The God of Peace Be With You...

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” ~ Romans 15:33, NKJV

Paul writes this verse as he prepares to close his epistle to the Roman believers. Earlier, he had written, “Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: ‘For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.’” (vs. 8-9) Jesus, while He was on the earth, submitted Himself completely beneath the strictures, ordinances, and rituals of the law (or the circumcision), so that in fulfilling it He might then, through His death, confirm God's promises of salvation and restoration. He did this “for the truth of God”; that is, so that God's word might be true. He did this furthermore for the Gentiles, allowing those who were once apart from God to bring Him glory through His mercy to them. Jesus' death on the cross, as penalty for sin, brought peace with God to both Jew and Gentile. The law - though good - is death to both groups alike! We can never fulfill it, and it justly condemns us. Our enmity with God brought us the death contained in the law. With death comes all its dreadful cohorts, those enemies who are to blame for every breach of peace in the world: fear, envy, strife, anger, bitterness, pride, rebelliousness, selfishness, greed, despair, anxiety, and the like. But when the God of peace walks beside us - and because of the peace won by Christ He can walk beside us! - there is no room for death and all his friends. They are cast out by God's perfect peace through His unfailing and unlimited love.

by Rebecca...

Jacob Wrestles with God...

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.” ~ Genesis 32:24-25, NKJV

As Jacob prepared to meet Esau again, he spent the night alone on one side of the ford of Jabbok. Here he wrestled with God until dawn - and he prevailed. It's not good to prevail against God! A man only prevails against God when God restrains Himself, as a father with a child. God, our heavenly Father, wrestles against our wills in order to bring us into submission to Him, where we can prosper, have joy and peace, and be blessed. When we, like Jacob, won't yield to the Lord, He must move beyond wrestling and cripple us. A shepherd with a perennially wandering sheep will break that sheep's leg in order to save it from destroying itself (as would surely happen if it kept wandering). Then he binds the leg and tends the sheep as it heals, keeping the sheep close to himself. Later, when the sheep is well, it no longer strays far from the shepherd. Sometimes, as with Jacob, our wills our so vehemently opposed to God's that the Lord must cripple us in order to save us. He put Jacob's hip out of joint. He may send an injury, a sickness, a disability, or a confining circumstance to other Jacobs. When God cripples, whether permanently or temporarily, He always does it in love and with His child's best interest at heart. Through a crippling we learn, as a sheep does, that the best place to be is close to Him. But how much gentler, how much easier - on God and on ourselves! - to let Him prevail when He wrestles us! We save ourselves much time and pain, and we come that much quicker into the blessings and goodness of our loving Father God.

by Rebecca...

Whatever is Not From Faith is Sin....

“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” ~ Romans 14:23, NKJV

Eating the meat of an animal sacrificed to an idol was considered as part of the act of worship. In pagan cities, where animals were offered to idols and the meat was served to guests or sold in the marketplace, believers faced a difficult decision. Was eating the meat tantamount to idol worship? Or was it, as Paul wrote on more than one occasion, just meat? Nothing in God's creation is unclean of itself. If someone had the faith to accept God's word and eat the meat without a doubts in his conscience, this was all well and good - as long as his eating wasn't making another, weaker believer stumble. But it was not well and good for someone to go against his conscience and eat the meat, because his actions, indeed, would be sin - he was going against his conscience and doing that which he believed to be wrong. Faith is the believer's connection to everything that is good. Faith is what holds him to the truth of God's word. Faith is how he receives the Holy Spirit and God's nature. God's nature is good and encompasses all that is good; human nature, on the other hand, is only evil. So, as Paul writes above, whatever is not from faith is sin. All the good motivations - such as love - have their roots in faith. All the evil motivations, like fear, pride, envy, self-seeking, anger, and revenge, are found apart from faith. It's an eye-opening and rather intimidating division of sin and righteousness, but it's also a division that brings simplicity. Where are my actions coming from? Are they from faith? Are they in accordance with the word of God? Are they empowered by the Holy Spirit? Or are they not? Paul makes it very easy to see what deeds are worthless and what deeds are not. And the grace of God is always there to help us walk by faith and not by sight.

by Rebecca

Fear of Isaac...

