Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

The more we learn about what is contained in the Bible, the clearer it becomes that people of those days were not much different than societies today. Paul wrote letters to believers in Thessalonica, the largest city in Macedonia. The letters were written to encourage the faithful Christ-centered people living in the midst of incredible corruption and cultural pressure to do otherwise.

That is the message of the churches today that live and speak the truth within the Bible. Fight the corruption of today! Ignore the immoral ways of society! Despise the cruel and self-centered ways of the world and follow the example of Jesus.

This scripture reading focuses specifically on sexual immorality, and the importance of controlling our own bodies. I claim however that it all goes together. If we are not acknowledging God and His teachings on a daily basis, it is likely we will dishonor him in more than just lustful ways.

   

In Deuteronomy Moses gave his final sermon and told the Israelites God’s commandments for the second and final time. He spoke of loving God with all your heart, soul and strength. Then Moses went on to say: "These commandments are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you are at home, and when you walk along the road. When you lie down and when you get up….."

I take this to mean that at all times we are to conduct ourselves as though we are in the presence of God-because we are.  I see first- hand in myself, times I speak or act in haste. These are occasions when I may offend or speak ill of someone without thinking. I would never intentionally do something like that when in the presence of God.

If we as Christ followers conduct ourselves as though Jesus were walking along side of us each and every moment, we could then truly say, “We are living to please God.” Try it!

Read/Listen to:  1Thessalonians 4:1-8

1 John 2:28-3:10

Children of God

The love of the Father is unfathomable for us, however attempting to view ourselves as children and thinking about the way we love and adore our own gives us a glimpse.

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!

In the song Children of God, Third Day sings:                                                          

“We are the saints, we are the children.                                             We’ve been redeemed, we’ve been forgiven.                   

We are the sons and the daughters of our God.”

All Christ followers have their own style of learning scripture and gaining knowledge and insight as to who Christ is. We approach the word of God uniquely. I personally, gain great knowledge of the scripture through music.

We are free to receive the gift of Christian music through the airways, computers, CD’s, MP3’s or I-Pods. If you don’t already, I urge you to turn your radio to a local Christian station in your vehicle, at home and at work if possible. The inspiration of the talented artists who write the lyrics comes directly from the Word.

1 John 3:7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.

Mercy Me sings these words in the song Greater:     

“Greater is the one living inside of me, than he who is living in the world.”

       

We know the world is sinful and corrupt. Focusing on the word of God rather than the things of this world puts a barrier between us and sin. Our mission is to stay strong in Him and focus on what is good and right and true!

When we humble ourselves to the status of “children” and feel the Grace and Mercy of our God, we will sense the confidence and peace that comes with being a “good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

1 John 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Read/Listen to 1 John 2:28-3:10

The Endless Meal

Luke 22:7-20

Though called “the Last Supper” it was truly the beginning.

Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you….” NIV

Reflecting on my childhood, I recall a large, rectangular, paint by number Last Supper picture that hung on the wall of my grandparents’ home near the kerosene heater my grandfather called “the oil burner.” It warmed their modest living quarters, and kept my grandfather busy monitoring the level of the oil.

 My grandmother patiently followed the number chart, intricately stroking the robe and face of each disciple. I saw the completed painting as a masterpiece. Gazing up at the scene from a mere three feet, my perspective was one of awe, respect, and admiration. I imagined what it would be like to have been at the table sharing bread with Jesus himself.

My observation was one of a young child of God, seeing the surface event rather than the long-standing, symbolic meaning it truly held.

Imagine the perspective of Jesus during this “supper.” Food and drink were not the focus, but instead, the undeserved reward for us, the children of God. The promise of eternal life for the multitudes not even born yet, as he prepared to sacrifice his body and blood.

Communion with other believers is our opportunity to re-enact this historic event. To honorably recognize the sacrifice of the Trinity, and acknowledge the meaning of “given for you” and “poured out for you” is a tremendous privilege. 

May the image of this meal be etched in our minds as not a social event, but the beginning of something new.  A pledge of God’s endless love.  Because we are his children, he will forever nourish us with this “Endless Meal.” 

Read/Listen to Luke 22:7-20

Matthew 2: 13-23

                                                                           Flight to Egypt

We care for and protect our children because we love them. We hover day and night, for they are innocent and precious to us, and are not aware of the harm that can come to them. Our babies at times seem to be on a mission to self destruct as they unknowingly reach for things that can burn or cut them, they will tumble to the ground if we do not catch them, they will go out in front of moving vehicles unaware of the danger and be crushed without our intervention. These are typical daily events in the life of a parent, and we naturally protect our children because they are just that….children.

In today’s reading, “Flight to Egypt,” Joseph certainly protects his infant, Jesus from the elements and typical baby dangers. He also shelters him from something far more sinister. The type of danger we never have to face. King Herod plans to search for and kill Jesus. Just think of the terror in knowing the king’s men could be bursting in any minute to rip your baby from your arms and violently take his life! 

“Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13) Without hesitation, Joseph obeyed and escaped to safety with Mary and Joseph. The story goes on to tell of Herod’s anger and orders to have all boys two years and younger killed as not to miss Jesus. The horror of that time was prophesied in Jeremiah. After Herod’s death it seemed safe to return to Egypt, but Jesus’ family instead headed to the district of Galilee and settled in Nazareth, as Joseph was afraid to return to Israel since Herod’s son Arhelaus had taken his place. Jesus became a Nazarene.

The love and protective instinct of a father is boundless. That is not to say a father protects his child from hurt, disappointment, heartache, or pain, but that he watches over and allows such things in order to help his child grow and learn. We must take example from the Ultimate Father; as stated in the daily devotional Streams in the Desert, “We cannot see what loss, sorrow, and trials are accomplishing. We need only to trust. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way.”

Read/Listen to Matthew 2:13-23

Psalm 8

Prayer Is Building

As a child, I remember feeling quite insignificant. I heard many phrases that resulted in the overall view of myself being small and irrelevant. “Who do you think you are?” “Children should be seen and not heard.” “Quiet mouth is golden mouth.” Names like rug rat, yard monkey ankle biter, and snot nose brat didn’t do much for my self esteem either.

Thank God for God! He loves all of his children, no matter how old we are, and regardless of what we have been though. He invites us to be His own, despite our shortcomings and sinful nature. Psalm 8: 3 “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him.”

As we grow older, begin to contemplate our place in this world, and long for purpose, we marvel at the beauty of this earth. God’s great power and creativity can be seen in what He has made, yet even more amazing is that small, seemingly insignificant beings like us matter to Him.

As we pray, we build our relationship with the Lord, and find comfort in his words of mercy and compassion. We begin to understand that the trials of this life have purpose. Our stairway to heaven is built one step at a time. We realize that on this earth we may feel unimportant, and our actions appear trivial in comparison to others, but in the eyes of the Lord of all the earth, our names and our hurts are important and very significant.

Who am I? I am His.

Read/Listen to Psalm 8

Listen to “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns