.....vessel

When Jesus was asked to identify the greatest commandment, He said it was to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30. God wants ALL of our love! He has no desire to share our love with any of the little "gods" of this world; "For the Lord your God is a jealous God" Deuteronomy 4:24.

Giving God the fullness of our love requires that we live a very focused and holy life; "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" 1 Peter 1:15. Our love must be intently focused on the holy things of God rather than the corrupted things of this world. Anytime we allow our love for God to mix with our love for the world, the worldly love initially dilutes and eventually completely overtakes any love for God.

"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:11-12

Are we trying to walk on both sides of the fence? Do we maintain our "Godly" activities alongside our "ungodly" activities? Do we praise God and discuss Biblical issues during certain portions of the week and then lust after the world during the other? If so, beware! The ungodly will soon overtake and totally consume the Godly...and we won't even be aware it's happening. If we're not careful, we will one day look at what consumes our attention and say, "How did I come to this place in my life? When did I leave God's path?"

The good news is we have been given the Holy Spirit as the Great Purifier. If we make the time to carefully listen, He will "guide us into all truth" John 16:13. If we submit to His leading, He will strain, sift, distill, and refine until all that remains is the fresh and the pure.

Purity does not come by separation from the world, it comes as our heart is wholly separated unto God. We have been planted amongst the weeds of the world and there we will remain until the day of the great harvest Matthew 13:24-30. But while we must live and minister among the things of this world, and while we can certainly be thankful for some of God's worldly blessings and provisions, we must never give our worship to the things of this world: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" 1 John 2:15.

Jesus has made us into a new vessel and asked that we be filled with what is pure and holy. Let's stop mixing fresh and salty water, Godly and ungodly devotion. Let's commit every area of our life to our Heavenly Father and glorify Him in all we do by becoming a vessel of purity.

- steve troxel

.....example

Summer was here. For Craig, that meant he'd be going on an annual camping trip with his Grandpa and his cousin Scottie. Craig loved spending the summers at his grandparents' farm. But the annual campout was the highlight of his year. He was all packed - couldn't wait to go. 

Craig sat anxiously on the porch swing, waiting for Grandpa to pull up in his beat-up jeep. He noticed a few clouds in the darkening sky. "Looks like rain," he muttered, hoping the clouds would blow over. Then, just as Grandpa pulled into the driveway, it began to pour. 

"Looks like this trip is going to be ruined." Craig whined, as he threw his gear into the back of the jeep. "Well, I don't know about that." replied Grandpa with a wink. "By the time we get to the lake, it's likely this rain will have cleared up. Besides, the best fishin' comes right after a change in the weather." 

Craig hopped into the jeep and after a quick stop to pick up Scottie, they were on their way. 

As they arrived at the lake, the rain had slowed to a slight drizzle. Setting up the tent was a messy job. Though he had mud splattered everywhere, Grandpa never complained. He was grateful that God had sent a little water to make driving the stakes into the ground a little easier.  

Once the tent was set up, it was the boys' job to gather firewood. "This wood's all wet, Grandpa." yelled Craig. But wet wood wasn't enough to discourage Grandpa, either. As Grandpa carefully arranged the wood for a campfire, he told the boys a story from the Bible about Elijah calling down fire from heaven to consume not only wet wood, but an altar also.

After Grandpa got the fire going, the boys had a wiener roast. The mixed smells of the wood burning and the hot dogs roasting just above the flickering flame had the boys mouths watering with hunger. The hot dogs were delicious. Both boys ate heartily. Then Grandpa pulled out a big bag of marshmallows and they roasted them, too. 

Scottie's first marshmallow burst into flames so Grandpa showed the boys how to slowly and steadily toast them just above the fire. By this time, it was getting rather late. The boys sat close to Grandpa and watched the stars come out after the clouds had blown away. After a brief lesson in astronomy, the boys gazed into the heavens while listening to the sounds of nature. 

"What was that?" asked Craig, hearing an old owl hooting in the nearby woods.  "It's just an owl." replied Grandpa, who found himself identifying a number of other sounds to the boys. Together they learned to recognize the sounds of frogs croaking, crickets chirping and even a cougar's scream.  "Grandpa, how'd you get so smart?" Scottie questioned.  "Oh, Scottie, I'm not all that smart." Grandpa replied. "I just happen to know the One who has all the answers." 

