Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.

Christ’s Death – Our Benefit

He sees our inner heart and knows our motivation in doing good things. God has no difficulty recognizing if we are genuine. There is no ‘pulling the wool” over His eyes, and no outward acts that will cause God to show favorites. Education, position, wealth, beauty, and possessions are of no regard to God.

1Peter 1:17-19 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay [upon earth]; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, [the blood] of Christ.

Who or what you follow will determine the motivation of your thoughts and actions. Where do you go for advice? What is the purpose of your decisions? Do you ask yourself what you are hoping to accomplish?

As Christians we call upon God. We are to pray; we are to seek Him. The first words in verse 17 say, and if you address as Father … this means, knowing that you call upon God, or when you call upon His name – there is something important to keep in mind –

- God is an impartial judge.

God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe (Deuteronomy 10:17)
God is not one to show partiality (Acts 10:34)
There is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11)

God needs nothing from us. He has no bias or opinions of anyone. He knows that which is perfectly true and approves men because of Christ’s blood. He sees our inner heart and knows our motivation in doing good things. God has no difficulty recognizing if we are genuine. There is no ‘pulling the wool” over His eyes, and no outward acts that will cause God to show favorites. Education, position, wealth, beauty, and possessions are of no regard to God. The words we say, if not born out of a heart yielded to Him, are meaningless.

Consider who Peter is addressing – those who were chosen of God, now residing as aliens. There was no distinction if they were Jews or Gentiles, what they had or did not have, or how important they might have been. This thinking is quite different than what they had known. The Law was a regimen of works performed and there were those who were recognized as more important than others. Peter reminded these Christians that regardless of their earthly affinity, who they once had been or what their lineage was, or what religious belief they adhered to, they were now sojourners in a foreign land with their true identity belonging to God. It was important to be reminded of the condition of their heart before God. According to His choosing and the sanctifying work of His Spirit, they were born again. In Christ, we are all equal – the playing field is leveled – each of God’s children are saved by Christ’s blood.

In the society we live, perhaps a parallel may be someone who has ‘always been a Christian’ because they grew up in a believing home. It is dangerous to lean on any association you have because of others or what you have been taught, or what you have done in the past. Phrases like ‘I have always gone to church’, ‘I was baptized when I was younger’, and even, ‘I prayed once to receive Christ’, are all actions and do not by themselves speak of a heart condition. Christ alone saves. You may have ‘always’ gone to church, but this is an outward work. You must ask yourself what your motivation is for doing good. If you are doing good to gain Jesus, this is not the gospel. If you act in a certain way so that others might see and think highly of you, this is not an indication of your salvation. First, you believe the gospel because of God’s work in your heart, then, you live in a manner honoring to God out of gratitude for your salvation. You may be able to explain the gospel, but this alone does not mean you are saved. Many have knowledge without having a transformed heart.

How has your heart changed, what is the testimony of God’s work in your life? Do you see ongoing growth in your understanding and trust in God’s plan?
Whom do you serve?
What do you seek? What promises do you treasure?
How would you describe your life without Christ?

“They should not therefore suppose that any name or form would avail them, or that God would approve of any man because he had been a Jew, or was now called a Christian; for he would certainly judge of every man’s profession and character by his works, appoint hypocrites their portion with unbelievers and finally condemn every worker of iniquity”, Thomas Scott.

William Burkitt New Testament notes says, “Learn, that he whom we call Father, is and will be our Judge, not a short-sighted, but a sharp-sighted, Judge, impartial in judgment, judging all persons according to their works, judging all works as they really are, and not as they outwardly appear to be”.

The 2nd half of 1 Peter 1:17 reads, Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay [upon earth].

We are to pass our time on earth in holy reverence – fear – of God.

2Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

1 Peter 1:17 in the KJV reads, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear”.

Fear <phobos> means to be put in fear; alarm or fright: be afraid, fear exceedingly, terror. Think of fearing God as giving reverence to Him – loving Him and His law without question; to respect, to stand in awe of, to exalt. Consider the beginning of verse 17 which speaks of God as an impartial judge. This truth leads us to a great respect to follow His commands with keen effort to obedience. An obedient child fears grieving their parents because they love them and do not want to cause them disappointment. Also, they have a good idea that purposeful disobedience will invoke some form of punishment or discipline. This is called respecting authority – out of fear and love. God is the ultimate authority. His power is far reaching and demands our utmost respect.

God will judge – we should fear His judgement if we are guilty. This is no slight hand slap, or time-out; your eternal rest or unrest lies solely in your relationship with Christ. Our time upon this earth is only for a specific period. Is your perspective short-sighted, looking only to the things on earth? Or is it far-sighted, looking to your future in heaven?

Does your reverence for God lead you to avoid sin and obey His commands?

Read the words of Moses to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:1-2, "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded [me] to teach you, that you might do [them] in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

If you are saved, you will call upon God readily. This will affect your actions because you comprehend the value of a relationship with God, and Christ’s redeeming work in your life.

Salvation can only be purchased with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus’ death.

1Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, [the blood] of Christ.

Christ alone redeems a soul. Without Jesus we are lost in a world of sin. The dispersed Christians, Jews and Gentiles alike, had become entrenched in their practice of tradition and idolatry. These practices were futile. A vain or futile life is empty, profitless. There was an empty dependence on traditions that had been passed down. These traditions, ceremonies and worship of other gods had no value, promising benefits which they could not execute. Peter’s audience was reminded that their lives were redeemed with the perfect sacrifice, not to be compared with anything perishable. Confidence in their former practices were vain and unprofitable and there was danger in continuing to rely upon them. Silver and gold were greatly valued but even these precious metals are corruptible and can free no one of spiritual death. Peter’s message - only true faith in Christ is lasting.

Acts 14:13-15 And the priest of Zeus, whose [temple] was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.

The British Family Bible says this, “The verb, rendered “redeemed”, signifies to ransom, to deliver by paying a price. Particularly, it signifies to ransom a captive from the enemy. The price paid for our redemption was the blood of the Son of God: the captivity, from which we were redeemed, was the bondage and slavery of sin”.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

1Peter 1:4 to [obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

1Peter 1:7 that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The price to save us from the penalty of our sin is Jesus’ blood. Without His death and resurrection, we are condemned to a life ruled by evil. Without Jesus, the power of sin reigns in us, taking over every aspect of our life. Sin destroys. But we have been purchased, our penalty has been paid. Therefore, we can live a life ruled by Christ, no longer condemned but free from slavery to sin. We are instead slaves to Christ and His righteousness, and heaven is our inheritance.

What is the motivation of your actions – gain or gratitude?
Are you able to claim with certainty the inheritance of heaven?

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

In conclusion, who or what you follow will determine the motive of your thoughts and actions.

God is an impartial judge.
We are to pass our time on earth in holy reverence – fear – of God.
Salvation can only be purchased with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus’ death.

Apply these truths to your life. Consider where God is growing you, changing you and challenging you. Be willing to accept the need to change through His power.

Here are some thoughts you might want to consider.

God is an impartial judge.

He knows your true heart. Are you are resting in your works which only builds false security, rather than trusting in Christ alone?

What is the testimony of your changed life in Christ?

We are to fear God.

Most of us want to be accepted or liked. Do you make decisions solely based on God’s truths or are you swayed by other’s thoughts of you or your thoughts of others?

Think upon Christ’s death for your benefit.

How does keeping this focus affect your thoughts and actions?

What happens when you do not keep this focus?

Seek Holiness

As God grows us in His likeness, we are less and less garbed in the world as the righteousness imputed to us through Christ becomes more evident in our character.

Obedience. 1. The act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person. 2. The trait of being willing to obey. 3. Behavior intended to please your parents. (WordWeb)

A synonym used for obedience is respect. When we consider showing respect towards someone or something, it is because we honor them, we have an attitude of admiration or esteem. When we honor or esteem someone, we want to please them, we want to do a good job, to perform well.

1Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts [which were yours] in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

The address is to obedient children. Obedient <hupakoe> attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission. Consider, if you have accepted God’s gift of salvation, you are His child. Therefore, you are to be obedient. You are to hold your own personal desires and thoughts low, as being unimportant, and esteem God’s direction and commands as having higher value. The idea of submission is putting another’s authority and decisions in front of your own, respecting their knowledge and understanding as superior.

Contemplate this thought for a moment – ‘respecting their knowledge and understanding as superior’.

What does it require from you to respect another individual’s knowledge and understanding as superior?

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Ro 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Philippians 2:5-8

God knows and understands all things.

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

The motivation to obey as God’s children is to please Him as our Father. Obedience honors God’s name.

Following the description of who we are to be now - obedient children, is an explanation of who we once were before God took hold of our heart and turned our eyes to His truths. We were conformed to lust in our ignorance. We followed the same pattern as the world, longing for what is forbidden. Perhaps those who were saved later in life have a more well-defined picture of their ignorance in following the world. But even if you have been a believer since childhood, the struggle with sin is real and understanding its grip on the human heart is not difficult.

Consider how you have changed in your thinking and actions, and desires and pursuits, since Christ took hold of your life. For example, what I once thought was not so bad, I now see as directly opposed to God. And the things I desired were very self-centered and prideful. I would not have even understood that there was a problem in following the world – this was the acceptable standard. Comparing myself to the world’s standard, I thought I was fairly good. Look at the fallacy in this thinking.

First, when we compare ourselves to other individuals, we always come out on top because there is always someone in our own estimation that is worse off or did not do something as well as we did. We do not tend to look at the millions who have excelled over and above our own efforts.

Second, in order to make a true comparison of anything, the entire picture is needed, from the very worst to perfection. We are unable to comprehend either scenario. However, what we do know as God’s obedient children is that we are to strive towards God’s standard of holiness. Think of the following questions.

How well do you fit in the world?
Do your unsaved friends influence you, or do you influence them?
Do you act differently with one group of people than another?
What things might tempt you to try and ‘fit in’?

A word of caution. Being diligent with our own behavior does not mean we tell everyone else how they are to be acting or what they are doing wrong! It is God’s work in a heart that changes people. Yet, we are to be good examples, different from the world around us.

1 Peter 1:14 says we used to be ignorant regarding our behavior. To be ignorant is to be without information or intelligence, without understanding or knowledge. This is a description of who we were without Christ. The decisions we made were without full information, without the complete understanding of who we are and our desperate need for a Savior. We were entrenched in sin without even realizing we had a problem. Consider how well you are able to make good decisions when you have a significant piece of information missing. Try booking a flight without knowing the times you want to leave and arrive, or without having a destination in mind. Your plans will probably turn out haphazard at best. This is like shooting an arrow in the dark hoping you hit the target. This is the best we have without Christ. In fact, we are so heavily pulled into the things of this world that we do not even recognize the danger. – Until God opens His children’s eyes to His Truths. God’s children no longer conform to sin out of ignorance, instead they are characterized by obedience.

Obedience to God demands that we do not follow worldly ways. Instead, we are to live holy in all our behavior (v. 15-16).

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

1Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

What does it mean to be holy?

We are to be physically and morally blameless. We are to strive to be like Jesus. This is only possible through His redemption of our soul. God is holy, He is perfect and pure. He is the One who called your name as His child. He is the one who has called you into understanding and faith in Christ. As His child, receiving all the benefits of His salvation, you also receive the means to be like Him, to imitate His character.

When we say we think we are not strong enough, this is true. However, God is omnipotent. When we say we cannot, we do not understand God’s power. Do we easily give up when we are fighting sin? It is sometimes much easier to concentrate on what everyone else is doing wrong. Almost every social media venue is built on complaints, disagreement with another, justification of self, and individuals sharing their opinions of why we should or should not do something. Is this the behavior that seeks to follow Christ in humility and obedience?

How much time and effort do you put into thinking of what others should or should not be doing? Is there any value in this? At best, this is self-serving.

It is impossible for us to be perfectly holy, yet we are to endeavor to follow the pattern set before us and practice holiness in every area of our life. We are holy because we belong to God; our actions should increasingly speak of our inward salvation. Our thoughts should be held captive by Truth, and our words should honor God. As we seek to know God and follow Him, our actions on the outside will reflect the change God has wrought on the inside. The inside transformation of our soul will show in the outward actions of our life.

2Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Notice the word all again in verse 15. All means everything, it is inclusive to your whole behavior. Matthew Poole’s Commentary has this explanation of all, “with whomsoever ye converse, believers or infidels, friends or enemies, relations or stranger; and in whatsoever condition ye are in, peace or trouble, prosperity or adversity”.

The word ‘all’ negates any exception to holiness. This means we never have a reason to act unholy. Consider these phrases that may enter into your thoughts –

“This makes me so mad, therefore …”

“It is unfair…”

“I have waited long enough…”

“It happens all the time…”

“I am tired…”

“No one cares…”

“You do not understand…”.

You will probably be able to think of many more instances where we allow ourselves to justify behavior that is unbecoming to a Christian. We do better if we are willing to point the finger at ourselves rather than someone else. Regardless of any outside circumstance, God’s children are to be obedient to His word.

How are you seeking holiness?

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalonians 2:10-12 You are witnesses, and [so is] God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we [were] exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father [would] his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

1Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

Philippians 2:12-16 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

God’s command to the Israelites was to be holy. This command stands true to His children everywhere. Conclusion: Do not continue in the sin that once held you captive, instead seek holiness because your Father is holy, and he commands His children to be holy.

Think again how society copies their behavior and appearance after the things they follow. Do you imitate the God you worship? We are to put on holiness and put off sin. Both garments cannot be worn at the same time. As God grows us in His likeness, we are less and less garbed in the world as the righteousness imputed to us through Christ becomes more evident in our character.

Be Sober, Be Ready, Be Focused

When we eat food, we nourish our body. When we take in God’s word, we nourish our soul.

1Peter 1:13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit,] fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Because of the great privileges we have in Christ, we are to act accordingly. Make it count, use what is available, keep your mind set on the Truth. We have been entrusted with a valuable gift, and we are expected to care for it.

How is your life affected by God’s mercy?
How is your life effective for God’s message?

Three responses are highlighted –

Gird your minds for action,
Keep sober [in spirit],
Fix your hope completely on grace.

The KJV of 1 Peter 1:13 uses the phrase, “gird up the loins of your mind”. This refers to the garments typically worn in the culture of that time. When they traveled or worked, people needed to secure their long robes in order that they did not get in the way. It is preparation for what is at hand. Picture an individual pushing up the long sleeves of their shirt as they tackle a project.

Is your mind ready for action, fortified with Truth?

When we eat food, we nourish our body. When we take in God’s word, we nourish our soul. God’s love is real, trials will come, keep yourself prepared! In present culture this would be like saying ‘keep your head in the game’, or ‘stay focused’. We are to be ready with the blessings God has provided. When we do not remain focused on Christ, we cannot function according to His will.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Our current day definition of the verb ‘gird’ means to prepare oneself for a military confrontation. The word fortify is a good synonym. We are given a challenge to respond correctly using the benefits of our salvation – persevere, take effort to honor God in all things. Those before us payed close attention to the truths that were revealed to them. Family Bible Notes poses this question:

Are you attentive and steadfast in your faith and practice of the gospel?

When you prepare for something, it is a common practice to think ahead of the obstacles that may get in the way. While on this earth as a follower of Jesus, you are being prepared for heaven, your eternal life in God’s presence. There are many things that can hinder your walk with God and your growth in His truths. You must take the necessary steps to avoid those things that will cause you to lose your focus. We need to think ahead of how we will respond to adversity. We have an inheritance reserved for us (1 Peter 1:4); we have a race to run.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

1Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

The girdle was effectively used to tuck in long robes so that there was no physical hindrance to the work at hand. We need to be ready physically and mentally, hence the wording ‘gird up the loins of your mind’. The word mind is used for understanding and clarity. Matthew 22:37 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind”. Notice the word all in this scripture. All your mind is to be engrossed with truth from God’s word, then as you find yourself in the midst of trials (1 Peter 1:6), you will remain steadfast. Read Matthew Henry’s Commentary on girding up your mind, "Wherefore, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as above, gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gather in, and gird up, their long and loose garments, that they may be more ready, prompt, and expeditious in their business, so do you by your minds, your inner man, and affections seated there: gird them, gather them in, let them not hang loose and neglected about you; restrain their extravagances, and let the loins or strength and vigour of your minds be exerted in your duty; disengage yourselves from all that would hinder you, and go on resolutely in your obedience”.

After setting a course of action to be watchful, vigilant, and prepared, our text goes on with the exhortation to “keep sober [in spirit]. When we consider being sober, it is often associated with the effects of over-indulging in alcohol which leaves one lacking in their ability to think or act correctly. To be sober also means to be “dignified and somber in manner or character, committed to keeping promises”, according to WordWeb Dictionary. To keep sober is to see things as they are, while having the ability to respond accordingly.

Do you have an accurate awareness of the spiritual dangers and enemies that threaten to derail your efforts?
Do you show restraint against the thoughts, cares, and affections of this world?

One commentary gives this action, “Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves” (MHCC).

Luke 21:34 "Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap;

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober [spirit] for the purpose of prayer.

In light of the on-going events in our nation, with the Covid 19 pandemic, protesting, unrest, and restrictions, we, as Believers, have a charge to careful, concise, and controlled actions that are well-thought and purposed for God’s honor. Here is a quote from the commentary of Thomas Scott regarding 1 Peter 1:13, “… laying aside all carnal prejudices and superfluous cares, with such occupations, desire, and pursuits, as might prevent their clearly understanding, cordially choosing, and cheerfully obeying, the word of truth; and using all means of removing impediments, of invigorating holy affections, and of animating themselves and each other, in diligently serving and patiently suffering for Christ”.

Are you practicing holiness in your thoughts, responses, and actions in the current situation?

It is fitting to take a moment and look a bit deeper into the thought of “laying aside all carnal prejudices and superfluous cares …”. There is a need to act according to what God’s word says regardless of feelings or how something may inconvenience us. There are times when choosing to follow God will set you apart from what might be expected. We cannot allow popular opinion or the threat of being chided to cloud our thinking and decisions. To be sober means we are not allowing any influence other than the Holy Spirit to affect our thoughts, words, and actions. When we practice this, we will inevitably find ourselves asking the question ‘What does God’s word say’.

We keep sober by “fixing our hope completely on the grace to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. Our complete confidence is in God’s grace and the fulfillment of His promises. The hope a believer has is certain. It is trusting with a knowledge of God’s absolute consummation of His word. It is expectation and assurance without exception that your eternal destination is established and secure. Perhaps a good visual is thinking of the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness. Hope that is fixed on Christ moves our focus from overwhelming concern for the troubles at hand to the overpowering peace of our future.

Are you near-sighted or far-sighted?

You have heard the phrase ‘tunnel vision’. According to one website, it is the tendency to focus exclusively on a single or limited goal or point of view. We do need to be aware of others as we serve, encourage, and share Truth. However, while we do live in this world, we are citizens of Heaven and our focus needs to be centered on Christ alone. We are to fix our hope completely, meaning without wavering, remaining secure and steadfast in the knowledge and understanding of the Gospel.

The only way it is possible to have certain hope that absolutely cannot fail is through God’s grace – His divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life of one who believes. Your salvation is secure therefore your hope will be continuous and steady as it remains fixed on the only thing that will never change, Jesus our Lord and Savior. Adam Clarke’s Commentary uses this explanation, we are to “continue to expect all that God has promised, and particularly that utmost salvation, that glorification of body and soul, which ye shall obtain at the revelation of Christ, when He shall come to judge the world”. This truth is a great answer for the question, ‘How can an individual be joy filled in the midst of trials?’ Because the foundation of faith in Christ does not change, the benefit of salvation remains certain.

We are to remain strong in the hope we have in the gospel. When circumstances seem topsy-turvy, when promises are broken, when poor decisions wield their consequences, and even amidst pandemic outbreaks, rioting, county-wide curfews, and all other opposition and temptations, we can still hold close to our hope. This was the charge given to those who were suffering because they had followed the Truth, and it is our charge given from the Word. Hall’s Explication of Hard Texts says, “perfectly and constantly hope for the full accomplishment of that grace and happiness, which partly is and perfectly shall be brought unto you in the revelation of Jesus Christ”.

Back up to 1 Peter 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We have a living hope! It is not dead, but active. Fix your hope completely, without wavering.

Are you confident in the promises of Christ?

Hebrews 3:5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ [was faithful] as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Romans 15:4, 13 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope … Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we are of [the] day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a [hope] both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,

2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Hebrews 10:35-36 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

APPLY IT!

Keep your mind centered on Christ.
Be careful to respond according to God’s Truths.
Stay focused on the fulfillment of God’s promises and your future in Him.

What actions will you take to ensure you are prepared?

Entrusted to Serve

What legacy will you leave? Will it be one of faithfulness? Do others know for certain that you love and follow Christ through your words and actions?

1Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.

In the previous verses we read that the prophets carefully and diligently searched to understand the message foretold of the coming Messiah. In verse 12, we read that the information disclosed to them was not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of others. They had been entrusted with information in order to serve others.

Read Paul’s words in Ephesians. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places.] Ephesians 8-10.

