John 12:47-50 - Christ the Judge

John 12:47-50 

47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Message: Christ the Judge

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Tabletalk mentions today in this devotional. a consistent theme in the Bible, a contrasting outcome of all people: 

Daniel 12:1-2 - "Now at that time [the time in which troubles are the greatest; typically, towards the close of Antiochus' reign; antitypically (foreshadowing), the time when Antichrist is to be destroyed at Christ's coming] Michael, the great prince who stands over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress* such as never occurred since there was a nation [that is, ever since the world was, from the beginning of it, from the creation of the world] until that time; and at that time your people^ everyone who is found written in the book# [the first contrasting outcome - those written in the book], will be rescued. And many [more likely 'all'; but still may be specific still to Israel prominent during the reign of Antiochus] of those who sleep in the dust [grave] of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt [the second contrast - those resurrected to eternal contempt]."

* - Matthew 24:21 - for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of world until now, nor ever shall. 

^ - "the Jews, the people of Daniel; these shall be delivered not only from the then present outward troubles, not only from their present captivity and afflictions, but from their spiritual evils; from the bondage of sin, and the captivity of Satan; their disbelief of the Messiah; their confidence in their own righteousness, and attachment to the traditions of their fathers; they shall be turned from their transgressions, and return to the Lord their God, and David their King, and shall be truly converted, and spiritually and eternally saved..." - John Gill (1697-1771); Romans 11:25 - "For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery— so that you will not be wise in your own estimation— that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."

# - "By those found written in the book, or, as it is expressed, Isaiah 4:3, 'written among the living in Jerusalem,' may be understood, 1st, The pious Jews who should be preserved from the mischief and ruin designed them by Antiochus; but more especially, 2d, Such as should believe in Christ when he appeared, embrace his gospel, and become his true disciples, who should escape both the temporal calamities coming on their countrymen, and obtain spiritual and eternal salvation through him. It includes, 3d, Those who should be converted in the latter days, and restored to their own land; and lastly, All that should be found written in the book of life at the day of final judgment, that is, all truly justified, regenerated, and pious persons." - Joseph Benson (1749-1821).

This is one of my first times to take a moment in studying Daniel 12:1-2. It is interesting to me that the contrast of death and life is not always only spoken of in the Bible as occurring upon physical death but that which occurs also from spiritual death to spiritual life. Our death being in our sins and then the turning point of life which occurs by God (Glory Be!) like is mentioned in Ephesians 2:4-6, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loves us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." As Daniel 12:1 ends, "will be rescued." That idea of being made alive and being rescued places the glory completely on God and just continues to mesmerize me and challenge my thinking. 

This leads us to this text and the dividing line between life and contempt, salvation and condemnation. Verse 47 is an interesting verse as it specifies that hearing and not doing does not merit judgment. In other words, it seems the key here is verse 48 and rejecting Jesus. Following Jesus' teachings is not salvation. Following Jesus is the key. It is accepting Him. It is a combo of rejecting Him AND not receiving His sayings. The focus is not works. I'm immediately reminded of those that only speak of Jesus as a good teacher. Their focus is simply on what He has said and doing what He has said. But they are not acknowledging Jesus as the one who saves. They are rejecting His allegiance with God and having been sent by God. 

The words of John of Jesus are so clear. He speaks, but He speaks from the Father - "just as the Father has told Me."

Summary: The consistent them of the Bible is people go to everlasting life or everlasting contempt and believing in God, believing in Jesus, sent by God is the dividing line. 

Promise: It is urgent to believe in Jesus now.

Prayer: God, it is good to get into your Word and read it. I thank you for the encouragement of my friend Scott and his simple words yesterday of diving in Your words and studying them and that reminder that I have been living without this the last 2 weeks and realizing my time today with You needed to be important and a priority. So thank you for the richness of Your words today and the greatness of the salvation You have given me. You have rescued me. You have made me alive in Christ. I am forever in Your care, forever with You, starting now. All glory goes to You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

My Utmost for His Highest - May 24th - The Delight of Despair

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: - Revelation 1:17

    It may be that like the apostle John you know Jesus Christ intimately, when suddenly He appears with no familiar characteristic at all, and the only thing you can do is to fall at His feet as dead,. There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awfulness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair; if you are ever to be raised up, it must be by the hand of God.

