Behold What Manner of Love...

 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.—1 John 3:1-3

God the Father has lavished me with His love.  I am not only called His child, I AM His child.  

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.—John 1:12-13

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." 16 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 8:15-17

This world is not my home. My hope is certain...my destiny sure.  My life here is the worst things will get for me.  Here on earth I might be rejected, despised and tried, but through it all,  I can look forward to receiving my full inheritance in heaven.  We, who believe, will be like Him and be with Him.  My new man was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness. 

and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,—Colossians 3:10

At Christ’s return, the believer (me!) will experience ultimate conformity to His likeness.

who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself—Philippians 3:21

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.—Romans 8:29

John MacArthur says this about that likeness...

“The glorious nature of that conformity defies description, but as much as glorified humanity can be like incarnate deity, believers will be, without becoming deity.”

Having this sure and certain hope encourages us to purify our hearts and live godly today.  Paul nails it in Philippians 3:

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:12-14

Paul’s goal here on earth and in heaven were the same...Christlikeness.  Ours should be the same.  

The Love of God Perfected...

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.—1 John 2:5-6

What a wonderful verse on which to meditate.  God’s love is perfected or brought to maturity in those who obey His word. Our own lives give evidence as to whether we truly know Him. Those who know Him will walk as He walked.  Those who are truly in Christ will daily grow to look, love, and live like Him. I sooo want this in my life. 

Even in knowing that, my first reaction to the above two verses is rebellion. My flesh bristles.  A wall comes up between my God and me.  I feel burdened and kinda hopeless.  At my age I KNOW I cannot keep His word.  My second response is relief because I remember that He has not left me alone.  His Spirit is with me and is in me. He does the “keeping” work. My job is just to abide.  Jesus taught His disciples in John 15 what that means, explaining it in His illustration of the vine and its branches. Just as the branch gets its life by remaining in contact with the vine, so believers receive their strength by staying in fellowship with Christ.  Without Him, beloved, we can do nothing good. Abiding in Him and His word leads to knowing Him through His word and knowing His truth sets you free to walk as He walked. 

And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."—Exodus 33:14

That Your Joy May be Full...

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.—1 John 1:1-4

I. LOVE. THIS. Truly John’s heart for us, his reader, reflects the heart of God for toward us. 

One of the main goals of John’s letter is to produce joy in his beloved readers. How kind...how wonderful!  He writes here about the One who existed before the beginning of the world...Christ...the Eternal Word of Life.  John’s desire is to proclaim this life that was made manifest to them in the flesh so that we, his reader, could share their joy in the fellowship of believing...that eternal fellowship that they have with the Father and His Son, Jesus. The purpose of his letter can be found in 1 John 5:13.

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life,and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.——1 John 5:13

Beloved, our joy is found in our salvation... Jesus, the Word of God, shows us the path of life.  In His Presence is fullness of joy.  At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.  

Our joy is full in living our lives here on earth completely and utterly for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that is produced in our hearts and our lives as we believe and obey our God.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.—3 John 1:4

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.—1 Peter 1:8-9

Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ...

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—2 Peter 3:17-18

I am great at multi-tasking...it comes naturally.  I do it almost without thinking.  Yes, I can accomplish much in a short amount of time, but it is not the ideal when I am studying the word of God.  For this reason, my mind needs to be consciously told to focus and to settle when I study Scripture.  If I don’t, I lose both the thread and the  point of what the inspired author is trying to tell me.  In my defense, I think the syntax of the more accurate, literal translations make this failing of mine more likely when I read the Bible.  

What do I do to combat these wayward tendencies of mine?   First and foremost, I pray and ask the Spirit of God to illuminate His word and give me understanding.  Next, I read the given passage in the NKJV.  I  follow that up by reading said same passage in the Amplified version.  

The Amplified for me is like a person sitting across the room from me echoing and explaining what I just read in plain, but descriptive language.  It brings to mind those men in the time of Nehemiah who read from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.   I will be honest.  Sometimes the Amplified Version clarifies so much that it literally brings tears to my eyes...I am that thankful.  

This morning was no exception.  Here are the verses I read first in the NKJV.  