"Me too, Grandpa." Craig shot back. "And do you know why we say our prayers every night before we go to bed?"  "Why's that, Craig?" 

"Because we know God's home when we see His lights come on." came Craig's reply.  And then with a chuckle, Grandpa explained to the boys that God is omniscient. "Now I know that's a mighty big word for you boys to understand, but let me put it this way. God is all knowing. He knows your thoughts before you ever put your prayers into words." "Wow!" came Scottie's reply. "That's awesome." said Craig. 

"Awesome," replied Grandpa. "I can't think of a better word to describe Him."  "And Grandpa," Scottie piped up. "We wouldn't know much about Him, if it hadn't been for you."  The Bible says, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous." Prov 13:22

The most important thing you can give your children or grandchildren is a godly example of a life well-lived for Jesus!

.....destroy

Moses had led the people of Israel through the desert for 40 years and was now preparing them to cross the Jordan River into the promised land of Canaan. As part of this preparation, Moses reminded the people how God had provided for all their past needs and reviewed the laws by which God expected them to live; "and if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us, that will be our righteousness" Deuteronomy 6:25

The people of Israel would be brought into a right relationship with God as they worshipped Him and obeyed His commands. But as they entered the promised land, there were many enemies which had to be removed.

When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations - the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you - and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy Deuteronomy 7:1-2

These enemies posed a serious physical threat, but the longer term danger was to their spiritual survival. God wanted them completely destroyed because their worldly gods would continually pull at the heart of His chosen people; "Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods" Deuteronomy 11:16

This can be a difficult message with today's soft view of sin. But there is an important lesson for each of us who long for a close relationship with God. Today, Jesus has provided the path to righteousness; "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" Romans 3:22. But God still desires the entirety of our heart and expects us to turn from anything which pulls us away from an unhindered and unrestrained devotion.

As he leads us into His promised land of rest and peace, there will always be enemies which entice us to turn from God, many temptations which compete for our time and thoughts...and for our worship. These enemies will appear stronger than our ability to conquer. But as we follow hard after God, He will grant us victory

What enemies take us away from the worship of God? What addictions, activities, desires or fears are consuming our heart and keeping us from being focused on Jesus - keeping us from a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father? Let's be determined to possess the land and fully give our heart to God. Let's identify the enemies which hinder our walk and, without mercy, let's completely destroy the enemies.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....transformation

Salvation is a work of the Spirit, for those who truly believe in Jesus Christ. This miraculous work of the Spirit will always cause a change and will always produce fruit, we must balance this truth with the understanding that spiritual change is a transformation which is sometimes painfully slow. Each new creation in Christ is given the Holy Spirit as a guide, but we will spend the rest of our life learning who we really are in Christ and how to "keep in step with the Spirit" Galatians 5:25

Even Paul recognized his spiritual maturity was not complete. He had the unique opportunity to receive truths and understanding directly from God; "this is what we speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit" 1 Corinthians 2:13, but Paul still fell short of God's glory and had to strive to reach the place Christ desired.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me Philippians 3:10-12

Paul knew the goal of his life was to bring glory and honor to God by living in the fullness and power of the resurrection. He knew he was to live a submitted life as one who was born "into an inheritance that can never perish" 1 Peter 1:3-4. But he also knew he had not fully attained this goal.

Jesus "took hold" of our life, every single day we are given a new opportunity to pick up the pieces and bring Him glory and honor in ALL we do. We are to press forward in the obedience of worship, holiness, and eternal priorities.

No matter how difficult our current circumstances, how terrible our past mistakes or how seemingly hopeless our future, the only step under consideration is our very next. We must begin today to live as a new creation in Christ who desires to step in obedience and glorify His name. Then, we must continue to walk through a lifetime of transformation.

.....off

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells.  After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened... and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back... a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back... HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You guessed it!  It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him... all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US! Remember that FORGIVENESS -- FAITH -- PRAYER -- PRAISE and HOPE... all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

.....neighborhood

God has done great things for us, and we are called to share His goodness with others, just as the man healed by Jesus went and told everyone what the Lord had done for him Luke 8:39. While not all of us are called to preach, each of us can serve as a witness for Christ in our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.