    "He laid His right hand upon me." In the midst of the awfulness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. The right hand not of restraint nor of correction nor of chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it is ineffable peace and comfort, the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27)," full of sustaining comfort and strength. When once His touch comes, nothing at all can cast you into fear again. In the midst of all his ascended glory the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, and to say--"Fear not." His tenderness is ineffably sweet. Do I know Him like that?

    Watch some of the things that strike despair. There is despair in which there is not delight, no horizon, no hope of anything brighter; but the delight of despair comes when I know that "in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. (Romans 7:18)" I delight to know that there is that in me which must fall prostrate before God when He manifests Himself, and if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I get to the limit of the possible.

- From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition.

Psalm 150 - A Call to Praise the Lord

Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
3 Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
Message: A Call to Praise the Lord

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying:

One of the great things that has happened over the last 20 years in Christian circles and people of faith in Jesus is the emphasis and love for praise and worship music. In the 80s Hosanna Music were really the primary offerings of praise and worship music, but a few contemporary groups began to have praise and worship albums in the early 90's and these morphed into churches singing more contemporary songs from songwriters expressing themselves via praise. 20 years later it seems that most of the top selling Christian music on the various charts are primarily praise and worship offerings. 10 years ago most churches had a contemporary and traditional service but of late churches are more and more combining the two. My church had separate services, but in the last 7 years went to the both structure.

For me, it is a good reminder that my life needs to be about praise because often I have a tendency to be more selfish in my relationship with God and focused on how this is benefiting me. In the previous church we attended I noticed that the idea of worship was included in all the aspects of the church service, reminding us that worship is not only singing songs, but it is also how we live; so, the offering was an expression of worship as was the sermon, as was all the components of the service and our lives. The idea of grace living is that Jesus did it all and so in response to what he has done for us, we live a life of obedience to him because we desire to praise him and thank him for what he has done. We cannot help living this life of faith. And this life should manifest it throughout our lives. Thus, worship should be a component of our lives.

Everywhere
Praise God in His sanctuary; From these verses is the idea that we are to Praise God in His sanctuary, in the church, in the temple. I was reminded recently that the stable in which Jesus was born was a place of worship. It was a temple of sort where Jesus is embodied and was a place set aside for him. This is a reminder that sanctuaries are everywhere. They are in coffee shops where men and women gather to pray and keep one another accountable. They are in rooms of houses where families come together to pray. They are in rooms of churches. Thus, we can praise God throughout our worlds as we gather together.

Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Beyond this earth, in the heavens, in the mighty expanse we will praise the Lord. Praise is one of those acts that we will be doing for all eternity. In some ways I think of heaven as being mostly about praise. We are living but we are face to face with our God and just as I can't get too much time with Him and His Word, when given the opportunity to not have the encumbrance of work here, I imagine that life will be completely fulfilling and busy in worship and praise of God for eternity.

Thanksgiving for what He has done
Praise Him for His mighty deeds. This is where I struggle because I am so much about tomorrow and the future and going forward and often not about looking back at what has occurred. Our pastor is leaving. He announced he is moving on to another church back in his homeland - California. He has been at the church 7 years and the tendency for all of us is to say - what next. But one of the pastor's reminded us of the need to take a moment and think about all that God has accomplished in the last 7 years. And he has accomplished a lot through the service of this man and his family. We need to look back at times and be reminded of the sweet victories we have been able to experience.

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Not only has he done great deeds in our lives, but He is great. I try to think of the attribute of God: His faithfulness, His mighty hand, His order of this world, His providence, His kindness, His healing touch, His presence, His leading, His hearing our prayers, His acting -- these are all examples of How great He is. Once again, there is so much to praise Him about.

Praise beyond our own words
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.  I remember the words of Russ Taff from an interview in the late 80s in which he said, "Music has a way of speaking to us like nothing else." As we are praising God, we are moved beyond just our voices, but there is also the desire to pick up instruments, whatever they are and play them before Him. I am truly amazed at the different types of music that are in the world. Often we gravitate towards a specific style, but it amazes me in the Christian music world that Rap, Hard Rock, Soft Rock, Alternative, Swing, Praise, Celtic, Pop, Anthems -- there are so many different styles and they all come together in praise and worship. The focus here is not simply the words. Instrumental music obviously can praise God. Again, we go beyond the singing and words and express praise with different kinds of instruments.