“Then Laban said to Jacob, ‘Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.’ And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.” ~ Genesis 31:51-53, NKJV

Unsurprisingly, Jacob and Laban's relationship ended on rocky ground. Laban had used Jacob and dealt dishonestly with him. Jacob - while a tricky man himself - ultimately obtained great wealth from Laban because the Lord supported him. Having heard from the Lord that it was time to return to Canaan, and afraid of Laban's displeasure, Jacob left Haran secretly with his wives, children, servants, and goods. Laban pursued him and the two parties met in the mountains of Gilead. Here they set up stones, shared a meal, and struck a pact of mutual distrust. Neither Laban nor Jacob would pass the stones towards the other while intending harm. The idea was: “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.” (vs. 49) It's interesting, however, that when Jacob swears to uphold this covenant, that he swears by the "Fear of his father Isaac." The Lord is the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor (Abraham's brother), but He is also called the Fear of Isaac. Why? Isaac feared God, certainly, but I don't think that's what this term implies. There is also no indication that Isaac was a particularly warlike man. I don't think he needed to be. The fear of God guarded Isaac from his neighbors' ill-will. Fear of Him was synonymous with fear of Isaac, because God favored Isaac. Our God favors all His children. We will almost certainly experience harm at the hands of the world, facing tribulation and trial and suffering, but there is nothing we can do or the world can do that the Lord will not work together for good for us. Nor is there anyone who does us harm that will "get away with it." The Fear of Isaac awaits them for judgment in eternity, and what we might endure now is nothing compared to what they will have to endure. Because of the certainty of God's judgment, I don't have to hate my enemies. I don't have to wish vengeance on them. I have a Fear on my side that vastly outweighs the fear of evildoers, and instead of responding to my enemies with defensiveness I can show love instead. I can pray that they will find mercy and salvation. I can pray for the joy of receiving them as a dear brother or sister instead of as an enemy. When I trust in my fear-inspiring God, and have confidence in His love for me, I have great peace.

by Rebecca

Put on Jesus...

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” ~ Romans 13:14, NKJV

It's a mistake to focus either only or foremost on the latter half of this verse (making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts). A believer's flesh is his or her "old man," or old nature, which is a slave to sin. Am I offended by a perceived wrong someone has done me? That's my flesh at work. Am I afraid to the point that I disobey God (which is the only thing that should really frighten me)? That's my flesh at work. Am I trampling over the hearts and needs of others in an effort to get what I want? That's my flesh at work, as well. Would I like to be able to make no provision for my flesh (don't feed it, don't give it room or opportunity to work), fulfilling God's purposes instead of my old man's? Yes. Do I? No, not really. When it comes to those fleshly desires that challenge my commitment to obey God, I don't have a lot willpower to overcome them. That's why it's deadly to focus only on the latter half of the verse above. If I try, if anyone tries, to overcome their flesh in their own strength, it will only end in defeat and discouragement. Our human efforts may in fact only sink us deeper into bondage. Instead of release, we find only guilt, condemnation, and fear. This is not what God has for us! He tells us first to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," because unless it is Christ doing the fighting, our flesh is going to win the battle. Putting on Christ, however, is not a magical, one-time thing, or some fantastic effort of self-hypnosis. On the contrary. To put on Christ, you must become like Christ. The way to become like Christ is to spend time with Him through immersion in His word. As Paul wrote earlier in Romans 12, the truth renews one's mind and transforms him into someone heavily influenced by the Spirit of God. The more we come under the influence (control) of the Holy Spirit, the less provision is made for our flesh; and gradually, instead of the lusts of the flesh, we begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit: "...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) Putting on Christ is the only way to victory!

by Rebecca

The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable...