God continues to open opportunities for His truth to be shared, and He invites you and me to use our time, talents, abilities, and resources to advance His kingdom. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and heavenly agencies, we can become channels of light through whom others are drawn to Christ and experience His saving grace.

As we look forward to Christ's return, we must actively participate in His mission. Let us daily ask, “Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?” Acts 9:6, seeking His wisdom, practicing self-denial, and allowing Him to work through us. By faithfully sharing what God has done for us, we can help lead others to repentance and prepare them for His coming.

- adapted from e g white

.....ressurected

Our new life begins with faith in Jesus. When we are "born again," we cross from an eternal death to an eternal life; "whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life" John 5:24. Sin caused our condemnation and required our death, but Jesus took our sin and received sin's punishment. When we identify ourselves with Christ, we also identify with His death; "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Romans 6:3.

True salvation requires  we completely identify with His life and sacrifice on the cross. He was put to death for our sins and has crucified the old sinful nature of all who believe; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" Galatians 2:20.

This understanding will bring a glorious victory and freedom. The life we live in this body is not our own, we have died with Christ; "The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" Galatians 6:14. And if we have died to the world, our new life is much more than the identification with His death. The purpose of being crucified with Christ is so we can also be resurrected with Him and live a resurrected life.

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection Romans 6:4-5

We have not been crucified so we can simply wait to be called Home. Our lives should be a witness to the power of the gospel. If the gospel message resides in our heart, then we have been empowered to change the way we live today! We have died to the power of sin and been made alive to the contented joy of Christ. Let's live a life which is both crucified and resurrected.

.....anxious

We are encouraged to "trust in the Lord with all our heart" Proverbs 3:5. A consistent trust ought to invade all areas of our life, how we must be able to trust God for our eternity as well as our daily walk. A good measure of our trust  is in our level of anxiety.

Being anxious, or having anxiety, is defined as being mentally troubled with worry or concern. We all have been battling anxiety ever since Adam ate the forbidden fruit and tried in vain to hide from God; "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid" Genesis 3:10. The negative effects of anxiety were understood three thousand years ago when King Solomon wrote his proverbs of wisdom; "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" Proverbs 12:25.

Anxiety remained a necessary topic as Paul preached the Good News of Jesus. Almost in the same breath that he gave instruction to "Rejoice in the Lord always!" Philippians 4:4, Paul taught on removing anxiety from our life; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" Philippians 4:6

When we find ourselves being overly concerned or mentally troubled about ANYTHING, we must go to God and give our burdens to Him. This doesn't mean we ignore our problems, but we must learn to view the things of this world against the backdrop of eternity. The concerns of this life always fade as we compare them to the eternal glory of His Kingdom.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry {or be anxious} about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well  Matthew 6:25,34

When we feel weighed down, pressured, or stressed - when concerns are coming in fast motion from all directions and we don't know where to begin - we must stop and take a long, deep breath! We must refocus on Jesus and His Word. We must be reminded of eternity in the presence of a loving God and diligently seek His Kingdom; "make every effort to enter that rest" Hebrews 4:11

As we draw closer to our Heavenly Father, our eyes become adjusted to His light and we see He has already given all we really need. As we love Him more, all fear is removed: "perfect love drives out fear" 1 John 4:18. And as we trust Him more and more, we will receive His gift of peace and no longer live with the burdening weight of an anxious heart.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....today

In a class I teach for adults, I gave the assignment to "go to someone you love, and tell them that you love them." At the beginning of the next class, one of the students began by saying, "I was angry with you last week when you gave us this assignment. I didn't feel I had anyone to say those words to. But as I began driving home, the Holy Spirit started talking. Then I knew exactly who I needed to say 'I love you' to."

"Five years ago, my father and I had a vicious disagreement and never really resolved it. We avoided seeing each other unless we absolutely had to at family gatherings. We hardly spoke. So by the time I got home, I had convinced myself I was going to tell my father I loved him. "Just making that decision seemed to lift a heavy load off my chest."

