Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's Scripture: James 5:13-20
[Click the Scripture reference above to read online.]

Pray. Pray. Pray.
Pray when you're in trouble.
Pray songs of praise when you're happy.
Ask others to pray for you when you're sick.
Confess your sins, one to another, and pray for healing.
Pray. Pray. Pray.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well...

James 5:15

The Greek translated as sick in this verse is a very general term meaning to grow weary, be weary, to be sick (Enhanced Strong's Lexicon). We know there are all sorts of sicknesses which make us weary. We can be spiritually soul-sick and emotionally heart-sick. Physical sickness wears us out, as well as relational sickness. And what we find here, in these verses, is the cure for every sickness. Prayer in Jesus's name by the power of the Holy Spirit makes the sick person well. 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

Any follower of Jesus is considered righteous. So you brother or sister in Christ, you fellow disciple of Jesus are righteous and have effective power when you pray in His character by His Spirit. Those wandering from the truth are soul-sick. Pray for them. Ask God to bring them back. Do not neglect the call to pray. Do not underestimate the power of your prayers.

Pray. Pray. Pray.

Amen. Let it be so.

Today is the last day of James. And I leave you with the challenge to pray.

There is no closing prayer added to this devotional. I'm blessing you with an opportunity to exercise your power of prayer.

You close in prayer to the Father as the Spirit leads in Jesus's name.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's verses: James 4:13 - 5:12
[Open the link above to read online at BibleGateway.com.]

The book of James is full of wisdom and truth. It reads much like Proverbs in this section. Topic after topic, strung together, seemingly unrelated. But wisdom and truth are always relevant and much needed in our lives.

Ask God to reveal what you need to hear from Him today, then read the passage again.
As you read, listen for the Holy Spirit to point out what relates to your present life circumstances.
What wisdom do you currently need?
What truth needs to transform your life?

Read the verses again.

And one more time.

What seems highlighted in your spirit?
Take that word or phrase with you.
Tuck it away in your heart.
Ask God to grow you in the wisdom and truth you need today.

Father God, bless me with a heart ready to receive Your wisdom and truth.

I want to walk wisely in a manner that honors You and pleases You.

Teach me to live out the Word You've given me today.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's reading: James 4:1-12

Fights and quarrels among Believers.
Friendship with the world and its ways.
Slander and judgment within the church.

All signs of an unhealthy church.
All signs of a spiritually immature church.

We have not because we ask not.

Begin today, asking God for healing of His church, not only FUMC in Jacksonville, but His church spread all over the world. Ask not for your own gain and comfort, but for His glory. In Jesus's name.

Father God, I pray for Your Church to be holy and wholly well.

Reveal the root causes of our spiritual failings and bless us

with hearts ready to repent. Free us to love one another.

Free us from the ways of the world. Help us recognize where

we are serving flesh rather than the Spirit. Free us from 

judgmental and arrogant attitudes.

Heal us that we may wholly reveal Jesus to a broken,

hurting, lost, dying world.

Heal us for Your glory. Amen.

Let it be so.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's Scripture: James 3:13-18
[Read God's Word before the words below. Click the reference above to read online or flip open to the passage in your Bible.]

Who is wise and understanding among you?

Consider this question from our reading today.
Consider the qualities listed in the passage: worldly wisdom vs heavenly wisdom.
Consider the source of each type of wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you?

Lord, teach me clearly the difference between the wisdom of the world

and the wisdom of heaven. Bless me with discernment in who I seek wisdom from.

I want Your wisdom, not the world's.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's verses: James 3:1-12
[What does James have to say today? Open the link in the reference above or get your Bible.]

Are you convicted? or offended? by what our brother James said to us today? He said some hard things about our tongues and the words they speak:

• It's small but boastful.
• It's a world of evil.
• It carries a fire straight from hell.
• It's untamable.
• It's a restless evil.
• It's full of deadly poison.
• It is either good or bad, but cannot be both.

I can't help but think of what Jesus said about our words:

For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

Matthew 12:34 NASB

What's been coming out of your mouth?

Gossip?

Slander?

Lies?

Cursing?

Anger?

Abuse?

Complaints?

