A Life Worthy

Timing One-a-Day Tuesday 9/17/24

Posted on September 17, 2024 by michaelSeptember 17, 2024

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment… (Ephesians 1:10).

God’s timing is not our timing.

How often have you heard that phrase, or something like it?

How often have you used it?

How frustrating has it been, every single time?

Look, I’m not saying that I know better than God, but if I could just get ten minutes alone with his calendar–

I’d probably ruin everything.

Beloved, we can trust God with the fate of all mankind. His plan is perfect, his timing is precise, and his control is complete. And if we can trust God with the fate of all mankind,

can we not trust him with Tuesday?

Hmmm?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Mystery Monday 9/16/24

Posted on September 16, 2024 by michaelSeptember 16, 2024

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure… (Ephesians 1:9).

How many times have you wondered, “God, why? What is your plan here?”

Me, too.

Frankly, everybody too.

And the thing is, he doesn’t have to explain anything to us. The Lord of Everything is not obligated to let us in on his plan.

But

He chose to.

When it came to the biggest of the Big Things, Almighty God chose to part the curtain and reveal the mystery.

And it’s awesome.

So maybe, just maybe, I can trust him with the stuff he isn’t explaining just yet.

Happy Monday, Beloved

Wisdom and Understanding One-a-Day Friday 9/13/24

Posted on September 13, 2024 by michaelSeptember 13, 2024

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding(Ephesians 1:8).

Wise enough to know that we broken ones couldn’t possibly ever even for the tiniest fraction of a moment be good enough

or even want to be

unless he made the first move

and the second

and probably the third

Understanding who we are

and who we could be

in him

with him

for him

through him

because of him

He knows, Beloved.

And he loves you.

Happy Friday

Lavisher One-a-Day Thursday 9/12/24

Posted on September 12, 2024 by michaelSeptember 12, 2024

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…(Ephesians 1:8)

Lavish

To give freely, to bestow generously upon, to shower with

God has not been miserly with his grace, Beloved.

He has not been frugal.

He has lavished.

When the Lord of the Universe saw your sin, he didn’t hand you a spiritual wet wipe.

He bathed you.

Grace is, quite possibly, the most costly thing in all of creation, yet God showers us with it. He doesn’t measure it out and give us and give us a jarful, saying “Use it sparingly. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

He pours it over us in endless waves.

We determine the value of something by what someone is willing to pay to obtain it.

So, what is your value to God?

Exactly

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Twenty-Three Years One-a-Day Wednesday 9/11/24

Posted on September 11, 2024 by michaelSeptember 11, 2024

Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men (Psalm 71:4).

Twenty-Three years.

Twenty-Three years since “Nine-One-One” became “Nine-Eleven.”

Twenty-Three years since we awakened to fire and smoke and terror and grief.

Twenty-Three years since the hand of the wicked reached out to strike at our nation.

It was a horrific reminder that there is evil in this world. Evil will always attack the innocent. Evil will always set itself against the people of God.

And yet, you didn’t really need the reminder, did you? You’ve known the attack of evil—maybe not on so grand a scale, but you’ve known it.

And you will again.

It comes with the territory. It’s part of the package of being His, of living for Christ in this world.

And so is deliverance.

As surely as the sun rose this morning.

As surely as the Son rose long ago.

God will not let evil win. Not in this world. Not in your life.

So as you remember 911 today, as you see the proud flags and hear the lofty speeches and see the heartfelt posts, remember your own personal 911’s, and how God has brought you through them.

And trust that he will again.

Walk in remembrance today, Beloved.

Forgiveness One-a-Day Tuesday 9/10/24

Posted on September 10, 2024 by michaelSeptember 10, 2024

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…(Ephesians 1:7)

I am forgiven.

You know, I think that 97.38% of all therapists could be put out of business if folks truly understood and believed those three little words.

Yeah, but you don’t know–

You’re right. I don’t. But he does. And you are forgiven.

Well, it’s not that simple–

Actually, it is. You are forgiven. End of story.

Beginning of story

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Redemption One-a-Day Monday 9/9/24

Posted on September 9, 2024 by michaelSeptember 9, 2024

In him we have redemption through his blood…(Ephesians 1:7)

When I was a kid, years before I came to Christ, I briefly attended a local church’s youth group. I remember singing this song:

I’ve been redeemed, by the blood of the Lamb.

I’ve been redeemed, by the blood of the Lamb, filled with the Holy Ghost I am.

All my sins are washed away, I’ve been redeemed.

There was a second verse…had something to do with roller skates. The point is, I had no idea what that song was talking about at the time, but the words and the silly tune stuck in my head.

Today I understand, at least a little.

There’s a pawn shop a mile or so from my house. Today, someone will go there and trade a prized possession for a little cash. The cash will soon be spent, the pleasure it bought dissipated, and the prized possession will be locked away, out of reach. The only hope is that Someone will come and pay the price to redeem that which is so precious, and which was so foolishly traded away.

You know what I like about you Beloved? I don’t have to explain my analogies.

Happy Monday

In Him One-a-Day Friday 9/6/24

Posted on September 6, 2024 by michaelSeptember 6, 2024

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Ephesians 1:6).

In Christ

Not just with Christ–though definitely with Christ.

Not just because of Christ–though certainly because of Christ.

Not just through Christ–though that is the only way.

In Christ.

This grace the Father has given us is wrapped up in the person of Jesus.

Inextricable

I like that word–I’m gonna say it again.

Inextricable

Because grace, though not based upon our work, is in fact based upon work.

Christ’s

And grace comes only from the Father, and grace comes only in the Son.

So any who would desire grace without the cross, well, they’re missing the point.

And the boat

Happy Friday, Beloved.

No Strings Attached One-a-Day Thursday 9/5/24

Posted on September 5, 2024 by michaelSeptember 5, 2024

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us…(Ephesians 1:6).

Freely

Given

No strings, no fine print, no Columbo-style,”Uh, just one little thing.”

So how is it that we still, day after day, think we somehow have to earn this?

Are we not the silliest of creatures?

The feast is before you, Beloved. Dig in.

Happy Thursday.

Glorious Grace One-a-Day Wednesday 9/4/24

Posted on September 4, 2024 by michaelSeptember 4, 2024

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace… (Ephesians 1:6).

His glorious grace

I love the sound of those words, and not just because of the alliteration.

His grace–by its very nature I could never earn it, never deserve it, never demand it. His grace simply flows out of his love, out of his goodness, out of his very nature. His grace demonstrates to all who are willing to see what a mighty, merciful God he is.

His grace brings him glory.

Today promises to be a pretty stressful day for me. I plan to hold on to this passage. I am going to remind myself–probably multiple times–that I am his because of his glorious grace.

And I will praise him today.

Care to join me, Beloved?

Happy Wednesday.