“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” James 2:1 KJV
The phrase, “with respect of persons” can be translated “with partiality” or “showing favoritism”.
Jesus Christ died once for all.
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Heb. 10:10 KJV
James continues:
“For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” James 2:2-4
Therefore, no one should look at their fellow man and withhold the truth of the Gospel.
Some might say, “But not all will be saved.”
This is true, but there is no person who can know the heart of another and thus, it is wrong to withhold the Gospel from any.
For man looks on the outward appearance, but God sees the heart.
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, ‘Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'” 1 Sam. 16:7 KJV
One might respond further, “But you don’t know what they have done!”
True, but that question can boomerang, for does any know what each one of us has done?
Yes.
God does.
This is why He sent His Son, Jesus.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17
Jesus was sent to pay the sins of all, and those who put their trust in Him and not themselves will be saved.
Therefore, those who have already accepted His free priceless gift should be careful in their behavior and attitude towards others.
No follower of Christ should be swayed by another’s status, appearance, ability, or any other thing which might attract or repell one to another.
Jesus wasn’t.
“And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, ‘Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.'” Matt. 22:16
Neither should we.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matt. 28:19 KJV
Christ Jesus’ words to the disciples rings as true today as ever, for it is as needed today as that day.
People need the truth of the Gospel, the example of those who have faith in Jesus and share it as freely for others as it was shared with them.
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations. Psalm 22:27-28KJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for teaching so clearly that we should never show favoritism when it comes to the Gospel. No one is more valuable than any other. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is through You that we find not only salvation, but reconciliation. Our relationship with You is restored. You not only redeem those who put their trust in You, but You work though the Word in our hearts and lives. You bring healing to the soul and understanding to the heart. You teach and exhort and grow those who put their trust in You. Lord, thank You! Thank You for working in and through our lives that we might be a testimony to Your work and Your glory. Great are You, Lord and greatly to be praised! Amen.
Yesterday’s sermon at church was inspiring and I asked permission to share it with you.
“Often you hear me refer to Charles Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, Billy Graham. While my natural desire in preaching is to write down some notes and comment as I feel led, that is not what I am going to do this Sunday. I would instead I like to use the style of Spurgeon, Henry, and Graham and read to you the sermon that was laid on my heart. This is a step out of my comfort zone, as reading out loud is not my strong suit, nor is staying on a single thought. Therefore, this is all the more reason to write out the sermon, to put in succinct order the thoughts on a subject that is vital to our faith.
Of course, the topic of today’s sermon is the Cross and the Resurrection. The very center of our Christian faith. How can one claim to be a Christian without the Cross and the Resurrection, of forgiveness without the hope of being forgiven? For just as 1 Peter 1:21 states:
21…who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him the glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
The Resurrection gives us faith and hope in God. Yet without the Cross we have no payment for our sins. As Deuteronomy 21:23 says of a man deserving of death:
23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
Paul goes on to explain in Gal. 3:13 that Christ (Jesus) became a curse for us.
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)
Christ was not deserving of death, but we, as sinners, are. Christ paid for our sins by the Cross, taking on our curse that we may have eternal life.
Ponder with me the Cross that Christ bore for you and me. What is the Cross? This wooden structure, placed just out of town, a symbol of Roman authority. The execution means of which only the vilest of men would die on. I wonder, was the Cross really was symbol of Roman authority or if the Cross should be taken as a symbol of justice? In the sense where someone, who has committed such an act deserving of death, would pay for their actions. It could be debated, that the man who premeditatedly murdered a fellow person may deserve a death sentence or life imprisonment. We would call this punishment: justice. While the punishment would not bring back the victim, there would be some sort of closure or payment for the crime. A sense of justice would prevail and those victims of the crime would say that the prosecuted “received what was due to them.”
Now with this mindset we look to the Cross. A place where the crimes committed against God were paid for and justice was made. For as the word says of the believer in Romans 3.
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Christ was the only one who did not have sin so he was the only one who could be the perfect sacrifice as stated in Hebrews 9.
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Christ’s perfect sacrifice is the only way to have a pure conscience, for the old covenant would only cover sins, but not pay for them. The sinner still was a sinner, but with a covering of a type of payment, that being the blood of goats and lambs. Make no mistake, there is a difference between the covering of a temporary sacrifice and a full payment of an eternal debt.
