Don't be afraid to be wrong when you're right!

Friday August 31 2012:

Mark 3:25.  “A home divided against itself is doomed.”

After forty-six years of marriage, I hope I have learned to be wrong when I’m right.

I had a very dear Uncle who was one of my spiritual mentors and heroes for as long as I can remember.  I remember when he returned from the Second World War, he was the most handsome man I had ever seen especially in his uniform.  I think I was about five or six years old and very impressionable.  Being from a Mennonite family, he was regarded as a rebel to the faith.  He served in the medical core and so he was able to justify his service by saving lives instead of destroying them. 

We loved and admired him because he was a kind of “legend” in our family.  He was not afraid to do what he thought was right and he was not bound by the rules and regulations of old encumbrances and legalities.  When he matured and aged, he wore a huge cowboy hat and played the dobro and guitar and sang country-flavored songs. He was also gifted with a generous heart that never stopped giving.

Several years ago he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that became inoperable.  His last word of advice to some of us who were with him near the end was, “Don’t be afraid to be wrong when you’re right.”  I’m finding, life becomes easier as I attempt to follow this gem of wisdom.  I wish I had realized this many years ago.  Even when we don’t agree, if it doesn’t compromise our beliefs or convictions, it is really quite painless to be quiet and stop the process of creating distress.

Heavenly Father, I am so thank full for your acceptance of me even with all my faults.  Help me to let the unimportant things become just that, unimportant!  Let me be more humble and less argumentative.  Help me not to dwell on having my own way but being more empathetic towards others.  Let me be someone who displays positive thoughts and words of encouragement so that others may see your love through me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

When God dresses you..........

Thursday August 30 2012:

Isaiah 61:10.  “ I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!  For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.”

I was a retailer in a “faddish” ladies wear store for several years before I returned to University to complete my degree in education.  I realized, working in this environment increased my desire to wear the latest fashions and build my wardrobe beyond reason.  I also enjoyed a substantial discount and seldom wore the same outfit more than two or three times.  My clothing became very important to me.  I’m not saying that we should not or cannot dress well but when our clothes become the most important part of our lives, we need to reassess our priorities.

When I rededicated my life to Christ, I realized that my earthly coverings were not even comparable to the covering of salvation and the robe of righteousness that the Lord was covering me with.  What an undeniable feeling of worth encircles us when we accept the covering freely given to us by the Lord.

When my sister was very ill she spent many hours in prayer.  Before her passing she related an experience she had.  In a vision, one day when she was kneeling by her bed, she was asking God to cover her in righteousness.  She then saw herself kneeling before Jesus who was approaching to cover her in a robe. As he draped the robe over her kneeling body, he even took the time to tuck in the edges and corners so that not one part of her was exposed.  Her picture gave me a vivid picture of what it means to be covered with the “robe” of righteousness.

Prayer for today: Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to keep my priorities in order and to trust you more.  Help me to let the riches of this world become a shadow and to make you the center of my life.  Let me become what you would have me be.  Help me to start today Dear Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Don't win the battle to lose the war!

Wednesday August 29 2012:

Philippians 2:12.  “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing.”

I remember as a small child, listening to my Dad and aunt argue about scripture.  It often became a fist slamming, table banging, and door slamming battle.  The combat consisted of a bantering of scripture verses tossed back and forth like a ping-pong ball.  It always left a “bad taste” in my spirit and the rest of my family as well.  After leaving the scene, often in a huff, we would be subjected to days of listening to my Father defend himself to us.  I vowed never to argue about scripture to anyone for my entire life.

 Although I have been tempted many times, at times, unsuccessfully, I find it is a valuable attribute and fosters harmony with others.

 

This instruction applies to daily living in every circumstance. Our winter lifestyle of living in  a motor home six months of the year, has taught me to weigh what is truly important enough to complain or argue about.  In five years my husband and I have engaged in only a few arguments.  This is due to the marvelous grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. and self control. When we let go of the small “stuff” the victory of harmony between  couples or others can be accomplished.  Life becomes more enjoyable if we make this scripture a daily reminder of how to live.  Take your complaints to the Lord and leave them at the foot of he cross, unhappiness will diminish and your life will become more rewarding.

