As the rain and snow

“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” “Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Luke 9:51; 13:33-35

“He left Judea and departed again for Galilee.  And he had to pass through Samaria.” John 4:3-4

“Look… 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.” Hebrews 12:2

At His parting from heaven’s glory, Jesus was Jerusalem bound. At His birth in a manger in Bethlehem, Jesus was Jerusalem bound. When His parents moved Him to Egypt, then Nazareth, Jesus was Jerusalem bound. And throughout His earthly ministry, from village to village, town to town, temple to temple with no place to lay His head, Jesus was Jerusalem bound. Each morning, each decision, each step, each encounter, Jesus was Jerusalem bound. He knew why He’d come to earth and every second here was ministry with sound purpose on His way to Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:13-14; 8:20; Luke 2:34-35; John 1:9-14)

The Lord also has a purpose for each of us, to His glorious ends. We have not His omniscience, but we can have Him as priority each day and trust His guidance. We can seek His face and favor as we determine to keep divine appointments and honor Him along these days and miles He alone knows. (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6)

How sound is our journey, how aligned with Christ’s ways and eternal fruit-bearing? Are we purposeful or playful? Keeping focused on the Lord’s ultimate ends affords grace in suffering, and hope in rejoicing for the glory ahead. (1 Peter 4:7-14)

“Once in royal David’s city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and His shelter was a stable,
and His cradle was a stall:
with the poor, and meek, and lowly,
lived on earth our Savior holy.

All through childhood and His ministry,
He would honor and obey,
to the cross He died there for us,
pierced and wrapped in grave He lay;
then He rose before dawn’s light
victory won o’er death, sin, and night.*

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
through His own redeeming love;
for that Child so dear and gentle
is our Lord in heav’n above,
and He leads His children on
to the place where He is gone.” ~Cecil Frances Alexander (1848) *PEB (2023)

Lord, keep me faithful and divinely aligned step by step en route to You, for the praise of Your glory.

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith…

“I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains..— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire…

“Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion…

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.., ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 3,5-7,11,17-25

It is always good among believers to unite around our common salvation, but in doing so, it is necessary to be vigilant about the dangers of slipping away. The love and mercy that Jude extends is imbued with his concern for their faithfulness and continued growth in the holy faith. What they knew fully that led them to believe in the first place was important to keep remembering to buttress their commitment.

Once we embark on any new venture, it is natural to get drawn in by new ideas and experiences, and away from original motivation. The world’s many enticements would veer us from steadfast growth in the knowledge and love of Christ. Even good things- service, productivity, family, plans- can become ultimate things, idols that detract us from pure devotion to Him.

Have we relaxed spiritual imperatives that guard our hearts and minds? Have we grown too casual in daily habits, choices of entertainment, attitudes toward others, or language, that we dishonor the Lord’s value of every person and all that is lofty? What idols have become shrines in our affections and allegiance? All that we’ve known well as we set out on our spiritual walk with Christ is a sure foundation going forward and must not be forgotten. (Proverbs 4:23; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:6-8)

What are we actively doing to build up ourselves and others in the holy faith? How are we remembering and reminding each other of God‘s holy attributes of love, justice, purity? How will we today encourage others in God’s ability to keep us from falling? Will we trust and praise Him together?

Father, may I always remember Your grace to me, and uphold Your holiness as my highest joy.

“Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.  And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast… And the Levites took up the ark,.. the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent…  And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel… were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.  Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread out their wings over the ark… There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.  And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for all the priests had consecrated themselves,.. and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,

‘For he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever,’

the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud,  so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:2-8,10-14

King Solomon had completed everything for the house of the Lord. He constructed and arranged it not just for orderly worship and sacrifice, but for the preeminence of the presence of the Lord. The beauty, and joy in song of the leaders, welled together in magnificent praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. And the God of grace responded to this blessing and honor and praise offered Him with the favor of His glory manifest to the people.

