Author: astherainandsnow

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

‘Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:8-12,14-18

Pursuing and keeping peace is hard work. Bless, have, do not, keep, turn away, seek, pursue, regard. With peace, there is no option, but command as God’s children in the world. And it is not simply the result of being calm and peaceful ourselves, sitting back and keeping friction at bay as best we can. Peace does not occur naturally. It requires an active quest, countering the evil, angst, and reviling that prevails, and taking up and going after what is too often elusive.

Thankfully, we are not left alone to figure out and muster up this pursuit. Jesus, who has brought peace to every believer through the cross, both compels and equips by depositing His peace that passes understanding within us. He who reconciled us to Himself by His blood enables us to reconcile with others by the power of that same blood. By His Spirit we lay down our rights, gruffness, and self-interest in living sacrifice. (John 14:27; 16:33; Ephesians 2:14-16; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 1:19-20)

When we honor Christ as Lord in our hearts, He rules over their domain: emotional responses to slander and suffering, the words from our tongues when confronted with vitriol, our demeanor when we’re pinched or opposed, ignored or criticized. He guides our minds with reason and hope. He gives grace to issue love, tenderness, humility, and respect. To pursue peace.

In what instances or situations am I most prone to spiritual inertia, where just the opposite is required? When it comes to promoting peace in turmoil or conflict, does fear, or laziness, or apathy, or fatigue cause me to give up, or give in? Have I yielded full rein to my Lord’s gentleness, righteousness, and unifying Spirit?

Lord, fix me on caring about, and living for, your will and not flesh passions, so Your peace is my pursuit and joy. (1 Peter 4:2)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.’

“It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?.. We have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy…” Hebrews 12:1-7,9-16a

Indeed, ‘all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant,’ but the Scriptures give great encouragement how and why to endure. Humanly speaking, we have a great cloud of witnesses- ordinary people just like us- who have preceded us, and their faith is recorded as our example. Even better, Jesus has gone before us, never yielding to temptation or abandoning His purpose, and victoriously endured for our benefit, our holiness. When we consider their hope and triumphs, are we not spurred on to yield to divine discipline’s guiding, correcting, and shaping hands? (Hebrews 11:1-2,4-40)

The done of discipline is the transformed life and power Jesus lived and made possible for us through His obedience. The do is appropriating His discipline in our lives that we might be Christlike as His emissaries here on earth. Discipline is not punishment. Rather, it is training applied to produce a certain outcome, namely our holiness. (Philippians 2:5-16)

What areas of attitude or action need particular strengthening and discipline? Where need we more pointedly strive to cooperate with His sanctifying exhortation? Jesus looked to the joy beyond the cross. We look to Him, and saints before us, to take heart and triumph by their same grace.

Holy Father, may I wholly yield to Your perfectly designed and measured discipline, and so be made like You in every way.

“Then Satan… incited David to number Israel.  David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, ‘Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.’ ³ But Joab said, ‘May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not… all my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt..?’ But the king’s word prevailed. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. [He] gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David… all men who drew the sword… But… the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.

“God was displeased, and he struck Israel. And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. Please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly…’ ‘I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great…’ ‘Please let your hand, O Lord my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people…’ When David saw that the Lord had answered him.., he sacrificed.” 1 Chronicles 21:1-8,13,17,28

We cannot be certain David’s motive in wanting a census taken of his soldiers, but we can imagine there was pride fueling his compulsion. His skilled, brash commander Joab recognized the foolishness of such an exercise, and told him it would be a waste of time. There was no benefit to tagging a number value on the Lord’s immeasurable blessing.

But David ignored the check. And by ignoring it, he eventually saw and sought the grace of God. Pushing through with sin brings hard consequences, yet God in His patience uses the very pain to reveal His mercy and take us higher. This man after God’s heart was still in God’s school, and the Lord is a persistent Instructor who would not let him fail. (Acts 13:22; Hebrews 12:10-11)

Are we tuned in to God’s checks? How receptive are we when challenged or warned? With whom are we open about struggles, and willing to take correction? Where have we let pride puff to superiority, rudeness, and ‘I’ll do this my way’? (James 5:16)

When the loving Lord convicts us of sin and we repent, we open ourselves to healing and transformation from the weakness that got us there. We see anew His mercies in painful correction, and trust more deeply His ongoing grace in our sanctification. We worship more meaningfully because we see Him more clearly. And being touched, and changed, we want to give that grace to others.