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” ~ Romans 11:29, NKJV

Paul spends three chapters of Romans on the spiritual condition of Israel, which weighed heavily on his heart. He longed to see his countrymen believe in their Messiah. Though God had His remnant among the Jewish people (a remnant which included Paul and many others), the majority of Abraham's physical descendants remained in belief. Paul spends time in Romans 11 showing how much Gentile believers owe Israel for the gospel which came to us through them (even through their rejection of the gospel). Believers are to love and bless Israel because it is through them that we were given all our spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. As a rule, the Jews were enemies of the gospel for the sake of the Gentiles, but "concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers." God chose Israel - the people descended from fathers much loved by Him - and called them out of the world as His witness to the world. While the fullness of the Gentiles comes in they remain, as a whole, in unbelief. But the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable! God is not done with His people. In the last days they will experience revival and will once again be His witness. God's gifts, and His calling, are irrevocable. That promise holds true for us as well as for Israel. I have been called out of the world. I have been gifted with all the riches of God in Christ Jesus. The Lord will not go back on His word! He does not give up on me; He does not abandon me; He does not take back what He gives. I can rely on His faithfulness and know that what He has given me is permanent. In a changeable and faithless world, this is precious indeed.

by Rebecca

“When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” ~ Genesis 29:31, NKJV

Jacob the deceiver and supplanter met his comeuppance in Laban, his mother Rebekah's brother. Laban willingly lied to and cheated his nephew (though he ultimately lost more out of their relationship than Jacob did). After Jacob served him seven years for his daughter Rachel, Laban gave him Leah, Rachel's elder sister, instead. Jacob didn't discover the deception until morning, when he challenged his uncle's actions. Laban gave Rachel to Jacob as well as Leah (for another seven years' labor), and predictably, Jacob loved Rachel and did not love Leah. Leah had her own sins, but when reading Genesis 29, one cannot help but pity her. I love that the Lord brought balance to the situation by blessing Leah with many children. Leah and Rachel never had to compete with each other for God's love or favor. He sought the best for them both, working their sins and their husband's and father's together for good. I do not serve a God who is out for Himself, or a God who esteems people the way men esteem them; I serve a God who loves me unconditionally, unchangeably, and unreservedly. Abiding in His love brings the heart peace in the midst of a stormy, unkind, and tumultuous world.

by Rebecca

Our Reasonable Service...

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2, NKJV

Paul broke into praise at the close of chapter eleven, declaring that “of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (11:36) He uses this doxology as a springboard from which to launch into the practical portion of his epistle. If all things - including we ourselves - are of God, through God, and to God, doesn't it make sense that becoming living sacrifices (12:1) is our reasonable service? Under the old covenant, a sacrifice - usually an animal - was something given wholly to God. The animal would be killed, with parts of it burned on the altar and the rest eaten by the priests and the ones who brought the sacrifice. But believers are living sacrifices - we die only the sense that we die to ourselves, our old man of sin, as we give ourselves wholly to the Lord. In so doing we find ourselves sharing in the fullness of the life of God as we conform not to this world, but to the likeness of His Son. Becoming a living sacrifice is not easy; it is a battle. The way we fight that battle is by renewing our minds with the word of God (the truth) so that, little by little, we come more under the influence of His Holy Spirit. You recognize someone who is filled with the Spirit! Their lives are markedly different - they're more alive, more joyous, more loving, more peaceful, more gracious...more complete. This kind of living proves God's will to be what He says it is: good, acceptable, and perfect. No, it's not easy giving one's self wholly to Him. It's easier to just jump off the altar. But when you do obey and you do die to yourself in, say, one particular battle, you come through on the other side with experiential knowledge of just how much it is to be doing it God's way than your way. This knowledge gives you courage to obey again and again and again, as you watch your life and your heart transformed by the power of God.

by Rebecca

The Faithfulness of God...