Prayer for today.  “Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your forgiveness and thank you for not remembering my faults or sins.  I know I am forgiven by your grace and my repentance.  Help me not to dwell on the faults of others especially those close to me.  Help me not to make a “big deal” of things that don’t matter in the “big” picture of life.  I love you Lord, help me to love with a Christ like love and be forgiving like you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

One perspective!

Tuesday August 28 2012:

Matthew 7:20.  “.......The way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.”

We bought a beautiful new portable printer the other day.  It was quite expensive with a sleek appearance, the size was what attracted us to this particle model, and it was exactly the right size for our RV life style. Since we already purchased a new digital camera, we wanted to print our own photographs.  We were amazed at the quality of the pictures it produced; realistic skin tones, vivid color and sharp lines.

The problem, however, was it  did not have enough power to feed the heavy photograph paper through the cogs.

 We always had to apply extra pressure to enable the paper to catch and it often got caught which caused the ink to blot in the workings and then we had black liquid blotches on the next few copies. 

Finally in exasperation, we called the manufacturer to ask what we were doing wrong. The conclusion was that this particular printer was not designed to feed photograph paper or card stock paper through the print process.  We returned our purchase and exchanged it for a cumbersome printer that doesn’t look as nice or is as sleek but it does a great job!

I was reminded through this little exercise that people are often like that.  Although we are often attracted to good-looking people, it is not the outward appearance that is important, it is what is inside that counts or is important.  Thank God that he judges us by what is in the heart and not our outward appearance.

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, thank you for not judging us by our outward appearance but rather what is in the heart.  Help me to do a better job of accepting people, not only by their looks but help me to take the time to get to know them and know their hearts as you do, Lord.  Forgive me for hastily dismissing some people on their appearance alone.  Thank you Jesus for being our example and accepting and loving the poor and needy. In Jesus name, Amen.

Think about honorable and excellent things!

Monday August 27 2012:

Philippians 4:8  “”....Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right.  think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

The world is a negative place today. Wars are raging, there are many evil people   oppressing good people. Many are angry, many are sad, some are in agreement with one side while others are in agreement with the other side.  Emotions are mixed but strong.

It seems to be an accepted way of life to be critical about leaders and the decisions that are being made.  It becomes habitual to argue and be negative and call down the people in power who have to make the ultimate decisions.

Paul says we should “fix” our thoughts, that means ‘adhere’ our thoughts to what is honorable, pure , lovely and admirable.  Even in trying and unknown times we need to look for the good.  We need to keep our eyes on Jesus!  Every day it is our responsibility to dwell on good and lovely things, to think about excellent and lovely attributes of others.  You will be amazed at how others become better people and easier to get along with.  Respect for our leaders increases and the world becomes a better place to live.

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father,  Thank you for reminding me to look for the good things around me and there are many good things to look at.  You created a wonderful world for us to enjoy and instead of counting our blessings, we tend to dwell on the negative things.  Forgive me Lord and help me to remember your teaching and your love and your beauty. Also, Lord, I lift up our leaders to you and pray that you will give them wisdom in making decisions.  Give them the courage they need to follow the convictions of their hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.

Remembering Grampa!

Weekend Read August 26 2012:

The following poem was written by Robyn Movold, my daughter, following the death of my Father, her Grandfather.  She read it at his memorial for the first time.  It was a blessing to all and my hope is that you might be blessed by her offering.

In Memory of Grampa:

January 23 1910 - August 7, 2003:

With gospel songs and meal time grace,

My heart will always see his face.

His deep bass voice in prayer or song,

We knew his blessings would be long.

When Grandpa prayed to start the day,

All was well as we went our way.

Precious memories, flood my soul,

His steadfast faith, helped make me whole.

No matter his faults or his unbending ways,

No matter his errors or some sinful days,

No matter the wrong he may have done,

My grandpa was tops. The very best one!

The sadness, it seeps deep down in my heart,

For the fact does remain, that now we must part.

Many will miss his particular ways,

Many remember his long lived out days.

Many will cherish the memories we hold,

As love for my Grandpa, is more precious than gold.

Today as I bid him farewell from this place,

I imagine him standing before Jesus’ face.

His rewards waiting there and his mansion prepared,

Not a gift left ungiven, not a treasure will be spared.

