I Do So Little But I Gain So Much

I receive a lot of blessings because of my faith and obedience.

1 Peter 1:1-5  This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God's chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

2  God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

3  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,  4  and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  5  And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

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God's people are not home yet, they were not in the promised land when Peter wrote this letter to them, and they are still scattered all over the planet. Peter wrote this letter to the Jews that are scattered all over what we know of today as ancient Turkey.

It is a blessing to be a member of God's family, there isn't any better life here on earth, just take a look at all of the blessings that God has given his children:

✔ God chose you to be in his family
✔ The Holy Spirit made you holy and the blood of his Son has cleansed you,
✔ God has given you grace and peace
✔ God has given you a huge amount of mercy
✔ God has given us a priceless inheritance that is pure
✔ God's protection is with us throughout this life and in our death

God did so much for me and all that he requires is for me to trust and obey, what a lopsided relationship that God asks to his people, we can give our entire life and live for him every minute of everyday and it would still be a small return for all of the things that he has done for us.

Trust and Obey - The story behind the hymn.

But we never can prove the delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way, 
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

While I am waiting to get to the Promised Land I need to be living differently from the rest of the world. I need to trust in God because he has proven since the beginning of time that he is trust worthy and I need to obey him because he has done so much for me.

Our Commander In Chief

Do you know who is in control?

Psalm 66:7 For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance.

1 Peter 2:13-17  For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority, whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

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God was the first authority, he had the power to create and decide what should be and where it should be, it was his choice to put a galaxy over there and a mountain there and where the oceans were going to be. As soon as God created man he shared some of his authority, the organization chart was very simple, God had authority over man and woman and they had authority over the physical creation in the garden. (Genesis 1:28)

Government in its purest sense is supposed to create harmony and unity among us, we have restraints that we submit to in order to keep the peace, so that we can all get along. Of course it isn't a perfect entity, the government is affected by our sinful state and it often fails to make our world a better place.

Hebrews 13:14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

We may not always live in a country that is tolerant of Christian values, but we shouldn't let that get us down, most of world history has proved that government is usually not going to care about such things. If the government moves away from Godly values it shouldn't surprise us or get us down.

The good news is that I don't have to look to the government or any other authority besides God for my joy and peace of mind. The child of God can live through good government or a hostile dictatorship knowing that this is just a stop over on our way to our permanent residence in heaven.

While we are here we need to influence the darkness. It may be with a vote for candidates that promote moral values or for running for public office or it may be to try and persuade law makers to create laws that are in alignment with Biblical values.

Pray for our leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-5 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

We need to do our part to make the world a better place, if our lives are pleasing to God then they will be appealing to society, if we are caring for others and loving like Jesus did then the world will want to know what makes us different.

Pray for everybody and especially the people that have authority over you, we need to get down on our knees, it's the best way that we can have a positive influence on our culture.

Philippians 2:10 At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

It may not look like it but God is still in control and some day the entire world will bow down to his authority and his children will live in peace and harmony for all of eternity. Until that day comes we need to do all that we can to influence the authorities that we live under for good.

You Are More

I am not defined by my mistakes.

Tenth Avenue North - You Are More

Psalms 130:1-8 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for Your help.  2  Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

3  LORD, if You kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?  4  But You offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear You.  5  I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.

6 I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.  7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He Himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.

Often it is when we get to the lowest point possible that we realize that we have only one choice and we finally call on God. Maybe we are too full of pride and are unwilling to seek God's help until we are at the very end of our options. Maybe we are too ashamed and need to be reminded that God isn't keeping score, our ledger book is full of everything that we ever did wrong, God's ledger is full of forgiveness.

We are freed from our past

Titus 2:14  He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

I can have a fresh start each day because of God's love for me, the things that I have done are powerless against what he has done, my mistakes and the problems that I have made for myself are nothing. I am a new creation in Christ because he has redeemed me, all of my faults have been covered by God's son, I can take comfort in knowing that it is as if I never did any of them.

Redeem - Verb /riˈdēm/  To compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something.

It is so awesome to know that all of those things have been forgotten and now I am a child of God that has been cleansed and I can live in victory over my past.

Celebrate The Lord's Day

The Sabbath reminds us of the first creation, the Lord's day reminds us of the new creation.

Genesis 2:1-3  So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.  2  On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work.  3  And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.

Exodus 31:13  "Tell the people of Israel: 'Be careful to keep My Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between Me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

Deuteronomy 5:12,15 Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 15 Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.

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For a lot of people the concept of the Sabbath began at creation, God had completed the work of creation and he rested from it, for them that first Saturday was the first Sabbath. But the problem with that point of view is that there isn't a command from God at this point that tells us that we are to have the same rest. 

Way back in the Garden of Eden there were only two rules that we know for sure that God gave to Adam and Eve: Do not eat of the tree and be fruitful and multiply. In fact you do not see any evidence of a Sabbath being observed by Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or any of Jacobs twelve sons.

