I was reading through Hebrews chapter 3 and a thought leaped out at me from the first two verses:
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the ONE who appointed him..."
I so often jump into ministry without first spending time with the Father or fixing my eyes on Jesus. I am so impressed that Jesus - before ever doing ministry to others was first faithful to the Father - the ONE!
It's like before we serve others, we need to spend time serving God. But how do we serve God? Is it like being a waiter and waiting on Him? What can I give God that He doesn't already have? What part of me does God not have?
I suppose that all I can bring to God is my faithfulness, my obedience, and my trust. Then perhaps God can use me to minister to others.
Join me today in fixing your eyes on Jesus and being faithful to the ONE who has appointed us!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
There Is A Fountain
Today’s devotional (actually last night’s) was finally something different than confession – Lord I know I don’t love You as I should. Spurgeon says:
“…The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
“Cleanses,” says the text - not “shall cleanse.” Some imagine that a sense of pardon is only obtainable after many years of Christian experience. But forgiveness of sin is a present thing - a privilege for this day, a joy for this very hour. The moment a sinner trusts Jesus he is fully forgiven.
The text also indicates continuance; it was “cleanses” yesterday, it is “cleanses” to-day, it will be “cleanses” tomorrow. It will always be so with you until you cross the river. Every hour you may come to this fountain, for it still cleanses you.
Also notice the completeness of the cleansing, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin” - not only from sin, but “from all sin.” Our sins against God are many. Whether the bill be little or great, the same check paid them all. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving John. Our iniquity is gone for ever.
As I finished this devotional, I broke out singing an old hymn, “There is a Fountain”. Google the words and sing with me today!
“…The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
“Cleanses,” says the text - not “shall cleanse.” Some imagine that a sense of pardon is only obtainable after many years of Christian experience. But forgiveness of sin is a present thing - a privilege for this day, a joy for this very hour. The moment a sinner trusts Jesus he is fully forgiven.
The text also indicates continuance; it was “cleanses” yesterday, it is “cleanses” to-day, it will be “cleanses” tomorrow. It will always be so with you until you cross the river. Every hour you may come to this fountain, for it still cleanses you.
Also notice the completeness of the cleansing, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin” - not only from sin, but “from all sin.” Our sins against God are many. Whether the bill be little or great, the same check paid them all. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving John. Our iniquity is gone for ever.
As I finished this devotional, I broke out singing an old hymn, “There is a Fountain”. Google the words and sing with me today!
Monday, July 23, 2007
A Sin Problem or Love Problem?
In following with yesterday’s small group discussion and sermon I feel I’m still on a quest to figure out how to love God and serve Him unselfishly. My devotional this morning was on confession reminiscent of Isaiah 6. Perhaps you would like to join me in more confession – “seeking the gift of tears.”
“Even thou wast as one of them.” Obadiah 1:11
Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word “thou”. A bad action may be all the worse because of the person who has committed it. When God’s chosen people sin - we sin with an emphasis. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, “What dost thou here?” Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, will we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid!
A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to you this morning. Have you ever behaved as the wicked? Are there times when you seem as one of them? “Even thou wast as one of them.” You would not desire to share their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Side with the people of God and not with the world.
As I was running the morning I was thinking - I can readily confess my sin but I still feel like the wolf pup trying to figure out how to drop the old nature and totally love and serve the master who found the wolf pup abandoned in the wild. I don’t know but just maybe my/our problem isn’t a sin problem but a love problem???
“Even thou wast as one of them.” Obadiah 1:11
Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word “thou”. A bad action may be all the worse because of the person who has committed it. When God’s chosen people sin - we sin with an emphasis. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, “What dost thou here?” Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, will we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid!
A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to you this morning. Have you ever behaved as the wicked? Are there times when you seem as one of them? “Even thou wast as one of them.” You would not desire to share their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Side with the people of God and not with the world.
As I was running the morning I was thinking - I can readily confess my sin but I still feel like the wolf pup trying to figure out how to drop the old nature and totally love and serve the master who found the wolf pup abandoned in the wild. I don’t know but just maybe my/our problem isn’t a sin problem but a love problem???
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