Excuses?

Encouragement?
Compliments?

Praise?

Thanks?

Truth?

____________?

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters,

this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?

Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:10-12

James makes it clear. Our words steer our lives. What we speak is who we are. What we say is where we are going. And what we use to praise God should never be used to hurt another person.We may say the right things at times, but what is the motive behind our words? Is it love? or is it the desire to look good? flatter?

I hear James say that our words reveal what's in us, and if it's primarily marked by sinful sayings and salty rhetoric, we need to have a reality check on where we are when it comes to our faith. That's what he's been talking to us about. Faith. And when faith fills our hearts it's evident through our actions and words. Faith-full Believers act and sound more like Jesus than the world.

Fresh or salty.

Pure or tainted.

What comes out of our mouths reflects exactly what's in our hearts.

Lord Jesus, have mercy. Open my ears to what I say.

Tender my heart with conviction and true repentance.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's reading: James 2:14-26
[Open your heart to the Word today, whether you click the link above or use your Bible.]

Believing God exists and sent His Son to save does not make you a Believer. Even the demons know He is, and they have enough sense to fear Him. I believe there are many in the church today deceiving themselves regarding their belief in the gospel. They may be quite confident He exists and rose from the dead, but when it comes to their actions they contradict all Scripture says belief entails.

The biblical concept of believe means exactly what James is saying here. It takes the form of action. When we truly believe in something we act on it, live our lives by it. You can tell what you actually believe by how you live life. What you do.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:26

Faith and believe in our English translations of the New Testament have the same root word in Greek which means to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament). When we trust in and rely on someone or something that belief drives our actions.

Everyone can readily recognize a dead body void of its spirit. But what about dead faith? Is it as easily recognizable? This is what James was warning the church about, still warns the church about. Faith that hears the Word, but then forgets what it has seen as soon as it walks away is not faith at all (James 1:22-24). Favoritism and judgment reveal a faith in need of resurrection (James 2:8-9). Dead faith offers well wishes to those in need but does nothing tangible to help: I've been thinking about you... (James 2:14-16). 

Real faith is living and active. Listens to the Word and changes direction. Sees those in need and gives what is needed. Real faith listens to God and obeys even when it seems risky, like Abraham and Rahab. Faith alive in the Holy Spirit acts!

What evidence is there in your life for living active faith? Is there any?

Lord, I don't want to go through life playing games when it comes to faith.

Open my heart to Your Word of truth. Bless me with faith that acts.

Bless me with living faith and the deeds that go with it.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's verses: James 2:1-13
[Open up the Word by clicking the reference or flipping the pages of your Bible.]

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:13

Judging others. Practicing favoritism. We're all guilty of it at one time or another. But as followers of Jesus, participants in the New Covenant, we are to live by the law that gives freedom. The law of grace and mercy.

When we judge others because of their particular sin, which of course is not ours, we refuse to give mercy and miss the truth that even one little white lie makes us guilty of all sin. Even the one we've never committed.

Lawbreakers are lawbreakers.

When we judge others behavior by removing support, we become a stumbling block to them. Put them in a place of temptation to practice favoritism, kowtow, rather than serve at the leading of the Holy Spirit. We ourselves fall prey to the sin of favoritism supporting only what we prefer.

Judgment is judgment.

We are called to mercy, brothers and sisters! Pouring out grace freely onto others just as it has been poured out on us!

I'm convinced that those who refuse to offer grace and continue to live their lives based on judgment have no clue of their own sins or the grace Jesus offers to them each and everyday.

The good news of the gospel is: Mercy triumphs over judgment!

In His most gracious and merciful name, learn to practice it each and every day.

Father God, ruthlessly reveal judgment in my life! Pull out the root cause.

Open my eyes to the true nature of my heart. And the true nature of Yours.

Bless me with Your mercy today that I may offer it to others in Your name.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's verse: James 1:19-27
[Consider opening your Bible today, you may want to highlight a word or two. Otherwise, click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.]

Listen.
Walk.
Keep quiet.
Care.

