JESUS' ZEAL

Jesus’ Zeal

The Father’s house, God’s temple,

Was supposed to be a house of prayer.

Jesus was righteously angry

When He saw the merchants there.

They were selling sacrificial animals,

Robbing the people with the price.

They were exchanging money unfairly

At high rates instead of what should suffice.

Jesus shocked many people

As He fashioned a whip out of cords.

He drove those robbers out of the court,

And His disciples remembered these words:

“Zeal for your house will consume me,”

The Psalmist, a prophet, had penned.

The temple was built as a house of prayer,

And this purpose Jesus had to defend.

        We don’t often picture an angry Jesus in our minds, but Jesus had had enough! The temple, His Father’s house, was being used as a place of buying and selling, merchandising. The merchants were not thinking of how they could be of service to the worshipers, but were thinking, “How much revenue can I walk away with this Passover when everybody has come in from the countryside to sacrifice?” The people were between a rock and a hard place because the men exchanging Roman coins for temple coins charged an unfair rate, and only temple coins could be used. Outraged, Jesus turned over tables, scattered doves, and used a whip to drive out those thieves!

        God’s house is supposed to be a place of intimate worship, prayer, offerings, and praise. How can we prepare our hearts to reverence God’s house each time we enter?     

NAMES OF JESUS - JOHN CHAPTER 1

The Word, The Light, The Lamb of God

Who takes away the sin of the world.

John gives us these terms for Jesus

His name banner forever unfurled.

The Son of God existing forever,

The Word who spoke & all was created.

The Son of Man dwelt among men

and was the Light who illuminated.

The darkness that held man captive

Could not quench the Light of Jesus.

He came to die as the Lamb of God

In the place of sinners and frees us.

The moonlight Jesus created to illuminate the night pierces the darkness to enable us to see and avoid obstacles in our way such as the tree in the picture. Jesus is the Light that pierces the darkness of our hearts with His radiance. When we allow this Light to dispel the darkness of our sin and trust in Jesus, He transfuses life where we were once dead. John gives us several names for Jesus each of which peel away another layer of Jesus’ character. As the Word, He created everything there is. As the Light, He enables us to see our way and His truth. As the Lamb of God, He was the perfect sacrifice for our sin. As the Son of Man, He shows us in a way we can understand, exactly Who God is. As the Life, He is our everything – our breath, our blood, our heartbeat.

RESURRECTION - POEM BY SUSAN SLADE

CHRIST CRUCIFIED - POEM BY SUSIE HALE

Christ Crucified

By Susie Hale

Christ Jesus was born into this world to be crucified, to die.

Humbled Himself as a servant, being made in in the likeness of man.

Relinquishing His heavenly throne for a time, to redeem His bride.

Identifying with mankind completely, He entered the womb of Mary

Surrendering His glory to become a helpless human infant.

Taking the form of the creature He created from dust.

Crucifixion, the cruelest death, was the price He chose to pay.

Redeeming His chosen ones by shedding His own blood,

Uplifted upon the cross He became the perfect Lamb of God.

Crying “Why have you forsaken me?” as the Father turned His back,

Intense suffering fell on Jesus as the weight of our sin crushed Him.

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,

In agony He prayed for sinners, prayed for me and prayed for you.

Ensured entry into paradise to the thief who confessed belief.

Died the death I deserved, that I might have life I could not earn.

Give, and Trust God to Supply

Give as much as the Father leads

And he will surely supply your needs.

His riches in Jesus are boundless, indeed.

Let us from our worries and cares be freed.

“…I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:18b-19

            My mother tells a story that illustrates these verses well. My parents listened to a missionary speak at their church. Daddy told Mother he believed the Lord would have him give the entire paycheck he had just cashed to further this missionary’s work. She asked him how God was going to feed the children but encouraged him to follow the Spirit’s leading. So Daddy put the money in the offering plate.

            On the way home, they decided to drop in on my dad’s parents. Grandma and Grandpa had just had a side of beef delivered, and shared generously with our family. They also had fresh vegetables from their garden packed up and ready to give us in order to make room for the beef in their freezer. God provided more food that week than Daddy’s paycheck would have bought us.

