Our faithful Creator

1 Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

 Being a Christian does not exempt us from suffering, from disappointments and hardships.  It is possible to be fully following the will of God in your life and come into a place of suffering or hardship.  Often this is a very discouraging and confusing place for a Christian.  We know that God is sovereign, all powerful, the God of all creation.  So why did He allow this?  These questions can cause us to be tempted to quit, or at least back off of a close walk with God.  This passage gives us instruction for such a time:  Commit ourselves to God’s keeping and continue in well doing, in living right, in doing right.  We can commit our keeping to Him because He is faithful, and He is the great Creator.  God is faithful; He can be depended on to do what is right, even if we can’t understand what is happening.  He is the great God, the almighty Creator.  We are perfectly safe in His care.  Trust Him.  Commit yourself to His care.

Life is short and fragile

Psa 39:4  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

 It’s good sometimes to remind ourselves how short and fragile this life is.  I don’t think we ought to think on it in a morbid way that leaves us depressed and causes us to lose our zest for life.  However, it is good to be reminded so that we keep things in proper perspective.  This life is short; a preparation really, for the life to come.  All of this life should be measured in the light of eternity.  The fact that life is so fragile should cause us to cling to our God, to trust Him for everything.  We need His wisdom and His help.  Life is short and fragile.  Keep heaven in view and rely on God for His protection and help. 

Walk as He walked

1 Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1Jn 2:5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1Jn 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1Jn 2:7  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 1Jn 2:8  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 1Jn 2:9  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 1Jn 2:10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1Jn 2:11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

 This passage is very plain and easy to understand.  We cannot be right with God if we don’t obey His commandments.  Love leads to obedience.  Obedience perfects, or completes our love, our love for God and love for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Our claim to have the truth and the light is a false claim if it hasn’t produced love for our fellow believers.  God’s Word is very plain on this subject:  the reality of our claim of salvation can be measured by the love for God and the love for one another that it produces.  Let’s be careful that we maintain our love for God and our love for His children.  Check your attitudes.  Check your words.  Check your actions.  It is vital that we know we are walking in the light at this dark hour.

Love your brother

1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

 1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1Jn 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1Jn 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1Jn 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

 1Jn 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1Jn 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

 Christian love is a natural attribute of one who has experienced the new birth, and has spiritual life.  Our love for God extends to God’s children, all those who have also experienced this great salvation and new life.  A love for our fellow believers is one of the evidences that we have experienced salvation.  On the other hand, a lack of love for our fellow believers gives evidence that our claim to know God is false.  Cultivate your love for your fellow believers, your brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Pray for them and their needs.  Allow your love to be lived out in actions and words in accordance with that love.  Let’s make sure our attitudes, words and actions fall in line with this commandment.    

Greater is He

1 Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

 We often forget that we are not alone in the battles of life.  As God’s children, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us.  He is with us in everything situation, in every temptation, in every difficulty, giving us the strength and help we need.  Take courage.  God is with you.  In everything we face, remember that the One who is with us is greater than anything that we face.

Praying always

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 Prayer is the heartbeat of our Christian life.  It is to be a continual part of our relationship with God.  We are to persevere in prayer and supplication.  Supplication is prayer that holds on, continues to plead with God.  We are to pray for one another.  Prayer binds us to God and to one another.  Let’s make sure we don’t neglect to pray, to hold on to God for what we need, and to pray for one another.

Private prayer

Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Mat 6:7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

 Prayer shows our dependence on God and our trust in Him.  Prayer is not to show others how spiritual we are.  Prayer is not a religious exercise that the mere performance of moves God.  God knows all about us.  God knows our needs before we ask.  Prayer brings us before God in a right attitude of trust and reliance on Him.  Prayer makes us aware of God’s love and care when we see His response to our prayer.  God wants a real relationship with us.  Prayer is one of the primary means by which that relationship is built.  As we see God’s love demonstrated to us in answer to our prayer, our love for God grows deeper and our trust and faith more full.  Pray.  Prayer is between you and God.  Let Him show you His faithfulness.  

Successful Christian living

Rom 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

In this passage we find a good prescription for a happy and successful Christian life.  First, rejoice in hope.  We have a hope, a hope of God’s help in this life, a hope of eternal life.  Our hope is of a life without end, without any sorrow or difficulty, in a place without any sin or evil of any kind.  Rejoice! Let your heart be overjoyed!  We have a hope no matter what else is going on.  Next, be patient, persevere in difficulties and trouble.  This present life is a mixture of good and evil.  Bear it patiently, in light of our hope.  Then continue instant, or continually, in prayer.  Bring your burdens and perplexities to God.  Trust Him to guide you safely home.  Come into His presence to find peace and assurance.    

Sincere prayer

Psa 17:1  Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

 Prayer isn’t something we do out of religious duty.  Prayer is a sincere call to the almighty God.  God is faithful to hear and answer sincere prayer.  We are in danger of our prayer becoming just a form, just a religious habit.  Let’s stay aware that we are coming into the presence of the very Ruler of the universe.  Let’s make sure our words are sincere, from our heart.  If they are, we can be certain that our God will hear.