Listen. Be quick to listen to others. Listen. Don't form your response while they're still speaking. Listen. Listen for truth. Listen for discernment from the Holy Spirit, the Word planted in you. When anger stirs our hearts it's almost always self-righteous and not righteous. Listen. Be slow to spout off.

Walk. By all means hear the Word of God, but don't just listen. Walk in the Word. Let it examine your heart and life. Let it do its work in your heart. Walk. To merely listen and not do is self-deceiving. We may think it a great lesson, but if we don't allow it to transform our lives, we lie to ourselves. The blessing comes with listening and doing. Walk.

Keep quiet. The world says: Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Talk about a lie. The Word says: The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18 NIV). Words have power. If we say we are followers of Jesus, yet speak unfiltered words in anger, in pride, in arrogance, we are deceiving ourselves. Those who follow Him guard their words. Err on the side of keeping quiet.

Care. Care for those in need. Pure, faultless religion, according to God, is to look after orphans and widows. Care for children with absentee parents. Care for widows who sit alone in nursing homes. Not just through organizations and donations, but through personal interaction. Put a face to orphans. Put a name to the widow. Get involved. Care.

Care what you let into your life. Don't be polluted by the ways of the world. The only way to know His Way is through His Word and prayer. Which takes us back to the beginning. Listen. Be discerning. Care. What comes into your life. And what you do with it.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for every word I didn't really hear,

for not guarding my words, or caring for those in need.

Open my heart to listen, walk, keep quiet, and care.

I want to live in Your blessing and not in self-deception.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's Scripture: James 1:9-18
[Open up the Word by clicking the link above. Or get your Bible.]

...each person is tempted when they are dragged away

by their own evil desire and enticed.

James 1:14

James gives us no room to blame others. We are each tempted by our own evil desires. Not by the devil. Not by our spouse. Not by our friends. 

Temptation comes right from the evil inside of us. We drag ourselves into sin.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down

from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change

like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

James 1:16-18

Don't deceive yourself by blaming others. Only good things come from God and He never changes. He has given us birth through the word of truth, and it is that truth which keeps us from deceiving ourselves. Taking full responsibility for the temptations and falls in our lives.

He calls us to recognize where the problem lies. In us. Not others. And He calls us to choose Truth. Jesus. Following Him and bearing fruit in His name.

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me

and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me

you can do nothing. ..." ---Jesus

John 15:5 ESV

Father God, You give good gifts and reveal truth.

Let me receive this truth about temptation as a good gift.

Apart from You I can do nothing. Not even resist temptation.

Help me bear fruit for You. Purify my desires in Jesus's name.

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's verses: James 1:1-8
[Open up your Bible or click the link above to read the Word.]

But when you ask, you must believe...

James 1:6

Believe. The Greek, pistis, means to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains).

Biblical belief is complete trust and reliance. No doubt. No plan B. Just Jesus.

How are you at believing in Jesus?

Lord, I don't want to live in doubt, tossing back and forth

between the things of the world and You.

Teach me to completely trust and rely on You!

Amen.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's verses: Hebrews 13:10-25
[Click above to read on BibleGateway.com or open your Bible.]

Signs of Believers:

• We are willing to bear reproach from others in His name. Willing to endure the disapproval and disgrace of the world in order to follow His Word.
• We don't make our home here on earth, because we are seeking the city coming with His return. This is one reason we are willing to undergo reproach by those who are rooted in the world.
• Through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit we continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God. His name is on our lips. Unashamed to praise Him publicly as the Holy Spirit leads.
• If there is good to do we do it. Sharing with others even when it is a sacrifice. We want to please God more than we want what our flesh wants.
• Authority is a big issue for Believers. We accept that God has placed all leaders in their positions of power, therefore we joyfully submit to them knowing our leaders are accountable before Him. Only when the leaders have moved far out from under God's authority, do we choose to follow God above the leaders.

How do you measure up?

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead

our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood

of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good

that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing

in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory

forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

Lord Jesus, equip me with everything good that I may do Your will.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-9
[Open up the Word by clicking above or flipping the pages of your Bible.]

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus. He is the same as He was in the very beginning when He created the universe and everything in it.

