More Things JESUS Said: Words From the Cross

Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday are the holiest days on the Christian calendar, and known to most Christians as Passion Week. The events of this week brought JESUS’ mission on earth to an end, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and scriptures (Isaiah 53.)

Day six, Good Friday, could hardly be called “good” since it was the most difficult of JESUS’ entire ministry. On that single day, JESUS was subjected to betrayal, endured multiple unlawful trials, false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, the most inhumane tortures, and abandonment by His closest supporters. 

Finally, the end, death by crucifixion. A shameful form of execution reserved for the vilest of felons. Through it all, JESUS said very little, and not one word in His own defense.

But from the cross, JESUS spoke, making seven recorded statements. While each have great significance for Christianity, two in particular leave no doubt about JESUS’ unconditional and divine love for mankind.

Based on Bible accounts, these would be the first and sixth statements, in order:

“Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

“It is finished.” John 19:30

How does one forgive such injustices as JESUS endured?

Theology professor Justin Holcomb explains it this way in an article published in Christianity.com: “The wrath of GOD against sin had to be poured out on JESUS, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations…. the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in GOD’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage….”

Rather than focusing on His most agonizing human suffering, JESUS was looking beyond to the mission that His Father had given Him to carry out, on behalf of mankind. (Isaiah 53.)

The Jewish leaders who lied and deceived to have Him crucified, the Roman soldiers who humiliated and spat on Him, the criminals and gawkers who jeered and mocked Him – none understood that their actions would fulfill GOD’s plan and the scriptures.

   

When JESUS prayed to GOD the Father to forgive His enemies, He knew that a judgement day would come when every person who acted against Him that day would recognize the extent of what they had done, and to whom, and repent for their sin. Romans 14:11-12; Philippians 2:8-11. And some did come to repentance that very day:

• A Roman soldiers who witnessed the unique circumstances of JESUS’ death Mark 15:37-39;  
• One of two thieves crucified with JESUS and was promised a place in paradise Luke 23:39-43;
• Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin sect, publicly takes JESUS’ side John 19:38-40

Less than a month thereafter, some 3,000 who had witnessed and taken part in the events of Good Friday were saved in one day. So began the church as we know it. Acts 2:36-42

The forgiveness JESUS prayed for on the cross is for all people who would come to believe in Him – past, present and future. All our sins are forgiven, those we commit in ignorance and those that are deliberate – past, present, and future.

JESUS completed His mission; He paid the penalty for all when He give his life as a ransom.” (Matthew 20:28). So, as death approached, He was able to utter with confidence His next to final words,

“It is finished.”

With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our FATHER in Heaven, may we never cease to be grateful to YOU for the events of that first Good Friday. With awe and reverence we acknowledge CHRIST JESUS as SAVIOR and LORD, REDEEMER and KING. Father, may JESUS’ prayers on the cross on our behalf echo in the hearts and minds of our future generations Teach us to bear all things with patience and perseverance and focus only on the reasons why the events of Good Friday are “good” – for our joy and YOUR glory. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

More Things JESUS Said: “You Are the Salt of the Earth.”

Christians are half-way through the 2019 Lenten season calendar – the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday during which we prepare our hearts and minds to commemorate CHRIST’s resurrection, three days after His crucifixion and burial. With this one-time divine act of grace, JESUS purchased the gift of eternal life in heaven for all who believe. (John 3:16)

Believers in turn worship and honor JESUS’ life and ministry daily, not just once a year at Easter.

Romans 12: 1-2 reminds us that since GOD has shown us such great mercy through His SON, we honor Him by giving our lives back to JESUS and being a world-changer on His behalf.

Everything that JESUS did and said during His life on earth up to His resurrection and return to the Father become the foundation on which we base our lifestyle choices. The world does not shape our thinking and choices – JESUS does and He gave a specific task and role to His followers – 

“You are the salt of the earth...You are the light that gives light to the world.” Matthew 5:13-14 

How are JESUS followers “salt of the earth”?

Not everyone cooks but we all eat and we all know the difference salt makes in enhancing the flavor of our food. The right amount of salt changes a blah-tasting dish to one that’s finger-licking good while too much salt will thoroughly ruin a meal. We also know that substitutes do not satisfactorily replace the real. Although human life cannot be sustained without salt, too much salt can be harmful to health.

