Isaiah 46-49; I Peter 5

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’.” I Peter 5:5


Although this portion gives instruction to elders and to the young, it’s overall message is to ‘all of you’.  All of us are called to humility; in fact, humility is a quality that pleases God’s heart in such a way that  it is through humility God’s grace is able to flow freely in our lives and ministry.    In Micah 6:8 it says, “He has shown you oh man what is good and what the Lord requires of you; but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly before your God.”  Humility is a beautiful thing and it is often this very quality that brings people to Christ when they see Christians acting in this manner.  My brother pastored a church in Barstow, probably one of the hottest and most desolate places to live.  Robert decided to find out who the people were that were shut ins that were or had once been a part of the congregation.  He found that there was a woman in a convalescent home, who had faithfully attended the church for many years.  Robert visited her and ministered to her and she so wanted to go back to church.  He arranged to pick her up and bring her the next Sunday.  When he arrived that morning to pick her up the home hadn’t properly dressed her but he was determined because she longed  so  much to be in church again.  He carefully carried her to his car and drove her to the church.  When he pulled up in front of the building he again picked her up and began carrying her in to the building.  There was a woman from his church who had an unsaved husband and that morning she had talked her husband in to coming with her.  As they were walking in to the building his wife said , “Oh look that’s Pastor Robert now, the one carrying the woman.” This man was so touched by this act of humble service that he gave his life to Christ that morning and became one of the most outstanding servants in that ministry.  He personally told me his testimony and said that when he saw my brother carrying that woman it melted his heart.  I am reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan--many people passed by the injured man but only one stopped .  This act was one of justice, mercy and humility as Micah 6:8 says.  Notice that Peter says to ‘clothe’ yourselves, all of you…this takes action, we must put on humility, this is a decision.  So today, let’s not pass by any opportunities to be clothed in humility and let’s experience the grace God gives to the humble. Let’s be God’s hands, feet and heart of love to touch the world.

Walking in Him,
Carol

Tomorrow's Reading: Isaiah 50-52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1

Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

As we read through Titus 3 we recognize there is definitely a calling on our lives that becomes very evident once we invite Jesus into our hearts and truly decide to live for Him. “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3, 1-3)

At one time we too were foolish, defiant, deceived and confined by our flesh. But when the compassion and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His grace and mercy. So, now as Christians we need to recognize our inheritance is no longer here. We need to learn to walk submissive and ready to do good, even when others are violent and unjust towards us. While it is a difficult lesson for us because violence and injustice stir up the heart, try to remember that the injustice others are doing is sin, and that we also were formerly its slaves. Remember, grace alone has saved us, and according to that grace we should also show that towards others.

I once heard a great quote that reminds me of the difference of our lives BC (before Christ) and now WC (With Christ)…
“If the Lord awakens the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.”
                                                          Author – Unknown


Be blessed and have a great day my friends,
Pastor Jason



Next Reading: Isaiah 4-5; Psalms 115; Jude

1 Kings 20,21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

After succeeding his father, Asa, Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel. The Bible says "... He sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel." (2 Chronicles 17:4)

Jehoshaphat sent teachers with the Book of the Law throughout Judah. Unfortunately he made the mistake of allying himself with Ahab. (2 Chronicles 18:1) One of Ahab’s problems is he didn’t like hearing the truth and this drove him to false prophets and false spirits. Jehoshaphat wanted a real prophet of God. Ahab didn't, saying "But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me." (1 Kings 22:8) Micaiah prophesied disaster for Israel. In a strange parody of a self-fulfilling prophecy, Ahab says, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?" In the coming battle, Ahab in disguise is killed and Jehoshaphat returns to his palace in Jerusalem. He then begins to turn the people back to God. He appoints judges in the land and in the fortified cities. In Jerusalem, he appoints Levites and family heads to administer the Law of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 19:8)

We should be encouraged to not stand in a place of pride or just wanting our ears tickled as Ahab did. Instead let’s be open to the Lord and attack every day from a place of humility saying, “Lord what would YOU have me do today”. (Jehoshaphat set his face to seek the LORD….2 Chronicles 20:3)

When Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae (the book of Colossians) he did this because many of the Christians there had begun to listen to false teachers, like Ahab and his false prophets. One of the most devastating things about false teachings is so many of them have threads of truth or better said may seem so close to the gospel that it is hard to spot the truth from fiction. Yet these false teachings fork off on their own journey that runs down a crooked path. Paul really tried to emphasize Christ is superior in this letter. I believe Paul wrote more about Christ in Colossians than in any other letters. These letters remind us that our past life is gone, “water under the bridge”. Christ has made us free and calls us to live in that freedom. So, again let’s take every day and ask the Lord, “What would YOU have me do today?” as we live our lives for His service.

Blessings,
Pastor Jason


Next Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4