Author: astherainandsnow

“On that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord…

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!..
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and judgments!..

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.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth…
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
    and let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

“Blessed be the Lord,..
    from everlasting to everlasting!

“Then all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 16:7-10,12,23-34,36

On that day, the tent had been pitched, the people gathered, the priests and Levites consecrated. On that day, musicians and singers were assembled, charged with much rejoicing, and sacrifices were offered. On that day, the day of homecoming, the day of glad mercy for a second chance at transporting the ark of God’s presence to the tent according to God’s command- the right way- on that day, David the king saw fit to appoint thanksgiving. All was from God, and all gratitude and praise was to Him. (1 Chronicles 15:3,11-16,25-28; 16:1-2)

Ah, the mercies of the Lord are indeed many and vast. His disciplines for wrongdoing do not disqualify us, but awaken fresh gratitude for grace, and open the way to broader understanding of His love. When we grasp His welcome, and approach as He prescribes, we want to prepare, we want consecration, we want to offer ourselves and more, we want to sing and make merry because He is worthy of it all.

How do we consecrate and prepare ourselves to gather with the Lord? Have we deliberately appointed thanksgiving a regular part each day’s worship? For what miracles, judgments, strength, and marvelous works have we praised Him today? What deeds and attributes of the good and glorious God are we making known, and where?

“God our Maker doth provide 
for our wants to be supplied; 
Lord of harvest, grant that we 
wholesome grain and pure may be.
All the world is God’s own field, 
fruit unto His praise we yield. 
come to God’s own temple, come; 
 Come, ye thankful people, home.” ~Henry Alford (1844)

Lord, keep me ever singing, always thanksgiving.

“In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar,.. the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“’The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God…”’

“As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…’

“So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.” Luke 3:1-6,15-16,18

Announced in the angel’s astounding prophecy to his father Zechariah, John the baptizer had a unique purpose: he would be great, filled with the Spirit of God, and go before the Lord Jesus to prepare a people for Him. Raised with this understanding, he was attuned to the voice of the Lord and ready to obey. When God spoke, he responded. The one prepared for his calling prepared people for Christ’s coming. (Luke 1:5-17)

As the Lord created His world in preparation for mankind, so He goes before us and sets us in time and place to be sanctified and to spread His light. All of God’s children have particular purpose for our season and setting. We are called to be prepared ourselves that we might serve the Lord’s intent of paving the way of life for others with His gospel. (Genesis 1:1-28; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 17:26-27; Philippians 2:15; 1 Peter 2:9)

John’s first admonition was to repentance, which would lead to forgiveness which leads to gospel hope and living. It is easy in our frenzied days of input and output to neglect this humbling of ourselves in genuine confession and deliberate repentance. When are we taking time to consider God’s holiness and admit where we have fallen short, dishonored Him with worry, procrastination, impatience, selfishness? The power of Christ’s forgiveness is borne out in renouncing that sin and turning from it to energized righteousness. Are we as serious in prayer about earnest, thoughtful, heart-wrenching repentance as we are about reciting our list of needs and wants?

We might block the way of God’s daily preparing of us by packing our schedules with responsibilities and distractions. Where do we push out the Lord by busyness, or willful refusal to align with His guidance and insisting on our own way? What petty or persistent sins litter our lives to make Him unwelcome? If we are resistant to His cleansing and refreshment, we will be of little use for others.

Once emptied of self and filled with His Spirit, how are we spreading His gospel? How are my words, work, and love preaching the good news? Where will I proclaim it today? (John 3:30)

Lord, help me take up Your call to be prepared and to prepare others for the work of Your glorious gospel.

“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.” Luke 22:1-6

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me… It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread.’ So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas… After he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly…’ So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.” John 13:21,26-27,30

Once Satan entered into Judas, this outlier disciple got to itching in a crowd. The more he was around those whose hearts grew warmer every day with Jesus, his cold and hardening heart grew ill at ease. Almost unimaginably, yet providentially, our Savior invited him and the others to join Him in the most intimate of Passover suppers. He even warned of temptation, of Satan‘s pressure on Peter. But Judas chafed at Jesus’s eyes, His attention, and departed into the night. Bent on rebellious treason against the King of kings, he preferred the dark, even cloaking his betrayal behind a kiss. (Luke 22:19-23,31-32,40,46-48; John 13:21-30)

Rebels against God do not like the light. They want to do their dirty work in cognito, in the absence of a crowd and notice, behind closed doors. But by God’s common grace, a crowd of a different sort can drive sinners to despair and repentance. A heart bent on separation from God can be flooded with misery, guilt, and conviction, as much as we want to push them down, and away. We may close off our ears or lock the latch on our secret darknesses, but the love of God pursues relentlessly. The Lord deals with individuals away from the crowd of the world to draw them to Himself. (Matthew 27:3-5; John 16:8)

In what situations do we try to hide, to escape notice from people around us, or the Lord, in order to avoid accountability or conviction? Are there activities we would rather not display, words we would rather not be heard, practices at work or conversations that we prefer to keep private? The Lord honors propriety, but uncovers shame to make things right. Are there places that need to come into the open to allow His cleansing?