Those things which had been revealed to the prophets in earlier times through the working of the Spirit were to be shared. It is probable they did not understand all the meaning and specifics of exactly what would take place, they had studied, and many were convinced of the truth of the coming Messiah. The New Testament Saints were encouraged by what had been written and foretold. They in turn were able to share information they had learned and were able to add what they had witnessed. There was an understanding that the value of what they had been given was not to be kept to themselves but a tool to be used in sharing the gospel.

Again, we have a picture painted of an intent interest in examining the Truths in God’s word. There is a phrase we use which says we ‘pour over something’ when we are seeking to learn, usually something we have great interest in. Each of us can relate to this search of information. As you gain more information, the desire to learn more usually grows. As you contemplate what you are learning, the light bulb of understanding clicks, and things become clearer.

The Spirit of Christ gave understanding to the Jewish prophets and that same Spirit continues to give understanding even today. We are saved only through the working of the Spirit in our lives testifying of God. The thought that jumps in my mind as I study this is the great privilege with which we have been entrusted.

Read Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 14:16-17; 26, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; [that is] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, [but] you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

We will never understand all things, in fact, I surmise that what I understand is about the size of the smallest dot placed in the center of the great universe. However, God has revealed to each of us exactly what we need in order to bring honor to His name. I will never be able to comprehend how I can be declared righteous even while I am a sinner, yet I know because of God’s great grace, He has pardoned me. Not only am I forgiven but I will live in heaven for eternity, not because of who I am, not because I deserve anything, but because of who God is and what He chose to do for me. This truth needs to be shared!

Read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave [us] the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

What legacy will you leave? Will it be one of faithfulness? Do others know for certain that you love and follow Christ through your words and actions?

Matthew Poole’s Commentary explains 1 Peter 1:12 this way, “The prophets under the Old Testament did, by the Spirit, foresee and foretell Christ's passion, resurrection, ascension, the effusion of the Spirit, the enlargement of the church by the calling of the Gentiles, &c.; but did not live to see their own prophecies, and God's promises, fulfilled,

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

, as you now do. They did spread the table that you might feed at it; they had but a taste by faith, and at a distance, of those things you feast upon in their accomplishment; yet they did not grudge to declare these things, being instructed by the Spirit, that what they spake of should not be fulfilled in their time, but in the generations to come; that so ye, by comparing what they said should come to pass with what you have now been assured is come to pass, may be confirmed and established in the belief of the truth, being the same held forth by the prophets formerly, and gospel ministers at present.”

Read the words of Philip Doddridge in his N.T. commentary, “To the memorable testimony of these prophets it becomes us to pay a sincere and profound regard, to whom such extraordinary discoveries were made, as no attentive reader can view without conviction and astonishment; and it was revealed to them among other things, that {it was} not to themselves, but to us that they ministered these things; they knew that we, when the events arose, should have a more complete understanding of these oracles, than any who declared them had. Consider, then, how happy you are in that dispensation under which you now live, when those divine mysteries, which were only in a more obscure manner hinted at by the prophets, are most clearly and expressly declared to you, by those who have published the glad tidings of the gospel among you, by the evident authority and attestation, as well as by the assistances, of the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven with such visible glory, and testifying his continued residence amongst us by such wonderful effects. And indeed the doctrines which they preach are things of so great excellence and importance, as to be well worthy the regard of angels, as well as men; and, accordingly, (as the images of the cherubim on the mercy-seat seemed to bow down, to look upon the tables of the law laid upon in the ark,) so those celestial spirits do, from their heavenly abode, desire to bend down, to {contemplate} such glorious displays of divine wisdom and goodness, and attentively to survey those important scenes that are opening upon us here on earth; which is become so much more considerable than it would otherwise be, as it is honoured with being the theatre of such glorious events.”

The believers Peter spoke to had some advantages over the prophets before them. Things revealed had yet to be fulfilled. There was increased understanding as the promised Messiah fulfilled prophecies. Yet, the Christians Peter spoke to had less advantage than even we do. We have the written word of God from beginning to end. I pray each of us grows in our desire to look into the truths we have in God’s word, that we would be compelled to speak that truth, guided by the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God.

James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the [law] of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

I will end this study with Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:1-11 And working together [with Him,] we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain-- or He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU"; behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"-- giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, n beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, n the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; [regarded] as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.

We are His servants for His glory!

An Earnest Effort and Desire

Consider the lengths you will go to pursue an interest.

Peter, a fisherman turned follower of Jesus, wrote the epistle of 1 Peter to Christians he referred to as strangers – either having left the tradition of Jewish law or heathenism, they did not ‘belong’. Their home was no longer considered earthly but heavenly, so in this sense they were strangers and foreigners. They were driven from their countries, experienced opposition, and trials, and were tempted to return to their former beliefs. Certainly, this would avoid persecution.

However, these Christian converts were reminded of the grace which they possessed in Jesus Christ. Even in difficulties and afflictions, peace could be found because of their hope, because of God’s protection, because there was joy for the future, because of their proven faith. This was all for God’s glory, looking to the end goal which was the salvation of their souls. Peace was afforded to them amid trials on earth and promised through eternity.

In verses 10 and 11, the Apostle clarifies some facts regarding salvation, using the example of the prophets who had lived before them.

1Peter 1:10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that [would come] to you made careful search and inquiry,

The prophets had much less evidence than we have today. There is security in knowing that someone else has tried something before us and proclaimed it to be worthwhile. Picture a couple of children sitting at a table with their lunches. All are served a meal that is new to them. Everyone is hesitant to try it until someone else takes a taste. Then they are encouraged because one of their own says it is okay. Consider clinical trials for different treatments of disease. Decisions are based on the results of trials. There is value in someone having gone before you with proven results.

Verse 10 begins with the words, “Of which salvation” (KJV), or “As to this salvation” (NASB). The NIV translation says, “Concerning this salvation” which begins a clarification of what Peter is encouraging the believers to hold fast to – their faith, the salvation they already have, and the advantages of God’s grace in their lives. His reasoning is that the prophets, having less information, made careful examination of the revelations given to them, and were able to conclude that grace under the Messiah was superior to the law. God gives abundant grace to His children now and forever. In direct contrast to the Old Testament Law, which was based on works, grace is something freely given with no connection to being earned or deserved.

Apply It! It is good to examine what we believe. The Bible tells us the prophets made careful search and inquiry. They sought to understand the meaning of what they heard. Adam Clarke’s Commentary says, “they themselves did not know the time when these things were to take place, nor the people among and by whom He was to suffer … they therefore inquired accurately or earnestly, and searched diligently, inquiring of others who were then under the same inspiration, and carefully searching the writings of those who had, before their time, spoken of these things”.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Daniel 9:3 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek [Him by] prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'And you will seek Me and find [Me,] when you search for Me with all your heart.

Do you search to know more fully the meaning of your salvation?
Do you attempt to discover the truths in God’s word to understand the gift you have in Christ?

Pause for a moment and consider your own actions towards growing in your knowledge and love for God. When I initially wrote this, we were ten weeks into a ‘safer at home’ mandate to slow the spread of Covid 19. During that time, formal activities of fellowship and gathering had stopped. Online services and zoom meetings had become the norm and led to opportunities to continue to grow in the faith and pursuit of Christ. This is good and shouts out a loud praise for technology.

Yet, what if this technology were not available? Would your growth stagnate?

Are you solely dependent on others to move your walk forward?

The actions of enquiring <ekzeteo> and searching diligently <exereunao> demand personal attention.

‘Enquire’ in 1 Peter 1:10, means to search out, investigate, crave, demand, worship, to seek after carefully and diligently. To search diligently means to explore. I love this picture – searching to uncover something!

Matthew Henry’s Commentary says, “The words are strong and emphatic, alluding to miners, who dig to the bottom, and break through not only the earth, but the rock, to come to the ore.”

Along with the many opportunities to continue to grow and be held accountable, there are also unfortunate opportunities to withdraw and become complacent and discouraged. A genuine understanding of the grace and mercy shown through Jesus Christ and the hope we have for the future, does not coincide with complacency. Our faith is responsive to circumstances surrounding us, causing us to look even more intently at our purpose. If God has called you to His arms, there is no need for despair at any time.

Is your response through trials one of growth and perseverance?

Finish strong, press forward, and diligently search the Scriptures to grow in your faith of Jesus’ redemptive grace. Be convinced, not only by relying on others teaching, but by your own careful examination.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.

Psalm 63:1 (A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.) O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; my soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 119:2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all [their] heart.

1Peter 1:10-11 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that [would come] to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

The prophets made careful search and inquiry –

Seeking to know who (who would the promised Messiah be like, what would He act like?)

Seeking to know when these things would occur

When would the events leading up to this time take place? The prophets taught others of the coming Messiah and the salvation He would offer. Through the Spirit’s guidance, they were directed to truth.

The example we have is to be seeking to understand God more, focused on the future fulfillment of Christ’s church and His ultimate glory. We have the blessing of having the account of Jesus’ ministry on earth, of His death and resurrection, of the preaching of the Gospel going forth, and of the history of the church being established. Jesus will return and He will establish His eternal Kingdom.

Look closely at what it means to seek something. It takes effort, an earnest desire to attempt to gain knowledge or reach a goal. Consider the lengths you will go to pursue an interest you have. Time, energy, resources, focus, planning, and thought are poured into those things that matter to us. It also takes diligence and commitment. If I am committed to feeding my body each day yet lack the commitment to feed my soul, what does this say about my priorities or what is most important to me?

What occupies most of your time? Are you intent on growing in your understanding and knowledge of your Savior?

As mentioned earlier, we have the great advantage of God’s completed written word. Jesus Christ has come as foretold, He suffered, died, and ascended into heaven. We are now looking towards His future return and eternal kingdom. Read the following account of Jesus’ ascension into heaven and the foretelling of His future return.

Acts 1:9-11 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

The Old Testament saints were anticipating the coming of their Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

We anticipate His return. Christ will come again.

Revelation 1:7-8 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

We have information – the certain prediction of Jesus coming back to earth, of setting up His kingdom, which if you are saved, you will be a part. Peter was able to write of the hope of our salvation because men were willing to speak about it.

Do others know what you believe?

The Promise for Your Future

The result of faith in Jesus Christ through God’s grace is the salvation of your soul.

1Peter 1:9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

We have a living hope, an inheritance in heaven, the protection of God’s power, opportunities to prove our faith, and a love for God that is able to produce joy in all circumstances.

Do you set goals? Most of us look ahead and plan for the next steps in our life. From the moment a child is born, each new achievement is celebrated – the first smile, the first time rolling over and sitting up, the first steps, the first tooth, and the first words. Then learning and formal education is encouraged as each level in school is passed. We plan for the future, thinking ahead to careers, relationships, family, and retirement.

We even hedge our plans with insurance. However, no matter how comprehensive your insurance policies are, they cannot stop something from happening. Insurance only helps when things do occur. For instance, fire insurance will never produce the security that you will not have a fire, instead it will replace items lost to the fire. Health insurance will not prevent you from getting an illness, it will help pay the cost of your care. We could go on and on with this same scenario. The point is, our plans and all we do to protect those plans, have limits. This is all fine for our time on earth, but do we look ahead to eternity? Do you have true life insurance? Not the kind that provides a benefit to those you leave behind, but the insurance that promises your eternal dwelling in heaven.

What insurance do you have for your soul?
What is your eternal goal?

These questions are more important than anything else we can address in our lives. 1 Peter 1:9 speaks about the outcome of our faith. God gives us a defined result of faith, a conclusion of our trust and belief in Him when we die. Eternal life insurance is a one-time purchase only by the blood of Jesus. It is free to those who choose to receive it.

Consider this scenario. A poor man dies leaving nothing to his relatives. No insurance policies, no inheritance, nothing of physical value. As an observer at his memorial service, a friend notices the chatter is one of sadness and sorrow for this individual who had nothing and left nothing. In the muffled quietness, this friend clears his throat and announces that their acquaintance who has died, was not poor at all. Astonished, the crowd stops talking as silence and hope fills the room, and undivided attention is given to the speaker. He looks around the room making eye contact with those who are most distraught and announces that there is no reason to despair, their loved one had riches too numerous to count. At this point you can hear a pin drop. Now everyone’s eyes are on the speaker, their complete attention is given to him as they excitedly wait to hear what they might have inherited. The speaker shares the Gospel, unfolding the meaning of God’s grace to each individual and how, by accepting the gift of His Son, they too could receive riches beyond compare. The reaction is disappointment as one by one the crowd disperses with heads hung low. Their original thoughts fill their minds of how sad it was that someone they knew died so poor. Let me ask you, who is truly poor? The gentleman who died into the arms of Jesus, or the crowd who did not recognize the true riches that were freely offered?

1Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

Ro 6:22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

What will be the result of your faith?

Are you more concerned about physical riches or spiritual riches – what gets the most investment? Do you give more attention to your personal portfolio or the perfecting of your faith?

As God’s child, there is great cause for rejoicing. Your soul, that part of you which will continue on through eternity, is secure. Salvation is the object and result of faith. 1 Peter 1:9 addresses the assurance a believer has for their eternal life with Christ.

“Receiving--in sure anticipation; "the end of your faith," that is, its crowning consummation, finally completed "salvation". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

“Receiving with unspeakable delight, as a full equivalent of all your trials, the great end of your faith, {even} the complete salvation of {your} souls; a prize of infinitely greater importance than all you can be called to sacrifice for its sake!” Philip Doddridge N.T.

In every challenge and difficult circumstance, we can either focus on what we believe should be different or what we think we have missed out on, or we can focus on what we know is promised for our future. The outcome of these choices is opposite to one another. The first will produce unrest and despair and tempt us to do things the way we want. The second will produce peace and hope and remind us to act in a manner that befits God’s children, always keeping our eyes on the prize.

We have become used to instant gratification. We want results now and waiting for them has become a lost practice. We need to look to the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls, this is our focus. We are working towards the final goal of our salvation, eternal life in heaven with Jesus. Until then we are to represent Christ well, as His children, even through difficulties.

Think upon the years you persevered in your education, sacrificing sleep in order to study. Your eyes were on that final diploma. Consider the years spent in a career. The benefits of longevity are realized at the end. Many of us can look at the energy, time and sacrifice it took to raise children. The hopeful reward is their maturing to adulthood and for some of us, grandchildren. How invested are you in your eternal future? Are you persevering to the end?

1Peter 1:15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior;

Because of God’s grace and continued work in our lives, we are able to combat our weakness toward sin and live pleasing to Him. May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure because your faith is based on the Cross of Christ.

Birthday Blessings

Thank you God for the celebration last Saturday of a grandson soon to be born! Thank you God for allowing me to witness my first grandchild be baptized by her dad, my first-born son. Thank you God for giving me 63 years of life and 34 years of living for You! I can think of nothing better than to share the Truth in love in the hope that we will celebrate together one glorious day in Heaven. I am –

Saved by GRACE …

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Because of God’s kindness and compassion, I am saved. I am completely undeserving of God’s grace and nothing I have done could earn or add to this incredible gift!

Through FAITH …

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of [things] hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

John 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Because of God’s kindness and compassion, I am able to trust in His Son and claim the gift of salvation He offers!

In CHRIST ALONE …

Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

1Titus 2:5 For there is one God, [and] one mediator also between God and men, [the] man Christ Jesus,

John 20:31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

This is incredible and the most amazing gift ever! Thank you Jesus for saving me through Your act of mercy.

Inexpressible Joy

By faith we love who He is, what He has done. We rejoice in the truths we know. The love we have for God is incomparable to any love we might experience in our human relationships. It is perfect and secure.

We have been saved to obedience. In Christ, we have grace, peace, mercy, a living hope, an inheritance, and protection. Because of these truths we can rejoice through trials. Through trials we have opportunities for our faith to be proven. We have a faith more precious than gold, a faith which will result in glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 1:8, we will see that this understanding and knowledge of our faith produces joy.

“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.

Because –

Joy is found in faith (v.8)

1Peter 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

You have not seen Him
You love Him
You believe in Him
You greatly rejoice

What is faith?

John 20:29 Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed [are] they who did not see, and [yet] believed."

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of [things] hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Faith is commanded. 1 John 3:23

Faith is believing in something or someone without seeing. Believing is more than hoping or thinking. It is confident expectation. Read the beginning of 1 Peter 1:8 again, “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him”, these words define faith in Christ. Peter was writing to those who had not seen Christ in the flesh. Yet, they “loved Him as strongly as any of His disciples could, to whom He was personally known”, (quote from Adam Clarke’s Commentary).

Read of the faith of Abraham in Romans 4:18-21.

As a true believer, the faith you have in Jesus is the same faith exercised by those thousands of years ago. It is the same faith as those who had walked and talked with Him. Saving faith places full trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. There is room for no one else and nothing else. It is not the compilation of trusting and believing in many entities and hoping one of them is right; it is the single conviction of Jesus as Lord and Savior. This faith is directly a work of God on the heart, it is unexplained and only given by the power and choice of God. Those who have it rejoice in its truth.

1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

What does it mean to love God?

Matthew 10:37; Matthew 25:35-40; John 8:42; John 14:15,21; 1 Corinthians 16:22

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary gives this insight – “Faith is the subsistence of things hoped for … the demonstration of things not seen … substance becomes a foundation for another thing to stand on … such are the effects of justifying faith: on it subsists the peace of God which passeth all understanding”,

2Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight—

What does it mean to hope for something?

According to WordWeb, hope is the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled. Hope for the future is certain when placed at the cross of Christ. “Things hoped for are the peace and approbation of God, and those blessings by which the soul is prepared for the kingdom of heaven. A penitent hopes for the pardon of his sins and the favour of his God; faith in Christ puts him in possession of this pardon, and thus the thing that was hoped for is enjoyed by faith. When this is received, a man has the fullest conviction of the truth and reality of all these blessings though unseen by the eye, they are felt by the heart, and the man has no more doubt of God’s approbation and his own free pardon, than he has of his being”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

We have an absolute hope, a certain hope – this is what it means to believe. Like you and I, the Christians to whom Peter was writing had never seen Jesus. Yet by faith they were able to believe. The foundation of our faith is the same, Christ is unchanging, His work on the cross is for all who believe. Verse 8 says “though you have not seen Him, you love Him”. Consider the ability to love what we have not seen with our eyes. The first thing that comes to my mind is loving a child you have not seen. We experience a heartfelt love for the children we carry. When I found out my grown children were expecting babies, there was an immediate love in my heart for my grandchildren though yet unseen. Barnes’ Notes says these scattered Christians “had heard of His character, His preaching, His sacrifice for sin, and His resurrection and ascension, and they had learned to love Him”.

We have a true, historical, and clear account of our Savior’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, in God’s word. By faith we love who He is, what He has done. We rejoice in the truths we know. The love we have for God is incomparable to any love we might experience in our human relationships. It is perfect and secure. Consider what God has done for you!

He sent His only Son to redeem your soul from eternal damnation.
He is preparing heaven for His children whom He will one day gather to Himself.
He provides protection, guidance, strength, encouragement, hope, and purpose on earth.
He constantly pours blessings upon His children, even though they are undeserving, and even amidst their failures.

What is the result of grace which leads to faith in Christ?

You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

To greatly rejoice literally means to jump for joy! It means to be exceedingly glad, to be exultant. It is joy based upon the triumph of Christ’s resurrection and power over sin and death. This joy is so much more than happiness. It is rejoicing in the knowledge of who Christ is and the future that awaits those who believe. The result of true saving faith is joy; a joy that will manifest itself even in the most difficult and trying times.

Psalm 5:11

Has your faith led you to grow in your love for God and His commandments?
Does your faith lead you to obedience and service?
Have you placed your soul trust in Christ alone, fully dependent on Him for your salvation?

Thomas Scott’s Commentary says this of ‘joy inexpressible’, “they derived a joy which was so excellent, holy, substantial, and satisfactory, that it could not be expressed by words … and they shared this joy in proportion to the degree of their living faith and obedient love; whilst they delighted in the salvation which was wrought by Him, and in their enrapturing discoveries of the glory of God, harmoniously anticipating the everlasting felicity of all believers in Christ … This faith, love, and joy, … formed the distinguishing character, of real Christians … amidst their trials and conflicts”.

Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Read Mary’s words upon believing and trusting in God’s plan, “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior”, Luke 1:47

Is it your practice to rejoice in God?
Are you resolved to place your confidence in His promises?

It is possible to find joy no matter the circumstances. Joy, when is based on the truths of what we know, does not fluctuate. The conditions of our lives might seem to change frequently and feel a bit unstable. However, the promises of God’s word are unchanging.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, [Though] the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. (when Judah was about to be invaded by the Chaldeans and injustice reigned upon the Jews)

1 Peter 4:12-13; Acts 16:23-25

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Does the reflection of God’s grace in your life manifest itself in joy?
Does your joy bring honor to God’s name, does it magnify His glory?

Joy is found in what we know to be true yet cannot see. It comes from the heart rather than only being a reaction to outside circumstances. Read 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. True faith will produce action. It is different than just believing a pool will hold water or an airplane will fly. It is believing in the one true God who is able to do all things, even that which seems impossible in our eyes. It is believing in the majesty and power of God, trusting in His word and His plan. May God’s influence in your heart and the reflection of His love in your life abound. May quietness and joy surround your soul as you rest secure in His truths.

