Thursday, July 31

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

2 Chronicles 29:1–36

Romans 14:1–23

Psalm 24:1–10

Proverbs 20:12

 

 

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” (Romans 14:19–21)

 

 

In Romans 14, Paul sets forth the Christian ethical principle of mutual edification:  thinking of others’ best interests, particularly related to growth in the Kingdom, ahead of our own pleasure.

 

In the previous chapters, he discussed the freedom that comes through receiving Christ into our lives.  This freedom from the reign of sin and death has birthed us into a new covenant of freedom, where we may experience our full personhood under the Lordship of Christ.  In Chapter 6, he provided the term of becoming a “slave to righteousness.”  Perhaps more appropriately, however, we become committed to righteous through a joyful, grateful willingness.  As John Piper writes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  Our greatest “satisfaction” comes through a living Kingdom relationship with Christ and becoming submitted to His will for our lives.

 

In this chapter, Paul urges his readers not to employ their freedom as a stumbling block for their brothers and sisters in Christ.  In other words, we ought not to allow worldly matters to cloud another believer’s relationship with God:  “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.”

 

What types of stumbling blocks might we place for others?  It might involve the food or beverages we consume, the movies we watch, or the Internet sites we discuss.  For some women, certain images will not provoke temptation; for men, however, these images might cast us on a rocky course.  While each person does well to guard our hearts, we have a crucial responsibility of guarding others’ hearts and minds so that we may refrain from impeding their relationships with Christ.

 

In v. 7, Paul explains:  “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.”  This statement flies in the face of our modern, individualistic culture, which places each person in isolation.  Individual autonomy often trumps community responsibility.  As the Body of Christ, however, we must look out for one another and not allow our “strength” to crush another in his or her point of “weakness.”

 

Jesus intended for His disciples to live in community and summarized this bond of unity in John 13:35 and 15:9–14:  ” By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another….  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.”  The Lord Jesus anticipates that unity will come in the midst of believers who are committed to following His commands (righteousness) and to loving one another.  May it be true of us!

 

One final note on the last phrase in Romans 14:23b:  “… Everything that does not come from faith is sin.”  This phrase cuts me to the heart, as I consistently struggle with worry.  I recognize that my worry comes from seeking to control my own circumstances and not trusting the God Who provides.  Intellectually, I understand God’s sovereignty, power, justice, and mercy.  Yet, viscerally – in my gut – these truths do not bear themselves out on a day-to-day basis.

 

As a reminder (mostly for me), praise God for the truth of His Word in Proverbs 3:5,6:

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

                lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, submit to him,

                and he will make your paths straight.”

 

 

Lord God, guide us and direct us to think first of others’ growth in the Kingdom ahead of our freedom.  Help us to see our brothers and sister as precious in Your sight.  Build within us a trust and confidence in Your providence and goodness, and strip away our desire for control and tendencies to worry.  Be exalted in our hearts and minds, our Lord and King!  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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Tuesday July 29

2 Chronicles 24-25

Romans 12

Psalms 22:19-31

Proverbs 20:8-10

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:1-2

I've heard it said that the problem with living sacrifices is that they can crawl off the alter. One moment we can sincerely surrender our lives to God. The next we can be taking it back. 

Because of our nature, I think we need to give ourselves to God for His purposes everyday. Otherwise, we end up taking our lives back into our own hands.

In Kenny's sermon on Sunday, we gave us this picture of staying in our own "lane." There are things that we are responsible for and things that we can control, like our behavior and our choices. But there are a lot of things that only God can control. This things are in His lane. If we try to take control and move into God's lane, that's not being a living sacrifice to God.

In 2 Chronicles, Joash brought about repairs to the Temple. The Temple had been neglected and defiled with Baal worship. This got me thinking about how God is in the business of repairing broken things. Despite how God's house had been mistreated, it was possible to restore it with God's help. No matter how many times, the Israelites turned their backs on Him, it was always possible to rebuild that relationship. And for us, no matter how many times we may crawl off that alter, their is always the opportunity to give your life over to Him again.

July 28: Drywall, Video Games, Ice Cream and Mercy

2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21

Romans 11:13-36

Psalm 22:1-18

Proverbs 20:7

"For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all."

On the one hand, it seems to me this verse is such the cause for frustration.  Even if we want to be good, we are inevitably, certainly going to be disobedient.  No question.  So what's the point of wanting to be good?  It took me a while to realize that it is because we can only have the fullness of joy when we surrender ourselves to God that He wants to make sure we will always have incentive to turn to Him.  Then this starts to make sense.  

I talked to my son about this today.  He'd done something to lose smartphone (and, consequently, video game) privileges.  He was supposed to leave the phone on our dresser and while Carla and I was out, and he was home with his sister, he was supposed to read, do his math homework and, if he felt so inclined, go to the driveway and shoot hoops - NOT play games on his phone.  So I get a phone call mid morning - he's crying and apoplectic, remorseful and angry at himself, frustrated (partly because his big sister caught him!) that he gave in to the temptation to sneak his phone off the dresser and play games. He didn't tell me in his anger he'd kicked through dry wall - but that's another story.  

