Christianity

Our Compassionate Shepherd

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Genesis 28:1- 29:35; Matthew 9:18-38

“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” -Matthew 9:36

 

Leah is not loved. God sees Leah’s loneliness and blesses her with sons.

Jesus shows compassion to the crowds of hurting, broken people. Sickness, death and disappointment are attached to this world. We are all in need of a Shepherd to see us, love us and tenderly care for us. God sent Jesus as the Lamb of God so that He could be our Shepherd, our Hope.

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Our Father sees the broken-hearted, whatever struggles you face. He mends us with truth, reminding you and me we are healed and we are being healed. Living between the two advents means becoming who we already are in Christ. Jesus has secured the place of every believer with Him.

Jesus went to the cross for sinners. He loves you and sees your need. His compassion for the helpless is still relevant today. Come ye sinners, poor and needy, Jesus will remind you of His love and power. Jesus makes us whole.

Grace upon grace,

April

 

Enemies of the cross

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Read Genesis 25:1-26:16; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 3:7-8; Matthew 8:18-34

 

The wicked are wise in their own eyes despising God and His people. Ishmael’s descendants fulfill prophecy as people who live in hostility toward others, rejecting the true God. Esau cared more for gratifying his flesh than protecting the spiritual value of his birthright.

Anyone who is not a friend of God is His enemy. Neutrality or indifference are also choices made to stand against the Lord, refusing to believe His promises. All forms of rebellion are pride- man’s desire to live apart from God, out from under His authority.

The contrast to rebellion is a life of faith in Jesus. Still, God proves His faithfulness to us over and over again so that we will trust Him. He calms the wind and waves, exorcises demons from two men, showing the world He possesses power over creation. He holds the key to life.

Here we know in part, living in the shadows. When it feels like evil is winning, and the weak are crushed we remember the Story isn’t over yet. What is yet to come will be the unveiling as we see Christ in full glory. God’s enemies do not have the victory. We are on the right side.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). 

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” -1 Corinthians 13:12

Jesus Heals

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Read Matthew 8:1-17

This passage shows how Jesus healed different people with just a touch or a word. His unlimited power displays the Lord’s authority over every kind of physical and mental ailment- leprosy, paralysis, fever, demon-possession, and yes, even death (John 11:1-44). Jesus is willing to “make us clean” as the leper asks of Him.

He did many miracles in the sight of the people, relieving them from physical suffering and sorrow. Yet our longing goes much deeper than relief from temporal afflictions. We are in need of divine spiritual resurrection (Ephesians 2:1-5). Jesus has done this for every believer.

Even though you and I must endure trials of various kinds on earth, we are not like those without hope. Jesus was willing to heal us from our sin sickness. This is the miracle that matters the most. All who were physically healed by Christ during His earthly ministry died eventually. This is the curse of sin- Death. But those in Christ are made clean and whole. We get to live.

The effects of sin’s curse all around us in the world- political havoc, mental illness, hunger, injustice, divorce, abuse, incurable diseases. The world is broken and not as it should be.

But this isn’t the end of the story, not by a mile. If we hold onto an eternal perspective then we remember ourselves as pilgrims in a transient world (Hebrews 11:13-16). Final restoration when all things are made new is coming. One day, on the very last day, the Lord’s healing will be complete. And we who are called His sons and daughters will be Home forever.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

 

“He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases,” -Isaiah 53:4

 

One Son

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As a woman with secondary infertility it can be hard to see the blessing of many children given to other families. But I’m reminded of the couples in the Bible who were given only one child:

Abraham and Sarah- Isaac

Zechariah and Elizabeth- John (the Baptist)

In both cases, the couples were considered righteous even as they remained barren. Yet the Lord took away their disgrace (sadness and longing) by giving them the gift of a child. Scripture doesn’t gloss over human disappointment and struggles. Instead, we get to see how God works through these valleys.

The Father had only one Son as well. He did not spare Him, but gave Him up as an offering for our sin (Romans 8:32). Through God’s One and Only Son, all who trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior are given life forever. Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing you and I will ever have. Even if our life circumstances aren’t what we thought they would be, He is enough.

