
fear Him.”
(Psalm 103:13 NIV)
I remember my father sitting on my bed beside me, explaining why I had hurt his feelings by sinning against him and my mother. Tears flowed, but he never raised his voice. My father never yelled at me. I knew when I had done wrong. Daddy was gentle, just like his heavenly Father. I will show compassion to others as I have been shown. I hope you will, too!
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the
Lord,
the people He chose for His inheritance.”
(Psalm 33:12 NIV)
My study Bible identified Israel as God’s chosen people. By His creative power He imposed His order on creation. No one can thwart His plans and purpose to save His people. Israel is safe and secure under God’s protective rule. They are blessed. I am grafted into Israel through faith in Jesus Christ, my Redeemer and Friend. I thank my heavenly Father for including me in His kingdom. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“You stiff-necked people,
with uncircumcised hearts and ears!
You are just like your fathers;
You always resist the Holy Spirit!”
(Acts 7:51 NIV)
Stephen’s
speech to the Sanhedrin left him in a tough spot. A few verses later in the
book of Acts, he was stoned to death.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.”
(Proverbs 3:5 NIV)
Oswald Chambers reminded me, “We are not taken up into conscious agreement with God’s purpose, we are taken up into God’s purpose without any consciousness at all. We have no conception of what God is aiming at, and as we go on it gets more and more vague.” God smiles when I tell Him my plans and probably asks, “And how is that going for you?” I will trust in God alone for everything. I hope you will, too!
“Make every effort to live in peace
with all men and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the
Lord.”
(Hebrews 12:14 NIV)
To be holy is to be set apart from impurity to God. His complete moral perfection should move me to strive for moral purity. I must be self-controlled and set my hope fully on the grace of God. He will help me to live in peace with everyone. I will push away all selfish thoughts and ask for forgiveness and renewal in my heavenly Father’s kingdom. I hope you will, too!
“Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things.”
(Colossians 3:2 NIV)
In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt said, “In Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" you may recall the description of the Man with the Muck-rake, the man who could look no way but downward, who was offered a celestial crown for his muck-rake, but who would neither look up nor regard the crown he was offered. He is the example of him whose vision is fixed on carnal instead of on spiritual things.” I will lay down my muck-rake and reach for the crown. I hope you will, too!
“But we have this treasure in jars of
clay
to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us.”
(2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)
God uses ordinary messengers to deliver His extraordinary message. When Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, God sent the Holy Spirit to live in the minds and hearts of His children. The works of Jesus continue on earth through those who believe and trust in Him. I will seek His will and obey. I hope you will, too!
“Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock
eternal.”
(Isaiah 26:4 NIV)
Augustus Toplady was sick and neurotic, disliked by friends and family. By 12 years old he preached to anyone who would listen. At age 22 he was ordained as an Anglican priest. Before he died in 1778 he wrote a poem about God’s forgiveness, now known as the best-loved hymn, “Rock of Ages.” I thank my heavenly Father for using weak and offensive instruments in His kingdom to point others to His perfect strength and love. I hope you will, too!
“Then you will know the Truth,
and the Truth will set you free.”
(John 8:32 NIV)
Jesus is the Way to the Father, eternal Truth and Life. Pastor Bob reminded his congregation of the significance of Christ’s ascension to the Throne. He nudged them to look up at the crown of gold, not down at the muckety muck gathered at their feet. When I look up into the face of Truth, I will be free from the pull of this life. I will fix my gaze on Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.”
(Romans 12:12 NIV)
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Serving Christ usually means days of discouragement. The apostle Paul reminded his readers they were serving the Lord and not men.” When life becomes difficult I must not permit the zeal of my faith to grow cold. Mr. Weirsbe continues, “Christian fellowship is much more than a pat on the back and a handshake.” I will share burdens and blessings with others so God is glorified in my daily encounters. I hope you will, too!