“[The LORD to Jacob as he journeyed to Haran]: ‘Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.’” ~ Genesis 28:15, NKJV

After Jacob infuriated his brother Esau by stealing his blessing, Rebekah convinced Isaac that Jacob should be sent to her brother in Padan Aram so that he might take a wife from among his own family and not from among the daughters of Canaan. Jacob left with Isaac's blessing and journeyed towards Haran and Padan Aram. As he stayed the night in a certain place, the Lord spoke to him in a dream, confirming to him the promises He had previously made to Abraham and Isaac. Additionally, the Lord addressed Jacob's present situation - his banishment from home and his uncertain future. The Lord told Jacob that He would be with him, no matter where he went, and that He would also bring him back to the land which his descendants would one day inherit, "...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Jacob had a long way to go before he could truly be called God's man, Israel; he responded even to his vision in a very pragmatic and self-willed manner (like me). But he made a step in the right direction. And whether Jacob believed it or recognized it or not, his God never left him - He stayed with him to accomplish all that He had promised him. This faithfulness of God applies to us as well. The Lord never fails to carry out His word to the full. He never leaves nor forsakes those who are called by His name. When He makes a promise, He stands by it. Regardless of our worthiness (or rather unworthiness), reactions, failures, and faithlessness, the Lord remains faithful. So we can be "confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Philippians 1:6, NKJV)

By Rebecca

God is in Control...

“Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, ‘Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.’” ~ Genesis 27:33, NKJV

Believing his life was drawing near to its end, Isaac sought to bless his son Esau in a way contrary to what the Lord had already declared concerning the two boys (Jacob and Esau). Rebekah overheard Isaac's plans and directed their younger son, Jacob, to deceive his father and thus secure the blessing for himself. Genesis 27 is a sad, confused, painful chapter - the fruit of sin in the family's relationships. Isaac "trembled exceedingly" when Jacob's deception was revealed to him. He had sought to bless Esau, his favorite son, and give him what he knew the Lord had given to Jacob; now, after he knew which son he had actually blessed, I think he repented of his disobedience. "...indeed he shall be blessed." At that moment I think Isaac realized that God had accomplished His will through Isaac's very attempts to thwart it! God is sovereign. Despite Isaac's sin, despite Jacob's, despite Rebekah's, and despite Esau's, the Lord still accomplished His perfect purposes. But how much easier and how much better, in every way, is it when we obey Him rather than fight His work. Then, indeed, we are blessed.

By Rebecca

The Righteousness of Faith

“For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “Who will descend into the abyss?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:5-9, NKJV

Paul uses the Old Testament Scriptures to show that the two paths to righteousness - law and faith - are incompatible with one another. If one hopes to live by the law he must do the things that are in the law; this kind of righteousness (which is impossible for man to achieve) is entirely works-based. The righteousness of faith, on the other hand, is entirely based on Christ. We don't have to bring Jesus down from heaven, or bring Him up from the dead. God has already done that. Righteousness is as near to us as our own mouths and hearts, because with them we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and receive His perfect righteousness imputed to our bankrupt accounts. The law brings only shame because of our inability to fulfill it, but “Whoever believes on Him [Jesus] will not be put to shame.” (vs. 11) The righteousness He gives us is His. I'm not relying on myself for my salvation. I can't measure up; I can't not fail. But Jesus remains faithful, and He is the one who guarantees my righteousness.

By Rebecca

God's Sovereignty...

“For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” ~ Romans 9:15-16, NKJV

As part of a larger line of reasoning, Paul makes a point about God's sovereignty here in the above verses. How do you "get" God's mercy and compassion? Why do you get it? Why are you called out as a child of promise? The answer is straightforward: God willed it. It has nothing to do you with you. You can't will it, you can't earn it, you can't win it, and you can't qualify for it through biological or ritual means. This is good news! It is impossible for any of us to earn even the least of God's gifts. We are sinners who deserve only His wrath, not His mercy or compassion. But because He gave me grace anyway, based on His merit and not mine, I have more than I can even imagine. I have salvation. I have life. I have hope. I have peace. I have joy. I have love. I have all my needs supplied. I have blessings upon blessings (material and spiritual) heaped upon me. I have God Himself as my Father. I enter His presence as His beloved daughter and as Christ's little sister. These are goodnesses given to me by God, in His sovereign grace, and guaranteed to me by Him - they're not dependent on my performance, my heritage, my position, my anything. What incredible relief! I have utter rest because I abide in Him who performs all things for me.

by Rebecca

Blessed of the Lord

“Then Abimelech came to him [Isaac] from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. And Isaac said to them, ‘Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?’

