Bragging Privileges

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(1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy!”

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When Jesus returns and we report to Him, giving Him an account of our life’s accomplishments, we have opportunity to boast to Him. Amazing: His design is for us to present three types of boasts: fulfilled hopes, appreciated joys, and well-invested authority (crown). And all this boasting is the fruit of well-tended gardens of relationships with people.

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So how are my relationships? Are they worthy of healthy boasting before people, much less before Jesus Christ? What has He done compared to me? That’s crazy. How do my care for people and cultivation of fruit in others compared to His? Equally crazy? Yet, in sees microscopic ways, He allows us to share His experience of caring for others...and He never brags. What insane love He has for me!

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Lord, what tawdry, toxic care I have for others in comparison to Yours! Nonetheless, I want to keep moving into Your likeness. Open my eyes to bigger and better ways to love people. Make me an expert in compassion!

God Speak

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(2 Samuel 23:2) “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; His word is on my tongue.”

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What an amazing statement for any person to make: it’s either frightful arrogance and ignorance, or miraculous mercy and grace. Note what makes this truthful or not. The issue is whether “the spirit of the Lord’s word” is on my tongue. David, Paul, and others didn’t always quote scripture verbatim, but they accurately applied the Holy Spirit’s message.

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I want the heart of God’s words in my heart and on my tongue. His words are perfect, reviving the soul. His testimony is sure, making the simple wise. His precepts are right, filling people’s hearts with joy. His commandments are pure, opening people’s eyes. His rules are true, unchanging in their rightness (Psalm 19).

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Lord, could there be a greater call, a greater discipline, a greater pursuit than to be so one with You and conversant with Your word as to be such a source of help and hope for others? I can’t imagine anything greater...Hear my cry in this, Lord.

Got Peace?

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(Isaiah 48:18,22) "Oh, that you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." ... "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."

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Peace is the natural fruit of doing right, or at least it's available to these people. That explains why the peace that Jesus gives (John 14:27) is so superior to the world's peace--it's like an altogether different species. It's addictive in a positive, freeing way. It's real!

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What an honor to be associated with the positive movers and shakers of the planet! These are the godly people who, despite annoying setbacks, do the right things as constantly as the steady ocean waves. These are the ones who, despite costly suffering, refuse to be complicit with evil and refuse to consent to do harm.

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Lord, thank You for providing the gift of Your peace--that flows like an unending river. Thank You for imputing Your righteousness into my soul (Romans 4:22-25; James 2:23), and for helping us to conceive of ideas for doing great good then to actually complete great projects. The satisfaction of partnering with You is amazing!

Perfected Beauty

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(1 Peter 1:3,4) ...He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven for you.

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This inheritance that God has reserved for me in Heaven is much more than a surprise package, it's a clean identity and perfect role in His kingdom (Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:11). It's also a new body (1 Corinthians 15). Thankfully, God is keeping both safe and sound until His chosen moment to deliver it to me.

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As my earthly body inevitably slips into fully perished form, my faith in Jesus is being decontaminated, perfected, and strengthened by the various difficulties I face (1 Peter 1:5-9). Imagining a new body helps me better understand the greatness of our larger inheritance. It is imperishable--not capable of wearing out. It's undefiled--no toxins or contaminants can invade it. It never fades--its enjoyable glory and beauty never stales, lessens, or gets boring.

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Lord, You've revealed that my soul is purified as I obey You in truth and as I love people from a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22-25). I dedicate myself to that quality of "3D" love for You--love that is indestructible, undefiled, and undiminished ... and undeserved except by the gift of Your cross. Thank You!

War and Peace

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(James 3:18) And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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Farmers cannot sow or reap in battlefields (which is demonstrated by vast African regions of ex-farmlands that are now overcome by desert and drought). What causes interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts? James 4:1-5 lists: (1) hedonist passions and emotions that are fueled by (2) covetous imaginations, a product of idolizing and craving what others seem to enjoy (Colossians 3:1-7). Ultimately, we are God's "farm," and He yearns to produce health in us (James 4:5; Galatians 5:22).