What cloud of witnesses and crowd of encouragers has the Lord graciously provided to point out misdeeds and inspire our walk? How willing are we to seek them out and heed their admonitions? With whom do we need to speak truth in love to promote righteousness, reconciliation, healing? (Ephesians 4:15; Hebrews 12:1-3)

Lord, keep me pure in the private place and potent in the crowds You provide.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

“I the Lord do not change; therefore you are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” “Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.'” John 1:4-5,9; 8:12

“Our Lord Jesus Christ,.. dwells in unapproachable light.” 1 Timothy 6:14,16

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

In the luff and constant changes of our spinning world, rife with tensions and insecurities, it is hard to comprehend pure constancy. Darkness looms, evil lurks, and deception and sin-tainted perception cloud what we desire to see clearly. Against these themes of shadow there reigns One who is unadulterated light- ever shining, never dimming, ever brilliant, never waning. The God of glory and truth neither owns nor casts any shadows. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

It fortifies our souls to be familiar with this constant Light. Contemplating the Lord’s unchanging greatness, power, and radiant presence strengthens resolve when convictions are challenged, and steadies us when the culture, or conflict, tug at our anchor. Spending time in the splendor of God’s light exposes those tendencies that are awry, warms affections for Him and His ways, and strengthens our determination to obey.

When the dusk of doubt or anxiety fall, come to the soothing light of Jesus! He who never changes is present underneath, above, and all around, upholding us and lifting our heads. When consternation over a decision made or needing to be made roils within, soak in His light! The One whose lamp guides our steps will confirm them to His ends. When temptation broods, its deceptive fingers luring us to confusion, weakness, or darkness, turn away from the shadows to the clear truth and power of the Conquering King! When fears lurk, shading circumstances or an unknown future with gloom, cast them off and rest in the promises where no shadow lies! (Psalm 3:3; 90:1-2; 119:105; Deuteronomy 33:27; Joshua 1:5)

Where have we entertained shadows in our thinking and turned to worry, brooding, or complaint? What frivolous activities or thoughtless expenditures have been tarnished by restlessness, envy, or discontent, causing us to betray our first love for Christ? How have we settled, gradually or unknowingly, into the shadowlands of spiritual complacency, neglecting assembling together and preferring and honoring and serving others? When will we break out of the shadows once for all, and bring our selfishness, greed, idolatry, any dark habits, into God’s wonderful, grace-filled light? (Revelation 2:4-5)

“Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, 
Lord unto me.” ~Thomas Chisolm (1923)

Lord, please illumine my heart, soul, and mind to love Your radiance and live with no shadows, to Your praise and glory.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows.., and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. If a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?.. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom..? But you have dishonored the poor man…

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted.” James 1:27-2:6,8-9

“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Holding the faith bears out in all areas of life. James urges his readers demonstrate authentic faith within by practical living that honors God and His people. He points out how inner attitudes manifest in outer behavior, that pure and undefiled religion is displayed in the ways we treat others.

The world grabs and plays with our senses in a myriad of ways, often confusing purity with emotional attraction, righteousness with euphoria. We’re drawn to please the senses and stroke our own feelings of importance to the detriment of Christ-like perception and genuine care. To prefer anyone because of appearance is to discount the true worth of God’s image-bearers. We distort reality when we use false measures, a ploy that delights Satan and disparages God and His people. Is this our subconscious default, to be so taken by the world that it dictates our treatment of others?

Where do these warnings pierce? Is the Spirit poking a familiar practice we’d rather not admit? What are we to do when we recognize our dishonor, and pride is exposed? Humbling ourselves before the Almighty and acknowledging the truth of things is a healthy start. (Genesis 1:26-27; Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Matthew 5:43-45; John 13:34; Ephesians 2:8–9; James 4:4-10)

How might we look more deeply into Jesus’s eyes, and through Him see ourselves and those around us? What false superiority and arrogance does His holiness expose? Where are we making cursory assessments that affect how we treat or cause us to debase other people? What prejudices do we carry, what caustic criticism or condescension has ingrained itself in our attitudes and actions? When will we name these affronts to God and begin to replace them with renewed thinking and specific blessing to all made in His image? (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:5,12-14)

Lord, may I honor You by honoring those You’ve made, thus lavishing them with the infinite love and worth with which You lavish me.