In any case, I was thirty five miles and 9 hours away - I wasn't getting home till around 7 that evening.  So we agreed he'd calm down and we'd go for ice cream and a talk after dinner, which we did.  And, over two scoops of strawberry (him) and a scoop each of Jamoca Almond Fudge and Peanut Butter Chocolate (me), we sat in an elementary school playground left empty by summer vacation and the late afternoon, and realized this is exactly what that verse was about.  We are, inevitably, going to be disobedient, whether at 11 or 48...and we can both take comfort in God's mercy.  

It's funny what God's mercy looked like this evening - I didn't blow a gasket at what he did, and he resolved to break the hold video games had on him.  He's given them up for the week.  We both understand that at some point, I am going to lose my temper and he is going to lose himself in video games again.  But it's nice that when, inevitably, that happens, we can count on His mercy.  

Sunday BlogPost (7/27/14)

July 27, 2014 [by Moses Alexandre]

Hello, 

Moses here, and after reading our devotional, this is what the Lord spoke to me. 

     

     Our Old Testament reading focuses on the rule of king Jehoshaphat of Judah. As a leader Jehoshaphat gave precise and excellent instruction to the judges he appointed (2Chr 19:4-7), he told them "consider carefully what you do for you aren't judging for people but for God." This is the mark of a true man of God in leadership, he pointed to God when establishing the way things would be run around his camp.

     Reading into chapter 20, I saw all the words Jehoshaphat commanded the people of God now being put to the test; two vast armies where mobilizing to make war with Jehoshaphat and then, the biggest lesson I received from this passage occurs: "Alarmed Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord…" (2Chr 20:3). Jehoshaphat then commanded the people to come together, fast, pray, and seek the Lord. This scripture really brings me to look at myself with the mirror of the Word. What is my first reaction when terrible news threatens me? Who is the first person I'm urged tell? Where will the answer for my problem come from?

If I'm honest with myself it wasn't always God. But the response God gave his people after king Jehoshaphat openly declared their dependence on Yahweh was beyond miraculous!

    Holy Spirit then spoke through Jahaziel saying "Do not be afraid or discouraged… for the battle is not yours but God's" (2Chr 20:15) and it surely was. Not only did they not have fear, they didn't even have to bring weapons! Their worship was warfare. Imagine having so much trust in Christ that you could sing Him a love song while walking into an atmosphere of destruction. As the Israelites praised, God destroyed the opposing armies. Lifting God's name is how they won the battle. After reading this passage, you can bet I'll strive for all of my problems to be forwarded to heaven. 

3 key points that I took from this devotional

1. Establish firm guidelines for your relationship with Christ. (2Chr 19:4-7)
2. Trust in God when problems come. Pray and fast, great things happen! (2Chr 20:3)
3. As we worship and honor God, he protects us and fights for us. (2Chr 20:22)

God protects Israel Today: http://www.inquisitr.com/1364461/israel-miracle-gaza-strip-hamas-complain-their-god-changes-the-paths-of-our-rockets-in-mid-air/       <<< Copy & Paste this Link!!!

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Kenny Sullivan

(203) 803-7478

שלום

Saturday BlogPost 7/26/14

Saturday, July 26, 2014 [Who Are You With?]

Chronicles 17-18

Somehow or another, I've often found myself in the presence of shady characters.  During the summer of 1996, while living in Atlanta, I found myself hanging out one afternoon with one of my "housemates."  We were both renting rooms at a rooming house in West End Atlanta.  I only had one thing on my agenda that summer - pass college calculus-2.  But, on this particular afternoon, my housemate (we'll call him Stanley) was having a bad day and I was trying to cheer him up.  I went with him to run a few errands.  To make a long story short, I was "kidnapped" for the next hour and a half while Stanley purchased a few nickel bags of weed from his local supplier, who rode a dirt bike; purchased some gas for his car and some wine for his worries, which he drank while driving, of course; and, went to his highly confrontational ex-girlfriend's house to try and make up with her.  That one decision to try and help Stanley ended up being one of the most frightening and frustrating excursions that I had ever experienced.  On several occasions I begged God in prayer, "Lord, please get me out of this man's car with my life and without a criminal record."

Jehoshaphat had a similar experience with Ahab.  Though allied with Ahab by marriage, these two kings did not share the same agenda.  Jehoshaphat had a heart to do the right thing for his kingdom and follow the ways of the Lord, but Ahab did not.  His main concern was Ramoth-Gilead, a city that was on an important trade route (like I-95) and was then under the control of the Arameans.  Ahab's focus was on money.  The two end up in a battle with the Arameans that the Lord had not sanctioned.  At one point, facing death squarely in the face, Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord and was delivered from Aramean soldiers who had him in hot pursuit (2 Chronicles 18:31).  However, Ahab suffered a different fate.  He died in the battle.

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (Proverbs 13:20, NLT)

Jehoshaphat was walking with the Lord, but he got sidetracked while "walking" with Ahab.  His association with Ahab nearly cost him his life, while his walk of faith with Yahweh saved it.  It doesn't take very much for us to find ourselves off track and on someone else's agenda.  If I could take back that hour and a half with Stanley, I would've gotten out of the car the moment I realized he was on a mission to lose himself in drugs and alcohol.  Just being in the presence of someone who is making dangerous choices can put one in danger: physical, emotional, spiritual…(the list goes on).  This leaves us with three important reflection questions.

Who are you with?  

Who are you following?  

To whom are you committing your time? 