All things were made through him, and without him

was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3 ESV

Jesus. The Word made flesh. He is the same today.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 ESV

The Word is eternal. The same forever. Full of grace and truth.

No matter the culture.

No matter the tradition.

No matter our personal experience.

God's Word. Remains the same.

Because Jesus is the same...

• keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters
• offer hospitality to all
• remember those in prison
• offer compassion to the mistreated as if you were the one suffering
• honor marriage, one man one woman, till death parts them
• be free of greed, the love of money, because He will not leave us
• He is still our Helper, there is no need to fear people
• follow godly leaders
• do not get carried away by strange teaching, be discerning, test it against the Word
• be strengthened by His grace, not by religion

Because Jesus is the same we know exactly how He calls us to live.

Yesterday.

Today.

Forever.

Lord, forgive us for the times we attempt to make Your Word

relevant to the culture, compatible with tradition, and fit our skewed experiences.

Your Word is true and full of grace. Teach us to walk in Your Word
with integrity each and every day.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29
[Read the Word by clicking the reference above or opening up your Bible.]

The mountain of the law was a foreboding place. Darkness. Gloom. Storm. God spoke audibly from this mountain of the Ten Commandments, but the people plugged their ears and couldn't bear to hear Him (Exodus 19-20). The sight even terrified Moses, the intermediary between the Israelites and God.

The mountain of law reminds us what we deserve: death. Reminds us we are incapable of walking His Way perfectly. But praise the Lord, we have a different mountain to go to.

Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, makes it safe to come into the presence of the living God, the Judge of all. Faith in Jesus covers us in His blood, brings us into the heavenly Jerusalem where angels rejoice over those whose names are written in heaven.

Jesus's blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). Abel, killed by his jealous brother Cain for offering a right sacrifice to God, speaks condemnation. A world gone wrong. But Jesus's blood, even though He too was killed unjustly and served God perfectly, made the Way for us to be set right with God. He takes all we have been condemned for and covers it with His blood. His loving sacrifice, making the way for complete redemption.

...love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:4

Putting our faith in the law. Legalism. Separates us from God.
Putting our faith in Jesus. The fulfillment of the law. Grace. Makes us God's children. Brings us straight into His family.

Could there be a better word than that?

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,

let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe...

Hebrews 12:28

Grace leads to an unshakable life.

Legalism to fear.

Which word are you living by? condemnation? or redemption?

Father God, help me understand just how great You are.
Just what wonders You have done for my sake. For Your glory.
Fill me with thanks and a heart set to worship You rightly,
obedient to You in all I do. Not out of fear, but out of love.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's verses: Hebrews 12:1-17
[Choose your Bible or choose to click above to read the Word.]

...fixing our eyes on Jesus...

Hebrews 12:2

The key to faithful perseverance is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Yes, we have a whole cloud of faithful witnesses watching us to see if we will run without hindrance, choose to cast off sin, leave the world behind to live in His Kingdom now. But none of them should encourage us in our faith as much as Jesus.

He endured infinitely more than we will ever be called to. Carrying the sins of the whole world. He suffered and died so we might live.

His Father loved Him, yet sent Him to die. He endured discipline that He might be perfected.

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him...

Hebrews 5:8-9 ESV

The way of holiness is not easy. It wasn't for Jesus, it won't be for us. But through Him and by Him we can endure. He provides the strength along the way. So knowing Him is essential. Seeing Him. Fixing our eyes on Him. Vital to our walk of faith.

The best way to fix our eyes on Him is in the gospels. There we see Jesus, the exact representation of the Father. The One who suffered and died so we would not have to.

To endure this life in faithful perseverance, fix your eyes on Jesus. Learn who He is. What He did. Why He did it. And who you are before Him. There is no end of encouragement to live a life of faith than by looking to Him.

Stir my heart, Father, to look to Jesus.

As I read His story in the gospels make Him come alive to me.

Bless me with the spirit of revelation and understanding

so I can see and know.

Spiritual discipline:

It's Friday. Choose a gospel --- Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John --- and read it over the weekend. Read it to specifically fix your eyes on Jesus to find encouragement for your faith.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's verses: Hebrews 11:31-40
[Open up the Word by turning the pages of your Bible, or clicking above on the Scripture reference to read on BibleGateway.com.]