We love God, we believe in God, and we rejoice in His plan – all because of Him.

Ephesians 1:13-14

Proven Faith

There is a difference between simply acknowledging facts versus trusting in them to be true. The first is intellectual assent, the second is heart embraced.

Peter, self-described as an apostle of Jesus Christ, addressed this letter to those who were chosen by God. Peter reminds these Christians they have been saved for a reason – to live in obedience to Christ. They are referred to as aliens, not belonging to this world, but rather having their sights on their eternal home in heaven. Christ’s redemptive work in their lives afforded an abundance of peace even in the midst of a harsh and chaotic world.

The Apostle offered hope to these dispersed Christians in 1 Peter 1:2b, “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure”. He then proceeded to list the reasons why they could have grace and peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Because they have a living hope (v.3)
Because they have an inheritance in heaven (v.4)
Because they are protected by God’s power (v.5)
Because they can rejoice in trials as they focus on the truths he has previously shared.

Peter goes on to explain the reason and benefits of trials. Understanding the purpose of trials causes believers to have joy, not because of hardships, but because of their lasting result. Therefore, joy is experienced through trials because …

Trials prove our faith (v.7)

The blessings of being born again, of our hope because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the certainty of our heavenly home, and the protection of God’s power to sustain us for salvation, are reasons we can be joyful. Even in the midst of trials and sorrow, nothing is able to touch our glorious future. There is more – trials prove our faith and the proof of our faith is valuable. In fact, the proof of our faith is desirable, something we should want. We do not glory in the difficulty but rejoice in the result.

Is your faith real?

You may think this question has an obvious answer. Yet consider these thoughts.

In order to be real, there must be actual facts that verify the existence of your faith. Words are simply not enough.
Having real faith means you are worthy of bearing the name of Christian – a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ.
Being real, means you do not take your relationship with Christ lightly – it is of utmost importance, permeating all aspects of your life.
Real faith is capable of being treated as fact. In other words, what supports your claim of faith in Christ in your own life? Consider your words, thoughts, actions, purpose.
Genuine faith will produce a character of faith with your desires and motivation focused on pleasing God.
Real faith is literal and will be reflected in the character of one who follows Christ

A faith that is not real will be lacking in its genuineness. It will not correspond to truths in God’s word. There is a difference between simply acknowledging facts versus trusting in them to be true. The first is intellectual assent, the second is heart embraced. Let us look a bit closer at these two possibilities.

Intellectual assent uses the rational mind to decide if something might work or might be true. It involves fact gathering and a conclusion based upon those facts. There is no heart response or life-changing revelation. Intellectual assent is merely the acknowledgement of information to be true. Only knowing who God is will not save you. Man can think so highly of his intellect and reasoning that it becomes difficult to recognize his need of a Savior.

True faith is placing your complete trust in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, claiming His sacrifice as your key to heaven. The word faith <pistis> is explained as the moral conviction and reliance upon Christ for salvation. It is the assurance that what God says is true. Therefore, sincere faith involves a confidence in the truth of God’s word. This is only possible through God’s grace working in the lives of His children.

The proof of our faith is more precious than gold. The KJV says it is much more precious than gold. Adam Clarke’s Commentary gives us a clearer understanding of the properties of gold. “Gold is defined by chemists to be the most perfect, the most ductile, the most tenacious, and the most unchangeable of all metals… When exposed to the action of the fire it becomes red hot before it melts, but in melting suffers no alteration; but if a strong heat be applied while in fusion, it becomes of a beautiful green color. The continual action of any furnace, howsoever long applied, has no effect on any of its properties… Gold is so very tenacious that a piece of it drawn into wire, one-tenth of an inch in diameter, will sustain a weight of 500lbs. without breaking”.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

When we seek to glean a small understanding of gold being refined by fire in order to purify it, we can begin to understand the necessity of trials in our lives. In addition, when we understand the reason for trials, our response is thankfulness and peace for the work God is performing in strengthening our faith. Revisit the beginning of this section of scripture. 1 Peter 1:2b May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure. God’s work in your heart, the reflection of His love in your life, a heart of gratitude in understanding the gift of your salvation, and the quietness in your heart that stems from a secure future no matter the turmoil around you, are the hallmarks of a soul that fully relies upon God. This is the precious proof of your faith. Your faith will be tested in one form or another.

Will it be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ?

Job 23:10 "But He knows the way I take; [When] He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

2Thessalonians 1:11-12 To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Check the genuineness of your faith. Is it mixed with imposters of pride, selfishness, or worldliness? Is it something kept for ‘emergencies’? Is your faith used only as a security blanket?
What is your reaction to trials? Do you persevere in serving God? Do you complain? Do you think “poor me”, desiring others’ attention and pity?
Does your faith sustain your joy in all circumstances?

Read Matthew Poole’s Commentary of 1 Peter 1:7, “He compares the faith of the saints with gold, and argues from the less to the greater … If men do so far esteem their gold, that they will make the excellency and preciousness of it appear by trying it in the fire, which purgeth away the dross, and discovers the goodness of the metal; no wonder if God will have the faith of the saints (more precious to him than gold is to men) tried by afflictions, that the excellency of it may more fully be discovered”.

1Peter 1:13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit,] fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

We cannot miss the encouraging words of Jesus’ return. The desire is that our faith, having been tested for its genuineness, will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 25:31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.

Acts 1:11 and they also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

Heat is applied to gold to rid it of its impurities. Only what is valuable is left after being in the furnace. Yet even pure gold will eventually be worn away. I have a few gold rings, a few more than 100 years old, that belonged to past relatives. You can easily tell which ones were worn constantly because the gold bands have become very thin as they have eroded with time. In contrast, as genuine faith is worn and tested by trials, it only becomes stronger.

1Corinthians 15:57-58 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not [in] vain in the Lord.

2Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

“His intention in all is most kind and gracious, namely, that the little trial of your faith, which is far more precious and valuable than that of gold which perishes, and wears out in time, though it be tried with fire, and purified to the highest degree; may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the great day of the revelation of Jesus Christ, the divine Author and Finisher of our faith, who having himself endured yet sorer trials, will rejoice to applaud and reward the fidelity of his servants in his cause.” Philip Doddridge N.T.

Rejoicing through Trials

There is no rejoicing because of difficult circumstances however, God’s children can continue to rejoice in and through trials because of their future and the certain hope they have in Christ.

“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.

Because –

Even when things are difficult, we can rejoice (v.6)

1Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

There is no rejoicing because of difficult circumstances however, God’s children can continue to rejoice in and through trials because of their future and the certain hope they have in Christ. Those who are chosen are able to rejoice in the grace and peace of Christ given to them, because of His mercy (v.3), because of their inheritance reserved in heaven (v.4), because they are protected by His power for salvation (v.5).

The foundation for rejoicing through trials has been laid out for us in the previous verses. Notice the adjective attached to rejoice in verse six – greatly. This is more than just accepting difficult circumstances; it is moving through them, exceedingly joyful for the future, with absolute knowledge that in the end all is well with our soul. Consider the account of Horatio Spafford. He survived the great Chicago Fire of 1871 in which he lost most of his real estate investment. Then in 1873, he planned to join his wife and four daughters on a transatlantic cruise after he finished some business. He sent them on their way, and later received tragic news that all four of his children had drowned when the ocean liner was in a freak collision with an iron tanker. Later, approaching the scene of the wreckage, he penned the hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul, (Wikipedia).

Is your soul well, filled with joy, because of God’s promises?

In comparison to all eternity, our difficult circumstances are for a little while. The KJV translates this phrase to the word season. It literally means puny. Our trials may seem lengthy and overwhelming, but this is because our context is wrong. We tend to look at things in the sense of time according to what we understand. We also might look to the pleasures we are given on earth as the fulfillment of our joy. In both scenarios, our focus is shortsighted.

Is it possible we place too much significance on our circumstances here rather than our purpose for God’s future kingdom?

Days, weeks, months, years, and decades are the means by which we measure our existence. Yet our soul is eternal, lasting forever with Christ. Our calendar, compared with eternity, pales in its significance. As a visual, take a sheet of paper and mark a point with the sharp tip of a pencil. That point is our time on earth. We can use this same exercise in comparing our suffering with that of our Redeemer. Although our difficulties may be heart-wrenching and filled with extreme sorrow, they are nothing compared to Jesus’ rejection and crucifixion.

Peace In My Soul

Ours is not only a hopeful faith, it is a certain faith wrought by God’s own power.

God’s children are protected by the power of God. When we really take the time to consider what this means, an ensuing peace surrounds our very soul no matter the circumstances. We are kept, we are watched, and we are guarded by God’s power!

1 Peter 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

God’s power is miraculous in its ability, abundance, intent, strength, and wonder. There is nothing comparable to God’s power. In the previous post we addressed the truths that God’s word is able, it is abundant, and it is intentional. Part 3 will address the strength of God’s power and the wonder of God’s power, and what it means to be protected by God’s power through faith for salvation.

God’s power is miraculous in its strength - it simply has no match in strength. God has the power to save and the power to forgive sins. He has power over nature and the power to uphold all things by His word. Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a list of details how God manifested His power through those who believed in Him.

Hebrews 11:33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed [acts of] righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Psalm 93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. KJV

Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave [the guilty] unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

Is anyone or anything able to disrupt God’s power?

God’s power is miraculous in its wonder - it is full of wonder. Consider His miraculous creation. Consider His marvelous works.

Exodus 15:11 "Who is like Thee among the gods, O LORD? Who is like Thee, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?

Psalm 77:14 Thou art the God who workest wonders; Thou hast made known Thy strength among the peoples.

Daniel 4:3 "How great are His signs, and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.

There is nothing more beautiful and amazing than God!

We are protected by the power of God through faith.

What does it mean to have faith?

Faith is the persuasion, acceptance, and moral conviction of the truthfulness of God. It is reliance upon Christ alone for salvation. It is believing without a doubt the Gospel; it is absolute assurance in God’s promises, it produces unwavering confidence in God.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of [things] hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith in a believer’s heart is bestowed through God’s grace, (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved by grace through faith and we can have confidence that God will keep us in His care.

Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary says God “does not keep us by the mere exertion of power, but He excites faith in our hearts, and makes that the means of keeping us. As long as we have faith in God, and in His promises, we are safe”.

Ours is not only a hopeful faith, it is a certain faith wrought by God’s own power.

For what are we protected?

A salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This is our final and ultimate rescue and deliverance. The Teacher’s Commentary states we will see complete victory over the fight in our flesh toward sin and we will witness complete deliverance from trials, persecution, and sorrow.

The word euphoria comes to mind. Great elation and joy in the fulfillment of God’s promise to His children in His eternal kingdom, not for our pleasure but for His praise.

John 10:28-29 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand.

This is incredible, this is our hope, and this is Truth. If you follow Christ, you are secured by His power through faith for salvation.

Are you holding fast to the confidence you have in Christ?
During this time of uncertainty, how is your faith being manifested in your thoughts, actions, and words?

“Who are, by the mighty power of God, through the means of their faith wrought in them by the Spirit of God, kept to the full obtaining and fruition of that salvation, which, having been purchased and revealed by Christ, is ready to be consummated in these last days of the world”, Hall’s Explication of Hard Texts.

God will protect those who are His; He will preserve and guard them for Christ’s return. Philippians 1:6 [For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Read this summary found in Philip Doddridge’s N.T. Commentary, “Who, though now surrounded with many apparent dangers, are not left defenseless, but are guarded as in a strong and impregnable garrison, by the almighty power of God, through the continued exercise of that faith which this almighty power wrought in your hearts; and he will still maintain it unto that blessed hour when you shall receive the complete and eternal salvation which is already prepared, and though now kept as under a veil, is to be revealed in its full radiance of glory, in the last time, the grand period, in which all the mysteries of divine Providence shall beautifully terminate.

Amen.

God’s Power – A Closer Look

God’s power is given with knowledge; it is deliberate and is performed with a specific intent, His perfect plan.

God’s children are protected by the power of God. His power is miraculous in its ability, abundance, intent, strength, and wonder. There is nothing comparable to God’s power.

God’s power is miraculous in its ability - it is able to accomplish anything. If we understand and believe this, there is never a reason to lose hope. What might seem impossible to us is never beyond the ability of God.

Matthew 19:26 And looking upon [them] Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Luke 18:27 But He said, "The things impossible with men are possible with God.

Do you believe God can do anything?
Do your thinking and actions back up your answer?

God’s power is miraculous in its abundance - it is always more than enough. We might be able to muscle our way through some difficulty barely making it ‘by the skin of our teeth’. God’s power is ample, given in quantities that never run out and never fall short. When relying upon God’s power, we do not need to wonder if we will be able to accomplish His will.

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

Who or what is the source of your endurance?

God’s power is miraculous in its intent - it is intentional. God’s power is characterized by purpose. Picture the common fairytale with a wand yielded by an imaginary character. The wand is pointed and sometimes the results are what was desired; sometimes the results are a bit of a surprise. This is haphazard power at best. God’s power is given with knowledge; it is deliberate and is performed with a specific intent, His perfect plan. God will not look back at history and wish he had made a different decision. There is no error in His intention. He guides us and gives complete attention to the plan He has for us. God never loses sight of the goal – our forever union with Him in His heavens. He is intentionally preparing His children for Himself.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose.

2Tmothy 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with [me] in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

How does knowing that God has a purposed plan for you affect your reaction to circumstances?

God’s Power

We are kept, we are watched, we are guarded – in every which way. We are watched in advance and we are guarded from all directions.

“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.

Because –

We are protected by God’s power (v.5)

1Peter 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Who is who? The chosen, those called according to the foreknowledge of God, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, according to His mercy by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord – meaning you live according to His word, and Savior – meaning you recognize your need of Christ’s death on the cross to pay for your sins, then you are not able to claim the security of God’s protection. A personal relationship with Jesus is available to all yet is exclusive to those who humbly accept His grace.

What does it mean to be protected?

We are kept, we are watched, we are guarded – in every which way. We are watched in advance and we are guarded from all directions. When looking to God for protection, we will not be overcome by anything that threatens us. Whatever our difficulties, afflictions, or sorrows, we are absolutely secure in God. Picture a castle defense with turrets looking out to all directions. God’s protection is continuous, not only a defense when danger is seen but born from knowledge of all things that are to come.

To have protection in the world usually means we are kept from harm or shielded from danger. We use physical items to protect us – coverings, weapons, and barriers. We may use intelligence and strategy to protect ourselves. However, none of these things are exact. Consider how well you are able to protect someone you love. Even with your best efforts, there is absolutely no guarantee you can keep harm from those in your care. I can recount several times my children got hurt, either physically or by unkind words or actions of others. Bumps, bruises, stitches, broken bones, and broken hearts are part of living in a sinful world. However, nothing is able to change our standing in Christ and no one can harm the eternal salvation He has granted His children. Our salvation is fully protected, Christ has secured it through His death and resurrection.

God’s children are protected by the power of God. His power is miraculous in its ability, abundance, intent, strength, and wonder. There is nothing comparable to God’s power.

Inheritance

Everything on this earth is in a state of decline or decomposition. Take a quick glance at your skin compared to several years ago and you will notice it is aging. Our lives on earth are a slight blip of time in the context of eternity.

We are continuing to look at the inheritance we have in Christ described for us in 1 Peter 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to [obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you”. Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, meaning it continues, it will not decay, it is incorruptible.

Can you think of any earthly thing that is imperishable?

Even rocks wear away and memories fade. All earthly inheritance here will be parted with; our inheritance in heaven is eternal. Think of the words abiding and enduring, lasting forever. Our inheritance in Christ cannot be taken away once we are His. The word ‘imperishable’ or ‘incorruptible’ from Strong’s Greek Dictionary, aphthartos, is explained as undecaying in essence or continuance.

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him.

1Peter 1:23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, [that is,] through the living and abiding word of God.

John 10:27-29 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand.

Our inheritance is undefiled, meaning it is unsoiled or pure. If we look around us, it is easy to see how sin affects the world. In contrast, our inheritance in heaven is unaffected by sin in the world; sin has no place in heaven. Nothing impure can enter heaven. Read what John writes about heaven in a vision from God.

Revelation 21:27 and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Our inheritance is pure, unpolluted. On earth, it is possible to gain an inheritance dishonestly perhaps from changing records or wills or even taking someone to court. An inheritance in heaven cannot be stained by impure or dishonest motives. Those whom God calls are His, period. He will lose none of His own and He will not admit those who are not His own. No one will sneak into heaven or be able to fool themselves or God that they belong.

Leviticus Chapter 18 is an account of God speaking to Moses, warning the Israelites to live according to God’s laws and not follow after the abominations of those before them who had defiled the land with their sin.

Sin is not the rule or control of a believer’s life. God’s grace is sufficient to overcome the power of sin. God knows our individual weaknesses and our personal struggles with sin. Out of love, He provides what is needed for us to defeat it. When Paul felt weak and entreated God for help, he was reminded of God’s sufficiency, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Here on earth we have God’s power to be victorious over sin. His heavens are befitting of His glory – pure and without the stain of sin. God is holy, perfectly righteous. Take a moment to imagine the absence of sin – no wrong thoughts, no bad motives, no hurt feelings, nothing unjust, no physical pain or sorrow, no regret, no disappointment, no hurtful language, no bad decisions. Do you live in a way which shows thanks to God for the incredible promise of Heaven?

Our inheritance will not fade away. It is perpetual, everlasting.

1Peter 1:24 For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off.

Isaiah 40:7-8 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Think about the contrast between trusting in people and things upon the earth, with trusting in an eternal God and heaven.

Something that fades away becomes less and less with time, exposure, or use. Yet, Heaven cannot become less than it is. Its value will always remain perfect. Albert Barnes NT Commentary says, “This denotes perpetuity in the sense that everything there will be kept in its original brightness and beauty”. Perhaps, think ‘Garden of Eden’ untouched by sin.

Our inheritance is reserved in heaven. This is our hope, the gospel (Col 1:5); a crown of righteousness (2 Ti 4:8); victory (Isa 54:17); a place with those who are sanctified by faith (Ac 26:18); in the presence of God forever (Rev 22:3-5).

What is the expectation when you have made a reservation or an appointment?

2Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Consider this – you have a reservation – your name written in Christ’s blood – to claim your inheritance in heaven. It cannot be cancelled, even due to dire circumstances. No weather phenomena or world-wide pandemic will change the reservation God has made for you in heaven. It is stamped on your heart and in your soul, nothing will affect God’s claim on you. He is keeping His eye upon you. God holds fast to His own. God has appointed us as His children for His heaven. We do not possess heaven while on this earth, but it is secured for our future.

Within the last year and a half, security in the world seems to have been uprooted. We have been in a health crisis and along with that we have experienced a financial crisis, government upheaval and authority has been dismantled. People have lost jobs, homes, health, identity, and the purpose they have sought in earthly things. Circumstances have begun to improve, however, crisis of some sort will return again. This is opposite of our hope in heaven, it is fixed and abiding still. God’s children and their inheritance are kept safe by His power (1 Peter 1:5).

Our heavenly inheritance is, “In substance incorruptible; in purity undefiled; in beauty unfading”, (from Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary).

What is the object of your hope?
What is your destiny?

Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

1Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Philip Doddridge says this of 1 Peter 1:4, “And by whom we are brought to the cheerful and confident expectation of an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, which nothing can spoil, which nothing can pollute, and which is incapable of any internal decay, as well as external violence. This inheritance is reserved in the heavens for you and for all true believers”.

Ephesians 1:18 [I pray that] the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Psalm 31:19 How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men!

Paul and Timothy address their faithful brothers and sisters in Christ with this reminder of their hope, “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel”, Colossians 1:5.

Let’s keep our focus Heavenward. “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied”, 1 Corinthians 15:19.

Freedom Forever

Memorial Day – traditionally an American holiday honoring those who died in service to our country. It was first called Decoration Day because people placed flowers on the graves of those who gave their lives as the ultimate sacrifice. This has given way to small American flags marking the grave of each fallen soldier.

Memorial Day is about freedom. Freedom comes with a cost. Sacrifice is involved, a willingness to put others before self, to give all for love of country. We are blessed to live in the United States of America. We still have the freedom to worship God openly, to gather together, to own and read a Bible, to speak and write of our Savior. Today, we celebrate the freedom we have in this country. Praise God for this freedom because of those who were willing to die.

However, there is an even greater freedom available – freedom from the power and penalty of sin – the power of sin to control us and the penalty of sin which separates us from God now and forever. God sent His only Son Jesus to battle the enemy and He did so victoriously yet at the ultimate cost. Perfect yet choosing to suffer, Jesus conquered sin and death to set us free. There is no greater love.

Praise God for the freedom we have from the power of sin because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Might we lose freedoms on earth? Perhaps, someday. However, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your eternal freedom is secure.

Yesterday, we paid tribute to the fallen heroes who gave all so that we might live free on earth. Today and every day, let us give honor and glory to God for the sacrifice of His Son so that we might live forever with Him.

Colossians 1:13-14 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

This is freedom.