The Lord can lead us to a heart of gratitude when we grieve the dreams that aren’t and look forward with clear eyes and a full heart of what kind of story God IS writing with the life we do have.

God the Father demonstrated the greatest sacrifice by giving us Jesus. When I meditate on the unfathomable depth of His love for me, I settle back into resting in His Sovereign Goodness. And I thank Him for the blessings I do have. Practicing gratitude, like breathing.

I looked up the meaning of my son’s name the other day. It means “Gift”. What a sweet reminder of the blessing right in front of me. He truly is a gift to me and my husband. Remembering our gifts is important, but acknowledging where they come from is the purpose. The Gift-Giver became our greatest Gift. God incarnate.

Grace upon grace,

April

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” -John 3:16-17

Wisdom

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Read Genesis 18:16-19:38; Psalm 8; Proverbs 2:6-15; Matthew 6:25-7:14

We read of man’s wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah from Genesis. God’s wrath is on the unrepentant and this serves as a warning for those continuing in rebellion- God’s judgment is sure.

Then Psalm 8 describes the Lord’s majestic character. Such a contrast to the depravity of man and ugliness of sin! Sin kills, God gives life. The Lord revives, our sin is soul crushing.

What is the answer in pursuing the Lord, imitating Him rather than follow the ways of the world? Wisdom. The Proverbs passage speaks of wisdom for the way of the righteous. Relying on God’s wisdom provides the proper way to view all of life. We learn to trust Him with our circumstances. God gives us a right view of ourselves as we relate to others and Him. Our prayer life matures. Seeking wisdom is how you will grow in deeper fellowship with Jesus. He is Wisdom. 

Grace upon grace,

April

Everlasting Covenant

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Read Genesis 16-17

 

Abraham’s privilege is our great blessing. We are his spiritual descendants and benefit from the Lord’s promises made to Abraham. Believers can rightly apply God’s Word as true, even future promises as good as done. The land of Canaan, the Promised Land, will be made new for us in a new heaven and new earth. Our Home is with the Lord, our Father, forever.

The Abrahamic covenant still stands, brought under the New Covenant instituted by Jesus Christ- no more shedding of blood for our sins. Christ has done this and it is magnificent and sufficient. Abraham’s lineage is marvelous because God made it so. People from every tribe, every tongue, every nation come together as One Family in Christ.

We can hold onto these forever promises, a bound covenant in which God cannot/ will not lie. El Roi is with you, He sees you, and watches over you in His love. He is good enough to even call us not just servants and friends, but sons and daughters. Believer, you are eternally His.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Knowing God

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Read Genesis 11:1-13:4; Psalm 5; Proverbs 1:24-28; Matthew 5:1-26

 

In the Genesis account, mankind continues to flourish in population but their lifespan becomes shorter after the Flood. Under one language the people work together, to build a tower attempting to reach the heavens. In man’s hubris we seek to be equal with God. The Lord then scatters the people by confusing their speech and then scatters them over the face of the earth.

God later calls Abram into a relationship with Him. Abraham responds by obediently following God, not to be like God, such as the people at Babel. His life after this encounter is never the same. Abraham still sins in his lifetime out of fear and passivity, not trusting the Lord in those times, yet He obeyed with great faith and was considered “a friend of God”. The Lord mercifully and wonderfully works through His flawed creation!

Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 5 directs us in how we relate to others and to God. The people at the tower of Babel failed to see how people can honor the Lord when working together to glorify Him. So God frustrated their plans. Abraham demonstrates how we properly relate to our Creator through his faithful obedience and humility.

Our call today is to seek the Lord while He may be found. We can follow Him and into eternity but this opportunity to know God will not always be available. Either our lives will end or Christ will come.

God makes Himself known to those who desire to follow Him like Abraham. Do I know God this way? As a friend? What would others say of your life at the end? Do you live a life of faith like Abraham? Do you know God? Jesus Christ has made this relationship possible bridging the gap between our sin and God’s righteousness. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Operation Redemption

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Read Genesis 8:1-10:32; Psalm 4; Proverbs 1:20-23; Matthew 4:12-25

 

In the Genesis section Scripture shows the flourishing of mankind on the earth. Our struggle in a fallen world and natural inclination for wickedness are noted. Psalms 4 and the Proverbs portion go on to describe how men love delusions, distractions, and false gods, rejecting the wisdom God offers, which is Himself. The world rejects Christ.