“They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years…

“And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord… Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.  But the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord [and]… filled with the Holy Spirit…

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. He came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’

“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’

“The angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God... And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'” Luke 1:6-7,11-15,26-35,38

The angelic announcements came unexpectedly to both Zechariah and Mary. For the messages he spoke, the priest had been praying for years, and it seems that Mary had not prayed at all. Each gift of a child was all of the Almighty’s favor and blessing, according to His sovereign will. Yes, He heard and answered specific prayer, but He also moved according to His holy purpose in the absence of man’s seeking. Each mother humbly accepted His favor and trusted His promise. His divine work would magnify His sovereign possibilities, and in all there would be great rejoicing. (Luke 1:24-25,39-49)

Man is wired to desire and push and bring things about in our own strength. We also tend to think that if we really want something, it must be good, and granted. Conversely, God’s favor does not align with man’s effort, but with His sovereign will and grace. He hears both spoken and unspoken desires, and often acts in ways that seem contrary to both. His favor is borne of love and providence, and is to be received with humility and joy. (Deuteronomy 7:7-9; John 15:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Where do we sense God’s particular favor? Have we thanked Him? How can we better align desires and decisions to His sovereign will? What are we learning about Him in the process of dependence, and serving His will over our own? (Psalm 119:68; 145:17; Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 22:42; Romans 8:26-28; 12:2)

Lord, make me grateful for Your every grace and favor.

“When evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’  And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’  And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'” Mark 4:35-41

Storms were common on the Sea of Galilee, but what confused the disciples was that their Leader would initiate boating across the water, then fall asleep and care nothing about their stress and danger. Little did they realize that He was not confused, but held all in His control. He foreknew and led them toward the storm to reveal Himself and develop their faith: His calm in the midst and supernatural ability to speak peace over it invited awed fear and trust. If He had control over wind and waves, He was able in every concern and life and place concurrently. What could He not do?

Political strife, a medical trauma, an impossible work assignment, a relationship obstacle, marital discord, lurking temptation, despair… Each is monumental to us, none too difficult for God. We are in confusion, turmoil, chaos, and He in perfect peace. In fact, He is the infinite, transcendent God of the impossible, the God of order, the God of truth, the God of peace. (Genesis 18:14; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:17,27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; 1 Corinthians 14:33)

Perceiving and feeling sin’s effects on our world can be humanly overwhelming, yet God knows and works through all with no confusion, no bias, no inequity. We may be burdened for a myriad of concerns. Many in our family, church, and nations of the world may be praying for miraculous healing, truth to be revealed, creativity and wisdom to be inspired, balm for broken hearts. We feel heart-wrenched, discombobulated, scattered by the weight of cares. But God is not. He sees every event, hears every cry, and is sufficient for every need. He’s able to do more than we know to ask, and calmly, precisely, responds to His own with personal, purposeful care and eternal intention. How amazing is He! (Ephesians 3:20)

Will we trust this Lord Who exists in time and above our time, Who understands our limits and is Himself without limit? What unrest whorls inside, relentless in its undoing? What hatred boils, temptation nags, rebellion simmers? What is my roiling sea of care? My scrabble of confusion? My current of fear? The Lord is nigh and speaks, ‘Peace, be still.’ He translates our cries into perfect prayer according to His will and accomplishes His plans His intended way so He is revered. (Psalm 18:30)

Lord, in every storm of thought or life, help me trust You to accomplish Your peace and good will, to Your glory.

“For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:11-15

“The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.” Psalm 69:9

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… that I may gain Christ… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:8,10

“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Hebrews 11:26

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” Peter 4:14

The unblemished Lamb of God carried man’s sin and endured its punishment outside the camp, inviting us into a mysterious, eternal fellowship. Present reproach was all for future glory.

