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There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalm 46:4
It’s only three feet deep and about 20 feet across, yet 2,348 miles later the mighty Mississippi River enters the gulf of Mexico. Along its way hundreds of streams and rivers join the Mississippi, making it one of the largest rivers in the world.
The Psalmist talks about a river that makes the city of God glad. The city of God is a symbolic term for the Church, the body of Christ, those who have chosen to be Christ-followers. The river reminds us of the many blessings that God has bestowed on His people.
Rivers have always been as source of prosperity and security to people. Even in the driest of times rivers provide water, food and protection. When the psalmist wrote this verse he could very well have been thinking about how important rivers were to the safety of a city. Many were built along or on either side of a river. Walls surrounded the city for protection. Many a city fell when invading armies would stop the flow of water to the city, thus eventually rendering it defenseless.
God’s blessings to His church never run dry. No enemy can divert the flow of His grace to His people. His blessings aren’t like the Mississippi at its beginning, small and insignificant. His blessings to us are endless because of His great love for us.
As followers of Jesus we have the promise of forgiveness even when we sin time and again. We are always forgiven. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit of God living within us to guide us, and give us wisdom. We have the Word of God, the Holy Bible to teach us about God and to show us how to live for Him.
Because of these blessings and many more we, as Christ-followers must use the blessings we’ve received to bless those around us.
PRAYER: Father, as I think of all the blessings you have given me, I am in awe that you even consider me. I’m stubborn, selfish and easily prone to sin and worry. Yet your blessings keep coming! You protect me and provide for me physically and spiritually if I will follow you. I praise you today that nothing can keep me from experiencing your blessing. I ask that you would empower me to bless others as I have been blessed by you. Amen.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
The Kingdom of Heaven is described for us in many ways. Sometimes we are told what the future Kingdom will be like once we’ve died and got to live with Jesus. Other times ‘Kingdom Talk’ is about how God’s Kingdom is among us now. If we allow God to control our thoughts and our actions, then a part of His Kingdom exists among us here on earth.
When Jesus was on earth His ‘Kingdom Talk’ revolved around the idea of servanthood, of the least being the greatest, of widows being clothed and orphans fed. His Kingdom was one of giving, acceptance and physical as well as emotional healing.
Paul continues that theme in Romans. He tells us that the kingdom of God here on earth is marked by righteousness, peace and joy. When we live lives marked by right living, peaceful attitudes and joy built on knowing who we are and being content with that, then God’s Spirit is evident in our lives.
One of the things that will steal our joy is when we allow people to make a list of rules about how we should live and how we should act. We allow them to decide for us what we should like or dislike, how we should worship, what music we should listen to or social activities we should engage in. They have a list of clothes we should wear and how we should wear them.
Paul tells us that kingdom living has nothing like that. Some people like meat, others like vegetables. Some like slow, quiet music, for others the louder the better. For some long hair is where it’s at. For others, the ears must be seen to be proper. Too many times we get too bent out of shape over what a person wears or what he eats. I’m not a fan of tattoos, but some of the nicest people I’ve met have lots of tattoos! That doesn’t make them any less of a creation of God than I am.
God’s grace gives us freedom to eat what we want, listen to music we enjoy, and do the things we enjoy doing. Our only rule is to allow the Spirit of God to guide us in those likes/dislikes and activities. We learn that as we grow in relationship to him.
Don’t let the ‘joy snatchers’ steal the joy you can have by living free in Jesus.
PRAYER: Father God, there are so many people around me telling me I can’t do this or I have to do that to be spiritual and to live for you. Sometimes their messages are confusing and critical. Help me to rely on you for the wisdom and guidance to live ‘kingdom life’ the way you intended me to live it. I claim the freedom I have in Jesus to guide me as I grow along life’s journey. Amen.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
Normally we think of the word ‘law’ and our mind conjures up pictures of bondage and restrictions that make living a life of freedom difficult at best and impossible in some situations. No one likes rules. Rules limit our creativity, destroy our freedom and take the fun out of life.
Of course that isn’t true. In reality, if we think about it a life without rules of some sort is a life of chaos and danger. Rules, in and of themselves, are good. They give us guidance, protection and prepare us for what lies ahead.
In reality, it isn’t the rules that bring us down, it’s the rule giver. If we have faith in the one making the rules and know that those rules are given in love and in our best interest it makes following them easier. If we are in love with the rule giver then we hardly notice the rules because relationship trumps rules every time.
God’s law is sometimes looked on with contempt for two reasons. One reason is that the people who see God’s laws as restrictive and out of touch don’t know God. They may know Him on an intellectual basis or as the topic of some religious system, but they don’t know Him in the realm of relationship.
When we are in relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we see those rules as guidelines that will enable us to live in a way that allows us to use the natural gifts and abilities he has given us for His glory and our benefit.