But they said, ‘We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you. So we said, “Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.”’” ~ Genesis 26:26-29, NKJV

The Lord confirmed to Isaac His previous promises to Abraham, and made Isaac prosper. Isaac prospered so much, in fact, that Abimelech (king of the Philistines) sent Isaac away from Gerar because Isaac was mightier than they. In the passage above he came again to Isaac in Beersheba, seeking a covenant of peace with him. They wanted his word that he would not harm them, because they saw clearly that he had inherited the favor God set on his father Abraham. Believers share that same favor as the Lord's beloved sons and daughters. This is something for me to remember when I am afraid, when I feel alone, or when I am overwhelmed. The fear of my Father God is my protection and my shield.

By Rebecca

"Abba, Father!"

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” ~ Romans 8:15, NKJV

Earlier Paul dealt with the dichotomy that exists in all believers. Our bodies follow the law of sin and death, but we, with our minds, serve God. Though a believer sins and must fight his flesh constantly, seeking to obey the Spirit instead, he does not walk according to the flesh anymore. The direction of his life is toward God. He has been set free from the law of sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ, and now, in Christ, he has the liberty to say "No," to sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who, because they are in Christ Jesus, do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit! (Romans 8:1) The Spirit of God is not the spirit of bondage that we are used to, which brings us terror and leads us into death and more terror. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of adoption, who gives us the right to cry out to God, "Abba, Father!" God's perfect love for us casts out fear and builds for us an unassailable fortress of security. If the living God and creator of all things treats us as and calls us His beloved sons and daughters, how are we going to come to any harm? He works all things together for good for us. (Romans 8:28) Paul takes the truth of the Spirit of adoption and follows his line of reasoning right into the glorious finale of Romans 8:31-39: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

'For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I do not have the spirit of bondage. I am no longer under any condemnation. I have no reason to be afraid with any terror. I have received the Spirit of adoption by whom I cry out to the Sovereign God, "Abba, Father!"

by Rebecca

Despising God's Gifts...

“And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’

Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’

So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” ~ Genesis 25:32-34, NKJV

Esau sold his birthright (which entitled him to a double portion of inheritance and established him as spiritual leader in the household) for some bread and a bowl of stew, because he was hungry and weary after being in the field. Esau's oath was binding. Though the Lord had already chosen Jacob and told Rebekah that her elder son would serve her younger son, the birthright was still Esau's. It was a God-given gift to him that had eternal value and consequence. Esau despised it, preferring the temporary satisfaction of stew and bread to the never-ending satisfaction of fulfilling God's calling on his life. The author of Hebrews writes of Esau's actions, “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17, NKJV) Esau realized too late what he had sacrificed, and he suffered the consequences of his contempt for God's gift. May that never be the case for us. I want eyes that perceive and esteem eternal value, and I want a heart that treasures the gifts of God, be they circumstances, positions, talents, relationships, or opportunities. To make a practice of despising God's gifts and the calling He has placed on our lives is to end up like Esau - empty, remorseful, and bitterly disappointed.

by Rebecca

Thanking God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” ~ Romans 7:22-24, NKJV

In chapter seven of his epistle, Paul focuses on the law and the role it plays in our lives. Human beings are born slaves to sin. The law exposes our true natures, making our sin "exceedingly sinful," (vs. 13) through the commandment, because the very fact that we are told something is wrong awakens our desire to do that very thing. The law is good. We are not. But in Christ, we died to the law that condemns us and are born again under grace. At salvation, we are given a new nature, an "inward man," who delights in the law of God and desires to do good. Paul recognized the dichotomy that existed between his inward man and his flesh (his physical body). One wills to do the will of God. The other wills to do the will of the flesh, that is, sin. For the believer, life is a continuous battle between these two natures! No wonder Paul cried out, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" As believers fight their flesh and seek to let God's Spirit take control of their lives, we cling to the hope of verse twenty-four: "I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Our salvation is not yet complete. There is a day coming when my body and not just my spirit will be resurrected into new life, wholly free from the old law of sin. Jesus took my old nature with Him to the cross. Soon He's coming again, and He will deliver me from my body of death and bring me into the fullness of life.

by Rebecca...