The Sabbath was given to God's people much later, the first time that the Sabbath is mentioned is after the Israelites have left Egypt when God is giving them the rules for gathering manna he gives them a rule about not collecting it on day number seven. The next time the Sabbath is mentioned is the fourth commandment. (Exodus 16:23-30, 20:8-11)

God told his people why he set the seventh day aside, he said that it is a day of rest and a sign of the Mosaic covenant, it is a reminder that he is the creator and they are his chosen people.

>> The thirty-nine activities that were prohibited on the Sabbath

Later as they observed the Sabbath day it should have been a great tool to remind them of God's holiness and their personal short-comings. The Sabbath was needed so that they could examine their lives and see how well they were measuring up to the law, if they didn't slow down and examine their lives then they wouldn't realize their sin and repent.

When Jesus came he changed everything, the Sabbath went away along with the Temple and the sacrifices and the priest, we don't ever see Jesus obeying the Sabbath rules, instead we see him deliberately going against the rules that the religious leaders had concerning the Sabbath.

It is worthwhile to notice that every one of the Ten Commandments is repeated and applied to the Christian in the New Testament epistles except one. It is also worth considering that when the Apostles met at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15:1-35 they did not impose Sabbath keeping on the Gentile believers.

But when you come to the New Covenant, you have a new kind of observation, not observing God as Creator, not observing God as Law-giver, but in the New Covenant God is defining Himself as Savior.

-John MacArthur

The Lord's Day became the time for the early church to meet, we gather to commemorate His resurrection, which occurred on the first day of the week, we gather just like they did in Matthew 28:1-9, it was Sunday morning, they went to find Jesus and when they found him they began to worship him.

We are no longer concerned with the old way, just as the Apostle Paul taught in Colossians 2:16-17, the holy days and Sabbath days are a thing of the past. God accepts us because of Jesus Christ, not because of anything that we do, it is by grace, not works. We are to trust in Christ for our salvation without any concern for living under the old system of bringing sacrifices to the temple.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

We need to encourage "one another towards love and good deeds," but how can we do that for each other if we doing come to the Lord's house on his day? Do you love Christ enough to get out of bed and go celebrate what he has done for you?

What Makes You Really Happy?

This is where your joy should come from.

Psalm 92:4-6 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 119:47 How I delight in your commands! How I love them!

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In the Declaration of Independence we proclaim that we have been "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It seems pretty obvious that the average American really likes the pursuit of happiness part.

Our entire culture is built on seeking happiness in the things that the world has to offer. The world has a lot of cool stuff but the problem is, it doesn't bring very much happiness for very long. Long term happiness isn't found in hanging out with ungodly friends, listening to the advice of self-help books and horoscopes, accumulating more cash and conforming to the cultural input around us, these are all dead-end streets.

Happiness in God's presence

  Psalm 16:11

Can you be happy in God's presence? Maybe his presence is a scary thought instead of a pleasant one, if so then there are some changes that need to be made. We should be happy in his presence after-all that's where you will spend eternity if you are a member of his family.

Happiness in God's word

  Psalm 119:47

Can you be happy in God's word? Does the idea of studying God's word sound like a total bore? If we realize that these really are God's words then we should be excited to hear what he has to say and we should be motivated to live according to his commands.

Happiness in God's work

  Psalm 92:4-6

Can you be happy in God's work? Sometimes the work that he is doing in our lives is painful and it may seem like there isn't any reason to be joyful. When we really think about it and look at the blessings that we have it is easy to see that he is at work and that he has blessed us and we can put our hope in him despite the circumstances.

I will remember the enthusiasm of the Psalmist in these passages of scripture, he is so excited at these three thoughts, God's presence, his word and his work in my life should energize me each day.

I Have Been Adopted

Third Day - Children of God.

Galatians 4:4-6 But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." 

Adoption isn't anything to be ashamed of, after-all God doesn't have any biological children, every one of them has become a member of his family through adoption, God chooses us to be his people and brings us into the family tree.

Here is what scripture tells us about adoption:

✔  God adopts those whom he loves and has predestined to be his children (Ephesians 1:4-6)
✔  It is through Jesus Christ that God’s children are adopted (Ephesians 1:4-6, Galatians 4:4-5)
✔  God adopts his children so that he might display the glory of his grace (Ephesians 1:4-6)
✔  God has secured this adoption by his Spirit (Romans 8:15)
✔  Our adoption makes us eager for Christ’s return (Romans 8:23)

Our Loyalty To God Is So Weak

God's blessings are not enough to keep us from walking away from the fountain of living water.

Jeremiah 17:7-10, 13-14  "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.  8  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."

9  "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?  10  But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."

13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from You will be disgraced. They will be buried in the dust of the earth, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.  14  O LORD, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone!

