Entering New Places

When I enter into a place that I have never been before, I experience some exhilaration and some trepidation. The exhilaration comes from the expectations of pleasing experiences. The trepidation comes as a result of fear of the unknown. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we can expect to receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace. His steadfast love and faithfulness will not disappoint. But we must accept the conditions for entry into His presence, that is, confessing our need for forgiveness and surrendering to His Lordship.

Exodus 33:6-7 says, “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.” God has laid out the path to receive grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, He extends His steadfast love to everyone who accepts His gift.

Big Talk

We all know of people that speak of grand plans and abilities, but seem unable to back it up. If we don’t know them personally, we have observed them in politics, sports, entertainment, and sales people. Their actions just don’t live up to their abundance of words.

I Corinthians 4:20 says, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is not simply good sounding words, but this gospel is exhibited in the power to save us from our sins and transform us into Christlikeness. The gospel of Jesus Christ has eternal consequences for the believer and for those who reject Him.

Potential and a Higher Purpose

Throughout our lives we spend a lot of time thinking about our potential and working to achieve that potential. Sometimes, it is frustrating when we look at our lives and realize that we are not achieving our potential. Our thoughts and actions, however, would dramatically change if we begin to think more of God’s purpose for our lives rather than what we think is our potential. When we walk in accordance with God’s purpose, He gives us the power to achieve His purpose. We will then see a dramatic improvement in our lives and how God uses us to affect the lives of others.

Ephesians 1:11 says, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Instead of focusing our attention on achieving our goals and becoming the best that we can be, we should focus our attention on discerning God’s purpose and giving our energy to achieving His purpose for our lives through the grace and power that He gives us.

Enemies, Really?

I maybe naive, but I walk through life without thinking that I don’t have any enemies. I tend to think that broken relationships do not equal enemies. But has would an enemy behave in my life? Does someone who doesn’t agree with me constitute an enemy? How about someone who has broken off a relationship with me? Does it take a real incident of verbal or physical violence to become an enemy? God considers anyone who rejects Him as His enemy. This person is also rejecting the mercy and grace that God offers. He or she is excluding God from their lives.

Romans 5:10 says, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Whether we want to admit it or not, before believing in Jesus Christ for salvation and redemption, we were enemies of God. God reconciled us to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son. Now He has promised to complete the works of sanctification (making us holy), glorification (making us like Jesus), freedom from final condemnation, and provision of future rewards for us.

“Remember Me!”

Several years ago, a Christian songwriter by the name of Mark Schultz wrote the song, “Remember Me.” He envisioned God speaking to His child, you and me, and encouraging us to remember Him through all the circumstances and events of life. Schultz also encouraged the listener to know that God always remembers us and will never leave us alone.

I Chronicles 16:11-12 says, “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.” God invites us into His presence by the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should accept the invitation, seeking His strength, and remember Him in all the activities, thoughts, and troubles of our lives.