Someone Who Is Able

Whenever, I have a problem with my car or in my house that requires a repair, I have to call on an expert. It does me no good to talk to just any friend for advice. I have to speak with someone who has the knowledge and ability to fix my issue. I try to thoroughly explain the problem and make sure that they understand and have the ability to help me.

King David’s prayer is recorded in Psalm 86; “Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.” Prayer is the pathway to a godly perspective in life and an intimate relationship with God. Therefore, we should go to Him often and with all our thoughts and needs.

Robe of Righteousness

Many robes are plain and simple, meant just to cover up our night clothes. However, some robes have regal and royal importance, such as those that a king might wear. Spiritually speaking, we all wear a robe before God. Most of us are only clothed with the well-worn robe of all our sinfulness. However, God has put the robe of Jesus’ righteousness on those who trust Him for salvation and redemption.

Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” We choose our clothes to reflect who we are. How much more important is it then to allow God to clothe us with salvation and righteousness to reflect His glory and our spiritual transformation?

Through Love, Serve

Have you ever suddenly found yourself with a block of time to do whatever you decide to do? When this happens, we have a choice to make. We can choose to do something selfish like eating a bunch of food that is not good for us, but really tastes good. Or we can choose to something that serves someone else and demonstrates our love for them, like creating something especially for them or doing an errand for them.

Galatians 5:13-14 says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. for the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the freedom to do the good that we want to do, and not to submit to our old nature, doing what we really do not want to do. This freedom inspires us to serve each other in love, rather than pursue selfish ambitions.

Earth Shaking

When we watch or read the global news, we can easily have the sense that the world is falling apart. We hear of wars, earthquakes, violence, and economic upheavel and can be overcome with a sense of dread. The same type of feeling can be even more intense when we hear tragic personal news. News of job layoffs, close friend or relative extremely ill or dying, or a dramatic personal health diagnosis can send us spiraling downward.

In Psalm 75:3 God speaks and says, “When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars.” When the world seems to be falling apart, God holds it steady in His strong hands. When our personal world seems shaken, it is the same God who holds us secure in His sovereignty and steadfast love. We need not fear. Hope is ours in His grace and mercy.

An Accounting

Is there a person in your life that is forever reminding you of mistakes you have made. Perhaps it is an unaccepting parent or a friend that haven’t forgiven you of something you have done. That experience is truly hurtful. We all want to be forgiven for wrongs we have done to others.

Psalm 32:1-2 says, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Christians are not perfect. We are just forgiven based upon faith in the sacrifice of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. God loves us enough to forgive our sins, but He also wants us to be transformed into His image. The one who truly loves God seeks this transformation with a spirit that is true and has no deceit.