Good morning! How are we faithing? Are you perfect? Are you almost perfect? Do you keep the ten commandments? Do you keep all the law? Ok, you say we are not under the law. Alright, do you do all Jesus commanded? Do you know what Jesus commanded? Here it is sports fans, we are saved by grace, no one can snatch us away from God regardless of what we do or don't do. There is a reward system for performance once we leave this orb but first, the Word says we will lay them at Jesus' feet anyways so the reward is not what saves us. The focus is flat wrong if we think we must pay attention to performance. Now this is not to say we can run buck wild but what it does say is since we are saved by grace and we have a Lord who understands our lot, we can focus on him and his Word and the result will be an improved performance that glorifies God out of love and peace provided. A well known Pastor says it well, "Follow Jesus and leave the consequences to him". You want more in this world? You desire to excel? You want bigger and better? That's all fine and good but do not lose site of a couple of things. None of it goes with you when you are gone and a focus on that stuff instead of Jesus will leave you empty inside, no contentment. I want to improve. I want to "move up" so to speak but that is drive and not a feeling of "not good enough". We all strive but at what cost? We have accepted Jesus? Our eternity has begun so the attitude of "us being here a short time so grab what you can" is ridiculous and so distorted from the truth that satisfaction becomes elusive. Step back, look at Jesus then look at your life. You'll be surprised at what important things are right there in front of you.
1 John 2:1-17
My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
NAS
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for wisdom and peace. Lord we lift those hurting today. We lift the blind to you. We ask you remove the scales from eyes that are looking away from you. Lord I lift Earl to you. Show yourself to him. Lord, grant illumination to us so we can learn the contentment you give. Lord forgive us when we fail to act in your ways. We try but these old bodies hinder. Thank you Lord for caring and saving us, in Jesus name, amen
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