"At 5:30, I was at my parents' house ringing the doorbell, praying that Dad would answer the door. I was afraid if Mom answered, I would chicken out and tell her instead. Dad did answer the door. "I didn't waste any time - I took one step in the door and said, `Dad, I just came over to tell you that I love you.'" 

"It was as if a transformation came over my dad. Before my eyes his face softened, the wrinkles seemed to disappear and he began to cry. He reached out and hugged me and said, `I love you too, son, but I've never been able to say it.' 

Two days after that visit, my dad had a heart attack.  "So my message to all of you is this: Don't wait to do the things you know need to be done. What if I had waited to tell my dad? Take the time to do what you need to do - and do it now!

- dennis e. mannering

.....steadfast

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. 

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. 

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.  She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. 

Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live. 

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4 

Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you, who loves you enough to send his only Son to die on a cross so you could live with Him...  and then be different because of it. 

.....worthy

When Alexander the Great ruled all the known world, he made it his policy to hear any appeal made to him.  One day a young soldier was brought before Alexander for trial.  The young man wore the tunic of Alexander's Army. 

"With what is he charged?" asked Alexander, who held absolute authority in all matters. There would be no appeal of his verdict.  "He is charged with cowardice in battle," answered the prosecutor. 

A great hush fell over the crowd gathered in the judgment hall. They knew Alexander as a general who expected his men to be valiant since he, himself, did not push his soldiers, but led them into the thick of battle.  Alexander looked at the young soldier who was a mere youth, fair-haired and still too young to shave.  The angry scowl on his face slowly changed into an understanding smile, "What is you name, soldier?" 

"Worthy King," responded the youth. "my name is the same as yours - Alexander."

Anger came back into Alexander's face, and he leaped to his feet.  Alexander grabbed the soldier's tunic.  "Young soldier." he said with great control, "either change your name, or change your behavior." 

Are we worthy of the name "Christian"?  

Do we need to "change the behavior or change the name"?

- dave langerfeld

.....known

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off Psalm 139:1-2

Perhaps the greatest yearning of the human heart is to be known. When someone takes the time to know us deeply, it is a sign of worthiness and respect. And who doesn’t want to be respected and made to feel worthy?  

God knows us. He created us in His own image Genesis 1:26-27 and a creator always knows the intimate details of what he has created. 

In one of his most beautiful Psalms Psalm 139, David expressed the profound ways in which God knew him. Beginning with his formation in his mother’s womb, David was known by God in every detail. 

The reason David praised God for His knowledge was that he knew only God could search his heart and show him what was truly in it Psalm 139:23-24. David wanted to please God, so he asked God to look at his life and see if there was anything that might not be pleasing to God.

When you need direction, comfort, instruction - when you need anything - ask the One who knows you better than you know yourself!

- david jeremiah

.....trust

God's plan will often allow trials for the purpose of bringing us to a greater understanding of His glory. God's desire is for us to turn our eyes from the things we can see and begin to trust the things that are unseen. The temporary things of this world, even the good and wholesome things, will never satisfy the deep longing of our hearts. 

Trusting in what we cannot see is the very essence of faith. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1. We will never find true contentment and peace until we completely trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding Proverbs 3: 3-5. Our trust should be consistent and should permeate every area of our lives.

If we say we trust that Jesus Christ, who was with God in the beginning, and who, being in very nature God, came to die so that we might live—in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins—then we must also completely trust that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him Romans 8:28.

To trust Jesus for our eternity while refusing to trust Him in our daily walk is like believing in the necessity of air while refusing to breathe. Such trust is incomplete and ultimately lifeless.

He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how shall He not also, together with Him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

God loves us so deeply that He gave us His very best. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This love assures us that He will provide everything necessary to shape us into sons and daughters who glorify His name. God will never abandon a work that cost Him the life of His Son. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6

When we surrender our lives to God through faith in Jesus Christ, we must also trust that He will never allow the fire to become hotter than we can endure or the burden heavier than we can bear. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us Hebrews 13:5.

Therefore, let us trust in Jesus Christ and fix our eyes on the eternal realities of God's kingdom. As we walk with Him each day, may we give Him a lifetime of unwavering faith, confident that His loving hands are guiding us toward His perfect purpose.

