Impressions

Most people try to be careful about the impressions they make on others. However, many times we try to make false impressions based upon our own needs and self-centeredness. We dress well to impress with our fashion sense and ability to spend on nice clothes. We try to impress with our wit and wisdom to lead others to think that we are smart. While on the surface these efforts may work well, we often mistake initial reactions for the real thoughts of others.

Psalm 147:10-11 says, “His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” More than our efforts to please God through our abilities, we please Him when we fully trust in Him and persevere in hope based on His steadfast love.

Stuffed Animals and Jesus

When my children were young, they each had a stuffed animal that went wherever they would go. They found a degree of security and comfort having the stuffed animal with them. We put stuffed animals away as we grow older, but we try to find other comforts and security. We look for comfort in alcohol or drugs, sex, relationships, jobs, and many other worldly pursuits.

Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus commissioned His disciples to carry on His mission of making disciples throughout the earth. We are also thus commissioned to carry out this mission of making disciples. We can trust in the sovereign authority that Jesus possesses and His promise to always be with us. Jesus gives us the authority, power, security and comfort that we seek.

Straining Forward

Philippians 3:13-14 says, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

How sad it is to watch someone wasting their life by wandering aimlessly without goals. It is also sad to watch a person with defined goals, but refusing to put forth the efforts required to meet those goals. Believers in Jesus Christ have the magnificent goals of knowing Jesus, becoming like Jesus in all our ways, and fulfilling the call He has placed on our lives. Let us put forward our best efforts in the power of the Holy Spirit to progress in achieving these godly goals.

Reviving the Spirit

I love being near bodies of water, hearing the sounds and watching the movements. Observing rivers oceans and lakes has a reviving effect upon my soul and brings me peace. In a chaotic world, this peace means a lot to me.

Isaiah 57:15 says, “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. ” God dwells on His holy throne in heaven. Yet, He dwells also with all those who are lowly and repentant from their sins. To these people, He promises to revive their spirits and hearts. We may not feel important, but God Himself lifts us up.

True Forever

Think of an adjective like good, strong, kind,or faithful. Now think of a person that you know well. In your mind apply the adjective to the person. Does the person always display the character of the adjective? If we are honest, it is highly unlikely that the person that you thought of always displays the character that you imagined. None of us is perfect and we sometimes fail to live up to the character attributes that we admire.

Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” When God gives us a promise, it is true forever. He lives forever and never changes. So we can trust that His goodness and mercy remain upon us forever. And when He promises us that we will live in the house of the Lord forever, we can always and forever believe this promise.