One-a-Day Thursday, 3/19/15

Posted on by March 19, 2015
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number 1We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:22).

We live on a pretty planet.  Think of your favorite scene—sunrise over the mountains, sunset over the sea, starlight through the treetops, waves crashing against the rocks, chickens dancing in the moonlight, gentle breeze through a meadow filled with wildflowers.

You now, all those pictures they use on Hallmark calendars.

All that beauty, all that majesty…that’s groaning?

Yep.

Don’t forget…Creation is suffering under the curse of sin.

Our sin—yours and mine…because…well…trees and seas and dewy meadows don’t sin.

So, if this beautiful, wonderful, awe-inspiring, delicious, amazing world of ours is not currently at its best—or even close—what will it be like when the curse is lifted?  God has promised a new Earth to go with the new Heaven.  Can you imagine what that will be like, Beloved?

Let’s spend the day imagining.

One-a-Day Wednesday, 3/18/15

Posted on by March 18, 2015
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number 1I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Some days I feel like I’m going through a lot.

Some days I actually am.

But whatever I’m going through—whatever you’re going through—is going to disappear like mist in the sunshine.  It won’t even be worth thinking about when his glory is revealed in us.

So here’s what I’m wondering—what exactly is the glory that will be revealed in us?

Not to us, mind you.

In us.

Well, I’ll tell you—I don’t know.  But I’m going to spend this day pondering that very question.

Care to join me, Beloved?

One-a-Day Tuesday, 3/17/15

Posted on by March 17, 2015
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number 1Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).

Have you ever had the Rich-Uncle-You-Never-Met-Dies-And-Leaves-You-A-Million-Dollars Dream?

I like that dream…but this one’s better.  This one comes true.

In the Greek, the word “if” in the second half of the verse is more accurately translated “since.”  So it’s more like, “Since indeed we share in his sufferings…”  Which means, we will share in his sufferings.

And…

We will share in his glory.

You, Beloved of Christ, are heir to something much better than cash.  You are heir to the depth and width and height of God’s love.  You are heir to glory.

Well, of course you don’t deserve it—but we’ve been through that before, haven’t we?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

One-a-Day Monday, 3/16/15 

Posted on by March 16, 2015
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number 1The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).

OK, so you’ve got to be careful when people claim spiritual knowledge.   I mean, I used to work with a woman who came in one morning and announced that she had heard the trumpet sounding while she brushed her teeth.

As in, the first trumpet from Revelation 8:7.

By lunch, when the only smoke I smelled was my BBQ potato chips, I figured she was wrong.

On the other hand, I trust the Apostle Paul far more than I do the girl at work, and Paul says that the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit.

So what does that look like?  Sound like?  Feel like?

Frankly, I’m often afraid that I can’t tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and my own imagination.  I mean, I’m the creative type, and I can imagine all kinds of voices in my head.  How do I know what to listen for?  How do I keep from being like Trumpet Girl?

I really wish I had the complete answer for you…for me.  What I can tell you is this—when the message your spirit is telling you is consistent with Scripture, you can accept it, believe it, bank on it.  And this message is.  So take a few moments today—like now—to close your eyes, quiet your heart, and let your Father tell you that you are his.  Let his Spirit speak to your spirit, and rejoice in your Abba’s voice.

Happy Monday, Beloved of Christ.

One-a-Day Friday, 3/13/15

Posted on by March 13, 2015
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number 1…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Yeah, I know, we were in Romans 8.

So this is out of order.

Still, yesterday’s verse gets me to thinking about this one, and about the love the Father has for us.

Not fluffy love, not Fifth Grade “If you like me check this box” love.

Real love.  The kind you can’t get at a Hallmark store.

Real love sacrifices.  Real love gives, even when there is no reasonable expectation of a return on the investment.  Real love sees you at your worst, and does not turn away.

While we were still sinners.  While we were totally unworthy and unlovable.  Beyond pot bellies and vanishing hairlines.  Beyond bad hair and no makeup.  While we were steeped in darkness, inside and out, Jesus died for us.

For you.

Want him to prove his love?

He did.  We call it the Cross.

When I write these One-a-Days, I often call you “Beloved.”  I’m not putting the moves on you, nor am I trying to be J. Vernon McGee.  I’m praying, along with Paul, that you, “May…grasp how high and long and wide and deep is the love of Christ.”