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James explains how I can make peace within myself and my relationships. It begins with submitting to God and resisting the devil and his evil deceptions (4:7). Peace thrives when I draw near to God, stop indulging in sins, and totally cherish God (4:8). Peace has room to grow when I honestly realize (stop denying) the misery of my situation without the Lord's blessing (4:9). This deliberate humility removes the obstacles to bountiful harvests of righteousness and peace (4:10).

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Today, Lord, please cultivate Your peaceful fruits in me. I yield myself in spirit and in truth to wholly serve and worship You. Amen!

A New Personality

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(Isaiah 32:5 KJV) The vile person [i.e., "nabal"] shall no more be called liberal nor the churl said to be bountiful."

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Four personalities are contrasted here: two are unconverted, two are living regenerated lives. The vile personality lives only to fatten and please himself, with no regard for helping others. Liberal people (in the old-fashioned sense), however, often have little, yet are honorably generous with what they do have. They write on all their possessions: "for myself and everyone else." They live to bless others. The churl avariciously starves amidst plenty for fear of loss: "All is mine, all I can get is for me. None is enough, yet I enjoy none of it." The bountiful has plenty, enjoys it fully, and delights in sharing it generously.

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If I could measure my motives and my actions against these profiles, which one most frequently describes me? If I could assess that with perfect, unbiased honesty and accuracy, then I would better understand the progress of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work in me. Who do I really want to be?

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Sovereign Lord, I am so grateful that You did not save me because of my works of righteousness but because of Your own death and resurrection (Titus 3:5,6; Ephesians 2). I am equally heartened by Isaiah's prophecy of the type of person You have committed Yourself to helping me become.

Nailed Open

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(Isaiah 22:22,23) And I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house. And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father's house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons.

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This nail provides a unique, prophetic description of Jesus Christ. The full weight of God's splendor rested securely upon Him (Colossians 1:15-19; 2:9). Additionally, on this single, divinely secured nail, rested all the miserable burden of all sins and all sorrows and all the pounding and jarring of God's wrath against sin (Isaiah 53:3-6). He carried that burden on His shoulders perfectly, but that nail was then cut off anyway when Jesus died on the cross. All that hope and splendor crashed broken to the ground, dead.

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So how, then, can I trust God's command to "cast all my burdens on Him for He cares for us" (Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7)? I see that the answer lies in Jesus' resurrection: God hung all hope for the universe on that single event (Hebrews 2; I Corinthians 15). I have found that hope to be secure, trustworthy.

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Oh my! What can I possibly say to Your extravagant provision for me? What foresight! What care! In both prayer and practice I cast all my cares and burdens upon You instead of being so foolhardy as to carry my them without You.

Cross Emotions

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(Isaiah 12:1) You will say in that day: "I will give thanks, O Lord, for though You were angry with me, Your anger turned away that You might comfort me."

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Sin (pursuing evil and neglecting good) angers God, but there are also powerful riptides of other emotions. He grieves the good we both lose when I sin. He longs to heal and comfort me, too. Being love, He expresses His anger in productive ways: He shed His blood to purge our consciences from dead works so we could be comforted by serving Him, the only living God (Hebrews 9:14).

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I admit that I get angry, too. Sometimes, but probably not always for pure motives, though. Part of the confusion it causes me is the cross-currents of thwarted selfishness, the loss of expectations, and the dread of a less controllable future. I know I want to be more God-like. I aim to fearlessly and honestly own my emotions, allowing them to motivate me into deeds of righteousness (living works) instead of dead works.

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Wow, Lord! I'm amazed all over again whenever I receive Your comfort, knowing that You owned a righteous anger towards me but You converted it (by means of the cross) into mercy and ever-flowing comfort. Wow! all over again...and thank You!

Only One Safe Savior

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(Isaiah 10:20) In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

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God has much to say about this remnant, the regretfully small number of people who are saved. This remnant faithfully trusts God despite the vast number of people who aggressively reject both God and people who love God. This verse is most descriptive of both groups. The remnant leans on God for support while rejecting the abusive philosophies of bad leaders.

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I'm shocked by victims of domestic violence who repeatedly return to their abusers. I didn't realize how typical this behavior is of all of us because we repeatedly return to the spiritual lies and worldly principles that eventually abuse us. I need to carefully examine myself to be sure I'm "leaning on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth."

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Jesus, You are the Holy One that I, too, can always and safely lean on. Help me honestly discern where I am leaning on a splintery, cracked crutch. Any support or expectation that contradicts You will in time cripple me and hurt others. Thank You for being my safe, strong Savior.

Cherished Weakness

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(Hebrews 7:7) It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.

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This pattern of godliness is very different from the worldly model of "kill the competition." In a healthy body--as in Christ's body, which is the church--when one member suffers, all members suffer with it; or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it (I Corinthians 12:26). Via paths of humility and weakness, Christ delivers to us unexpected demonstrations of His redemptive power (2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:7-10; 13:4).

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What are my strengths and skills? How has the Lord "gifted" me? I am obedient and wise when I function in these areas, when I exercise and improve them; but I must also recognize the dangers inherent in them. When I perceive myself as strong instead of weak, I turn my face away from God's superior help. If I truly have strengths relative to other people's, then my obligation is to bestow my help so that the entire body can improve.

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Lord, I see that greed, pride, and misuse of power come naturally when I'm neglecting to be attentive to Your Word and Holy Spirit. In my weakness, Lord, I hold out my heart and hands for You and Your church's help. I really need you, and I pray that somehow You can be glorified in me.

The Gift of Gab

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(Hosea 14:2) Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good....”

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As we return our attention, affections and will back to the Lord (for some, it’s a first-time turning), God requires us to bring our carefully selected words. This planning enables us to prepare our hearts to worship God (2 Chronicles 12:14; 26:14; 27:6; John 4:23, 24). This carefulness includes coming eagerly with a childlike freedom of expression.

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Why bring words to God? He already knows our thoughts (Psalm 94:11; 139:4). It’s because words matter. Words represent our unique perspectives. Presenting our words to Him organizes our will and understanding. Therefore, as Scripture prescribes, I will also shout to God with loud songs of joy (Psalm 47:1) and I will sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned among His people (Psalm 9:11).

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To You, Lord, “I will declare my iniquity, [that] I am sorry for my sin” (Psalm 38:18). I come to You to reason together with You (Isaiah 1:18). Because of this gift of opportunity, I can rejoice and brag about Your redemption all day, every day. Help not only to choose pleasing and fruitful words, but to become better at listening when I’m conversing with You.

I'm a Living Do-Over! (Don't You Just Love Enemies?)

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(Isaiah 1:24) Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge Myself on My foes."

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God's enemies burden Him. Their actions and attitudes affect Him negatively. He experiences pain and pressure, yet His goodness, strength, and compassion are not lessened or altered by people's sins (Malachi 3:6; Lamentations 3:22,23). The Hebrew idea behind this language suggests He is patiently holding His breath, but inevitably will forcefully exhale and inhale, probably commanding catalysts that correct our wrongs.

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So how do I pain and burden the only wise, the only merciful and patient God? How do I disappoint Him whose descriptive name includes Love and Hope? Because of who He is, He removed my sins from me as infinitely far as furthest east is from furthest west (Psalm 103:12). That ... is some amazing vengeance on my sins!

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Dear Savior, once again I'm in awe at the extravagant evidence of Your love for me. Your cross reconciled be so I'm no longer Your enemy. Your resurrection supplies me with access to Your Holy Presence so I can be changed into Your friend, Your image-bearing child. I am undone by Your goodness and restored by your grace. Thank You.