Still Chosen One-a-Day Thursday  9/19/24

Posted on by September 19, 2024
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A life worthy

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…(Ephesians 1:11).

There’s that word again.

Chosen

OK, so there’s a theological debate out there. When Paul says “we,” is he talking about all believers, or just the Jews? And if there’s predestination, what about free will? The Bible’s pretty clear that we have to choose Christ, so…?

Beloved, I’m a big believer in keeping things simple. Paul addresses this letter to “The saints, the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

That sounds like all who believe, if you ask me.

Granted, nobody has asked me.

So, while I am always open to being schooled in theology, until someone convinces me otherwise I’m gonna stick with what the words say.

He chose you.

His plan–his perfect, unbeatable, fromthebeginningofalltime plan–includes you.

You–with all your bumps and barnacles–are part of God’s will.

So, take that into your day.

And your life

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Head One-a-Day Wednesday  9/18/24

Posted on by September 18, 2024
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A life worthy

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–to bring all things in heaven and on earth under one head, even Christ… (Ephesians 1:10).

I love my Study Bible.

It has all kinds of useful stuff in it.

For example, it tells me that the word Paul used here that is translated head has multiple meanings. It can mean “authority,” which is how I’ve always read this verse. God’s plan is for every knee to bow and every tongue to confess Jesus as Lord. 

Amen to that!

The word can also refer to the sum of a column of figures, the reconciling of various numbers that may not seem to relate to one another.

So, Jesus makes a senseless world make sense. 

Feeling like life is a little too random, Beloved? Seems like the equation doesn’t balance?

Fear not; in the end, it all adds up

to Him.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Timing One-a-Day Tuesday  9/17/24

Posted on by September 17, 2024
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A life worthy

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 by September 16, 2024
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A life worthy

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 by September 13, 2024
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A life worthy

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 by September 12, 2024
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A life worthy

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 by September 11, 2024
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A life worthy

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 by September 10, 2024
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A life worthy

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 by September 9, 2024
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A life worthy

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.

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 by September 6, 2024
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A life worthy

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.