Everything
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! The crescendo of this Psalm is rather obvious, but still needs to be said. Let Everything that has breath praise the Lord. Thus, musical instruments have breath and humans have breath. Let it all praise the Lord. As we live and work and shop and worship and talk and fellowship; in all of our activities, we are to worship and praise the Lord.

Promise: Worshiping God in spirit and truth must be the goal of our lives.

Prayer: O Lord, I praise You and thank You for the reminder and proclamation of your Word, showing me that my entire life is a way to worship You. That is goes beyond church or Sunday's and permeates all of life. Help that to be so in my life. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for creation. I love music and praise you for it. Sometimes the artist I am listening to does not have an intent to be praising you, but in listening to it, I can praise You still. Thank you for living and breathing in all people. You are everyone's God, but not everyone calls you God. I praise You. Help me to know how to better praise you and take time specifically to remember all that you have done and thank you for what you are going to do.

Jesus Calling: December 24

I speak to you from the depths of eternity. Before the world was formed, I AM! You hear Me in the depths of your being, where I have taken up residence. I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. I, your Lord and Savior, are alive within you. Learn to tune in to My living Presence by seeking Me in silence.
      As you celebrate the wonder of My birth in Bethlehem, celebrate also your rebirth into eternal life. This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-stained world. Receive My gift with awe and humility. Take time to explore the vast dimensions of My Love. Allow thankfulness to flow freely from your heart in response to My glorious gift. Let My Peace rule in your heart, and be thankful. 

Psalm 90:2
Amplified Version
Before the mountains were born
Or before You had given birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are [the eternal] God.
 
Colossians 1:27
English Standard Version
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 3:15
English Standard Version
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Psalm 118:1-16 - God on Our Side

Psalm 118:1-16
¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
² Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
³ Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
⁴ Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

⁵ From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
⁶ The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
⁷ The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

¹⁰ All nations surrounded me; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
¹¹ They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
¹² They surrounded me like bees; They were extinguished as a fire of thorns; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
¹³ You pushed me violently so that I was falling, But the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

¹⁵ The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
¹⁶ The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

Message: God on Our Side

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Theme's I see:

• His lovingkindness is everlasting.
• The Lord is for me.
• Take refuge in the Lord
• In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
• The Lord helped me.
• The Lord is my strength and song.
• The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

It is easy to just focus on how God makes me or life better. We are a people of comfort and safety and sometimes I think we just stare at the benefits too quickly without seeing the condition. The condition is we are to be a people of God, serving Him, turning our lives over to Him, giving him the praise for all things, recognizing that we need a Savior, we need a Lord, we need a substitute for the sin that fills our lives. This is not about just saying we are a fan of a sports team that just won the championship. We can't just jump on the bandwagon and then think that all of life, for eternity, will work in our favor. We must be a people that live the faith, day in and day out. We must align ourselves to Him and trust in Him for all things, no matter what.

My position: This chapter starts with "Give thanks to the Lord." This is what the people of God do, thank God no matter what.

God's promise: "He is good." This is why I can give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. "His lovingkindness is everlasting." His love never changes. This is what I must stare at. He is a loving God. I don't stare at this just when things are going in my favor. I stare at all times. I need this reminder. May this be the outcry of Israel, the house of Aaron and all those who fear the Lord.

My position: verse 4, "Fear the Lord," verse 5, "call upon the Lord." Lord, help me to begin each day in this manner, fearing the Lord, calling upon the Lord. I want to come unto you God each day. Holy Spirit, bring into the presence of God.

God's promise: After calling on the Lord in verse 5-7, the promise is He will answer me. "The Lord is for me, I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me."

My position: verse 7, "Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me." - I will not hate those who hate. Do I see this? This flies in the faith of the competitive spirit which is bred in me with sports. We are not against each other. I am for you. I don't have to fear man, I only need to fear God. Man can't hurt me.

My position: verse 8 -  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. - This is key, again, I am not to trust in man nor princes nor leaders. Yes, I am to obey them. Romans 13:1 - Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. I am to show my respect to the office of the president, my boss, the mayor, the governor, my pastor, the leaders over me, my father. This order has been set up by God. We are to have rulers over us, over me. This isn't a foreign concept, but my refuge is in the Lord. This is where I place my trust.