As he walks with his Saviour discussing God’s gifts,

Our hearts can be lightened as our sorrows lift.

A deeper understanding of God's love!

Friday August 24 2012:

2 Thessalonians 3:5.  “May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.”

When our son was suddenly killed in a single car accident, we were devastated.  He was thirty-seven years old, Father of two children.  He was learning about living a Christian life and growing in the Lord.  As reality sunk in and we started making the necessary arrangements for the service, an uncanny peace settled upon me.  People who talked to me commented how I was like a rock and they marveled at the strength I displayed.  I knew it was not my strength that enabled me to be like this, it was the awesome love of God being poured out on me in a deep peace through the prayers of loved ones.  It was a love that is indescribable but very real.

As I look back to that time, I know it was one experience that brought me into a deeper understanding of God’s love.  We cannot understand when we are in the eye of the situation, but when we look back it becomes clear how God’s love sustains us while we are in the trial.

Be patient, take comfort that this trial will generate a deeper understanding of God’s love and one day you will look back and say,” yes, I understand.”

.

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, I praise you and thank you for taking care of me even though, when I go through trials and wonder where you are; I really know you are right here with me and you care for me with a love that I can not understand.  Help me to look at the valleys with joy because I am moving into a deeper understanding of your love. Thank you , Lord for having patience with me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Learning patience!

Thursday August 23 2012:

Hebrews 6:15  “Then Abraham waited patiently and he received what God had promised.”

Oh, The virtue of patience!  When I think about God’s promise to Abraham, I have admiration and great respect for Abraham.  He was already an older man when he was told he would be a father to as many people as there are grains of sand.  Abraham, in his ‘blind’ faith, accepted God’s promise even though he had no children.  As we read the outcome, we know God’s promise came to pass. 

Abraham displayed great patience.  When I grow impatient, which could be considered often, because my prayer has not been answered the way I think it should have been, I think of Abraham who waited patiently until he was an old man, to see the promise of God become reality.

If you have been waiting long, don’t give up.  Through this wait you are displaying patience, which builds strong character.  This life is a training ground for our heavenly home so it is a time of learning and becoming.  Do not fear but rest in the assurance that God is answering your prayer and has your best interest at heart. God always fulfils his promise!

Prayer for today.  Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being a Father that I can rely on.  I know you love me more than I can conceive and therefore you have my best interest at heart.  Let me live in your perfect will and always trust you because you know what is best for me. Help me not to become impatient when things don’t go my way because your way is the best.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Make me more like you,Jesus!

Tuesday August 21 2012:

Ephesians 4:15.  “Instead we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more, in every way like Christ.”

My husband and I are celebrating 45 years of marriage this week.  We have spent many frustrating times learning how to be compatible. We have learned much about each other, and although our differences have become less, our personalities are still very individualistic and independent.  As time goes on and we continue to grow closer , I find our similarities growing and our differences  becoming less.  It doesn’t just happen, it takes determination, perseverance,  communication, consistency and a shared love.

I believe this is how we can achieve Christ-likeness,  We need to spend more time with him.  We need to read his Word and spend time in prayer and listen to him when he speaks to us.  We need to spend time praising and worshipping him and become more sensitive to his leading and his guidance.

Our desire needs to be for a longing to be close with our Heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus and this is achieved by knowing him through his Word and our prayers.

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father As I live day to day in this busy world, I want to become more and more like you.  Help me to be able to spend the time to get to know you more and even to become more like you. Let our differences become less and our similarities become more and more alike.  In Jesus name, Amen.

A lesson from Joseph!

Monday August 20 2012:

Psalm 105:19.  “Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”

Are you waiting for something to happen in you life?  Is God testing your character as he did with Joseph?  How are you handling the wait?

It has been years since I started praying for loved ones to embrace the grace and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ.  During the wait, I have learned much.  At the beginning, I was impatient and tried to change others on my own until I realized I was only hindering God’s work by interfering with him.

 I finally started praying for God to give me the heart he wanted me to have and an evident Christ like love.  As I waited, I was blessed with a peace I had never known before.  I am not in a perfect place yet because I still get frustrated and impatient at times but God grants me  the grace I need each day as I learn to lay my concerns at his feet and allow him to carry my burdens. 