Waiting and Letting Him Take the Lead

“And the man, wondering at her [Rebekah], remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.” ~ Genesis 24:21, NKJV

Abraham sent his oldest servant to his former country in order to find a bride for his son Isaac. As one reads Genesis 24, one can't help but be impressed by the quality of this servant, and by his obvious faith and love for the God of his master Abraham. When he arrived in Abraham's old country (by the city wells, about the time when the women of the city came out to draw water), he prayed for the Lord to direct him to the woman He had chosen for Isaac: “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” (vs. 14) The servant had hardly finished speaking when Rebekah came to the well. She gave the servant a drink and volunteered to water all ten his camels - no quick or easy undertaking. Verse 21 records that as Rebekah worked, the servant watched her silently. He was waiting to see whether or not she would finish the task and thereby demonstrate that she was the one whom God had chosen.

God wills to prosper all His children, always. He prospered Abraham, He prospered Isaac, and He prospered this faithful servant on his mission to find a bride for his master's son. I love how the servant responded to the Lord in verse 21. He didn't leap to inject himself into the situation as soon as Rebekah spoke; he didn't immediately begin to question her or decide she was the right choice; he waited. Even better, he waited silently. He let the Lord show him what to do before he did anything. It's so easy for us to leap ahead of the Lord, seeking to take control of the situation ourselves rather than wait (quietly!) for the Lord's guidance. Abraham's faithful servant, who was also a faithful servant of God, is an example to all God's children. He is willing to prosper us. But we are best prospered when we are willing to wait and let Him take the lead.

--by Rebecca

Under Grace....by Rebecca

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” ~ Romans 6:14, NKJV

When he exists under the judgment of the law (the unchangeable code of what is right and wrong), man has no hope; the law exposes his sinfulness and subjects him to just condemnation. We wouldn't be able to say sin has dominion over us if not for the law, which tells us what sin actually is (and demonstrates that we, by nature, practice sin). But Christ's death changed all this. We are no longer under the law. We died to the law, our old man being crucified with Christ. Now our new man, who has Christ's nature, is alive to God and no longer under the judgment of the law. Instead we are under the judgment of grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor. Grace brought Jesus into this world to pay the price for my sin. Grace forgave me. Grace made me alive when I was dead in trespasses and sins. Grace adopted me into the family of God. Grace gives me free and bold access to my heavenly Father's presence as His beloved daughter. Grace saved me. Grace gives me what I need to make it through each day. Grace walks with me through each day and comforts me and gives me peace. No, I am not under the law. I am under grace. And this joy is all because of my Savior Jesus.

He Answered Nothing...

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”  But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.--Matthew 27:11b-13 (emphasis mine)

He answered nothing.  Jesus held His peace.  What a wondrous example of wisdom...SILENCE.  

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;
And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear,
And in whose mouth is no response.

For in You, O Lord, I hope;

You will hear, O Lord my God.--Psalm 38:13-14

You, my Jesus, was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, You opened not Your mouth.  You faced so much unjust suffering and were accused of so many things and answered them nothing!  You knew they could have no power against You unless it had been given to them by Your Father in heaven.  Your surrendered completely to His will for the joy that was set before You and endured the cross...You died because You had set Your love upon ME!! before the foundation of the world!! You desired me and chose me as Your peculiar treasure to be with You always and forever...AND YOUR CHOOSING HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME BUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR MERCY, LOVE AND COMPASSION.  

