Living for Righteousness
(NIV) 1Pet 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
He did not retaliate. I admit today that I struggle with the idea that I should just sit quietly when someone insults me, or even worse, lies about me. Yet Jesus, my example in all things, did not answer His accusers. And Rom 12:17 counsels us not to repay evil for evil.
It has taken me a lifetime to learn refraining from the instant comeback is the holy response. Praying for those who persecute me is the godly thing to do.
How do I accomplish such a feat? Each morning I begin my day in the Word, asking God to direct my path and guard my mouth. And then I remember He carried our sins to the cross and they were crucified with Him. Not only was the penalty paid, but sin has no more power over those who are children of God. Living in and for righteousness is my daily goal and I know that the Good Shepherd will lead me and the Holy Spirit will empower me.
I close today with a song by Chris Tomlin.
Jesus Messiah
He became sin Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross, Love so amazing
Love so amazing
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.
May we cede our innate nature to God and reap the benefits of living in righteousness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Living for Jesus
(NIV) Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
This letter, written by Peter to Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered throughout Asia, may seem foreign to us as he urges the readers to live holy lives among the pagans but, it may be more relevant than it seems at first look. I am not wanting to be judgmental, but look at our society today.
A pagan is defined as one who is non religious or, more harshly, as a heathen. The pagans in Peter’s culture were readily identifiable by their practices. They worshipped idols made by their own hands, sacrificed animals to please these man-made gods, and then ate the meat offered to the idols, something a Jewish Christian would avoid at all costs. Peter encouraged the recipients of this letter to set a good example which would glorify God.
I feel like a stranger in a foreign land. I could list things in our society that are offensive to me as a disciple. Instead, I commit myself anew to lead a life before God and others that glories in being a child of God. I purpose to be kind to others, even to those whose behavior is anathema to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to show my support of their actions, but to show them how Jesus changes hearts and lives.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
More Psalm 23
(KJV) 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Yesterday we looked at the first part of this psalm, and today we conclude by remembering not just God’s provision, but His protection. Returning to the analogy of the one tending the sheep, the best grazing was often in the high places, but that was also where predators hid, waiting for the defenseless sheep. But just as the one shepherding the sheep would not lead them into danger without his protection, Jesus would never lead us anywhere and leave us alone. If the table is set by Jesus, our good shepherd, then we can be confident we are under His protection.
Being anointed with oil is not something with which we are familiar, but David’s contemporaries understood well the meaning. In the book, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by Philip Keller, we see that oil was used to prevent insects from burrowing into the sheep, particularly their eyes, ears and nose. For people, pouring oil upon one’s head was a sign of respect. I referred to this practice in my devotional about Psalm 133 titled “Unity.” In that psalm, David speaks of Aaron”s anointing as a priest, and the abundance of oil running down his head and onto his robe.
In Psalm 23, being anointed with oil again refers to abundance, with David going on to say his cup is overflowing. There is an old gospel song that says “I’m drinking from the saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.” It David knew the lack he felt while running from Saul, but he also knew the abundance of feasting at God’s table.
May we know, understand and believe that if God leads us to the high places, He will protect us. If He invites us to His table, we can be secure in our safety and in His provision. And when we as intentional disciples keep our eyes on our Shepherd, then we, too, can be assured of His goodness and mercy., drinking from the saucer, cause our cup has overflowed.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The 23rd Psalm
(KJV) 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
When ministering to folks in Assisted Living facilities, hospitals, or those who were housebound, I would often ask if the person had a favorite Bible verse. The response was generally either The Lord’s Prayer or The 23rd Psalm. Both scriptures offer us a level of comfort and security unparalleled by any other source. When we do not know what to pray or even how to pray, we can always turn to Matt 6 or Psalm 23 for guidance.
Psalm 23 was written by David, and as one who had spent his younger years tending his father’s sheep, he understood the implications of being a shepherd. David addressed the Lord as a shepherd, his shepherd, and he went on to define just what that means.
The Lord Who shepherded David was Jehovah Jireh, the God of provision, and David experienced no unfulfilled need while under His watchcare. David’s shepherd offered rest, and just as the shepherd found fresh water for his sheep, our Father invites us to drink of the Living Water that is Jesus Christ.
Jesus does not leave us without hope but renews our spirit. When we have lost our way, we can depend on the Good Shepherd to lead us back to the place of right standing with God. And when we face death, whether figuratively or literally, we do not have to experience it alone.
As hurricanes, tornadoes and floods devastate portions of our country, and we witness never ending wars in the Middle East, and now in Ukraine, we need to turn to the Good Shepherd for the security that only He can provide.
May we seek God not as our last resort but let us turn to Him first.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Playing vs Winning
(NIV) 1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
My father-in-law asked if I knew how to play checkers. I’m sure I looked at him incredulously. Of course I knew how to play checkers. I played it with my brother when we were children.
Well, after several games with my losing each time, I realized I knew how to play checkers, but I certainly did not know how to win checkers.
In today’s scripture, Paul uses the metaphor of running a race in order to win. He was trying to teach the Corinthians to seek after God just as diligently as athletes preparing for the Olympic races. Paul says that he himself runs not aimlessly but with a goal in mind.
My question today is this: do each of us have a clear goal as we go through our day? Do we understand as Paul did that the crown we seek is heavenly? If not, then we need to realign our purpose with the Holy Scriptures, seeking to win the only prize that matters—2 Timothy 4:7-8
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.”
May we as intentional disciples keep our eyes on the prize, and may we be faithful in sharing Jesus with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 