Do we love them enough to do so? We may pretend we shouldn’t judge, or offend, or impose on another’s preferences, but that can prove cowardice or a protection from being confronted ourselves. Sometimes the most compassionate (and bravest) decision is to challenge, “Why should this be a cause of guilt?” Whether or not that person receives our admonishment, we have honored the Lord. He will deal with them directly.

Lord, thank You for Your grace in checking me- through others and by Your Spirit. Keep me tender to Your conviction, and filled with grace to be Your check for others You love. (John 16:8)

“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” Luke 5:12-13

There is much that is moving about this man, an outcast from society. He probably kept his own face down and hidden as much as possible, since he was likely disfigured and strange from diseased skin. His only view of others’ facial expressions over the years would likely have mirrored his own soul ache and disgust at his condition: horror, repulsion, or at best, disdain.

But then came a man who was different. There was something about His voice, the humble, kind way He interacted with the marginalized, His compassion and unhurried tempo, the power that flowed from Him. It was said He came to set people free from oppression and disease, and this leper was captive to both. Maybe he could face Him. He watched Him among the crowd, and wanted to get closer. Drawn by the magnet of His compassion, he bravely made his way toward Him to make his request. He knew this man Jesus could heal him, and hoped He was willing. But when he actually saw Him, he fell face down in an inseparable move of reverence and shame. (Luke 4:18,31-41)

This leper knew what it was not to belong, to be rejected and unloved. This was a man who knew he did not deserve grace, and there was nothing he could do to earn Jesus’s favor. Yet, because of what he knew about this anointed Wonder-worker, he approached, in the humblest faith. His ugly body bowed, His marred face down, unworthy, before God in the flesh. That face was hidden but his faith was not. It was bold, even brash- “if you will, you can!” And Jesus did.

The effect of falling facedown is glorious. It is an honest expression of the truth about us: we are marred people all. It wins us an audience with the blessed Sovereign, and begs for mercy from the lowest place of absolute necessity- the very place mercy enters and thrives. And Jesus comes there, lifts our repaired visage, and makes us whole. (Ephesians 2:1-8; Romans 3:23)

Have we come to recognize our depravity before the perfect Savior, that we are spoiled from the inside out? Are we so confident of the loving Lord’s goodness and power that we bring all our regret and bitterness and shame to His nail-scarred feet, and beg to be made clean? Are we willing to put aside what others think, all we value of the world, and our naturally greatest assets, before the only Asset that matters?

Lord, keep me prostrate in heart, my face bowed in reverence and reflecting Your countenance. May I be a living expression of Your healing, freeing power.

“I will show you my faith by my works.”

“The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell… No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so…

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 2:18b; 3:6,8-10,13-18

The tongue is a fire, and not a pretty one. In the chaos of clashing cultures and inner anger, the tongue adds fuel to flame, distorting truth and disrupting discourse. The very tool that can be used for so much good is too often unreined and left to do much harm. Even solid faith is shrouded when a runaway tongue undoes or destroys every otherwise good work.

The Lord calls us to be fire fighters and faith farmers. If we are truly people of faith, our behavior should look and sound like it. By His Spirit our words must be controlled, and used for blessing, uplifting, truth-telling with love, and consoling. We can quell the cacophony of bellicose arguments and controversy by reminding ourselves that those with whom we converse are also image-bearers, and speak to them as such. We remember that faith displays itself in being distinctly other, unlike the world and very much like Jesus. We douse the flames of unrighteousness by the meekness of wisdom, smothering the earthly with the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 14:3; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 4:15)

Are we prone to criticism and contention, speaking evil of others? Do our words antagonize and tone of voice invite friction? Are we aware of the distrust our betraying confidence enflames, the destruction our gossip breeds, or the conflagration our pestering and goading sparks? Confess the sin, and quench the fires with grace upon grace! Hoe out the gripes and sow in the peace. Bridle emotion with reason, and nurture sincere impartiality over arrogant superiority. Give way for faith to bear its glorious fruit. (Colossians 3:10-16; James 4:11)

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.” ~Frances Havergal (1874)

Father, may my words be gracious, sowing love and truth to produce a harvest of righteousness, that You might be praised.

