John 20:19-23, Peace & Confidence

“When it was evening on that first day of the week,  the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”   Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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In the midst of fear, chaos and confusion, Jesus often steps in and His first words are “don’t be afraid, be filled with peace”.  What a comfort it is knowing that the God of the universe is here with me at every moment. If I behaved as if that were true, I would never have fear or anxiety.

Lord, help me to live my life in a way that reflects this truth!  Forgive me for ignoring You at times and being filled with selfish thoughts and chasing after my own ideas.  Allow me to trust You fiercely!

John 8:21-29, God in Us

“Who are you?” they questioned. “Exactly what I’ve been telling you from the very beginning,” Jesus told them. 

So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭25‬, ‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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While Jesus was on earth doing His ministry, everyone wanted to know who He was.  He rarely said outright that He was the messiah, but He alluded to it in many ways and constantly talked about God as His Father.  I love how Jesus reminds the that God is always with Him…just like He is with us today!

Lord, help me to live like God was living inside me, because He is!!!!

John 6:22-29, Spiritual Food

“When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.” 

“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God — that you believe in the one he has sent.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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We humans always miss the real point.  I am like these people, looking at the practical (the meal Jesus provided) rather than the eternal (what does God want me to do?).  I love how Jesus primary concern is that we believe.  Later on in the same book Jesus says that we should obey if we believe.

Lord, help me to obey, help me to believe and help me to love You!

John‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬-‭25, Always Right

 “So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.” Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.”

‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬-‭22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, sometimes when I read scripture I don’t understand why that you tell me to do certain things.  I look at it like the Jews and get very confused.  In my mind the logic doesn’t work  Yet over and over again, it proves out to be true!

Help me to have faith to trust that You know what You are talking about and the strength to do whatever You are calling me to do. Help me to trust Your Word even when it doesn’t seem right!

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭137‬-‭144‬…Firm Foundation

 “You are righteous, Lord, and your judgments are just. The decrees you issue are righteous and altogether trustworthy. My anger overwhelms me because my foes forget your words. Your word is completely pure, and your servant loves it. I am insignificant and despised, but I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your instruction is true. Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but your commands are my delight. Your decrees are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I will live.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭137‬-‭144‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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“Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but your commands are my delight.” Even in times of trouble and stress when I can feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I can look to scripture and find delight.  Scripture never changes, never shifts or thinks differently.  It is a firm foundation…a rock on which to stand!

That is the opposite of what everything around me feels like when I am shaken by trial or even just relational stress. What confidence I can have in Gods word!  Thank you Lord for giving us the Bible and specifically what it is to live for you and not ourselves!  There is great joy in knowing you!!!

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭129‬-‭136‬…Happy Life?

 “Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your commands. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love your name. Make my steps steady through your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow your instruction.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭129‬-‭136‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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"My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow your instruction."  This seems a bit extreme, but I understand the sadness of watching people I love, living their lives according to their own plan.  Ignoring Gods instructions.

They live "happily" and are simply unaware of the bliss they could be experiencing.

It would be a bit like a person eating a saltine cracker as a snack...(I love saltines...simple, salty but flavorless & dry) but refusing to try the best chocolate chip cookie (sweet, chocolatey, buttery, chewy, vanilla'y with a hint of salt).

The cracker IS fine, maybe even good sometimes...but the cookie is infinitely better.  The same can be true of people living their own way...they just are not experiencing the infinitely better life of walking in Gods presence.  I want that for them, it is so good, so life altering, so sweet and refreshing, so joyful...

Psalm 114- Awe-Inspiration

 “Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭114‬:‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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We should tremble when we consider God, He has the power to do anything.  He has created unfathomably large universes, and destroyed entire nations.  It is crazy to think that He puts up with us when we reject Him and follow our own path…He doesn’t have to, but He chooses to…that is why we should tremble, because His grace is so much greater than our foolishness.

Lord, help me to live in awe of you!  You have done incredible things in my life, and I don’t deserve that.  Your patience is incomprehensible in light of your power and justice…Lord help me to love You enough to never take Your grace for granted, increase my obedience to choose You at every opportunity.  I pray that my life is a reminder to those around me to be in awe of You and to follow You always!