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Kenny Sullivan

(203) 803-7478

שלום

July 25th

July 25th

Well then, you might say, "Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven't they simply done what he makes them do?" No, don't say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, "Why have you made me like this?" When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. (‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭19-23‬ NLT)

I thought this was an interesting passage. We have the image of God as the master potter, creating beautiful things out of clay. But Paul points out that on that same Potter's wheel, and using the same clay, there are instruments made for lesser purposes. God hasn't made us all the same. I adore pottery. Apryl and I have begun collecting it, replacing all of our glassware (coffee cups and serving trays, casserole dishes and pie plates) with pottery that we find. There are different things that we like more than others, but one thing we have noticed is that nothing is perfectly the same. My friend's wife is a potter, and we have a serving dish that she made. The design and detail is amazing. But one of the coolest things about this piece is that on the brim, in the decorative design that she made, is her fingerprints. The fingerprints of the creator of this dish are permanently cast into it. In the same way, we, who are formed by the hands of the Master Potter, have the fingerprints of God cast into our very being. I like this statement that Paul makes, 'Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, "Why have you made me like this?".' And the reason I like it, is that I ask that same question all the time. I am constantly comparing myself to others, looking at their traits that I wish lived in me, and asking God "why?" This is and unhealthy road to go down, and it doesn't achieve anything for His kingdom work. God has made each and every person for a task in His kingdom, and they are not all going to be glorious jobs (after all, someone needs to clean toilets!), but they all have purpose. The best thing we can do is find out what purpose God made us with, and do that to the best of our ability. God is the Master Potter and His fingerprints permanently cast in you!

Thursday, July 24

THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2014

2 Chronicles 11:1–13:22

Romans 8:26–39

Psalm 18:37–50

Proverbs 19:27–29

 

 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31,32)

 

 

Today’s reading emphasizes God’s sovereignty over each moment in our day and His omnipotence over nature and any other forces that might separate us from His love.  In short, all such forces cannot stand next to the uniting power of the blood of Christ.  Our union with God will stand through any perceived (but temporary) difficulties.  God will never abandon His children, and the events of our lives will fail to rupture the enduring relationship that He first initiated (“God so loved the world”).

 

This passage brought to mind two images that I would like to share with you.  Both relate to God’s sovereignty, even over our shortcomings and limitations.

 

Often, I find myself reflecting on life as something like a performance of a play.  Each of us plays a part and has our lines.  To the extent that we deliver these lines well, we may earn the audience’s esteem and the personal satisfaction of having performed well.  In the spotlight (of this image), however, we stand alone and pridefully rely on our own strength to “deliver the goods.”  Any botched lines, however, bring (again in this image) self-loathing or ridicule.  The actors approach each line with fear, worrying their way through their paces and protecting against error.  Any weakness may lead to a stumble.

 

Another image involves a person walking a tightrope over Niagara Falls.  A fall would bring certain death.  With the balancing pole in hand, the person flails his or her arms to prevent against disaster.  Each step comes fearfully and with hesitation.

 

In both images, the isolation represents a near-atheistic view of the world, where the principal characters do not experience the sustaining grace and mercy of a loving God.  Instead, they experience only judgment and wrath, left alone to pursue a righteous course.  Their chief motivation comes through fear, and their hearts race with anxiety, finding relief only at the end of a frantic effort.

 

Please contrast this scenario with the encouraging, edifying, and uplifting truth of Romans 8:38,39:

 

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

Paul has just posed the rhetorical questions:  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”  The correct response is no one and nothing.  Still, in our fearful and temporary-focused hearts, we struggle to place our faith in the unseen and sustaining grace of our Abba Father.

 

In the acting example, a more accurate picture might involve a loving Father strengthening our minds, hearts, and bodies to honor Him through the performance.  We would not perform through our own devices, but rather experience the encouragement of love from the Father, with His arms on our shoulders.  Even with any missteps, He would speak truth regarding His enduring presence and encourage us to continue.  Through the performance, we would experience joy from knowing His love for us and the opportunity to glorify Him.

 

Similarly, with the tightrope example, this passage would suggest that we walk along with our King and that He will provide the security and even the plan to cross through the difficult crossing.

 

Both of these images emanate from the pride of wanting to justify ourselves.  This graceless reality causes us to live out of fear.  If we consider grace rightly, however, we recognize that God controls each moment and empowers us to handle the temporary and to trust Him for the eternal too.  Our motivation then turns from fear of disaster to expectation of God’s peace, security, and love.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for standing with us in each moment, especially our trials.  Thank You for interceding for us through the shed blood of Christ.  Thank You that nothing can separate us from Your love.  Thank You that our fear has a sure antidote in looking to You and trusting in You.  Thank You that our lives have meaning and purpose and that we experience our full personhood in living under Your authority and grace.  Help us to live for You and bring glory to Your Name.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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2 Chronicles 8-10, Romans 8:9-25, Psalms 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26

2 Chronicles 8-10, Romans 8:9-25, Psalms 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26

Seventh grade was by far the hardest year I have had to go through, but I remember it ending on a higher note. My youth group performed a musical called "Anytime," about a girl who travels through different stages in her parents life, her life, and in the future accompanied by a good and evil character. It was a fun and memorable experience that we still laugh about and I still get the songs stuck in my head. One song was at a prom and of course all the girls break out in song and dance. The chorus for this particular scene goes: "I surrender everything. Everything but.....
My 501's and my new blue sweater, my (I forgot these words) and my old love letters. My stereo with the hundred watt speakers, my Ray Ban shades and my Reebok sneakers. My friends at school and my Friday nights...my pizza parties and my private life. Oh Lord you know I aim to please! So take my life, take everything but these."