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It is probably very easy for us to believe that the person that is living to please God instead of indulging in a life of sin is going to reap a bunch of blessing from God. That doesn't mean that they will live on easy street, fine cars in front of a mansion is not what we are talking about, they will struggle and have to deal with real life just like everybody else but there will be a difference in their outlook.

The people that are living to please God will have a resource, a refreshment, they will have the energy to keep on going despite the challenges that come. They will have every wound healed and they will be saved on judgement day but those that walk away and say to God "no thank you, I have a better deal," they will find out how wrong they were. (Jeremiah 17:13-14)

The thing that is hard to believe is that there are so many benefits to living God's way and yet we see everyday that mankind walks away from God despite this blessed state with all of it's benefits. We wonder off from the fountain that is the source of every blessing, we choose a different path. (Isaiah 53:6)

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.

-Paul

God gives us the knowledge of good and evil, most of the issues that we face are very plain to discern in light of scripture I need to be aware of my need for God and turn towards him in order to receive the riches he graciously offers. The devil has some things to offer as well, money, power, lust and pride are his main tricks that we have to be aware of.

I must give my heart to God and allow him to confront me and bring up all of the stuff that he sees that doesn't please him. I need to stay in his word everyday so that I will remember his blessings and benefits when the world seems to have a better deal that could pull me away from him.

You Can Make Things Better

Christians need to influence the world for good.

Jeremiah 15:17-19  "I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because Your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins.  18  Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry."

19  This is how the LORD responds: "If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!"

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Jeremiah was having a party, not the kind of party that everybody else was having, Jeremiah was having a pity party while the rest of the nation was having a good time. Jeremiah was trying to live to please God, he knew how unhappy God was with the rest of the nation of Israel, he knew that nobody else cared about God.

The prophet complains to God again because of the unjust treatment he suffers, he has done no harm to the people, and in fact he has pleaded on their behalf for God’s mercy upon them, yet they still hate him. All alone and discouraged, Jeremiah feels that even God has failed him, he feels like he has lived to please God for no good reason.

You must influence them; do not let them influence you!" -Jeremiah 15:19

Standing up for what's right isn't going to be easy most of the time. God said to Jeremiah that he needed to live a life of faith no matter what the circumstances were and without regard for the way the rest of the world lived, they shouldn't influence him to turn his back on God rather he should be the one that uses his influence to urge the people around him to get right with God.

Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. -Proverbs 14:34

There are advantages as individuals for living to please God, to have his favor and peace and blessings in our lives, there is also a great benefit for the nation that seeks to live for God. Imagine what our nation would be like if a massive number of individuals lived to please God then our nation would enjoy great blessings and peace.

We don't have the ability to force the country to return to Godly values but we do have the responsibility to let our light shine in our area of influence. Just like in Jeremiah's day, the rest of the country may not choose to go with God but that doesn't change our God given duty to exert our influence for good.

Why should a Christian get involved and vote?

Seeking God Requires Humility

We need to come to God on his terms.

Psalm 69:32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.

Psalm 14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.

Isaiah 65:1-2 “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.

2 All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.

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If you want to come close to God, you have to realize that you don't get to decide the terms, it is up to him to decide how he will be found. If you are trying to seek God any other way then you are going to fall short of your goal.

God likes people that are broken, he requires us to be that way before we can come into his presence, he doesn't want somebody coming around him that is going to try and tell him how it is. It is clear throughout the Bible that he wants us to approach him in humility, he loves it when we are submissive and give up on doing things our way. (Luke 18:14, Matthew 20:16)

The prideful will see how well they have done and become apathetic towards God. "Who needs him," they will think to themselves. The real God will get replaced by the false god's of money, pleasure, government or self, we think that we can do just fine while we hold onto our idols, lets get the real God out of the way.

God wants us to seek him, he is checking the whole world to see who is, he is an awesome God that desires to be known. He hasn't made it difficult to find him, God has made his presence known, he is standing ready to be found by us, if we are wise enough to seek him. Isaiah 65:1 makes it sound like God is waving his arms to try and get our attention as he says ‘Here I am, here I am!’

God wants people to seek him God promises to be found by those who seek him Your opportunity to seek him is now and for this life Seek for God with all your heart Seeking God is a priority

Hebrews 11:6 Isaiah 45:19 Luke 16:19-31 Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew 6:33

From the Dictionary of Bible Themes on Bible Gateway

We don't want to be held accountable for our actions, but sooner or later we will be, there isn't anything that we can do to change that fact. The decision that we need to make is will we humble ourselves in this life and be accountable for how we live or will we rebel against God in this life and be held accountable for all of eternity.

God is allowed to dictate the terms that I must obey so that I can approach him. By His grace and mercy He makes me holy by the blood of Christ so that I may have a relationship with him if I seek him with humility.