My character is being developed while I wait for his perfect timing and I know one day God will fulfill his promise  as I learn to let him do his work.

It is not easy to give up all the worries but we need to learn to wait for God’s timing just as Joseph did many years ago, in the end God fulfilled his purpose in Joseph’s life.

Prayer for today:  Dear Lord, I know I get impatient at times and I also know your timing is best.  Help me to be patient and wait for you to fulfill your plans in my life and those around me. My desire is to please you and accept your plan for my life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Analogy of song and life!

Weekend Read august 19 2012!

Life is a Song:

By Adena Paget

As we journey and struggle to sing the ‘perfect’ song

We come to realize without God this is impossible.

“Perfect pitch” is to be in tune with God

The ability to attain “perfect pitch” is in Jesus Christ

Our desire is to ultimately reach “perfect pitch”

Sometimes it may take years to reach the goal.

Often our efforts are flat, which leaves us feeling ‘low’

We need to muster the courage to continue to sing

And strive for perfection.

Sometimes we actually sing the perfect note

Which often tends to make us feel overconfident

Invariably we stop relying on the Master Coach

And before we know it, our notes start deteriorating

This is not conducive to a pleasant sound.

We need to always rely on the Master Coach

To direct us and lead us

Only with Him can we return and attain

The Aria He selects for us. 

We don’t realize how patient He is with us

And how often we make him wait for us to return to the right music.

Even when we stop singing or stray far off key

He still loves us and never gives up on us.

He knows we can never reach perfection here on earth

It will be, only when we can blend our voices

With the Master’s choir in heaven

That we will finally attain perfection in the music

We will join with the choir of heavenly saints who have gone before us

Who are already singing the praises;

With them, we will blend in perfect harmony in worship and praise

For all eternity!  What a glorious hope!

However, our mission, while we are on this earth

Is to strive for the goal

And learn the music we are destined to sing and play

For without the effort to write and sing and play the music

There will not be a sweet and lovely perfect song!

Is the joy on your face?

Friday  August 17 2012:

Isaiah 62:10.  “Go out!  Prepare the highway for my people to return!  Smooth out the road!  Pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see.”

Every year when we make our autumn trip to Vancouver Island and when we return in the spring, we study maps, talk to others who have experienced the same destination,  then we weigh the pro’s and con’s and also take the scenery into consideration, and then, we contemplate which road we will travel on.  We  both enjoy traveling and seeing new sights but we also want to make sure our road choice is not undergoing major construction which might hold us up or make it impassable for us in our motor home.  There are many factors to consider.

In my Bible, in the margin, I have written, “Are we building a highway that people will want to travel on?

The question is, how are we portraying our walk with the Lord?  Are we making the road inviting?  Do we preach and tell or are we modeling the joy and fulfillment of His Holy presence?  Do others say, “I want to travel on the road you’re on” or, “ If that’s Christianity, I don’t want any part of it!”

Use this day to evaluate your portrayal of Christ and ask Him to help you model His fullness!

Prayer for today:  Dear Lord, forgive me for not reflecting your joy to others and being a living example of you.  Sometimes life gets hard and I dwell on the problems instead of trusting you and knowing you will take care of them all. Today, fill me with your joy and help me to keep my eyes on you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Are you tempted to let things take the place of God in your life?

Thursday August 16 2012:

1 John 5:21  “Dear Children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

We have a little motor home that we spend the winter  in each year.  Our winters last about six months.

 Because we live in Calgary, we are happy to spend our winters in Victoria where the flowers bloom all season and the grass stays green.  About the third year of our arrangement, I coveted a bigger motor home.  I had all kinds of excuses for needing one,  from inviting people for dinner to carrying more “necessary” stuff with us.  My generous husband finally agreed to look at some after weeks of listening to my nagging. 

As we spent time viewing bigger and newer rigs, God brought to mind this verse and I realized why I was so adamant in purchasing something larger.  It was partly to satiate my worldly desires, partly pride to show off and partly the fact that I knew my husband would sacrifice our savings just to keep me happy.  This selfish desire had consumed me until he gave in and agreed to buy a new rig. 

When God helped me see my selfish attitude, I realized that the idea of a bigger and newer motor home had consumed places in my heart that belonged to God.