Salt is also used as a purifier and a preservative.

As we maintain optimum physical well-being by careful use of salt, so too we desire our spiritual saltiness to have maximum effect.

The doctrine, beliefs and moral values, of the gospel teachings are said to be like salt to seekers of truth. As believers we should both live the gospel and share its good news to a dark and dying world (be salt).

Scripture tells us to be ready always to explain and share the gospel news – what we have in CHRIST (1 Peter 3:15.) And to do so with respect and gentleness. Being pushy and aggressive with GOD’s grace is like putting too much salt in a dish – it’s unpalatable to the hearer and the damage is often irreversible.

Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary on “You’re the salt of the earth,” states in part, “Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace.”

Combining our knowledge of the gospel with grace is key to exposing others to the cleansing and redeeming love of JESUS the SON and GOD the Father.

The Apostle Paul’s zeal for spreading the gospel to the Gentile world is well documented in the Scriptures, by his own hand and that of others. Paul is a model for us of what it takes to be “the salt of the earth.” His epistle to the church at Colossae gives us a glimpse into what it takes to do as well as maintain our passion.  

In Colossians 4:2-4 Paul asks believers to pray with him that:

• GOD will give opportunity to tell people His message
• He can preach the secret that GOD has made known about CHRIST (that Jews and Gentiles will share in GOD’s promise of eternal life through His grace Ephesians 3:5-6)
• He can speak the message in a way that will make it clear

Paul also gives the Colossian church advice on living and sharing the gospel (Colossians 4:5-6):

• Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers,
• Make the most of every opportunity.
• When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

Paul's story is memorable. He was a persecutor of Christians who JESUS called into His service after which he suffered many hardships and challenges that eventually cost him his life. But Paul, once He met JESUS, never faltered (Acts 9,)  

In some parts of the world Christian persecution still exists. But for many, we have freedom and open access to everything we need to press forward. It’s all written down for us in the Scriptures.

Fear of being wrong, or looking or sounding foolish, may cause us to shrink back and question ourselves. But here’s the deal – our role as CHRIST’s representatives, the salt of the earth, is one of simply living what He has done for us and telling what the WORD of GOD says. The changing of lives and hearts is GOD’s doing, through His Holy Spirit and the divine power of His WORD. (Hebrews 4:12; Acts 2:14-42)

JESUS tells us that if we love Him, we obey His teaching. The reward for doing so is access to the Father’s enduring love and the divine wisdom and knowledge of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, those who do not love JESUS, do not merit these rewards. (Matthew 4: 23-25)

Choosing to do what JESUS says is always a win/win for the believer.

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Holy Father, thank you for YOUR saving grace that made us partners with JESUS in taking the message of truth and hope to a world that would perish without it. Father we ask that YOU increase our love for the things that YOU love.  Thank YOU, JESUS, for giving us life with joy to the fullest through the things YOU have done and said. We pray and ask all things in YOUR NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

What JESUS Said: About Judging Others – Conclusion

The 2 Samuel account of King David’s life tells us how readily and harshly David judges someone else’s actions, when the grievous sin Nathan intended to expose was his own. However, David has one thing in his favor that's key to his redemption from moral failure. David loved GOD.

When confronted David understood immediately that his real transgression was against Almighty GOD, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13. And in Psalm 51 David is totally transparent before GOD regarding his sin with Bathsheba and truly contrite and broken when he asks for mercy and forgiveness.

David is able to go before the throne of grace with confidence because he knows GOD. He may have lost his way for a bit but he remembers that GOD’s character never changes – “(GOD) You are loving...You are always ready to be merciful...” Psalm 51:1b-2

While it may not be possible for us to ask forgiveness of everyone towards whom we behaved in a thoughtless and disrespectful manner, we are always able to do so with GOD, and we must. And with the same humility and sincerity as David does.

In the world’s view, making unfair and prideful judgments of another’s behavior and motives is no big deal. But to GOD it is sin. We would excuse it as not the same level as David’s adultery and murderous cover-up, but all sin is disobedience to GOD’s will and He despises it all.

But for believers, there’s the good news!

Our judgment day has come and gone and GOD has set us free to be his own beloved children, forever. We’re already forgiven in JESUS for every godless act, so this is not a guilt trip we take on ourselves. This is recognizing GOD’s working out our sanctification through the Holy Spirit. He brings to our attention the things we can confess, repent of and turn away from, to move us one step closer to being more like CHRIST.