Faith calls each of us down different paths, even though it's all the same Way.

Some are called by faith to conquer, lead, and fight in His name. Administering justice. Routing the enemy. Seeing life raised from ashes.

Some are called by faith to suffer. Endure persecution, mistreatment. Live seemingly destitute lives.

All in the name of faith. Each called to a different path. But the same Way. Jesus.

You can see it happening in the world today. Those making great headway influencing culture and gaining ground in Jesus's name. Others living in areas of the world where death is sure if they get caught with His Word or worshiping with others in His name.

No matter where faith leads you, the important thing is to remember the Way. Jesus is over all and in all. Working it for good in the lives of those who love Him and answer His call on their lives. All will be commended for their faith, no matter what it looks like in the world, as long as they are following Him.

He has a plan in place to bring us all together. All the faithful. To receive His promise in one place at one time. Our only concern now is to keep our eyes on Him. Faithfully obedient.

Father God, don't let me get distracted by the path of faith others are following.

Do not let me discouraged when my path leads to hardship and others' to glory.

Keep my eyes on You. Keep my ears and heart attentive to Your call.

Keep me faithful to Your Word, in Jesus's name.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-30
[Open up your Bible or open up the Word online by clicking the reference above.]

...he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

Hebrews 11:27

Faith perseveres and does incredible things when we see Him who is invisible.

Seeing is not only the physical visual perception of the eyes. We cannot see God this way. To us He is invisible. To see means to understand and know.

When we understand and know the Invisible One, whom we come to know through His Word, prayer, and obedience, we too, can persevere and do incredible things.

Faith rejects the allure of worldly power and chooses to suffer with His people.

Faith leaves behind the things of the world without fear of loss or rejection.

Faith trusts God's Way of protection from death and walks in His Way of eternal life.

Faith passes through great waters and tumbles enemy strongholds.

Do you see Him who is invisible?

Do you live a life of incredible faith?

O Lord, I want to see You, to know You and understand You,

so I can take part in Your incredible Kingdom by faith.

Here and now.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's Scripture: Hebrews 11:11-23
[Click the address of the verse above or open up your Bible to read His Word before you read ours.]

Faith is trusting obedience. It is essential to our relationship with God. Trusting Him when what He says makes absolutely no sense to us. Trusting He sees things clearly and that our vision is skewed by sin.

Sarah knew faith makes possible what the world deems impossible.
Do you believe all things are possible with Him?

These listed in Hebrews 11 died faithfully waiting for the promise, seeing it from a distance but not receiving it. Faith takes an eternal perspective, trusting His promise even when it doesn't come to pass in our lifetime.
Do you believe you will still hope in the fulfillment of His promises in your life when you lay on your deathbed?

Abraham willingly obeyed. Intending to sacrifice the one thing that the fulfillment of God's promise was based on. Faith trusts God when making great sacrifices, even when it doesn't make sense to us. Believing He can... will... restore what's been given in His name, at His call.
Do you have the faith to give sacrificially when He asks without fear of scarcity or fear for your future?

By faith Isaac blessed his sons, but Jacob deceived his father, pretended to be Esau and stole the older brother's blessing. Faith trusts God's sovereignty, even when what's been done was not what we intended because we've been fooled.
Do you have the faith to let stand what's been done when you've been tricked into doing what you didn't  intend?

Jacob intentionally switched the blessings of Joseph's sons, giving the younger the blessing of the firstborn. And in blessing these two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, he gave Joseph a double portion of the inheritance God promised. The reason there is no tribe of Joseph among the twelve. Faith like Jacob's listens to God and breaks with tradition when He says to.

Joseph knew faith sees the future and boldly makes plans for it even though we'll be long gone.

And Moses's parents broke the law of the land knowing faith puts God's law ahead of man's.

Do you have faith to buck tradition, see the future past your lifetime, and stand up against man's way when He calls you to?

Faith understands this world is not our home. That its ways can be overridden by Him at His bidding. Faith lives in the Kingdom of God, every moment of every day, even before we get there.

Father God, help me to understand the lives of these You call faith-full in Hebrews 11.