I thought of this song as I was reading about Solomon and the peak of his reign. Overall, he was a good king: full of wisdom, riches beyond imagine, faithful subjects, and a mighty kingdom. His power, wealth and greatness was famous in all the world, prompting royalty from other lands to seek him out. These were the blessings that God bestowed on to him. One of his greatest achievements in all history was building the Temple. "So Solomon made sure that all the work related to building the Temple of The Lord was carried out, from the day it's foundation was laid to the day of its completion." (2 Chronicles 8:16) Even in the verses before, we see the perfection that Solomon ensured over all maters concerning the Temple, the priests, the Levites, and the treasuries. Everything related to these areas were in exact accordance to what God commanded his fathers before. I'm sure there was not one single stone that was not where it needed to be. Solomon took it even as far as moving his wife to a different palace so holy ground would remain holy.

In this small window of scripture we can see the reasons and ways that Solomon was a great king and servant. He obeyed. He did what he needed to do at this moment. Just like the song, he surrendered everything and all was for God's adoration and worship. We also know from the big picture and knowledge of Solomon's life that he did not surrender all. His legacy is stained with his sin and disobedience. He had way too many wives and women, pulling him and his kingdom away from God and His truth. This lust and sin caused many consequences for the people and generations to come. The dynasty ended with his son as we read in chapter 10, and the kingdom was divided.

Just like the song, Solomon (and us) have the greatest intentions of surrendering all to God. We lift up our hands and self and say "take it God...take me, I'm yours," but in the days that follow we are not ready to give up certain things: our sins, our wants, and our control. I know I'm guilty and struggle with this every single day. Reread Psalm 18: 21-24. How appropriate that these chapters are all on the same day. We desire to be obedient, blameless, pure and full of integrity. I do. Skipping down to verse 29 gives us the answer, the way, the reminder. "In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." We can't do it and will never do it on our own. We can only truly surrender through the power and blood of Christ. Even then we will stumble, but it's His grace and mercy that keeps us running strong.

Tuesday July 22

2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10

Romans 7:14-8:8

Psalms 18:1-15

Proverbs 19:24-25

"I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."

Romans 7:22-8:1

One thing I really struggle with is beating myself up when I make a mistake. I'll forgot to do something I said I'd do. I'll go days without praying or reading my bible. I'll say something hurtful to someone I care about. I'll get angry and harbor hateful thoughts. All these are things that I do and I do them often. I know they are wrong and I still do them. Then I feel horrible about myself afterwards. I make sure I really let myself have it. I screwed up and I should feel bad.

Except that's not what God wants for us. I love that we are reading the first part of Romans 8 along with the last part of 7. Romans 7 is Paul telling us in detail what an awful sinner he is. But by the end he says that he has hope because of Jesus. 8:1 tells us that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus. God doesn't condemn us, so we certainly should not condemn ourselves.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't acknowledge our sins to God and ask His forgiveness. What we shouldn't do is get hung up on our sinfulness to the point of feeling worthless and hopeless. God knows the depth of our hearts and He knows the sinfulness that we are capable of. And yet He loves us despite all that. 

Be thankful and praise God that we are free from condemnation because of Jesus.

July 21: Heads they win, tails I lose...

2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11

Romans 7:1-13

Psalm 17:1-15

Proverbs 19:22-23

No chapter in the Bible has ever demonstrated to me the futility of self reliance to achieve salvation as Romans 7.  As I understand it, the law defines what I am not permitted, yet creates the desire in for for precisely that which is forbidden.  What is made wrong becomes desirable.  So much evidence of this - smoking which we know could lead to cancer; the one extra drink that throws us into the certainty of a raging hangover, even the extra 10 minutes that all but guarantees we are going to be getting home after curfew.  It seems rather unfair - if there wasn't a law, not only would there NOT be any law to break, but neither would we have any desire to break it.  But because there IS a law, it's heads they win, tails I lose.

Thank God I don't have to depend upon myself.  Thank God that "we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."  thank God we can pray like David - "Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry...I call on you, my God, for you will answer me...show me the wonders of your great love, You who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes."

It's difficult to recognize our dependence upon God for this most basic, most essential of things - salvation from the just penalty of our sins.  May I always remember to depend on His mercy, and not on my own efforts.

July 20

Psalm 16:6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

David realizes with confidence and joy that everything he has in life has come from God by design. He has security in the boundary lines drawn up by God. This begs the question and something I struggle with. The question is, "Am I content with everything God has given me"… my boundary lines? My struggle is this, I can live a life wishing and dreaming of other boundary lines… Here is how it can go….

I wish I owed a house, was financial secure, young, faster, had stronger heart arteries, more hair on my head. And then we add in the better performance stuff… better husband, better father, better friend, better pastor…  the list is endless and so is the unrest.

It seems to me the secret to a joyful life is being content with the boundary lines given by God. The apostle Paul put it this way… 

 Phil. 4:11-12  I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Somehow I must learn to delight in the boundary lines God has given me. Sometimes God gives us more, sometimes less. Regardless of our cup, our portion, we must be thankful and learn to delight in it.