This is grace!! It’s what David so desired of GOD for himself, “Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.” Psalm 51:9-10

Conclusion

JESUS does not forbid judging but commands that we first remove the big piece of wood from our own eye and be sure that our consciences are clear before we judge our brothers and sisters. He says we act as hypocrites when we don’t hold ourselves to the same standards by which we judge others.

JESUS’ teachings should motivate us to live intentionally in our relationships with others and with our Heavenly Father, instead of thoughtlessly imitating the world’s norms (Matthew 22:37-40.)

And why should we obey JESUS?

He (JESUS) gave himself for us so he might pay the price to free us from all evil and to make us pure people who belong only to him—people who are always wanting to do good deeds. Titus 2:14

Choices we make, both big and small, matter to JESUS because they bear consequences that will either hinder or develop us in our walk as believers.

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Holy Father, thank YOU for the written WORD that teaches us how to live and also encourages us when we fail so we’re not without hope. Thank you for YOUR grace and mercy that’s always given in abundance to those who ask it of YOU. Thank YOU that our sin no longer separates us from YOU because of the finished work of our Savior and LORD and our soon coming King, CHRIST JESUS. We pray and ask all things in His NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

What JESUS Said: About Judging Others – Part 2

We live in an era where we are encouraged to judge others and not think of it as wrong or feel badly about it. This behavior dominates social media sites where it’s easier to get away with. We feel especially safe doing it with our own social circle – friends, family and close associates who are just like us – they don’t really mean any harm to anyone. After all, we’re nice people and the folks we are judging and laughing at don’t even know it.

Nice people! It’s not a stranger posting videos that show people in embarrassing and negative ways or YouTube links of the latest church scandal. So we think it’s ok to comment and offer opinions on the lives of people and situations about which we know nothing, or are amused by comments others make.

While as believers we are not directly insulting and maligning other users’ Facebook and Instagram posts we still need to do some examination in light of who we are. Do we actually have prejudices and stereotypes that we need to look at and repent of?

Consider also the huge chunks of valuable time spent on a useless, unproductive past-time that we’ll never get back. We cannot feel empathy for people and circumstances if their lives are nothing but pure entertainment for us.

The European proverb “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.” uses the term ‘glass houses’ as a figure of speech for faults or weaknesses. The proverb’s interpretation can be do not criticize others if you have similar weaknesses yourself or one who is vulnerable to criticism ought not to criticize others.

Which of us is without fault or weakness?

JESUS in Matthew 7:1-5 text is not speaking against believers judging others but against believers’ hypocrisy.

How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:4-5 (Luke 6:41-42)

Charles H Spurgeon’s Bible commentary of Matthew 7:1-5 says in part – “Some people are of a censorious disposition; they see nothing in others to praise, but everything to blame….at the bottom of all censoriousness lies hypocrisy. An honest man would apply to himself the judgment which he exercises upon others, but it usually happens that those who are so busy spying out other people’s faults have no time to see their own; and what is this, at the bottom, but insincerity and hypocrisy?”

Often the thing we despise in others is the thing we are ourselves most guilty of doing. You judge those who do wrong, but you do wrong yourselves. Romans 2:1-3

And how does GOD respond to such hypocrisy?

A great example to draw from is the Old Testament story of King David recorded in 2 Samuel 11:1-12:15. 

See how David responds to the wrongdoer in the parable that Nathan uses to confront him about his sin of adultery and the cover-up murder? He’s enraged and ready to mete out the harshest punishment possible. “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this should die!” David sees “the dust” in that man’s eye but not the “big piece of wood” in his own. And he dares to use the LORD’s name as validation.

GOD said about David, “he’s a man after my own heart” and GOD never stopped loving or using David even after David deliberately broke GOD’s law. 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22.

GOD is the same with us.

Once we are called child of GOD, no amount of law breaking on our part will erase the Father’s love for us (Romans 8:35-39,) or cause Him to withhold a blessing, or stop His plans for our lives from moving forward to completion.

However, because GOD loves us He does discipline us – all children are disciplined by their fathers. Hebrews 12:4-7. GOD disciplines not to punish but to reshape our character to look more like the new creations in CHRIST that we are – a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, GOD's special possession (1 Peter 2:9.) We should feel encouraged when we receive consequences for wrongdoing. 