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: --1 John 3:1a

It is written in Your word that no Man spoke as You spoke, but silence was Your answer to Your accusers and Your to Your persecutors.  You bore it all, speechless and said not a word in Your defense...not a word to stop Your slaughter. You were the perfect self-sacrifice. You, who knew no sin, bore our sins for us and took the punishment we so rightly deserved!  Our sin is defenseless.  Nothing can be said in excuse of human guilt and no one can save us but our God and it was to Him that You committed Yourself!  Such a beautiful and perfect example You left for us in the face of suffering.  Silence is so very often the perfect response to an opposing world.  Quiet endurance answers so many questions so much better than words often can.  Thinking on the martyrs who spoke volumes as they gave up their lives for what they believed.  How utterly awesome, Father that in Your Son's silence He proved conclusively that He was the true Lamb of God by fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy!

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.--Isaiah 53:7

Oh Father, may silence be my wisdom as I face an opposing world who hated You without a cause and because I follow You, will hate me, also. 

May I consider my Jesus, who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself and may this keep me from becoming weary and discouraged in my soul knowing that I have not yet resisted to bloodshed striving against sin.

May I do as Your precious Son did in the face of persecution and oppression:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

 “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;--1 Peter 2:21-23

When I suffer according to Your will, Father, I pray that I do not take offense; but instead commit my soul to You in doing good...You are my faithful Creator. You have seen and observed both my trouble and my grief and will repay it by Your hand.  The helpless commits himself to You...Into Your hand, then,  I commit my spirit.  You have redeemed me.  You have abolished death and brought immortality to light through the Gospel.  May I live for You unashamed for I know whom I have believed and like Paul am confident that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.  May my last words be as my Jesus:

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.--Luke 23:46

Comfort and Encouragement from the Gospel of John....

Remembering again why I love the book of John so much. Listen to Jesus' heart as He speaks in these verses. It is important to note that these words are said right after the last supper...right before His crucifixion. He so clearly wants to keep trouble from invading the hearts of His disciples and wants them (us too) to rest easy knowing that their everlasting rest is with Him and that in the meanwhile, He will be sending them His Spirit to indwell them, lead them, and comfort them. So easy to hear in His words a Father's love and concern for his children when for most of us (okay all of us), our concern before being crucified would be for ourselves. We would be looking to others for comfort. Jesus, however, stays the course, remembers His purpose...puts us...the joy that was set before Him...first... and gives us these tremendous words of comfort and encouragement. The ones below are just a smattering of the comfort that can be found in the book of John. Jesus not only brings comfort and consolation...When we take HIm in to ourselves and partake of His Spirit, He becomes for us EVERYTHING we need.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.----John 14:16-21

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.--John 14:26-31

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.--John 15:11

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.--John 16:22-24

Speaking with Grace...

Let your speech always be with grace seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. --Colossians 4:6

grace - that which affords pleasure, joy, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, favor, good will.  

Graceful speech is that which reflects the merciful kindness of God, exerting His holy influence upon souls. It is the kind of speech that turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.  It is speech that is filled with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs and much thanksgiving.

Seasoned with salt:

salt is a purifier..it disinfects
salt adds flavor
salt preserves food unchanged
salt is a symbol of lasting concord
in classical writing salt is spoken of as the wit or sense (wisdom) with which conversation is flavored

Psalm 45:2 - The Lord Jesus represented...

You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.

Here is what our heart should be about so His grace will be on our lips:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.--Deuteronomy 6:4-9

May His grace be poured out on our lips because His word is in our hearts for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  

The Moment…by Mikayla

From Mikayla's devotional letter to her kids today:  I have joy unspeakable:

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.--Proverbs 27:1

Dear Kids,

Don't think about tomorrow too much.  Enjoy this moment, right now.  We can never for sure know what will happen tomorrow.  However, we can always know FOR SURE that whatever happens God has a plan and it is always perfect even if, to our fallen minds, it doesn't seem perfect.  Sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes it gives us unspeakable joy.  Like having you kids.  The joy of that (if it happens, God willing :D) will be one of the greatest in my time upon this earth.