If we are not in relationship with God we see His rules as harsh and out of touch with reality. The Bible says that the wisdom of God is foolishness to mankind because we are, in our human nature, unable to understand Him. Only when we are in relationship with Him and His Spirit is indwelling us, can we fully understand His ways.
A second reason we may think God’s laws are restrictive is because we don’t know what His word says. This is even true among those who are Christ-followers. Stagnant relationships die for lack of understanding and companionship. This is true in the spiritual realm as well as in the physical realm.
If we are not in His word daily and are not on a regular basis interacting with fellow believers we will lose sight of the meaning of His Word. The more we are in His word, the more we interact with Him through prayer, Bible Study and fellowship, the more we will grasp the beauty and reality of His ‘rules.’
The more we love God and commune with Jesus, the less God’s laws become burdensome. Take time each day to meditate on some part of the Bible. Talk to Jesus often and realize that no matter how often you fail Him, He will never let you down.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus. I ask that you would help me to grow in my relationship with you. Show me the wisdom of your rules so that I may live a free and profitable life in you. Bring people and words into my life that will empower me to live for you. Amen.
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:22-23 (NLT)
As Christ-followers, we are to be a catalyst for positive change in the world. We are called to be holy. Holiness has sometimes gotten a bad image. For many the idea of a ‘holy person’ is one that is legalistic, has no fun and spends their time doing nothing but prayer, Bible Study and doing ‘spiritual things.’
Holiness really means we are set apart to live lives that are free from the negative thoughts and harmful actions that the rest of society is imprisoned by. Holiness is as more about attitude than it is action. The ‘holy person’ is one that has the freedom to live life with a positive mindset.
In order to be different, or ‘holy’, on the outside (actions) we must first change how we are on the inside (attitudes). We need to get rid of attitudes that lead to negative thoughts, personal attacks, anger, revenge, refusal to forgive, selfishness, lust, and other thoughts that are harmful to us and to others.
To make the change is really a two step process. Paul says that we must first make a decision to change (throw off your former way of life). This means we have to decide that we actually want to change how we feel about ourselves and others.
After we decide that we really want to change we need to ask the Holy Spirit of God to help us change our thought patterns and our attitudes. Changing actions without changing thoughts and actions is hypocrisy and legalism. True change comes from the heart and is only possible through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and relying on His Spirit to make the change in us.
The Christ follower has a mindset and attitude that shows:
- A true love for God, ourselves and others;
- An inner joy when everything seems to go wrong;
- A peace that passes all understanding when life is scary;
- Patience with those who constantly fail us;
- Kindness to those who are rude, arrogant or insensitive;
- A spirit of goodness or generosity to those who are in need physically and emotionally;
- Faithfulness in our relationships with God and others;
- A spirit of gentleness to those who are hurting;
- Behavior that refuses to give up self-control.
The problem comes when we realize that it’s not enough to just decide to change. We need the inner strength to make that change work on the outside. We can’t do it on our own and it won’t happen overnight. We’ll have set backs. We’ll stumble and fall, sometimes daily! But the first step is the desire to change.
PRAYER: Holy Father. I thank you for the new life you have given me in Christ Jesus. I confess to you that there are so many times in my life when negative thoughts and attitudes control me. I want to change but I’m afraid to give myself completely to you. Help me to live in the freedom of your Spirit. Empower me to change on the inside so that others will see changes in my actions for your Glory. Amen.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
There is nothing more majestic than an eagle soaring high above the clouds, circling, gliding and looking for its next meal. There isn’t much more exciting than to watch it quietly and swiftly dive from the sky and scoop up its dinner. Eagles give us a picture of strength, wisdom and majesty.
The Bible tells us that as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ we will grow stronger. Our strength will be renewed. The Eagle renews its strength every few years by growing new feathers. These new feathers give even an old eagle the strength it needs to soar above the clouds. He is like a young eagle ready for the challenges of his day.
Our strength, our new feathers so to speak, comes from trusting God. Trust isn’t something you put on like a shirt. It’s not something you decide to pray for and get the next day. Trust doesn’t come through a certain prayer, a certain denomination, or a certain religious tradition.
Trust doesn’t come from activity, even good activity such as going to church, reading the Bible or going to Bible Study. These activities help you learn about God and grow closer to him in relationship. But it doesn’t give you ‘trust.’ Trusting in the Lord only comes as we go through adversity and trials and see that He is faithful in renewing us on a daily basis.
Don’t put your faith and hope in man-made solutions or quick fixes. On a daily basis ask God to renew your strength and help you to grow to trust Him in everything you do.
PRAYER: Holy God and Heavenly Father. I’m tired. Rather that flying with the eagles I feel like I’m grounded. Too weak to soar. To weak to even fly. Help me to trust you more. I ask that you would empower me through your Holy Spirit to learn to trust you more and to be renewed to face the challenges of each new day with strength I get from you. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 