If my child fell on hard times and was not able to pay their house payment, I might be able to cover a payment or two, but this would be a far stretch of paying the debt off in full. The bank would come knocking, expecting a full payment when the covering ran out. The Old Testament law was such a covering. The sin offering was a payment to cover the debt, but not paid-in-full, the required amount to be paid. As the author of Hebrews states about the sin sacrifice, it was to be made once a year for the unintentional sins of the congregation. This was just a covering for the year. Not the payment in full. For this reason the Cross of Christ must be at the center of the our Christian faith. There had to be a payment of blood,
14 For the life of every creatureis its blood: its blood is its life.
And let us not forget that 23 … the wages of sin is death
Therefore, because the wages of sin is life blood, only the shedding of innocent blood would replace that of the corrupted sinner. And so, we see Christ the “just sin sacrifice” and the “justifier of our faith.”
As we ponder the Cross and the Redemption made for you and me, let us ask the question “Why the Cross?” Could not Christ have died by stoning or other means? The answer is: no. The offering for sin was to be bound and the blood to be poured out unto an altar. Just as we see in the picture God gave us with the offering of Isaac.
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
Just as Isaac was bound at the alter so was our Savior bound to the Cross, a form of an altar according to Hebrews 13. The sin offering bound to the alter, just as our sins bind us unto death. There could be no other means of death for Christ, because the blood had to be poured out on an altar. Christ did this while laying bleeding as he was secured to the Cross and even moreover as the blood and water flowed from the spear entering his side. Thus, fulfilling the prophecy written in Isa 53:5 :
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Furthermore, Jesus had to die on a Cross, because it was foretold this would be the manner of death which he would die.
Psalms 22:16 ‘For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—‘
And also Zech 12:10
10 ‘And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.‘
To the Christian, the Cross is a symbol of mercy and the love of Jesus Christ. A symbol of where the debt was paid that we could not pay. As Hebrews says:
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
The Old Testament sin covering replaced by the New Testament payment. For on the altar of the Cross Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, poured his mercy and love out for the wretched sinner. Giving access to you and me into the Most Holy Place.
We have talked about the altar of the Cross, but lets now look to the hope in the empty tomb. As previously stated, the Cross brings the means for payment of sin and the Resurrection brings faith and hope to those justified by the Cross. As Paul writes:
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep
Christ’s resurrection brings us hope that we will be with him. For in the Resurrection Jesus proves his deity. Just as Hosea prophesied.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
The Resurrection of Jesus paves the way that we may have the hope of eternal life with him. For if there was no Resurrection, there would be no evidence of his deity. Thus, Jesus’ teaching would be likened to other “prophets”, who passed away. Jesus is not a prophet, but the Christ. His resurrection proves his deity, just as Jesus says about his own ability to raise himself up, is the confirmation that he is Christ. John 10:17
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
If Jesus has the authority to raise himself up from the dead how much more does he have to raise us up, his creation? Christ’s ability to raise himself up should bring the Christian hope for the eternal life promised by our Lord which comes through the altar of the Cross.
Christ’s resurrection brings the hope of being a new creation. The acceptance of the payment given at the cross gives birth to a new creation that is brought to full fruition upon earthly death, in which we will be raised as a finished creation of Christ. As Paul writes in Colossians:
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
The Cross of Christ and his resurrection should bring the Christian to a place where we seek those things which are above. Because our sin was paid for we have assurance of that payment by the Resurrection. For as the writer of Hebrews says:
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
This curtain being talked about is the curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. It is the veil that was ripped when Jesus died. This is why the Cross and Resurrection is so pivotal to our Christian faith. For by the Cross we gained access to the presence of God through our Lord, The Perfect Sacrifice. We have the hope of eternal life in seeing our Lord raised from the dead. We have the hope of being made new, of not only finding our hearts of stone being replaced with hearts of flesh, but the sinful man dead and the soul alive with Christ.
Therefore, oh man of God, rise up! Walk in the newness of the Resurrection of Christ. Put off the old man and be made new. Let the garment of salvation envelope you as it is bought at the most costly price but given more freely than any gift has ever or will ever be given. Isa 61:10 : I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.“
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word which gives us such clear insight into Your death on the Cross and Your burial and the Resurrection! Lord, if it be that any who may have yet to know You feel these words are the key to opening a relationship with You, please encourage them to seek to be cleansed by Your payment for their sins and to find hope and faith in Your resurrection. Lord Jesus, please reach those who have yet to know You with this truth and let the world be made aware of the truth of Your salvation through the blood You shed upon the Cross and the joy of assurance that there is eternity to look forward to, for those who would believe on Your name and accept the gift of salvation. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
Isaiah 32:17 KJV — And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
In this world of envies, bitterness, wrath, senseless brutality, wars, prejudice, and all manner of evil, just the idea of peace is sweet.