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now most people would have no trouble following...me...I read it and understand what they are saying but it takes the Amplified to tie it together for me. 

Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], 18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now I get it...now it is clear.  This is a summary statement.   He ends the book the same way He began.  Peter wrote 2nd Peter to warn believers about the false teachers that were bringing trouble and instability into the church by teaching wrong doctrine.  He begins in Chapter 1 by exhorting believers to keep a close watch over their personal lives....to be diligent to make their call and election sure...to live godly, steadfast lives.  (Read 2 Peter 1:2-11) He ends the book here in Chapter 3 by doing the same.  Verse 18 gives us the antidote for false teaching...

but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

To put it very simply, pursue spiritual maturity by sinking your roots deep into His word. A deeper knowledge of the LordJesus Christ will lead to doctrinal stability and prevent a Christian from being led astray by false teachers.  Beloved, our faith is built on the truth of God’s word...quoting John MacArthur here...”on the objective, historical, revealed, rational truth from God and is intended to be understood and believed.”  The deeper the knowledge, the more grace and peace are multiplied in the believer’s heart.  (See 2 Peter 1:2)

But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.—Ephesians 4:15-16

Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.—John 17:3

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:6

[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].—Ephesians 1:17

I Hope in Your Word...

You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in Your word.—Psalm 119:14

Father...

You are my hiding place.  You preserve me from trouble and encompass me with songs of deliverance.  I dwell in the secret place of the most High God and abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress...my God...in HIM I will trust.  A Man is my covert from the tempest...He is to me as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. The lifter of my head is the LORD. He gives grace and He gives glory.  No good thing will He who withhold from those who walk uprightly.

I will wait for You, O LORD, as one who waits for the morning.  I will hope in Your precious, unchanging word.  Your word has never failed me.  It has been my song and my sustaining grace throughout my earthly pilgrimage.  You Yourself have, through grace, given me everlasting consolation and good hope.  You, my God, are able to make all grace abound toward me in order that I may always have complete sufficiency in everything and an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 

In You and You alone am I self-sufficient. 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13

Oh, How I Love Your Law!

 97 Oh, how I love Your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;

For they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the ancients,

Because I keep Your precepts.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,

That I may keep Your word.

102 I have not departed from Your judgments,

For You Yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.

נ NUN

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

106 I have sworn and confirmed

That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me Your judgments.

109 My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.

111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,

For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, to the very end.—Psalm 119:97-112

This section of Psalm 119 resonated with me this morning. My spirit testifies along with David’s that I am a precious child of God.  What the Psalmist writes and attests of the Word, I experience also!  Truly grace and peace are multiplied as we grow in the true and intimate knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 

Oh, how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all the day.  For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching of the law is light. All things become visible when they are exposed by the light of God's precepts, for it is light that makes everything visible. Pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me.  Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.  Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy...with the lyre I will praise You, O God, my God!

Beloved, let the spoken word of Christ have its home within you. Yes, let it dwell in your heart and mind—let it permeate every aspect of your being.  Teach, admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do all of it (everything) in Jesus’ name, depending completely on Him , while giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Drawn by one of my precious daughters...

This Thanksgiving...

 This Thanksgiving...

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.—1 Peter 4:7-11

Today...Thanksgiving, is no different from any other day of our lives in that we, as children of God, have MUCH for which to be thankful!   Our God’s steadfast love toward us never takes a break...it continues and endures forever.  

Today I praise Him for His good hand upon our nation.  I praise Him for His provision. I praise Him for His word which is good, right and perfect.  I praise Him for His active goodness, kindness, and love toward us His children.  I praise Him also for His undeserved favor, mercy and blessing.   I praise Him especially for saving us...for the precious and indescribable gift of His Son. 

Many of us will spend time with our families today. Praying that by His Spirit, we can live out these words of 1 Peter 4.

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”  

I have spent so much time in the Scriptures in the verses that speak to love and have come to the conclusion that love truly is the answer to all things.  God is love and if we put on His love our relationship with Him and with those around us will be, as much as depends on us, right, peaceable and pure.

