Richly Blessed by God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 14:2-3,

"My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Here Jesus reminds his disciples of what is to come their way as believers in him.

It is just astonishing to think of all that is ours when we embrace Jesus Christ in faith.

- The penalty for all our sins was paid for by Jesus Christ on that cross! We are declared spotless before God's judgment throne!
- We have a "breastplate of righteousness". We stand righteous before God because that sin has been paid for.
- We now exist with the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.
- We each have been gifted by the Holy Spirit with special abilities for participating in God's agenda of building his family.
- We achieve the greatest of meaning, purpose, satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives as we utilize those gifts and have been invited by God to participate in the building of his family.
- We have been allowed to draw near to God! We are no longer kept in an estrangement from him.
- God allows us to approach him in prayer... and he responds to those prayers.
- God provides each of us direction, endurance and encouragement through the Scriptures. He reveals himself to us so we can know of him, what he is like and what his agenda is. He lets us know of things he has done in the past, what he is doing today and what is to come in the future as we engage the Scriptures.
- We are given the "mind of Christ", transforming us from our sinful lives into lives that please him. This transformation brings us spiritual health and vitality, the opportunity for healing within our spirits, our minds, our wills, and our emotions.
- We now, currently, possess a lavish inheritance as co-heirs with Jesus Christ, that God has lavished upon us!

None of these things I deserve, yet out of God's incomprehensible love he has so richly blessed us!

I have merely listed a sampling of what is ours as believers in Jesus Christ. What would you add to that list?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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The Beautiful Designs of the Lord - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 13:14-15,

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

At the evening meal at Passover, Jesus took the servant's task of washing his disciple's feet. In those days travel was usually accomplished by foot. Due to the sandals worn in the day, a person's feet would pick up the dust and dirt accumulated by the walk. It was the servant's chore to wash the feet of the family and their guests as they arrived. This menial task that a servant would normally perform was done by Jesus for his disciples. So lowly a chore, Peter initially refused the Lord. However, following Peter's protest, Jesus told him if he didn't wash him, Peter would have no part with him. (This being a reference to the task Jesus would perform for Peter, as well as the rest of us, to take the penalty of our own sins upon himself so that we might inherit eternal life.)

Jesus' point was to express his desire, as well as his expectation, that his followers would serve one another. The driving force behind the concern is that the Lord had decided he would gift each one of us with abilities to meet the needs of one another. In this way believers would grow in unity and in community with one another, facilitating the Lord's purposes in each of our lives. 

Additionally, as a community of believers living in harmony with one another, a greater impact for the gospel enterprise would further the Lord's agenda for us all in this age as he builds his family for eternity. "I [Jesus] pray also for those who will believe in me through their [his disciple's] message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:20-21. Unity in community is key to impacting the world for Jesus Christ and his message of redemption. "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:22-23.

No wonder the devil expends so much energy on keeping the church divided!

The gifts given us through the Holy Spirit that we are to serve one another with are mentioned in passages like "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.

The designs of the Lord are always beautiful things. A community of believers, loving one another and serving one another with a view toward building up that community as well as having an impact on the surrounding world for the Lord is simply breath-taking to consider. Who would not want to be a part of a movement like that?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Seeking Sinners - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 12:32,

"And I [Jesus], when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

As John says, "He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die." Verse 33. Jesus spoke here of his crucifixion. He made the statement that, wlith his crucifixion, he would "draw all people to myself." I note he did not say some people, but "all people". He did not say only a few from every demographic of mankind, but "all people."

Here is the incomprehensible love of God on display. Not only will Jesus Christ go to the cross willingly (even joyfully! See Hebrews 12:2) to take the penalty due us for our sins, he will draw all people to himself.

We know, unfortunately, that few will respond to the Lord's entreaty to us, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14. However, it won't be because he hasn't done all the heavy lifting. He died for us! Beyond that, he draws us to himself! Those who resist him do so due to their desire to cling to their sin. Note what Jesus told Nicodemus about this, John 3:19-20, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed."

Jesus Christ died on that miserable cross to pay the penalty for all of the sins of all people that have ever lived, "He [Jesus Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2. And, it is his desire that all people come to him as he draws them, "God our Savior... wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3. Also, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

The Lord desires us! He has come to make a way for us, he has paid the penalty our sins bring us, and he draws us to himself! What a love this is!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.  

Jesus Christ is the Resurrection! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 11:25-26,

"I [Jesus] am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

The resurrection is the event where all people who have ever lived will be brought back to life before God's great white throne judgment. There will actually be two resurrections: the first resurrection will be for all who will inherit eternal life, the second for all who will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8.

We read of the resurrection in Revelation 20:6, "Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection." The second resurrection is called "the second death" in that same verse, where we are told it will have no power over those who share in the first resurrection.

I can't help but note that Jesus said he was the resurrection, in reference to the eternal life all will share in who participates in the first resurrection. "I [Jesus] am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.

I don't read of any Mohammed in the Scriptures. There is no resurrection there. I don't read of any pope or Joseph Smith: Jesus is the Resurrection! I don't read of any ecclesiastical organization: Jesus is the Resurrection! I don't read of any Southern Baptist Convention, no Missouri Synod: Jesus is the Resurrection! No PTL network in the Scriptures: Jesus is the Resurrection! No Buddha, no Confucius, no Ellen G. White: Jesus is the Resurrection! No Democrats and no Republicans: Jesus is the resurrection!

The only hope any of mankind has following death is Jesus Christ. All who embrace him in faith will share in the resurrection of life - eternal life - God's "river of delights"! See Psalm 36:8. Pleasures at the right hand of God for an eternity! See Psalm 16:11. In the resurrection of life all sin, all corruption, all hardship, all death, mourning, crying, pain and infirmity will be left behind! No need to lock the doors any more! No need for medical science or pharmaceuticals! The curse we currently all live under will be removed!

All this through the Son of God, our redemption to eternal life in the resurrection! Jesus Christ is the Resurrection!

"Do you believe this?"

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Who Took Jesus' Life? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 10:17-18,

"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

How baffled I was when I first ever heard the accusation that Jews were "Jesus killers." Those dastardly Jews took Jesus' life! Of course the accusation was made by non-Jews for some kind of cover for their hatred of God's chosen people. The world hates God, hates what God does, hates what belongs to God and certainly hates (with startling viciousness!) God's people. I might mention that it is not only Jews the ill-informed unbelievers hate, but Christians as well. Just look at the fruit-loop characterization of Christians in the movies that come out of Hollywood.

My bafflement (is that really a word?) was due to the knowledge that it was an occupying Roman governor that had Jesus put to death. Yes, the Jews demanded it, but it was Gentiles who did the dirty work.

That was not the greatest cause for my incredulity, however. What mystified me the most was knowing that no one took Jesus' life - he gave it. None of the gospels can be understood correctly without seeing Jesus himself manipulating people and the events that would take place on Calvary. Jesus came to die. I suspect in order to ensure there could be no accusation made by one group against another, Jesus arranged his death such that both Jew and Gentile would be implicated. Sinful mankind put the Son of God to death, however, he determined it would happen and arranged that it should take place exactly as it did.

Who actually put Jesus on the cross was you and me. We did it. Out of an incomprehensible love for us, Jesus determined to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could live an abundant eternal life with him. Hence, it was our sins that motivated the Son of God to come to earth to die a miserable death on that cross.

"For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2. No one took Jesus' life. He gave it… and he gave it joyfully!

"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Blind Religious Leaders - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 9:16,

"This man [Jesus] is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."

This was the statement made by the Pharisees when Jesus healed a man born blind. The Pharisees had become so entrenched in their development of law-keeping, they became unable to see spiritual realities before their eyes.

Where the man Jesus healed was born blind, these Pharisees had made themselves blind to the things of God. They were quite certain they had the "inside scoop" on God as they were the religious elites of the day, but they had merely blinded themselves to spiritual realities in a way they were simply unable to see, to perceive God's Messiah in their midst.

How about the spiritual elites of our day? Have you ever suspected that so many in the religious community might not recognize Jesus Christ were he to visit us today? I don't know about you, but I have no faith in these "religious leaders" - I have faith in Jesus Christ. I don't go to "religious leaders" to find out about the things of God - I go to my Bible. I don't seek truth from "religious leaders" - I seek truth from the Lord himself. I don't have hope in any ability a "religious leader" might have to aid in my spiritual life - I look to the Lord and welcome the Holy Spirit to do his work in my life. I don't have any expectation of the future that "religious leaders" might provide - my hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a presage of my own resurrection to eternal life.

How about you?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Darkness Penetrated by Light! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 8:12,

"I [Jesus] am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

As Jesus spoke to the people, he told them he was the One who brings relief to a real problem the world has... a problem the world often fails to appreciate. The world exists and persists in a darkness. Not a physical darkness, but a spiritual darkness.

This darkness represents the world's estrangement from its Creator due to mankind's sinful rebellion against him. The world knows of its darkness. All the world's religions are based on the broken nature of mankind as a result of this darkness. We are all aware, in spite of the delusions created by notions of "evolution" that a cosmic struggle is in play where mankind continues to grope about in this darkness seeking answers and solutions to its corruption. Answers and solutions that will never be found outside of Jesus Christ.

Industrialization, technological innovation, the affluence of today's advanced nations, while bringing an illusion of relief from this spiritual darkness, have no impact on the grip of this darkness: mankind is just as screwed up today as ever... limping along in its darkness. "They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them." 1 John 2:11b.

The penetrating light of Jesus Christ into this darkness is what brings such a dramatic impact to his coming! "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2. Through him individuals can and do find their way out of this great darkness that dominates mankind. It comes by embracing Jesus Christ in faith.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." How wonderful to be delivered from the spiritual darkness that has blinded us all! How wonderful to be brought into the light of his family! Only from here can we have a clear perspective of the spiritual realities that shape and form this age we live in, while also providing us a view of what is to come in the next.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.