As elusive as peace is on earth, it is possible for God.
Because peace is a work of righteousness and God is righteous.
And through the work of Jesus the Christ, we too can be made righteous.
Romans 3:22 KJV — Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Through faith in the Lord Jesus we are made righteous, for He paid the debt, cleared the offense, and reconciled through His sacrifice.
Romans 5:10 NKJV — For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
This salvation brings all those who trust in Him peace with God through Christ’s righteousness.
2 Cor. 5:21 KJV — For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
No one can earn their own righteousness nor fabricate true peace, it can only be attained through Jesus.
Philippians 3:9 KJV — And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
True peace is through righteousness, the work of God and the blessing for all those who put their trust in His Son.
Psalm 89:16 KJV — In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for all You have done through Your sacrifice. Lord Jesus, thank You for your righteousness and peace. Thank You that I have assurance and quietness through Your promises. Lord Jesus, thank You for how You have blessed me. May Your name be glorified and Your truth be spread throughout the face of the Earth. Amen.
Scripture is truth and contains incredible wisdom.
For those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus, it is important to be established in the Word of God and have one’s faith solid in truth.
Which was why the book of Romans was penned.
Within the first chapter the believer can find security in the hope they have in Christ Jesus.
Romans 1:16-17 KJV [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
These words are inspiring and uplifting, but the chapter goes on to explain the awe one feels when looking at creation.
Romans 1:18-20 KJV [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
All of creation testifies to the glory of God and, whether mankind admits it or not, it is unquestionably incredible.
The Psalmist noted this as well.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 8:3-4
(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6
Yet, the scripture doesn’t end there, rather it goes on to explain why mankind has become corrupt.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21
It is wicked to see God’s creation, the work of His word, and refuse to give Him the glory.
Wickedness leads to more, which brings incredible suffering and death.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:22-25
For God did not create us to worship animals, the stars, planets, or each other.
We were created to worship Him.
When we do not worship and glorify God, our need to worship looks to other things, and we are ensnared by sin into depravity.
From the beginning, God has warned mankind of the snares of sin and the results of it.
Which is why this entire section of scripture is begun with:
Romans 1:16-17 KJV [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
No one need fall prey to the wickedness, for Jesus Christ has the power to save every one that believes.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Lord, thank You for making it clear why there is such wickedness abounding, it is result from mankind’s rejection of You and refusal to give You the glory You so richly deserve. Lord, Please continue to help each one of us to hear the truth and turn from the ways of sin. Lord, thank You for Your salvation which makes it possible to be freed from the chains of wickedness. Lord, Your ways are perfect and Your truth is life. Thank You for what You have done and are doing each day in my life and in the lives of so many. Thank You for walking with me, as I continue to seek Your face and learn from Your Word. I am so grateful to You for the hope I have and the security I enjoy in knowing my soul is safe in You. Thank You, Jesus! I glorify Your name! Amen.
These past weeks have brought a whirl of change for us.
I, as yet, have not settled into a new routine.
The Lord is using this season to temper and mold me.
This weekend was one of unplanned and unexpected delights.
Saturday night, my husband ran across a Face Book post about a couple who have known us since before we were Mr. and Mrs.
They had been used by God in our lives during those tumultuous years of our early twenties.
They are moving in with their daughter due to declining health and increasing expenses.
We didn’t want to miss their final service at the fellowship they have been attending for the past forty years.
God is so faithful and He not only gave us a wonderful time with this couple, our hearts were blessed by many dear people we have not seen in a long while.
Love and joy at being with many folks after a long absence kept me wiping my eyes.
Thankfully, everyone was very patient with me and my inability to speak.
Both my husband and our son took turns speaking for me.
God continually surprises me with how He does things and yesterday was one of those.
Not only were we blessed to be a part of the service for this precious couple, we got to watch a baby dedication.
I have written multiple blogs about this baby and his family.