Let us go to Jesus. The call requires will, initiative, and action. Outside the camp. Away from worldly life, entanglements, occupations, removed to the place apart. And bear the reproach he endured. Take on Christ’s suffering by becoming like Him in every way: humble, righteous, fixed on things above rather than earthly things. This will invite criticism, ostracism, rejection, hatred. (Matthew 10:22; John 15:18; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:12)

It is not natural to gravitate outside the camp toward suffering, but for the Christian, the inclination is toward Jesus. The flesh wants nothing of pain, yet the soul longs for spiritual intimacy, which in heaven’s economy, will involve becoming like Him in every way, including crucifixion to self. When we live in the flesh by faith, we will share in His sufferings and reproach, and can find there outside the camp of the world’s comforts a fellowship like none other. Oneness with Christ nurtures hope of the eternal city to come. (Galatians 2:20)

How willing am I to go to Jesus – not just Jesus in heaven satisfied and glorified, but Jesus outside the camp, ridiculed and pierced? How familiar am I with an existence outside the camp – where things of this world fade away and motivations and perspective are hitched to the unseen and eternal? Do I prefer to blend into the crowd, or stand out boldly for righteousness and the truth of the gospel? For what witness to Jesus have I borne reproach? If not, how distinct am I among my work peers, my neighbors, unbelieving family and friends? What will I do to discover the mystery of sharing in Christ? (Isaiah 53:3-11)

Lord God, make me willing and thankful to share the space outside the camp of this world with you, to your glory. 

“I will stretch out my hand against Judah
    and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
    and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
those who bow down on the roofs
    to the host of the heavens,
those who bow down and swear to the Lord
    and yet swear by Milcom,
those who have turned back from following the Lord,
    who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him…

“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
    and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
    those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
    nor will he do ill…’

“The great day of the Lord is near,
    near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
    the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
    a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
    a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
   a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
    and lofty battlements…

“Neither their silver nor their gold
    shall be able to deliver them
    on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
    all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
    he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
    the oppressing city!
She listens to no voice;
    she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord;
    she does not draw near to her God.” Zephaniah 1:4-6,12,14-16,18; 3:1-2

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

The prophet has harsh words for those who do not care. Mixed worship, lazy obedience, and indifference to God’s good truth all indicate a low view of the Almighty and warped conviction of responsibility before Him. The Lord holds people accountable for their response to Him and His word, and His standard is holy. Act as though He does not notice or care about sin, esteem riches and manmade defenses for security, and neglect acknowledging or honoring His worth, and they would meet His jealous wrath to their regret.

Spiritual complacency leads to an unfulfilled, unfruitful life. A waffling spirit is no place for the Holy Spirit to energize and inspire. Are we pretending at faith, and finding no power?

Are we lazy in worship and honoring the sacraments? Where have we grown apathetic to God’s holiness and commands, treating Him as a chum who will unceasingly pour out grace? Where are we complacent in sin habits, immune to conviction, rebuffing correction, continually attempting weak justification for ungodly behavior? Do we read only parts of the Bible that bring comfort, but avoid passages that expose immorality and call us to account? The Lord sees and knows all, and will not be mocked. In what areas need we to turn back to the Lord- regular church attendance, study and application of His word as the primary source for life, a specific obedience? (Romans 6:1-2; Galatians 6:1-3,7-10)

Lord, may I fear and follow You alone.

“When Christ came into the world, he said,

‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
    but a body have you prepared for me;
in… offerings you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
    as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.”’

“When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’, then he added, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will.’ He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:5-14

“Jesus said, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'” “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 4:34; 17:4

Jesus came to earth with a mission to manifest God to the world and accomplish His will. Modeling how to live here on earth, He exposed to men the impossibility of their own righteousness. By perfect obedience to His Father, He fulfilled the law. He exemplified truth and selflessness during His public ministry, and both revealed and completed the sacrificial saving mercy of God on the cross. Teaching and guarding, loving and praying for God’s people in His name, dying, rising, and ascending, Jesus finished His assigned work with glory. (Matthew 5:17-20; John 17:6-8,12)

The finished work of Christ should inspire us to gratitude and motivate us to follow. Because of His obedience, we can be part of His pulsing kingdom life here below and make a difference through our own steadfast obedience. God’s children have purpose here on earth. He’s saved us, fashioned us, and numbered our days uniquely to fit in to His grand design and timely will. It is our responsibility to offer ourselves- gifts and resources- for the working of His intentions. (Esther 4:14; Ephesians 2:8-10)

Following suit with our Savior, is it our food, our deepest desire and satisfaction, to live for Him and do as He commands? How willing are we to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, our time and resources, for his sake? What are we doing to get to know His good, pleasing, and perfect will, and then what are we practically doing about it? Are we droopy, weak, and wobbly when it comes to obedience, or will we step up, surrender weariness to His power, and get in stride for whatever He assigns? (Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 11:7-9,32-38; 12:1-3,12-13)

How is the Lord using us to build up His body, the church? How can we more purposefully obey specific commands to make an impact on His kingdom? In what hesitancy, timidity, doubt, or fear can we trust Him to work through us? (Hebrews 10:19-25; Philippians 2:13

Lord, help me obey as You did, to Your ends and glory.