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God!  And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.  And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?  And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God…  and your name will be established and magnified forever…  Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.'” 1 Chronicles 17:16-22,24a,27

David was overwhelmed with the attention, favor, and vast promise of God he knew by personal experience and through Nathan’s prophecy. Who was he, merely a youngest child and shepherd, whom the Lord had raised up to lead His people? And who was he, that the small thing of individual blessing should reach to forever? Who was this LORD God, uniquely loving and trustworthy, awesome and other? Only He could back a promise to do such things. (1 Samuel 16:7-13; 1 Chronicles 17:3-15; Psalm 8:1-5)

It’s natural to live small lives being wound up in small things. We get comfy in provincial interaction and narrow thinking, never entertaining the possibility of broader ideas, larger outreach, expanded territory or influence, or a legacy beyond those we know.

But God is eternal, and His blessings to us are intended to last long and spread wide and make a difference into forever. Tracing His hand through His fulfilled promises in and beyond biblical history is guaranteed to inspire loftier aspirations for us. We can behold the beauty in small and expect great and greater, then do what we can to bring it about.

What would change if our perspective were truly eternal? If we saw our lives as a small blip compared to everlasting? How differently might we order our days and hours, or reshuffle our priorities? What relationships might we invest in and activities increase, and which let go? How differently might we direct conversation, choose our words, or probe with questions? In what new ways might we use God-granted resources to have broader impact? What could we do today to make an impact in His kingdom presently, and for the future?

Lord, humble me before Your greatness, and keep alive my desire and willingness to be caught in its flow. Have Your way in every small part of me so Your great purposes are accomplished, and Your great Name extolled, forever.

“David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-edom with rejoicing… So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres…

“And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. When David had finished… the offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

“He appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel… Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and the judgments he uttered!..

“He is the Lord our God;
    his judgments are in all the earth.
Remember his covenant forever,
    the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations…

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods…
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.” 1 Chronicles 15:25,28; 16:1-4,7-12,14-15,23-25,27,34

The ark representing God’s presence was finally, properly carried into the holy tent. David’s only rightful response was to appoint thanksgiving. Accompanied by celebration, music, and singing, the Lord was established in His place of honor with lavish offerings and great rejoicing. Led by their earnest king, Israel was swept up in praise to their God, and glad song resounded.

Do we hold almighty God in such awe, attributing all that is good, all success, all glory, to Him alone? Beware lest we touch it! Do we swagger before Him and strut our greatness, or bow before the splendor of His holy otherness, and tremble? A humble heart is a thankful heart. (1 Chronicles 13:9-10; Isaiah 42:8)

Would I today bring in my offerings, my body a living sacrifice? Recount His greatness, His majesty in creation, judgment, and the human heart? Thank Him for senses to perceive His holiness, a mind to understand salvation, and breath to praise? (Romans 12:1)

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.” ~Frances Havergal (1874)

Blessed are You, God of my salvation. May I give thanks for Your bounty and praise You forever!

“Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief officer of the house of God; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer; besides their kinsmen, heads of their fathers’ houses, 1,760, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God…

“The gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their kinsmen (Shallum was the chief)…  So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south…

“Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices. Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices, and Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with making the flat cakes. Also some of their kinsmen of the Kohathites had charge of the showbread, to prepare it every Sabbath.

“Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night.” 1 Chronicles 9:10-13,17,23-24,28-33

It took a lot of hands to keep the house of the Lord, and He was precise to make every provision for its smooth running. He ordained decor and objects and pieces and processes to their worship so all priests could have a part of the ongoing holy service. Each has something to offer, every one is necessary. The God of order and beauty is also the God who uses His people to serve His purposes today.