Certainty

The inheritance of eternal life with God is sure; it is not fleeting, cannot be used up, and cannot be given away.

In review of 1 Peter 1:1-3, the Christians Peter wrote to were being prosecuted, had been displaced, and felt as strangers in the area which used to be their ‘home’. They met with opposition, trouble, and affliction because of their beliefs.

Peter reminds them they have been saved for a purpose, chosen to live in holiness and obedience. So, it is no surprise that they feel like they do not belong – they are to be different from the world. God is the one working on their hearts and He will give them peace through all difficulty.

Do you think and act different than the world?

Even though most of us will not experience persecution because of our faith, we hopefully do feel as if we do not belong. The reminder that we have been saved for God’s purpose and that He is working in our lives for His pleasure and honor, can give us peace in all circumstances even extreme difficulties – God is in control!

We have a living hope – a certain expectation of eternal life. This reality helps to keep our time on earth in a right perspective. We deserve nothing yet God has chosen to show us great mercy and compassion. He extended His love to us through the death and resurrection of His Son.

These truths should compel us to action. We are to live in praise and gratitude for the gift of our salvation. Our redeemed lives, every blessing that we see as good and even the life circumstances we do not understand, are to be offerings to God for His glory. Read the example given in 1 Chronicles 29:9-16 as David consecrated the building of the temple.

“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly. So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O LORD, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all. "Both riches and honor [come] from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. "Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. "But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from Thee, and from Thy hand we have given Thee. "For we are sojourners before Thee, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build Thee a house for Thy holy name, it is from Thy hand, and all is Thine”.”

What is your reaction to difficult circumstances?

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.

Because –

We have an inheritance imperishable and undefiled that will not fade away, in heaven.

1Peter 1:4 to [obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

When you consider receiving an inheritance, what do you think of? It is the property received by an heir. It can be money, land, jewelry, stocks, and other possessions that once belonged to another individual, most often a parent or family member. The story of the Prodigal son in Luke chapter 15 gives us a picture of inheritance. It is not the main point of the story, yet it is a clear picture of the fleeting value of an earthly inheritance.

What is the result of many promises given on earth by men?

Heaven is promised to God’s children by God who is perfect!

Ephesians 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

The inheritance of eternal life with God is sure; it is not fleeting, cannot be used up, and cannot even be given away. This is the one and only possession that we can claim with certainty now and forever, all because of God’s great love.

1 Peter 1:3 tells us God caused us to be born again to a living hope. What is that hope? 1 Peter 1:4 says it is our inheritance in heaven. This inheritance is available to us through the resurrection of Jesus. This inheritance speaks of our relationship with the Father. We are His heirs because of His choosing. We are accepted in His family through Christ, adopted as His own.

If you had something of great value, would you simply choose an unknown name to write in your will?

Romans 8:15-17 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him] in order that we may also be glorified with [Him.]

We will continue to explore the meaning of our inheritance in succeeding posts.

Happy Mother’s Day

Mothering is serious business.

2Timothy 1:5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that [it is] in you as well.

I am reminded of the incredible blessing it is to have the opportunity to invest in your children by example. Paul, in describing Timothy’s genuine faith, recounts the teaching Timothy received from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice.

Whether you come from a Christian home where the fear of God was taught, or a sincere faith has begun within your own family, it is by God’s grace and design. I pray you have special women in your life who have invested their love for God in you.

I am so thankful for the number of wonderful examples; the many beautiful ‘Moms’ in my life! The need for constant daily care in young ones, changes to daily prayer as children grow and mature, and begin raising families of their own. The nurturing of a mother is incredibly valuable at all stages.

Thank you Lord, for Mothers! Thank you for the blessing of children which changed our own names to Mom. I pray you are honored in our care for the precious gifts of life you have entrusted to us, that they too will be recognized as having a sincere faith in Christ Jesus.

3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

1 Peter 1:3

Our redeemed lives, every blessing that we see as good and even the life circumstances we do not understand, are to be offerings to God for His glory.

Do you think and act different than the world?

Hopefully, you feel as if you do not belong. Our lives are not about here, they are about heaven. We have been saved for God’s purpose and He is working all things for His pleasure and honor. This truth gives us peace in all circumstances, even in extreme difficulties, because God is in control!

1Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

Are you compelled to action? We are to live in praise and gratitude for the gift of our salvation. Our redeemed lives, every blessing that we see as good and even the life circumstances we do not understand, are to be offerings to God for His glory. Read the example of praise given in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, as David consecrated the building of the temple.

“So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O LORD, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all. "Both riches and honor [come] from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. "Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name”.”

I pray that today your life is a sweet representation of the hope you have in Christ.

Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”.

Pointing Towards God

God’s care and providence are highlighted throughout the book of Ruth. As we sincerely follow God, He will care for us and guide us along a path that will honor His name.

Ruth 4:14-22

The last verses in this book are compiled of the blessings given to Naomi upon her family’s restoration, and the genealogy of Ruth and Boaz’s first son, Obed. In verses 14 and 15, we read an account of the women in Naomi’s life rejoicing with her for God’s blessings.

Ruth 4:14-15 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. "May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."

This response is similar to when Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist in Luke 1:58, “And her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her”.

Notice in both these instances, rejoicing is a result of recognizing the goodness of God, “Blessed is the Lord” and “the Lord had displayed His great mercy”. There is no attribution to any deserved conclusion from a person’s actions, for instance ‘look at what I have done’, only glory to God for His mercy and kindness.

Psalm 34:1-3; Psalm 103:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

How is this different from many reactions we might see today of ‘good’ results?
In your own life, do you attribute blessing to God or do you act as though you deserve His favor?

We may often hear words of encouragement that sound like, ‘you worked hard’, or ‘you deserve this’. While these statements might hold some credence, the real fact is all good things come from God’s hand. The women involved in Naomi’s life encouraged her. There are several scriptures that affirm our support of one another through both the pleasant and difficult circumstances of life.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

1Corinthians 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

What does it look like to rejoice in the blessing of others?
How might you be able to sorrow with another?

Blessings were given to Boaz upon acquisition of Elimelech’s land and Boaz’s marriage to Ruth. Ruth had been on quite a journey. Roughly fifteen years earlier, the thought of all that had happened to her would have been inconceivable. Her marriage to Mahlon from the land of Bethlehem, his early death, her faithful relationship with her mother-in-law, her conversion to the Jewish religion, leaving the land of her birth and traveling to the hometown of her husband’s family, her acceptance into a foreign culture and working as a poor widow in the fields, meeting Boaz, trusting the advice of Naomi, and approaching Boaz as the redeemer of Elimelech’s family name and property, are the elements of a story that could only be written by God’s hand.

Take a moment to recognize God’s direction of your life.

Do you see His blessing in circumstances you might not have chosen for yourself?
Are you thankful for the times He caused you to turn right when you wanted to turn left?
How has He used the more difficult times in your life to cause your trust in Him to grow?

Naomi had lost all and now the future that had seemed bleak is full of hope and promise. We can hardly imagine the devastating loss of a husband and two sons, yet, God gave Naomi a daughter-in-law who loved her and showed kindness and care through difficulty. Often, we do not understand the circumstances God allows. In His perfect time, He bestows a path that is so much better than what we could have hoped. This leads us to the necessity of following Ruth’s example to trust in God for all things, even when the path is unclear or undesirable. It is not about what we want, it is about how God will use our life to glorify Himself.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Ps 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Recognize that the above scriptures do not state that God might sustain or might direct. Rather, God will care for those who sincerely follow Him. There is no question of His faithfulness in our lives.

Read this encouragement in Isaiah 58:10-11, “And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom [will become] like midday. "And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail”.

We have choices. We can either be discontent and bemoan our circumstances, wishing things were different, spending our time sorrowing for what we no longer have or how things might have been, or we can walk forward in trust, asking God to show us where we can be used as we fill our days with serving Him.

Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death. (KJV)

As long as we are still here on Earth, God has a plan for us. We are to continue to be committed to serving Him in whatever capacity we are able, remaining joyful for His care and guidance. He will carry us through. Find joy in this truth!

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years I shall bear [you!] I have done [it,] and I shall carry [you;] and I shall bear [you,] and I shall deliver [you.]

Ruth 4:16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.

We are given a glimpse of Naomi’s broken heart and spirit in the first chapter of Ruth. She had encouraged her daughters-in-law to forge ahead with their own lives in Moab as she was contemplating her loss of husband and sons. Now, in this final chapter of Ruth, we see God has a very direct plan for Naomi’s involvement in her grandson’s life. She has a significant role in his upbringing as was the custom in this culture. Naomi had a part in teaching her grandchild, showing him her affection and caring for him. According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, in ancient times, the position of a nurse, wherever one was maintained, was one of much honor and importance. This position is akin to being a foster-mother or guardian.

In a way, God had given to Naomi a son – meaning a builder of the family name – to restore what she had lost.

Ruth 4:17 And the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi!" So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth, became the grandfather of David. Here is the conclusion of this book, the genealogy of Christ, from the line of David. Consider this picture of redemption. Boaz did not reject Ruth because of her low estate. Instead, he chose to give her honor by marriage. Likewise, God has not rejected us because of our sin, rather He sent Jesus to redeem us so that we might have a position in heaven with Him. We are wholly undeserving yet fully blessed.

Ruth 4:18-22 states the genealogy of our Savior, sent from heaven to be born of man. Commentaries agree that some names are omitted in the genealogy. More complete lists are found in the book of 1 Chronicles, Numbers and Matthew. What is written is what we need to know, God used a Gentile woman from the land of Moab to fulfill His promise of a Messiah.

This is only an account that God could have written. Read this excerpt from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, “The distress of Naomi; her affectionate concern for her daughter-in-law; the reluctant departure of Orpah; the dutiful attachment of Ruth; and the sorrowful return to Bethlehem … the account of Ruth’s industry and attention to Naomi; of the elegant charity of Boaz … the care of Divine Providence over those who sincerely fear God, and honestly aim at fulfilling His will, the circumstance of a Moabitess becoming an ancestor of the Messiah seems to have been a pre-intimation of the admission of the Gentiles into his church. It must be remarked, that in the estimation of the Jews, it was disgraceful to David to have derived his birth from a Moabitess … This book, therefore, contains an intrinsic proof of its own verity, as it reveals a circumstance so little flattering to the sovereign of Israel …

Ruth’s loyalty and Boaz’s kindness are themes in this book. What does your life say of your loyalty to God? How do you express kindness to others?

Do you trust God in all circumstances, remaining patient for His answers? How is trust exemplified in your life?

Consider Ruth’s example of humility. How will you apply this example in your present circumstances?

God’s care and providence are highlighted throughout the book of Ruth. As we sincerely follow God, He will care for us and guide us along a path that will honor His name. Take a moment to think about the ending of this book.

Who does it point to?

“All the Scriptures are intended to lead us in faith to the great Redeemer. God grant that they may not miss their design in our case”. Spurgeon Devotional Commentary

God’s Sovereignty

Consider God’s direction in your life. Pause for a moment and look back to His guidance and His protection. Often, at the time circumstances are happening, we do not clearly see the full picture ahead. God sees completion, every detail from beginning to end. He will use His children for the praise of His name.

Ruth 4:9-13

We continue with the account of the exchange of property from the nearest kinsman to Boaz. Looking back in Ruth 3:13, Boaz told Ruth that he would redeem her if the nearest kinsman was unable to do so. He then immediately went to the city gates to inquire of this relative and take care of the matter. He was given his answer and in verses 9 and 10, it seems he announced his purchase of the land and his wedding.

Ruth 4:9-10 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. "Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased may not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his [birth] place; you are witnesses today."

Boaz lets the elders of the city and those present that he is now the rightful owner of all that had belonged to Elimelech and his sons. In this public announcement, Boaz states his intention to marry Ruth, the widow of Mahlon. This marriage would continue the name of Elimelech’s family. Recognize this transaction required Boaz to lay aside his own name in order to raise an heir for Elimelech’s family name.

Once again, we must step back and consider our redemption at the cross of Christ. Christ looked upon us with mercy and purchased our inheritance in heaven. Even though we were undeserving and poor, He willingly laid aside His riches to acquire us for His Father. Christ did this publicly for all to witness. There is no question of His great love for us.

“Thus hath our God, our divine Redeemer, when we were poor and destitute, and none were either able or willing to purchase the inheritance, which we by sin had so deeply mortgaged, yea, utterly forfeited, paid down the price, even at the expense of marring his own inheritance; having left the realms of bliss and glory for our sake, and then espousing us to himself, hath made us sharers of that glory, to which the Father, as the reward of his sufferings, hath exalted him”, Thomas Haweis.

The words recorded for us in Ruth 4:10 give us a reminder of Ruth’s background. She was a descendent from Moab, a land that was considered detestable because of its idol worship. However, Ruth had fully embraced the Jewish faith as she answered God’s call. Recall Ruth 1:16, “But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you [or] turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people [shall be] my people, and your God, my God”.

After Boaz made his intentions clear to all those who were congregated around the city gates, the people responded with great blessings toward him and Ruth for many children.

Ruth 4:11-12 And all the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, "[We are] witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. "Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD shall give you by this young woman”.

A similar blessing was given to Rebekah in Genesis 24:60, “And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "May you, our sister, become thousands of ten thousands, and may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them”.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary says this about the mention of the house of Perez: “This was very appropriate; for from Pharez, the son of Judah, by Tamar, came the family of the Beth-lehemites and that of Elimelech”.

Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

Following a public declaration and the blessing of others, Boaz and Ruth are husband and wife. God then enabled them to conceive a child. This child would be in the lineage of David, and the Messiah.

“He that forsakes all for Christ shall find more than all with him; it shall be recompensed a hundred-fold in this present time…. Boaz had prayed that this pious proselyte might receive a full reward of her courage and constancy from the God of Israel, under whose wings she had come to trust; and now he became an instrument of that kindness, which was an answer to his prayer, and helped to make his own words good. Now she had the command of those servants with whom she had associated and of those fields in which she had gleaned. Thus sometimes God raiseth up the poor out of the dust, to set them with princes”, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Looking back to Chapter 1, remember Ruth’s marriage in Moab to Elimelech’s son, Mahlon. Verse four states a period of about ten years transpired. In that time, Ruth did not conceive a child. This would have been unusual since marriage was intended to build a family name. Think about God’s perfect plan and timing in using Ruth.

Who ordered the famine?
Who allowed Elimelech to transport his family to Moab?
Who caused Ruth to meet Mahlon?
Who determined the deaths of the three men in the family?
Who orchestrated the end of the famine and Naomi’s return to Bethlehem?
Who intended Ruth to respond to God’s truths?
Who put in place the timing of the harvest and the need of a young widow to supply for her mother-in-law?
Who softened a wealthy landowner’s heart towards a Moabitess?
Who planned the nearest kinsman’s refusal to redeem Ruth in order to open the way for Boaz?

It is impossible to read this account of Boaz and Ruth and not recognize God’s sovereignty. As you read the detail orchestrated by God’s hand, it is almost too much for a mind to grasp and appreciate His power over all.

Deuteronomy 4:39 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

1Chronicles 29:12 "Both riches and honor [come] from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone.

Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

Daniel 4:35 "And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And [among] the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?'

Do you see His hand in your life?
Do you trust His direction?

Recall the qualities displayed for us in Ruth’s character. She responded to God’s call and was willing to follow His direction (1:16). She was loyal and courageous (1:17-1:18). She did what was necessary (2:2). She was a hard worker (2:7, 17). She was humble; she expected no special treatment (2:10, 13). Her works proved her faith (2:11-12). She took direction from others (2:22, 23; 3:5, 14-15). She was virtuous (3:11). She was patient (3:18).

God used her life to glorify Himself. He will use your life also. Respond to His call, follow His direction, be willing to go forth courageously in His strength, work hard, remember your need for His sacrifice, live out your faith, listen to the wisdom of others, strive to be morally excellent, and wait upon God.

Where did all of this lead in Ruth’s life?

Blessing!

“Thus was her self-denying faith rewarded. She left behind her both relatives, country, and prospects, to cast in her lot with the Lord's people, and the Lord not only blessed her, but blessed distant generations through her. Those who follow the Lord at all hazards shall be no losers in the long run. To increase Ruth's joy and crown her happiness, the Lord gave her a son, which son was also a joy to Naomi.” Spurgeon Devotional Commentary

The pursuit of God will transform your character and you will be blessed as He uses your life for His glory. The first chapter of Timothy records Paul’s words to Timothy on being a faithful worker of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.

1Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. KJV

Joy in Certainty

Psalm 118:89, “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven”.

In great contrast to a changing and challenging world, we have the security of God’s unchanging word. Because of God’s great love, He sent His Son to die for us. In fulfilling God’s perfect plan, Jesus rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life in heaven. This is our assurance. I pray your Easter celebration stems from a heart of love for your Savior.

“Amidst all the revolutions on earth, the fading glories of natural objects, and the wasting strength of man, His truth remains unaffected. Its beauty never fades; its power is never enfeebled. The gospel system is as lovely now as it was when it was first revealed to man, and it has as much power to save as it had when first applied to a human heart”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.

Evangelism and Covid

Choosing to believe God does not exist and that you do not need Him does not change the reality of God’s existence and your dependence upon Him.

Last Saturday, we were blessed to be able to gather as a group of women for the first time in over a year. Masks on and appropriately distanced, we enjoyed a special time of worship, gleaning from God’s word, and sweet fellowship! I think most of us in attendance would have been happy to sit and sing together for hours. It is truly a blessing to be encompassed around those who are like-minded and striving to serve Christ in all things. There is a genuine love among this group of ladies I call my sisters in Christ. Saturday was a beautiful picture of a church family ready to jump in with every unique strength to provide an opportunity for growth and encouragement. We even had a delightful individually packaged lunch. I am certain I do not speak for myself when I say my heart is filled with gratitude to everyone involved in providing a ray of sunshine as we begin to recover from a turbulent storm. Most of all, my heart is filled with gratitude that God has placed me in a fellowship that desires to function according to God’s truths. Following is a copy of our study in the word together. I pray you are encouraged to grow in your understanding of God’s desire for His children to praise Him in all circumstances by sharing the message of His great love.

We would all agree we are living through a unique time in history. Who would have thought one year ago that we would be donning face coverings and keeping a distance of six feet from individuals not in our family? We have adjusted to doing things differently, and have learned to appreciate our outside spaces more than ever.

The Women’s Conference was among the first events to be cancelled in our church body last March. The focus was to be how we are equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work”. God’s word, His Truth, prepares us with everything necessary to carry out the plans He has for us to bring glory to His name. What does this mean? Each of us has at our fingertips all that we need to do His will. You might see the word adequate translated as perfect or complete in your Bible. Through God’s word, we are perfectly suited for every good work.

One of the breakout sessions at the conference was to be how each of us is equipped to evangelize, which is a commission from God to all believers. In John 15:16, Jesus states, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit …”

Matthew 22:37-39, … ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’. ‘This is the great and foremost commandment. ‘The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’”.

Look at the words above – God chose us, we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and we are to love others as ourselves. The only way to love God with our whole being is to obey His commands. And He clearly says that we should go and bear fruit. The best way to genuinely love those around us is to share the message of salvation. Although many things have been altered within the last year, Truth remains constant. God’s word does not change, it is not interrupted by a pandemic, and God’s commands do not adjust to fit the world’s thinking.

We will address the subject of evangelism and consider what it looks like even as we continue to move through the lasting effects of Covid 19. Right now, you are either smiling behind your mask and excited to hear about sharing the Gospel, or you are squirming a little in your seat because sharing the Gospel is something other people do.

But, consider how you were saved. Did someone open their mouth and talk with you? Perhaps a person’s actions, kind words, and care of others attracted you. When you felt your worst, did another individual share the hope of Jesus? Remember the excitement you felt when God chose to open your heart to His Truths. Like many of you, I can picture exactly where I was, there is a defined moment, a snapshot in my mind of when God opened my eyes. I remember how in an instant the weight of the difficulties surrounding me were no longer suffocating me. The circumstances did not change but my focus did. It truly is incredible, and it is undeniable when God transforms a soul.

When we think of going out to share the Gospel, we often picture meeting individuals we do not know. This type of interaction involves a smile and a handshake. Well, for the past year, we have been wearing face coverings, no one can see our smile and our words are muffled with our mouths covered. We have had strong encouragement during the spikes of this virus to stay at home as much as possible, which puts a damper on meeting people, and we have been asked to avoid physical contact which practically eliminates the use of a handshake.

However, few of us are completely isolated. Weather permitting, we can spend time outside. We shop for groceries and put fuel in the car. We use phones and social media. We have friends, family members, and neighbors. There are opportunities!

People are struggling as they deal with uncertainty in the world. Unexpected deaths, the loss of work, weddings either cancelled or guest lists cut to a minimum, and young moms balancing their children’s education at home along with other responsibilities, are circumstances that many can relate to. The answer to every concern and every struggle is Jesus. When you focus on your future in heaven, your perspective changes from being overly concerned with your own circumstances and the current problems in the world, to being consumed with the blessing of your salvation in Christ and your purpose in Him.

