Encouragement
Someone I encounter most mornings expressed to my wife that I'm not a very talkative person. Having never been much of a morning person, that's certainly accurate for my disposition at 5:30 in the morning. But, is that how I want to be described? What word or phrase would others use to describe you?
"Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near." (Philippians 4.5)
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I have a friend who easily starts conversations with strangers that then leads to gospel sharing. I admire and respect that, but such things don't come easily for me. The fear factor usually paralyzes me before I can speak. Apparently someone else had a similar experience: "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling" (1 Corinthians 2.3)
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Few would argue that the current political process is more bizarre than ever seen in modern times. Morality and character issues that were once inexcusable are clearly evidenced in both major candidates.
"It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness." (Proverbs 16.12)
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It's like enjoying a delicious appetizer, and knowing that an amazing meal is about to be served.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2.4-7)
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"As we have heard, so we have seen In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish her forever." (Psalm 48.8)
No city is more significant than Jerusalem. Against impossible odds, it endures to this day. It has been sacked and destroyed more than once, and yet it has arisen from the ruins as a testimony to the God whose city it is. And, He will "establish her forever."
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There is an old saying, "The difficult we do right away; the impossible takes a little longer." That was probably the motto of a man named Peter who had the audacity to step out of a boat and walk on water.
The story is recorded in three of the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and John. In particular, Matthew tells us that the triumph over the impossible quickly became exactly that; the impossible: "But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' " (Matthew 14.30)
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"How odd of God to choose the Jews," goes an old saying. He chose, but they "unchose" by rejecting His Christ. "by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous." (Romans 11.11)
We who are non-Jews are blessed and privileged to be in on God's grace and salvation plan, which came about through Israel's rejection of Christ. It's a plan with the purpose of inciting jealousy within His original chosen people. It's a potential win/win plan for all who will respond.
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It is the ultimate understatement. "For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.' " (Romans 10.11; Isaiah 28.16)
Many things in life don't live up to expectations. The dream job was less than satisfying. The happy marriage wasn't. The new car, boat, or house wasn't as good as expected.
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A major membership club warehouse introduced a new credit card for its customers, and abolished the old credit card system. Apparently a better contract was arranged. But, that's not the only new contract and arrangement we benefit from.
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second ... For this is the covenant that I willmake with the house of Israel After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, And I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, And they shall be My people." (Hebrews 8.8,10)
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Lets start with this passage.
1 Peter 5:6-8:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
What happens if you are not on the alert, an turn your back on a lion or other large cat?
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February 5th. Hollywood Presbyterian declared an internal state of emergency.
It is believed the hospital got a malware infection called ransomware through someone opening an infected e-mail or from someone visiting an infected website.
Once it was on one computer, it got into the hospital’s network and went everywhere it could while it remained hidden. It would have found all hard drives, data and files that it could. It would have communicated back to the command and control server and then encrypted everything it could get its hands on. Then a screen would pop up explaining to the hospital staff that all their files were locked until a bitcoin payment is sent.
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Many lament the serious decline evident in this country. Escalating violence and mass shootings. Dismal political prospects. Corruption and greed in business and government. Such as it is this side of the kingdom of God. "For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come." (Hebrews 13.14)
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No religion is His "official" representative. That's because He chose an individual, not an organization per se. "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." (Hebrews 1.1-2)
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I've met a lot of impressive people in life, but none more impressive than Him. What He says about Himself isn't arrogant boasting; it's verifiable fact.
"I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone, Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back And turning their knowledge into foolishness, Confirming the word of His servant And performing the purpose of His messengers." (Isaiah 44.24-26)
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The focus, dedication, and determination of an Olympic athlete. We are called to the same.
"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. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9.24-27)
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It's never "good bye" for the people of God. We always have the promise of seeing one another later. Powerful proof is found in these words: "But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Matthew 22.31-32)
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