1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God…
I love the way this verse sounds.
Even more, I love the truth it delivers!
I am loved in a way that I am:
I am in the family of the Most High God.
In Scripture, we learn that:
Not an afterthought… a CHILD OF GOD.
Trying to live that way.
Colossians 1:27
“… God chose to make known how great …are the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY, which is Christ in you, the HOPE of GLORY”
Strange that MYSTERY and HOPE should describe two sides of the same coin.
Yet, there you have it.
It all comes down to “Christ in you”… and THAT is ASTOUNDING.
How can it be…
Is in me.
You gotta admit, THATS a mystery.
But it’s a fact.
I don’t get how it exactly works, but I cling to it.
Mystified.
Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
Great Proverb!
I like my life all neat and ordered.
I even try to avoid shaking things up too much.
This vs says:
When we are on mission for the Kingdom, we are going to run into the mess put before us by the Evil one.
Dealing with that brings reliance on Him, and THAT brings wisdom.
Working at it.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
A friend is someone who knows you deeply and loves you anyway.
I’m not sure that covers it, but it’s a good start.
Looking for those folks.
Looking to be those folks.
Looking to know The One who IS love.
Colossians 1:17
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
WHATEVER it is….
So why do I spend so much time fretting?
Why are my prayers badgering Him?
Maybe I should just let HIM be God.
(He does such a good job of it, even if I can’t see that in the moment.)
Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
A classic.
A favorite.
I love “secret place of the Most High.” in Hebrew, it is the MISTAR ELYON (intimate location), a place where barriers are removed, where distractions are minimized, where nothing else matters.
That the CREATOR of everything would join me in such a place is mind-blowing.
It could be a closet, a chair, a particular park bench… or a place within. Someplace it is just YOU and GOD.
We are told that those who spend time there enjoy the “shadow of the All Mighty.”
Protection.
Comfort.
Security.
Looking to abide in the SHADOW OF THE ALL MIGHTY.
Happy Father’s Day!
Isiah 54:13
“All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-be ing of your sons will be great.
I’m a dad of two great boys.
I embrace and delight in that role.
I never really “got” this until I was a dad myself.
But bottom line, I’m glad there is a Great Teacher/ Abba:
It’s my nightly prayer
It’s my comfort and hope.
Philippians 3:20,21
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Sometimes I read “THESE VILE BODIES” (KJV), and I smile and think I’m certainly Biblical in that respect…true enough.
But the question is, do I get the CITIZENS OF HEAVEN part?
It’s easy to act like this goofy, Chicken Little world is all there is, like the scandal de jour is reality.
But it isn’t. This is but a wisp of vapor in the grand scheme of things.
This verse is saying: REALITY is what’s eternal… and you are a part of it now.
Looking to live in light of
WHATS ETERNAL.
Hebrews 4:16
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Draw near…. to the THRONE of GRACE
Another great word image.
It is also a great reminder that He rules from the position of mercy…
AND
we can be certain of that… Certain enough to approach Him boldly.
He WANTS us near Him.
He WANTS to provide mercy and grace.
Don’t know which is harder to grasp.
Grateful for both.
Hebrews 10:24
…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
Great verse.
It’s clear enough…
Just not always convenient or comfortable.
Working at being the example I am called to be.
Between the Garden and the Garden City 