Need a Physician?

When I was young, I hated going to the doctor’s office. I would do everything in my power to avoid seeing the doctor. I thought that my own willpower and toughness would enable me to get through the illness or injury. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I eventually went to the doctor’s office because I need to see a physician to get healed.

Matthew 9:11-13 says, “And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means; I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'” The first step in receiving God’s grace and blessings is to humble ourselves and admit that we are in need. Pride keeps us from seeking God, because we feel that we do not need Him. Our religious activities cannot win the favor of God.

Blessed Knowledge

Suppose a trusted advisor gave you some counsel, which proved true over time. This counsel benefited you financially or gave you growth in many areas of your life. You then have the responsibility to faithfully put this knowledge to work for yourself and others.

I Timothy 6:20-21 says, “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.” God has given His children so many blessings. By faith, we have received salvation, redemption, reconciliation, hope, mercy, grace upon grace, gifts of the Spirit, and truth among these blessings. By remaining faithful and using them in service to God and people, we guard these blessings, and He is exalted.

Door Opened For Us

Life is a maze. Open the right doors and things go well, that is until we come to the next door. Open the wrong door and we find endless detours and obstacles in our path. By His blood, Jesus is the door into the presence of God, where we find the wisdom and truth to live in an upright way.

Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” We can confidently come into God’s presence, because Jesus became the door through which we enter. Because He is alive and eternal, this door into God’s presence is always open for us.

The Real Thing

I have seen many pictures of places that I would like to visit. When this happens, I often have a mental image of me in that place, surrounded by the beauty depicted in the picture. I wonder what it would be like to actually be engulfed in that awesome glory.

Hebrews 9:24 says, “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” Jesus Christ was not resurrected from the dead to just live another life on earth. The Father raised Him and Jesus now resides in the presence of the Father in heaven. While in the Father’s presence Jesus advocates for us who have believed in Him as Savior and Lord.

Follow the Leader

When we were kids, we often played follow the leader. We tried to do what the designated leader did and to go wherever they went. It required that we kept our eyes on the leader and walked in their steps. Much of the time, we also had to listen to what the leader spoke so that we could mimic their words as well.

I Kings 18:21 says, “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.” If we try to follow two masters, we will fail to follow either well. Choose to serve God and follow Him with your whole heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit. Keep your eyes open to see what He is doing in the world around you and keep your ears open to hear His words spoken to you.