Do  consequences always fit the sin? 

Scripture couldn’t be clearer on the consequences for judging others hypocritically while ignoring our own faults. “you will be judged. You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you.” Matthew 1:1b-2

It’s the golden rule…we always get back what we give out in equal measure – whether good or bad. (Luke 6:37-38.)

The Bible shows us that GOD’s consequences for David matches the severity of the sin. The child he conceived with Bathsheba dies and violence and betrayal plague his family for generations. “there will always be people in your family who will die by a sword.” (2 Samuel 12.)

Humans are incapable of judging the actions of others fairly because our hearts are naturally impure, but GOD who is holy and righteous can and does. “More than anything else, a person’s mind is evil and cannot be healed. Who can understand it? But I, the Lord, look into a person’s heart and test the mind. So I can decide what each one deserves; I can give each one the right payment for what he does.” Jeremiah 17:9-10

To judge is to assume a role reserved for GOD. He alone has the authority to judge others’ actions and the ability to do so with fairness. (James 4: 11-12.) And to judge unfairly is a violation of JESUS’ greatest commandment to us to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39.)

Loving this way should come naturally to those who are the children of GOD. After all, we have the Holy Spirit living in us who produces in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

GOD’s WORD says that believers must remain unstained by the world. (James 1:27). A stain on our character is a stain against the name of the one whose image we bear – an open door for non-believers to disrespect our faith. The prophet Nathan says exactly the same to David about his actions – “what you did caused the Lord’s enemies to lose all respect for Him.” 2 Samuel 12:14

If we don’t move towards changing our behavior that stain enters into our souls and our hearts become hardened.

But GOD is merciful.

To be continued….

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Our Holy and merciful Father, forgive us for choosing to be so involved in the things of the world that we forget who we are. Remind us that we are not of this world but salt and light to bring hope to a world that’s perishing. Help us to choose to be to others what we would want for ourselves – loving and kind in thought, word and deed. Holy Spirit strengthen us to put away careless and thoughtless acts that could hurt others. We pray and ask all things in JESUS NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

What JESUS Said: About Judging Others – Part 1

“The people who love me will obey my teaching.”
So said JESUS to His disciples (John 14:23.)

JESUS’ parable teachings and instructions during His three years of ministry on earth remain central to the Christian lifestyle today. His most memorable teachings are from His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). And every WORD still provides wisdom sufficient for a life-time of godly living. 

The scope and significance of these teachings captivated His audience; Matthew’s gospel tells us that the things JESUS said and the authority with which He spoke “astonished” His listeners. His message had a significant impact on the lives of His original audience.

One Merriam-Webster dictionary synonym for something astonishing is eye-opening: something that shows or teaches you something in a surprising way; something startling, surprising, or enlightening – tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight.

JESUS’ teachings are meant to enlighten Christians, giving us perfect understanding and insight into how GOD wants His people to live. 

The Words JESUS speak must be incorporated into every decision Christians make daily.

   

I have no original research to back this up, but several Internet sources say that adults make 35,000 conscious decisions daily. That’s a lot of decisions affecting both our lives and the lives of other people – every day!

Why should our everyday life-style decisions matter that much to JESUS?

The world does what the world does; Believers on the other hand live by a different standard from the rest of the world.

GOD the Father designed a life plan for those who are sons and daughters, a label we receive immediately we accept by faith that His SON, CHRIST JESUS, is the propitiation for our sins and our Savior and LORD. At the same time we’re also united with CHRIST – His Spirit comes to live in us and through Him we now have intimate communion with our Father Galatians 2: 20, Colossians 1:27.  

Our position and relationship with the Godhead – Father, SON and Holy Spirit, is the reason why our choices and decisions matter very much to JESUS! Whatever we do now, in word or deed will impact that relationship, one way or another.

Besides, we have a divine command from the Father to follow JESUS, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5 NCV). And whatever JESUS tells us to do comes directly from the Father. “The things I taught were not from myself. The Father who sent me told me what to say and what to teach.” (John 12:49 NCV)

 A recent re-reading of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel brought to my awareness one choice in particular that both believers and non-believers make almost every day. 