When we abide in Christ and use what He’s entrusted to us for His purposes and reflection, or completed a specific assignment He’s anointed, the Lord fills the temple of our lives with His Spirit of wisdom and wonder. In turn, we cannot help but respond with gratitude and blessing turned back to him and toward others. The rhythm of a yielded and grateful life spins out continual glory to God. (2 Chronicles 6:1–4)

Does this describe us? Are we living for ourselves, or spending our efforts, love, and resources to raise high the name of the Lord? What aspects of our mindset, desires, attitudes need the filling of His presence today? Would we ask for Him to bless our service in such a way that a disarming, indescribable, magnificent glory from God blazes from all we do and say?

Lord Jesus, so fill my life with your Spirit and power that only Your praise is sung, Your love is expressed, and Your glory is seen.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.  You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.  No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.  Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous… The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.  No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.  By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” 1 John 3:1-7,8b-11

Looking at Jesus reveals what kind of love He embodies and exhibits, and how we are to live as His children. God gave Christ in amazing love to the end that we become and behave like His children. What we see in the generosity of the Father He expects to see in us.

But we have a pesky adversary who wants none of this kind of love to be recognized, received, or expressed. The father of lies and deception wants to convince us we are stuck in old habits and sin impulses, unable to have victory over greed, jealousy, callous attitudes, and snippy remarks. The promise of God comes with good news: we no longer belong to the devil but are God’s children, born of and kept by Him, free to love and work righteousness. (John 8:44)

Where will we choose to look? To whose message will we listen? How determined are we, as God’s children with a deposit of His character, to purify ourselves and practice love and all that is good? (John 8:36; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14

“Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.” ~Charles Wesley (1747)

Lord, help me behold the kind of love You are and extend, and go and do likewise in Your honor.

“O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
    and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
    in the midst of the years make it known;
    in wrath remember mercy.
God came from Teman... 
His splendor covered the heavens,
    and the earth was full of his praise.
His brightness was like the light;
    rays flashed from his hand;
    and there he veiled his power.
Before him went pestilence,
    and plague followed at his heels.
He stood and measured the earth;
    he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
    the everlasting hills sank low.
    His were the everlasting ways…

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:2-6,17-18

“When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions… And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden that he could not explain to her… She said.., ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.'” 2 Chronicles 9:1-2,5-6

True reports about God Almighty have an effect on people. For unbelievers, they can incite fear or curiosity, and draw with irresistible, magnetic attraction. For those in Christ, they can humble, awaken hunger and exploration, bring to awe, and drive to risky faith. The power of who God is and what He does is never static, and His word never returns void. (Joshua 2:8-11; Isaiah 55:11)

What about the reports we read from His word and learn through experience? What difference are they making in mindset and motivation? How do we practically respond? How familiar am I with God’s revelation of Himself as written in the Scriptures, and what am I doing to seek out, understand, digest, and apply His truth more? What wonder, appropriate fear, adoration, or bold faith has knowledge of Him and His bountiful deeds inspired?

What report about God’s greatness, bounty, care, and love do I proclaim? Am I quick and grateful to tell what He has taught and done for me, and to impart encouragement to others from deepening spiritual wisdom and intimacy? How is my way of living among family, neighbors, colleagues, and coworkers a visible and verbal report of God’s character, ways, and work? Does the truth I convey attract others to Christ, or distract or repel them?

“The shepherds feared and trembled
when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Savior’s birth.

Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn.

Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills, and ev’rywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.” ~John Work (1872-1925)

Father, keep me collecting reports of You, and making them known with joy and clarity, to Your glory.

“You were taught in [Christ], as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:21-24

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth… 

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… Put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator…

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love… And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3:1-2,5,8-10,12-16

A child is born and we nurture growth through healthy feeding and instruction. A tumor is discovered and we work to shrink or remove it. Life is full of opportunities and compulsion both to increase and to decrease in many facets. In the Christian life, sanctification is a process of growing in some areas and shrinking in others until we perfectly size up to the measure of Christ. Often increase is facilitated by elimination that makes it room.

