God

Portrait of the godly

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Genesis 35; Psalm 15; Proverbs 3:21-26; Matthew 12:1-21

 

Jacob has a heart revival and leads his family to do the same: get rid of foreign gods, actively follow God, obey His commands. Jacob’s desire is to worship and remember the Lord who blessed him when he first ran from Esau. Jacob returns home to his earthly father Issac, but more importantly renews his relationship with his Heavenly Father.

When we abide with the Lord operating within the boundaries of His commands, there is peace. External circumstances still cause us trials but the righteous take the long view, an eternal perspective on life. Our confidence in the Lord remains. He can be trusted even when we don’t understand everything- especially when we can’t understand everything.

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The godly seek discernment and sound judgement as they pilgrim through this world. Jesus is our best example of godly character. He exemplified what it means to be human and still remain in God’s will. He too interacted with all kinds of people- those who loved Him, those who only wanted what He could give them, those who hated Him, plotting to take His life. Jesus was bold in confronting hypocrites, compassionate toward the needy, forgiving to sinners.

God’s commands for us today follow this same principle- imitate Christ. We can’t live this way on our own. So how is this relevant or even possible? Micah 6:8 gives us a good framework to start with: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Through faith and the power of His Spirit we mirror our Savior, abiding in Christ.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

 

Portrait of the godless

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Genesis 33:1-34:31; Psalm 14, Matthew 11:7-30

 

When we forget God or do not fear Him we regress to our flesh. We see an example of this with Jacob’s sons taking revenge on a whole town after their sister is defiled. Not relying on God’s wisdom leads to sin. Two wrongs never make a right.

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In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus pronounces “Woes” on the cities where He performed miracles and the people did not respond with repentance. Only the fool says in his heart, “There is no God”. Yet Jesus calls us to follow Him– His way is what it means to be truly human. Apart from Christ we can do no good thing and have no rest. Left to our own devices we are helpless and hopeless in sin. This was never meant to be God’s design for us. He is Lord of the living, not the dead. The spiritually dead cannot live in the power of the Spirit. All of us were once godless rebels. Those who recognize their need for God’s righteousness are washed in His limitless grace through the blood of Christ. Forgiven. Free. Righteous.

This is the transformative power of God.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

A Hostile Environment

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Genesis 30:1- 31:16; Psalm 12; Proverbs 3:13-15; Matthew 10:1-23

“The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.” Psalm 12:8

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

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Hostility is as old as time. Jealousy over one another’s blessings; resentment of the righteous. Human relationships are messy because we are sinners. We see the competition between Leah and Rachel in the baby race. My heart aches for both of them because neither had everything they wanted- a loving husband and a house full of children.

In this same passage Laban attempts to diminish God’s blessings on Jacob. The wicked freely strut about as the righteous are mistreated.

Jesus warns His disciples what to expect when He sends them out in His Name. Expect hardship. Rebels of God will not welcome His friends.

Christians live in this world with eyes wide open to the evil around us but also with hearts wide open to sharing the Gospel. We offer full hope even in the face of hostility. The hope-filled are not deterred because God’s promises remain true since the beginning of Time. God is with us and He is for His people. We are simply to be obedient with what we have been given and what we are called to do.

Grace upon grace,

April

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