Teach me to live in Your Kingdom by faith without fear, trusting You in all that happens.

Bless me with trusting obedience, even when it seems crazy.

I don't want to miss out on Your promise.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's reading: Hebrews 11:1-10
[Click above to read online. Or open up that Bible of yours.]

...without faith it is impossible to please God...

How confident are you in what you hope for?

Are you assured of what you do not see?

Abel couldn't see God, but brought Him a fine offering. His efforts got him killed.

By faith Enoch walked with God. He left this world without dying.

At God's command, Noah built a boat to save his family from a storm he could not see or imagine. His faith condemned others but he gained righteousness.

Abraham left everything to go to a place he did not know, an inheritance he did not own. He had faith in God's promise. Living all his life in tents, he looked forward to a city built by God.

All these acts of faith pleased God. Believers taking steps, trusting Him, not knowing how it would turn out. Just knowing if God said to, they would. Sure He would make good on what they hoped for.

What are you hoping for? Are you confident in it even though you can't see it?

What is He calling you to? Are you doing it with blind obedience?

Are you pleasing Him with your faith?

Father God, forgive me for the times I've lived faithless.

Bless me with the faith of the faithful.

Confident in hope, assured of the unseen.

I long to please You through faithful obedience.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's verses: Hebrews 10:28-39
[Open up your Bible today. Or choose BibleGateway.com by clicking the reference.]

Rejecting the Old Covenant, the law of Moses, resulted in unmerciful death -- stoning -- based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. The New Covenant, based on the blood of Christ, deserves even greater punishment when it is rejected. To reject God's law, either old or new, is an insult to His grace.

So how can anyone think all will go to heaven one day? With or without receiving Jesus as Lord?

Studying His love, we see His love for all His creation, His mercy poured out every day.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding

in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over

all he has made.

Psalm 147:8-9 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes

his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ..."

Matthew 5:43-45 ESV

However, if we reject Him, He will reject us. His love is for all, but the blessings of His love are conditional.

Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful

but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Psalm 31:23 ESV

The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

Psalm 145:20 ESV

Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.

Jonah 2:8 ESV

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world

is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world

makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4 ESV

He died for all. Longs for all to be saved.
But we each have a choice to make.
His Way leads to eternal life...
All other ways lead to death... eternal separation from God and all that is good.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him

should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son

into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved

through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not

believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name

of the only Son of God. ..."

John 3:16-18 ESV

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God apart form the covering of Jesus's blood.

Pray for those who are lost. Love those who are lost.
He is. So should we.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions,

and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are

in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly

and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight

of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one

mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony

given at the proper time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 ESV

Father God, open my heart to Your undeniable truth.

Your great love is for all You've created, but Your blessings

of forgiveness and mercy only go to those who receive Your Son.

Fill me with Your compassion for the lost.

Guide me in praying for them and reaching out to them

in a way that they will receive the truth of Your love.

In Jesus's name. Let it be so.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's reading: Hebrews 10:19-27
[Click the reference to read online.]

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Today as I write this post, I'm in the middle of holding onto the hope I profess, believing with all the faith that is within me that He is faithful to His promise.

Several weeks ago, Stacy and I stepped out in faith to open up our shop to teach a Bible study on faith. That may not sound like it takes a lot of faith, but the thing is we're writing the study... as we're teaching...

Yes. We set a date and time to start the study. Even the number of weeks it would last. But the study isn't finished. Each week has been a white-knuckle kind of faith as we hold onto the hope that the One we believed called us to this ministry is faithful.

In all the twenty-plus years I've been walking with Him, He has not failed me yet. In small steps of faith and ones that were giant. But this season is one that has stretched me the farthest yet.

That's part of what it means to live hope and faith. Stepping out in the call He places on our lives. Even when we don't know where we're going, like Abraham. But trusting Him. Trusting it is Him who called. Who will equip. And be faithful to complete what He's begun.

So I ask you today: When was the last time you held on to the hope of His promise with white-knuckled faith?

If it's been a while. Let me spur you on. He has good deeds for you to do. Love for you to share. Things He prepared for you to do since before the world was created. 