Certainly, just being able to gather today as a unit of women who love God and desire to serve Him and each other, is a wonderful blessing. But there are a few goals for our time together.

1st – That you would be greatly encouraged, reminded of your value in Christ and God’s plan for you to be His ambassador. As you grow in your own understanding of the Gospel, your excitement to share the hope you have with those around you will increase.

2nd – That whatever fear you may have of sharing the Gospel would be replaced with boldness so that you would be ready at any moment to share how God is working in your life, and to speak of the peace and certainty He offers.

Many of us share opinions freely yet we become timid when talking about the Gospel. This is interesting because the Gospel is the only thing we can be 100% confident in. Opinions change; the Gospel does not. Opinions are often short-sighted; the Gospel provides a clear view of our future. Opinions can be wrong; the Gospel is 100% Truth.

3rd – That you embrace your responsibility of stewardship in being called a child of God.

The first step in evangelism is the need for your own understanding and acceptance of the Gospel. You are unable to share what you do not possess.

Listen again to 2 Timothy 3:17, which says, “that the man of God may be adequate”. There is a condition – Paul, in writing to Timothy reminds him of his position as a minister of the Gospel – being a man of God. Only those who are righteous before God, who derive their purpose from Him, who are under His instruction, who are united to Him and approved of Him, are complete or adequate for every good work. We can read and learn about many things. Knowledge is literally at our fingertips. But, until information is acted upon, it remains speculation. Real understanding involves comprehension and evidence. Genuine salvation is more than knowledge or memorized scripture or a one-time prayer. It is a heart change orchestrated by God. It is imperative that you personally understand what it means to be saved. Think carefully about the following questions – questions many of you have heard before – and take a moment to write your answers down.

Do you know for certain that when you die you will go to heaven?

If God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, what would you say?

These questions are important because they help determine the basis of your trust.

Heaven is a free gift – it cannot be earned, and it is undeserved.

It cannot be earned because it is free; it is undeserved because we are unworthy. We are unworthy because we are sinners. This is no surprise as it is not extremely difficult to recognize sin. During the last year, it appears that man’s ability to sin has become magnified in hostility. Rioting at one point was almost expected in many major cities as individual rights were demanded. Although we may not be looking to break windows and damage property, each day we all fight the desire to act selfishly. How often do you fail to do the right thing, to act in a pleasing manner, to say words that encourage, to think thoughts that are uplifting?

Man is unable to save himself from the grip of sin. The best individual we might think of is still imperfect. God alone is perfect.

God loves us, but He is also just. Because He is just, He must punish sin. Sin is anything that goes against God’s perfect will or neglects to do His perfect will. God is perfect and holy and our sin acts as a chasm that will separate us from God for eternity.

We need to stop here for just a moment. Eternal separation from God is huge and needs to be clearly explained. Choosing to believe God does not exist and that you do not need Him does not change the reality of God’s existence and your dependence upon Him. I could choose to believe that Covid 19 does not exist but that would not change the reality of over 2 million deaths worldwide, (collective numbers from CDC, WHO, updated 03/06/21). People may think they are okay without God, so it seems no big deal to talk of separation from Him for eternity. But then, God’s power is not fully understood. He is at this very moment holding the world together, patiently calling His children to Himself. Those who do not recognize their need for God, and even those who reject Him, are the recipients of His general blessings. The air we breathe, the atoms that hold all things together, the sun which provides warmth, and everything good in our lives is from God. He will one day, release those who have denied Him to the full fury of sin and evil. Separation from God is a horror unimaginable. Without forgiveness of our sin, we are destined to this horror.

God is the source of all blessings, all that is good. Consider the fruits of the Spirit listed for us in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The opposites are hatred, sorrow, war, anxiety, cruelty, distrust, pride, and unrestraint. Add to this list, complete and unrelenting darkness in heart, mind, and soul. We are nothing without God and we can do nothing without God.

Man has an incredible dilemma! However, man has an incredible God! God chose to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die for the sin of all mankind. Jesus is the only solution to our problem of sin. Through faith in Jesus, we are promised eternal life in the presence of God. Our penalty has been paid in full through Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. The power of sin’s control no longer reigns in a believer’s life. Instead, Christ reigns, and in Him we have the ability to push off sin and put on righteousness. Knowing the intellectual facts of who God is and what He has done for mankind does not save. Saving faith is not a box of Band-Aids that temporarily fixes things when we lose our way. Saving faith is not one of the puzzle pieces that assures our future in heaven – it is the single key that opens the door. It is not something we combine with our title or accomplishments. Often, God will strip away any identity or trust we have in this world so that we focus on Him alone. Think! How do you desire others to know you? Is it with a title earned on earth or the title given to you by God in heaven as His child?

Saving faith requires a heart of humility, and recognition of need. Saving faith places complete trust, at all times and in all circumstances, in the work of Christ alone.

This is the gospel. This is what we need, and this is what others need to hear. Although it is God alone who saves, we are commissioned as His children to share the gift we have received in Him. We can have complete confidence in God - He is who He says He is; in Christ He has done what He said He would do, and He will fulfill every promise He has made. The result of being called by God to understand and accept His free gift of salvation is absolutely life changing – it is a miracle! When you genuinely understand God’s plan of salvation and its significance to your own eternal destination, you will be compelled to tell others. You will be excited to share your hope.

Psalm 96:2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

Mark 16:15 … Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Most of us get notices for different sweepstakes that offer a variety of prizes including money, mansions, and travel. Consider for a moment if you were to win one of these sweepstakes. Would you tell others? I surmise your excitement would be difficult to contain. If given the opportunity, you would likely be more than willing to publicize your story to all who would listen. Why? Because it is exciting! It is unexpected! It is completely undeserved since you did nothing to earn it!

Think about what you have In Christ – purpose, peace, and the promise of an eternal home in heaven. It is impossible to comprehend the full extent of our blessings. Because of God’s mercy, we have been saved from wrath and showered with unmerited favor. Talk about exciting! Talk about undeserved! How much of your conversation is about the unfathomable riches of Christ? (Ephesians 3:8).

Some of you may hesitate to share the Gospel because you anticipate a negative reaction from others. We readily speak of our families, work, the weather, and even politics, because everyone talks about these things. These things are acceptable points of conversation. But religion, or faith – now we are getting into a touchy area! People who are talkative and friendly will quickly shut down or may even become agitated when the subject of eternal destination is mentioned. Why? Because it is a concern that reaches deep into the mind and heart of man. It is often easier to ignore a problem, pretending it does not exist, than to address it. Do you hold back from proclaiming Christ out of fear of the response you may receive, or because others may think you are strange? This is a valid thought!

If you heard the sermon a few weeks ago, you will remember that Paul was accused of being crazy – literally out of his mind – because he preached the message of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 26:24). Paul’s answer to this accusation is recorded in Acts 26:25; 29, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. … I would to God that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am”.

If you are saved you are strange! The world is not going to embrace you. You may be labeled crazy! The Bible says you are an alien, not belonging to this world! (Ps 69:8, Phil 3:20). Rewind over forty years ago. I was working back office in a medical practice. The office manager was a young woman a few years older than me. She was nice. Always considerate, spoke positively, never took part in gossip, bad language, or complaining. I was a bit uncomfortable around her because her conversation always reverted to God, her involvement in church, and invitations to join her at some event in her fellowship. (At that time in my life, I distinctly remember thinking what the heck is a ‘fellowship’ – some group in the desert gathering to sing and talk about God? … and here we are!) She was one of those people you hear about who are weird enough to actually knock on doors and speak with strangers about Jesus! (And this I have also done!) Her whole life centered around God. In my mind, she was a ‘religious freak’. To my unsaved soul, she went way beyond personal boundaries. Now I look back at this and think of her testimony. She was one of the first people that God used to begin peeling the blinders off my eyes. Aliens have often been illustrated as little green figures with large bulbous heads and teardrop shaped eyes. I think this is all wrong. I worked with an alien in that office. I suggest that aliens look a lot like you and me. So what do we do with this fear of others thinking we are strange? Choose to embrace who you are in Christ, set apart for His purpose. The KJV of 1 Peter 2:9 calls us “a peculiar people”. You should be markedly different from those around you who do not know Jesus. If someone thinks you are strange or crazy because of your faith, receive it as a compliment! Pray as Paul did, that they join you!

Perhaps we will encounter roadblocks, even hostility when we speak of Jesus. Perhaps relationships will feel strained, perhaps doors will close, but where we see hindrances, God provides opportunities. How can we not share the only real hope available to a world that is fearful, turbulent, and sinking under the weight of sin? We can leave the details to God as He will supply a way for us to follow His charge to evangelize.

The Gospel is the accurate account of who God is, what He did, who man is and what he needs, who Christ is and what He offers. The Gospel does not need to be wrapped up in a pretty package to attract people to its value. It stands on its own. Jesus was not wrapped in a pretty package in order to attract sinners, nor was His message.

If you are God’s child, saved by His grace through faith, you are fully equipped to share the Gospel.

Consider what it means to be equipped for something. Being equipped means you are provided with what is necessary, useful, or appropriate, (WordWeb). All of God’s children are equipped for one purpose – to bring glory and honor to His name. Often, evangelism is thought of as the gift others have, or that special training is needed. I pray you are challenged to think otherwise. You might feel you are too shy, but ponder this question – How many words each day do you speak and how many of those words are about Christ? Evangelism is simply the enthusiastic speaking and advocacy of the gospel. Your words and actions are the vehicles God uses to extol His praise.

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me”.

Living for Christ includes telling others of His blessings and forgiveness. We readily speak about those we love, and we promote the things which are most important to us. Nothing is more important than the power of the gospel which is able to save a person from an eternity of evil, suffering, pain, and turmoil in hell. There are programs such as Evangelism Explosion which use an effective outline and in-class training for sharing the Gospel. These classes help build your confidence, but the message is not that you must take a course to speak of Christ. You are absolutely qualified to share the truth of God’s word and you are expected to share it, because you are God’s child. You were created by God’s hand to glorify Him, to share the good news of His grace and mercy in a fallen world.

Every believer is able to speak of the change God has wrought in their life through His Son. This is your testimony. How did God open your eyes and heart to know Him? How has your thinking and purpose changed? Your testimony is irrefutable and can be shared with complete confidence. It is your personal statement of firsthand evidence of God’s work in your life. It is unique to you and carries the value of a saved soul. You do not need a certificate or a specialized degree from a college or university in order to speak of God’s amazing grace. Before the foundation of the world was formed, God chose you to be an heir of His promised kingdom, (Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Peter 1:3-5). He has gifted you with His Holy Spirit and empowered you with His Truth.

Are you willing to speak about God? We are commanded to share the Gospel, so perhaps a more correct question would be are you willing to obey? When we sincerely pray for God’s will to be carried out in our lives, we can expect His answer. Since God’s purpose is for us to proclaim His glory, He will provide what is needed to fulfill His command. Take a deep breath, trust God’s direction, open your mouth, proclaim His goodness, and be blessed in your obedience. Sharing the hope you have is the greatest offering of love you can give to another individual.

We should be ready at any moment to talk of our testimony, how God is working in our life, and the peace and certainty He offers in an ever-changing world.

Listen to Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, “…preach the word; be ready in season [and] out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. … do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry”, (2 Timothy 4:1-2,5).

To “be ready in season and out of season” literally means when it is convenient and opportunities are present, and when opportunities are not present. This includes when it is inconvenient, unfavorable, unseasonable, and untimely. We can affirm that during this pandemic it is inconvenient, the conditions are unfavorable, and the timing is not the best – at least in our thinking. However, where we might see limitations, God has no boundaries. We are to be ready, literally in an instant, to stand for the Gospel, to respond to opportunities handed to us and to create opportunities with those around us.

John 20:21 – You are God’s ambassador, His representative.
1 Peter 3:15 – You are to be a defender of the faith, making a plea for the gospel.
Matthew 4:19, Luke 5:10 – You are a fisher of men, seeking to take others captive for the gospel.
1 Corinthians 3:9 – You are a laborer for the gospel, a fellow worker for Truth.

Each of these descriptions requires effort, active involvement in sharing what you have because of God’s great grace in your life. There are no exceptions, we are to be bold in our speech concerning Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:12 reads, “Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness in [our] speech”. The translation of boldness means we are to be out-spoken, honest, and straightforward, having confidence in the Truth. Think of your blessings in Christ. The motivation in sharing hope with those around us is a grateful heart desiring to speak of God’s glory!

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth.

Our lives are not about us, but about Him. We are not here to focus on ourselves, Christ has called us to care for others. Covid is not an excuse to hide in a corner and forget our purpose. If you are using it as an excuse now, once it is passed, you will replace it with another. In all circumstances we are to be actively sharing Christ.

1Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, [let him speak,] as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, [let him do so] as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

A feeling of dread, hopelessness, and anxiety has settled in many minds during the time of this pandemic. The world offers no concrete solutions. There is a loss of confidence in leaders. We see unrestrained behavior in those who are discontent. But you have the solution – the only solution to calm unrest.

What is more important?

Your friendships on earth or your friend’s eternity in heaven?
Someone thinking you are ‘weird’ because you speak of Jesus, or someone wondering why you did not care enough about them to share about Christ?
Keeping silent because you fear you will not say the right words or choosing to honor God with your best efforts of sharing His Gospel?

1Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

You have been called by God to proclaim His excellencies – His unconditional love, mercy, wisdom, power, goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Isaiah 43:21 "The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise.

Consider all the things that fill your mind, the people and circumstances you speak of freely. Your family, work, travel, interests, and the many things that comprise your daily life, are all subjects of conversation. In a study published by Scientific American, it was estimated that the average words spoken in a day, is around 16,000, (Gender Jabber, Nikhil Swaminathan, 2007). Out of all the words you speak in a day, how many are about God and what He has done?

Recall the changes in your own life that God has produced as He faithfully reveals Himself to you. The contrast of how you used to think and what used to guide your actions should be as different as night and day. In Women’s Bible Study a few weeks ago I asked the ladies to share two words – one which described them before they were saved and one which describes the change they have seen. We were all encouraged as we heard contrasts like fear turned to peace, and having no direction changed to having a purpose. This transformation of your soul is not of your own doing but a result of God’s love. Because of God‘s choice to seek you, your eyes have been opened to truths you were unable to see beforehand! (Colossians 1:13-14)

Say you were born physically blind. Others could describe a bright afternoon to you, yet if you had never seen light, your ability to understand the true beauty of a sun-drenched sky would be impossible. Then, the most trustworthy and knowledgeable physician in the world chose to perform a procedure on you which gave you sight. You would tell everyone about this great miracle! You would not hesitate to speak of the incredible gift you had been given. Your life would be changed forever, and you would live in gratitude to the physician who had given you the ability to see.

God is our great physician! (Mark 2:17). You were in total darkness – engulfed in the power of sin and destined to a life of misery. You have been delivered to light – the understanding of who God is and what He has done. Sin has no dominion over you. Your life is now filled with trust, faith, comfort, promise, blessing, purpose, and certain hope, because of God’s grace and mercy.

Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Each of these verses speaks of evangelism: Walk as light, let your light shine, and appear as lights in the world.

If you now walk in the understanding of who God is, and your need for Him – you are His possession, He has called you to receive His mercy and favor – not because of who you are or what you have done but because of who He is and what He has done. This understanding should invoke a heart of gratitude. True gratitude, having a right appreciation for something given, leads to action.

Look back to your answers to the questions I asked when we began. Do you have assurance of your eternal future in heaven? Is your soul trust in Christ alone? If none of this has made sense to you and you are bored out of your mind, looking at how you might quietly be able to leave, perhaps your heart is not yielded to Jesus. There is a remedy – admit your need, and humbly ask Him to accept you as His child. Jesus will take your burdens and give you peace. If sin is keeping you from Him, confess your sin, ask His forgiveness, and move on in His grace. There are no magic words to say, only a sincere desire to know and please God. If you do pray that God would enter your heart, please tell someone so we can rejoice with you and encourage you.

If you are saved, your witness is a heart devoted to God, words that proclaim His praise, and a life that testifies of His power. You have been entrusted with the message of the Gospel. Paul tells Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to [you]”, 2 Timothy 1:13-14. The Gospel is the most valuable thing you can possess, and its integrity needs to be guarded. It is not to be kept to oneself, but it is to be represented correctly. As a steward of the Gospel, you have a responsibility. Your words and actions are a powerful message. They can either draw others in to know more about God or push them away.

Right now, at this time in our history, what is the testimony of God’s power in your life? How are your reactions, to a stressful situation, speaking of God’s blessings? As businesses and schools begin to open up again and life begins to return to a sense of normalcy, reports of individuals feeling apprehensive and anxious are surfacing.

You have, in your possession, the news of the most valuable gift available to mankind. It is the only solution that offers true hope – a glorious future, strength to overcome adversities in the world, a calm assurance in the midst of difficulties, and peace that surpasses understanding.

You have been saved, not for your own benefit, but for the purpose of praising God, not for yourself, but to share the miracle of your salvation with others so that they too might sing of God’s glory. The gift of your salvation is not to be hoarded!

Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

You have the incredible privilege of sharing the Gospel. When you move forward in faith to speak of God, you become the recipient of joy and blessing, knowing you have followed your Lord and Savior in obedience.

In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul says, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Often, I feel inadequate to perfectly explain the precious truths in God’s word. My understanding and delivery are lacking. The things I could have said, or should have said; what I did not explain well and what I forgot, can easily act as a personal discouragement, and tempt me to be silent. Perhaps you can relate. In spite of ourselves, God will use us. It is His power, His truth and His work that transforms a heart. God will take our meager efforts and use them for His glorious intention. 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as [coming] from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God”.

There is a section of scripture that comes to mind most every time I have the opportunity to speak of God’s gift to mankind. Beginning in Exodus Chapter 3, God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from their oppression under the hands of the Egyptians. Moses questions God’s choice of being able to use him (Ex 3:11). God assures Moses He will be with him. Throughout Chapter 3 and 4, Moses continues to focus on his own weaknesses instead of God’s power. Finally, even after God continually displays His power through miracles, Moses almost begs God to release him of the task set before him. Moses reasons that he is not a good communicator, it is difficult for him to talk. God then reminds Moses that He is well aware of Moses’ deficiencies. Listen to Exodus 4:11-12, And the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes [him] dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? "Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."

One reason we choose to overlook the command of sharing the gospel is we focus on our inability to know all the answers. We will never have all the answers! But we do have everything we need.

God’s Word – His undeniable truths, which is His complete testimony to mankind of His love, forgiveness, and faithfulness,

The Holy Spirit – who gives us understanding of God’s word, and direction in what to say, and

Our Testimony – the irrefutable and continued evidence of God’s work in our life.

You might feel you do not have the gift of evangelism. However, God calls each of us to share His Gospel. He calls us to trust in His work and His strength as He uses us for His glory. We need to reach out to others, to build friendships with the hope of sharing Truth, and encourage those who are struggling, to set their eyes on Jesus. When we say we can’t, we are relying on ourselves. In Christ, we can.

Colossians 4:5-6 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, [as it were,] with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

1Peter 3:15 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always [being] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

We can allow the fear of how men perceive us to dictate our actions. Rather, we need to have our words and actions guided by our reverence and fear of God. (Isaiah 8:13)

Jesus proclaims in John 14:16, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me”.

Those you love and those you come in contact with, need to hear about Jesus. The world is so desperately lost in its sin and selfishness. I pray that the majority of our 16,000 words each day are about God’s excellencies. You are fully equipped in God’s grace to evangelize. Use your words to testify to His glory. Live your life to bring Him honor. Let the excitement for what God has given you in Christ, fill your heart with gratitude which compels you to share the hope you have with others.

If you are confused, in Christ you will find clarity. If you are hurting, in Christ you will find hope. If you are uncertain, in Christ you will find confidence. In an ever-changing world, Christ remains constant.

“The Gospel is a fact, therefore tell it simply; it is a joyful fact, therefore tell it cheerfully; it is an entrusted fact, therefore tell it faithfully; it is a fact of infinite moment, therefore tell it earnestly; it is a fact about a Person, therefore preach Christ”, Archibald Brown, Spurgeon’s successor.

Righteous Decisions

I am reminded again of the importance in total honesty when disclosing information. It may be that we are led to leave out just a small bit of information for fear that things may not go the way we would like. We may stretch the truth to make something seem more desirable. We are used to ‘wheeling and dealing’ in many of our transactions today. It is important however, to hold honesty as a priority.

Ruth 4:1-8

The end of Ruth, Chapter 3:16-18, reminded us of the necessity to rely completely on God’s direction. We are to choose to trust God, we are to find our delight in Him alone, and we are to commit to His perfect plan, having confidence that He is in control.

Now we come to the last chapter in this incredible true story of redemption. Ruth, a Moabitess, having trusted in God, is awaiting to hear from Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. Will he be able to save her late husband’s family’s name and inheritance through marriage? We have witnessed through this account, Naomi’s faith in God, her teaching of His ways to her daughter-in-law, and her wise instruction to Ruth. Ruth has obediently followed instruction, humbly accepted her position and trusted in God’s direction. Her actions have been noticed and her character of virtue applauded. Boaz, described for us as honorable, has been an encourager to all those with which he is in contact. He has placed the law and doing what is right over his own desires and shows us his care for Ruth in leading her in a righteous way. Ruth has been told to wait for the response of Boaz as he approaches a member of the family who is a closer relative, with the right to redeem Ruth and the inheritance of the family’s land. Now we will continue with Chapter 4.