.....faith

Not all who do great things for God will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but "only he who does the will of My Father" Matthew 7:21. The Father's will is "that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life" John 6:40. We are given the gift of eternal life because of our faith in Jesus, not because of what we do; "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" Isaiah 64:6.

Salvation can never be earned; it is a gift to those who believe, we must understand what it means to believe and what changes will occur when we believe. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder" James 2:19. A saving belief is much more than just acknowledging God's existence or even the existence of His Son!

A drowning man will never reach up for help until he first understands and accepts his need to be rescued. To be rescued, we must believe so completely that we abandon all other "rescuers" and cling to the only One who can truly save; "any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:33. Giving up everything cannot save us, but true belief gives up all other sources of hope. It also reveals the trivial nature of our worldly attachments and creates an understanding that everything belongs to God. We see our life as lived for Him and desire to do ALL for His glory.

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ... In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14,17 Belief must produce a change in our life or we know it is not a true belief. 

At the moment we truly believe, we are "marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" Ephesians 1:13, and we become "a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17. Belief creates change through the work of the Holy Spirit!!

If we lack the evidence of a changed life, we must not focus on creating the change. This type of change becomes self-righteous, we must return to the cross and place ALL our trust in Jesus, truly believing He has paid the penalty for our sin and has granted us passage through the narrow gate to eternal life. As we completely turn over control to our Heavenly Father, fruit and good deeds will abound. Our life will be forever changed, but only when we begin with a belief that saves.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....trust

Psalm 55 reads as if it were written in our day. Troubled thoughts. Concerns about enemies. Anguish. Terrors. Fear. Battles are being waged. It is a time of chaos and confusion. When you have time, read the Psalm and put yourself in it.  David is having a tough time. Yet he keeps his composure and calls on the Lord for protection and assurance. “As for me, I call to God,” and the Lord saves me.” Then, at the end, he declares, “But as for me, I trust in you.”

How about you? When the walls start closing in, and your world is on the verge of collapse, what do  you do? When your friends and family are fretting and fearful, what do you do? When you feel yourself sinking lower into despair, what will you do?

The last line is our answer. “As for me, I trust in you. <>” When the storms come, say, “I trust in you.” When the medical report isn’t what you hoped, say, “I trust in you.” When fear threatens to crush you, say, “I trust in you.” When you don’t know what to do, say, “I trust in you.”

- thomas novell

.....compassion

We live in an imperfect world full of sickness, heartache, and frustrations. Many of us are facing trials which are sometimes quite severe. When we are finally invited into someone's private world and allowed to hear of their pain, it can be difficult to know what to do or say.

As we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, we learn to be "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We understand and usually have some actual experience with God's loving plan and purpose. But there are times when this type of advice - even this type of truth - can be a little cold and fail to comfort or draw someone closer to God

When Lazarus became very sick, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, but He did not come until after Lazarus died. Mary fell at Jesus' feet and cried: "Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died" John 11:32. At that moment the need simply required compassion. "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled...Jesus wept." John 11:33,35

The Creator of the Universe wept! From the beginning of time, Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead; He knew many lives would soon be changed through this miracle. Though good would ultimately come from this pain and sorrow, these were real people who were grieving: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" John 11:5. In this time of greatest need, Jesus took time to show He truly cared and understood their pain.

The world is in great need of the healing power of Jesus Christ. Sin has caused separation from God and left many lives in a mess. As we minister through encouragement and the truth of God's Word, we should speak the truth in love Ephesians 4:15. But love does not exist outside of a relationship. And in a loving relationship we will often best demonstrate God's truth by listening and providing comfort with a Godly compassion. 

.....secure

The gift of eternal life is given to "everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him" John 6:40. Belief is much more than a mere acknowledgement of existence; "Even the demons believe that - and shudder" James 2:19. Eternal life is a gift given only to those who so intensely believe that Jesus is the only way to receive forgiveness that they stand before a living God and enter into a relationship of an eternal covenant.