Our churches require many hands to be effective for worship of the Lord and His ministries. Guardians hold a special role: Gatekeepers of the immutable Word, those who present it, and the long-term mission. Gatekeepers watch for intruders, assess threats, defend and protect, stand in the gap. They keep clear the mission and set boundaries against detours. How are we gatekeeping our ministries, teaching, and conversations against error, slander, distraction, or gossip? How vigilant are we to watch and pray for the spiritual health of God’s people, that none would sin?

God also assigns us as stewards of His means of grace, those disciplines that gather the flock, hone our discipleship, further our sanctification, and magnify His renown. Whether it is ours to keep order, prepare for sacrifice, or serve practical needs of others, we are each priests in the Body that all may declare His praise. Are we obeying in a manner that enhances worship and honors Him? (1 Peter 2:5,9)

Father, instill in me the will not to be served, but mightily to serve Your holy purposes. Build up Your church to boldly bring You praise in the world. (Mark 10:45)

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus.., to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:9-13a,14-19

The Christian’s call is a great dichotomy against the unbeliever’s modus operandi. We all need and use things, but differently and for different ends. The charge to those who believe is to know and live out the distinction, setting our hope on God and not things of this world. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Ours is a trust and confidence in the invisible, not the visible, that make their way into every desire and endeavor.

Like rays of the early sun, a Christ-mindset pierces the flesh and its natural tendencies with supernatural light. It penetrates the alluring charms of this world to reason clearly and see through their vain promises. It discerns the harm and destructiveness of disordered affections, and exposes hidden but coddled idolatry.

The cravings of this world are varied and strong, and pursuing righteousness and godliness contradicts their temptations in every way. This is a fight we must take up with boldness. Our Lord holds out His hope of eternal life for our trust, and His stated dominion to give us courage. He supplies the riches we need, including His divine nature, to do good and the right thing. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Where are we most tempted to flow with the world? Does a perceived ease or anticipated worldly esteem draw our eyes to riches? Have we allowed greed to wield its way into untoward business practices or favoritism with others? Has any measure of earthly success cloaked us with haughtiness or snobbery? May we recognize and flee empty pangs to take hold of what is truly life!

Father, keep me living as one set apart, not for my own interest but for Your honor and esteem.

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil…  And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,

“You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve…”‘

“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee.” Luke 4:1-2a,5-8,13-14

Did Satan really think he owned the world and had sweeping dominion, and could dole it out at leisure? As the great deceiver, he was either attempting to deceive Jesus, or deceiving himself. After all, he was prince of the powers of darkness, yet wholly beneath the sovereign rule of Almighty God. (Obadiah 3-4; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:9)

Jesus, the divine and flawless Son of God, knew better. He it was who owned the heavens and earth and every kingdom, and His Father God alone was to be worshiped and served. Where Satan was driven by pride to be served, Jesus came to serve the purposes of the only One worthy of glory. Pride goes before a fall, and Satan was where he was, groveling for subjects, due to his pride. (Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:13-19)

When we are tempted to think, ‘It’s all mine! I started it, discovered it, own it, founded it, made it, rule it,’ beware the slap-down of God. We have nothing He has not given: gifts, authority, sway with men, influence over outcomes. No original thought, talent, or resources. It is pride itself that blinds us to our foolish self-importance, and deludes us into thinking we’re arbiters of judgment and more indispensable than we really are. (1 Corinthians 4:7; James 2:9)

The secret to eschewing pride is being filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived and breathed in His power and we can too. The devil lurks and prowls and pokes in and out of our days, preying on weak moments and depleted souls. Though our resolve may be strong, our flesh is weak. We must be vigilant to remain filled and stay alert, armed and ready for resistance and battle. (Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 5:18; 6:11-18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8)

With whom do we garner spiritual strength and sharpness, and a true depiction of ourselves? Regular fellowship, honest edification, and mutual prayer support do much to fortify proper self-perception and the determination and readiness for temptation. How often and thoroughly are we hiding God’s word in our hearts to renew our vision of God, alert us to Satan’s wiles, and keep us from slipping into self-righteous superiority and pride? A mind donned with Christ’s gracious salvation has no room for puffery. (Psalm 119:11; Ephesians 2:8,9; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Glorious Lord, replace self-delusion with humble, hearty worship of You, the only One worthy of my trust and honor.