My position: verse 10 - All nations surrounded me; verse 11 - They surrounded me; verse 12 -
They surrounded me like bees. The situation is people are surrounding him. I am called to be a saint, a vessel, an instrument of the Lord. But being this is not always a popular thing. People have other agenda's. There are other priorities that are not of God. 

God's promise: verse 10 - In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. Verse 11 - In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. Verse 12 - In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. My confidence remains in the Lord. The Lord is not simply my confidence or my refuge and the one I take satisfaction, and who I thank, but by his power, in His name, I can stand up against my enemies and those who don't represent him. In this tolerant world, we think that respecting us or allowing us to be is not surrounding us but no one can serve two masters. I need to have confidence in God's word and what he is saying. I need to rest in those words. Help me to put my blinders on Lord, and keep them focused on You, not other people, but only You. 

My position: verse 13 - You pushed me violently so that I was falling. It is not clear the situation, but it is one of being surrounded, feeling attacked and then being attacked.

God's promise: verse 13 - But the Lord helped me. But through it all God is there. The Lord is who I have my strength in. 

God's promise: verse 14 - The Lord is my strength and song; verse 15 - The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. verse 16 - The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. Help me to hold onto your words God.


Promise: I am to thank the Lord for deliverance from many difficulties. I am to believe with all my heart that God is fighting for me. God is sufficient in my times of trouble.

Psalm 117 - Praising the Lord's Faithful Love

Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

Message: Praising the Lord's Faithful Love

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

All nations are to praise the Lord. Everyone. This Psalm was obviously given to Israel and yet the call was to all nations. The goal was for all nations to Praise the Lord. This could have been a doxology or praise benediction in our service. Our church often does these before or at the end of a service. This would be a good one to do in a service.

As God's people, we have a responsibility before God to praise Him on behalf of all people and with the goal that all people will praise Him. If I think about it, praise dispels anger and jealousy. It has a powerful effect on people. We can see this and understand it. So, in turn we can understand that this is what we need to say to the Lord.

And why do we praise the Lord?

• His Lovingkindness is great - his mercy, compassion and kindness is great towards us. God wants the best for us. And he sees what is best for us. Even when we do not see it, he knows. And this is why we praise Him because he acts toward us in a way that is great and just what we need.
• The truth of the Lord is everlasting - what God has affirmed at any one time will always remain the same in all ages and in all lands. What was truth to Abraham is truth to us; what was truth to Paul is truth to us; what was truth to the martyrs is truth to us; what is truth to us will be truth to all generations of the world in all lands, and will be truth forever.

Note: This is the shortest chapter in the Bible and the middle of the Bible.

Promise: As in this chapter our lives and days should begin with "Praise the Lord!"

Psalm 100 - Rejoicing Unto the Lord

Psalm 100
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.


Message: Rejoicing Unto the Lord

Time:  The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The sermon (message) this past Sunday was about the heart and whether we have really experienced a change in our heart. That's the key. Change My Heart, O God. Lately, as I sit in service, I've been thinking about some of the songs. I've just been thinking about the words and how so many of them are simply, straightforward songs of thankfulness and praise to God. Not that this is bad, but I have just been thinking about those words. Maybe I've been wondering how much praise I really have in my heart. People hold their hands up. I look over at the pastor and they have this fervor in their being to really praise God. It's interesting. I just don't know if I have that same passion or fervor. I find myself enthralled often by the simple observation of people, looking at them, wanting to meet them, and understand their story or journey of faith.

So, now I come to this Psalm. Psalm 100. And the title of this lesson, "Rejoicing Unto the Lord." And I wonder, is this my heart speaking? Is this my heart really praising God? Do I have it in me?

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Shout, speak loudly, to the Lord, with joy.

Serve the Lord with gladness
It is about Him when I serve, not about me. I am serving Him.

Come before Him with joyful singing.
Here it is, my singing is to be joyful, not mournful, but joyful. I do savor the worship now at church. It is wonderful.

Know that the Lord Himself is God.
The Lord is God. God is God. Honor and respect Him. The Lord of Israel is not just Lord over a specific people, but over all people.

It is He who has made us, not ourselves.
He is my creator. 

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
He has chosen us to be His.  

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
Come to Him with thanksgiving. Come before Him with a thankful heart, not a needing heart. Come before Him with thanksgiving. 

And His courts with praise.
Enter his area with praise. Again, I come to Him to praise Him not with open requests. 

