"I beseech you therefore…that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
—Romans 12:1
Many Christians live their whole lives without ever fully grasping some of the great spiritual truths of God. Foremost among these truths is that God wants to bless our lives. Anything other than that is alien to Him, for God acts out His true nature when He blesses His children. He is a God of all grace who wants nothing more than to make His love known to us. He delights in opening the windows of Heaven and pouring blessings upon us, blessings far more wonderful than most of us have ever dreamed.
Isn’t that an incredible truth to hang onto?
But God has a basic condition for His blessings. The apostle James says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss.” Many times when we seek God’s blessings, we ask amiss because we do not meet God’s condition for the full outpouring of those blessings: total surrender to Him! That is what God demands. In numerous places, God says the same thing over and over: Yield yourselves to God; offer your bodies as living sacrifices; present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead; yield not your members as instruments of unrighteousness, but as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Is there anything in your life that holds you back from fully enjoying God’s blessings? anything you need to surrender to Him? God wants to bless our lives, but first He wants us to surrender. If we can do that, we’ll discover the blessings of heaven in a way that is far beyond our dreams.
Quote of the day:
…throughout the whole universe there is nothing good but that which He works.
— ANDREW MURRAY
Total Surrender
Romans 12:1
April 24, 2023
To See God
April 30, 2023
‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’ —Matthew 5:8 Some have called the concept of seeing God “the brightest star in the Beatitudes’ constellation.” For ages, Christians have longed to see God. The mystics of the Middle Ages rejoiced in the concept of seeing God, calling it the “Beatific Vision.” This vision was the great quest of theology and even the quest of science as originally constructed—through the examination of the cosmos, humans hoped to more clearly see the Creator. But Scripture explicitly states that no human can see God directly and live. Yet many still seek to do so. Philip the Apostle said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Even pagan princes have sought to see God. In the ancient Roman Empire, Trajan said to a believer in the true God, “I understand that you believe your God is everywhere…I should very much like to see Him.” The believer responded, “I am afraid, sire, that no mortal eye can look upon His glory.” Nonetheless, the king commanded the believer to show him God. The believer suggested to the king that he first look at God’s ambassadors before he look God in the face. With that, the believer led the king outside on a bright, dazzling day and told the king to look at the sun. The king responded, “I cannot, for the light dazzles my eyes!” The believer then explained that if the king could not look at a mere ambassador that carries a message of God’s creation, how could he possibly look into the face of God Himself? We cannot see God with our limited human eyes. But we can see Him with our souls, experiencing His joy, His peace, and His serenity. I hope that you have the blessing of seeing God this way as you foster a pure heart. "Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast, but even more Quote of the day: Thy face to see and in Thy presence rest." — ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVEAUX
Sacrifice
April 29, 2023
‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ —Mark 8:34 Have you ever noticed how virtually all of the people we call heroes have made great sacrifices in one way or another? To achieve the ends they deemed worthwhile, these people sacrificed their time, their finances, their health, even their lives. And because they willingly relinquished any claims to these things (which we take for granted), we view these people as heroes, worthy of honor and emulation. Throughout the centuries, God has used sacrifice as the marble from which He carves greatness. Here are some people we call heroes for the sacrifices they made: •the apostles who gave their lives at stakes, on crosses, and in other torturous ways; •the early Christians in the Colosseum of Rome, who watched iron grates rise and famished lions charge; •Christians who were tied to stakes and watched as torches ignited kindling beneath them; •the Pilgrims who, in the dead of winter, sailed across tumultuous seas to the inhospitable coasts of New England; •George Washington and his brave soldiers at Valley Forge, who left bloody footprints in the snow as they departed; and •Jesus Christ, who made the ultimate sacrifice, His life, at Calvary. What sacrifice can you offer to God this day? What material will you give Him so that He can carve greatness from your life? Quote of the day: "There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering." — THEODORE ROOSEVELT
All Things For Our Good
April 28, 2023
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28 Have you ever looked back on a difficult time in your life and been amazed at how, in an entirely unforeseen way, it turned out positively? As we go through life, God operates behind the scenes, working everything for good on behalf of those who love Him. We may not recognize it in this lifetime, but when we get to heaven and God replays the pictures of our lives, we’ll discover the positive end to each trial we’ve endured. I hope you’ll claim this truth today. I hope you know God has everything under His control, even the chaotic times in your life. He has a plan for everything you undergo. You may face an avalanche of trial, trouble, and tribulation. Maybe you face it even today. Anyone in that situation would feel discouraged. I have often found myself in the deep, dark pit of despair and discouragement, wondering how I’d ever get out. But in those times God encourages me by reminding me of His promise: He works everything for good. We must view everything that comes our way, even the most difficult situations, through the filter of God’s love. I invite you to do that today, whatever trial you face. Remember that God has a perspective on your problems that you can’t see as a limited human being here on earth. Be encouraged that God can see the big picture and that He’ll put the pieces of your life together to an end far beyond your wildest dreams. Quote of the day: God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. — WILLIAM COWPER