Hands to the Plow

"But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy"- Ezra 3:12 (NIV).   

Their weeping was not tears of joys. Letting go of the past is hard, painful. Why do we cling to past memories, like these older Israelites did to the former magnificence of the destroyed temple Solomon had built? Each day, the Eternal clock clicks down 24 more hours until Christ's Kingdom comes. Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Your movement should be forward; not backward or standing still! Paul, formerly Saul, knew he hadn't yet reached that point, when he wrote the church of Philippi, but he was determined to press on, reaching forward, to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of him (Philippians 3:12). Roots of bitterness spring up and cause trouble, and by it many become defiled...unfit (Hebrews 12:15). Don't look back. You may loose your equilibrium and fall, or make someone else fall, in the race set before you (Hebrews 12:1). Hands to the plow!  

Creation Sings

"All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You, they sing the praises of Your name"- Psalm 66:4 (NIV).

Creation sings to the Lord, "Blessings and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:13). Day and night their songs of praise rise, yet you hear no words; no voice is heard, but it is there, going throughout the entire earth, the entire universe, declaring the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4). These declarations of His eternal power and divine nature, may not be heard, but they are clearly perceived. Creation worshiping the Creator has been going on since the beginning of time, 24/7, for all to see; how can mankind disbelieve in the Creator...his Creator? There is no excuse! (Romans 1:20).  

Don't Give Up

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up"- Luke 18:1 (NIV).

Sometimes we feel our prayers bounce off the ceiling. We grow weary and begin to lose hope that God will act upon our prayers. The parable referred to in today's Scripture is about the persistent widow who kept returning to the unjust judge asking for mercy. The cruel judge finally conceded, because she kept bothering him. Jesus points out that the uncaring judge finally relented; however, God loves us. Jesus said not to give up coming before our Heavenly Father. He will bring justice for His chosen ones; those who continue to cry out, He will not keep putting them off (v.7). That old deceiver, Satan, wants you to think your prayers are of little worth, because you are of little worth. Are you not God's righteousness? Christ's death made you so (2 Corinthians 5:21). And God's eyes are on the righteous, His ears hear their prayers (1 Peter 3:12). Prayer is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Prayer is heard. Prayer is answered. Jesus said we should pray and not give up. Let us lift our voices and praise the Lord for His faithfulness. 

Faithful

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich"- 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV).

This is the dichotomy of His grace: Jesus became poor that we might become rich; rejected that we might become acceptable; suffered that we might be healed; died that we might be born again. This is where the contrast ends. With Christ's victory over death we, too, shall live (John 11:25); we shall become the image of Christ (Ephesians 4:24); NOTHING in all creation can separate us from Him (Romans 8:38-39); we've been washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Christ Jesus by the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). The definition of Christ's grace is unmerited favor; meaning His grace is not deserved. It's free to those who confess and believe that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Let us hold unswervingly to our profession, for the One who promised is called Faithful (Hebrews 10:23). 

New Life

"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"- Romans 6:4 (NIV).

Anyone who has accepted Christ Jesus is a new creation. The old has passed away into a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). From the lips of our Beloved Savior: "Whoever hears My words and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24). Our heart of stone has been removed, replaced with a new heart and a new Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19). And now we claim the right to be called children of Almighty God...our Father (John 1:12). What kind of Divine love is this, that Christ Jesus would look upon us, sinful and dirty, and die for us (Romans 5:8)? We have died and been buried through baptism to become a new creation...to receive new life; and being born again we will see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Praise the Lord!

Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"- Romans 15:13 (NIV).

Hope is a very powerful agent; it is joy and peace all rolled up into one life giving, life altering, emotion. The psalmist's cup, set on the table God prepared for him in the presence of his enemies, wassurely overflowing with hope (Psalm 23:5). We are to be filled with joyful hope, patient during trying valleys, and continuously praying to the Giver of all blessings (Romans 12:12). God has plans for you and His plans are to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). We ache for hope and it is found overflowing through the power of the Holy Spirit. To receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit you must repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). He will become your strength, your defense, your salvation. Be filled with the God of hope and may your cup overflow.

Master

"They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity-for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them""- 2 Peter 2:19 (NIV).

There are so many forms of addiction, too many to list, but whatever a person is addicted to, that substance or activity has become that person's master. The old adage, "You can't have your cake and eat it too," is the same as Scripture telling us you can't serve two masters...meaning you can't serve the addition and simultaneously serve the Lord. Either you will hate and despise one and love and be devoted to the other (Matthew 6:24). Addiction devours and is the work of the devil, who prowls around looking for victims to enslave (1 Peter 5:8). Addiction has been around since sin came into the world, but God is faithful. He will always provide a way for the addicted to endure and escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Blessed is the person who holds steadfast. God has promised a crown of life to those who choose to love Him as Master (James 1:12).

Encouraging Word

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).

We need encouragement today, just as in the past, and we will need encouragement in the future. Centuries ago, Judas and Silas were examples as they encouraged and strengthened fellow Christians (Acts 15:32). By encouraging, each day, deceitful sin is kept from hardening the hearts of those in need (Hebrews 3:13). Our fellow Christians are part of the purpose and mission of the church. We are commissioned to look after the interests of brothers and sisters in Christ (Philippians 2:4). Like a soreness to a body part, let us refresh and strengthen that part which is in need, because we are all part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Therefore, encourage one another, tenderly and lovingly, until strength is restored. What emerges is a stronger overall body to render service to the Lord.