Covenants were first introduced by God to Noah after the flood; "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood" Genesis 9:11. Over the years, God made covenants with Abraham Genesis 15, the nation of Israel through Moses Exodus 19, and with David 2 Samuel 7. In each case, God initiated the covenant and clearly established the guidelines.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke about the new covenant He would make through Jesus; "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people" Jeremiah 31:33. This new covenant was designed to be permanent and under God's complete protection: "I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear Me, so that they will never turn away from Me" Jeremiah 32:40. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God gave further indication of how this would be accomplished.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws." Ezekiel 36:26-27

When we truly believe in Jesus, we enter into a covenant and God transforms our heart by His Spirit; "a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance" Ephesians 1:14. At that moment we are "sealed for the day of redemption" Ephesians 4:30. And when we enter into His saving covenant, we are purchased with the blood of Jesus: "You are not your own; you were bought at a price" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

We are called to continue in the faith, but God has promised we WILL continue; "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 1:8. He is the giver and sustainer of eternal life; "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish" John 10:28.

There is great debate whether this covenant can ever be broken, whether it is truly eternal, whether we can ever walk away or lose what has been given. But perhaps this debate only distracts from the greater truth: We are called to love God and continue to love Him with all our heart. This calling is clear! Let's remain within His arms of love, and trust that as we do, we are eternally secure.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....accepted

In Medieval Times, there was a young man caught and found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death. His mother and father loved him with all their hearts, and they appealed to everyone they met for leniency for their son. Without any results, they finally appealed to the Lord of their kingdom for a lesser sentence.  To everyone's complete surprise, the Lord granted this young man a full Pardon. 

 

Like today, a pardon is a document that forgives a person convicted of a crime, removing any penalties or punishment that the convicted person would normally receive for his crime.  The pardon was sent to the prisoner, with instructions to release him from prison. When the warden told the young man about the pardon, the young man became angry and said, "I'm guilty, I murdered another human being and I want to die." 

 

"But," the warden replied, "I have your pardon in my hand!" 

 

No matter how much the warden pleaded, the prisoner kept demanding to die. Not knowing what to do, the warden appealed to the Lord to help him know what to do. The Lord, said, "A pardon is not a pardon unless it is accepted!"  

 

So, the young man was executed. He had been completely forgiven for his sins against humanity, and for his other most grievous crimes. So why did he die? Because a pardon is not a pardon unless it is accepted! 

 

Jesus died in the place of every human being - who by their sins against God were deserving of the death penalty. Every human being who would ever live has been granted an unconditional pardon from God.  

But, you can only obtain this pardon by believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that he rose from the dead, trusting in Him for your salvation and accepting Him as both Savior and Lord. The Lord has given knowledge of Himself to every human heart, but it is our choice whether we accept His Pardon (through Jesus) or reject it  

 

Remember, A PARDON IS NOT A PARDON UNLESS IT IS ACCEPTED.  

- dave langerfeld

.....greater

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. 

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Yes, I’ll do it if it will save Liza.’

“As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, ‘Will I start to die right away?’

Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all his blood.  This story so beautifully illustrates for us the extravagant love of God. He gave His blood to save us.  He died so we could live.

    

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:12-13

- dave langerfeld

.....closed

We need to learn to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as we do an open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door, we would never find the right door. 

God directs our path through the closing and opening of doors. Once a door closes, it forces you to change your course. Another door closes, it forces you to change your course again. Then, finally, you find the open door and you walk right into your blessing. 

The Lord directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors, but instead of praising him for the closed door; we get upset because we "judge by the appearances." 

You have an ever-present help in the time of trouble that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour sign. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying, "Lord, how could You have done this to me?" 

We have got to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't He say that no good thing would He withhold from them that love Him? If you get terminated from your job, praise God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves: it might be another job, it might be school. 

If that man or woman won't return your call, it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock. One time, a person had a bank they had been in business with for many years tell them "No!" to a $10,000 loan. The Lord put in their spirit to call another bank. That bank gave them $40,000 at a lower interest rate than the first bank was offering. 

We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through judging by appearances. Be grateful for the many times our Father has closed doors to us just to open them in the most unexpected places. The Lord won't always say in spoken words: "Go to the left, now to the right"...  sometimes He will just close the doors that are wrong for you.

Lord, thank You for the doors You have opened in my life, and thank You just as much for the ones You have closed. I trust that Your wisdom is greater than my understanding and that Your plans for me are good. Give me the grace to surrender my disappointments, and help me to be thankful that You are actively guiding my steps. In Jesus' name,

- adapted from david langerfeld