The Wisest Decision

What was the message the LORD gave His prophet Zechariah to announce to His people?  

The LORD told him: "You must say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of Hosts: Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you'" (Zechariah 1:2-3).

There is an astonishing truth here. God's people, after pledging themselves to follow Him, to honor and glorify Him, to love Him above all else, rejected and scorned Him!

But instead of punishing them and destroying them, He graciously offers to restore them to a loving relationship with Him -- forgiving forever their sin!

It's an incredible and gracious offer!

In verse 6 we see that the people accepted this offer -- a very wise decision.

Our God is the same today...AND THE OFFER STILL STANDS!

Focus on 1 John 1:9 -- "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

That brings us back into a full relationship with Him....no walls between us, no barriers to keep us away. Forgiven of ALL unrighteousness!

Have you accepted the offer?

It would be a very wise decision...it's for forever...

You can begin right now!

As they used to say, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

And it can be the first day of your forever life...

How Do We Display Love?

 How do we show our love? There is a lot of practical advice in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. He tells them: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking" (read the whole list in 1 Corinthians 13).

He reminds them that when we love each other, we don't discount them, we give them the benefit of the doubt. We put them in a favorable position. We make sure they are seen in the best light.

I remember once when we were looking for a special painting for our living room -- we needed something perfect to be a focal point for a grand entry.

We found what we thought would be the ideal piece for the space. And we eagerly brought it home.

We considered several possible positions on the main wall so that it would be seen immediately by guests entering the room. We adjusted the lighting, angling spotlights to capture the magnificent colors in the landscape. We added a couple  more tract lights and tried different slants to make certain our expensive painting would be seen in its best light. We had to accommodate the natural light in the room and also the added artificial illumination.

Yes, we were showing it off!

I think that is what Paul is talking about here. We don't seek to make ourselves look good -- we seek to make others look good. To display them in the best light. To make allowances for them. To enhance their special gifts. Even if  it diminishes our importance!

We seek their good, not our own!

Isn't that what Jesus did for us? He humbled Himself so that we could be  exalted. He took our place so that we could could share His...forever!

Is that the picture of love we are to follow?

What did Simeon Do the First Time He Saw Jesus?

Luke tells us in chapter 1:

Simeon was a righteous and devout man. He was eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah, the 'consolation of Israel.'

The Holy Spirit of God revealed to him that he would be able to see the Messiah before he died. And he got even more! 

"Moved by the Holy Spirit, he went into the temple courts." When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple, the Spirit told Simeon who the Child was and Simeon took Him in his arms." He not only got to see Jesus, he was able to touch Him and bless Mary and Joseph!

Luke tells us, "Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God saying, 'Sovereign Lord, as You promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.'''

Simeon understood what Jesus' birth meant -- Probably better than anyone else around. And so he proclaimed it!

We should be like Simeon -- tell people loudly and joyously what really happened when Jesus came!

Because most of them don't know!

(Every night is Christmas -- every morning is Easter -- and every day is Thanksgiving!)

A Very Special July 4th Hymn

 

                                 A Very Special July 4th Hymn

Just before he died, Moses spoke to his people to remind them to always trust God when facing their enemies.

He said, "Do not be afraid...the LORD your God who is going before you, He will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until the day you reached this place" (Deuteronomy 1:31).

In 1876, an Episcopal priest in Vermont wrote a famous hymn titled "God of Our Fathers" to help celebrate the July 4th centennial of our Declaration of Independence. 

It was later chosen as the theme hymn for the celebration of the centennial of the adoption of the US Constitution.

His name was Daniel Roberts. He was born in 1841 and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Our country's devotion to God and God's devotion to us (as our Father) is what inspired him to write this wonderful hymn for July 4, 1876. 

I remember our bicentennial on July 4, 1976...sadly I don't remember a special hymn written for that occasion, do you? What about for today? 

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before Thy throne arise. 

Thy love divine hath led us in the past. In this free land by Thee our lot is cast. Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay. Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. 

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense. Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way Lead us from night to never-ending day. Fill all our lives with love and grace divine. And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

God Bless the USA!

 

How long have we called our country the USA?

Almost from the beginning. Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, completed June 28, 1776, was titled, "A Declaration of the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled..."

So that's 250 years at least!

Freedom still means a lot to us, and we know from history that 'Freedom isn't free!'

But what about our spiritual freedom? Free for us, because of God's grace, costly beyond imagination for the Giver.

A good day to recall these words from Charles Wesley, written about the same time Jefferson wrote our national document of independence and freedom:

     "Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night.

     Thine eye diffused a quickening ray.

     I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.

     My chains fell off, my heart was free,

     I rose, went forth and followed Thee!

     I rose, went forth, and followed Thee!"

And, friends, that's real, everlasting freedom! Chains off - free heart -- following Jesus!

No such freedom anywhere else!