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 taking 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!