Psalm 110- Surrender For Victory

 “This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭110‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God is telling king David that He (God) does not need David’s help to fight the battle.  Sitting is not an active position, but rather passive and even a sign of relaxation.  God has not changed and continues to fight our battles.

It is not that we are off the hook and can spend our time chillin doing whatever we want to do…rather He is asking us to sit under His authority and effort toward surrender to His will.  It seems like that would be easy, but it takes a lot of practice.  

The biggest factor in my experience is believing and trusting that God only wants what is best for me.  This includes hard things, disappointment, sadness and pain…not because the experience is a delight, but because the results are priceless.  It is always about the results for God.  He is single minded in making me more like Jesus.  And that is what I want too…

Psalm 66- Refined

 “Let the whole earth shout joyfully to God! Sing about the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. The whole earth will worship you and sing praise to you. They will sing praise to your name.”   Selah 

For you, God, tested us; you refined us as silver is refined. You lured us into a trap; you placed burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us out to abundance.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭4‬, ‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I love how David is reminding Gods people that they should worship God, not only for being amazing but also for the discipline they have received.  The testing was painful and was surely challenging to endure, but it produced an abundance of blessing.  

That is my experience as well.  God brings us into hard times intentionally so that we would see the foolishness of our ways and turn to Him.  The end result is that we get rid of the garbage that is holding us back from true joy and contentment.  And that is a sweet place to live and worship God!! 

Psalm 64- Brain Shield

 “But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly, they will be wounded. They will be made to stumble; their own tongues work against them. All who see them will shake their heads. Then everyone will fear and will tell about God’s work, for they will understand what he has done. The righteous one rejoices in the Lord and takes refuge in him; all those who are upright in heart will offer praise.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David was often attacked by people around him that wanted him to fail.  This is less common for me in my experience…but it does happen spiritually where attacks come aimed at my heart and mind.  The enemy will shoot darts of lies or plant thoughts of frustrations with Gods ways.  These are the attacks that are real to me.  That is where I can relate these Psalms of David.

Lord, protect my mind and heart from the schemes of the enemy.  Help me to recognize the lies as soon as they come and remind me of the Truth of Your Word.  Turn his plans against him and cause the intended pain to build me up and bring You glory. Protect my family from attacks and strengthen their ability to see the darts for the lies they are!

Psalm 27- Waiting Patiently

 ”I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple. 

I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭4‬, ‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I really needed this passage this morning…I was feeling down yesterday, discouraged and depressed.  I was surprised because I had such a sweet time with the Lord in the morning, but by dinner time, I was pretty low.  Partly this is the natural transition of work that I was proud of, excited to do and felt like I was making a difference.  New jobs always start off in a challenging way.  Sometimes there seems to be so much to learn and do that it will be impossible to get it all done.  This is the first time in my career that I literally have nothing to do.  That posses it’s own challenges for me, but it has been discouraging.

This Psalm though. reminded me that God has a plan and He has perfectly orchestrated this transition for me.  Maybe I was enjoying the hit of adrenaline that the stressful work setting provided, or I delighted in the feeling of being indispensable …all of which distracted me from being dependent on God. He is asking me to wait on Him…because He has His goodness to show me.

The other portion that was flashing in my face was David’s desire to be close to God.  I have this same goal, that is ultimately why I changed jobs to start with, to follow Him more closely.  To do what He was asking as soon as I understood what He wanted.  It hasn’t been easy, leaving a job that I loved 90% of and people I loved 100% of…but God asked me to do it, so I followed.

I am excited to see what He has in store, because I have the same confidence as David, “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living”!  That means I won’t have to wait till I am in heaven to experience His blessing, but I will see it soon.  Lord, help me to wait patiently on You!

Acts 17- Made to Seek God

²⁴ The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;  
²⁵ nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 
²⁶ and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 
²⁷ that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

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Let me remove some of the description to help you see what jumped out at me:

²⁴ The God who made the world and all things in it, ...²⁶  He made ... every nation of mankind...²⁷ that they would seek God,...

We all are chasing after something to fill that emptiness we feel.  Even when we know the truth of what Christ has done to restore relationship with the God of the Universe, we get distracted.  The Enemy of our soul and our fleshly desires come to us with an imitation of what only God can fully provide.  In our weakness we allow that temptation to capture out attention, which only draws us away from relationship with God.