Ruth 4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, "Turn aside, friend, sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down.

Boaz went to the city gate. This was a place for public deliberation, administration of justice or of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors (Smith’s Bible Dictionary). Matters of great importance were decided upon at the city gates. Boaz chooses to bring the matter of redeeming Elimelech’s inheritance to the public. This again speaks of his character. Perhaps, he could have just assumed the closer relative was uninterested since there had been no movement that we know of from any other direction. However, being upright in all things requires every action to be completely honest before God who knows all things. Think how this example might be applied to yourself.

Have you tried to ‘get away’ with something, thinking no one would find out?
Have you purposely ignored information that might change what you would like?
Do you avoid taking a stand because you will be unpopular with family or friends?

We can assume we know what someone else’s response may be to a situation that involves them. We can even make decisions for another, thinking we are acting in their best interest or that they will not care or have a preference. Making an important decision with these assumptions leaves the consideration of someone else’s desires to our own interpretation and personal benefit. Is this approach truly honest? Do we manipulate circumstances for our own profit?

There may be a personal cost of being careful and deliberate in our decisions. Consider the account we are studying. It seems Boaz had developed a heart for Ruth. He had been attracted to her virtuous character. He is perhaps anticipating a union with her. He is now taking steps that could take his opportunity away. Yet, he is proceeding in a righteous direction.

We may find there is a different explanation for something or a better way to proceed. Are we open to a direction we may not have thought or appreciated? Sometimes exploring all the possibilities will lead us to a more difficult answer. It might even seem that we will miss out on something. However, the end result of being careful and righteous in our decisions is always honoring to God. Think carefully, we can ignore doing the right thing before God in order to preserve a relationship or not cause any waves, but then, who are we honoring?

Do you make promises you are not sure you can keep in order to avoid flack?

Rather than making a promise to Ruth that he righteously was uncertain he could fulfill, Boaz sought complete honesty and justice in redeeming Elimelech’s land and name. We are told Boaz sat at the city gate. Recall this is where all public transactions took place and usually a council of leaders was present. As people moved in and out of the city, business was arranged, and deals were made. When Boaz sees the srelative, he needs to address, he greets and stops him. "Turn aside, friend, sit down here."

Boaz recognizes the one who is a closer kinsman to Elimelech’s family than himself and tells him he has business to conduct with him. Boaz was an important magistrate or leader in the village, and he was able to gather men together to hear the transaction.

Ruth 4:2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, "Sit down here.” So they sat down.

It is interesting to note how simple it was to make a legal transaction at that time. Compared to our court system now, it would take months just to gather the people involved with all their witnesses and evidence! Notice the wisdom also in conducting business with others present to hear the decision. This way there would be little chance for misunderstanding, or as it is in our courts, to contest the verdict.

Boaz presents his case to the closest relative and to the elders in the city:

Ruth 4:3-5 Then he said to the closest relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. “So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy [it] before those who are sitting [here,] and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem [it,] redeem [it;] but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem [it,] and I am after you.'“ And he said, "I will redeem [it.]" Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance."

Boaz states the first order of business – Naomi was in need and there was land of Elimelech’s to be redeemed. The purchase rightfully belonged to the next of kin. Initially, the closer relative agrees to purchase the land, to buy back his relative’s property. Then Boaz informs the relative that purchasing the land also means acquiring Ruth and having a family with her so that he might continue the family name. This bit of information was a game changer!

2Corinthians 8:21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

In order for the relative to purchase the land, he must take Ruth as his wife. He was to redeem all or nothing. His response changes as he contemplates the full cost.

Ruth 4:6 And the closest relative said, "I cannot redeem [it] for myself, lest I jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem [it] for yourself; you [may have] my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem [it.]

According to several commentaries, the kinsman may have had a previous marriage and children. The addition of children with Ruth would affect his own inheritance and family name. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge gives this insight, “The Targum seems to give the proper sense of this passage: ‘I cannot redeem it, because I have a wife already; and it is not fit for me to bring another into my house, lest brawling and contention arise in it; and lest I hurt my own inheritance. Do thou redeem it, for thou has no wife; which hinders me from redeeming it’.” I am certain I do not understand Jewish law to give any explanation for the refusal so we will just go with what we know. The closest relative gave up his right to purchasing Elimelech’s land and this opened the door for Boaz to redeem the land and Ruth.

Let us pause for a moment and consider Christ as our Redeemer. Jesus fully paid the price to redeem us for His Father. Christ willingly suffered an undeserving, horrific death for the redemption of mankind. Because of Christ, our inheritance in the kingdom of God has been restored. We have been ransomed from death to life. This picture of Ruth is much like our own. We are unworthy, we have a sinful nature and rebel against God. Yet God chose to remove us from the control of sin and place us in His care and protection. He gifted us with hope for the future through giving us His Son, Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

Consider this thought. If you say Jesus Christ is your Savior, claiming you understand the need you have to be redeemed from sin, yet, do not follow Him as Lord, you have not accepted the fullness of God’s grace. Many desire the assurance of heaven without wanting to live for Christ. Your life needs to be completely surrendered to God. This means He is the ruler of your life, He has jurisdiction over all you say, think and do – whether you like it or not, whether it is easy or not, or whether you agree or not.

The closest relative in this account wanted the land; he was ready to jump at increasing his property. However, when he realized there was more attached to the deal, and it might make things difficult for him, he bowed out. He wanted part but not all.

Is your life completely surrendered to God? What is your proof?
Is Jesus your Savior and your Lord? How does your life testify to this?

“This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world”. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Ruth 4:7-8 Now this was [the custom] in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange [of land] to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the [manner of] attestation in Israel. So the closest relative said to Boaz, "Buy [it] for yourself." And he removed his sandal.

These next two verses give us the legal exchange of redeeming land and resigning the rights to inheritance.

“The manner and ceremony of conveying over a title and estate amongst the ancient Israelites was this: the person who sold or conveyed over his title pulled off one of his shoes, and in open court delivered it to the purchaser, thereby signifying that he had full right to walk, enter into, or tread upon the land, &c. as his own proper and entire possession”. British Family Bible

The closest relative resigned his right to redeem the property of Elimelech’s family and take Ruth as his wife. The transaction of removing his sandal and giving it to Boaz, allowed Boaz to take possession of the land and marry Ruth.

Naomi’s faith in God results in her family’s name being restored. Ruth’s obedience, faith and trust will place her in a position to be used for God’s redemptive plan. Boaz’s righteousness is blessed by God’s perfect provision.

How has your trust in God changed the direction of your life?
How do you see His hand in moving you towards His purpose?

Guaranteed Inheritance

If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have placed your complete trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the full payment for your sin, then your name is written in God’s will. It cannot be changed. It cannot be erased, questioned, or modified. What comes with your inheritance is God’s protection, strength, and care for your life on earth.

Leading up to verses 21-23 of Psalm 136, we read of God’s power and protection of His chosen people, Israel. No king was able to thwart God’s plan. God’s judgement upon those who are against His children is severe and complete.

The repeated phrase in Psalm 136 is “God’s lovingkindness is everlasting”. Let us review what this means. His lovingkindness is his mercy and favor towards His children. Consider Israel’s rebellion against God. Certainly, they suffered from the consequence of their own sin. Their defiance of God brought difficult circumstances upon them, yet God did not throw up His hands and disown or even neglect them. He allowed their discipline, yet carried them through, never abandoning them completely.

What do these truths mean for you? If you are a child of God – meaning you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord, choosing obedience to Him, and you recognize your need of Jesus as your Savior who died for your sins – then you have God’s protection. His mercy and favor are showered upon you. Even when you are unfaithful, He will remain faithful in His love for you.

God’s love and mercy is opposite to the love we often display. We only go so far, we become discouraged and give up on people, and we tend to display acts of love only when it is earned. Our love is often conditional, and dependent upon our feelings. God’s love is perfect, consistent, and independent of our actions. How do you respond to these truths? Is your heart full of thankfulness for God’s unconditional love? Are you reminded to show this same love towards others? In other words, when God is so willing to shower His love upon you even though you are undeserving, who are you to withhold love from another?

Not only is God’s love perfect, but it is also forever. There is no limit, no end, and no point in which He will completely withdraw His love from His children. Consider this, when you discipline young children does this mean you no longer love them? Of course not! It is loving to teach them right from wrong and help them avoid negative consequences. This is only a fraction of the picture of God’s love for you. Perfect, abiding love is incomprehensible, yet because of God’s mercy, we have it.

Psalm 136:21 speaks of God’s intended blessing for the nation of Israel, despite their disobedience. Psalm 136:21 says, “And gave their land as a heritage, for His lovingkindness is everlasting”. This verse follows the account of God’s power in slewing the mighty kings who tried to thwart His plan. God not only annihilated these kings but also blessed Israel with the spoils. Why? Because His lovingkindness is everlasting!

Read what Spurgeon says in the Treasury of David, “As Lord of the whole earth He transferred His estate from one tenant to another. The land did not become the property of the Israelites by their own sword and bow, but by a grant from the throne”.

What inheritance do you have as God’s child? If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have placed your complete trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the full payment for your sin, then your name is written in God’s will. It cannot be changed. It cannot be erased, questioned, or modified. What comes with your inheritance is God’s protection, strength, and care for your life on earth. This does not mean there will be no difficulties, in fact we should expect difficult circumstances because people are sinful, but it does mean that you can trust God in all things. There is no fear of man or things being out of the control of God. He has got you covered!

Psalm 136:22 goes on to say, “Even a heritage to Israel His servant, for His lovingkindness is everlasting”. Each blessing God chooses to bestow upon His children, magnifies His grace to them. Having our heritage in Christ is repeated in this verse so we should pay particular attention to this truth. Our heritage is guaranteed.

Israel as a nation is referred to as God's servant in this verse. Do you serve Christ? Have you recognized His grace? Do you willingly place yourself at His feet? What does it mean to serve? We all serve someone or something. Often it is ourselves we place on the throne of service – our wants, our needs, our likes, our dislikes, whatever makes us happy and gives us the feeling of fulfillment. Be willing to ask yourself who you serve. What is your purpose in life?

Christ did not come to earth to serve Himself. He came as an offering for sin for God’s children who are completely undeserving of His sacrifice. Christ came to serve God as the only way for us to be redeemed. There is no self in what Christ did. Philippians 2:5-8 reads, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.

God’s lovingkindness assures His children of their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven – even though we are totally undeserving! This is what Psalm 136:23 says, “Who remembered us in our low estate”. Wow!

Remember who we are talking about.

The Lord Jehovah, the self-Existent, Eternal name of God (v.1).
The God of gods, Elohiym, the supreme God, mighty in all His ways (v.2).
The Lord of lords, Adoni, Sovereign over all, the One in control, Master and Owner (v.3).

This is who remembers us! In our human thinking, we can desire to be known by a certain group or person. To be part of the life of someone we admire is encouraging. There are all kinds of groups centered on belonging. We feel good when we are part of something bigger.

As God’s child, we are known by Him, we have been adopted into His family, and we belong in His eternal kingdom. Along with these truths, we are cared for by Him, strengthened by Him, made wise by Him, protected by Him, disciplined for our good by Him, encouraged by Him and unconditionally loved by Him. And His word says He remembers us – even in our low estate, even though we are undeserving and cannot begin to earn a place in His presence, God reaches down and secures for us a place with Him. Why?

Because His lovingkindness is everlasting, God’s mercy to us will endure forever – even though we are undeserving. Think of the account of Noah and punishment upon the whole earth. After a time, God caused the water of the great flood to subside. Genesis 8:1 says, “But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided”.

We might think we are not good enough to have a place in God’s presence. We are absolutely correct in that thought. Yet, we must remember that God did not send His Son for perfect people (there are none). Jesus came to save the lowly, the imperfect, sinners; all humankind are in need of a Savior. Without Christ, no one is ever good enough. No amount of good works will ever get a soul to heaven. We simply are unable to earn our own way. Identifying with a certain faith does not save you. Baptism will not save you. Going to church every Sunday will not save you. No amount of anything you do is able to save you. Complete dependence on the blood of Jesus shed for your sins is the only ticket to eternal life.

Psalm 113:7 says, “He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap”. 1 Samuel 2:8 uses similar words, "He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of honor; for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and He set the world on them”.

What does this mean practically for God’s children? How does this truth apply to your life? God is always here to help us just as He delivered Israel from captivity in Babylon. If God can deliver an entire nation, do you think He is able to help you? How big is the God you trust? News alert – He does not need your intervention to accomplish His will.

I recently had a conversation with someone who is justifiably concerned with the subject of what is being taught and allowed in our public school system. It is difficult to hear that your young child is being directed to explore ideas that are worldly and sinful and directly against the commands of God. So, what do we do about this real problem? Not everyone is able to put their children in Christian schools, and not everyone is able to choose homeschool as an option. Will God protect His children from the wiles of Satan? Absolutely! Are the lies of mankind greater than the power of God? No way! But we do have a responsibility to be diligent to present God’s Truth from His word wherever and whenever we are able, especially in our homes and with our families.

God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. His plan will prevail, He will continue to bless His children and protect them even though they are undeserving.

Faith Versus Fear – Peace In A Pandemic

Look around you – how have things changed? One year ago, most of us could have never guessed how different our lives would become. Pandemics were the things you only heard about from history books or they happened in less privileged countries, those with minimal health care and hard living conditions. The month of March 2020 introduced us to new phrases. ‘Safer at home’, ‘Essential workers’, ‘Social distancing’, ‘Flattening the curve’, and ‘Herd immunity’, suddenly became topics of discussion.

Schools have closed, jobs have been lost, businesses have gone bankrupt. People have died. The ravages of Covid 19 have touched everyone. The difficulties during the world-wide spread of the Coronavirus are unprecedented. The health care system is overwhelmed, medical personnel are physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Authority has been challenged, and some individuals have turned to violence as their fear of losing control has grown. Look around you – it is not pretty.

Yet, babies have been born, weddings have taken place, students have graduated, and the internet has provided a way for workers and schools to carry on, albeit a bit differently than before this pandemic. The world has kept turning, the sun and moon have continued as scheduled.

How are you doing? Are you living in fear of what might happen or how you might be affected? Has the sorrow of death engulfed you in grief? Are the ‘what ifs’ causing you to live in anxiety? There is an answer. It is not a religion nor is it a building. His name is God. Faith placed in the things of this world has been uprooted, shaken like a fierce storm. Perhaps it is time to place your trust on solid ground. Your fears will be replaced with peace in God’s perfect plan.

Paperback available!

Thank you to my very determined and intelligent husband who was able to decipher a difficult computer program for formatting and editing! “Steeped In God’s Grace” is now available in printed form as well as digital through Amazon.com. Please leave a review and/or rating if you are inclined. I pray you are encouraged and challenged as we continue to walk in God’s direction.

Focus Heavenward,

Sharyn.

Steeped In God’s Grace

I am excited to announce that the second book in the Focus Heavenward Series is now available through Amazon! Seriously my brain hurts as I have been stretched to learn more than I thought possible about editing and formatting. Perhaps there is some truth in the saying, ‘You can teach an old dog new tricks’!

Here is a link for a free sample, https://a.co/aOY2rkK For now, ‘Steeped In God’s Grace’ is available as a digital read on Kindle, tablets, phone and other electronic devices. It will be available as a print copy also – as soon as I get the cover formatting figured out!

I pray you are blessed by being drawn ever closer to your Savior.

Focus Heavenward,

Sharyn

Happy New Year

Do you trust in the abundant grace He has extended towards you through His Son?

The challenge – can you look at the past year and praise God for His faithfulness? Amidst illness, death, unemployment, and uncertainty, (and even a shortage of toilet paper!), God remains faithful. When we do not look with eyes that are focused on His sovereignty and perfect plan, we miss clarity.

If you have been to an optometrist, you may recall the process of looking through different lenses as the doctor asks you if 1 or 2, or 3 or 4, is better. The ability to see clearly is valuable – both as we navigate the physical world we live in and as we grow in our spiritual understanding of God. Any eye doctor is able to correct our vision through prescriptive lenses. Only God is able to cause the eyes of our heart to focus on His truths.

Jeremiah penned the book of Lamentations. It is an account of the sorrows of the Jewish nation, of their suffering and misery because they turned from God. Jeremiah also recounts the nations repentance and submission, their prayer and hope of God’s future promises for deliverance. A section in chapter 3 of this book reads, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. [They] are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I have hope in Him’. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him”, Lamentations 3:22-25.

Thomas O. Chisholm wrote the words to the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, in 1923 as he contemplated God’s faithfulness over his lifetime. The lyrics were then set to music and almost 100 years later the tune and words are still widely recognized.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see,

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,

Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.

We have absolute hope! God is faithful. He shows mercy and compassion towards those He loves. Do you trust in the abundant grace He has extended towards you through His Son? As you seek Him you will be blessed – even through difficulty.

Has your trust in God grown this past year? Have you witnessed souls turn towards His truths? Sometimes we must lose the blessings we have in order to recognize their value. Has your gratefulness increased? Perhaps those things we once expected are now treasured more fully. Difficulty has produced a new endurance and a higher level of thankfulness in many households and relationships. In all this, praise God. He is faithful!

Focus Heavenward.

Obedience –> Holiness

As we seek to know God and follow Him, our actions on the outside will reflect the change God has wrought on the inside. The inside transformation of our soul will show in the outward actions of our life.

1Peter 1:14-15 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts [which were yours] in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior.

Obedience demands that we do not follow worldly ways. Instead, we are to live holy in all our behavior (v. 15-16).

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

What does it mean to be holy?

Specifically, what is mentioned is behavior, or all manner of conversation (KJV). People aptly take on the persona of those they admire. Look around and notice that styles of dress, speech, and even food begin with following someone’s example that another thought highly of. If you profess to follow Jesus, it is imperative that your entire life points to His holiness. We need to learn about Him so that we can imitate Him. We have examples to follow throughout the word of God. Read what Paul tells the Corinthian church, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). It is impossible for us to be perfectly holy, yet we are to endeavor to follow the pattern set before us and practice holiness in every area of our life. We are holy because we belong to God; our actions should increasingly speak of our inward salvation. Our thoughts should be held captive by Truth, and our words should honor God. As we seek to know God and follow Him, our actions on the outside will reflect the change God has wrought on the inside. The inside transformation of our soul will show in the outward actions of our life.

2Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Notice the word all in 1 Peter 1:15. All means everything, it is inclusive to your whole behavior. Matthew Poole’s Commentary has this explanation of all, “with whomsoever ye converse, believers or infidels, friends or enemies, relations or stranger; and in whatsoever condition ye are in, peace or trouble, prosperity or adversity”.

How are you seeking holiness?

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Focus Heavenward.

The Gift of Jesus

certain hope, the promise of eternal life, joy, peace, gratitude, and purpose

The day we traditionally celebrate as Christmas has passed. Yet, the gift keeps on giving. God gave His Son that we might be ransomed from a life of futility to a life of freedom. No matter how much time, effort, intelligence, or work, we may invest in becoming a successful human being, we simply are unable to attain a level of perfection. Perfection means we are without flaw or defect. Striving towards a goal of holiness is admirable yet without Christ, living a life pleasing to God is impossible. The things we might do, including our works and our efforts, the religion we might identify with, the words we say, all fall short without having accepted the gift of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The good news is the gift of God’s Son is available to all who will receive it. Not just at Christmas, but whenever a heart reaches out to humbly accept the love God offers. We do not need to ‘clean up our act’ before bowing before Him, He will clean it up for us! We cannot check off boxes of completion and then turn our resume in for acceptance; we only need to recognize we are unworthy of the position of adoption then reach out and accept His redemption. There is endless striving and futility in trying to find true fulfillment in the world through our own efforts. We will never quite get there, there will always be one more step, one more goal to accomplish.

But, in Christ there is freedom as we abandon trust in our own efforts for what has already been done. Suddenly, purpose becomes clear, peace abounds even in trials, and gratitude fills a heart with joy for the precious gift of Jesus. Time, effort, intelligence, and work become offerings of praise as God transforms our life as His adopted children.

Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons”. This is Christmas, this is the gift each of us has been offered. My friend, have you reached out to accept this gift? Will you let go of self in order to gain a life with Christ? This may seem scary, however it is unbelievably amazing! Picture walking through a boggy, unchartered marshland with peril every step of the way compared to walking on a path already laid out for you with bridges built over swamps, detours clearly marked to avoid danger, and rest stops to gain strength to continue. Which would you choose?

What is life with Christ – certain hope, the promise of eternal life, joy, peace, gratitude, and purpose. There is no greater gift than Jesus, Emmanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23). “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth”, John 1:14.

What about your gifts, talents, interests, education, and all the time and effort you have invested in the things you enjoy? Hang on because God will use all He has blessed you with for His glory. You will find yourself empowered to accomplish things you never dreamt possible when you seek to please God in your efforts. You will be astounded at the peace that fills your heart even through difficult circumstances.

