Daily Potpourri

We kneel in fear of God, and we kneel in fear of the world — one foot in eternity and the other in the temporal.  In part, we know that all is in the realm of God and that no evil, regardless of how wild it rages, can exist outside the bounds of God.  Yet, we know that same evil to have the ability to perpetuate bad on us.  So we go through life living torn between assurance and anxiety.  

Lord, help us to focus more on you and less on the world.  Give us to know that you will overrule all evil in your time.  We do believe Lord — help our unbelief.  

Modern communication is a true marvel of technology.  Instantaneous contact between persons on different continents makes it possible to engage in conversation with anyone in the world.  Yet as marvelous as this is, what is it when compared with the ability of a human to speak with the Creator of Eternity — the fact that the heart and soul of any person may communicate with Divine Grace Himself?  

Through leagues of unmeasured space comes the blessed communication between Christ and the Christian soul.  And this greatest of wonders comes free of charge.  

There is a great moral order in creation which we did not make.  It is made, and it is maintained by God, therefore it is not impersonal.  This order stands as an eternal pronouncement of the fairness, the integrity, the love, the consistency, and justice of God.  We only come to learn this order through discovery.  Unfortunately, such discovery usually happens when we go against it or ignore it — thereby hurting ourselves.  

Death may bring an answer to many questions.  It may even offer a solution to some problems.  Most certainly it does provide release from the pains of infirmity.  But there is no reason to think that death offers a release to moral character.  The moral laws by which life on earth is governed still exist, and carry over into the “great beyond.” Therefore, it behooves the individual to choose good, because what will be gained if a bad moral character presents itself before the Judgment seat of God?  

For a Christian to be alive in the faith, he or she must never be satisfied with what has been accomplished.  Growth of the spirit is had through longing.  What has been achieved is good, fulfilling, and rewarding but should only serve as a springboard to larger and grander goals.  The acquisition of more can often be difficult to attain.  The continued improvement and growth of self can even be painful — discouragement appears more often and noticeable advancement harder to see.  But it is only through longing that the soul truly reaches toward God.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”  —Matthew 5:6

In a perfect world, the Christian should feel buffeted against temptations of ambition, fears of retaliation, and pressures from the perspectives of particular interests.  But the world is not perfect, and neither are we who are in it.  We are often swayed by passions and emotions and the same self-interests which affect all people.  We are often tempted and torn by the strong winds which blow contrary to the very values we hold dear.  But if we stand firm in the face of criticism, and hold fast against the forces of protest, God stands with us.  Should we not pray, above all else, that God will come and be with us?  He does come when we have the courage not to abandon His way.  

Many fear going to the grave never having done that which God desired for them to do.  They know of things to be written which God would have them write, or people to interact with which God had placed before them.  There is always more to be done, more life to be lived, so will it be enough?  

For God to give us a task is for God to also give us the way to complete that task.  No person ever need fear coming to the end of life with God-give goals unattained, so long as the desire to reach them has been worked for.  We do not know what goals God sets out for us, and neither do we know what defines success of those goal’s in God’s sight.  All that He asks of us is the fidelity of pursuit.  

The great cog of nature does not run in reverse.  Everything in existence continues toward eternity.  From the birth of time, a spontaneous, impulsive flow has borne all humanity toward the ceaseless abyss.  Everything that through grace has been created and made beautiful will become nothing.  Therefore, as Christians, make sure that we are attracted to heaven by enriching ourselves in what is permanent and divine. 

People today have forgotten the power and the necessity of the word “no.”  It is a word which must be spoken with courage and resolution, otherwise it becomes meaningless.  This is a difficult task sometimes.  There is a power in the word “no” which not only prevents wrong, but also turn wrong into right.  ”No” is a good word.  ”No” is a necessary word.  It is not a word of judgment, as some people think, rather it is a word of conscience and of structure. 

Deep in the human heart, where we hear “the still small voice of God,” the Christian knows what is right and wrong, good and bad.  An uncompromising “no,” though difficult to say, must stand against the wrong.  

It is said that the truest and purist form of giving expects nothing in return — it is unconditional.  God has given us His Son.  Without conditions, God has brought salvation into the world.  

What this means for the Christian is: God does not expect obedience — but we are bound to give it; He does not expect honor and praise — but we are drawn to do nothing less.  God comes to us and gives Himself for us — expecting nothing in return.  

