What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately LXXII (72)…
Greetings My Friends~
As a simple pilgrim
following the Lord Jesus
through the rainforests and deserts of this earthly life,
I would like to humbly share
some of what God has been bubbling up in my mind/heart lately
through the Bible.
I pray that these thoughts are
cushions in your shoes,
balm to your burns,
umbrellas for the rain,
and shade to the scorching heat
as you too follow the Lord Jesus each day.
(please click on the Bible books/chapters/verses below
to read the actual Scripture passages)
The Gospel!
“Should not your piety be your confidence & your blameless ways your hope?”—Job 4:4.
No.
Rather, our confidence & hope are in Christ alone &
what He accomplished thru the manger, the cross and the empty tomb.
Ephesians 3:4; Philippians 3:1-14; Hebrews 10:1-23
.
True Wealth
A. True wealth isnt avoiding inflation but receiving salvation,
not saving for our retirement
but being saved from our rebellion & all our transgressions—Psalm 39:6-7.
B. Don’t check your financial account balance to be encouraged;
check your spiritual account balance in Christ Jesus: Paid in full!
.
Seek the Giver before the gifts
A. For Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:9-25,
the Holy Spirit was a product for personal gain,
not the Personal God.
How easily we use the Giver for His gifts…
B. Is Jesus a carry-on item/luggage Who you take with you
as you seek safety from storms in your own way,
or do you take refuge IN the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?
C. As a child has a tasty meal & then wants it daily,
we can be addicted to & idolizing of God’s gifts;
Christianity (on earth) is trials with times of refreshment
not vice versa…
.
The Nature of All Sin
A. Sin isnt just robbing banks or physical murder—
it’s each of us turning to our own way,
doing our own thing/what we think is best…
B. Humans’ true heart—Job 21:14:
“Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone!
We have no desire to know your ways.
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?’”
C. Many laugh at/ridicule Christianity
not because they dont know the Truth
but because they choose to not know.
“But they deliberately forget…” 2 Peter 3:5.
D. Genesis 3:6: “…[Eve] took…”
Instead of receiving from the LORD,
she & Adam took for themselves;
Asserting independence from God—the root of all sin.
.
Faith & Deeds, Beliefs & Actions!
Oh for heaven when our recordings/deeds
will perfectly match our record/dossier,
when our practice with Christ mirrors our position in Christ,
when sanctification & justification are forever harmonious!
.
Christians Suffer…With A Purpose!
A. The LORD’s love & faithfulness for His people
doesn’t mean we wont pass thru stormy waters/raging fires,
but that He will be with us in them!
Psalm 43:2: “You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
B. Psalm 23: Even in death’s shadow & the presence of evil & enemies (v.4-5),
we can be certain (v.6) of the LORD’s presence& goodness & love & mercy & promises.
C. Preparing for suffering isnt pessimistic but optimistic—
it shows that we trust God enough to prepare
& love Him enough to want to honor Him WHEN we suffer!
D. When we dont always get from God what we think we deserve—
even if what we want is good—
may we still give Him what He deserves—
our worship—
because He is always good!
E. May the LORD bless us to see our suffering
thru His eyes in light of eternity,
trusting what He says in the Bible
not what we see in the battle.
F. Deep fellowship between the LORD & His suffering people—Philippians 3:10:
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection
and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”
Soldiers grow closer in combat than behind a desk;
Scars are a stronger cement than safety.
G. The LORD brought “great joy” (Acts 8:8) out of “great persecution” (Acts 8:1).
Praise the LORD!
May we rejoice in, not run from, danger…