We have become experts at judging others – a behavior against which JESUS strongly warns His followers.  “Don’t judge others.” Matthew 7:1

Judging others has become a favorite past-time. Real-time and unlimited access to all kinds of media, - television, the Internet and social media sites, has made this behavior so acceptable, that it’s become a norm even for Christians. I am as guilty as the next person so I’ve decided to tell the truth and shame the devil.

We must recognize that careless judgement of others’ lives and circumstances is an ungodly and negative behavior for which there are divine consequences: You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you. Matthew 7:2.

By this command, JESUS isn’t asking us to turn a blind eye to evil and not address or attempt to correct wrongs that we see and experience in the world. He Himself tells us to have discernment and make sound judgments about wrongs, especially with respect to other Christians. (Matthew 18:15-20.)  

What JESUS does not want us to do is encourage and partake in the uncontrolled negative judging of others that is so fashionable today.

“Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3 NCV

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Holy Father, YOU desire always that we who claim YOUR Name live apart from the world – YOU demand that we come out from among them and be separate and live the godly life that YOU designed for us through YOUR SON and our Redeemer, JESUS CHRIST. Forgive us for giving in to the temptation to make negative and harmful judgments against others and guide us into YOUR perfect will by YOUR WORD, so we do not continue to sin against YOU and be YOUR light in this world of darkness. We pray and ask all things in JESUS NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

What Does GOD Want from Me? - Conclusion

What do we know about GOD?

• GOD is not like you and me. The Bible tells us that GOD is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he makes come true. Numbers 23:19; ….everything He does is right. Psalm 33:4

• GOD never changes His mind, never asks anything of you that He has not equipped you for, never judges you unfairly, readily forgives you as often as you need forgiveness, and always keeps His promises.

• GOD is consistent. Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of consistent is: free from variation or contradiction.  

• GOD is incomprehensible and so is his love – we cannot fathom GOD and we cannot fathom His love. It is divine. GOD alone is capable of loving each of us uniquely.

Does this sound like someone who needs a mere mortal to do anything to make His life better, easier, or more fulfilling?

So, why then does GOD give us commands in His WORD?

You’ve heard it said that the Bible is GOD’s love letter to the world – to you and to me. But what does that mean?

The entire Bible is GOD’s story about Himself – His holiness, His goodness, His grace, His mercy. And it is about a plan to redeem lost creation; those whom He created in His own image and likeness. You!

GOD set that plan in motion in Genesis and when the time was right, He came to earth to finish it. He made Himself visible to us in the person of JESUS, the GOD Man. GOD incarnate - “The WORD became a human and lived among us.” John 1:14a

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

All of GOD’s commands to us are designed to restore to you the same intimacy Adam and Eve enjoyed with Him before the Fall. (Genesis 3:8) To bring you back to Him.

GOD’s commands benefit you, and because He leaves nothing to chance, He tells you exactly which ones would assure your success: 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength…Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no commands more important than these. Mark 12:30-31

All that you “do” for GOD must flow from those two commands to love, or it’s nothing but fleshly effort. The heart is not involved. Love is missing.

So, what does GOD want from you?

The Old Testament prophet Micah records a conversation with the Nation of Israel in which they are asking the same question, why isn’t what we’re doing for God enough – what does GOD want from us? The answer GOD gives the prophet for the people is the same as it is in the New Testament command, love me, love other people. (Micah 6:6-8.)

The Pharisees in the New Testament were known for their public displays of works, fasting and prayer – all done to impress others with their holiness. JESUS told them that their efforts were meaningless rituals and neither they nor their followers would get into GOD’s Kingdom unless their hearts were changed. (Matthew 5:20)

JESUS also used the gospel parable of the Prodigal Son to expose the Pharisees’ self-righteousness and spirit of entitlement in the older son’s behavior towards his younger brother. ‘I have served you like a slave for many years and have always obeyed your commands….your other son, who wasted all your money on prostitutes, comes home, and you kill the fat calf for him!’ Luke 15:29-30

Like the Pharisees, the older son thought works would make him more deserving of his father’s love and resources. But his father’s response shows otherwise – ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours….” Luke 15:31

In this parable the father represents our heavenly Father and the sons GOD’s children. The story confirms that a child of GOD is always a child of GOD and all that the Father has belongs to you. You don’t have to prove yourself. The Christian life is not a contest that you’re in to win points and favor with GOD.

What does GOD want from you, then?  The answer is simple.…GOD wants you.