Don't miss an opportunity. Don't wait another day. He is faithful. And the Day is approaching.

Lord Jesus, today I pray for all Your people.

Stir us up to hopeful faith in Your promises.

Stir us up to fulfill the call You have for each one of us.

Stir us up to live a life of faith and love.

In Jesus's name.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's reading: Hebrews 10:9-18
[Click the Scripture reference above to read online.]

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 10:14

Jesus's one perfect sacrifice made those of us who believe perfect forever. Yet, those He's made perfect forever, are currently being made holy. 

Holy. The original Greek for this word signifies being separated... separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred (Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). God's grace makes us holy, but Believers have the responsibility of being part of the sanctification process by living a holy life (1 Peter 1:14-16), choosing to avoid sin and obey God. Choosing to separate themselves from the world and surrender their lives to Him for His use.

He has made us perfect in the forever, but in the meantime we are called to strive for holiness. He sees us complete. By faith we take steps to be what He sees.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace

and be guaranteed to all his offspring --- not only to the adherent of the law

but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"---

in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead

and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Romans 4:16-17 ESV

Abraham, the father of the faithful, was told by God, I have made you the father of many nations when he had no children, was 90 years old and married to a woman about his age who had never given him one. By faith, Abraham believed God. And what previously did not exist, did. We are children of Abraham if we believe by faith in our perfection in Christ, while being made holy. 

Already perfect. Being made holy.

What do you need to believe in that He says you are, but you aren't quite yet?

Step out in faith. Believe what He says. Act on the belief.

Father God, bless me with the faith of Abraham,

to see me as perfect in Christ, while still being made.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's reading: Hebrews 10:1-8

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming---

not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never,

by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year,

make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Hebrews 10:1

The law can never, never make us perfect.

Following the rules. Checking the list:

• devotional reading (check)
• daily time of prayer (check)
• Sunday school (check)
• worship (check)
• money in the offering plate (check)

year after year, will not save us.

Do not murder, do not steal, do not lust after your neighbor's spouse or stuff, do not take the Lord's name in vain, do not dishonor your parents, do not lie... following God's commandments will not get us into heaven.

The law is shadow. Not substance.

Only Jesus --- His sacrifice, His resurrection, His Way --- saves.

The law reveals something better on the horizon. Freedom from sin. Freedom from lists. Freedom from the law. For the law just reminds us we can't keep it. We fail... over... and... over...

Jesus fulfilled the law for us. Came to offer His life to us.
Have you offered your life to Him?

This week, set yourself free from the law.
Invite Jesus to be your life.
Simply follow Him.

Lord, set me free from the law of list keeping that cannot save.

I long to find true freedom, true salvation, in You.

I give my life to You. Lead me. Live through me.

Beyond the Gospels: Hebrews

Today's verses: Hebrews 9:11-28
[Open up your Bible or open up the link above to read today's passage.]

...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:22

Grace. It's a weighty matter.

It's something we are not to take lightly.

Today's passage in Hebrews tells us how much greater Jesus's sacrifice was than all the thousands... millions... of animal sacrifices over the centuries.

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.

Hebrews 9:14

By God's grace we receive forgiveness of sins. But do we really understand what that cost Him? Do we appreciate His grace? or do we take it for granted?

Forgiveness is expensive. Jesus... God's Son... God Himself... had to die as a sacrifice... shed His blood... so a way could be made for us to move from death to life.

Think about it just a moment. God had to die, so we might live. God in His infinite power and glory had to be poured out, emptied, to pay the debt of the sins of the world. The price for forgiveness is infinite. He alone able to pay the price. The most amazing thing of it all is that He did.

If you are not amazed by His grace, perhaps you do not understand what it cost.

If you live by cheap grace, sinning with the thought, Oh, He'll forgive me,  then you do not understand what has been done for you.

His grace is a weighty matter.

Be amazed.

Be humbled.

Be thankful.

You are now able to serve the Living God.

The One who died for you.

Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit

bless me with the spirit of revelation

so I may more fully understand the weight of Your grace,

the infinite cost paid for forgiveness,

and the joy of being able to serve You freely.