His older brother was a miracle and still is, from conception to birth to the day he finally left the hospital.
This baby is just as miraculous, for not long into the pregnancy, cancer was found in his mother, throughout her body.
Doctors told her she should end the pregnancy and start treatment right away.
She refused.
They told her she was risking her life.
Yesterday, we watched as she held her miracle son and the whole family; parents, grandparents, great grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, all join together and dedicated this little boy to the Lord Jesus.
I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place, but if there were, I couldn’t see them through my own tears.
When the opportunity came, I just wrapped my arms around this young mother who is still fighting cancer.
I couldn’t speak, but I didn’t have to.
The entire day was a delight, for the Lord blessed our hearts full to running over.
Often, God amazes me with His generosity.
What great gifts He has given us in the brethren, for the body of Christ is filled with wonderful precious people.
(A Song of degrees of David,) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 115
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for the body of Christ! Thank You for so many wonderful people we have been blessed to know and to walk with, even if only for a season. Lord, thank You for all You are doing and how You are working in and through the lives of those who are Your servants. As it was preached yesterday, please help each on of us to walk with humility and to be Your servants, Your bond servants. Lord, thank You for how You have used so many people in our lives to bless us, teach us, exhort us, encourage us, and faithfully show us the Way. Lord, You are the One who has done all these things and it is through those You have brought into our lives that we have been granted these gifts. Lord, please help me to be like them, to live a life that shines so brightly others are blessed and want to know You more. Lord, thank You for Your very great gift of life eternal where we will no longer have to say, “Goodbye”, but will stand together worshiping You. Lord, I do not know what Heaven will be like, but I am so thankful to know, some day, we will be there, with You, and blessed by so great a cloud of witnesses! I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1
Zechariah 13:9 KJV — And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 1 Cor. 3:11-13
Fire.
It can do such costly damage, in moments, that the aftermath is nearly unbelievable.
It is also extremely necessary to life, for with it mankind is warmed, cooks food, creates electricity, and the list continues.
God’s use for fire is two fold.
It does away with that which has tainted and it proves that which is enduring.
“For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” Psalms 66:10
That which endures is that which is purified, refined, cleansed.
Jesus Christ proved, with His life, that those who follow Him would endure trials and tribulations, difficulty.
Yet, His Word encourages, those who believe, that such things are used by Him to burn off the dross.
For the follower of Christ, those things are remnants of the flesh, areas sin has tried to rear it’s ugly head, places the enemy may have deceived, or anything that does not align with the Word as to what character traits of God’s children are.
It is through the fiery trials of this life that one sees what they are using to build upon the foundation of Christ.
Those things which endure through extreme difficulties are those which are found in God’s Word.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2
Fiery trials are used by God in the lives of His children.
Although, painful, it is through them one sees what God values.
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! What a blessing it is to read from Your Word and gain understanding into ourselves, this world, and You. Lord, please continue to teach us through Your Word and guide us according to Your principles, Your precepts, that we might find what we have built upon the foundation to be of the best quality, that which endures through the fire. Lord, it is obvious that this world is falling farther from Your Word and the ways You have laid down from the beginning. That mankind has been so tainted by sin, that it seems normal, acceptable. Lord, please keep me from accepting that which You hate. Please shine the light of Your truth into my heart that I might see myself clearly and walk with humility and honoring Your Word. Lord, as a child of You through the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, thank You! Thank You for Your great sacrifice. Please help me not to tarnish Your name through vain conceit, empty pursuits, or vanity. Lord, please keep lies and bitterness far from me and put me on my guard against pride. Lord, it is only in Your Word and through Your Holy Spirit that I can find guidance for each day. Thank You for going to such great lengths to save me, redeem me, and teach me how to walk with You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Luke 22:42 KJV — Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Can human hands release things into God’s?
Can one find true peace in the midst of the storm, such a storm that might end one’s life?
Can there ever be complete trust in the One who formed all?
Absolutely.
Jesus is the proof.
Before He was an adult, He was trusting God and obeying the authority God the Father had placed over Him. Luke 2:43-52
When a storm raged so violent as to frighten even the fishermen, men well acquainted with the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was asleep, but after being woken simply commanded the storm to stop.
Jesus had perfect peace in the midst of the storm. Mark 4:37-40
When He knew what was coming and those things He should suffer, He prayed and released all things into the hands of God the Father.