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
My focus is thanking Him, blessing His name. 

For the Lord is good;
For the Lord is good. His ways are good. 

His lovingkindness is everlasting
His love never changes. It is always present. It is enduring. It is unconditional. 

And His faithfulness to all generations.
He is faithful to all people, in all times. He never changes. 

Promise: It is a great thing to serve the Lord with gladness.

Jesus Calling: July 2

Let Me show you My way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present. Living well is both a discipline and an art. Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive in the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!

     
Psalm 5:2-3
English Standard Version

² Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
³ O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Verse thoughts

This lament petitions the Lord in the midst of distress. However, the psalmist also expresses trust in the Lord’s protection. David, Israel’s king, addresses God as his King. He knows that his own kingship is a pale reflection of God’s.

Deuteronomy 33:27
English Standard Version

The eternal God is your dwelling place,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
    and said, ‘Destroy.’

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: June 14

I have Loved you with an everlasting Love. Before time began, I knew you. For years you swam around in a sea of meaningless, searching for Love, hoping for hope. All that time I was pursuing you, aching to embrace you in My compassionate arms.
     When time was right, I revealed Myself to you. I lifted you out of that sea of despair and set you down on a firm foundation. Sometimes you felt naked--exposed to the revealing Light of My Presence, I wrapped an ermine robe around you: My robe of righteousness. I sang you a Love song, whose beginning and end are veiled in eternity. I infused meaning into your mind and harmony into your heart. Join Me in singing My song. Together we will draw others out of darkness into My marvelous Light. 

Jeremiah 31:3
English Standard Version

    the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Isaiah 61:10
English Standard Version

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

I Peter 2:9
New King James Version

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Prayer
Lord, thank you for loving me. Thank you for not looking at my efforts or works or the way I think. I thank you that you don't hold your love based upon my thoughts. Your love is everlasting. Thank you for drawing me to yourself. You lifted me out of the mire and despair and put my feet on the rock. I pray more and more would understand this love.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 2

     Living in dependence on Me is the way to enjoy abundant life. You are learning to appreciate tough times, because they amplify your awareness of My Presence. Tasks that you used to dread are becoming rich opportunities to enjoy My closeness. When you feel tired, you remember that I am your Strength; you take pleasure in leaning on Me. I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently, especially when you are alone.
     When you are with other people, you often lose sight of My Presence. Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus. When you realize this has happened, whisper My Name; this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness, where I belong. As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others. This is abundant life! 

Proverbs 29:25
English Standard Version
The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Verse thoughts
In this little verse, I am cautioned to not fear the power of man. When I raise the value of man, a snare is laid out before me. How often have I looked first to what a man thinks of me and in the process denied God? And often by doing that, sin is crouching at my door. Abraham feared man (Pharaoh) denying that he had a wife and it came back to hurt him. What a danger this is to us and yet, as we trust in the Lord, we are guaranteed safety. The key I see here is the word, "trust." By trusting in God, I am set on high.

John 10:10
English Standard Version

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Verse thoughts
The thief or false teacher comes for one purpose: to plunder; and thus the aim of the thief or false teacher is only self-glorification.  On the contrary, Jesus comes, not only so that I can escape judgment and hell, but for complete and abundant life. The life He has in store for me cannot truly be comprehended. It will be a life of eternal joy and peace and I will be exalted.  

My prayer
Lord, I pray for your power in Me, that I would seek You and turn to You everyday. Lord, forgive me for those times when I turned from you and embraced rather the validation of man. Lord, I want my life to be one of trust only in You. This tough time we are going through right now with our son as his denial of You and his trust in things that don't last has done just what you said, it has moved me to a dependence of You. I need events like this to remind me that I am not in control. Just in my life, you are making something good out of this tough circumstance. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: April 19

     I love you regardless of how well you are performing. Sometimes you feel uneasy, wondering if you are doing enough to be worthy of My Love. No matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be no. Your performance and My Love are totally different issues, which you need to sort out. I love you with an everlasting Love that flows out from eternity without limits or conditions. I have clothed you in My robe of righteousness, and this is an eternal transaction: Nothing and no one can reverse it. Therefore, your accomplishment as a Christian has no bearing on My Love for you. Even your ability to assess how well you are doing on a given day is flawed. Your limited human perspective and the condition of your body, with its mercurial variations, distort your evaluations.
     Bring your performance anxiety to Me, and receive in its place My unfailing Love. Try to stay conscious of My loving Presence with you in all that you do, and I will direct your steps. 