The word fervent in this verse, according to John MacArthur, means to be stretched to the limit...stretched like a rubber band to its breaking point.  THAT is a lot of love.  It is the kind of love that is self-sacrificing and puts others needs and spiritual good ahead of our own...despite...and this is so important...how we are treated.  Christ is our perfect example here. (Read Isaiah 50,  Isaiah 52 and 53, read the gospel accounts of His suffering and death.)  We are to put on love even when we are being treated unkindly, ungraciously, or even with hostility. We are to have mercy with the faults of others and be patient and not retaliate even when we are being mistreated. That is a very tall order and obviously cannot be done without His Spirit living in our hearts.  

Beloved, this Thanksgiving remember that the end of all things IS nearer than when we first believed. This Thanksgiving show others Christ...show them His love....bring them to Him who can save them from an eternity without Him. In the end it is all that matters.

His Hands Have Made Me....REPOST from 2011

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.--Psalm 119:73

Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,


His hands have made me...His hands have shaped me!   As it says in Psalm 139, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. My Lord, my God and Father, is acquainted with all my ways.  He knows what I am going to say before I say it.  He hedges me behind and before.  His presence is inescapable.  His right hand upholds me and even when I think the darkness is going to fall on me... even the night is light about me. He planned my days when as yet there were none of them.  All of them are written in His book. His thoughts toward me are precious and cannot be counted....more in number the Psalmist says than the sand. My God knows all about me...my thoughts, my anxieties, the way that I take...and it is HE that leads me in the way that is everlasting.

I am an open book to Him and He LOVES what He sees!  Why would I not submit to Him completely and be completely enveloped in His love. God is omniscience and omnipresence...that is such a comfort!  When each of your were babies I can remember just watching as you played...not wanting to miss a precious moment of it.

I love thinking that our God is like that! Life is made up of thousands of moments...each one our Lord has planned for us.  Don't miss any of what He has planned for you by going your own way...let Him lead.

I am created by God!  He has a purpose for me...for my life.  The opposing view renders life meaningless and pointless.  It says that I am the result of a billion accidents, over billions of years.  This is what many of us are teaching our children or allowing our public school system  to teach them.  They then have to spend millions of dollars trying to counter that teaching with self-esteem courses.  Such evil we teach our little ones.  We are created in His image.  We are made in the similitude of our Creator. Genesis says "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." This defines man unique relationship to God. Colossians 3:10 says this:

^"and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,"

It is God's plan that believers become progressively more like Jesus Christ, the One who made them. He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son.1 Corinthians 15:49 says  

"as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man." 

1 John 3:2 says, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."  

Finally 2nd Corinthians 3:18 says this:  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

We are who He, our Creator, says we are and when we awake in His presence we shall be like Him! 

Love
Mom

Incorruptible Beauty...

 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.—1 Peter 3:4

I don’t think anyone who loves the Lord...man or woman...can read this verse and not desire this kind of incorruptible, eternal beauty for themselves.  Oh, to have the beauty of gentle and lowly Jesus, radiating out from our inner man into the dark and dying world that is before our eyes.  I am so thankful that by His Spirit of grace, God is already doing this work in the hearts of those who love Him.  Beloved, the Lord takes pleasure in His people and beautifies the humble with salvation. Each of us who believe, are even now being transformed into His image.  Read with me from 2nd Peter, Chapter 1, verses 3 and 4. 

“...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”—2 Peter 1:3-4

Those who believe already have everything we need pertaining to life and godliness.  We are partakers of His divine promises.  Our outward man is perishing but our inward man is being renewed daily.  Beloved, surrender to His Spirit.  Look to Him who desires truth in the inner man and in the hidden parts make us know wisdom. Allow Him to order your way rightly moment by moment.  

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.—2 Peter 1:2-3

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.—1 Corinthians 15:49

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.—Colossians 3:12-17

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."—1 Samuel 16:7

And I Will Walk at Liberty...Psalm 119:45

 And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.—Psalm 119:45

The words at liberty literally mean in a wide place.  I will walk in a wide place...my manner of life will be of one that is free from hinderances and snares. These words describe someone who can lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares and run the race before them with endurance.  How?  By seeking His precepts...by keeping their heart, mind and soul focused on Jesus who is the very Word of God...  