In the Song of Songs, God gives us a picture of the love between a man and a woman.  Beyond that, though, he paints a picture of Christ’s love for his Church.

He calls the Church his Beloved.

He calls you his Beloved.

And so will I.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

One-a-Day Thursday, 3/12/15

Posted on by March 12, 2015
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number 1For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

Interesting how similar Paul’s discussion of fear is to his discussion of sin.  I mean, he’s right in the middle of talking about sin vs. living by the Spirit, and out pops this comment about being a slave to fear.

I wonder what connection fear has to sin…

Something to chew on.

My children never need to fear being unloved, empty, alone, because they have a father who loves them and stands ready to protect them.  Sure, there will be things that make them afraid, but as long as they are with me they need not be controlled by fear…slaves to fear.  How much more can we all say the same, because we have a Father who is always with us, loves us even more, and is infinitely better able to care for and protect us.

If I were cool enough, I’d end with a “Who’s your daddy?” line.

But I’m not.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

One-a-Day Wednesday, 3/11/15

Posted on by March 10, 2015
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number 1You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you (Romans 8:9).

If.

If the Spirit of God lives in you.

That there’s a pretty big “if.”

If you’re not certain whether the Spirit of God lives in you, that, I humbly suggest, is your first fish to fry.  If you have admitted that you are a sinner, “Fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), if you have accepted Christ’s death on the cross in your place (Romans 5:6-8), and if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9), then yes, the Spirit of God lives in you (Acts 2:38).

And, therefore, you are not controlled by sin.

It may feel like you are some days, but you are not.

Notice, Paul didn’t say you won’t sin, he said you won’t be controlled by sin.  As tough as it is to admit, the sins we commit, we choose.

Whaddaya say we both give the Spirit a little more control today?

I‘ll pray for you, Beloved—you pray for me.

One-a-Day Tuesday, 3/10/15

Posted on by March 10, 2015
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number 1Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…  (Romans 8:5-7).

You hear about people who win the lottery, and then turn around and squander all that money.  They end up worse off than they started.

(That could never happen to me…and I would really appreciate the opportunity to prove it.)

Our freedom in Christ is like an inheritance—we are not responsible for how we earned it, but we are responsible for how we spend it.  I’ll repeat my question from yesterday: What will you do with your freedom today, Beloved?  Will you live for yourself, for your own desires—for the sin nature?  Or will you let your life be controlled by the Spirit, following the desires of the God who knows you so very well, and loves you beyond measure?

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again with the yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)

One-a-Day Monday, 3/9/15

Posted on by March 9, 2015
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**If you feel like you’ve read this post before–you probably have.  I will be taking a break for the next couple of weeks.   I hope you find these reminders of God’s love and sacrifice valuable.

number 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death  (Romans 8:1-2).

Oh, Beloved, if you and I could just wrap our hearts around this.

You are not condemned.

You should be—of course you should be.  Me, too.  There aren’t enough digital pages in cyberspace to catalogue all of my sins.  I am wretched, top to bottom, inside and out.  I know that I am made in the image of God, but some days that image is so blurred…I deserve nothing but wrath and scorn and disgust and condemnation.

BUT I am not condemned.

You are not condemned.

We are free.

Realize that.  Rest in that.  Rejoice in that.

Now, Beloved, what will you do with your freedom today?

One-a-Day Friday, 3/6/15

Posted on by March 6, 2015
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number 1Final thoughts before we leave Jonah son of Amittai…

Jonah wanted to serve God.

On Jonah’s terms.

Our relationship with Jesus Christ is portrayed in many ways in Scripture.

Servant, disciple, ambassador, friend, brother, child, Bride.

Never—not once—contract employee.

A contract employee signs an agreement to do a specified job for a specified amount of pay.  Employer and employee negotiate over duties and payment, and the employee is not expected to perform any tasks not detailed in the negotiations.

“Sorry,” he can say, “That’s not in my contract.”

The Lord of the Universe doesn’t work that way.

He’s not interested in negotiation—only surrender.

Utter, complete obedience and submission, whether you understand what he’s doing or not.  Whether you like what he’s doing or not.  It sounds harsh, and I wouldn’t recommend it with anyone else but the One who gave his only son, that if you trust him you shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

So once again, we find ourselves at the question: Do you trust him, Beloved?

Submit boldly today.  Kneel tall, and surrender at the top of your lungs.

Happy Friday, Beloved.