pleasing God – Be Still…

1 John 2:28-3:24 – How We Act

John welcomes us into his community of believers, calling us “dear” on several occasions. As you read the qualifications of being a child of God, are you a 100% onboard, or do you feel like a “work in progress”? Either way, you have chosen to know more about God and draw closer to Jesus. John’s words give us the assurance we need to know how.

If you’ve ever felt like an outcast in this world, you are not alone. It can be lonely when we find our devotion to Jesus creates a wedge between a friend or loved one. Each day is a day closer to forever with Jesus, and I continue to choose Jesus over any of the shiny objects the world offers. Life can be a slippery slope of temptations. Continue reading “1 John 2:28-3:24 – How We Act”

Matthew 6:25-34 – Above All Else

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Our final theme, “Seeking God’s Kingdom,” explores Bible texts describing what God’s Kingdom is. Where do we look, and how do we know when we’ve found it? Simply stated, the Kingdom of God is where we find God sitting on his throne. Often referred to as “heaven,” God’s kingdom is where King Jesus rules, and everyone who believes is welcome.

Jesus commands us to seek His Kingdom rather than get distracted by all the wrong things. We can all identify with what it means to worry and how, in times of crisis, we are often stuck in a spiral of worry and dread. Jesus knows how lost we can get when our thoughts run rampant, chasing after “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios. Even the most devout of believers can fall prey to the evil one’s schemes to distract us with worry or concerns of the day. Continue reading “Matthew 6:25-34 – Above All Else”

Ezekiel 20:27-49 – The Same Message

Read Ezekiel 20:27-49

The messages from the Sovereign LORD seem to repeat themselves over and over again, don’t they? I suppose that speaks to the hard-headedness of people. On average, it takes some of us hearing something more than once to understand or take action. The LORD wants to be known and recognized.

One of those repeating themes is the lament over the sins of their ancestors. Some of the things that anger God the most took place in those days. The one that gets me is the sacrificing of children. Working with children like I do, especially those abused and abandoned, it breaks my heart that they were not shown the love they deserve. How about all the innocent children who have been put to death? Continue reading “Ezekiel 20:27-49 – The Same Message”

Ezekiel 14:1-11 – What’s Lurking in Your Heart?

Read Ezekiel 14:1-11

If God can see idols hidden in the hearts of Israelites, imagine what he can see in our hearts! It’s a little frightening to know we are like open books to God, yet at the same time refreshing. The latter is true when we have welcomed the Holy Spirit to reside within and cleanse us.

Some people avoid passages like this because they don’t want to examine their own failings. They can’t imagine having a God that is that interested in their hearts, feeling limited to “do their own thing.” Yet the time is now to take inventory of what may be lurking in our own hearts. Continue reading “Ezekiel 14:1-11 – What’s Lurking in Your Heart?”

Ecclesiastes 8:2-8 – Obedience

Read Ecclesiastes 8:2-8

Who do you obey? Solomon was the third of Israel’s kings, and he would counsel us to obey the king. Does that tell us that people were unruly and not respectful in his day? When I read these words, I thought immediately of King Jesus because that’s who I obey. I don’t think Solomon was referring to God here, however.

For now, I’m going to focus my reflection on obedience to our reigning king, Jesus. He is certainly “backed by great power.” God’s power is without limit. Solomon speaks of death, too, and that segues nicely when we think of the power that raised Jesus from the dead.