Anyway, trust God.  He sees each of our lives spread out complete before Him.  He gave us our lives; beginning to end.  God loves you and knows exactly what is best for you.  Don't look past the moment.  Enjoy it.  Leave most of the pre-planning to God.  This is the moment He has made, specifically for YOU.  It is exactly what you need RIGHT NOW.  Trust Him.  He's got it covered.

Love
Mommy

The Power of Gentleness...

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.--Psalm 18:35

To My Beloved Daughters…

David knew as a man of war that it was God who made his way perfect and allowed him to be triumphant over his enemies.  He understood that He was upheld by the strength and skill of His God's right hand…and that it was His God's gentleness that made him great  Beloved, there is such power in gentleness!  Gentleness was the power behind the greatest good this world has ever seen.  Gentleness went to the cross and died in our place…the darkest moment in the history of this world was, in reality, the brightest beacon of hope this world had/has ever seen.  Jesus by his gentleness achieved victory over sin and death for each and every one of us who believe.  Jesus' gentleness brought hope to a dying world.

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.--1 Corinthians 15:55-58

David, a great warrior, responded to the gentleness of His God!  We love God, 1 John says, because He first loved us.  Romans tells us that it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.  David learned gentleness from God, His Father and showed that gentleness to others.  This is what made David great…He surrendered his way and followed and imitated God's way.  This is why David is called a man after God's own heart…He learned of God and imitated His ways…

Do as it says in Matthew 11:28-30: 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Learn His gentleness…see His gentleness towards you everywhere in your life…extend His gentleness to those He has placed in your life…Make Jesus your cornerstone…make Jesus the foundation of all you do and say…He will be  your success and your greatness.  It may not be the kind of greatness that will be admired by the world, but it has its own reward far above the praises of men both in this life and in the next.  

A life spent with Jesus brings victory both now and eternally…

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.--Romans 8:31-39

A life spent with Jesus brings influence…

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.--James 5:16b

A life spent with Jesus brings knowledge of God…

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,--Ephesians 1:17

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.--Ephesians 3:19

that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;--Colossians 1:10

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,--2 Peter 1:2

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.--Psalm 25:14

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, andthat He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.--Hebrews 11:6

A life spent with Jesus brings us fellowship "in Christ" that spans generations…

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.--Ephesians 2:1-18

A life spent with Jesus brings us an eternity in glory…

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.--Romans 8:16-17

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.--Romans 8:29-30

The Well of Water...

Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.--Genesis 21:19a  

Praying for eyes to see the goodness and grace of my God today!

Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.--Numbers 22:31

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.--2nd Kings 6:17

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.--Isaiah 35:5-6

But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

And He said to them, “What things?”

So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.--Luke 24:16-31

Jesus of Nazareth, A Man Attested by God to You...

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’--Acts 2:22-28

“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.--Acts 2:22-32

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”  And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.--Luke 24:44-45

Jesus was delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God…

The careful study of Scripture makes it more an act of faith not to believe than to believe:  The Bible predicts history ahead of time…supernatural, otherworldly, outside of time…Jesus is spoken of throughout the OT.

The seed of the woman, whose heel was bruised - Genesis 3
The blessing of Abraham to all nations -  "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” --Genesis 22:18
A priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek - Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4
The Man who wrestled with Jacob - Genesis 32
The Lion of the tribe of Judah - Revelation 5
The Voice from the burning bush - Exodus 3
The Passover Lamb - Exodus 12
The Prophet greater than Moses - Deuteronomy 18
The Captain of the Lord's Army to Joshua - Joshua 5
The Redeemer mentioned in Ruth
The Son of David who was a King greater than David
The suffering Savior - Psalm 22
The Good Shepherd Psalm 23
The Wisdom of Proverbs
The Lover of the Song of Solomon
The Savior described in the prophets
The Suffering Servant - Isaiah 53
The princely Messiah of Daniel

List is from David Guzik's commentary on Acts 2