John 6:47 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life”. Entrust your life to Christ and accept His promise of eternal life. And have a true celebration of Christ’s birth all year long.

Focus on Christ

There is one thing certain and One we can find rest in. There is peace and assurance when we look to Jesus.

Focus on Christ

One friend lost her Dad and her grandmother within a few months. Another said his last good-byes to his wife before she died. These were not Covid related deaths, however the sting of loss has been made more difficult in a year filled with uncertainty and unrest in general. Everyone has been touched by this pandemic in one way or another. We have all seen fear or disappointment in the eyes of people we know and love. Weddings have been cancelled or limited, births were quietly announced and plans of all kinds were put on hold. Wildfires caused additional disruption, loss of property and life. Unemployment percentages are high, and violence has increased. Most readers will be able to add several items to this list of challenges. I have not even mentioned our recent presidential election. There are loved ones we have not been able to see, and many have celebrated their long-awaited graduation from school on-line. Birthdays, anniversaries, and retirements have quickly passed – all without the acknowledgement we are accustomed to. Wearing a mask and meeting outside and virtual classrooms have become the norm. And 2020 keeps on giving! I received a text yesterday that one of my dear friends got bit by a dog while walking! What next?

The test is real! Will we remain steadfast and focused on Christ? There is one thing certain and One we can find rest in. There is peace and assurance when we look to Jesus. He was born in a stall, a most unassuming place. Yet, His birth brings the hope of salvation to all mankind. The truth of the Gospel – redemption of mankind from sin to eternal life – does not change. Look through the lens of hope and you will see reason for joy.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Do not lose heart! Our strength does not come from outside but inside.

Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; [and] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God”.

Our burdens are small in comparison to the work God produces through them.

Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us”.

Keep your focus on things which have eternal value.

2 Corinthians 5:1-9, “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this [house] we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by sight – we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore also we have as our ambition whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him”.

We are not here for our own welfare, happiness, honor, or benefit; we are here to offer abundant praise to God for His mercy. It is all for His glory.

Merry Christmas! Be joyful as you contemplate your future in Christ. Christmas is a time for celebration of the greatest gift given to all mankind. Difficulty, burdens, and pandemics do not change the value and truth of the Gospel. This was the case thousands of years ago and it is the case now. There is no better gift you can give to those you love than sharing the reason for your hope.

Silence Speaks

The picture of God’s celestial heavens directs our eyes towards His power and creation.

Psalm 19:1-3, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard.”

The heavens celebrate God’s glory. His wisdom and power are on display as we look above. Each day is a testimony of God’s existence and authorship of the world.

On December 21st, for the first time in hundreds of years, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be the closest to Earth since 1623, and closest observable since 1226 (EarthSky). According to nbcnews.com/science/space/christmas-star, “The double planet view is also known by some astronomers as the “Christmas Star” because of a belief that the biblical tale of the Star of Bethlehem could have been a planetary conjunction”.

Although the heavens, and day and night, are unable to speak, they bear a silent witness to God’s glory. They represent the power and magnificence of an almighty God. Each of us, when we look to the sky, sees God’s majesty and the expanse of His creation. Consider all the languages in the world. We are unable to understand every dialect in all nations. However, the sun, moon and stars speak a universal language of God’s power, which is understood by all.

“No nation, or people, saith that wise and learned heathen, Tully, is so barbarous and sottish, as, when they look up to the heavens, not to perceive that there is a, God, or to imagine that those things are the effect of blind chance, which are made with such wonderful art and wisdom, that it requires extraordinary art to understand their excellent orders and course.” Matthew Poole’s Commentary (Tully was a Roman statesman and orator remembered for his mastery of Latin prose (106-43 BC), WordWeb)

All are without excuse. The picture of God’s celestial heavens directs our eyes towards His power and creation. Without sound or words, they speak to man’s heart of their Creator. David, the Psalmist, was a shepherd and spent much of his time outside. He saw God in the nature around him and in the sky above him.

Picture a beautiful sunset, or the rising of the moon on the darkest of nights. Do you see the magnificence of God in His creation? When you see His works, do you ‘hear’ His creation’s praise, even without words? Silence speaks loudly.

“The sunset was one of the most glorious I ever beheld, and the whole earth seemed so still that the voice of neither God nor man was heard. There was not a ripple upon the waters, not the leaf of a tree, nor even of a blade of grass moving, and the rocks upon the opposite shore reflected the sun's "after glow," and were again themselves reflected from or in the river during the brief twilight, in a way I do not remember ever to have beheld before. No! I will not say the voice of God was not heard; it spoke in the very stillness as loud as in roaring thunder, in the placid scene as in rocks and cliffs impassable, and louder still in the heavens and in the firmament, and in the magnificent prospect around me. His wondrous works declared him to be near, and I felt as if the very ground upon which I was treading was holy.” The Treasury of David, quote by John Gadsby

God directed a star in His heavens to declare the glory of Jesus’ birth. The magi knew the unusual star signified the birth of the King. Matthew 2:2, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him”.

Romans 1:20-21 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened”.

Creator, creation, Christmas star, Christ’s birth – truth from a Biblical account or tale from man’s perspective? Choose Truth. Celebrate the gift of Jesus, given by the Creator of all things in heaven and earth, to all people’s everywhere. Eternal salvation is offered by no other means than Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved”.

Look to the heavens. Do you see the effect of blind chance or the work of an extraordinary Creator? Listen to His call in your heart. Accept His grace in your life which is freely offered to you when you place your complete trust in Him. In believing you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. If you think God is a crutch for those who are weak or less intelligent, I can imagine no better crutch to lean on than the Creator of the universe. His signature speaks loudly.

Keep On keeping On…

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven”.

Are we there yet? Is it time yet? We have all heard this, thought this, or said these words. It is a mark of impatience. We can easily become restless and even irritated when things do not happen according to our expectations.

The answer to the above questions is ‘almost’ or ‘hang on just a bit longer’. ‘We will be there soon’. ‘Be patient’. Easier said than done!

God is at work even though we may not see the results. Everything is going exactly according to His plan. Read Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven”.

God has appointed seasons of events just as He has appointed changes in weather. He has purposed all things to happen at a specific time. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow are in God’s control. If you are a child of God, having accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, no worries, He has you under His hand of care. All things pleasant and difficult will be used for your good and His glory.

The opposite of impatience is patience. This is not only tolerating delayed change but accepting it with a cheerful heart attitude. A word we seldom use is longanimous. It means showing patience and self-control under adversity, being slow to retaliate or express resentment.

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD”. And Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it”.

Take a moment, look around you, listen to conversations. How are we doing during this pandemic? As a whole, not so good. But what about you personally, how are you responding to this lengthy time of inconvenience, unknowns, imposed constraints? I pray you are persevering in hope and patience with your eyes fastened on God. How can you encourage those who are in despair? Share God’s promises, speak the Truth.

We are right where we should be at this given moment. Patience and compassion are responses you can choose. Patience because God has the answers and remains in control. Compassion for those who are struggling. Consider, because of God’s grace you are able to have peace and joy no matter the outcome. Those whose hearts are set on the world are noticeably scared, upset, and have lost direction. Be thankful for the opportunities placed before you to share the ultimate gift of love. Be a light in the darkness.

Paul’s words to the Philippians reminds us how we are to act, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life”. (Php 2: 14-16a)

The specific time we are living in has been appointed by God for His purpose. Let us be strong, take courage, and have patience, acting in a manner that honors God. I pray your heart is exceedingly joy filled as you look forward to your future. I can think of no better season than the one we are in right now as we prepare to celebrate God’s love through the gift of His Son. There is hope.

Covid and Thanksgiving

This time in history is an incredible opportunity for Christians to stay the course, neither becoming discouraged nor disheartened.

Tomorrow, November 26th, 2020, is Thanksgiving. It is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, and commemorates a feast first held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. Historical accounts tell us the pilgrims had left England to seek a new home promising prosperity, land ownership and freedom to practice their faith. After a treacherous journey and many hardships, there was a celebration of the first corn harvest in their new land. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November “to ask God to commend to His tender care to all those who had become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers”, and to “heal the wounds of the nation”. “In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance”. Originally, it followed days of fasting during difficult times and “days of feasting and celebration to thank God in times of plenty”. (Historical information and quotes taken from history.com/topics/thanksgiving).

What is your worship, what is your praise, for what are you grateful? Thanksgiving is more than tradition and gathering. It is so much more than turkey and stuffing. It is an act of worship to God through praise, prayer, and petition, acknowledging who He is, what He has done and what He will do.

Even in this time of world-wide pandemic and the confusion of how best to slow the spread of Covid 19, we are to be thankful. And we have much to be thankful for. This time in history is an incredible opportunity for Christians to stay the course, neither becoming discouraged nor disheartened.

We are to hold fast – Hebrews 3:6 but Christ [was faithful] as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

We are to remain focused on our hope – Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

We are to persevere in the faith of the Gospel – Colossians1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

We are to rejoice always, pray continuously, and give thanks in everything – 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6 says, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 92:1-2 reads, It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High. To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night. God’s lovingkindness is His favor and mercy, His blessing poured out for those undeserving. His faithfulness is certain and secure.

Consider your example as a follower of Christ. The church is not a building, it is a people called by God to witness His Truth to the world. Are you hindering your witness with complaints of wearing a mask, grumbling about being asked to limit the size and place of your gathering, or complaining about the length of time this virus has affected your ‘normal’ and ‘expected’ lifestyle? No one likes what is happening but your response to what God has allowed will either create an open door to sharing Truth or a closed door of hypocrisy as others see disobedience displayed in your life. Is your focus on keeping your ‘rights’ or on giving up self in order to share Christ’s righteousness?

These are difficult and personal questions. I find myself becoming tired of the rules and the suggestions for safety. There are some things that simply do not make sense in my limited understanding. Many of us have not seen family for over eight months and it is easy to give up. The desire to throw all caution to the wind gets strong. I am guilty. But then, thankfully, I am brought back to reality and the reason for my life. It is not about what I want, what I understand or what I agree with, it is about Christ and His great sacrifice.

Sin is becoming magnified as filters of right and wrong are withdrawn from society. Will you choose to be light? Without God we are doomed. Yet, God has not and will not give up on those he loves. His patience is remarkable towards mankind. God, in His mercy and goodness, has extended life eternal to all who accept His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Be thankful. I pray that your heart overflows with gratitude as you share Truth with those you love. There is no greater gift to give than the hope of the Gospel. There is no greater recipient or reason for our thanksgiving than GOD.

The gift of heaven is free to all who receive it. It is not something that is earned by hard work; it is not something that any of us deserve because we try to be good. Even in our best efforts we miss the mark, we make mistakes. We simply are unable to lead perfect lives. Because of this, there is a chasm between man and God. God is 100% perfect and holy so He is unable to be in the presence of sinful man. Our sin must be punished – the consequence is eternal death. God, because He loves you, sent His perfect Son to pay the penalty you owe for sin. In Christ, your debt is paid in full. There is no one Christ’s death has not covered. Your lifestyle, your past sin, your ‘skeleton’s in the closet’, your messed-up life, and anything else you can think of, are not greater than God’s power and the gift of His love. Jesus Christ died on the cross for you; He rose from the dead securing a place in eternal heaven for you. By faith, accept what He offers – freedom from sin’s control. Your heart will be changed forever, peace will ensue your soul, and your life will be an offering of thanksgiving everyday to the God who has saved you.

Perhaps this Thanksgiving we should follow the example given to us in 1863 and ask God to commend to His tender care to all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers, and to heal the wounds of the nation.

Focus Heavenward.

Psalm 19:1-2

the limit of our observation is opposite to the realm of God’s infinite time and grand creation.

Psalm 19 is a song of praise to God. It gives us insight to David’s life and faith. The first six verses proclaim the majesty of God seen in His work of creation. Then follows the description of God’s perfect law and its purpose in verses 7-11. In verses 12-14, David requests forgiveness and protection from sin, and calls on God’s grace with a request that his life honors God. This short section of scripture gives us a picture of David’s devotion to God and his desire to live faithfully being conformed to God’s holiness, leaning upon God’s power.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

What is referred to when we read about ‘the heavens’?

According to Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, the heavens <shamayim> refer to the sky, perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move. It also refers to the entire celestial universe which we cannot conceive. When we speak of something being ethereal it is intangible and immeasurable.

Consider your reaction on a clear night as you look upward to the starry sky, are you able to see its boundaries? It goes on and on, so much farther than our human eye is able to focus. In great contrast, the limit of our observation is opposite to the realm of God’s infinite time and grand creation.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God”. The heavens declare God’s glory. The verb used is an intense announcement, a record or numbering of the stars, a celebration of God’s glory. The sheer number of heavenly bodies in the sky above, point towards our Creator God.

Genesis 1:16-17 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; [He made] the stars also. And God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,

Jeremiah 10:12 [It is] He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.

The heavens, although beautiful, have no mind or intelligence. Yet, they set forth God’s glory for all to see. God made the heavens, He holds the stars in place, His wisdom and power is on display as we look above. God’s glory is clearly seen in His creation.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?

God’s glory is magnified in His heavens. Consider that which we see and then realize it goes beyond what is visible to our eyes. God’s existence and power is undeniable as we look to His creation.

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.

Ps 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! Ps 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.

Read Psalm 19:1 again, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands”.

What is your response? The heavens are God’s creation and speak boldly of His glory. You are God’s living creation, formed by His artistry and hands, made for His glory and purpose. Do you shine for Him? Are others drawn towards His truths through your life?

Psalm 19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

We become excited about certain events that have happened and events we are looking forward to in the future. However, once they pass, their significance dwindles and eventually is lost to the next circumstance approaching. In contrast to our human experiences that ebb and flow, each day and night continues in their succession to glorify God. As day turns into day and evening into evening, the sun rises and the moon sets, all according to God’s plan set in motion at the beginning of time. God’s hand in ordering the days and nights speak of His power and give us knowledge of His greatness and goodness.

Did the sun rise today? Praise God. Did the moon give light to our evening? Praise God. How often do we take the time to consider that God is directing the day to happen and the night to take place? God holds all things in place and determines all time – every moment in each day and night. Do we see God’s glory in the sunrise of the morning, the sunshine of the day, the moon light at night? Each day is a testimony of God’s existence and authorship of the world.

Psalm 74:16 Thine is the day, Thine also is the night; Thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

Psalm 136:7-9 To Him who made [the] great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting: The sun to rule by day, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, the moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Genesis 8:22 "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."

“The original has in it the thought of pouring out or welling over, with speech; as though days and nights were but as a fountain flowing evermore with Jehovah's praise. Oh to drink often at the celestial well, and learn to utter the glory of God! The witnesses above cannot be slain or silenced; from their elevated seats they constantly preach the knowledge of God, unawed and unbiased by the judgment of men. Even the changes of alternating night and day are mutely eloquent, and light and shade equally reveal the Invisible One …” Treasury of David

Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

Are we led to praise God for all things day and night, continuously? The heavens speak of God’s glory. Do our lives shine for His honor?

2020 Election

For thousands of years, even before time began, God has been on the throne. Nothing has changed in the hierarchy of Who is in control, Who is in charge, Who calls all the shots, Who we can trust, and Who gets the glory.

Election Results are In!

Everything has passed that God has allowed; nothing has passed that was not part of His plan.

God is on His throne – always has been, always will be. Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God”.

God is Most High. Psalm 83:18, “That they may know that Thou alone, whose name is the LORD, Art the Most High over all the earth”. There is no need to despair, the future is certain. The world definitely looks unsettled to many of us, it may seem like things are unraveling and unrest can be felt. Yet, God has a plan which is perfect.

God knows all things. Psalm 139:1-3, “O LORD, Thou hast searched me and known [me.] Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways”. Proverbs 5:21, “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths”. There are no surprises, and no contested results.

God sees all things. Psalm 139:7-10, “Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Thy hand will lead me, And Thy right hand will lay hold of me”. There are no tapes for God to review. He knows and He sees with perfect judgment.

God is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful”. No matter how bad it may seem, God will not bail! The opposite of faithfulness is being a traitor, not holding to your promises. We witness this all around us. However, God is always true to His word. Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

God is merciful and longsuffering. Exodus 34:6-7, “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave [the guilty] unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations”." God is holding His hand out through His Son to forgive you of all offense. Will you grasp it, receive His grace and proclaim His majesty?

God is King of all, Ruler of all. Who do you worship? The world and all it contains, or the Creator of everything? 1Timothy 1:17, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen”. Isaiah 44:6 "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.

It is amazing that a perfect and holy God continues to have compassion on the world. The truth is, He desires all to be saved and has a greater love for His creation than we can imagine. This love was made manifest in His Son, Jesus Christ. Trusting in Him alone will result in peace no matter the circumstances. Will you continue in confusion or live for Christ?

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name; for Thou hast worked wonders, plans [formed] long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Focus Heavenward.

Faith

What If …

Anyone who has listened to any news report within the last several days as heard these words. Hours upon hours have been spent speculating the ‘what ifs’. Consider the time, energy and resources that have gone into the ‘science’ of trying to figure out what might happen in this election and how people will respond. This is the epitome of living in uncertainty, without structure and a path to follow. As often as the direction seems to change, the predictions change. This is the world, being thrown to and fro with every passing circumstance. There is another way –

Deuteronomy 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

1Samuel 2:2 "There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides Thee, nor is there any rock like our God.

2Samuel 22:2-3 And he said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my savior, Thou dost save me from violence.

2Samuel 22:47 "The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

Psalm 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Isaiah 51:1 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.

Above are just a few of many scriptures referring to God as our Rock. What do we learn from the above scriptures?

God’s work is perfect, just, and faithful.
There is only one who is God, there is no other.
God is our strength, and our protection.
God is alive; in Him is our salvation.
God is our security, our constant in a world of change.
We are to keep our focus on God, remembering His mercies.

Recall Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 –

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and [yet] it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall." (v.24-27)

You have two choices – either you build your life upon the Rock or you do not. One will provide security and protection no matter the circumstances surrounding you, the other will result in uncertainty and ruin. As I look around, I am amazed at God’s faithfulness to a faithless people. His love for each individual He created is beyond what we are able to comprehend. Man is sinful, there is no doubt. God is holy, there is no doubt. The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the bridge between God and man. We need a Savior, and His name is Jesus. You can choose to live in the ‘what ifs’ or you can choose to live in Christ, with your roots and security planted on God, the Rock of our salvation. Protection and purpose for today, and certain hope for eternity is available for all those who place their trust upon the Rock.

Focus Heavenward, Sharyn.

God is in Control

We live in a world that seems out of control. No matter how powerful words or knowledge or position may be, man is unable to direct his cause. We see this evidence all over the world. The year 2020 has proven to be devastating in areas of health, natural resources, the economy, violence, and fear. Our nation is now entering into the additional uncertainty of a presidential election which is forecast to lead to civil unrest no matter the result. People are confused and angry. So how do we respond? What can we do? We use the inerrant word given to us from God rather than relying upon the wisdom of men.

First, focus on the truth that we know – man is out of control; however, the world is under Divine control. Nothing takes place without the knowledge and allowance of God.

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is [like] channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths.

Jeremiah 16:17 "For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes.

Jeremiah 32:17-19 'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee, who showest lovingkindness to thousands, but repayest the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds;

Second, there is one certain solution for each of us –

Personally respond to God’s grace given, declaring Christ as your eternal King.
Choose to live in obedience to His commands, and
Seek the peace that comes from knowing God is in complete control.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Third, recognize that nothing will happen or has happened without His perfect knowledge and plan. Our understanding of His plan is not required. However, we are to accept His sovereignty over the earth. This response brings peace in the midst of an unsettled heart and nation.

Deuteronomy 4:39 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

Finally, there is much we can do after we respond in faith through God’s grace to His perfect plan.

Be a light in darkness. Have empathy and compassion for the lost.
Share the hope you have in Christ to those who will listen.
Pray for God’s intervention and mercy in a world that does not seek Him or recognize Him as King.
Live in peace with all men as far as you are able. Put self last and Christ first in all your interactions.

2Corinthians 1:12 For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] that it may give grace to those who hear.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, [as it were,] with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

God knows all, God understands perfectly, and God has a plan which will lead to His glory in His time. God loves you and sent His Son to pay the price for your sin. Because of this, confusion and anger will not be your response. Instead, peace will reside in your heart no matter what may come.

1Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Slay Anxiety

It is then no longer I who is scrambling to solve a problem, it is God who is sovereign over all things, knows all things, and can do all things.

How do you respond when your own personal concerns about friends, family and life circumstances begin to creep into your joy? My response when I notice my heart is beginning to feel heavy and overwhelmed, is to dig into a well-known section of scripture once again. It is incredible how a child of God can repeatedly visit the same verse through the years and be encouraged by new and different insight. It is not that the Word has changed, but our experiences of God’s faithfulness, and hopefully our own spiritual growth, causes us to see more. God has lovingly placed in our hands His inerrant Truths. His warnings and promises in the Bible are His historical guidebook on how He works, who He is, what He has done and what He will do. The Bible is our manual on how we are to live – who we are in Christ and without Christ, what we have because of Christ and what we forfeit when we reject Him. For the umpteenth time I have needed to reset my sights on what is genuinely important and valued, giving less regard to worldly concerns. I am so thankful to my Lord and Savior for His tender care for my soul. Grab a cup of coffee and let us unwrap the priceless package of God’s word together.