“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Mark 14:36
Truly, no one can fathom the depth of suffering Christ endured simply to redeem, reconcile, and remove the chasm between those that were and are His and Himself.
With all the arguments mankind has thrown up as a defense for their lack of faith, refusal to trust, and grasping to hold on to that which fades, tarnishes, and fails; one must look to Christ and dispose of the objections to which come readily.
For Christ, Himself, made it clear.
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt. 16:24
To follow means to do likewise, learning from the Master, and walking in His ways.
So the answer is yes, one can release all into the hands of God Almighty, and find peace in the midst of the storm, and it all comes through declaring and walking in the words of Jesus Christ:
“…not my will, but thine…”
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Lord, may the tricks of the enemy or the waywardness of my own heart always be thwarted and my heart and tongue continually say, “Not my will, but Thine”. Lord, I want to walk with You in ways that only those who follow hard after You can find, not being led astray by the lust of the flesh nor being choked by the cares of this world nor becoming apathetic thorough laziness. Rather, let my heart ever be drawn to Yours and help me to learn daily from Your Word etching it upon my heart with continued vigor. Lord, let Your name be praised and Your ways be known that those who have yet to know You might see Your good works and be drawn to You. Lord, nothing on this Earth is as important as the souls of mankind. Please continue to show me how I might shine Your light and encourage others with Your truth. Let it be said of me that people would recognize: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 Thank You, Jesus for all You are doing and have done. I love You. Amen.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Roman 5:1
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! How great a blessing to know that true peace comes only through faith in Your salvation. Nothing grants peace like that which comes from the assurance that one’s soul is safe with You. Lord, thank You for all You did to accomplish this gift of peace to those who put their trust in You! Lord Jesus, please teach those who are called by Your name to rest in Your Word and walk in Your ways with truth and understanding, let them not be hoodwinked by the world nor deceived by the enemy into trying to find peace anywhere else. Lord, only through total surrender can we walk with You in this peace. Thank You for Your righteousness! Thank You that Your Word states one can put on Your righteousness and be incorruptible! Thank You that in You is fullness of life and hope, confident expectation, for eternity. Lord, make Your standard that which we live by, love. Let Your character be that which we follow. May our lives bring glory to Your name and may we never stop praising Your holy name! In You I find true peace through faith in Your sacrifice, putting on the garment of salvation, and continually rejoicing with a heart of praise! I love You, Jesus. Amen.
“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Prov. 19:10
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” Prov. 20:7
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Lord, thank You for how You instruct us to righteousness and walking in truth. Lord, thank You that You are our example in this as in all things. Lord, You alone are the One who can helps us overcome sin and walk contrary to the things of the flesh. Lord Jesus, it is in You that we find all we need for goodness, holiness, and life eternal. Lord, please help each of those called by Your name to walk with integrity and truth, to be people of honor who bring glory to Your name. Lord, let those who walk in darkness see the light of Your salvation through those whose lives You have saved. Lord, let the testimony of Your people bring renewed respect and a desire for the things of You. Lord, please let those who practice lawlessness become disgusted with the paths of wickedness and turn to You and Your salvation. Please let those who follow You not become distracted by the busyness of life nor fall into apathy. Lord, please remind Your people to be diligent in walking daily, awake and aware of the seasons and put off fear or fables for those things do not bring the righteousness of God. Lord, thank You for all You have done and are doing. Thank You for Your Word. It is the bread of life. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Prov. 12:22
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You that You are always honest. You cannot lie neither do You try to deceive. Thank You that through You we too can overcome our sinful nature which lies, cheats, and distorts the truth. Lord, thank You that You are true and righteous and holy. Thank You that we can read Your Word and know that it is true. Thank You that Your Word has been proven over and over again and when people think that science or history or archeology have proven Your Word false it turns out that the error is with mankind, never with Your Word. Lord Jesus, please continue to walk with us and teach us Your truth. Lord, please place a guard over my lips that I might not lie not speak falsely. Lord, please help me to take every thought captive that I might not allow lies within my heart to distort or mar Your truth. Lord, help me to surrender those things which I do not like or am unhappy with to Your truth and not try to change the truth to fit my wants and desires. Lord, thank You for all You have done and are doing. Thank You for how You are working in and through Your Word daily. Lord, I want to be a delight to You. Please keep falsehood and lies far from me. Thank You. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 