So today I confess… 

            I am just the way God wants me to be….

            God has designed me… he doesn't make junk.

            I am content with my life.

            I am content with the boundaries God has given in my life.

            I am content with my heart and my hair.  

            I am content where I am.

            I value who I am. I am a SON of God!!! 

Maybe it would be helpful for you to put a list together?

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Saturday BlogPost (7/19/2014)

Saturday, July 19, 2014 [the Source of Everything]

1 Chronicles 29:14-16

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand…as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you."  

In his book, What Matters Most, Dr. Tony Evans gives an illustration of giving.  He notes that "there are three types of givers: the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it, but you get only chips and sparks. To get anything out of a sponge you must squeeze it. The more pressure you use, the more you get. But the honeycomb just naturally overflows with sweetness" (Evans, 105).

The "honeycomb" is a beautiful image of the type of giver that I believe most of us want to be, not holding back, not hindered or "stopped up" in any way, but freely and cheerfully giving the best we have to offer in abundance.  King David gave like a honeycomb when he was amassing the materials that Solomon would use for building the Temple.  How do we become honeycomb givers?  David's secret to being a honeycomb giver was recognizing where all that he had to give came from.  David acknowledged His Source and was able to give freely because he KNEW that he had received just as freely.  

The favor God gave him was free.

The many times that the Lord had saved his life…free.

The forgiveness and restoration that he had received for his sins, over and over again…ALL FREE!

James writes, in his letter to Jewish believers scattered outside of Palestine, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).  This is where we begin.  Recognizing that we've received everything we don't deserve only because of the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ.  The next step is a "honeycomb" move - "Freely you have received, freely give" (Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Matthew 10:8)

Father, even though we may not have the things "we've always wanted," we are the richest people alive because of your gracious gift in Jesus Christ.  Jesus, You have given your best and taken our worst not asking anything in return, except that we follow you.  Help us, Holy Spirit, to follow Jesus' example and give our best in spite of what we feel or what we face.

"...as having nothing and yet possessing all things." (2 Corinthians 6:10c)

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Kenny Sullivan

soli Deo gloria

July 18th

July 18th

THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5‬ AMP)

So far in the book of Romans, Paul has been making the argument that justification is all about faith and not law. Not that the law is void, but that the law is more of a tool to show us that we need faith. Faith in what? Faith in the redemptive blood of Jesus. Faith that God looks on Jesus' blood and says, "it's enough." The law proves to us that there is nothing we can do that is good enough, nothing that we can ever sacrifice that will fully wash us clean. Nothing can redeem but the blood of a once-for-all sacrifice, Jesus. That is the basis of the first four chapters.
Now today's passage starts with "Therefore." Paul is trying to drive home this point. He is saying 'because Christ is the answer, and not the law,' we can have peace with God, and we have access to the grace of God by which we stand. Now, the rest of the passage today talks about Kingdom Living. Christ is king, and if Christ is King, then we are subjects in His kingdom. Now what does kingdom living look like? Well, Paul says here that it is a battle, he says that we will have to endure hardship, but we can look forward in hope to a eternal salvation, a kingdom that will last for an eternity. But the battle is not over yet. Much like the kingdom of King David that we have been reading about in the OT, where David was anointed by Samuel to be King, but then he had to endure battle and hardships, before his kingdom was finally surrendered to him, is Christ's kingdom. Now the truth of the matter is that there is another king of this world, and Jesus is in constant battle with him. Just like Saul knew that his kingdom would be ripped from him and given to David; Satan knows that his rule on earth is coming to an end, and Jesus will rip the kingdom he has established here on earth from him. Satan is holding on with a desperate grip, and trying to entice rulers and kingdoms of this earth to be his tools, for his kingdom. The fact of the matter is this: Jesus kingdom is secure. He showed his authority through conquering the grave. Have you noticed our world and the things happening in the world becoming more toxic? What we are seeing is the desperate attempt, of a desperate liar, to cling to a kingdom that he KNOWS belongs to someone else. Jesus is the true King, and his Kingdom will last forever!

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Thursday, July 31

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

1 Chronicles 24:1–26:11

Romans 4:1–12

Psalm 13:1–6

Proverbs 19:15,16

 

 

“Now, when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but, as an obligation.  However, to the man who does not work but trust God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:4,5)

 

 

In today’s reading in Romans, Paul discusses the extension of Christ’s righteousness to every believer by grace through faith.  This righteousness promises a right standing before God and setting aside of the wrath that we, because of our sin, truly deserve.  This offer stands open to both Jew and Gentile, as Abraham, whose faith “was credited to him as righteousness,” is father of all those who would follow Christ.

 

Paul takes great care to explain that Abraham’s circumcision, an important identification rite for Jewish males, had not come before God’s declaration of righteousness.  Rather, his faith, independent from any work or rite, had made possible this righteousness:

 

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.  So, then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.  And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.” (Romans 4:11,12)

 

 

Later in Romans 6:23, Paul summarizes:  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Each of us has fallen short of God’s standards and therefore sinned; the obligation owed to us for this sin is death, or spiritual separation from God.  Apart from God’s intervention, we may never heal the broken relationship with God that results from our sin.  Yet, in His grace and mercy, God offers the free gift of eternal life, dependent not on what we may offer, but rather on what Christ offered once for all on the Cross.  He testified gloriously to the authenticity of His sacrifice by rising from the dead.