Focus Heavenward, Sharyn.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Notice the action in Psalm 55 – cast your burden, meaning to throw out, down or away. Picture casting a fishing line into the water. However, in this case you would cut the line having no desire to retrieve it. We are to get rid of our burdens, placing them in the hands of God who is more than willing and capable to handle them. It is then no longer I who is scrambling to solve a problem, it is God who is sovereign over all things, knows all things, and can do all things. This truth creates a sigh of relief and peace in God’s children.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Again, we see action in Proverbs 16 – commit. We are to remove, literally roll, our burdens to the Lord. When all of our concerns are placed in Christ’s hands, we can take a deep sigh of relief. I will share part of my testimony here for sake of illustration. Years ago, I was unfamiliar with any specific scriptures in the Bible. However, when God determines it is time to open the eyes of one of His own, He orchestrates the circumstances. I was alone late one evening, my children were upstairs sleeping, and I was literally at the end of my rope. I had done everything I could possibly think of to change the direction of where we were headed. Nothing had worked. My life was in shambles, I had three children depending on me, I was scared, alone, felt hopeless, worthless, and ashamed by failure. As hot tears and silent sobs filled the dark night, I was led to take the blanket off the back of the sofa and lay it out on the floor. I then threw in my burdens, all of them, crying and telling God that I could not go on – it was all His. I was too weak to carry the load. I am sure if anyone had seen me talking to what looked like no one and pantomiming the placement of things in the middle of a blanket on the floor, I would have been carried off for evaluation. I rolled up the blanket and held it with both hands as high as possible and asked God to take all that was within and help me. In that moment of giving up of self and rolling my burdens to God, relief poured over me. A quietness I had never known settled in my soul and the peace of God’s care assured me that somehow, we would be okay.

Matthew 6:25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, [as to] what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, [as to] what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. [Each] day has enough trouble of its own.

Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for [your] life, [as to] what you shall eat; nor for your body, [as to] what you shall put on.

1Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

Do not be anxious for your life, do not be anxious for tomorrow, do not be anxious for what you shall eat, do not be anxious for what you shall wear – Be anxious for nothing!

Be Anxious <merimnao> to be anxious about, take thought; through the idea of distraction.

When we are worried or bothered about something, it is what we think about most. In fact, just listen to others. Most often, they talk about what is bothering them. It does not take long to find out what is troubling to any of us as we are usually ready to share with those who will listen. Consider how you might mull over a situation again and again in your mind. When this happens, we find it difficult to concentrate on other things, even those things that are most important. We can become distracted; our attention can be drawn away from God rather than towards Him when our focus is diverted.

Is your soul distracted or troubled?

When Jesus sent the twelve disciples, He told them they would have difficulty, yet they were not to be anxious about all the details. Matthew 10:19 "But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak.

When Martha was complaining about the things that needed to get done, Jesus addressed her, Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but [only] a few things are necessary, really [only] one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Read an account of what the interaction between Martha and Jesus may have sounded like, written by Philip Doddridge in his New Testament notes, “But let me tell thee, my dear friend, that there is one thing absolutely necessary, and of infinitely greater importance than any of these domestic and secular cares; even the care to have the soul instructed in the saving knowledge of the way that leads to eternal life, and to secure a title to it: and Mary is wisely attending to that; therefore, instead of reproving her, I must rather declare that she has chosen what may eminently be called the good part, which as it shall not be finally taken away from her, I would not now hinder her from pursuing; but rather invite thee to join with her in her attention to it”.

For nothing <medeis> not even one, anything, none at all.

In nothing be anxious, in other words, stop being anxious. Not that we do not care spiritually for one another. We need to exercise what is right, being diligent in our responsibilities. This is not license for a carefree, slothful life.

Romans 12:11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

2Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

2Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

We are to work hard, making the most of our time, using our resources for the encouragement and service of one another. We are not to be distracted and anxious for worldly cares. Picture a squirrel running to and fro, easily distracted by every noise, breeze, smell, and sound. This is the opposite of what our focus should look like. We often try to figure out that which is not ours to care for. For some reason, we quickly take the burden of fixing those things which are God’s to fix and direct. We constantly need to remember that we are not the ones in control. Then our focus can become what it should be – a life honoring to God, taking care in all things to give glory to His name. Sometimes quick action is required, certainly service to one another is necessary, but frequently prayer is the answer as we wait upon God and trust in His work.

Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved [even in his] sleep.

But – instead of being anxious and distracted

In everything <pas> including all the forms of declension (downward slope, worsening, decline); all, any, every, all manner, whatsoever, whosoever.

Even when circumstances seem dire, like they will never be resolved, or it seems that things are getting worse and we begin to feel fear rise up in us. Even when we are certain we cannot go on – God can.

All the big things, all the little things, great and small – God cares! In necessity, in prosperity, in adversity, in everything, every time, every condition and every occasion. (cf. Matthew Poole’s Commentary)

Do you trust all things to God?

If someone were to ask, ‘Do you trust God’, many of us would quickly reply with an affirmation that indeed we do. But consider what is behind your most troublesome and heart-wrenching cares. We are to trust God with the impossible. I must admit, often it boils down to a lack of complete trust, I can lose hope and the word ‘quit’ enters my mind. I can readily forget where my sight needs to be centered. Oh Lord, give me a heart to immediately remember Your faithfulness in the past and build my trust in Your faithfulness for the future.

Matthew 17:20 And He *said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.

Matthew 19:26 And looking upon [them] Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

By prayer <proseuche> prayer, worship, pray earnestly,

The answer to solicitous care or anxiousness, is fervent prayer. To pray earnestly means to take prayer seriously. This is more than the quick obligated words you may hear at times. It is understanding the value of prayer and the One to whom you are praying. Coming before the throne of God is not to be taken lightly. When I think of who I am, who God is and what He has done for me in spite of my sin, my heart is clothed in humility and gratitude. Then I am prepared to worship and bring my requests before our Almighty God.

When the Amalekites raided Palestine and David was distressed, he found solace in God, 1Samuel 30:6 Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

I have noticed a pattern in my life. Years ago, I spent time studying prayer as I was convicted of the need to develop a deeper, more complete time of praising God verbally, confessing my sins, thanking Him for countless blessings, and of bringing my own requests and the concerns of others before Him. I was intrigued by the stillness of the very early morning and the void of distraction and was challenged to ask God to help me seek Him through prayer when I awoke at these early times. Our God is faithful to answer the requests that cause us to rely on Him more deeply. I now often find myself wide awake in the wee hours of the morning and have come to treasure these sweet quiet times of prayer. I do not even question why I am awake any more, I just spend time in prayer. I am personally thankful for God’s faithfulness in developing a deeper time of prayer in my life.

Fervent prayer, which always pulls my focus back where it belongs, is the key to overcoming frequent worry. Sincere prayer causes us to remember who God is. When we focus on God, we cannot help but be silenced in our worry. Think of some of His attributes: He is light in darkness, He is without sin, He is everlasting, His strength is beyond comparison, He knows all things, He defines wisdom, He is holy and perfectly just. He loves us, He is good, gracious, faithful, merciful, patient, and compassionate.

I believe it is impossible to encompass my thoughts with the worship of God and be worried at the same time!

And supplication <deesis> a petition, prayer, request, supplication (asking God’s help, a humble request for help, plea)

Think of the scenario of a child needing their parent for something. You can hear the desperate sound of their voice as they plea for help. At that moment, only Mom or Dad have the solution to their call. We are to call to God, our heavenly Father, with the understanding that He alone has answers. Our plea to Him is one of dependence and trust in His faithfulness and power to overcome our trouble or see us through it.

When the king of Assyria taunted the people of Jerusalem, Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, 2Chronicles 32:20 But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.

It is no surprise that we need God! His intervention in our lives is the only reason we have hope for our future and success in the present. There is a popular saying, ‘Know God – know peace’. How true this is. Right now, during this world-wide pandemic, in which 2020 will be noted for in history, circumstances seem downright confusing. However, there is no confusion on God’s part. He has the answers, He is guiding His people, and His glory will prevail. We are reminded to be on our knees as we seek His help in this desperate time. I pray you see this as a blessing! God is at work in the world.

Things may not turn out the way we think they should, but they will turn out the way God has intended. We may not get what we want but we will get what God has planned. We may not receive what we think we need but we will be blessed with what God knows we need in order to grow in His likeness and glorify Him.

With thanksgiving <eucharistia> gratitude; grateful language to God as an act of worship.

Bottom line – we do not deserve one ounce of any type of blessing God has bestowed on us. What we do deserve is death – instead, we have life eternal. What we do deserve is confusion – instead, we have the promise of His direction. We have peace instead of chaos, hope instead of fear, comfort in the midst of sorrow, joy in all circumstances, and forgiveness rather than condemnation.

Thanksgiving to God for His answers means you are resigned to your need of His care. It is trusting that God’s will is best; it is relinquishing your plan for His. He understands and knows all things. He is in complete control of all things and has allowed all things for your good and for His glory. We are to pray with grateful acknowledgement of mercies given, benefits bestowed, and God’s saving grace in all circumstances. We are to be thankful for the growth that results from affliction, for God’s strength to be sufficient when we are tempted, for His faithfulness when we fail and for our future and certain hope in Him.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with [an attitude of] thanksgiving;

Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Let <gnorizo> to make known, give to understand

This is a small word with significant meaning. First, God wants to hear from us! He anticipates our dependence on Him and our desire to love Him. He wants us to voice our struggles and concerns to Him. He sent His only Son to suffer and die because of His great love for us. He wants us to have a relationship with Him. Second, we are to make known our concerns but then we are to give them to God for His understanding. We are unable to figure everything out, but God will allow us the information we need to honor Him. I like to know the beginning from the end, the expected result, the exact direction. But this is not my story, it is God’s. He will reveal to His children what is needed. The result is His to know.

Is your relationship with God hit and miss – there when you need Him but out of sight and mind when you believe you have things covered?
Do you lay your petitions and concerns at the feet of the cross – and leave them there, trusting in God’s direction and plan?

Earnestly seeking to know God day by day, moment by moment, and trusting in His knowledge and plan for all things, produces a heart of peace.

Your requests <aitema> a thing asked, petition

Does God care about my petitions, my thoughts, my cares, and concerns?

God tells us to bring our cares to Him. He desires our earnest need for Him. When we share prayer requests with others, we might struggle with what words to use or how it may sound. We may even hesitate to share certain things. God already knows our deepest thoughts, there is no surprise about our struggles, and He understands what we really need (which does not always match with our own thinking). Conversing with God in prayer, supplication and thanksgiving is the hallmark of our dependence on Him. It is the characteristic of an authentic relationship. Compare the idea of having the whole of your relationship at a facility where ‘church’ meets once or twice a week. God is not contained in a building. He resides in a believer’s heart and soul 24/7. Read the verses below. Notice the description of continually bringing your requests before the Lord.

1Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.

Be made known to God. (with generous, filial, unreserved confidence; not keeping aught back, as too great, or else too small, to bring before God, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary)

“They who by a preposterous shame or distrustful modesty, cover, stifle, or keep in their desires, as if they were either too small or too great, must be racked with care; from which they are entirely delivered, who pour them out with a free and filial confidence.” John Wesley’s Notes on the Old and New Testaments

Do you present your concerns to God?

We sometimes readily and even eagerly share our prayer requests with others. God desires us to come to Him, to kneel before Him and pour out our concerns no matter how small. When we acknowledge our need for Him, seeking His counsel, His peace and comfort, trusting in His ways, He is glorified.

Picture the time you might spend with a close friend. You readily share even the smallest details of circumstances to explain your thoughts, whether they are funny, sad, encouraging or challenging. God cares about the details. This is not that we go to Him with a light-minded attitude, but with an understanding that He absolutely loves us, cares for us, has created us, and desires us to desire Him.

Does God really care about all my concerns?

Luke 12:7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows. - every hair on your head is numbered.

1Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. – all means everything.

Go back to the beginning of Philippians 4:6 which says, - in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 139:1-3 O LORD, Thou hast searched me and known [me.] Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.

1John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us [in] whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

“Resigning yourselves to the disposal of God, be anxiously solicitous about nothing; but in every difficulty, by prayer for what is good, and deprecation of what is evil, with thanksgiving for mercies received, make known your desires to God, who, if He see it fit, will grant your requests. Or if not, these devout exercises will enable you to bear with patience whatever affliction God allots to you.” Macknight on the Epistles

What is the result of practicing Philippians 4:6?

Thanksgiving results in prayer which replaces anxious thoughts with resounding peace.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Only a child of God can understand this peace. It cannot be explained. But when it is realized, it trumps all anxious thoughts as our soul is guarded by Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

“Both our bodily and spiritual interests will be safe when we place them in the Lord's hands, and, through the peace which will result from our faith, our thoughts will become steady, calm, resolute, and joyful”, Spurgeon Devotional Commentary.

Wait…

We are to choose to trust God, we are to find our delight in Him alone, and we are to commit to His perfect plan, having confidence that He is in control.

Ruth 3:16-18

Ruth 3:16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her.17 And she said, "These six [measures] of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'“ 18 Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."

We have Ruth returning from the festivities at the end of harvest. She obediently followed Naomi’s instruction to attend the activities at the threshing floor where she secretly let Boaz know of her desire to have him fulfill his role as kinsman redeemer for her late husband’s name. Boaz reacted kindly toward her and sent her home with a gift of grain and a promise that he would indeed take care of the matter. Yet, only if the one who was next of kin was unable to fulfill his obligation.

Naomi was likely anticipating the return of her daughter-in-law since she welcomed her with the question, ‘How did it go, my daughter’. This question may have been one of surprise. Remember, Ruth got up before the morning light as Boaz had told her, then he had sent her on her way before anyone had the opportunity to speak poorly of them. It was likely that Naomi had not expected Ruth to show up so early in the morning. Perhaps she wondered what had happened and maybe thought things did not go as well as she had hoped.

Considering this response, how often do we have expectations of something going a certain way? When circumstances do not develop the way we think they should we are apt to think the worst or wonder what the problem may be. Sometimes, in fact often, we cannot see things clearly. God has a perfect plan. It is good for us to trust in His timing and His execution of the events of our lives.

Ruth then gave her account of Boaz’s response. She showed her mother-in-law the grain Boaz had sent with her. Naomi’s reply in verse 18 is an example for us to follow. She tells Ruth to sit still and wait until Boaz gives her an answer, Ruth 3:18 Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out. Remember in Ruth 3:12-13 what Boaz said to Ruth on the threshing floor, “And now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than i. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning”.

Boaz was going to make certain that neither of them acted too quickly without paying attention to facts. This may mean that decisions cannot be made right away. It may take time to sort things out to be certain all information is considered.

How often might we think to ourselves that we need to do something to fix a situation or to figure out an answer NOW?

Once we have taken care of our responsibility in a circumstance, we need to be okay with knowing it is not up to us to make everything right. Instead, we are to have the attitude spelled out for us in the Psalms.

Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Trust <batach> to hie for refuge, to be confident or sure, to put confidence, to (make to) hope.

We are to hie, or move fast, to safety. A refuge is something or someone turned to for assistance or security. Our confidence is to be in the Lord, Jehovah, the eternal God. We are to turn quickly to a heart that trusts that God is working.

Do you seek to act according to His will?
Do you believe God will not fail you?

Sometimes, we can choose to change direction because we do not see results or we do not get answers fast. We like to take matters into our own hands! Listen to this commentary, “To trust in the Lord, on his promises for support … persevering in the path of duty, however … discouraging it may appear” (Thomas Haweis).

We have a responsibility to place our trust in God even if circumstances are not what we think they ought to be. In fact, we are to be busy about doing the things God would have us do while we are trusting in His direction and care – “do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness”.

Be at rest right where God has you. Your security is in God, not in circumstances.

Are you able to find delight in the Lord?

Delight <anag> to be soft or pliable. Think about this for a moment. Perhaps your answers will not be God’s answers. That is okay. Our own determination for what should be can derail us from seeing something with different possibilities. God is in charge!

Are we open to a different direction than perhaps the one we have entertained?
Do we allow ourselves to consider an alternative that we had not thought of?
Are we able to trust in God when His direction does not make sense in our mind?

Consider anyone in authority. Their position means they make decisions for all those for which they are responsible. Parent/child, Teacher/student, Employer/employee, and Government/citizens, are all examples of these relationships. While these relationships are all subject to error because of human limits, we are still to move, even without understanding, in the direction we are told.

God, who is perfect in all His ways, and understands all things, and desires to bless His children, tells us to trust in Him and be flexible to His plan.

When we seek our joy in the Lord, through His word and promises, He will bestow upon us everything that is good. If our delight is in pleasing God, our desires will be for those things that glorify His name.

Psalm 43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise Thee, O God, my God.

Psalm 104:34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

“Think what he is, and what you are; and at once, both wonder and yield. And what else have you to delight in? What thing will you name that shall supply the place of GOD, or be to you in the stead of him? Moreover, who should delight in him but you -- his friends, his sons, those of his own house? Think what life and vigor it will infuse into you, and that "the joy of the Lord will be your strength," Treasury of David

“The desires of God, and the desires of the righteous, agree in one; they are of one mind in their desires”. John Bunyan.

Commit <galal> to roll (literally or figuratively); roll (away, down, together), run down, seek.

“Roll thy way upon -- as one who lays upon the shoulder of one stronger than himself a burden which he is not able to bear”. William De Burgh, D.D., in "A Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Dublin:" 1860.

Think about what happens when you commit to something. You devote yourself to someone or something. You put all your efforts confidence and trust into the thing that you have determined is important. Seek God; commit your way to follow Him. This is an active choice to follow God in obedience – even if you are unsure of the direction.

Psalm 22:8 "Commit [yourself] to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him."

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Consider how well you do following your own wisdom.

Where do you place your concerns?
Do you fully expect God to take care of your circumstances, to fulfill your desires, to accomplish what is needed to grow you into His likeness?

He will do it! God will certainly cause His will for you to be done. This is not a maybe.

Luke 12:29 "And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“When thou hast any difficult business in hand, and art doubtful of the success; or when thou knowest not what course to take, for the accomplishing of thy honest designs; leave all to the Lord, and trust to him in pious and upright courses, that he will direct and assist thee, and bring things to a good issue.” Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/Lowman Commentary

“Commit thy way unto the Lord. Roll the whole burden of life upon the Lord. Leave with Jehovah not thy present fretfulness merely, but all thy cares; in fact, submit the whole tenor of thy way to him. Cast away anxiety, resign thy will, submit thy judgment, leave all with the God of all. What a medicine is this for expelling envy! What a high attainment does this fourth precept indicate! How blessed must he be who lives every day in obedience to it! Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Our destiny shall be joyfully accomplished if we confidently entrust all to our Lord. We may serenely sing --

"Thy way, not mine, O Lord, However dark it be; O lead me by thine own right hand, Choose out the path for me."

"Smooth let it be or rough, It will be still the best; Winding or straight, it matters not, It leads me to thy rest."

"I dare not choose my lot, I would not if I might; But choose Thou for me, O my God, So shall I walk aright."

"Take thou my cup, and it With joy or sorrow fill; As ever best to thee may seem, Choose thou my good and ill."

The ploughman sows and harrows, and then leaves the harvest to God. What can he do else? He cannot cover the heavens with clouds, or command the rain, or bring forth the sun or create the dew. He does well to leave the whole matter with God; and so to all of us it is truest wisdom, having obediently trusted in God, to leave results in his hands, and expect a blessed issue.” Treasury of David

We are to choose to trust God, we are to find our delight in Him alone, and we are to commit to His perfect plan, having confidence that He is in control.

After Naomi tells Ruth to wait, she gives more insight into the character of Boaz, for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.

Determination. Follow-through. True to his word. Boaz can be counted on to take care of the matter as he said he would. He does not lay his responsibility aside for someone else to figure out. He is not idle, wasting time, hoping the matter will resolve itself. He does what is needed to follow through with his promise to Ruth.

Boaz’s actions remind us of his integrity and faithfulness. We see wisdom in waiting upon God’s answers and direction when we have done all that we could. We see wisdom in the necessity to be diligent to take care of the responsibility we have. Both of these things are necessary in our walk with God.

What is your response?

Patience, Faithfulness and Diligence

Ruth 3:16-18

How often might we think to ourselves that we need to do something to fix a situation or to figure out an answer NOW?

Trust <batach> to hie for refuge, to be confident or sure, to put confidence, to (make to) hope.

Do you seek to act according to His will?
Do you believe God will not fail you?

Be at rest right where God has you. Your security is in God, not in circumstances.

Are you able to find delight in the Lord?

Are we open to a different direction than perhaps the one we have entertained?
Do we allow ourselves to consider an alternative that we had not thought of?
Are we able to trust in God when His direction does not make sense in our mind?