Jeremiah 31:3
English Standard Version 
    the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Isaiah 61:10
English Standard Version
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Psalm 31:16
English Standard Version
Make your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love!

Psalm 107:8
English Standard Version
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!

My Prayer
Lord, thank you for loving me with an everlasting love. Thank you for believing in me, for placing me where you have placed me. You have equipped me and made me to be the person I am. You have made me and you have value for me. I love you Lord and I rejoice in You. You have made me clean and righteous. You have given me the riches of life. Shine on me so that I feel your love every day of my life. Lord, I can get so wrapped up in the events of my life, having anxiety, nervousness, fear, feeling attacked, not of value. I too quickly stare at my situations and surroundings, forgetting your Love, your steadfast love. Get my eyes to dwell on You throughout my day. As I encounter difficult situations, I want to bring them to you. I bring to you my work relationships that lately are tense. There is a discord in the office that makes it an unpleasant place to come. I haven't done this well in the past, that is bringing this to you, but seek to solve these tough situations outside of you. But, Lord, on this day I want to bring this environment to you. Like the Syrophonecian woman that came to you in faith to have you heal her demon possessed daughter, I come to you in the same way. I believe in you Jesus. Heal this office of mine. And my son, my youngest son who continues to set his own parameters and not respect our house rules. You know the anger that springs up in me, sometimes too quickly, when I just want to throw him out, to the dogs, Lord, I bring him to you and commit him to you. These are my anxieties Lord. Direct my steps. Draw people to you. Bring harmony where there is just confusion and keep my confidence in you. I love you Lord.


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: April 3

    In Me you have everything. In Me you are complete. Your capacity to experience Me is increasing, through My removal of debris and clutter from your heart. As your yearning for Me increases, other desires are gradually lessening. Since I am infinite and abundantly accessible to you, desiring Me above all else is the best way to live.
    It is impossible for you to have a need that I cannot meet. After all, I created you and everything that is. The world is still at My beck and call, though it often appears otherwise. Do not be fooled by appearances. Things that are visible are brief and fleeting, while things that are invisible are everlasting. 

Ephesians 3:20
English Standard Version (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

2 Corinthians 4:18
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

My Prayer
Lord, may I rest in the fact that You are at work within me. May this pervade my thinking throughout my day. I live often in stress and worry, and yet Lord all things are a gift from You. Lord, help me to uncover You throughout my day and see You in the events of My day. I get too busy and get distracted, I get too focused on my situations and Lord, I don't focus on making You known in my world. You Lord are the meaning of Life and You are patiently waiting for me to submit and surrender to You for you desire to make yourself known through Me. Remind me. It is in the things that I cannot see that are everlasting.


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: March 30

    I am taking care of you. Trust Me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart. When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words: "I trust You, Jesus." By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms. 
    Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Every day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me. Signs of My Presence brighten even the dullest day when you have eyes that really see. Search for Me as for hidden treasure. I will be found by you. 

Proverbs 3:5
English Standard Version (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.

Thought: These words challenge believers to put more confidence in God's ability than in their own, to not try to analyze and figure out every detail themselves, but to place their belief in God's wisdom, love and strength; to lean on God instead of relying on themselves or anyone else.

Deuteronomy 33:27
English Standard Version (ESV)

The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
and said, ‘Destroy.’

Thought: As we learn to depend upon the eternal God, we discover that His everlasting arms are never exhausted. His everlasting arms are always sufficient for our unknown future and unfathomable present needs.
 
Jeremiah 29:13-14
English Standard Version (ESV)
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Thought: Searching for God with all your heart is intimately connected with honoring, examining and obeying His Word.

My Prayer
Thank You for knowing my days. Thank You for knowing me so well Lord. Lord, I go to doctor's because I want them to tell me what is wrong with me. And yet Lord, You remind me that You know everything about me already. Lord, I want to be bold for you throughout the day. Help me to realize that You have ordered my day and there are people in my path that need to know You. Lord, make me the bold one. Help me to start up conversations with people. I pray that my growth in You would come by experience and not simply sitting and reading the Word of God. It is important to read, but it is more important to live it.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.