I believe we can get wrapped up in worldly goods and activities and desires that take the place of God’s presence in our hearts.  We need to guard our hearts against allowing these desires and activities to become too important..

Put God first in your life and keep your hearts free from things that may crowd him.

1 John 1:16.  “For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and the pride in our possessions.  These are not from the Father.  They are from this evil world.”

Watch your language!

Wednesday August 15 2012:

Colossians 4:5-6.  “Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.”

I was taken out to brunch the other morning.  As we sat in the booth waiting for our food, my companion, who is not a believer, overheard two men who were sitting across from us.  It sounded like two pastors discussing other denominations. 

In their conversation they proceeded to bad mouth faiths which they were apparently not part of.  The volume of their conversation was distinctly audible and my companion was immediately negative towards Christianity and especially these two men.  I believe they were Christians but in their zeal to defend their chosen faith, they neglected to be sensitive to those around them.  I believe the careless conversation of these two individuals had a negative impact on my non-Christian friend and affirmed his decision to remain a non-believer.

It taught me a valuable lesson in sensitivity toward those around me whether I know them or not.  I’m sure when we disagree with other Christians, we voice our opinion but our conversation for strangers to hear should be gracious and effective and generate positive attitudes towards others who are following a Bible believing faith. Even the religions we disagree with and perhaps don’t follow the Word of God, should be addressed with sensitivity and discretion.

Prayer for today:  Dear Jesus, thank you for helping me to be sensitive toward others.  Help me keep my conversation gracious and uplifting no matter where I am.  I want to be more like you Jesus.  When you spoke to the woman at the well, you did not put her down or bad mouth her for her lifestyle. You simply told her where to find peace and forgiveness.  Help me to show more Christian love to the friends and neighbors you have blessed me with. In Jesus name, Amen.

Be encouraged today!

Monday August 13 2012:

1 Corinthians 15:56.  “So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Sometimes we feel our efforts to serve the Lord are insignificant.  It is easy to become despondent and allow negative and selfish thoughts to overtake us.  We may be experiencing a time when our production of fruit is meager and we wonder if we are even capable of any type of ministry that furthers the Kingdom of God.

Paul is telling us to always be strong in our efforts.  To be steady or consistent, don’t quit or give up and always be enthusiastic in our efforts.  Whether we make muffins for someone, give to the Lord monetarily, visit the sick or lonely or take a moment to comfort a small hurting child, whatever we do to honour the Lord will never be wasted or useless. Never give up because God sees what is done in his name even if no one else knows about it or sees it, no matter how great or how small, our work for the lord is never in vain.

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for the promises in your Word. Forgive me for being discouraged, when I know everything is in your hands and all things work together for good because I love you.  I am so glad you see what I do for you even if no one else does.  Help me to continue to do good for others and thank you for loving me just as I am.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Tribute to my Mother-in-law/Grannie

Weekend Read August 12 2012:

My Mother-in-law passed away in 1999.  She was a generous person but never learned how to show  love to her family.  As a result it was difficult to openly show affection toward her.  In her later years, I visited her often in the nursing home.  This is an entry from my diary.  November 1996’

Through the love of Christ, I seem to be gaining compassion for Bob’s Mom.  I’m remembering her generosity to me many years ago.  It was the only way she knew to show her love and acceptance of me.  She said it seldom, if ever, but then I probably never told her that I loved her either.  Perhaps it was because of the many hurts she caused my husband when he was growing up. 

Very slowly, I am realizing the deep wounds that were inflicted and the healing process is slow.  I thank God, He has given me grace to be patient and show grace and mercy during the healing time.  My wonderful husband is no longer afraid to display tenderness and allow his emotions to show. What a wonderful blessing!  Through God’s grace, I can now say, “I love you.” to his Mom and mean it.  I know how important it is to hear those words and I pray that I will be able to concentrate on her good points and may my love be able to drown out the ‘negative’ things that have occurred during my 38 years of knowing her. 

She is very frail and her wish is to die.  I pray that the Lord will take her soon.  I can’t even imagine being in her place.  She feels unloved and unneeded, especially by her grand children.  They don’t go to see her and I know this hurts her deeply.  I also know she did not work very hard at developing a relationship with them but I still feel sorry for her.  I must remember to pray for her more.  “Please bring her to my thoughts in prayer more often, Lord.”  I pray that our children will not suffer guilt feelings as they grow older because their lives are truly busy and at a “different’ place right now.