            When I was teaching at a Christian school, making far less than my public school counterparts, God supplied all my needs. There was a student whose grandmother had lost a lot of weight. By the time I finished trying on her old clothes, the back seat of my Plymouth Horizon was filled from floorboard to ceiling. I wore those free clothes for years. There was the time I sorely needed to spend some deep time alone with the Lord, and the singles’ minister told me someone had anonymously paid my way to a singles’ retreat on which we spent four hours of silence and solitude to focus on God. These are just two examples among many of God providing for my needs.

            The truth about giving to the Lord’s work is that the reward is not always monetary. It may be that specific needs are met in unusual ways. I struggled financially for years, but I never went hungry, never lacked clothing, and never failed to pay my rent. God has always supplied my needs and blessed me in other less tangible but very real ways. He gave me children in my fortieth year, the long-awaited desire of my heart. He has given me the satisfaction of having former students return to thank me. He continues to give me wonderful Christian friends. He gives me assurance of his presence at all times. He always gives me more than I can ever give, because all I have ultimately comes from God’s hand. I’ve often heard, “You can’t out give God,” and I know that statement is true.

            Father, help me to give faithfully of my life as well as my money. Thank you for providing for my every need and allowing me the joy of providing for others. Help me to be attuned to your will as I plan my budget, not only of my financial resources but of my time and talents. Help me to constantly remember that all I call “mine” is actually yours, and I am your steward. 

CONTENTED AND STRONG

Lord, help me to abide in you,

To tap into your power.

Help me lean on your strong arms

In my darkest hour.

Give me strength to do your will,

Stand firm, and never cower.

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

 I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:11b-13

autarkēs⁸⁴² – self-complacent, i.e. contented: - content.

ĕndunamŏō¹⁷⁴³ – to empower: - enable, (increase in) strength (-en_, be (make) strong.

            I think that I have mistakenly read “content” as “happy”. Reading verse eleven in the Amplified Version helped me dispel this misconception:

“…for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.”

Contentment might better be described as being at peace. I am not necessarily overjoyed to be in the circumstances I am facing, but I can have inner peace amid outer turmoil. This is another way that Paul is expressing the concept of “peace that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

But how do I arrive at having a calm inner spirit? The key is in verse 13 – “through him who gives me strength.” What I need to face each circumstance of life is available in Christ. Jesus tells us to abide in him as a branch abides in the vine (John 15:1-8). A branch separated from the vine soon withers and dies; but the one still attached to its source of food, flourishes.

But how do I live continually in Christ? The key is found in the same passage. His words must remain in me. I need to study the Word of God, memorize it, and meditate on it. Another aspect of dwelling in Christ, is obedience. Jesus goes on to say, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (John 15:10). I most feel the peace of God’s love inside, when I am in obedience to what he has shown me through his word.

The Lord has given us the Holy Spirit to make known to us his will and to comfort us (John 16:5-16). As I soak up God’s word and pray for his peace, the Holy Spirit will be at work in my life to help me be content. When I face important decisions or life changes, I can be at peace deep within as I trust God to lead me. When my circumstances are unpleasant, I can remain content.

Father, help me to put on spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-20) each day and stand firm against any circumstance Satan throws my way. Help me to continually abide in Christ.

THINK ON THESE THINGS

Take account of what the Lord has done

in all the world around you.

Number what is lovely, pure, and true.

Dwell on pure and noble deeds,

those living admirably and right,

instead of wrongs that have been done to you.

Focus on the excellent

and praiseworthy things you hear

instead of all the evil acts of men.

Count the many blessings

that the Lord bestows upon you

and His tender care where’er you’ve been.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

 whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –

 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

lŏgizŏmai³⁰⁴⁹ – from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (lit. or fig.): - conclude, (ac-) count (of), esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

            I always thought of this verse as another verse to song we sang as small children in Sunday school…“Be careful, little mind, what you think…”. However, when I looked up the full definition of think, a new light was shed on this verse. It reminded me more of the hymn “Count Your Blessings”.  Of course, if I do that, I will be focusing my mind on positive things.

            What is truly amazing is that Paul was writing this from prison, and he was taking his own advice. He was counting the blessings of being in Christ and focusing his attention on encouraging believers through his letters. He was urging them to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). He told them to press on until the day that Christ will transform us to be like him (Philippians 3:21). Paul was uncertain what the outcome of his imprisonment would be, but he took the positive stance that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

            When I take pictures, I can take a panoramic view that might include unsightly images. However, I have found that in almost any location, I can find an object of beauty to focus in on. Narrowing the picture to that one item, I can take a photo that makes it seem that I am in a beautiful location when, in fact, I’m in a place of desolation. It’s all in how I focus the lens.

            I must train myself to focus the lens of my mind on the blessings God has given me rather than the meanness of this world. Meditating on scripture, appreciating beauty in nature, savoring precious moments with loved ones…these are what I should esteem and think about. Concentrate on blessings rather than problems each night before bed. As the hymn says, “Name them one by one”.

            Father, help me to keep my mind free of clutter and unproductive thinking. Help me to focus on all you have done for me and the good you desire to do through me. Help me to meditate on your word day and night as instructed in Psalm 1. Help me to “think on these things.”

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS

I cannot see the answer,

And I struggle, Lord, to trust.

But if I desire to have your peace,

You tell me that I must

Bring everything to you

By petition and by prayer.

Then by an act of faith,

Give thanks and leave it there.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, with transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

mĕrimnaō³³⁰⁹ – to be anxious about: - (be, have) care (-ful), take thought.

ĕucharistia²¹⁶⁹ – gratitude; act. grateful language (to God, as an act of worship): - thankfulness, (giving of) thanks (-giving).

phrŏurĕō⁵⁴³² – to be a watcher in advance, i.e. to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates); fig. to hem in, protect: - keep (with a garrison).

            God’s peace will be mounted as a sentinel around my heart and mind in the midst of situations in which most people would consider it quite normal to be anxious. What is the condition for having that calm, protected feeling? When I begin to worry about something, I must take it to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving.

            In other words, I must ask in faith (James 1:6). I need to be able to worship God with gratitude even before the answer to my prayer is visible. I love the definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1 as found in the Amplified Version:

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality – faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.”

When I begin to feel anxiety, I need to take the problems that are weighting me down to the Lord and, by faith, thank him in advance for the peace he will give me. I need to worship him in my prayer and trust that he only allows those things in my life that will make me more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29).

            Being able to pray with this confidence takes practice. Sometimes my mind must tell my emotions that I’m going to trust God whether I feel like it or not. I must trust the goodness of God as fact whether my senses or my emotions can see what good can possibly come out of a situation. Fortunately, God understands that we humans struggle with this; and it is okay to pray like the father who brought his son to Jesus for healing, “Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

            Father help me to bring all my cares to you trusting that you care for me as your word tells me in I Peter 5:7. You are my loving father, and by faith I praise you now for all that you will do in and through me in the future. Thank you for your loving kindness to me.

REJOICE! THE LORD IS NEAR!

Rejoice in the Lord!

Let him be my delight -

Spending time with him,

Morning, noon, and night.

Immersed in him

So that others will see

A Christ-like manner

When they look at me.

“Rejoice in the Lord always – delight, gladden yourselves in Him; again I say, Rejoice!

Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness –

your considerateness, your forbearing spirit.

The Lord is near – He is coming soon.”

Philippians 4:4-5 (Amplified Version)

ĕpiĕikēs¹⁹³³ – appropriate, i.e. (by impl.) mild: -gentle, moderation, patient.

            Do all people see appropriate, Christ-like behavior, in me? Do my coworkers, my neighbors, my friends, and most of all my family? I wish I could answer that I am consistent in being unselfish, considerate, and forbearing. I strive to be gentle, moderate, and patient. I long to be a positive witness for my Lord. So what happens?

            I believe the key is in the previous verse. To the extent that I delight in the Lord, that I immerse myself in my relationship with him, I will exhibit his characteristics. I delight in spending time with people who have accents from foreign countries or even different regions of the USA. If I spend much time with one of these people, I begin to take on their accent. When I went to Russia on a two-week mission trip, one of the translators said that I spoke my Russian phrases with the correct voice inflections and sounded “more Russian” than the other Americans. I pick up accents by spending time with a native speaker.

            Jesus speaks the native “language” of heaven. It is the language of selfless love. To become a more effective ambassador of heaven, I must spend much time with someone from that country. As I spend time with Christ by reading his Word, praying, and listening to his Spirit, I will become more fluent in the language of love. I will imitate the Lord’s mannerisms as a child imitates his father. My grandmother once told me that I batted and ran bases just like my daddy. I wasn’t sure that was a compliment, but how could I do otherwise than to imitate the one who taught me to play ball?

            The Lord has written a handbook for this game of life. I must read it to know how to approach the many situations I face daily. He has provided the perfect coach – the Holy Spirit speaking directly to my conscience to help me think about an action before I take it. He has graciously supplied his listening ear when I have questions about the game or just need to a review a play with him before practicing it on the field. And at the end of a particularly difficult inning, he grants forgiveness when I admit to him that I have fallen short of the goal.

            Father, as I step up to the plate several times each day, help me to swing the bat with confidence and run the bases without becoming weary. Help me to exhibit your love and consideration for others more consistently. Help me to walk and talk more like Jesus as I spend more time with him each day.

COOPERATION

Though both believers, you and I,

We may not always see eye to eye;

But concerning the Lord we must agree

To work with each other in unity.

We must cooperate toward the common goal

Of bringing good news to the hungry soul.

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow,

help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,

along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers,

 whose names are in the book of life.”

Philippians 4:2-3

sunathlĕō⁴⁸⁶⁶ – to wrestle in company with, i.e. (fig.) to seek jointly: - labour with, strive together for.

            Even in Paul’s day the church ladies got into tiffs. It probably happened among the men as well, just as it does today. I know these women were believers because they had worked with Paul to spread the gospel, and he says their “names are in the book of life.” However, they had some kind of ongoing argument between them that was hindering their effectiveness in proclaiming Christ.

            Whenever there is strife in the body of Christ, we lose effectiveness in our witness. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  The love of God must be evident between us. We must seek and give forgiveness when disagreements arise. We must allow each other to exercise our various gifts and respect each one’s efforts even if we cannot completely agree on how a goal is to be accomplished. As much as possible we must have peace among us (Romans 12:18). Paul gives some very practical guidelines for this:

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.

Romans 12:16 Amplified Version

            I’ve often found that if I’m having a hard time getting along with someone, I need to check my own attitude. Am I feeling superior to her, telling myself she just doesn’t know as much as I do? In other words, am I being conceited?  If I find that I think anything or anyone is “beneath me”, I had better take a reality check. I am supposed to be of the same mind as Christ who “made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7).

            Father, do what it takes to conform me to the image of Christ as you say in Romans 8:29. Lord, take away any haughtiness and enable me to be a true friend to people from all walks of life. Let your love be evident in my life and overflowing to those I know, so that non-believers will see our love and come to Christ. 

CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

I’m a citizen of heaven

Where finally I’ll be free.

And I won’t forget the One who died

To give that gift to me.

So I’ll gladly stand up next to you

And declare His love today.

For there is no doubt I love my Lord,

The Life, the Truth, the Way.

“But our citizenship is in heaven.

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,

will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Philippians 3:20-21

pŏlitĕuma⁴¹⁷⁵ – a community, i.e. (abstr.) citizenship (fig.): - conversation.

tapĕinōsis⁵⁰¹⁴ – depression (in rank or feeling): - humiliation, be made low, low estate, vile.

            After pointing out the way those who do not know the Lord live in the previous two verses, Paul contrasts that with the position of the those who are saved.  If we have surrendered our lives to Jesus and have trusted him to take us to heaven, our citizenship is already there.

            My parents lived in England for five years. Daddy worked at an air force base there, and mother was a homemaker in an old farmhouse off base. However, their citizenship was still in the United States of America and, more specifically, in the state of Texas.  Living in a foreign country did not change the fact that they belonged to and paid taxes to the USA. In the same way, we live as aliens here on earth while maintaining our citizenship in heaven. And as my parents eagerly awaited Dad’s transfer back to Texas, we have great expectation for the day we will finally go home to the place Christ has prepared for us.

            Not only has Jesus prepared a perfect place for us to live; but when we get home, we will no longer struggle with a body prone to sin and death. The temptation of selfish desires will no longer plague us because we will be given a glorious body and finally be made to be like Christ. My uncle who suffers from constant back pain said he sure hoped heaven would be flat to make it easy to walk; but I told him with his new body, he might just be able to bounce from place to place. We really don’t know specifics about our life in heaven, but I do know this…if the Lord says it will be glorious, I don’t need to worry about the particulars because it will far exceed any expectation I may have.