 

God has extended this pattern of grace and mercy not just to Abraham, but also to us.  Due to these realities, we may not boast, but rather ought to express thankfulness:

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

 

 

God has chosen His children to bring Him glory though becoming beautiful works of art.  Awesome!

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy.  Thank You for Your concern for each of us, that we are not beyond Your loving concern.  Bring us in closer union with You, helping us to understand the full depth of our sin and the breadth and depth of Your mercy.  Create within us thankful hearts and wise minds, so that we may glorify You as Your workmanship.  Thank You for bringing us freedom through Your self-sacrifice.  We love You and commit this day to You.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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Tuesday July 15

1 Chronicles 19-21

Romans 2:25-3:8

Psalms 11:1-7

Proverbs 19:10-12

"I'm in a desperate situation!" David replied to Gad. "But let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands."

1 Chronicles 21:13

I was so amazed when I read this verse. The Lord was telling David that he was to be punished. Despite facing judgement, David expressed complete faith and trust in God. He knew that no matter the circumstance, he was in no better place than in God's hands. How amazing is that? That David could praise God for His mercy at this time?

I also was reminded how often I don't turn to God when I need help. I could be facing a trial. I could have a difficult decision to make. I could be in the midst of a problem that is beyond my ability to fix. So often the first thing I do is try to handle everything on my own. David begging to fall into the Lord's hands was a humbling reminder that I need to turn to Him when I need help. There is no better place to be than in His hands.

July 14: Seriously, God...

1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17

Romans 2:1-24

Psalm 10:16-18

Proverbs 19:8-9

1 Chr 17:16-17 "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: 'Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?  And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant.  You Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men."

I have many days when it is difficult to recognize just how true David's prayer was for me as well.  No, I am not a king; I don't live in something like Buckingham Palace, and I don't have chariots and horses and soldiers and an abundance of riches.  But looking past the reality that I have been blessed with much here on earth, what I do have is the burden of sin, that justice dictates deserves only condemnation; and what I do have is a God Who has paid the price for my sins, and taken on the rightful punishment I deserve.  I forget that a lot and yet, in truth, I could be as poor as the untouchables in India, yet still I would have reason pray as David did.  

My friend Chuck once preached a sermon where he brought a really long rope onstage.  He took an inch of that rope and said that that inch was like our life on earth...the rest of the rope, if it went on into eternity, was our life after our time on earth.  I think the analogy is apt here as well - whatever physical or material blessings we might have - someone with good looks, someone with intelligence, someone with wealth, or health, or any combination and permutation thereof...those blessings are that one inch of rope.  God's salvation despite our sinfulness - that is the eternity of blessing.  

As I go to bed tonight, I hope to continue to build an attitude of gratitude.  And I really do have to ask: Seriously, God, who am I and what is my family that you would bring us so far throughout eternity?

Saturday Blogpost (7/12/14)

Saturday, July 12, 2014 [All You Had To Do Was Ask]

10 So David asked God, "Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?"

The Lord replied, "Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you."

11 So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. "God did it!" David exclaimed…

13 But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. 14 And once again David asked God what to do… 

(1 Chronicles 14:10, 11, 13, NLT)

David was an amazing warrior, general, and king!  He is the only person in the Bible who has the honor of being known as "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22).  

What does that really mean?  

A person "after God's own heart" does what God wants them to do.

How do you know what God wants you to do?

Ask.

1 Chronicles 14 is one of my favorite accounts of the history of Israel with David as their king.  When faced with the huge Philistine army in the Rephaim Valley, David doesn't just go out to fight them, nor does he strategize with his officers about the best plan of attack.  David asked God, "Should I go out to fight the Philistines?"  After getting the okay from the Lord, David and his men go out to fight them and win.  What's David's reply?  "God did it!"  And, this is not just false humility, either.  David really means this - God really did do it.  It was God who handed the battle over to David and made him victorious.  So, when they reassemble and come back to fight David again, David does what he did before - he asks the Lord what to do.  And, again, David is victorious.

Obedience is hard for us.  Asking, sometimes, is even harder.  Why is this so?

I think that we don't ask because we are afraid that He will actually give us His answer…and, even more, His answer may be different from what we have already made up in our minds to do.  

Notice, David wasn't forced to ask the Lord what to do about the Philistines. The Lord doesn't force us to ask Him.  However, He waits, longingly, until we do.  He is so "for us" that He actually wants to tell us how to overcome the difficulties that we face.  We will not always like to hear His answer, but faith calls us to trust that His answer will bring victory.

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Questions

(1) What is that thing that you have already decided you won't pray about?

(2) What fear are you facing that keeps you from receiving God's answer?

Prayer

Father, we love You and want to please You, but we struggle with doing what You say.  Sometimes we don't even want to ask You what to do for fear that You may actually tell us something we don't want to hear.  Help us to release our need to control things and accept Your heart for our lives.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen 

  

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Kenny Sullivan

(203) 803-7478

שלום

July 11th

July 11th
David's Mightiest Warriors

10These are the leaders of David's mighty warriors. Together with all Israel, they decided to make David their king, just as the Lord had promised concerning Israel.