“In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation of our sins.” — I John 4:10

Life is long and arduous, filled with rewards and disappointments, laughter and sorrow, vitality and sickness.  Each soul needs to be nourished as he or she goes through life.  Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of each Christian to everyday touch the souls of those who are close at hand.  The Christian is to let others know that they are loved, thus nourishing the spirit within them.

“Am I my brothers keeper?” Cain asked the Lord.  Then centuries later the Lord answered by saying, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” 

“Love one another, even as I have loved you.” —John 13:34

To read about the life and death of Christ is to see a life at peace.  Christ was at peace with who He was, what He did, and even with His own death.  How was such a life of peace obtained?  It resulted from doing the Father’s will.  

Such is the case for any Christian.  Peace in life, and in death, can only be had from following the Father’s will.  

Dear readers and followers, thank you for the messages which express what these devotionals mean to you and how they speak to you.  I am humbled at how God chooses to use us.

I am taking a 2 week vacation and will return to daily posting on Monday, March 26.  I hope that you will return with me and continue to read.  There are more of you than there are in my church on Sunday’s…I am truly fascinated by this.  

In the meantime, if you are new to this site, there are well over 100 posts to wander through.  Also, if you have not yet found it, I have a blog in which my intent is to more challenge thinking and cause the reader to ponder the sheer mystery of our faith — wanderingforgod.

Blessings to all and I hope you will continue to follow me on March 26.

wanderingforgod

dailypotpourri   

We as Christians say that we believe ourselves to be under obligation to shape and influence the world’s institutions so that they more closely conform to God’s will and purposes.  This means not accepting the world as it is, and not bowing to the world’s pressures for approval.  It means shaping and bending the world as we find it so the it more closely resembles God’s kingdom on earth.    

So why are we apologetic for our actions?  Why do we allow the world to control what we do and what we say?  The Christian agenda in the modern world is being set by the society in which it exists, not by the church.  The question is being raised as to whether the Christian has the right to tell institutions and groups that what they profess, the ideology they proclaim, is not right.  We are being told that we do not possess the right of judgment.  

Yes we do possess the right — and what is more — we are under obligation.    

To read about the life and death of Christ is to see a life at peace.  Christ was at peace with who He was, what He did, and even His death.  How was such a life of peace obtained?  It resulted from doing the Father’s will. 

Such is the case for the Christian.  Peace in life and in death can only be had by following the Father’s will. 

How can one end a journey if it is never begun?  How can one come to the House of God if faith is never ventured into?  For the Christian, every journey begins with Christ, ends with Christ, and contains Christ as their Master, Guide, and Friend.  No soul has ever found a way home without Him.

“No one comes to the Father, but by me.”  —John 14:6

Sadness is a sin that surely brings us low.  For the Christian, this a avoidable, because of Christ.  Christ has placed his joy within us; He has justified our relationship with God; He has shown us what it takes to live loving, successful lives.  Christ has revealed to us the Father, and He has placed eternity into our minds.  All of this, and much more, should call forth from us nothing less than our delight — our complete and full joy.  

There are four great convictions by which our faith is governed: first, that there is a God; second, that we are created a living soul by Him; third, that there is life to come — everlasting; and fourth, that there is judgment.  To say that there is no judgment is to assert that there is no life everlasting, and ultimately, there is no God.  

The best of our faith is nothing more than a small cup of what we need — that is all of the depths which we can possess.  Therefore, we must go to God daily.  Should we fail to come into His presence, and the world continue to tax and siphon what little faith we have, then far too soon the reservoir becomes dry and we have no defenses against the world’s alluring calls.  Only by quiet, trustful faith in God, and obedience to Him at every step, are we defended from life.  

Tomorrow will bring no harm.  Those who do God’s will each day hide beneath His wings as the storms of life rage around.  Live this day, do this day’s work, enjoy this day’s blessings, and God will keep you tomorrow.  

We hear a lot today about giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, and sheltering the homeless.  Ministry as benevolence and charity are continually emphasized as necessary responses to what God has done for us.  We clothe the body.  We educate the mind.  We seek out equality for the downtrodden and the forgotten among us.  All of this is indeed necessary and good and expected, but often neglected is the most important work which a Christian must do.

The first great end of the church is, “the proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of humankind.”  People are not saved through good works.  Are we working to save a soul or to make a body more comfortable?  Both may be necessary, but never forget that the greatest work which the church can do is to bring humanity to Christ.