            Father, thank you for the assurance not only of a heavenly home, but of a perfected body as well. What a glorious day it will be when we are finally in our homeland forever!

EARTHLY MINDED

Lord, so many in my nation live as enemies of the cross…

Their minds on earthly things, they seem hopelessly lost.

They take glory in disgraceful acts and satisfying greed.

It seems they cannot see that only Christ can meet their needs.

Lord, help me not to judge, but weep, and try to be a light

To lead them to salvation’s path and out of endless night.

“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears,

many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.”

Philippians 3:18-19

apōlĕia⁶⁸⁴ – from a presumed der. of 622; ruin or loss (phys., spiritual or eternal): - damnable (-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.

aischunē¹⁵² – from 153; shame or disgrace (abstr. or concr.): - dishonesty, shame.

            There is something about listening to a recording of the Bible that makes different verses stand out more than simply reading the passage. When I first heard the words “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame,” they bounced around in my mind for days. I thought this was an accurate description of many Americans.

            Look closely at billboards, newspaper ads, and commercials. They are about food, drink, and luxury items. And it seems all of them are marketed using sex as a backdrop. Things that would not have been whispered about in my mother’s day are emblazoned on signs and blurted out loud. When I was teaching, I felt I could not use the local newspaper in my classroom because the day of the week they would have provided it free was the day of the full page women’s undergarments ad on page 2 of the main news section!

            Society truly glories in what was once considered shameful. Paul pointed this out with tears in his eyes. He was not condemning those who live as enemies of the cross but was weeping over their lost condition. He was also warning the Philippians about slipping into worldly ways.  Sometimes we are like children excusing our behavior by saying that everyone else does it. In our weekly managers’ meeting, my boss handed us an excellent quote on this subject which is attributed to William Penn. “Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”

            Because of the Holy Spirit within us, we have the power to choose to do right.  We should not be ruled by the desires of our sinful nature, nor should we delight in things we know are against God’s commands. We should weep for those who do live in the way Paul was describing and pray for God to change them from the inside out.

            Father, help my life to be evidence of your transforming power.  Help me to live in a way that brings glory to you. Lord, I pray for those who are still far from you and have not fully realized that apart from a life-changing relationship with Christ, their destiny is eternal destruction. Help me to be a light to lead people to you.

THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND

Lord, help me to forget my past

And move forward to a prize that lasts.

Fix my gaze on Jesus Christ

And let me have one goal in life –

To be the person God calls me to be,

To serve the Savior who set me free.

“…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind

and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize

for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13.b-14

ĕpilanthanŏmai¹⁹⁵⁰ – from 1909 and 2990; to lose out of mind; by impl. to neglect: - (be) forget (-ful of).

diōkō¹³⁷⁷ – a prol. (and caus.) form of a prim. verb dio (to flee; comp. the base of 1169 and 1249); to pursue (lit. or fig.); by impl. to persecute: - ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.

            One of Michael Card’s songs contains this fantastic line, “We can’t imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind.”  He speaks of Peter abandoning his nets and Matthew getting up from his tax table to follow Jesus. I think we could also apply it to Paul leaving all else behind in order to free himself to pursue the one goal worth attaining, a life hidden in Christ.

            There are many things we need to leave behind. I believe we all need to forget the same items that Paul has been talking about in Philippians chapter three – our past and our own claims to righteousness. We also need to leave sin behind (Hebrews 12:1-3) and not look back. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:17-26). We need to forsake our ideal life and trade it for God’s will for us (Matthew 16:24-27).

            None of this will be easy.  Paul describes it as “straining toward what is ahead.” Watch the runners in the Olympics. As they near the finish line, they stretch out their bodies and strain toward that tape because milliseconds may mean the difference between gold or silver. Many times in life it feels like we’re pouring our last ounce of strength into meeting the goals Christ sets before us. However, we have the assurance that the Lord’s own power is inside us, enabling us to continue the race.