A day has only so much time, and the human heart a finite capacity. There are certain proclivities and practices that necessarily take the place of others. It is healthy to assess where our minds are daily set, and what actions issue from that focus. If we keep hold of the old self and the shape of the world, and fail to go out in the renewed mind and redeemed dress of Christ, we will never learn His ways. Naming and putting away sinful habits frees us to begin to exercise love, humility, integrity, and kindness that flows from our status as Christ’s beloved children. How richly does God’s word, and how naturally does His Spirit, dwell in and influence us? (Romans 12:2)

What can we do to prepare room in our hearts for more of Jesus? How can we daily nurture qualities God commands and foster continued growth of all that is good? Are there bad attitudes and selfish rights taking time, attention, and affection space that must be confessed and eliminated? What malignancies in habit and practice will we put off in order to put on what is wholesome, holy, and God-honoring?

Father, Perfecter of all measure, decrease and eliminate anything in me that is earthly and old, and so increase in me that You are the One seen and desired. (John 3:30)

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

“To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ..:

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while,.. you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:1-9

Exile: The condition or period of being forced to live away from one’s native country or home, especially as a punishment; one who lives away from one’s native country, whether because of expulsion or voluntary absence.

Elect: To pick out; select; to decide, especially by preference.

Elect exile. Is Peter’s description an oxymoron? What God would choose His beloveds only to have them live in exile? Or would choose those deserving of punishment as His own, guaranteeing an imperishable inheritance? A God of grace! He sets His affection on renegades and choses them to know Him and receive a better life, a heavenly communion, glory! As Jesus condescended to open the way for us to be assured of heaven, we are put here on earth to become acquainted with Him and be fit for that everlasting home. He never intended that we feel completely at ease in the temporary here below because we were made for eternity with Him. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

In this season of tension as elect exiles, He imparts grace and peace. He spreads us abroad to dwell in different places and testify to His goodness across His world. He trains us through obedience, granting fulfillment and blessing as we’re continually being sanctified. He tries our faith through trials, and works in us compassion for the suffering and servanthood and friendship through shared difficulties and sorrows.

When we’re riddled with cares, do we recall who cares for us? When overrun by physical or emotional breakdown, how are we remembering and holding to the Redeemer’s promises? When tested by troubles, and God’s purpose is invisible, how strong is our faith to see His steadfast love and goodness? (1 Peter 5:7)

Have we grown too at home in the world, conforming to its passions and habits? How might the Lord be training us to wean ourselves from its props to hope in the sure future He’s preparing? (John 14:1-3; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:1-4)

Lord, by Your grace may I never forget, rather constantly rejoice, that You have chosen me for a better home, eternal heavenly communion, the fruition of my hope. (Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 11:15-16)

“Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

“Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there… Moreover, the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out.  And Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord,.. and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

“In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ And Solomon said to God, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?’” 2 Chronicles 1:1-3,5-10

Solomon had taken the throne of his great late father. In grace and providence, the Lord made him very great, bestowing on him uncommon majesty. The new king initiated his reign with worship, symbolizing his heart’s priority and the surrender of this new role to God. After the glad celebrating and the expenditure of tremendous exhilaration and offerings, quiet finally came. Perhaps he felt overwhelmed by the loss of his father and the weight of this new responsibility leading God’s people. Into this silent night, God came. And God met him with more than he ever could have imagined. (1 Chronicles 29:23-28)

Often when the quiet and darkness settle in, burdens weigh heaviest. The position has been announced, the event is over. We may have welcomed a new life, or said goodbye for the last time. Exhaustion permeates a whorl of emotions. Sober realizations become clear. Doubts tiptoe. And into our soul night of wonder, curiosity, fear, anticipation, the Lord comes. He knows our vulnerabilities, invites our honest confession of deepest lack and need, and our trust that He will supply. He promises that what He calls us to next will always have His enabling. His grace abounds. (2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 4:15)

Are we at a pivotal or desperate crossroads? Have we eased from a frenzied flashy season into a quiet darkness? Would we listen for the Lord there, and respond to His voice in dependent prayer? Do we feel spent, depleted? He is sufficient. Are we desperate? He cares and establishes our hearts. What is it we need? He is able. (2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 5:10)

Lord, help me trust You in both the noise and the quiet, believing that Your grace and light are more than sufficient for every need. To You be all the glory. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“’A sower went out to sow his seed… And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold…’

“[Jesus] said, ‘The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.  And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:5a,8a,10-15

The seed was good, potent, fruit-worthy. Jesus teaches kingdom secrets to His disciples so they will understand the deep applications of His word taking root. Focus on the soil, on how and where and why you receive My word, then what you do with it. Day in, day out, Jesus offered the good word to be received and nurtured in good hearts, and ultimately expressed.

