Well I read my Bible and commentaried it. I have read my other devotional materials and my daily Bible verse calendar and have decide that today I’m drawn to the scripture, Galatians 2:20, “ I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Wow what could I add to such truth and wisdom the Paul displays in this verse.
I ask a question, one we must all answer. What drives your life? Are you still victimized by the never satisfied lust for wealth and the world and its pleasures. Is it me before everyone and everything else. Take time to consider not how I compare to others, but how do I personally operate. Personal reflection must be to no one but Jesus. His motivation, His desire to please was all directed to the the Father and the Father’s will above all else. I have to believe if Jesus was moved by His human side He would not have accomplished what He did. You may believe it is impossible for me to be crucified with Christ, but isn’t that what we have to believe. Jesus represented every person who would believe on Him on the cross. After over 2000 years the blood has not lost one ounce of power and if we believe that He represented me and my sin on the cross then what should that mean to us.
I don’t know how He did it, I only know He did it. My faith in that is the key to my spiritual victory, the essence of my now redeemed state in life. What I am, what I believe, my very future is wrapped up in that faith. I believe Jesus did everything well, and I need to believe He expects me to do no less. The Comforter, Holy Spirit, was sent to help me find my way. You see I’m still human but I must follow His will. The ability to recognize His will and the power to walk in the way are all possibilities if my faith is strong to believe that the Spirit will lead me into all truth. This is the way and we must walk in it.
As is often the case in life we are given choices. The decisions we make are often self centered and that we must overcome. That is only possible when we are lead by His Spirit. As I grow older in age and now retired I have a bit more time to consider such issues. I have learned not to lean on my own understanding for it is human and lacks the direction and depth that only Jesus can provide. I am learning to yield my life, at an every increasing degree, to the Spirits leadership. It can be no other way for as I do this I demonstrate that Christ now lives in Me. Jesus said, “The Father and I are one.” I must declare that Jesus and I are one. That’s just how it works, if it is to work at all.
So dear friend I leave you with this hope that you will seek the fullness of Christ’s spirit working and changing you into His likeness. You say, I can’t do it. I can’t either but Jesus can.
Live in Christ,
Bill
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Exalted
Exalted; to position God above all others. I was reading Psalms 23 this morning, where David exalts the Lord. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake........ David goes on exalting and praising the Lord. What about His son when he was made King. Solomon knowing his inability to perform the task of king seeks the Lord. In fact the Lord came to Him and ask what He could do for him. His reply,1 Kings 3:9, “Therefore give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I might discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great nation of Yours.” Solomon exalted God and the Lord gives Solomon wisdom and understanding. I believe that when a person, or a nation exalts God they become the recipient of all of God resources. Somewhere in our American history we have come to the point that we are exalting the wrong person. President, Speaker of the House, Governor, they no longer see themselves as public servants; they don’t seek God’s help in solving our problems. If there was every a nation that should glorify God, it is America.
Exalted, to elevate in rank above all other. Do people really do that anymore, maybe that is our problem. Do those whom we place in office, assign lofty positions, pay large salaries to, recognize that there is a greater power, a all mighty creator who put the very stars in place. I pick on the leadership but what about you and me. Do we exalt God by the way we live? When things get tough do we seek the Lords help or do we believe the ways of man are best. Somehow man has elevated, exalted himself, to the most important position, self reigns. That is why special interest groups are getting the attention, why our politicians can’t get anything done; they are exalting the wrong persons. Do you get it? One might say, “well if you were in their position you would do no different.” Can you really, truly say that about yourself or about me. Have we gotten so worldly that we no longer try to be Christ like. Do you really believe the government is to be exalted. Do you no longer believe, “that my help comes from the Lord”? Our country declares on our coins, “In God we Trust.” Is it any wonder why some want to remove that statement, because as a nation we no longer believe that. If we do there is more going on behind the scenes than what I’m getting.
I seek not to denounce our government but I do question as to where they seek direction from. I believe if our leadership would humble themselves before God and man, declare the necessity of God’s leadership, for the decisions they struggle with, that would say something to our Lord, and also to the people. I want leadership that seeks God, and seeks His direction for the decisions they make. Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” America if it continues its trend away from God we will be humbled. I’m afraid it is already happening. God will not be mocked!
My biggest concern for America is that as a whole we no longer exalt God. We have lost our first love. One might read this e-mail and say we are not that bad. Ok, how about lukewarm. What did Jesus say about that? “Because you are luke warn, neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” We can’t be everything and truly exalt God. I believe it is He alone we must serve, nothing else. He is Lord and must be exalted, first place in our lives, our actions, our nation, must proclaim that as truth. So we are at a point of decision. “Seek ye this day whom you will serve.” My prayer is, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Oh Lord, may the Holy Spirit direct my path as I endeavor to live that way. Thank you Jesus!
Serving Him,
Bill
Exalted, to elevate in rank above all other. Do people really do that anymore, maybe that is our problem. Do those whom we place in office, assign lofty positions, pay large salaries to, recognize that there is a greater power, a all mighty creator who put the very stars in place. I pick on the leadership but what about you and me. Do we exalt God by the way we live? When things get tough do we seek the Lords help or do we believe the ways of man are best. Somehow man has elevated, exalted himself, to the most important position, self reigns. That is why special interest groups are getting the attention, why our politicians can’t get anything done; they are exalting the wrong persons. Do you get it? One might say, “well if you were in their position you would do no different.” Can you really, truly say that about yourself or about me. Have we gotten so worldly that we no longer try to be Christ like. Do you really believe the government is to be exalted. Do you no longer believe, “that my help comes from the Lord”? Our country declares on our coins, “In God we Trust.” Is it any wonder why some want to remove that statement, because as a nation we no longer believe that. If we do there is more going on behind the scenes than what I’m getting.
I seek not to denounce our government but I do question as to where they seek direction from. I believe if our leadership would humble themselves before God and man, declare the necessity of God’s leadership, for the decisions they struggle with, that would say something to our Lord, and also to the people. I want leadership that seeks God, and seeks His direction for the decisions they make. Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” America if it continues its trend away from God we will be humbled. I’m afraid it is already happening. God will not be mocked!
My biggest concern for America is that as a whole we no longer exalt God. We have lost our first love. One might read this e-mail and say we are not that bad. Ok, how about lukewarm. What did Jesus say about that? “Because you are luke warn, neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” We can’t be everything and truly exalt God. I believe it is He alone we must serve, nothing else. He is Lord and must be exalted, first place in our lives, our actions, our nation, must proclaim that as truth. So we are at a point of decision. “Seek ye this day whom you will serve.” My prayer is, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Oh Lord, may the Holy Spirit direct my path as I endeavor to live that way. Thank you Jesus!
Serving Him,
Bill
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