When you give yourself totally to Him, His Holy Spirit empowers you to love GOD fully and serve Him from the right motive.

Unless love for GOD is your motivation, your good works are only a performance that results in pride and legalism – and neither pleases GOD. This type of serving feels like drudgery and isn’t satisfying for you or the served. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)

You don’t so much do things for someone you love, but because of them.

By His very nature, GOD is easy to love and please – more so than the people in your life.

To know GOD is to love GOD. To love GOD is to obey Him.

Is it possible that your love for GOD has grown cold? You're not the first.

In the Book of Revelation, the risen JESUS is dictating messages to the disciple John for the churches of that time. For the Church in Ephesus, JESUS first recounts all their admirable qualities but then He names their biggest and most grievous flaw – “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2: 4-5

When loving GOD is priority rather than just serving Him, we end up doing both. If we skip the relationship, our service benefits nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2

We learn to know and love GOD through His SON, JESUS. John 10:30 John 14:9

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the apostle Paul asks the Corinthian church to examine themselves to be sure that they are followers of CHRIST JESUS.

If serving GOD with joy has become a struggle for you, it may be time to stop and take inventory. Turn back to JESUS so you can turn back to GOD and do the works you did at first – love GOD and others.

Conclusion:

Don’t become so focused on “doing for GOD” that you neglect what GOD really wants from you.  

GOD wants us to love Him with all our hearts and let our service be from a heartfelt desire to please Him.

The Lord has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God. Micah 6:8

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, thank YOU for always being there for us and showing us truth in YOUR WORD – that we don’t have to perform to gain YOUR approval because all of YOU belongs to us, YOUR children. All for the taking, all at no cost to us, and all because of YOUR enduring love! Forgive us for complicating your simple rule for our lives – love YOU and love others. Thank YOU for JESUS and the Holy Spirit that enable us to do all things according to YOUR will. Remind us that it all works for our good and YOUR glory, for all dominion and power belong to YOU. We pray and ask all things in the Name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

What Does GOD Want from Me?

Am I doing what God expects of me? This is a question that occupies the minds of many Christians and is often expressed.

If you are a believer, you want to please GOD. But are your thoughts too often filled with doubt that GOD is pleased with you?

Christians talk about experiencing emotional, physical and spiritual burn-out trying to live the Christian life well. Some say they feel stressed out to the point of frustration, sometimes even anger and resentment.

If you are in such a place and entertaining similar thoughts, here’s a new thought to consider – you not being happy with you may not translate to GOD not being happy with you.

What’s really causing you to have these doubts, frustrations and feelings of inadequacy?

The problems you are having with your Christian walk may just be one of focus – the “I” factor.

“I” feel like I’m not getting it right/doing enough/ failing/disappointing GOD. Really??

If GOD is unhappy about anything concerning you it’s that you’ve brought unnecessary pain and suffering into your life by taking on a role that’s not yours.

GOD doesn’t need a helper!

“Who has controlled history since the beginning? I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished.” Isaiah 41.

You’re incapable of “failing GOD” because GOD is complete in Himself and He isn’t going to be any less so because of something you or I have failed to “do for GOD.”.

The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; he has everything he needs. Acts 17:24-25

But doesn’t GOD give us commands?

The answer is yes, He does.

GOD does ask that you worship Him, serve others, give to the poor, seek after holiness, among other commands.  But all GOD’s commands are designed to make the lives of His people more fulfilling – they’re for your benefit and joy, as well as for the benefit and joy of the people in your life. None benefits GOD in any way.

The focus of our Christian lifestyle must be about what GOD has done for us, instead of what we can do for GOD.

When we make that switch, we can begin to live the Christian life well; we can serve with joy. Psalm 100:2

GOD does not require you to perform great acts of service for Him but He does expect that your actions are prompted by great love. Love for Him and for the people you encounter daily.

I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 (New Century Version)

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are Creator, Savior, and our Portion. All that we are and need is in YOU. Thank you for exposing the darkness in our hearts that cause us to act like Pharisees and make idols of our works. Forgive us for becoming so engrossed in ourselves that we forget the One WHO made us who we are. We’re children of GOD by YOUR love and YOU alone can give us JOY. Thank YOU for CHRIST JESUS, He is our strength and by Him we can do all things well. All dominion and power belong to YOU for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the JESUS Name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile