Day 3042: We are unbelievably blessed!!!

Scripture:  And when He (Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:8

Thoughts/questions: Yesterday God2me dealt with a why issue and today we do another. One of the roles the Holy Spirit plays is to convict of sin. Yet, so many churches today want to preach only about God’s love for us and not offend anyone. So why does the Holy Spirit actually ‘highlight’ our sins?

Many of us have used highlighters in our textbooks to bring attention to material we need to learn not to destroy our books. Holy Spirit highlights our sins to bring attention to our need for a Savior and to demonstrate how God’s love supersedes the issue of our sin!

The purpose of making us aware of our sins is not to magnify our guilt or to intentionally demean us and belittle us. No, that awareness brings to our attention the greatness of our God’s grace, His forgiveness, and His love for us – definitely a worthy purpose.

So when the Holy Spirit puts some conviction in your life regarding areas of sin, don’t consider it to be condemnation, but realize the benefit of this awareness on a personal and spiritual level! He convicts us for our benefit. Not necessarily fun, but needed!

Suggested prayer:  Holy Spirit, I don’t like that You convict me of my sin, but thank You for reminding me of God’s love and forgiveness through my knowledge of my sin . . .

Day 3041: You are part of God’s mysterious ways – how that will play out today?

Scripture: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:36, 37

Thoughts/questions: This phrase is repeated in Scripture, and I ask ‘why’ about a lot of things, but never regarding this. I guess I thought that it was just kind of a given that we should be all about loving God.

But then this past Sunday our pastor made a thought provoking comment, “When we love God, it eventually results in a contrite heart.” Now there’s a great ‘why’ answer! God knows that we are like sheep who go astray and desires us to turn from that and restore our relationship with Him.

When we love Him and do go astray a bit, our love for God stirs something deep in our hearts, and we know that change is in order! We sense true sorrow. Our hearts desire is to serve and please the One we love. Our heart becomes contrite! We confess our sins! We’re back!

This greatest commandment is valuable in many ways, AND it keeps us connected to the Almighty via remorse based on love. Wow!

Suggested prayer: Almighty God, I do love You . . .

Day 3040: Another Monday! May the joy of your weekend extend into the work week! (for those who work – had to say that!)

Scripture: For thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. Ezekiel 34:11

Thoughts/questions: I remember getting into my students’ heads a bit by doing a lot of things, one of which was to have them close their eyes and envision themselves and their Dad walking on a path. Once they had the vision and opened their eyes, I then asked where their Dad was – by their side, walking towards them, or walking behind them. Then I just dropped it and let them wonder about it.

Now, envision you and Jesus walking on a path. If things are going well, He’s probably by your side. When not doing well spiritually, then, as my pastor stated yesterday, we probably think of him as chasing us from behind trying to catch up with us.

Today’s verse states how God searches and seeks after us. But from behind – I think not. Although usually not with a 2 x 4, He gently gets in our face, right in front of us, seeking for us to come back to Him. He chases us from the front!!! From there He certainly could pop us one for going astray, but His desire is to hug us and love on us!

When you have a dip in your relationship with Him, remember, He lovingly stands in front of you desiring your love in return!

Suggested prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for continually pursuing me and for Your continual willingness to love and forgive me . . .

Day 3039: May the Lord make His face to shine upon you this weekend . . .

Scripture: Jesus speaking: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you change and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Thoughts/questions: Friday Linda and I went to our 4 year old grand daughter’s birthday party where lots of little ones were running around and playing. Also, now that I’m working in a K-12 Christian school, I get to watch the little kindergarteners and first graders going about. I marvel at their youthful innocence and energy!

Jesus did too! But what happens? Sin, cynicism, negative experiences, failure, poor relationships, put-downs, improper nurturing??? But something certainly happens, and it would be quite a world if it didn’t.

Can we retrace our lives a bit and get back to becoming as a little child? Can we have a toast to the child we once were and renew the spirit of that child? As we do our ‘adulting’ may we maintain the spirit of our childhood!

Suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, may my faith be childlike . . .

Day 3038: Another year flying by – make each day/person count!

Scripture:  And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?  Deuteronomy 10:12, 13

Thoughts/questions: This important topic of what is important to God is repeated many times in Scripture, so God2me can repeat it as well. Please reread it slowly and remember those last words – this if for our own good! May your weekend be blessed!

Suggested prayer: Lord God, Your expectations are clear! Help us all to follow them completely . . .

Day 3037: May God’s love be reflected in you to everyone you meet today!

Scripture:  He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

Thoughts/questions: Some have said that one can’t truly have a deep relationship with God unless they have been broken or humbled. And I think I agree.

When we believe in our self sufficiency, we negate our proper position regarding our God. And when we raise ourselves up instead of having God lift us up, our relationship with God isn’t based on our total dependence on Him. We partner with Him in all cases, but the partnership He desires is one in which He carries the load; He guides; He leads; and He takes care of us – not the other way around.