            Father, help me to jettison my past in order to lighten my load. Then infuse me with your power to obey you and run the race you have for me. Help me to hear your voice through your word and godly preachers and gain insight into the course you have mapped out for me to run. 

LORD, I WANT TO KNOW YOU

Lord, I want to know you,

To feel your awesome power at work in me,

To realize that my suffering

Is molding me to be like Thee.

Lord, help me give my life for others

That they in turn may be free.

 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection

and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”

Philippians 3:10

dunamis¹⁴¹¹ – from 1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

kŏinōnia²⁸⁴² – from 2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-) distribution, fellowship.

summŏrphŏs⁴⁸³² – from 4862 and 3444; jointly formed, i.e. (fig.) similar: - conformed to, fashioned like unto.

            I have come to realize that my weakest moments humanly speaking are often times of great power in my spiritual walk. Trying times, especially those that come as a result of serving the Savior, bring me into deeper prayer and study. This, in turn, infuses me with the power to do the things God has called me to do (Philippians 4:13).

            How do I know Christ? The same way I get to know any friend intimately. One of my closest friends and I probably would not enjoy the tight relationship we have had it not been for forced time alone together. We went on a choir tour to Europe and were roommates for fifteen days in four different countries. We prayed together beforehand to overcome our fears. We saw each other tired and frustrated as well as exhilarated after an evening concert. Together, went through her being trapped in a hotel room with a sticking lock, finding our room full of confetti, another room with no furniture (we were moved to a room with no key), and hiking down four flights of stairs to find a shower. She discovered my intense love of pizza as she watched me find it in every city.  We had the fun of ordering desserts from a good-looking, young Frenchman who insisted I order in French. After the trip, we did many more things together.  I came to know her friends, and she became better acquainted with mine. When we would play Pictionary™, whichever one was drawing barely put the pen to the paper, and the other would shout out the answer. We know each other well.  Even though we no longer have the opportunity to spend time together, we still have a close bond and pray for each other.

            To know Christ as I know my best friend, spending time with him alone is essential. The way to do that is in the study of the Bible, intense prayer, and fellowship with his other friends. Yes, he’ll see your ugly side as well as the face you put on for company. He will love you as you are and show you the riches of his glory!

            Lord, help me to prioritize my time in order to abide with you alone. Let me know your miraculous power in the midst of sharing in your sufferings. Thank you for the grace to do so.

RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH

Lord, you already see me as justified.

It was for that reason that Jesus died.

You’re daily conforming me to be like him,

and you show me your ways that I may walk in them.

Thank you for giving me faith to believe

that the righteousness of Christ is mine to receive.

“…I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him,

not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

but that which is through faith in Christ –

the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Philippians 3:8b-9

dikaiŏsunē¹³⁴³ – from 1342; equity (of character or act); spec. (Chr.) justification: - righteousness.

dikaiŏs¹³⁴² – from 1349; equitable (in character or act); by impl. innocent, holy (absol. or rel.): - just, meet, right (-eous).

pistis⁴¹⁰² – from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction ( of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstr. constancy in such profession; by extens. The system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

            Any righteousness we have truly comes from God. As Paul points out, our righteousness comes through faith in Christ and even that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). God has prepared good works for us to be involved in before we were even aware of the paths we should take (Ephesians 2:10).  We do nothing to earn our justification or merit the label “righteous”. God works in and through us to do his will.

            That doesn’t mean I can just lie on the sofa and wait for God to move me to righteous living. If I truly rely on Christ for my salvation and believe his word is true, then I will have a desire to know and act upon his word. Just as a bride’s desire is for her husband, as a believer I am the bride of Christ; and my desire will be to know him intimately. As that bride tells her friends about her love and wears his ring, I will tell my friends about the Lord and wear his robe of righteousness. I will not want to bring shame to his name.

            Have you ever noticed that people who have been married a long time begin to look and act like each other? As I learn more about my Lord through the study of his love letters and grow closer to him through prayer and worship, I will exhibit more of his characteristics. His righteousness will shine through my life.

            Father, thank you that although I can never measure up to your standard by my own power, you have provided a way for me to be made righteous through faith in Christ. Help that change in me to be obvious to others to the glory of God. As the old hymn says, “Draw me nearer, nearer precious Lord, to thy precious bleeding side.”