We can see this most clearly as we look at our lost world.  Their seeking God often looks like lust, greed, power or sometimes being a savior to someone, or something else, anything that will give us purpose...

God, I pray that my life, my words and actions would be a lighthouse for You!  Use me to draw the lost and the distracted back to you...

Acts 6- Mercy

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. ³¹ Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. ³² If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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 Who can say such things? Only a loving God...

Lord, help me to love you by my actions...  toward others, towards You and in myself.  What a sacrifice to give up justice and ourselves.  Allow this sacrifice to be joyfully given to You.  What incredible salvation you give us freely...the exact opposite of what I deserve! 

Acts 28- Only the Spirit can Cure the Dullness

27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'

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This was a direct quotation from Isiah 6:9-10. This was the description of the Jewish people, but it is just as accurate of any unbeliever. God is the only cure for this dullness. Only His Spirit can open our eyes, ears and hearts to the truth of the Gospel.

Thank God I am chosen!

Acts 27- Trust Gods Word

23 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,

24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'

.....

44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

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This section of Scripture is a reminder that God will keep His word even when it seems impossible. All the sailors on this ship thought might die...but God saved them because He said he would.

The Bible is filled with promises to us, as believers. In the midst of trial it may seem like an impossibility for even God to accomplish some of these, but He always holds to His Word! Thank God for His faithfulness!

Acts 26- Truth of Scripture

26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.

27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."

28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

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In this passage Paul was speaking to an unbeliever (King Agrippa) who was familiar with Jewish history and customs. Paul was confident that King Agrippa, knew the Scriptures (Old Testament)well enough to understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of prophesy.

This is an excellent example of the Reliability of Scripture, within itself.

Thank God He has given us all that we need to trust in Him!

Acts 24 & 25- Depnd on God

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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Paul used the process of his imprisonment to spread the Gospel every time he could. Each time he was given an opportunity to defend himself he shared his believe in "the Way".

In chapter 25 Paul depends on his Roman citizenship (Gods provision for spreading the Gospel) and the laws of his land to fulfill God's will. He will go to Rome and have many chances to talk about the saving grace of Jesus.

What opportunities for sharing our faith do we miss?

Acts 23- Respecting our Elders

1 Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day."

2 The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?"

4 But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?"

5 And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'"

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Paul was being treated unfairly and unlawfully in this situation. He shot back true but disrespectful comment to the person who caused the beating. He was told that the person he just cursed was a leader. Paul apologizes, but was still in the wrong.

We need to focus our minds on respecting those in authority over us, whether they are teachers, government officials, our parents or our boss's. We must remember that REGARDLESS of their actions we must still treat them with utmost respect.

I am thankful that God will supply us with grace to overcome frustrations and mistreatment if that is what He calls us to endure!

Acts 22- Passion of the Unbelieving

21 "And He said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"

22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!"

23 And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,

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In this passage Paul is giving his testimony to a group of Jewish people who don't believe that Jesus was the Christ. When they hear Paul's claim that God asked him to go share the Gospel of Jesus with non Jews, they were furious. In fact they wanted him dead.

We are blessed to live in a land that is mostly free from open or direct religious oppression, but those who oppose us are just as passionate. Science especially has spent especially the last 100 years finding ways to make believers afraid to publicly voice their opinions. Their hate for God forces them to believe wild tales that even by their calculations are near (if not completely) impossible.

Take courage, we know the end of the story! And we must use our time to tell as many others about Christ as we can. We need to share the Gospel to allow God to work in their lives, and graciously spare them from eternal punishment and separation from God!

Acts 21- Unapologetic in our Faith

19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

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God had asked Paul to do things that were different from the customs of the Jewish people. Since Christ came first to the Jew's, then to the Gentile, this made the Jewish people angry that the Gentiles did not need to follow the same rules for life. As believers we were also called to live differently from most of those around us. This is something that we should do without pause.

God clearly states many things that we should busy our time with, and if we do those things there will not be time to waste on the things of this world. God called us to be separate in lifestyle, but be part of the world to share the Glorious Message of Christ's sacrifice.

What are you apologizing for? Is it something Christ called you to? Thank God for our salvation!