I love the account of David's mighty men. These guys were elite. They were the best of the best. These guys had earned their stripes in fierce battle. This tells us something about David. David was not a loner. He surrounded himself with greatness, so that when he was weak, they were strong. They had fought many battles together, and been relentlessly sought after by Saul, but they stood strong. They were built up of the right stuff. And they made David, the man after God's own heart, their King. David led this elite team with The Lord Of Heaven's Armies as his Leader. God is why they were so mighty. God made them powerful, and they turned to Him for guidance. 

We can learn a few things from this passage: surround yourself with great people, and second, take your guidance from The Lord. The Lord is the key. Every one of David's mighty men were fighting for The Lord. They recognized where David's power came from and they wanted to be a part of that.

Thursday, July 10

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

1 Chronicles 5:18–6:81

Acts 27:21–44

Psalm 8:1–9

Proverbs 18:23,24

 

 

“When I consider your heavens,

    the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

    which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

    human beings that you care for them?” (Psalms 8:3,4)

 

 

David explores the greatness of God – “how majestic is your name in all the earth!” – and the humility of man.  Truly God has shown favor to us by granting dominion to man, to act as God’s representatives.  Made in His image, people were to rule both justly and mercifully over the creation and one another.

 

While God has “made” us “a little lower than the angels,” we also recognize our frailty and humility in looking towards a sovereign, holy, and majestic God.  Our beloved song, “I Am a Friend of God,” repeats that line:  “Who am I that You are mindful of me?  That You love me?  That You hear me/ when I call?”  In His awesomeness, God still wishes to draw near to His children.  Both wholly Other and personally intimate!  Amazing!

 

In his book on the “heart” conversation within the Psalms, Alfred Edersheim, a 19th-century writer, noted:  “However low I may sink, there is not a depth but grace goes still deeper.”  In His grace, God has crafted us in His image and intervened on our behalf through Christ as we fell short of that calling.

 

Romans 5:6–8 explains:  “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Let us rejoice in His overabundant grace that brings us into His presence through the blood of Christ.

 

This song video provides beautiful imagery of God’s handiwork and a remembrance of His amazing grace for all peoples:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAdhDGaEHZ.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son to take the place we rightfully deserved.  Thank You for being mindful of us, in both our humility and greatness as made in Your image.  We know that You are the Father of heavenly lights and that every good and perfect gift comes from You.  We thank You for the gifts with which You have blessed us.  Help us to see Your power and goodness on a moment-by-moment basis as we interact with the world You have made.  We praise You for Your awesome power and Your personal intimacy with each of us.  You are the Holy One of Israel.  We worship You, Father.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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Tuesday July 8

I am sick at heart. How long, O LORD, until you restore me? Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.
I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.
The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.
(‭Psalm‬ ‭6‬:‭3-4, 6, 9‬ NLT)

When you are in the middle of a trial, it can be easy to fall into despair. Our natural response can be to feel sorry for ourselves and ask "why me?"

The psalmist wondered these same things. How long before the Lord will restore him? He was in so much despair, he said his bed was filled with tears.

This psalm ends by saying the Lord heard his prayer and He will answer. He didn't say when, but he believes that God will, in His timing.

Please keep Eloise Knight and Valerie Johnson in prayer. They are in a lot of pain and need God to deliver them. Pray that He will restore them with His unfailing love.

July 7: But I want it now!!!

1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17

Acts 25:1-27

Psalm 5:1-12

Proverbs 18:19

"In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice,

     In the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly."

Ps 5:3

I didn't always used to pray in the mornings, when I got up.  I used to get out of bed and get my day started - no time to waste!  Up, shower, brush teeth (for those who know me, a shave is rarely, if ever, necessary), in the car and off to school or work or wherever the day needed me.  It took a long time, a LOT of prayer on my parents' part, and not an insignificant amount of painful instruction before I began to pray in the morning.  And it was tough to build the habit...I'd get a few days going, then I'd easily fall away.  

Now, with thanks to God, my parents, my wife and our church, it has become, and remains (for the most part!) a daily morning habit.  And I thought that was all that was required.  Come to God, present your requests...little did I know the harder part was yet to come.

"...and wait expectantly."

Not just wait - which is difficult enough for me, the 48 year old epitome of a five year old crying "I want it NOW!!!", but wait EXPECTANTLY.  Which, as I take it, is to say with the certainty that your prayer has been heard and is, even then, though you might not see how, is ALREADY BEING ANSWERED.  Someone tried to tell me that God's seeming inaction in and of itself was an answer to my prayer...even today, when I hear that, I listen politely but my head and my heart are saying - you guessed it - "but I want it NOW!!!".  

Waiting is difficult.  The truth is, waiting expectantly should be easier, because to wait without expectation is to wait not knowing whether or not your prayer has been answered, if it is going to be answered, or if it has even been heard.  To wait expectantly one has to know not only that God has heard your prayer, but has already answered it, an answer that will become apparent, will come to fruition in HIS time, not yours.   I like to think that the best evidence we wait expectantly are peace and joy, regardless of the circumstances we face, because the overriding circumstance at that time is that God has heard and answered our prayers.

