Home At Last

You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head…I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  Psalm 139:5-7

There is no greater feeling in the world than being welcomed home by your family after a long day at work.  I have always heard the saying “being away makes the heart grow fonder.”  While this may be true in most relationships, the one relationship that this does not apply to is our relationship with God.

You see, when you have a relationship with God, His presence is always with you.  When you truly believe this wonderful promise, you will begin to see the events in your life as evidence of His presence with you.

Open your heart and allow God to be a part of your life.  He desires to open the flood gate of His blessings and express His love for you, every minute of every day.  You are never alone!

Election Day

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

As we exercise our privilege and freedom to vote and choose our elected officials in the United States, let us also be reminded of another freedom and liberty-Jesus came to set every one of us free. 

We may not be free in the sense that we can do whatever we feel like doing, whenever we want to, but each of us has been set free from legalism and we are now free to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within each and every believer. 

The legalistic mentality says that everyone must do the exact same thing, the same way, all of the time.  It conflicts with the way the Holy Spirit leads each of us as individuals in unique and often in creative ways.

Jesus wants us to enjoy freedom and not be burdened by legalism.  

2 Corinthians 3:17 states: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).  

Be free from manipulation.  Live free from control.  Live free of sin.  Free from worry.  Free from addiction. Free from fear.  Be free in Jesus Christ!

Running On Empty

All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.  We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  Colossians 1:10-11

I am lucky that I haven’t run completely out of gas in my effort find the cheapest prices at gas stations around town.  My car displays a “Low Fuel” notice light when I have 50 miles left in the tank.  The other morning, I was preoccupied with work and got caught in some traffic on the way to take the kids to school, but thankfully made it to a gas station just before my car ran completely out of fuel.

Just like our automobiles, we require fuel to help us persevere through life-the power of God working in us.  As we become more obedient and more in tune with the Holy Spirit, God’s power will strengthen us and ignite our abilities to persevere.

Let us not just endure, but persevere with peace and joy!

Bug

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.  Psalm 16:11

There have been times in my life that I have pondered my existence here on earth.  What’s this life all about?  At age 38 and eleven years into my walk of faith, I am just now discovering a little of what God’s plan for my life really is.

I believe that a primary cause of despair is the feeling that life is ultimately meaningless.  Conversely, the sense that life does have meaning and purpose gives a person energy and resilience to keep going no matter what trial they are facing.

If you are wondering just why you are here on this earth, pick up your Bible and read some of the reasons God gives for your existence.  God’s Word is full of His promises that reveals the purpose for which we were created.

One

Freely you have received, freely give.  Matthew 10:8

We all make mistakes from time to time which hurt people inadvertently.  Sometimes nothing is more painstakingly difficult than extending and seeking forgiveness from a loved one, more specifically, a family member.   Forgiveness is the only way to bring genuine healing to a damaged relationship so that both people can move forward together in the relationship.  No wonder the divorce rate is astounding in our country; it’s almost easier to divorce than it is to work through the healing process of forgiveness.

It’s human nature to place the blame on someone else and not seek to repair the relationship, but Jesus gave us all the best example of forgiveness.  As He hung from the cross on the day He was crucified, He spoke the words “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” to the soldiers who had just beaten and flogged Him and were casting lots to divide His garments.  

Forgiveness is the only way to bring restoration and reconciliation back to a broken relationship and we should all extend and ask for forgiveness regardless of who is at fault.

Forgiveness has been given freely to us, so we must be quick to offer it freely to others.

Real Good Thing

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love…The Lord is righteous in everything He does; He is filled with kindness. Psalm 145: 8, 17

Growing up, when I earned good grades on my report card, my parents often gave me some sort of reward.  At work, I am rewarded with a bonus if my efforts exceed my employers’ expectation.  This mindset is often misunderstood as it pertains to our salvation and the free gift of God’s grace.

First of all, there was only One, Jesus Christ, who never sinned and lived a perfect life.  For the rest of us, at some point, we have all fallen short of God’s glory and have sinned, so thankfully our salvation does not depend on our limited and inadequate self-righteousness.

Jesus’ death and resurrection broke our bondage and slavery to sin, so there is nothing we can possibly do on our own to reconcile ourselves to God.  Thankfully we don’t get what we deserve and it’s a real good thing!

My Sweet Lord

By grace you have been saved through faith, not of works, let anyone should boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

No matter how hard I try, my works do not impress God.  God does, however, respond  to my humility, faith, thanksgiving, and praise.

God is not concerned with how nice or how big our homes are, the cars we drive, the amount of money we earn, the things we own, fame, fortune, wealth, or beauty.  He is concerned with wanting to have a relationship with us, and in order for that relationship to bloom, we must seek Him in humility and ask for forgiveness.

God wants us to follow His lead and not the life that we have plotted out for ourselves.  Seek God, ask forgiveness for your sins, and let God lead you.  Your appearance, status, power, and performance mean very little to God, He is more concerned with the state of your heart.