If we want God’s praise, if we want to excel in what God values, then we must trust Him more and we must love each other more. We don’t earn God’s praise by the songs we sing, or by how often we go to church, or by how many committees we sit on, or by the image we project.
In The Light, our status is no longer defined by our sinfulness, nor by our self-made goodness; we stand un-condemned, and now we have nothing to fear by being exposed. In fact, The Light reveals what God has done for us! He displays for all to see the wonderful works of redemption and forgiveness He has done in the lives of Believers.
Lots of families and friends will be getting together for the holidays which are fast approaching. Even though there may be problems in the lives of some of our close relationships, look for something in them to be thankful for and focus on that for the time that you are together with them.
We deserved death and separation from God, but God is love and He wanted to reconcile us to Himself through His righteous One. He wants an ongoing relationship with us. Truly amazing, isn’t it?
…to the poor, to the weak the downtrodden, to the single mother with too many children, to the homeless man on the corner, our ATTITUDE should always be one of MERCY; not indifference, not judgment, not anger, but MERCY.
It is the father who points the “arrows” (his children) and sends them on their journey (Psalm 127:4-5) through life. And, it is the good father that uses God’s word to shape the arrows before they are sent.
…in the battles of the day (pro-life vs. pro-choice, pro-gun vs. anti-gun, pro-gay vs. anti-gay, pro-immigration vs. anti-immigration, pro-tax vs. anti-tax, pro-austerity vs. pro-stimulus, left vs. right) it can be easy to forget God’s unfailing love and the importance of demonstrating that love, even to those with whom we vehemently disagree.
I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own…
It takes work, it takes effort to love each other. It takes work to be fair to each other, to treat each other justly/fairly. BUT this is how Believers, the People of God, become a blessing among the heathen.
The consequences of sin are often unavoidable. But, if we will repent, if we will wait on Him and walk with Him, God will lead us out of shame and into His glory.
Reflections in The WORD 