God chose to humble the Israelis, and He will attempt to humble us. I remember distinctly when that happened in my life, and it was a definite change in my relationship with Him. Without crushing us, He wants us all to be in proper alignment with Him. My prayer is that you have been broken and that you can loudly sing – ‘All to Jesus I surrender, I surrender ALL!’

Suggested prayer: Living God of the universe, You are God and I am NOT . . .

Day 3036: Count your many blessings, count them one by one . . .

Scripture:  I must not forget this one thing – a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.  For the Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as I might understand slowness. II Peter 3:8, 9a

Thoughts/questions: The promises of God in the Bible! They say there are 5,647 of them – haven’t counted them myself, but I know there are a lot!

Many sound so immediate, but don’t seem to be currently happening to all Christ followers. Two thoughts: 1) Perspective – living in our ‘now’ society, when do we want it? We want it NOW! God’s timeline is quite a bit different than ours, as His waiting a week to fulfill a promise could mean 7,000 years to us – a day is like a thousand years! So, for God it is a ‘now’ promise fulfilled, but for us that promise is never fulfilled during our lifetime.

2) Eternity – if we don’t view God’s promises in light of eternity, His promises are filled with lies. Ask those whose lives as Christ followers resulted in death, persecution, rape of their daughters and wives and more.

For God to promise something that will only occur during eternity shows the comparison of mortal vs. immortal or forever compared to 80 years of life on earth. For example, we will experience His promises of protection for eternity, so God has promised that to us even though that protection from evil may not happen during some of our short 80 years – but it WILL happen!

Yes, He IS the original Promise Keeper! And He WILL eventually have ALL of His promises fulfilled! In His time, not ours!

Suggested prayer: Lord Almighty, Help me to always completely trust You . . .

Day 3035: Work day for me today . . .  Blessed to be a part of God’s kingdom activities!

Scripture:  You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. Deuteronomy 7:19

Thoughts/questions: Some of you may remember this, but it’s never gets old to remind ourselves of good things!

The story is told of someone riding their horse on a trail representing their life. Soon, large mountains and dangerous cliffs loomed ahead. The rider stopped and began to be afraid and said, “How am I going to make it over those mountains or escape the cliffs down to the valleys?”

The traveling companion remarked, “It’s time to ride your horse backwards!” So the other rider got off and got on his horse backwards, enabling him to see what he had already gone through. Larger mountains and more dangerous cliffs had already been passed through. His companion shared, “See what challenges and dangers God has already taken you through! He will do the same with what you’re currently facing!”

Yes, challenges and difficulties lie ahead, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! And He WILL carry you through whatever lies ahead! Rest in His faithfulness!

Suggested prayer: Almighty God, great is Your faithfulness . . .

Day 3034: Happy Monday!!! Not a work day for me . . .

Scripture:   I should not consider myself as being all that I should be, but one thing I am to do – Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!  Philippians 3:13,14

Thoughts/questions: The past! Something we can do nothing about, but certainly an adversary none the less! Why? Why does something that we can’t change, and events which often were imposed on us have the potential to create havoc in our present lives and relationships?

Yes, we are a partial product of our nurture and life experiences, but is it possible to do what Paul shared in today’s verses? Can we forget? Can we make what was once an open painful wound transform into a scar – I think so. Yet, so many people I try to help have such a hard time today dealing with yesterday.

Taking two major steps may be key in recovery and freedom – acceptance and forgiveness. First, acceptance – being able to be OK with the person in the mirror! This can happen when we become confident that God has taken our broken pieces and put them together in ways that result in an even BETTER us!

Forgiveness – usually the pains from our past have been caused by someone’s mistreatment of us. By forgiving them, we no longer carry the weight of their impact on us. This is not a result of feeling like forgiving, but choosing to forgive!

Accept who we are and forgive those who hurt us – the road to freedom from our past starts right here! If this applies to you, please start down that path today!

Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You for being with me each step of my life . . .

Day 3033: Enjoy your Spring weekend – they are often the best!

Scripture: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.   Deuteronomy 7:9

Thoughts/questions: A covenant is simply an agreement or contract. Few contracts are relational outside of the marriage contract as most involve financial details or organizational functions.

However, God has made a covenant with us, and it’s a Covenant of Love! His contract is this: I agree to love you if you love Me in return and do what I ask you to do. A contract extended to those who believe to love and be loved – Wow!

Plus, the Lord IS God, capital G. And He is THE faithful God whose promise is not to just one generation, but to thousands of generations! A lasting loving agreement with the One who WILL fulfill His promises – Does it get any better than that? That’s enough to make a great weekend even better!!!

Suggested prayer: Lord God, help me to know you better each day . . .