And then in Matthew 4 we see the plan of redemption put into motion, with “feet on the ground”. Jesus incarnate begins His earthly ministry and changes the course of history for mankind. He brings light to a dark, spiritually desolate world.

Over time and many generations later, we defer back to our flesh, forgetting God or what He has done. Our hearts are calloused, our ears deaf and our eyes blind to the truth of the Gospel. Jesus came to break free the captive from sin and death. He offers eternal life in Him and with Him. He only calls us to follow Him.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…”  (Isaiah 61:1-2; fulfilled in Luke 4:16-21)

“Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy…” (Psalm 4:6-7)

 

Grace upon grace,

April

 

Noah’s obedience

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Read Genesis 5:1-7:24; Psalm 3; Matthew 3:7-4:11

Noah was a righteous man who walked with God. He obeyed the Lord’s commands to build an ark. What’s important to note here is that Noah could not have done this in his own strength. Noah like the rest of mankind, is corrupt, inclined to wickedness.

Men and women in the Bible commended for their godliness operate out of obedience to God’s power in them. This is part of the mystery concerning God’s Sovereignty and man’s will. It is the Lord’s grace. He gives us the desire and faith to follow Him, yet we have to be obedient to this call. It is a lifelong process, as the old nature is being removed and our new nature in Christ becomes what we want (Romans 7:14-8:4). As the righteous live by faith, our desires begin to match the Father’s will.

Jesus demonstrated perfect obedience even under great temptation and physical weakness. When Satan seeks to destroy Him in the desert, Christ clings to the Word of God. Knowing the Scriptures, Jesus refutes the Enemy by speaking what is true. Satan knows the Bible as well yet perverts it for his own gain, mishandling the verses he quotes.

Our habits, how we spend our time, is a reflection of what is important to us. We become what we behold. We have examples in the Bible of obedience through imperfect people, as well as our Perfect Example in Christ. This is a great comfort because it means that Jesus understands what it’s like to be tempted as we are yet He did not sin (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15).

Do you pursue holiness or abuse God’s grace with indifference? Do you rely on the Lord’s strength or your own? We are called to be faithful and obedient. This is why Noah is considered righteous before God. He believed and obeyed. Do you?

 

Grace upon grace,

April

The Cursed Serpent

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Read: Genesis 3:1-4:26; Psalm 2; Matthew 3:1-6

Christ became sin for us, becoming a curse, bearing God’s wrath so that believers will never have to. Jesus has made us free (2 Corinthians 5:21).

It’s interesting that Satan is identified as a serpent in Genesis 3, to tempt the first man and woman to sin. Later on in the book of Numbers, Moses obeys the Lord’s command to construct a bronze serpent for God to heal the Israelites bitten by venomous snakes. They had complained against God’s provision and Moses’ leadership. Realizing their sin, the people repented. When they looked at the bronze snake set up on a pole, the people who were bitten lived. (Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-15).

From the Fall the serpent foreshadows Jesus becoming sin for us and His sacrificial death on a cross. We see directly after the Fall how sin corrupted mankind. But God in His mercy sends Jesus to redeem His people from eternal death and give us life in Him! The serpent symbolizes our curse, but God uses this very image as a means to save us through Jesus taking on our sin. He is lifted up on a cross, like Moses placed the bronze snake on a pole. Anyone who looks to Christ will be saved from death and the serpent of Satan will not have victory over you.

Jesus crushed the head of the serpent overcoming death and sin, restoring His Beloved (Genesis 3:15). Those in Christ Jesus are called to continue this mission of mortifying the flesh, crushing the will of Satan as we engage in spiritual battle every day (Romans 16:20). This is the power of Christ at work in us. Satan does not have the final victory. The war does not belong to Him. God has already won. Praise be to God!

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”  1 Peter 2:24

 

Grace upon grace,

April