On the topic of righteousness......

Friday August 10 2012:

On the topic of righteousness................

Genesis 15:6  “ And Abraham believed the Lord and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith.”

Romans 5:21.  “ So just as sin ruled over all nations and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 5:18.  “Adam’s one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in God’s sight and gives them life.”

Romans 6:18.  “Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness.”

Psalm 85:11.  “Truth springs up from the earth and righteousness smiles down from heaven.”  13.  “ Righteousness goes as a herald before him(her) preparing the way for his (her) steps.”

There are numerous  passages in scripture pertaining to the righteousness of a believer, declaring that we are made right or righteousness by faith, as Abraham was.  Even though one man’s sin, Adam, brought condemnation upon everyone, Christ’s shed blood is able to make everyone righteous in God’s sight.  Our  righteousness, through Christ, enables us to shed our desire to sin and become instead, a slave to righteousness.  A slave to righteousness is not being a legalistic “slave” or bound by a law. but it includes a desire to please.  It asks, “What can I do to please you, Lord?”

Prayer for today:  Dear Lord, I am in awe that you love me enough to make me righteous, even as you did for your servant, Abraham!  I am so thankful to be your servant, even your slave!  I want to please you Lord and continue to be righteous in your sight.  Thank you Lord for saving my soul.  Thank you Lord for making me whole, Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free! In Jesus name, Amen.

What is righteousness? Who is? Am I?

Thursday August 9 2012:

Isaiah 45:24.  “............the Lord is the  source of all my righteousness and strength.”

My husband and I were on a breathtaking hike in the Alberta Rockies one summer.  We were marveling at the magnificence of the Bow River.  It serves many communities, Calgary being it’s largest user.  I am always concerned about the possibility of a shortage of water and I wondered how this river could provide so many people with water and never run out.  Soon we came to the source of this flowing water and realized the potential of the glacier that enabled the river to flow so abundantly.  Although scientists say it is frightening how rapidly the glacier is melting, it is a majestic thing to behold. It made me realize how our Heavenly Father is the source of our strength and righteousness.  Unlike the glacier, He never runs short of living water and there is no danger of a slow melt. His water is freely given to us as we need it and it is this water, this Holy Spirit infilling that enables us to be righteous and strong.

In order to enter heaven, we must be righteous.  Can we obtain righteousness on our own?  Perhaps by good works or by clean living?  No! Definitely not!  Where then or how can we become righteous?  It is only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ that our righteousness can be obtained.

“ When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

Our righteousness comes from the Lord who sent Jesus to die for our sins and therefore we can stand before God as righteous people.  This enables us to be strong in faith and bold for Christ.

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that you are a never-ending source of living water and you are always the same.  I am so thankful that I can draw from this living water to fill me with the strength I need each day.  You never change or waver and you long to fill me daily.  Thank you for being my Father and caring about me and for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Do what is right!!!

Wednesday August 8 2012:

1 John 3:7.  “............don’t let anyone deceive you about this;  when people do what is right, it is because they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.”

When we walk with Christ, that is, have a personal relationship with Him, we are considered righteous in God’s eyes.  It is because Jesus pleads on our behalf, to God the Father, that He sees us as righteous.  As Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to keep us holy and do what is right.  It is difficult to do what is right by ourselves. 

Paul says, “I do what I don’t want to do and don’t do what I should do.”  Even Paul the Apostle struggled with this dilemma but in John we are assured that we do what is right because we become righteous even as Christ is righteous.  It is only through Christ’s sacrifice that we are considered righteous in God’s eyes.  Don’t let anyone instill doubt in you about your righteousness, if your life is in God’s hands and you are walking with him..

Prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, I am so thank full that you see me as righteous even though I know I’m not, yet in your eyes you see me that way.  Thank you for taking my sins and removing them as far as the east is from the west.  Thank you for sending Jesus to shed his perfect blood to save me and make me righteous in your sight. I am in awe that you consider me clean and saved from all unrighteousness (wrong doings).  Thank you for the glorious promise that one day I will be with you for all eternity.  Help me to let the Holy Spirit guide me and direct me. In Jesus name.  Amen.