Faithful all the time

Psa 42:8  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

 God is faithful all the time.  His lovingkindness, His compassion, and His mercy is seen both day and night.  His song, His praise can continue with us all the day through.  Let’s lift our prayers to the God of our life.  He is faithful, He is worthy of our trust and confidence. 

Start the day right

Psa 5:3  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

 It’s a good thing to start the day looking up…looking up to where our help comes from.  It’s good to lift our eyes above the trouble, above our own insufficiency.  Begin the morning talking to God.  Lift your heart and voice to the One who is able to guide, to help and give us what we need for the day ahead.  As the Psalmist, we ought to let God know to expect to hear from us every morning.  Begin the day right…begin the day spending time with God.

Continue in thankfulness

Psa 69:30  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

 I hope you are still experiencing the warm glow of gratitude and thanksgiving for all of God’s goodness.  Let the praise of God well up in your heart.  Show His greatness in your thanksgiving.  As we go through the weekend, continue to cultivate your thankfulness for God’s love and care.  Let your thankfulness be known to God and to those around you.  Show the greatness of God’s love, compassion and goodness.    

That we might have hope

(Rom 15:4 KJV)  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 God patiently revealed Himself and His ways to us over a period of a few thousand years.  God revealed Himself in His commandments and in His interaction with people during that time.  He finally revealed Himself fully in the coming of Jesus Christ as a human.  All these things have been recorded and preserved by God for our help, strength and instruction.  It is by patient endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures that we have hope and faith.  We live in a time when we need our hope and faith encouraged.  Look to God’s Word for help and hope.  God’s Word is readily available to us, yet many neglect this vital source of help and life.  Look to God’s Word.  Let’s find the comfort, encouragement, instruction and hope that we need. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Psa 136:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:2  O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:3  O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:4  To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:5  To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:6  To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:7  To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: Psa 136:8  The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: Psa 136:9  The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Our God is worthy of our most heartfelt thanks for all He is and all He has done.  He is worthy of thanks because He is good, because He is all powerful, but most of all, because of His great love and mercy.  In the busyness of today, with all the food and fellowship, take some time to thank the One from whom all good things come.   Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thankful for the family of God

1Th 1:2  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1Th 1:3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

 During this Thanksgiving season, let’s not fail to thank God for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We need reminded of the faithful help and encouragement of our fellow believers, and the strength they give us in this Christian life. Let your mind be reminded of their labors of love, their patience, their faithfulness and their faith and trust in God.  Let’s make sure we make mention of them in our prayers, and remember the blessing they are to us.  Stay thankful.   

Thankful to God

Heb_13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.     

We have much to be thankful for, beginning with salvation, and then all the other good gifts God bestows on us.  All these things should cause us to be thankful, but, not just a general sense of thankfulness; thankfulness to God.  It’s to Him we owe thanks. God by His love and His grace has given us these things. This should cause thankfulness, and gratitude to well up in our heart to God.  Our thanksgiving should be directed to Him.  We need to give voice to our thankfulness.  Our praise is an act of worship.  Our soul longs for the expression of our thankfulness in worship, and God enjoys true praise and worship. In this the Thanksgiving season, let’s not fail to offer an abundant sacrifice of praise to God

Bless the Lord

Psa 28:6  Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.  Psa 28:7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

 This verse is a good picture of our relationship with God.  He is a prayer hearing and answering God.  He is our strength, our help, our protection in every situation.  We know His goodness and faithfulness by experience:  We have trusted Him and He has given us the help that we need.  As we let our minds meditate on God’s goodness and faithfulness, a great joy wells up inside us.  Our joy then burst forth in singing and praising Him.  Let your mind dwell on God’s goodness and allow your thankfulness to lead to joy and praise.  

Give it to God

(Psa 55:22 KJV)  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 There are times when we seem to be overwhelmed with needs.  There seems to be an unusual amount of trials and difficulties at this time.  There are also a number of worrisome and fearful situations.  These troubles and fears can threaten to overwhelm us and cause us to stumble.  But, we have a promise, a promise from the very Creator of the universe.  If we will bring our anxieties and problems to Him, He will sustain us.  He will hold us up, and never allow us to be caused to stumble and fall.  I know there are many things we face that are far bigger than our wisdom and power.  But, they are no match for God.  Take them to God, rely on Him, trust Him.  He will not fail.  He will not allow them to move us, to shake us or stagger us, so as to call us to fall.  Trust Him.  

Our everything

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 Everything we do or say should be done in Jesus name, in His strength, and for His honor and glory.  We are also to give thanks to God.  Our whole life is bound up in Jesus.  He is our strength and help in everything.  Everything we do and say is governed by His honor and glory.   Because He is our help in everything, we give Him thanks in everything.  There is a security in trusting in Him for everything we need, and letting our heart well up in love and gratefulness for His help.  Commit yourself to His care, and let thankfulness for His goodness fill your heart. 

Don't let it slip

(Heb 2:1 KJV)  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

It’s not enough just to hear.  We are to give the more earnest heed to what we have heard, lest they slip away from us.  What does it mean to give earnest heed, pay careful attention?  It means to really consider and make them part of our life.  If we don’t, they will slip from us; not a sudden deliberate decision, but simply slipping away, drifting, unnoticed because of the rush of life and other things.  Pay careful attention to hear and know about God and His ways.  Then, make a conscious effort to make them part of your life.