But whatever I said above, expectant waiting is still difficult, particularly in the instant gratification society in which we live.  But it works, and it is wonderful to see - today, for example, we finally saw God's answer to the prayers with which our church stormed heaven, in behalf of our pastor.  We saw it months ago with two other congregants, one who finally got a new heart, the other one brought back from her coma at death's door.  So if it is such a good trait, perhaps we should ask God for it.  And trust that He will already have given it to us.

Saturday BlogPost (7/5/14)

Saturday, July 5, 2014 [Seeing vs. Believing]

Psalm 3

It was on a late Saturday afternoon when I asked my pastor and one of the ministers if I could join them on a hospital visit. One of the guys from the congregation was facing the possible amputation of all of his toes on his right foot. I had no idea how to speak to his situation. I was going just to support him and be with these two men of God that I respected a great deal. 

We arrived at the hospital and saw our friend. He was troubled, but calm. As a result of his bout with diabetes, his toes were not getting enough blood flow. He was told that if the situation didn't change over the next 12 hours his doctor would have to amputate. Although he had heard the diagnosis and understood the gravity of the situation, his faith said that the Lord could turn it all around. We prayed and believed that God would restore a healthy blood flow to his toes...and, by His mercy, God did. The surgery was cancelled.

Some people say that "seeing is believing." For my friend in the hospital and David this was not the case. They acknowledged the very visible challenges in their lives (Psalm 3:1-2), but they believed the Lord to be greater than the challenge (Ps. 3:.3-6). They didn't allow what they saw (their circumstances) to be greater than what they believed (the power of God). Instead, what they believed caused them to pray faith-filled and desperate prayers: "Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God...Salvation belongs to the LORD" (vv. 7-8). What I'm learning is that, for the follower of Jesus, there is a stark difference between what we see and what we believe. A situation that looks impossible is no match for a God who specializes in doing the impossible.

"But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

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Kenny Sullivan

soli Deo gloria

Thursday, July 3

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

2 Kings 22:3–23:30

Acts 21:37–22:16

Psalm 1:1–6

Proverbs 18:11,12

 

 

“Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.  He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests, and the prophets – all the people from the least to the greatest.  He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.  The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant ion the presence of the Lord – to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations, and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book.  Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant….

 

“Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols, and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem.  This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the Lord.  Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did – with all this heart and with all this soul and with all his strength, in according with all the Law of Moses.” (2 Kings 23:1–3,24,25)

 

“Before his downfall, a man’s heart is proud,

                but humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18:12)

 

 

King Josiah wisely and intentionally rid the land of Judah of those idols and individuals that had drawn the people’s hearts away from following God.  God had clearly communicated His sovereign choice to support His people as long as they remained faithful to Him, but, in worshipping other gods and pursuing practices detestable to the One Living God, the people had clearly broken their end of the covenant.  The exile of Israel and later Judah clearly indicates the people’s violation and their reaping of what they had sown.

 

Yet, for this period of King Josiah’s reign, we see the effects of studying God’s Word and taking the appropriate action.  The king does not waver in unbelief, but rather he exercises his faith through carrying out what God desired.  The leadership of Israel and Judah had previously failed the people, abandoning God’s wisdom after becoming enticed with foreign gods and women.  Even King Solomon had fallen short of his father David’s example of looking only to God Himself.

 

King Josiah acted out of humility, which teaches us our correct standing before God and others.  Humility explains that we are created in God’s image and would do well to look to His wisdom above our own.  False humility argues that we are worthless pieces of dust, but true humility recognizes the value of each person, bearing the image of the eternal God, but also the tendency to fall short and pursue our own selfish ends.  For Josiah, we definitely find that the rightful commendation that he receives stemmed from his treatment of humility and pride:  “…  humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18:12)

 

For us on this Independence Day, we may rejoice in the freedom granted to us by the hard labor and sacrifice of generations that have come before us.  The First Amendment grants five freedoms (exercise of religion and no established religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition of grievances):  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”  Let’s consider what the “free exercise [of religion]” means for us today.

 

We have the great privilege of exercising our faith on a daily basis.  We may celebrate what God has done in our lives, praise Him, pray to Him, seek Him out through His Word, and love Him without fear.

 

In Romans 6:15–18, Paul argues that, in light of our freedom, we ought to become “slaves to righteousness”:  “What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?  By no means!   Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.  You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

 

We may believe that true freedom comes from being free to pursue our own best interests.  Yet, we understand from this passage and others that this selfishness ultimately leads to becoming bound to sin.  Freedom descends into slavery.

 

Real freedom comes through loving and serving God and His people, the purposes for which we were created.  Paul continues in this passage to explain that slavery to sin leads to death, while committing ourselves to righteousness (God’s purposes for us) through faith yields the gift of eternal life.

 

May we cherish the opportunity we have to choose true, lasting freedom through Jesus Christ, Who has bought this liberty with His blood.

 

 

Lord Jesus, we rejoice in Your sure salvation today.  Thank You for the many convincing proofs that You did indeed rise from the grave and that we may trust You for eternal life and the day-to-day struggle of exercising our faith.  Thank You for the freedom that we have in the United States to serve and love You and Your people and to gather together with our spiritual family to study Your Word.  Help us to cherish true freedom and to understand the depths of its implications for our lives.  Point out to us where we may destroy idols and distractions in our lives, so that we may drink deeply from Your real freedom.  In Your Name, amen.

 

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