Beloved, the truth of God’s word liberates us to walk in this world undefiled from the lies and deceit that abound in our own thinking and also in the world at large. Treasure it!   Surrender to it and allow yourself to be guided by it day by day!  Commit yourself to Him who judges righteously.  Your defense is of God who saves the upright in heart.  

The enemy of our souls wants to confine us, but God by His truth, sets us free and enlarges the very path under our feet.  The world would have us believe that obeying His laws keep us from enjoying our life.  But His word reminds us that commandments are NOT burdensome...they are for our good.  Obeying them brings blessing!  Obeying them sets us free to be more like who He created us to be.  Obeying them enables us to fulfill every purpose He has for our life. Moment by moment, we can and will run the way of His commandments, for He, by His Spirit who dwells in us, will give us hearts that are willing. 

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

And when you run, you will not stumble.—Prov 4:12

Rejoice! 1 Peter 1:3-9

 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.—Luke 1:49

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.—1 Peter 1:3-5

Our joy comes from our eternal relationship with our God. May we who believe gratefully give Him all of our praise and adoration!  He has done great things for us and we are glad!  He has forgiven our sins, redeemed our lives from destruction and crowned us with His loving kindness and tender mercies. We who have been born again are spiritually transformed, renewed and set apart for His purpose. His grace and peace are ours in increasing abundance as we draw nearer and nearer to Him daily.  We have an ever-living hope and confident assurance through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. He has given us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and reserved in Heaven for us!  Not only that, but we are also being KEPT, PROTECTED AND SHIELDED by the POWER OF GOD through our faith!  He hedges us behind and before and lays His hand on us.  There is no where we can flee from Him.  No matter where we go His hand leads us and holds us.  Even the night, His word tells us, is light about us. True saving faith is permanent. No one can steal our treasure and no one can keep us from receiving it. God has qualified us...No one can disqualify us.  (See Romans 8:31-39)

In all of this we can rejoice even though now for a “little while” we are distressed by various trials.  Why?  Because tried faith is precious faith. One of God’s purposes in allowing trouble is to test whether our faith is real.  That testing is not for Him but for us.  When we come through a trial still trusting the Lord, we are assured that our faith is genuine. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:7 that genuine faith is more precious than gold which is perishable. We will be tested.  We will be purified by the fires of trouble, but the resulting genuineness of our faith will praise Him and bring Him glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  And THAT makes it all worth it. 

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2, ESV)

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  (Job 23:10, ESV)

Though we have not seen Him, we love Him.  Though we do not see Him even now we believe Him and trust Him.  We can look past our troubles because we have our eyes on the heavenly...on the glory of our God. The outcome...the consummation of our faith is the salvation of our souls. Beloved, rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy!

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.—Job 1:20-22

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.

5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the ladfn and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.

7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”

12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”—Genesis 22:1-12

Work in Me...Psalm 119:4-6

4 You have commanded us

To keep Your precepts diligently.

5 Oh, that my ways were directed

To keep Your statutes!

6 Then I would not be ashamed,

When I look into all Your commandments.—Psalm 119:4-6

You have commanded me to keep Your precepts diligently.  Your precepts O LORD, are right, they are the rejoicing of my heart.  Your commandment is pure, enlightening my eyes.  Oh Father!  I want this in my life...oh that my ways WERE directed by Your Spirit to keep Your statutes.   You desire this for me too...that I would fear You and keep all of Your commandments always.  You want this because You love me and want what is best for me. You desire my good. You want it to be well with me...I love that  that is Your heart toward me!  Obedience is the path of blessing!  Write Your law upon my heart.  The steps of a good man are ordered by the You, and You delight in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For you uphold him with Your hand. Uphold me, Father, with Your righteous right hand. May Your word be to me a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  In Your grace to me keep my conscience tender...keep me abiding, respecting Your commandments and unashamed before You. Make me perfect in every good work to do Your will.  Work in me what is well pleasing in Your sight.