…until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Summary: Peter describes the joy of knowing Jesus by comparing his coming to the dawn after a long, dark night.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:19e — Son Rise”2 Peter 1:19e — Son Rise
1 Peter 3:8 (b) — The Eyes of the Heart
…be sympathetic …
Summary: To be sympathetic is to resonate with another person’s heart. Being sympathetic is an important component of love. Being sympathetic is essential in the Body of Christ.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (b) — The Eyes of the Heart”1 Peter 1: 1 (c) — God’s Eye
To God’s elect…
If you live in a place where there are elections, you might think that being one of God’s “elect” has something to do with being chosen. Looked at in a certain light, you would not be far off. Some people like to make a fuss over the idea that some are chosen and others are not, but it is not that simple. We all come into this world the same way by birth. We all leave through the same door; death. The problem with being human is that we cannot “see” things the same way that God sees them.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1: 1 (c) — God’s Eye”Psalm Sunday – Heart Exam
The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
— Psalm 11: 4
I like this verse from Psalm 11 because it reminds us that God is watching. More than that, more than being just a casual observer of the human race, God examines us.
In Luke 12:7 Jesus tells us that God has numbered the “very hairs of your head.” (I realize that for some of us, that may not seem like much of a challenge.) Think about the detail that represents. Then think about the fact that God operates at the molecular level. Psalm 139:13 tells us that God knits us together in our mother’s womb.
What else does God see?
Continue reading “Psalm Sunday – Heart Exam”The Picture – John 11: 53-57
So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, ”What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.
Jesus knows the hearts of all men and he knows that the hearts of the Jewish leaders are intent on his death. Knowing what he does he leaves town. As the time for the Passover nears, the people are looking to see if Jesus will show up.
Continue reading “The Picture – John 11: 53-57”Heart Work – John 10: 25b – 26
“The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.”
Are you a sheep, and if so whose sheep are you? Do you have a sense of belonging? Do you recognize the voice of your Maker when He calls? Do you listen only to the voices inside your own head? Do you want to be able to hear God’s voice?
Continue reading “Heart Work – John 10: 25b – 26”Seeking Glory
It is truly interesting how we as people can seek glory for ourselves in the name of serving our God. The allure of being the center of attention can be addictive. The Pharisees that argued with Jesus had fallen into that kind of trap. Being seen as important was more important to them than being seen serving God.
I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.
John 8: 50-51
Even Jesus, the one who deserves glory more than any other human being, does not seek it. There is no room in his heart for the desire of glory because He exists solely to serve his Father in heaven.
Continue reading “Seeking Glory”Remembering
Imagine two old shepherds sitting around the fire reminiscing about the “good ol’ days” when they were younger and would spend all of their time with the sheep. The fire crackles gently as the cool of evening settles in around them like a dark blue shawl on their shoulders. The stars begin to come out and one shepherd says to the other, “Remember that night when the stars came alive and we heard angels speak and saw the baby Messiah?”
Continue reading “Remembering”