When the truth of God is sown into receptive soil, great things happen. Those who eagerly listen and take it in hold it fast. They cling to its promises, heed its warnings and commands, are informed by its doctrines, take comfort in its strength, and rejoice in its songs. Their honesty comes clean in confession, and makes right where they’ve wronged. They partake regularly, systematically applying it to life situations, enduring training, and submitting to sanctification. Patiently they grow and are transformed, becoming more and more Christlike. Gradually, bountifully, beautiful fruit is borne.

Is our soil condition is honest and good? Do we read or listen as rote exercise, or with genuine humility, desiring its correction, instruction, and life-change? Do we feed on snippets of people’s commentary, or ask the Lord to speak directly from the inspired scripture? How we interact with the Bible reveals our heart condition. (Psalm 86:11; Isaiah 50:4; 2 Timothy 3:16)

Another worthy indicator is to consider spiritual fruit issuing forth. Do we just tick off good works for public notice but without heart, or are our deeds in response to God’s word making an eternal difference? Rich, lasting fruit identifies us as God’s children. (Luke 6:43-45; 8:21)

What steps can we take to prepare the soil of our hearts and minds for the best work of God’s word? What stones of sin habit, gnarled bad attitudes, pebbles of pesky resistance and rebellion need we remove? How can we ready ourselves with humility, honesty, holy desire? And where will we this day commit to bear fruit? (Romans 12:1-2)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heav’n and nature sing.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, tend the soil of my heart daily that Your word take root and bloom and bear much fruit for Your glory.

“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’  And they answered, ‘John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.’  Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.'” Luke 9:18-20

We do not know what Jesus was praying. He’d just led His disciples in feeding a crowd of over 5000 from 5 loaves and 2 fish, and must have thanked God for the miracle. During this season of Passover, He surely wanted them to understand the significance of the multiplied bread, His supernatural provision, and satisfaction. He may have asked His Father for ongoing sustenance of wisdom and words and divine focus. We do know that prayer for Him was a priority, and that He came out of these moments with penetrating questions for His close followers that evoked personal response and invited faith. (John 6:4-15)

Jesus wanted His people to think for themselves. By asking who the crowds said He was, He wanted them to understand world-speak and distinguish their own beliefs from the tangled chatter around them. What even the majority thinks is unimportant, what you think is vital. If you take in all the world says and pretends is real, you might lose yourself. If you have all knowledge but don’t know Me, you’re lost. It’s Me, My word, true truth, that matters. (Luke 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 13:2)

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’  And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:15-18

What Peter confessed drove his ongoing development and ministry. His proclamation became the cornerstone and foundation of the early church. What we believe and confess determines how we will behave and the course of our life and ministry.

So who do we say Jesus is? What do we know and believe about Him in history and personal reality? Are we studying what others say about Him more that searching for Him ourselves directly in His word, through His Spirit, and by prayer? What are we daily learning of His attributes and ways with man, nature, and nations? How does our knowledge of Him color our outlook and impact our dealings with family, relationships, work?

“My faith has found a resting place,
not in device or creed;
I trust the ever-living One,
his wounds for me shall plead.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt;
a sinful soul, I come to him,
he’ll never cast me out. 

My heart is leaning on the Word,
the written Word of God,
salvation by my Savior’s name,
salvation thro’ his blood.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
it is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.” ~Lidie H. Edmunds (1891)

Lord, keep me daily learning more of You. Help me live out my beliefs with bold witness of Your love, character, and salvation.